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Download AudioConcern from Māori landowners over changes to the emissions trading scheme may be starting to have an impact.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw was a no show at a planned hui in Rotorua to discuss the removal of exotic forests from the permanent category of the ETS but says he did meet with Maori Forestry Association chair Te Kapunga Dewes and is working on arranging other meetings.
“We want to ensure there is a wider group of ministers involved because there are broader issues besides the emissions trading scheme. There’s forestry matters, there’s Te Tiriti matters and so on. One of the advantages of the meeting coming up is we are able to get a range of ministers there but obviously, I would always like to head back to Rotorua and meet there,” he says.
Owners says carbon farming of exotic forests is the only viable use for much remote and marginal Māori land, and the ETS change will shut them out of a $7 billion opportunity.
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