Simmonds wrote to Horizons Regional Council about delays in irrigation consents, including for a farm owned by National MP Suze Redmayne. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n
\u201cI am now seeking to understand from Horizons Regional Council why there have been delays, and what needs to be done to achieve a timely solution<\/a> for the affected farmers, particularly given the Government\u2019s commitment to helping the primary sector grow New Zealand\u2019s economy,\u201d Simmonds wrote to the council\u2019s chief executive at the beginning of September.<\/p>\n She also suggested a meeting with the council, alongside fellow ministers Andrew Hoggard and Todd McClay, to discuss the issue.<\/p>\n The Green Party\u2019s Lan Pham said the documents showed a minister using their position to try to influence a council\u2019s legal process \u201cto help out their mates\u201d.<\/p>\n She said it was a \u201cgross misuse of power\u201d that showed how little care the Government has in being \u201ctransparent about their conflict of interests\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is extremely concerning to have a Minister for the Environment advocating for a consent for water extraction at all.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, here it appears Penny Simmonds is advocating on behalf of a National MP to get a consent for their private company, which seems to be a major conflict of interest that the Prime Minister must answer for.\u201d<\/p>\n Simmonds said that she regularly met with stakeholders, businesses, and local authorities throughout the country to discuss issues regarding resource management.<\/p>\n \u201cI asked to meet with Horizons Regional Council to discuss delayed consents after meeting with representatives from several different farms, who were concerned about the impact these delays were having on their businesses.\u201d<\/p>\nGreen Party’s Lan Pham. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n