"\u003C!DOCTYPE html\u003E\u003Chtml xmlns:xlink=\u0022http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\u0022 xmlns:xsi=\u0022http://www.w3.org/2007/XMLSchema-instance\u0022 xmlns:mml=\u0022http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Chead\u003E\n    \u003CMETA http-equiv=\u0022Content-Type\u0022 content=\u0022text/html; charset=utf-16\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cmeta name=\u0022viewport\u0022 content=\u0022width=device-width, initial-scale=1\u0022\u003E\n  \u003C/head\u003E\n  \u003Cbody style=\u0022font-family:sans-serif; font-size:100%;\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002224da6356a9a146df805ebb4040935511\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2017\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022113905a4f0e54a5cb80bea596588791b\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2017\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000002\u0022\u003EMr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000004\u0022\u003EKarakia.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229d225017d7744aa88d64627b9f912599\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226dac9c199fdf4a0aa94fbff784cef2bf\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022e176261285df400cae71154add24a82c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e176261285df400cae71154add24a82c\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Next week, the Address in Reply debate will continue each afternoon after questions. There will be maiden speeches each day. On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the House will consider Government business, including the remaining stages of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill. On Thursday, the House will adjourn until Tuesday, 28 November. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022 data-id=\u00227b57554c0d8f492c9bf03c4923caf998\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227b57554c0d8f492c9bf03c4923caf998\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES (National\u2014Tauranga):\u003C/span\u003E I was just wondering, from the new Leader of the House, when we can expect some real legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022f29f67436d4f4c3da0c237131c1818ce\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f29f67436d4f4c3da0c237131c1818ce\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E There is plenty of real legislation in the pipeline. The member will just need to hold his horses a little bit longer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002279f353a33c1448b4b31304e8c55ee4da\u0022\u003ESpeaker\u2019s Rulings\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002226a7edb1ab4e45efa4b23965e5901545\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u2014Conduct\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00227d7e04b3931a48d48a428290a17e1740\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227d7e04b3931a48d48a428290a17e1740\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Before the House comes to the first question time of the 52nd Parliament, I would like to make some comments on how I intend to preside over oral questions. I have circulated this to members earlier in the day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EI expect primary and supplementary questions to be asked without interjection. Oral questions are an important mechanism for holding the Government to account, and, at a minimum, the House should be able to hear the questions being asked of Ministers. Strictly speaking, members are entitled to speak without interruption at all times, but the House has consented to some interjection to enable members to seek information\u2014Speaker\u2019s ruling 58/1. In my view, oral questions will proceed more effectively if questions can be asked without interjection. Barrages of interjection other times, including during answers to questions, will continue to be out of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003ESupplementary questions are given at the discretion of the Speaker\u2014Speaker\u2019s rulings 172/1 and 172/3. In recent times, the Speaker has given an indication to the parties of the way they may allocate questions. I have continued that practice, and I have also indicated to the three smaller parties in the House that they are able to use their supplementaries across a week. However, I do intend to use supplementary questions to encourage good behaviour from those asking and answering questions. Where no attempt is made to provide an informative reply, I\u2019m likely to award the questioner additional supplementary questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EWhere questions are misused, I may reduce the number of supplementary questions available that day to the offending party, or I may increase the allocation to an opposing party. I aim to ensure a freer flow of questions and answers, without the Speaker being so involved. I will still call on members to ask primary questions, but where a Minister\u2019s asked an oral question, he or she may answer immediately without waiting for a call from the Speaker. After the primary question, I will simply nod to the member asking questions to indicate for them to continue with supplementaries. I will call a member only when inviting a different member to ask a supplementary question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229cef83bb41e447ab8d43e0fee500f886\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b8e10c9e14d948f1b9563e6c97cfc4d6\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227f20040844e8493c8d8eb9f3c579d6ac\u0022\u003EHousing\u2014KiwiBuild\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022 data-id=\u00221b395a66eb5248fd9de5aebee61f584e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221b395a66eb5248fd9de5aebee61f584e\u0022\u003ERt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Leader of the Opposition)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: What will the specific measurable targets be, if any, that she will use to hold her Government to account?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022 data-id=\u00222825363dede1446a84778f83005ab94c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222825363dede1446a84778f83005ab94c\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS (Acting Prime Minister):\u003C/span\u003E As Prime Minister, I will hold my Ministers to account for improving the well-being and living standards of New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e108d7798c64868a9c0607d947c83ad\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: What is the appropriate measure\u2014[Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d81fdf2ee7a340b69521d0d293c50652\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Sorry, I\u2019m just going to start right now. Who is the member who interjected then? Right, there\u2019s an additional question to the Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d73478ea896140f59d00a16352cb84e7\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: What is the appropriate measure we should follow to monitor progress on KiwiBuild where the Government has committed to build 100,000 houses over the next 10 years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251ff85e7934848ba8dd2e0391feb90e7\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: We will make decisions on appropriate targets in due course.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022850f17d2ee314013ab014c67f5a492b3\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: So does that mean that the current expression of the Government\u2019s commitment, which is \u201Cto build 100,000 houses over the next 10 years\u201D does not necessarily mean what most people would take it to mean?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222310c8047978491590a4026fe15263a3\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: We will make and confirm decisions on appropriate targets in due course.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb446648491d4d4d8d14af3282f4251b\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Government stand by\u2014[Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ad7d1454f4443afaeab46d75ea5e4d0\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The chief Government whip, I think, interjected, or someone around her did. There is a further supplementary to the Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240007fc69710450b9492f3ada0941762\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Prime Minister stand by her Government\u2019s commitment to \u201Cbuild 100,000 houses over the next 10 years\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281486cb0c3a84cd59e7a9133c79e451b\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: We will make and confirm decisions on appropriate targets in due course.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002241ae9b5624b640dbb3b7a9881d8697d4\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Government commit to \u201Cbuild 100,000 houses over the next 10 years\u201D if it is now not willing to re-express that commitment in this House?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222b7ae6b500e44056a0b5af5f2fb612c1\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: Because the previous Government didn\u2019t build houses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022764abaa648e6485c92010cbc2bb13653\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Is it possible that the Government is revising this commitment because of public statements made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development that the commitment may involve not building houses but buying existing houses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022083ec3d13b8047529a6b412954d4c51d\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: No. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7dca301617943a4a6463374fce87cbb\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: What other reason could there possibly be for not being willing to restate a commitment made by all its members right though the election campaign to \u201Cbuild 100,000 houses\u201D? What other reason could there be not to make that commitment here today? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226bbd7af1daf74d74b1adb5ea7df739f8\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: We are not revising targets. We will make and confirm decisions on appropriate targets in due course.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f742834630146969740365dd1c45740\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: So is the commitment to build 100,000 houses an appropriate target, or one that is subject to revision or further decisions, or is it one that we should take at its word? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228172da15939a4224b72737be0ee8ea3b\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: The member will find out in due course.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d9e4267080d444ca7cb430a38b9a45b\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: My question to the Prime Minister is this, then: are there other commitments that were made during the election campaign and in the Speech from the Throne that are now open to revision and later decisions? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9faaeefd5624ca9a8b5fac2aabe3edc\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: We are committed to implementing what the Governor-General has said in the Speech from the Throne.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e55bd98fd3254ed2bfc087e4cc059cce\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I just want to clarify: it\u2019s been the practice in the House for some time that a member answering on behalf of another member should clearly identify that. I didn\u2019t want to interrupt the question, but can you clarify whether that is still the case? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220a73b317ba7f4c09a11b3e4dc23d61e0\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Prime Minister answered the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224f1755aa26ee4b7e963ea7ac299689c7\u0022\u003EHousing\u2014Supply and Prices\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u00223dc6c09b80a54ae4a935f0d7728dbe44\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223dc6c09b80a54ae4a935f0d7728dbe44\u0022\u003ETAMATI COFFEY (Labour\u2014Waiariki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development: What is the latest estimate of shortfall in housing and how has he responded to it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u00226c78c6e988fe4f9094377136db897962\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226c78c6e988fe4f9094377136db897962\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development):\u003C/span\u003E We\u2019ve inherited a crisis. The official figures show a shortfall of 71,000 homes, with a shortage of 45,000 homes in Auckland\u2014far worse than the previous Government let on. Our Government has a comprehensive plan to tackle the housing crisis by building 100,000 affordable homes over 10 years, stopping the sell-off of State houses and building thousands more, and an ambitious programme of large-scale urban development projects.