FW: Annie Frear further information /Evidence for NRC proposed new Regional Plan Northland hearings 30/31 October 2018

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1 Evania Arani From: Sent: To: Subject: Ben Lee Thursday, 25 October :15 PM Evania Arani FW: Annie Frear further information /Evidence for NRC proposed new Regional Plan Northland hearings 30/31 October 2018 Written statement From: Linda Grammer Sent: Thursday, 25 October :02 p.m. To: mailroom Cc: Ben Lee Annie Frear Subject: Annie Frear further information /Evidence for NRC proposed new Regional Plan Northland hearings 30/31 October 2018 Before the Northland Regional Council (NRC full council Hearing Panel at Whangarei) Under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) IN THE MATTER OF Proposed Regional Plan for Northland (Proposed Plan) Annie Frear Totara North Te Tai Tokerau Date: 23 October 2018 att: Northland Regional Council Tena koutou As I am currently overseas, I have given authority to a representative of GE Free Northland to speak to my submission (Zelka Grammer). This was conveyed to NRC on 16 August While I would have preferred to be heard by the NRC formal Hearings Panel (independent commissioners) I direct these comments to NRC full council as I understand that unfortunately independent commissioners will not be hearing submittors on the GE/GMOs/ controversial new genetic technologies issues this time. In addition to the points raised in my original submission I would like to stress (having read Dr. Benjamin Pittman's Expert Witness Evidence for GE Free Tai Tokerau) that I strongly oppose the (highly controversial) "gene editing" of any food plants, animals, indigenous flora and fauna, including native plants /taonga like manuka and also oppose such risky activities in our coastal waters. Kai moana is very important to my local community and must not be put at risk from outdoor GE experiments or releases in the Coastal Marine Area. I would like to see all GMO releases banned in 1

2 the new Regional Plan for Tai Tokerau (as they are in the Auckland Unitary Plan and by WDC and FNDC in those Districts). I support this view, conveyed by Dr. Pittman in his Expert Witness Evidence: "The thought of combining what is effectively the mauri of one organism or entity with that of another is of deep cultural concern, since all are created by natural and spiritual forces and not human, this also results in interference in the natural order, the pre-determined whakapapa of all things or, whakapapa in evolution. The proposed hypothetical gene editing of indigenous biodiversity, including major taonga species like Manuka, although not strictly transgenics, would result in a GMO and the altering of Manuka, and is totally opposed. Not only are there strong cultural reasons for opposing any meddling with Manuka and other taonga species, there could also be unintended, unforeseen and adverse impacts affecting both the species and, in the specific case of Manuka, this could include current medicinal (rongoa), food and edibility properties, in turn having a major impact on export markets."- excerpt, point #16 "Under s.6, Matters of national importance, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) requires that all persons exercising functions and powers under it, in relation to managing the use, development and protection of natural and physical resources, shall recognise and provide for at (e) the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu and other taonga-. For Māori, these are not merely words, which may or may not be heeded according to whim and especially by those with powers of decision accompanied by cultural ignorance. For Māori, they acknowledge connections, rights and responsibilities. In creating a future for their descendants, our tūpuna saw themselves as part of an integrated system and knew that their overall wellbeing was linked to the health of the land and waters. The coastal marine area is of particular significance to Northland Māori given proximity to the sea and we cannot allow these connections to be underestimated and ignored by any power. Estuarine, harbour and ocean habitats provided diverse foods fish, shellfish, and seaweeds as well as having to be managed actively and responsibly. These managed, seasonal resources also formed the basis of sharing and exchange with inland hapū, who were often related and therefore, served a cultural purpose in asserting and strengthening ties."- excerpt, point #25 I further strongly support the unanimous decision by Tai Tokerau mana whenua ( reached at Kaikohe at the GE/GMO hui called by Ngapuhi) to ban any outdoor use of GE/GMOs in their respective rohe, from the Bombay hills/ Auckland coast to Cape Reinga (land and coastal waters). I am a keen seed saver - our heritage seeds, food sovereignty, and right to grow and eat GE food must be protected from transgenic contamination (or from living self-replicating GMOs). 2

