As the Green Party adjusts to policy compromise while being in Government, TVNZ1's Q+A host Corin Dann quizzed the leaders on where the party sits on the environmental issues of mining on DOC land, protecting fallen native timber and water rights.
Co-leader Marama Davidson said the Green Party had been "very clear" on not mining on conservation land.
The new minister still has a lot of work ahead to get it implemented. (Source: Other)
Earlier this month, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones appeared on Q+A, and called parts of the land "wasteland".
"It was land that was dumped there in 1987 after Rogernomics and it has never been sorted out," he told Mr Dann.
When asked if he thought some of it should be used for mining, Mr Jones said that was what he was pushing for.
Last night, Mr Dann also asked if the Green Party would be comfortable with continuing the collection of fallen native timber from DOC land.
The co-leaders said the protection should continue and the Green Party are still against the logging of the timber.
On water rights, Ms Davidson said "ownership of water is an anathema to both Māori and the Green Party".
The major announcement comes as the party holds its first general annual meeting since being in power. (Source: Other)
"I know who doesn't own water and it's off shore corporates who come in with the power and the money to take it."
The co-leader's comments come after the Green Party conference over the weekend.
The Green Party co-leaders told TVNZ1’s Q+A of the feeling in the party after the Green’s conference over the weekend. (Source: Other)
National's Environment spokesperson Scott Simpson said in a statement that "no real action" was taken at the conference except "reviews and working groups".
"What this weekend has shown is that in spite of all the damage that being part of this Government has done to the Greens credibility and principals, they have no sway, no influence and nothing to show for it," Mr Simpson said.
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