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022675023f4863549f6b8182bb77b3f9c02\u0022\u003ETamati Coffey\u003C/span\u003E: What is his response to the comments of the Reserve Bank Governor regarding KiwiBuild?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290cafcbcd6fc42a595ac083056611338\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: The governor\u2019s been very clear that he\u2019s made some assumptions about KiwiBuild. Our view is that the numbers of new affordable homes built under the KiwiBuild programme will be additional\u2014over and above what the private market is already delivering\u2014due to massive increases in the construction workforce, the Housing Commission delivering large-scale new urban development projects that otherwise would not be happening, and our policy commitments to free up the planning rules and deliver a pipeline of infrastructure-ready finance. These are measures that will directly tackle the capacity constraints that the governor spoke of.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225909a88bfb9e4b80b70c86c0a26e5324\u0022\u003ETamati Coffey\u003C/span\u003E: Was he surprised to receive this advice on the housing shortfall?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f09360089c4451db7cb5a2cbd63129a\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Well, we knew there was a crisis in housing for the last few years, but I had no idea how bad things really were. The fact that there\u2019s about 45,000 houses short in Auckland alone is one of the main reasons that house prices doubled in the last 9 years, to an average of $1 million per house. It\u2019s the reason why we have the worst homelessness and overcrowding in living memory, and this Government is upfront: we are going to release data about that. The near-decade of spin and denial on housing is over.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd2a7778629247639d18d6e193597f42\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Were the estimates quoted by the Minister of a 71,000 housing shortfall and 45,000 in Auckland provided to him in the briefing to the incoming Minister provided by his officials?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231692931e86d41b48fa683254d1febf8\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c8c54e22e3f44839aba49b0821aa355\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Given that answer, I require the Minister to table that document under Standing Order 376.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286f02d86c3f24c20be66ef3cb1e9113c\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member has no ability to require the tabling of a document unless it\u2019s been quoted from in the House, and the Minister was clearly not quoting from it at that stage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb349e09716b47e985b941623a9a176b\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002254ffe6facae94a6b8c8e2a4c66012c7a\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019ve ruled, Mr Woodhouse.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f3c4bf023cb4779999e556e5ed9a5d1\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: It is a clarification, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9578a1bc7444f3193a425a7406c020b\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, if the member has a fresh point of order that goes to a different point, I\u2019ll hear him, but if he doesn\u2019t, I won\u2019t.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226145ccdcc9e84469968a8088ac27e97e\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it is a general point of clarification. I just want to clarify\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c7f4c2124e245618c4d81b9544ba154\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Woodhouse, you\u2019ve been a member for some time, I think you\u2019ve been a whip for some time, and I think the member does know that, despite some pretence otherwise, there is no such thing as a point of clarification.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d1325e09eac349a18788c42a686d7fd6\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Who is correct: the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, who says that there is a fixed commitment to build 100,000 extra houses, or the Prime Minister, who says such a target has not yet been set?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022355207aa744a4e5ab399df8db1189d03\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development have reiterated our policy, which is to build 100,000 affordable homes to restore affordable homeownership to this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022545e7eed1dac4c46b5256b1dee06341c\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Earlier on, you awarded additional supplementary questions to the Opposition for Government interjection during their questions. Just a point of clarification on your earlier\u2014well, actually, no, a question: does that apply when interjections are made by members of the same party during questions, as we had just before?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225f389b1c016d41db9c3f8db2e26ba355\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, it does, but I think, as the Minister is aware, I am slightly deaf in my left ear, so I didn\u2019t hear any interjections.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002260710ddd016b445a8117c0738bf8d899\u0022\u003EFiscal Strategy\u2014Core Crown Expenditure and Pre-election Fiscal Plan\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022 data-id=\u0022e7d12d46a02d446c9036654325765c9d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e7d12d46a02d446c9036654325765c9d\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Can he confirm it is his intention as Minister of Finance to ensure core Crown expenses do not exceed $81.9 billion in 2017/18, $86.1 billion in 2018/19, $88.2 billion in 2019/20, $91.8 billion in 2020/21, and $96.1 billion in 2021/22, as specified in the Labour Party\u2019s pre-election Fiscal Plan?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u00224f304d4f09e2497b9e1c0dfe614f11b2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224f304d4f09e2497b9e1c0dfe614f11b2\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I can confirm that it is my intention for core Crown expenditure as a percentage of GDP to be within the recent historical range. As to the exact figures in the member\u2019s question, I cannot confirm those as, of course, they are subject to detailed Budget decisions and revenue forecasts that are yet to be finalised.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022badcb0115f394293a6b9ff772c4f8b98\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm that he stands by his statement from 4 September this year, and I quote, \u201CLabour\u2019s Fiscal Plan is robust, the numbers are correct and we stand by them\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228979364719ab465e9ac53c55065246d8\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that the Budget that this Government is putting together will be robust and it will deliver on a commitment that this Government has made to ensure that all New Zealanders share in prosperity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233efbc5495ef4df18b2599c759a74057\u0022\u003EMichael Wood\u003C/span\u003E: What else, in addition to managing core Crown expenditure, will guide the Government\u2019s approach to responsible fiscal management?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d31f8d81958948a4a81814a19d9f5f0b\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The Government will observe the Budget responsibility rules as indicated in the Speech from the Throne: namely, delivering a sustainable operating balance before gains and losses; reducing net core Crown debt to 20 percent of GDP within 5 years; and ensuring a fair and balanced progressive taxation system. We will also never forget that the purpose of a strong economy is to give every New Zealander the chance to share in prosperity, and we will never be satisfied while children live in poverty or families sleep in cars.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb29f17b13b04573b7c3af3a6a9660e4\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his statement, also on 4 September, and I quote, that \u201COur operating expenses are above the line and are clearly stated.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0d40d5adbee4305a0305366e14e9d5d\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The Budget that this Government will prepare will be clear about what we are spending and where the revenue for that is coming from.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e3dabcb7138b431b8605c324b01cf6ec\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: So that\u2019s a no. Can I also ask: does he stand by his statement, and I quote, \u201CWe have quite clearly put in the spending requirements to meet the promises we have made. Our fiscal plan adds up. We are absolutely clear that we have the money to meet the commitments that we\u2019ve made.\u201D, also on 4 September?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5766e0dccba4ebc889e4de4080fe6d6\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The Government will prepare a Budget that shows how we will pay for the important commitments that we have made to ensure that every New Zealander benefits from economic prosperity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f1a9b6f1ba84666ae766cc8c1bc2365\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister of Finance then confirm that it is not his intention to necessarily ensure core Crown expenditure does not exceed $81.9 billion this current financial year, $86.1 billion in the next financial year, $88.2 billion in 2019-20, $91.8 billion in 2020-21, and $96.1 billion in 2021-22? Can he confirm that\u2019s not his intention, even though it was specified in the Labour Party\u2019s pre-election fiscal plan?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224abe8cc01c044717af1da69b8e9e5811\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that we will keep Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP in line with the historical range.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a4bb41c50e2445aa4608078409e13b2\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Can the finance Minister then confirm that he doesn\u2019t at all stand by the numbers he presented in the Labour Party\u2019s fiscal plan prior to the election?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1cb2f97c87b4680940ad28bd31c5f07\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The Government is currently going through the usual process of putting together a Budget. We are absolutely confident that we will deliver a Budget that is in line with the Budget responsibility rules that were outlined in the Speech from the Throne and that will deliver to New Zealanders a fair share in prosperity. As I said in my primary answer, the final numbers are the subject of the normal Budget process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228703232851ef41a48f7e987c716547d6\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m sorry, Mr Speaker, but just to be clear, the Minister released a fiscal plan prior to the election\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bea18800e7de434caf68686f74ea5cbe\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I will sit the member down now and ask him to ask a question. Speaker Hunt used to have an old saying that questions start with a question word, rather than something else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b2d51f20e57647f7b877a7d4aad7934b\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0cec124334e4a71b761ddc19441be6c\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e375a6381bc340479262d5ca2440d4a3\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a fresh, genuine point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff88bf603bb9466884ca21feaa30926b\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002290396f4210544058a84a79570e2c79be\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s simply this. The question was straight, really: whether he stood by the numbers they had pre-election. There really wasn\u2019t any attempt to answer that specific question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7ee3593685847f199b5a8164e76e76b\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220cf3341df5284c86b703fa5385173e85\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m not going to take any further comments on that. Both the asker of the question and I thought that there was a very clear response.