3 I continue (as a submittor) to rely on Expert Planner Vern Warren's 23 March 2018 robust analysis and s32 documents (lodged with NRC in response to the NRC Hearings Panel "Minute 1" (to which I became a signatory back in March of this year). I fully support the relief sought by GE Free Northland. GE Free Northland seeks (as I do) strong precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO provisions for inclusion into the proposed Regional Plan for Northland (both land based and in the Coastal Marine Area), urging NRC to ensure that the new Regional Plan is consistent with strong precautionary and prohibitive GE/GMO provisions, policies and objectives in the Auckland Unitary Plan. I do also strongly support the WDC, FNDC and Soil & Health Association more recent s32 documents (including the David Badham Primary Evidence/s32) and the legal submissions by WDC/FNDC lawyers. I would like to convey my gratitude to my local council (FNDC) for showing excellent leadership on this important issue, and working collaboratively (in a fiscally responsible manner) with WDC to ensure that a much needed additional tier of local protection is put in place against the risks of outdoor use of GE/GMOs/ controversial new genetic technologies (which are GMOs). Both District Councils are full members of the Northland/ Auckland ICWP on GMOs, so is NRC and Auckland Council. NRC must pull its weight as a full member of the ICWP on GMOs, support local District Councils and Auckland Council, and ensure that precautionary policy and method (in the operative Northland Regional Policy Statement) is applied to the new Northland Regional Plan. I want the NRC to place strong precautionary GE/GMO provisions, policies, and objectives in the new Regional Plan for Northland. The NRC needs to support local District Councils (including FNDC and WDC) and be in alignment with the precautionary and prohibitive GE provisions in the Auckland Unitary Plan. The NRC needs to protect its constituents, the environment, and the economy from the risks of outdoor use of GE/GMOs (and risky new genetic technologies like CRISPR and "gene drive"). NRC is obligated to do so, given the strong precautionary GE/GMO provisions in the Northland "Regional Policy Statement." I am aware that the outstanding appeals by Federated Farmers of NZ (on the GE/GMO issue) were withdrawn early this year, that Principal Environment Court Judge Newhook made an unequivocal decision on 12 April 2018 in favour of appellant Whangarei District Council, my local council FNDC and many other interested parties including Tai Tokerau mana whenua, Soil & Health Association, and GE Free Tai Tokerau. I am delighted that the new Northland RPS is now operative, containing strong precautionary GMO provisions (that apply to all GMOs) and other wording (reflecting the total opposition of Tai Tokerau mana whenua to any outdoor use of GE/GMOs, and their particular concerns about the risks of GE/GMOs to indigenous biodiversity including taonga species like manuka and kauri). I strongly support the original submissions on the GE/GMO issue by: Ngati Ruamahue Whangaroa Te Kopu Pacific Indigenous & Local Centre of Distinction GE Free Tai Tokerau 3

4 Whangarei District Council Far North District Council Te Runanga O Ngati Rehia Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board Dr. Benjamin Pittman Martin Robinson/ Kerikeri Organics John Sanderson Soil & Health Association Aotearoa NZ Physicians & Scientists for Global Responsibility/ Responsible Genetics Charitable Trust NZ Reuben Porter Taipari Auckland GE Free Coalition GE FREE NZ Organics Aotearoa NZ Te Waka Kai Ora Far North Organic Growers (FNOG) Puhipuhi MIning Action Group Auckland Council I strongly support the Far North District Council and Whangarei District Council excellent collaborative GE/GMO plan changes Annie Frear, being heard at the NRC proposed new Regional Plan for Taitokerau hearing 30/31 October 2018 GE/GMOs Linda Grammer <linda.grammer@gmail.com> to Ben, mailroom, Annie att: Ben Lee NRC proposed Regional Plan Northland team Northland Regional Council Tena koe Ben I have been in contact with submittor Annie Frear. 4

5 Please be advised that Annie Frear would like to be heard at the NRC Proposed new Regional PLan for Northland hearing on GE/GMOs/ controversial new genetic technologies Annie will be overseas but would like me to speak to her submission. Annie supports GE Free Northland, the Soil & Health Association and Taitokerau mana whenua submissions and presentations on these issues 5-10 minutes will be sufficient Thank you Please make a note of this in the next draft of the NRC hearings schedule GE/GMOs Nga mihi Zelka LInda Grammer chairperson, GE Free Taitokerau 5