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Coromandel MP Scott Simpson has been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary on conservation and environmental matters.

Parliamentary Private Secretaries are members of parliament who are appointed to assist Ministers, but unlike Under-Secretaries, they are not part of the Executive.

'I'm really looking forward to the new role. It means I will be working even more closely with my colleagues Dr Nick Smith and Maggie Barry in policy areas that are important to New Zealand, the Coromandel and to me personally as a Member of Parliament,” says Scott.

'This new role fits neatly with the work I have been doing and will continue to do as Chair of Parliament's Local Government and Environment Select Committee.

'Needless to say the fit couldn't be better for the Coromandel.”

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says it is great Scott has been recognised in a more formal role and the Coromandel MP will be a real asset as a committed and knowledgeable conservationist.

Maggie explains she has worked closely with Scott on a number of key projects and legislation in his role as Environment and Local Government Select committee.

'The role will also help inform Scott on a number of issues coming before the select committee in the next few months.”

Scott's appointment comes ahead of a visit to the subantarctic islands where he'll be part of a group looking at conservation work associated with predator free island programmes and the challenges the Department of Conservation faces protecting vulnerable native species in a hostile environment.

As the MP for Coromandel, Scott is well placed to understand first hand some very successful projects on the mainland including actively supporting the great work of the Pukorokoro-Miranda Shorebird centre, protecting the nesting Godwits and Red Knots, says Maggie

'As the Prime Minister said when he announced the appointments, the Parliamentary Private Secretary role is an important one that helps to ensure strong links between myself as the Minister, the caucus and the wider conservation communities.”

Scott's appointment as Parliamentary Private Secretary was announced by Prime Minister Bill English last week.

'These are important roles that help ensure strong links between the Minister and caucus and help ensure communities are better served by the Government…Mr Simpson will help maintain the Government's commitment to the environment.”

Scott's appointment is effective immediately.

Member of Parliament.