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221dd0aff796ae41ce8f14a6ee5e04fcf9\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Is he saying that the actual numbers written on the Labour Party\u2019s fiscal plan prior to this election, which he and his colleagues defended vigorously during the election campaign, are no longer relevant? The comments he has made suggest that he will put whatever numbers he likes in front of the public in due course in the next Budget.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226432427734ea4dc29d4b83afc66416a0\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I have been absolutely clear that the commitment that we have made is that Government expenditure as a percentage of GDP will remain in line with the long-run historical trend. Members on the other side of the House well know that we will now be looking at new revenue forecasts and, indeed, new growth forecasts. They will determine the exact numbers that are presented. But we are very clear on this side of the House: our numbers add up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0cdf0a75ead4d9b908bb44f8775556c\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233294509c655436daa5a3624a82ce423\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A point of order\u2014the Hon Steven Bridges.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227877e428c60d45f39a9da5d24e291b2f\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s Simon Bridges, but I understand, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e916f3c8a3c84736bd7a7e0a293fd9d0\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223c0e3ab909c451a8cd951ea3eba9b75\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s all right. The point of order is this: the question really was about the relevancy of the Labour fiscal plan. He didn\u2019t even address whether that fiscal plan is still relevant. I didn\u2019t see any addressing of that question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ec30b85c23f4dfda7f6f0dd862ffedd\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022207a93e0d77f42d188909b6b1e5444e9\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m going to deal with it again. I\u2019m almost going to say \u201Cibid\u201D for my response to the member\u2019s previous point of order. I think both the asker of the question and I have understood the answers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a39854ce4da404e8aac9d5cc0c39632\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: In the 51st Parliament, the last Speaker made it very clear that the Government was not responsible for the manifesto or the policies of a political party. Can I ask for a ruling on that, please?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002278c1f34838d841d99f1a63f599917ba4\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m happy to answer that. I think the member has been quite careful in the way that he has phrased his questions, asking whether the member was standing by the figures or still agreed with the figures. I think that is something that is acceptable. They\u2019re a set of figures\u2014it doesn\u2019t really matter where they come from\u2014and it\u2019s a question of whether those figures portray the current position of the Government. If that was not the case, I would have ruled out the original question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dda1ca6d727d4835abd598130bbeed84\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Has he noted how often the Reserve Bank mentioned policy uncertainty in their Monetary Policy Statement this morning, and has he considered how his statements in the House this afternoon and his responses to questions will not help with that policy uncertainty when the Reserve Bank was obviously placing some credence on his previous statements about Government expenditure and now he is not even standing by those?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022974dfe4c998c4498a9b350b8609250b3\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The Reserve Bank Governor noted today that his thinking was preliminary, and, just like the member opposite, when the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update and Budget Policy Statement are released before the end of the year, there will be significant certainty about our spending plans. If the member can\u2019t wait, I\u2019ll make up a special advent calendar for him so that he can count down to the half yearly update. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b288e2a0440841a999621b1e5542afa2\u0022\u003EProvincial Growth Fund\u2014Benefits\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022 data-id=\u0022a652538d78244b5eb0a192545c0375bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a652538d78244b5eb0a192545c0375bf\u0022\u003EDARROCH BALL (NZ First)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: What advice has he received on the benefits of the Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00228e65544ded1c47bca03cd75b7ac9b5a8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228e65544ded1c47bca03cd75b7ac9b5a8\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development):\u003C/span\u003E Given the significance of creating a billion-dollar fund, the advice is voluminous. Indeed, I\u2019ve even had advice from members on the other side of House as to projects that the fund could be directed to in the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdcb8efda4d74867aa2fbc1b67c29195\u0022\u003EDarroch Ball\u003C/span\u003E: What are some examples of regions that are needing urgent attention? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221bb762cb350a47bcb0f7a9e20c4b641b\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: We have been made aware of a number of regions that were written off as zombie areas\u2014zombie towns\u2014over the last nine years: Manawat\u016B, Whanganui, Tai R\u0101whiti, Tai Tokerau. A number of those civic leaders\u2014and, indeed, certain list and constituency members from the other side of the House\u2014are already drawing up proposals for such regions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e3fd3eebf2f44546be00bd6b2283f2f5\u0022\u003EPartnership Schools\u2014Legislative Reform and Potential Closures\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022 data-id=\u00227b656dc67d3e494780ba1ad9f1231de9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227b656dc67d3e494780ba1ad9f1231de9\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE (National\u2014Auckland Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: Will he be repealing the legislation that covers partnership schools within the next six months and how many schools does he expect to close or be converted to another type of school?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00221f0d4eb655f74c4883a2ae2c9b9950fa\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221f0d4eb655f74c4883a2ae2c9b9950fa\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E In answer to the first part of the question: no, not within the first six months. In answer to the second part of the question: it\u2019s too early to make those decisions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7996040fcf146d2b7e9ff177578a63c\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Did he say to a Fairfax journalist, as reported on 4 November, that four schools due to open in 2019 would likely not go ahead?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b05712226221421aba7cbe21630c0b2d\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I was awaiting advice from the Ministry of Education about charter schools at the time that I did make that statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022126c10bfbcbf4e6babececd63f4107f9\u0022\u003EHon Kris Faafoi\u003C/span\u003E: Have any charter schools been closed previously and, if so, what are the lessons learnt from that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a53caa6d944c4f00bdb413eb0fe516ec\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. One of the first charter schools was, in fact, closed within the first year of its operation. It cost the Crown over $5 million, none of which has been recovered, and there were several dozen students who needed to be re-accommodated in what was inevitably a very messy process. We are very keen to avoid that happening again in the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9a9be0e0a694a3b800b015811aac0f1\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: In light of his previous answer, has he received any advice, communications, or correspondence from officials or any other party on the potential legal or financial consequences of his reported comments on partnership schools?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c01b2027adde46609a024c3db7299c3a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The advice that I have received thus far indicates that the contracts that were due to be signed in October for those new charter schools were signed in September, prior to the election. I have not received any advice on any particular legal risks around that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226aa5b944beab4ab0a3c7211c38befe10\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Will he guarantee that no partnership school will have their contract terminated without a comprehensive review, whereby all of the schools will have the opportunity to make their case rather than finding out through the media?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d4370f5413b4575895ea809f99e1d8d\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I have been clear that we will negotiate in good faith on a case by case basis with all of the existing charter schools.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203de605482ff4918b38062015d2c6f20\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Given the Prime Minister\u2019s comments yesterday that all people are entitled to care and compassion, will he guarantee that he will personally visit all of these partnership schools or the sponsors of the proposed schools prior to making any decisions about the future of some of our most disadvantaged children?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab6ff5a82a0f497ca4d7d64498bc110a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I have been clear that we will deal with all of the issues around charter schools on a case by case basis and in good faith. The negotiations around potential changes to the contracts or arrangements will be conducted by the Ministry of Education and not by Ministers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002216b48ac729874afa9b1511a14d777418\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This was a very simple yes or no\u2014will he visit the schools of these most disadvantaged children\u2014and he didn\u2019t answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022327aa21995b34f289f212669ca269322\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: In a way, similar, I think, to\u2014[Gown slips from shoulders] Sorry about this. I\u2019ll get this right eventually. [Interruption] Pull it up? Thank you for your advice, Mr Bridges. Similar to the advice that I gave to the Hon Steven Joyce earlier, I think, by omission the answer was actually clear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022191abd77fc8842049d03f39c1a8d3ade\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: When the Minister told Newstalk ZB that one of his reasons for closing charter schools is that they were funded at a higher level than State schools, was he quoting any advice he had received in his capacity as a Minister?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258ccbb8af9e947c6b9bf749268171546\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I was drawing on the information that we obtained from the previous Government when I was an Opposition spokesperson.