Concerns re timing, interrelationship of Resource Strategy and CMA 1991 Review
Dr Terrence Loomis made this Official Information request to Megan Woods
The request was partially successful.
From: Dr Terrence Loomis
Dear Minister Woods,
In May MBIE’s Energy and Resource Markets Policy team invited Treaty partners and other interested parties to comment on a range of issues relevant to a Resource Strategy prior to its release for public consultation. The invitation also mentioned that the CMA 1991 Tranche 2 Review was underway and asked whether stakeholders had issues they wished to be considered as part of that Review.
On 13 June I emailed you and the MBIE policy team on behalf of the Fossil Fuels Aotearoa Research Network (FFARN), raising concerns over the timing and interdependency of the two work streams. We were particularly concerned that the policy process being followed (finalising a Resource Strategy and then amending the CMA 1991) was getting the cart before the horse, potentially resulting in stakeholders being confused and/or constrained in what they could say in their submission, and a Resource Strategy that was not based on an amended CMA.
I understand from information your office provided another organisation that the two work streams are taking place in parallel. The Resources Strategy is intended to go out for consultation sometime in August and a discussion paper on the results of the CMA 1991 review will be released in October. MBIE’s website states that the Resources Strategy will be “used to underpin a review of the Crown Minerals Act 1991”.
Since I have received no response to my emails and release of the draft Resource Strategy for consultation in immanent, I am lodging these concerns as an OIA request.
I would like to request (a) any Cabinet papers relating to the development of the Resource Strategy, (b) the Resource Strategy work plan/programme, and (c) all communications between yourself, your staff and MBIE officials regarding the work programmes for the Resource Strategy and the CMA 1991 (Tranche 2) Review that address the following questions:
1. How specifically will the Resource Strategy ‘underpin’ or otherwise relate to the CMA 1991 Review?
2. Is it intended that the Resource Strategy work programme (including public consultation) will be completed and the Strategy signed off by Cabinet before the CMA 1991 Review is completed? Before any CMA amendment bill is enacted into law?
3. If so, what plans are in place to ensure the purpose, principles, values and objectives of the Resource Strategy take account of, and align with, the CMA as eventually amended? Will finalisation of the Resource Strategy be delayed, or will the Strategy be reviewed following amendments to the CMA?
4. What provisions if any have been made regarding public consultation on the draft Resource Strategy so that submitters are not (a) limited in the scope of their submission by the provisions within the current CMA 1991, or (b) have any portions of their submissions disregarded because they propose or assume changes to the CMA 1991 (e.g. the Purpose Statement)?
5. Is the New Zealand Energy Strategy 2011-2021: Developing Our Energy Potential still Government’s policy? If so has it been taken into account in policy work on the Resource Strategy, especially expectations in the Energy Strategy that coal and gas use will increase in the decades to 2050, and that these resources need to be promoted and developed for the sake of the economy and energy security?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours respectfully,
Dr Terrence Loomis
From: M Woods (MIN)
Megan Woods
On behalf of Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources,
Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, Minister for Government
Digital Services, Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration &
Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, thank you for your
email.
This inbox is regularly checked and every email thoroughly considered.
While all correspondence is important, we are not always able to
personally respond to every email that the Minister receives. If the
matters raised in your email fall under another Minister’s portfolio, we
may refer your correspondence to the appropriate office for consideration.
If you are requesting a meeting or inviting the Minister to attend an
event, we will be in touch shortly.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to Hon Dr Megan Woods.
Kind regards,
Office of Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister of Energy and Resources | Minister for Greater Christchurch
Regeneration | Minister of Research, Science and Innovation | Minister
Responsible for the Earthquake Commission | Minister for Government
Digital Services
Authorised by Hon Dr Megan Woods MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: M Woods (MIN)
Megan Woods
Dear Dr Loomis
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act request dated 24 June 2019. You have requested the following information:
“I would like to request (a) any Cabinet papers relating to the development of the Resource Strategy, (b) the Resource Strategy work plan/programme, and (c) all communications between yourself, your staff and MBIE officials regarding the work programmes for the Resource Strategy and the CMA 1991 (Tranche 2) Review that address the following questions:
1.How specifically will the Resource Strategy ‘underpin’ or otherwise relate to the CMA 1991 Review?
