Arboretum impresses visiting National MP

HIDDEN GEM: Scott Simpson, the National MP for Coromandel and party spokesman on water and the environment, with Dana Kirkpatrick, National’s candidate for the East Coast, at Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Picture supplied

A member of the public reminded National MP Scott Simpson that he had not mentioned water reforms, during a meeting in Gisborne billed as discussing those reforms.

In his nearly hour-long address to a small audience at Forces Café, Mr Simpson, the National Party spokesman on water and the environment, talked about his visit to Eastwoodhill Arboretum, describing it as one of the hidden gems of the Gisborne region.

He spoke at length about the resurgence of crime such as shoplifting during broad daylight, referring to footage shown by a local vendor, and the importance of looking after the marine environment.

However, it was after his speech and during the Q&A session that an audience member reminded him that he had left out the main topics of water reforms and the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on Tairāwhiti.

When the Herald caught up with Mr Simpson after the event, he was asked about National’s plan to scrap the Three Waters reform programme.

Mr Simpson said one of the options National had considered was to try to amend the legislation reforms around Three Waters to make it “more acceptable”.

“But Labour’s plan is so flawed that it’s beyond fixing and they have certainly wasted much money on it.

“If we are given the opportunity this October, we will introduce Local Water Done Well Policy which will empower communities, keep assets in local control and maintain democratic accountability to deliver high-quality water services.”

The Coromandel MP said the only common ground between his party and Labour was the creation of the new water quality regulator (Taumata Arowai) which National supported.

Describing Labour’s water reform programme as “undemocratic”, Mr Simpson said National would work with local councils and communities to create and maintain an efficient water system.

“This way we can also avoid and contain crises such as the Havelock North water contamination incident in 2016 which impacted thousands of people and cost the health board many thousands of dollars.”

Mr Simpson said apart from replacing the Government’s water reform programme, National’s policy would ensure that water services were “financially sustainable” and “upgraded infrastructurally”.

Referring to National’s Local Water Done Well document, Mr Simpson said the party was confident that water services could  “earn sufficient revenue and stand on their own two feet.”

Cyclone damage in Tairāwhiti was  estimated at more than $5 billion, he said, suggesting future borrowing to pay for restoration and repair, and a potential increase in rates.

Mr Simpson said councils using their “balance sheets” and having access to more borrowing to invest in infrastructure would help finance the “water issues”.

“We think it’s good because we are borrowing for intergenerational asset building and resilience and we shouldn’t hesitate to use that.

“When it comes to increased rates, every district and region has a different situation and so the needs differ. We would be wanting to work alongside the council collaboratively on that and sort out what’s appropriate.”

On the issue of forestry, the National MP said the party supported the independent review.

“I think the challenge for the forestry sector is that they are very close to losing their licence in the way they operate. I think there are some changes that need to be made and something that has to be done by them proactively.

“As I understand it, the public’s patience with forestry companies and their current practices are fast evaporating.”

Mr Simpson said his party would implement the Getting Back to Farming package which involves 19 changes to rules and regulations — a counter to Labour’s many updated laws which affected the income and livelihood of farmers.