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233b5a7b508ea4cfb81618b5d1e20742e\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229fec5da16c6147a2bb41123756592702\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. The member\u2019s having a good go. He gets two in a week, but not in a week that\u2019s only got one question day. So you can\u2019t transfer your question from Tuesday, because Tuesday wasn\u2019t a question day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022342645306c554ac1879d95a08837fa27\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your guidance. Surely this week the House has sat three times and all members on this side of the House have been disappointed to have only one question time, but if we can at least use our allocated questions we will be OK.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f187e82ab51f4645bf11a0e374255e6b\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m sure that that argument would be supported by the Green Party and New Zealand First, but it\u2019s not going to happen. You\u2019re not going to get all your questions for a week in the one day. I think I\u2019ve been pretty generous with the member as to the arrangements that he\u2019s got, and I wouldn\u2019t push it if I was him. You might be able to, over time, negotiate with some friends.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224eb2558076744613a01fdfe2bfa77e02\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know the general practice is to notify you of question transfers before they happen. Can I indicate that I would be happy to offer one of the Labour Party\u2019s supplementary questions to Mr Seymour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca5eac5195c549459a9f17b6586c0ff0\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Would the member like one of the Labour Party\u2019s supplementaries?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022034fd707fb324d15a3b7ec75210d2d84\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, yes, I would. [Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233d7b3e0c8e94fcabb0a90e1ef96879f\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e0bf24c380e64f5fa46e2128d0bbb68c\u0022\u003EHon Kris Faafoi\u003C/span\u003E: Where\u2019s your friends, David?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f9be610e78a408fa15f2e1bbf840185\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Well, you find friends in the most unexpected places.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb905d7621a749dfacbaa1990181f6a0\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Was that you, Mr Faafoi?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ad596d5a1b54135972aa4f21ba98605\u0022\u003EHon Kris Faafoi\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, it was.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a590f2102257476e82a6d98c16b228bf\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, Mr Seymour gets an extra supplementary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220140e22971ef4f509514640da773d119\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: How can the Minister say to the media on one day that he is able to say with some certainty, as quoted, that he will be able to cancel the contracts of partnership schools set to open in 2019, and then say, only two days later to a different media outlet, that he is urgently seeking advice?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224c5bda6d1d24c7baf95cf03377975ae\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: In the comments I made to the journalist, I also made it clear that I had sought advice on that matter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f2a070bf33b449b9fb384c130d05a56\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister considered that by attempting to procure an end to the contracts through the press, he has actually violated the contracts on behalf of the Crown?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227459a2898a7041c3bd5efb5293d32da9\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The position of the parties that form up the Government has been clear for a long period of time, from the point that the charter schools policy was first introduced.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fdd18653d6fc4452ba1cb08dc048edd6\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My question was with respect to the Minister\u2019s responsibilities and the legal implications of his statement as a Minister. His previous political positions, surely, are not relevant and he has made no attempt to address the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a8ffc45cd64b42e29fa3fe74fa7ef066\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And it\u2019s a pretty longstanding position in the House that Ministers have discretion about whether they answer questions that involve legal opinions. I think that the Minister probably went further than he had to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fdbdaecad19741899724f5933efcfe37\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. We\u2019ll just have to go back and check the Hansard, but the original question that I asked\u2014he was very careful, as I see it. The Minister did not confirm that he received legal advice. He said \u201Cfinancial\u201D advice. So the way that I read it, but we\u2019ll check the Hansard in the future, is that he hasn\u2019t received legal advice, so I think Mr Seymour is entitled\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dbeb0441a21d4a8eba0366547f173afd\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, and the point that I was making to Mr Seymour was that Mr Seymour was asking a question about the legal position of the Crown, and that would be inviting a legal opinion from Chris Hipkins, and he certainly does not have to give one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228d1aa30557344c669dd19b3444f334bc\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Could I perhaps assist by asking that the Minister be given an opportunity to explain whether he avoided the question for legal reasons or just didn\u2019t want to answer it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226754a6d83e147f5a25232a2decd4e12\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member, I think, is now just beginning to trifle with the Chair, and while he\u2019s not in a position to lose any supplementary questions this week, he could lose half of those from next week pretty quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e65abf74559341e99e990bbe34b81a0c\u0022\u003ERoading, Auckland\u2014East-West Link\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022 data-id=\u002284562804eb434c8084796a013fab3a16\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002284562804eb434c8084796a013fab3a16\u0022\u003EHon JUDITH COLLINS (National\u2014Papakura)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Transport: On what date is the Board of Inquiry due to deliver its draft decision on the East-West Link Road of National Significance?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u00222e01ac3d17c2484eade3589ecf6de39f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222e01ac3d17c2484eade3589ecf6de39f\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport):\u003C/span\u003E I do not have responsibility for the Environmental Protection Authority\u2019s board of inquiry. With respect to the road of national significance part of the member\u2019s question, I am advised that the description of the East-West Link, as such, was simply an announcement by the National Party in its election campaign press release. With respect to the other part of the member\u2019s question, I\u2019m advised that the decision of the board of inquiry is due to be released on 14 November.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb0169a5b86847ccad60e93a3ce4cedc\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: On what date, given that he now knows the date of the draft decision, is the final decision of this board into the East-West Link road of national significance due, since submissions closed eight months ago in March?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022732ae07640b14dfc9c2194ef91f6d189\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s a matter for the board of inquiry, and I suggest that the member puts down a question to the Minister responsible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c54e704461ce4cef83c99ad6623beb2c\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: What is the cost in monetary terms for the process to date, including the cost to the Crown, the submitters, and the New Zealand Transport Agency?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220076e0cff184461289d541ebcf9bea2f\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Approximately $50 million of taxpayers\u2019 money has been spent so far on the East-West Link, but I want to reassure the member that that money will not be put to waste. The work done currently totals about $10 million worth. It includes construction of stage 1 improvements to Onehunga, coming to $10 million. It includes the widening of State Highway 20 between Neilson Street and Queenstown Road, and replacing the old Neilson Street rail bridge. The balance of about $40 million is for project investigations that will be very helpful in informing the Government on other aspects that may well be included in the newer high-value, lower-cost option that our Government is considering.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002273681d8420d346fca63244a3d9f11ec7\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with the statement of Phil Twyford on 20 June 2013 that the need for the East-West Link has long been obvious to New Zealanders?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228c330d0eb81b4990beffb165dd23992e\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I generally agree with that person. But I will say this: this Government agrees with Ken Shirley of the Road Transport Forum, who said, \u201CThe East-West Link in its last iteration was very expensive and we probably need to look at something with lesser expense\u201D. He also said that the Road Transport Forum\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d3f70241287146f3af7fdf38e6971dce\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I think that\u2019s enough. I probably was being a bit kind to the member letting him go on after his first clause. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a4dc422c45914f79b38c7e1d893be38d\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Has he advised Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern that her publicly pre-empting the decision of the board of inquiry\u2014by doing that she has opened up the Crown to potentially massive claims?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224fff183d1501488ba1bf717c97871580\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I am sure that the considerable legal expertise of the member would allow her to understand that the board of inquiry is a Resource Management Act process designed to make decisions on the resource consent for the project. The board of inquiry has nothing to say about the economic merits or economic value of the project, and is not a substitute for a decision by the Government on whether to go ahead with the project or not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f870e3c28b8451299c0f70e9fc6fbd9\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The question was pretty clear: has he given this advice to the Prime Minister? He either has or he hasn\u2019t. Can he please answer it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db29bc56f53f4c38a50ea72d038847ba\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And I think, for the third time today, I am going to say that both the asker of the question and I know what the answer is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253235ed4f52a4d72bd15f3b3b3dd5704\u0022\u003ERaymond Huo\u003C/span\u003E: What will the Government use any savings from the East-West Link for?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab83211446fe45c7a398fdab713b6580\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: The savings from a low-cost, high-value option, which this Government is exploring, are expected to free up hundreds of millions of dollars, which will be an additional contribution to the 10-year, $15 billion programme of investments in Auckland\u2019s transport system that will deliver a congestion-free alternative to Aucklanders and get the roads moving once and for all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022594eb5eb3a794c68b95de15f5f1e1fcf\u0022\u003ETertiary Education\u2014Fees and Living Costs\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u00222c5ece2dfa954ea39ed8822287b1f4f9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222c5ece2dfa954ea39ed8822287b1f4f9\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: What is the Government doing to reduce the cost of fees and provide more assistance with living costs for tertiary students?