2.Is it intended that the Resource Strategy work programme (including public consultation) will be completed and the Strategy signed off by Cabinet before the CMA 1991 Review is completed? Before any CMA amendment bill is enacted into law?
3.If so, what plans are in place to ensure the purpose, principles, values and objectives of the Resource Strategy take account of, and align with, the CMA as eventually amended? Will finalisation of the Resource Strategy be delayed, or will the Strategy be reviewed following amendments to the CMA?
4.What provisions if any have been made regarding public consultation on the draft Resource Strategy so that submitters are not (a) limited in the scope of their submission by the provisions within the current CMA 1991, or (b) have any portions of their submissions disregarded because they propose or assume changes to the CMA 1991 (e.g. the Purpose Statement)?
5.Is the New Zealand Energy Strategy 2011-2021: Developing Our Energy Potential still Government’s policy? If so has it been taken into account in policy work on the Resource Strategy, especially expectations in the Energy Strategy that coal and gas use will increase in the decades to 2050, and that these resources need to be promoted and developed for the sake of the economy and energy security?"
We received your request on 24 June 2019. We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no later than 22 July 2019, being 20 working days after the day your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.
Kind regards,
Millie Carr | Private Secretary
Office of Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister of Energy and Resources | Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration | Minister of Research, Science and Innovation | Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission | Minister for Government Digital Services
Authorised by Hon Dr Megan Woods MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
show quoted sections
From: Dr Terrence Loomis
Dear Ms Carr,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I will look forward to receiving whatever information you can provide in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Terrence Loomis
From: Dr Terrence Loomis
Millie Carr, Private Secretary for
Minister of Energy and Resources Megan Woods,
Dear Ms Carr,
Further to your letter of 24 June 2019, I understood you were intending to respond to my OIA request by 22 July 2019 (20 working days) or provide me an explanation if there was likely to be a delay.
The deadline date has now passed. I would appreciate receiving the information I seek, or at least an indication when I am likely to receive it.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Terrence Loomis
From: M Woods (MIN)
Megan Woods
On behalf of Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources,
Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Minister of Housing,
Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, thank you for your email.
This inbox is regularly checked and every email thoroughly considered.
While all correspondence is important, we are not always able to
personally respond to every email that the Minister receives. If the
matters raised in your email fall under another Minister’s portfolio, we
may refer your correspondence to the appropriate office for consideration.
If you are requesting a meeting or inviting the Minister to attend an
event, we will be in touch shortly.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to Hon Dr Megan Woods.
Kind regards
Office of Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister of Energy and Resources | Minister for Greater Christchurch
Regeneration | Minister of Housing | Minister of Research, Science and
Innovation
Authorised by Hon Dr Megan Woods MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: M Woods (MIN)
Megan Woods
Dear Terrence,
On behalf of Hon Dr Megan Woods, please find attached a response to your recent OIA request dated 24 June 2019.
Kind regards,
Millie Carr | Private Secretary
Office of Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister of Housing | Minister of Energy and Resources | Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration | Minister of Research, Science and Innovation |
Authorised by Hon Dr Megan Woods MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
show quoted sections
From: Dr Terrence Loomis
Dear Millie Carr, Private Secretary
Thank you once again for this information.
Would it be possible for you to email me a copy of the Minister's reply in Word. My email address is [email address].
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Terrence Loomis
Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence
Offensive? Unsuitable?
Requests for personal information and vexatious requests are not considered valid requests for Official Information (read more).
If you believe this request is not suitable, you can report it for attention by the site administrators
Report this requestAct on what you've learnt
Similar requests
Government's plan for weaning NZ off fossil fuels
To Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet by Dr Terrence Loomis