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022ae6db56c6b77481eac87f2726206d9b3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ae6db56c6b77481eac87f2726206d9b3\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E The Government will be providing one year of fees-free tertiary education from 2018 for those entering tertiary education and training for the first time, and a $50 a week boost to allowances and loan entitlements, which will kick in on 1 January 2018.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a0d440619cc41dd8522e6d7acb5ab50\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: Will these changes benefit students taking trades and other vocational courses outside of universities; and if so, how?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022250c8611535e44408c80b409bc5e3e87\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. It\u2019s important to remember that only around a third of students go from school into university study. The other two-thirds move into vocational programmes or forms of employment, including on-job training. They will also be able to benefit from having one year\u2019s free, and many of them will also be accessing the additional student support the Government will be making available.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc0921ed2db742ffbd177af415415519\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Will Australians have access to free fees in 2018?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ee2df2e97954c2ba628a3c62a3d1bbe\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Any Australians, as with any other residents from a different country, will need to meet the three-year residence requirement. If they do that, then yes, they will be able to access it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f96b9b37f009412cba3efe25233e581e\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Why is providing Australia with free fees a priority for limited New Zealand education resources?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234ca3e4452c0418ea562d6243225c9de\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The policy is being applied or implemented on exactly the same basis that every other policy regarding tertiary education student support is being applied.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f2caa1fd237f4427a02f175750a20ca4\u0022\u003EProvincial Growth Fund\u2014Funding Sources\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022 data-id=\u0022b1dac8666f944ad587fad8662a28cdda\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b1dac8666f944ad587fad8662a28cdda\u0022\u003EHon SIMON BRIDGES (National\u2014Tauranga)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Regional Economic Development: How successful will his new $1 billion annual Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund be?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u0022dfaa3faf8de34507bd5150402c00eb1c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dfaa3faf8de34507bd5150402c00eb1c\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (Minister for Regional Economic Development):\u003C/span\u003E Obviously, the success will depend on the soundness of the proposals and the robustness of the criteria, which is being developed at the moment. But I can assure the member the success will surpass the 10 bridges in Northland that he promised. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a52a2a0935ed472cad5f381f261f7878\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm the fund and its $1 billion allocated every year will all be new funding rather than from existing funding? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224a44f5c00c74592b0e35819063038b9\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: The full structure and character of the fund\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231d50fb4add94e37bfbf83c0607cdc7a\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222483cce55d1049dabcc8f00aa0872488\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, can you tell \u201CSlim Shady\u201D with the bald head to keep quiet?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5b1f07f811746d7b77a8e6b61f334bd\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I\u2019m going to ask the member now to withdraw and apologise. And the member probably shouldn\u2019t use that expression, with the member in front of him and with me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd46897188694332979db27c715a38c3\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: For any offence caused to the music industry\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002257d4dfc87c404921b295030c90226842\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a41e56aee9f424597c8fc62016ce5f2\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014or to the member, I apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229b7992304b824ec0addc302abc3309a2\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. The member will withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a5c35c41ec04f77b8ff82cb7392478f\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e824d54352c549b889564c39ebf47d40\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Has the member finished his answer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f54a7810cdf64b99ab6bf3b507773264\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: Ah, hmm. The full character and structure of the fund will be worked through and be made available when the Budget Policy Statement is announced.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d0ed81a0b30465fb0f1e1fe70baef06\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m simply asking a straightforward question about whether it\u2019s new funding. I mean, I don\u2019t even think that has been addressed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f107f8cb871d4cabaaf990aafb986f72\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m going to let the member have another go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ef5d87a5b3e4037ad073de8b246c0dc\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, sir. Can he confirm the fund and its $1 billion allocated every year will all be new funding, rather than from existing funding?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8962ae8b75342a8a4d78495ee9f4278\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that the full structure, content, and character of the fund will be released as a part of the Budget Policy Statement. I can, however, confirm in addition that funds such as the \u201Cneets\u201D programme, which he established six months ago\u2014on which not a brass razoo has been spent\u2014will probably be in the mix.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fac5e7a3fb16487ab48140d33394e97f\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: So can he confirm then that it\u2019s a mix of existing funding reprioritised but also a Budget bid coming through Budget 2018?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bfc9e4668e79455cba80bade4796338b\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: I repeat again that the full content, structure, and character of the fund will be dealt with conclusively in the Budget policy process. Just taihoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220fc510c9c84e448f9ab3530391884227\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Can he give me any detail at all about where the money\u2019s coming from\u2014is it existing money or new?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c9dfc973aebf4bcb8f1b0edcef074efe\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that I am picking up unfinished work by the former Minister and I can confirm that there are substantial amounts of funds that were not dedicated yet promised, but the full extent of the provincial growth fund will be tidied up in the Budget Policy Statement announcement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282410a63d08b44bbb1eb4439d6b1f092\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: As an annual fund, can he confirm that $3 billion will be spent over this term of Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ede58f814bce489f8b11796c7709e4a9\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: It is a per annum fund, and I can assure the member that it is our intention to dedicate and expend such an amount of money, and, based on the large number of proposals coming in to me already from civic leaders, regional leaders, EDS, and a few of his own colleagues, I think we\u2019ll chew through that amount of dough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c10a6d8a5cc4c328a98b8c18b55b88e\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Of all the specific initiatives that are going to happen under this fund other than those specifically mentioned in the coalition agreement, are there any specific ones he already has in mind as real possibilities and can tell us about what they are today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022607a5e6e222b4faeb6d934956fa733a6\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m glad that he has enabled me to talk about the tree planting programme. The full details will be rolled out at a later date, but I direct his attention to the Governor-General\u2019s speech, the Prime Minister\u2019s speech, and my colleague the Hon Ron Mark, on behalf of our leader\u2014that speech. It identified a billion trees and it is related to the billion-dollar fund.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022626c56307f1e425f89b3e7cfb6a37534\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Other than in the coalition agreement, in terms of new things that the public and certainly I wouldn\u2019t have heard about, has he mentioned any specific initiatives to officials, and what are they?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a04283b4d4ec4a9893174f155fe2cbcb\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m going to rule that question out, because the Minister has no responsibility for what that member has heard about. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d00d7233291437cb3865645fc7ce2f4\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Can I rephrase it, then, if I\u2019ve put it inelegantly? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b958dfa47fe4400588d928a9dd79bd42\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, you can have another go, but can I just say it won\u2019t generally be a practice for senior members to let them have a second crack at asking a question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a6eb98efb844c0d887b196a968201e7\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Has he mentioned any specific initiatives that he hasn\u2019t spoken about publicly to officials, and what are they? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7d316d5514a47d7a5c7169933a469b5\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: The matters that are being debated and discussed within the precincts of the offices of the Government departments and myself and my office at this stage are not privy to the member. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b6fd497c6ee64c719f347cbe46be9a83\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. If he\u2019s saying that in the public interest he won\u2019t answer my question\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222865b211c484e98ae7c6b505be3ffe7\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, is this a point of order? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e6db565608e4104a08708ff647875a0\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa4511e55a404929b88b7b8e29141f13\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Simon Bridges. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c3d4871260594ba096df748c3cba2225\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Effectively, I haven\u2019t had an answer. All I have asked him is about specific initiatives that he\u2019s mentioned. He has, effectively, said he\u2019s not going to tell me. If that\u2019s in the public interest, that\u2019s valid; otherwise, my submission to you would be that he needs to tell me if he\u2019s made specific initiatives clear to the\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac7647068e994f8789439a91805b0a4b\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think what the member\u2014I mean, I don\u2019t want to over-interpret what the member was saying. But I think what he was saying is he\u2019s not yet in a position to make public those discussions, and that is something that has been the right and, in fact, the responsibility of Ministers for all the time that I have been in this Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a37a6adbf94d410f8b3ffbf294e8e438\u0022\u003EConservation, Department\u2014Advocacy Role\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022f7ef9670780645ffb8b1b468d9f65a29\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f7ef9670780645ffb8b1b468d9f65a29\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Conservation: What action is she taking to restore the Department of Conservation\u2019s advocacy role to protect our wildlife and its habitats, and why?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u00229485d279243348028d6b08267edb575c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229485d279243348028d6b08267edb575c\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation):\u003C/span\u003E I will be instructing the Department of Conservation (DOC) to implement its statutory responsibilities to advocate for nature and to develop a robust advocacy strategy, which includes better communication with stakeholders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff90e13042ce48c19ed8df2e75c4be7d\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: How did the previous National Government undermine DOC\u2019s role as nature\u2019s primary defender?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225dc4f3201ced4789be13d25171e495e4\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, can the member repeat the question, just so I can\u2014?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221718562e909e4d1e85bcc40c1d6c9ba7\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What evidence has the Minister seen that shows DOC\u2019s role as nature\u2019s primary\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f755438c6df400e8db49ad548d8e4a1\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Part of the problem I have is that Amy Adams twice interjected: once the first time, and then the second time. What I\u2019m going to do is ask the member to ask the question as she originally asked it, so I will then make a judgment as to whether it\u2019s within the Standing Orders or not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229721b512f2f2470795b6f00df68dd876\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: How did the previous National Government undermine DOC\u2019s role as nature\u2019s primary defender?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225be8b36c89d6479d828e47a51a9f2f69\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: My view is that that is something that the Minister has no responsibility for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224394d03f34134b948067b0b7fae4a5f5\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: May I rephrase that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275ada8924e7a47f6835aa7b9dfcb72f1\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ba5b9e065fe4d29ac8a117dd427ca13\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I guess I have a question of consistency and leniency to the Opposition on a previous, similar issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227fd0dd12b87b4a74a8cb674c8381a7bc\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: It might seem a little bit unfair, and I can understand the member\u2019s point of view there, but I think the difference is that in this particular case, members who are supporting the Government have quite a lot more resources and quite a lot more opportunity to be properly prepared. The member herself has had much more experience in recent years asking supplementary questions than Mr Bridges has, and therefore I was treating him a little more like I would a newer member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb656225b28244cea613d661c2a8d079\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What evidence has the Minister seen that shows DOC\u2019s role as nature\u2019s primary defender has been undermined?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002213071d925786454a9496a0a9e8e905e6\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: Political pressure and funding cuts by the last National Government significantly undermined DOC\u2019s role. We have seen a major reduction\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203e58e9e9bff4238a87264e8a68fdabc\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The answer was simply, from the very start, descending into political attack, and I don\u2019t think that should be allowed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002216b11b171caa4fc1a235c4d688971af3\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: My view is that it was a pretty gentle comment, and I just ask the member not to be quite so sensitive. Eugenie Sage\u2014[Interruption] Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206ecbfbed98f4134a09fa8b549f06e31\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: May I finish answering the question?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c2b8da397d44468b7a8a57567425013\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I think you were part-way through when you were interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0fea34dc0124e39a40885565554e61a\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, thank you. National\u2019s funding cuts reduced the number of planning staff by 40 percent. National virtually halved the amount of funding. That meant that the department didn\u2019t submit on a number of applications, such as the Ruataniwha Dam, despite the significant number of threatened species that were affected by that dam.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b161cb6d6fc74838853de9294c1f0978\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Why is restoring DOC\u2019s advocacy role so important?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227570f70f7e63454aacaa65682c85a7fb\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: We know that when DOC invests fully in the Resource Management Act process, there are better outcomes for both conservation and the environment. An example of that is Project Mokihinui, where the department made strong submissions and appealed to the Environment Court. Meridian withdrew its dam proposal, and that land is now being investigated for addition to Kahurangi National Park.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022110af5e963694b639d03753df7e2e52b\u0022\u003EOverseas Ownership of New Zealand Property\u2014Overseas Investment Act Changes\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u00228c41d1030349405790dd9da78304f58d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228c41d1030349405790dd9da78304f58d\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National\u2014Ilam)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Land Information: Does she stand by all of the Government\u2019s policies in relation to her portfolio?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u002238e238306b764a12b15c21d86065669f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002238e238306b764a12b15c21d86065669f\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Land Information):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0e59ed499d54f6ea8639a69a5ff36ae\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Government\u2019s proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act (OIA) cause consequential changes to other New Zealand laws; if so, which?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277557d10b5484cdc8ea26977362be352\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: The details of that proposal are still being developed, and legislation has yet to be introduced to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e5b8401ef3ec4f9a9b7c9d44e0bb7cb3\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Will the proposed changes prevent trust constructions that allow property ownership by New Zealand - domiciled trustee companies who invest in residential property, and then extend licences to occupy to beneficiaries of the trust, who may also be settlors of the trust?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b72a0bb6037f41c4b3bad2557a13aa4c\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: The details of that proposal are still being developed and will be in legislation to be introduced to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e29981c9bb5c43fb80bf10058ce99724\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Will foreigners still be able to register trusts in New Zealand once the OIA is amended, and will they have the ability to have New Zealand - domiciled trustees invest on their behalf?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f26883d3b13548c598950cd50b850b6f\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: The details of the proposal are still being developed and will be in legislation to be introduced to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3d8a4261c7f42f183b0e9f2a350f5d2\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister tell us how far on are the proposals to have a foreign-buyer ban, and what will be the time line for its introduction to the House, and, if it\u2019s shortly, then how soon can we get the answer to these questions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022390309198b694540a5f88d3c30249408\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE\u003C/span\u003E: I think there are a number of questions in there. That commitment to have a ban on foreign buyers is part of the Government\u2019s 100-day programme. The 100 days expires on 3 February, so there will be significant developments before then.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002276d1b58bfba740cb9f93fc5938404bea\u0022\u003ETeina Pora\u2014Compensation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022 data-id=\u0022d4b229b9a7d64124b853e9808cdbc1cd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d4b229b9a7d64124b853e9808cdbc1cd\u0022\u003ERAYMOND HUO (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Justice: What announcement has he made recently on Teina Pora\u2019s compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u0022a67a76b33a2746f0b2d8138c20f0a764\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a67a76b33a2746f0b2d8138c20f0a764\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E Yesterday, I announced that Cabinet has agreed to inflation adjust Teina Pora\u2019s compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment. This means that Mr Pora will receive an additional $988,099 and this brings his total compensation package to just over $3.5 million.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226865043419614606badad57796b29f86\u0022\u003ERaymond Huo\u003C/span\u003E: Why did Cabinet decide to make the inflation adjustment to Teina Pora\u2019s compensation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230d6a745b9cf41bb890cfac70dc28d78\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: Teina Pora was the victim of one of New Zealand\u2019s worst miscarriages of justice. Mr Pora was wrongly imprisoned for nearly two decades. Those are decades he will never get back. It\u2019s only fair that what Mr Pora receives should reflect the magnitude of the injustice that he suffered. Cabinet agreed that inflation adjustment was the right thing to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a75ddb5e83464bc4a88bf46e94d1427f\u0022\u003ERaymond Huo\u003C/span\u003E: Why did he have to make this decision to inflation adjust Teina Pora\u2019s compensation now?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022652be9a8799043c5a4ec2b5d973652aa\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: The assessor appointed by the previous Government to consider the issue of compensation recommended that the previous Government make an inflation adjustment but that Government declined to do so. The High Court subsequently confirmed that it was within the discretion of Cabinet to make an inflation adjustment, and invited the Government, or Cabinet, to make that adjustment. The new Cabinet considered it and made the inflation adjustment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022114edcc7103740d2977c452f278d83b7\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister choose the particular inflation calculation methodology that he did from the range of valid options that were available to him? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236ae9c0c109a43899742adaf3ceae70e\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: In considering the inflation adjustment formula, I, as Minister, took advice from Ministry of Justice officials and also from Treasury, and their advice led to the inflation adjustment at the level that was subsequently agreed upon. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002207c11aa61fc04d3383608cb91129cba3\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I asked very carefully and very directly around why one option was chosen over another. What I got from the Minister was who he took advice from, but I have yet to hear from him any rationale or reasoning as to why this particular one he felt was the right one to take. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1f96e4d9ea9480891de280df7de1d29\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I will invite the member to ask the question again. I invite the Minister to maybe differentiate a bit about the advice. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b74d823978642fd9ba76863c4327996\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Minister choose the particular inflation calculation methodology that he did from the range of valid options that were available to him?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da94d8f2126745ffa2a575587cee1852\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: The range of options included a measure of Consumers Price Index (CPI), less the value of alcohol and tobacco. I\u2019m not quite sure why that was included in the range of options. The High Court was very clear that an inflation adjustment should reflect the change in purchasing power as between dollar amounts set in the year 2000 and the value of those dollar amounts in the year 2017. The only accurate measure or adjustment to make in that regard was CPI\u2014the headline inflation figure\u2014and that was the basis of the adjustment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002272ee24723adb4253b8e88ba47846b623\u0022\u003EPrimary Industries, Ministry\u2014Structure\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022 data-id=\u002208bb4450db7742c2875ba75cea9e300d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002208bb4450db7742c2875ba75cea9e300d\u0022\u003EHon NATHAN GUY (National\u2014\u014Ctaki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he stand by all of his Government\u2019s policies in relation to the primary sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u00227b7436242d224ca881617e9d7b5fb70d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227b7436242d224ca881617e9d7b5fb70d\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Yes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002276a741ab067b4104bbffa036a0333473\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: What advice has he received on the cost of creating separate entities for forestry, fisheries, biosecurity, and food safety? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f22e7ae78dfb4b709574849b79f70755\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: I have yet to receive advice on the cost of breaking up the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), but I can assure the Minister that a greater focus on biosecurity will deliver better border protection. A greater focus on forestry will deliver greater amounts of planting of trees. A greater focus on fisheries will ensure better protection of what is one of New Zealand\u2019s greatest resources. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002241766337a6eb42d1b3d2ae27082caabb\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: What advice does he give to exporters who are now very concerned about the uncertainty and the nervousness within MPI\u2019s 2,500 staff, who will now be focused more on themselves and their future than supporting the most productive part of the New Zealand economy\u2014and that is, indeed, our exporters?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4bf48589da745b8adbe3442ffbd7bb6\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: Exporters at the moment are celebrating the lower dollar. I can assure that Minister\u2014that member, pardon the pun\u2014that there will be a very strong focus through an independently focused biosecurity and food safety regime to protect the interests of those exporters\u2014unlike the previous regime, which delivered insufficient focus. We had a numerous number of incursions through biosecurity and food safety issues, such as WPC80, which is still costing this country hundreds of millions of dollars.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d80e807deaef4d258ad4e9a78d341664\u0022\u003EBusiness of the House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224d35baf1afaf4a5a8d7ec46b3f551824\u0022\u003EBusiness of the House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022403227ba3c584d06be744b33a245496b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022403227ba3c584d06be744b33a245496b\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Apologies for interrupting the Clerk. I seek leave that on Thursday the 9th and Thursday the 16th of November the House adjourn at the conclusion of maiden speeches, and on Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th of November the House suspend for the dinner break at the conclusion of maiden speeches.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022d2233fa66d4c46fc8ecb6233d586b81d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d2233fa66d4c46fc8ecb6233d586b81d\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that? There is no objection. That will be the case. Now, back to the Clerk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e4279b43d1f14c88ac7322fe7cba1d56\u0022\u003EAddress in Reply\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220336d9e8c1314073bbc73b62e1b877f7\u0022\u003EAddress in Reply\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000269\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 8 November.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u00227af8758c2ce5477b9b8e118eca20e57b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227af8758c2ce5477b9b8e118eca20e57b\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s morning in New Zealand. It\u2019s a new day, and our great country has a new beginning. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EIn the last nine years, this country has changed a great deal, and not all for the best. Ours is a great country still. There\u2019s a lot about New Zealand to be proud of, but we on this side of the House know that it can be so much better. No one\u2014no parent\u2014in this country should have to raise their kids in a Skyline garage or in the back of a van. No one should have to give up the dream that has always been such a part of our heritage in this country\u2014our legacy\u2014that if you work hard and save, then you will have the possibility of owning your own home. Nobody should have to beg for their next meal. That kind of inequality is degrading to us all. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EIn her Speech from the Throne, the Governor-General said that this will be a Government of inclusion and that everybody in this country is entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. Every child growing up in New Zealand should have the opportunity to live the best-possible life. The Governor-General said that this will be a Government of transformation. We will look for good ideas wherever we can find them. We will tackle the root causes of the housing crisis that plagues this country. Nine years of spin and denial are over. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe Governor-General said that this will be a Government of aspiration. We want New Zealand to be\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022badb0a39-849c-462a-b32f-77fc017c9fc2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dde31daf5e9841a4850794a389e589c4\u0022\u003EHon Simon Bridges\u003C/span\u003E: Hey, that\u2019s our word. You give my word back. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002279ad89d2f32d48f1ab1c1e14bc73e621\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: We have no qualms about being ambitious for this country, because those members campaigned on being ambitious for New Zealand nine years ago, and what did they do? Tinkering and drift, while the problems and the challenges got worse and worse and worse. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EHousing is a top priority for this Government. We are ambitious for this great country of ours, and we make no apology for that. We are going to take immediate action to address the homelessness crisis. As housing and urban development Minister, I do not want to be here in six months\u2019 time telling the House that we\u2019re spending $90,000 a day on motels. That was not a housing policy; that was an apology note to the nation for those members\u2019 total failure to do anything meaningful about the housing crisis. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EWe will tackle the systemic problems in the housing crisis, we will stop the sell-off of State houses, and we will pull all the stops out to provide decent emergency and transitional housing for the 40,000-odd New Zealanders who find themselves homeless today. We campaigned on it. The New Zealand First Party, the Green Party, and the Labour Party are all opposed to the former National Government\u2019s sell-off\u2014the bulk sell-off\u2014of State houses in the middle of a housing crisis. We campaigned on it, and in Government we are going to deliver that. And not only are we going to stop the sell-off; we are going to build thousands and thousands of extra State houses. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EOur KiwiBuild programme is our flagship initiative to address the falling rate of homeownership, which under the past Government saw the rate of homeownership drop to the lowest point since 1951. This side of the House believes that homeownership is something that\u2019s worth defending. It is not acceptable for half of the population to be denied the opportunity through their lives to build an asset that would allow them to borrow against it to start up a small business, to give their families the permanence, the independence, and the dignity of owning their own home and the stability to raise a family\u2014to know that you\u2019re doing the best you can for your children to give them the start in life that they deserve. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EWhen housing goes wrong, as it did woefully and dramatically under the last Government, everything else goes wrong with health and education. When families are denied the stability that they need\u2014when families are living in the rental market because they cannot afford to get a deposit together because they can\u2019t keep up with rising prices, and they have to move out of that rental house every year and find somewhere else to live and move across town\u2014what does that do for the education of those young people in that family? It is the seeds of social disaster. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EWe are not content with the tinkering and the dribble of housing that we have seen in the last few years, as this previous Government struggled to catch up with the problems that it had allowed to get so terribly out of control. We are going to change the game, and in the next 12 months we will legislate to establish an urban development authority that will cut through the red tape and drive forward with at-scale, master-planned, new communities; not the splattering of poorly designed and planned houses that we saw under the special housing areas of the Hon Dr Nick Smith. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b812508866c4a0d981f42578f343660\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Like Hobsonville. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249e15dfd3e7f46f4a29f620fb02bccaa\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: We want to see well-planned\u2014yes, like Hobsonville. That was the brainchild of the Helen Clark Labour Government, and it\u2019s the only decent housing development, apart from Waimahia, that we saw for nine years of the last Government. Hobsonville is a fantastic example. We will establish, as per the coalition agreement with our partners the New Zealand First Party in this Government, a housing commission to drive forward at-scale development and deliver the dream of affordable homeownership that young Kiwi families desperately need. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EWe acknowledge that there are terrible constraints of land and workforce, which is the legacy of the last nine years of this Government. We\u2019ve inherited a crisis. We know that. We understand that. The first thing that jumped out at me from the briefing for the incoming Minister of Housing and Urban Development was that the shortfall of housing under that former Minister over there, the Hon Dr Nick Smith, has now got up to 45,000 houses in our biggest city\u201445,000. Is it any wonder that we see the worst overcrowding that this country has ever seen since the Great Depression? That is the legacy of the last National Government\u2014worst overcrowding. A 45,000 shortfall\u2014that\u2019s why house prices have rocketed. They have rocketed to a million-dollar average in Auckland, and that is why homeownership rates have been on the slide so dramatically. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EWe know there are land constraints. That is why it is our policy to do the thing that the last National Government only ever talked about. We are going to genuinely free up the planning rules. Our policy is to get rid of the urban growth boundary and to usher in a smarter, better planning system that does long-range spatial planning that protects areas of special value. We\u2019re going to do that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc3f4014df13475eb0ca474b6bf47f90\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: With the Greens? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022655c36bc34064c329e59807cbefa51ef\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014not just talk about it for nine years. The Green Party voted for that policy twice in the last year, when the National Party voted against that policy. So I suggest to the member opposite that she go back and check the National Party\u2019s policy on that, and ask her colleagues why they talked about it but never did a damned thing about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThis party knows that as well as freeing up the planning rules, we are going to fix the broken system for infrastructure financing, and I want to acknowledge the tentative, belated efforts of the Hon Steven Joyce to set up a special purpose vehicle to try to find a new way of financing urban infrastructure. It\u2019s just that having the Government write a cheque every six months is no serious fix for a broken infrastructure financing system. We need a pipeline of ready infrastructure finance. That is the task that we are going to grapple with in the coming months. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re also going to tackle the demand side factors that Government refused to even acknowledge were a problem for so long. We\u2019re going to ban foreign buyers from buying existing homes in our first 100 days. We\u2019re going to push the brightline test out to five years, just as Treasury advised the former Government that they should, and we are going to change the laws around negative gearing and the tax breaks for property investors that turbocharge property speculation. This Government is serious about fixing the housing crisis that we have inherited. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022 data-id=\u002203521765645e40e3a1b8887239f871c8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002203521765645e40e3a1b8887239f871c8\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE (National):\u003C/span\u003E May I congratulate you on your election to your new role, Madam Deputy Speaker. Well, I think the public of New Zealand will be scratching their heads at the end of the first week of this new Parliament, because it has been, at most, an interesting start for the first week of the new Government. We had, of course, on Tuesday the absolute procedural muck-up, where they couldn\u2019t even count\u2014at all\u2014on the first day. Then we had them going on television and trying to spin their way to the suggestion that they actually knew what was going on the entire time. I think that gave an early glimpse into the character of this Government: a bunch of, dare I say it, student politicians who are good at talking points but have nothing of substance behind them. That was on day one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EThen, on day two, we had the Speech from the Throne, and then we had a truly excellent speech from the Opposition leader, Bill English, who reminded the new Government of the benchmarks they were inheriting that they must do better than. Actually, they\u2019ve got a problem, because the talking points won\u2019t work when you\u2019re in Government. You can\u2019t survive on talking points. You have to actually measure up to the facts and the data and the statistics, which are presented not by the Opposition, not by the Government, but by the independent Public Service. And I saw the slumped shoulders of some of the senior members of the Government as Bill English read out the benchmarks that they will be measured against.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EThen we had today. We started off with the Reserve Bank, in their Monetary Policy Statement, ever so politely pointing out\u2014about 20 times through the document\u2014that they had no idea what the new Government\u2019s new fiscal and economic policy was. And it wasn\u2019t just them, because they pointed out they\u2019d taken what advice they had been able to get from Treasury, and Treasury therefore also had no idea what the new Government was doing or planning in fiscal and economic policy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EBut that\u2019s all right. We have reference points for what the new Government is planning. We have, for example, the Labour Party fiscal plan that was released prior to the election and was backed up not just vociferously but vehemently by the then spokesperson and now finance Minister of the Labour Government, who said that his numbers were correct, that his numbers were accurate, that his numbers were what the new Government would be measured on. He said, and I quote: they\u2019re \u201Crobust \u2026 we stand by them despite the desperate and disingenuous digging from an\u201D\u2014apparently\u2014\u201Cout-the-door Finance Minister, says [the] spokesperson Grant Robertson.\u201D That\u2019s what he said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EHe also accused me\u2014of my criticism being an affront to democracy. It was an affront to democracy that I criticised his numbers. And then, on the very first opportunity in question time this afternoon, there was an almost biblical denial of his own numbers\u2014on day one of question time, when he was given the opportunity to back up his numbers, to repeat what he\u2019d said prior to the election, which he had called, in terms of my criticism, an affront to democracy. So what was it today? If I was an affront to democracy for criticising his numbers, what was he doing standing in the House today refusing to stand by the numbers from his pre-election fiscal plan? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EI\u2019m sorry, but at the end of the first week the credibility of this Government\u2014both the procedural muck-up and the way they tried to obscure it, and then secondly the brazen affront to democracy from the new finance Minister this afternoon, are an indication that this Government has no great character at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EThe important thing is it is not actually about me. It\u2019s not about Grant Robertson. It\u2019s not about Chris Hipkins. It\u2019s about the people of New Zealand and where this Government plans to go. And the other thing we learnt from question time this afternoon was they have no idea where they\u2019re going to go or how they plan to get there. They have a wish list from the Speech from the Throne of some 51 new spending commitments\u201451 new spending commitments in the Speech from the Throne. You know, you can make 51 new spending commitments sound pretty good. You can just read them out, as the Governor-General ably did, and they can sound OK, except in the backs of their minds most New Zealanders are sitting there thinking, \u201CHow do I pay for this?\u201D\u2014because they do have to pay. It is their money. It is their taxes that have to pay. So this is like the Christmas list for the Labour Party, and the public of New Zealand is sitting there going, \u201CHow do I pay for all this?\u201D And we don\u2019t know now, because the only guide we have from the Labour Party has now been denied by the new finance Minister. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EIt is now more than two weeks since the coalition agreement between the Labour Party and the New Zealand First Party was signed and released, and we have had no\u2014absolutely no\u2014indication of the costs of that agreement. The Minister of Finance has been invited to release the costings that undoubtedly they did before signing up to this agreement, and that should be very straightforward. He said to the television station, in the interview, which I think was with The Nation, \u201CI can\u2019t do that, because I didn\u2019t have access to the public sector. I need access to the public sector.\u201D Only he did, because in the coalition negotiations all parties had access to the public sector, all parties had access to Treasury, all parties had the ability to have their policies properly costed. So we are left with the potential conclusion that they didn\u2019t get them costed\u2014they didn\u2019t get their policies costed. No wonder the Reserve Bank, in their ever so polite way this morning, is saying, \u201CWe have no idea what\u2019s going on in terms of spending plans for this new Government.\u201D That wouldn\u2019t be such a big deal, except that we\u2019re already starting to see how this uncertainty plays out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s a small example of it that\u2019s just occurred over the last week, and that is the increase in petrol prices. Petrol prices have gone up 9c a litre over the last week. Two reasons: one, world oil prices\u2014not much we can do about those. But the other one is the 5 percent decline in the New Zealand dollar that has occurred since this Government was put together\u2014just under 5 percent decline in the New Zealand dollar.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003EWe had, this afternoon, the Minister for Primary Industries saying that\u2019s a good thing, which it is if you\u2019re an exporter. But if you are a consumer, if you are a New Zealand family working hard to make ends meet, what it is is an early sign that this Government will make you chase your tail\u2014that this Government will be out front like Father Christmas, handing out the goodies, and in the meantime, out the back, putting up the cost of living so all the goodies go back in their pocket. That\u2019s what\u2019s going to happen. That\u2019s where we\u2019re heading because of this bunch of student politicians that are now running New Zealand\u2019s Government with their talking points and very little else\u2014very little else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003ESo Her Majesty\u2019s loyal Opposition will be very focused on holding this Government to account\u2014not because we need to, not because it\u2019s our job, but because the public of New Zealand are relying on us to, because the public of New Zealand will want the economic growth, the economic opportunities, to continue and they don\u2019t want these people to muck it up. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022 data-id=\u00229fcdb0076fd54e06a260b116e8514435\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229fcdb0076fd54e06a260b116e8514435\u0022\u003EHon JUDITH COLLINS (National\u2014Papakura):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Might I congratulate you on your appointment, and it\u2019s a delight to have you in this role.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EI don\u2019t want to embarrass my colleague the Hon Steven Joyce, but I think I will just this once\u2014well, actually, quite often really. Just this once. He won\u2019t ask for it because he\u2019s such a humble man, but I\u2019m going to ask for it: he needs an apology from the Hon Grant Robertson. He needs an apology for the disgraceful way that he was castigated during the election campaign over the $11.7 billion fiscal hole. And what we found today from Grant Robertson, the new Minister of Finance\u2014I\u2019m trying not to laugh as I say that; I\u2019m trying to actually give him that due\u2014is that he doesn\u2019t even know what all these promises are going to cost. In fact, how could he say to Steven Joyce, \u201CThis $11.7 billion hole is not correct, it\u2019s all been costed and it\u2019s all right\u201D\u2014utter rubbish. It\u2019s probably going to be even more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EFrom the Speech from the Throne just the other day\u2014I was listening to it, and I thought, \u201CI don\u2019t think there\u2019s been one of those, with that degree of hopefulness, of promises\u2014with no money for it, all those promises\u2014since 1972\u201D, and we all know what happened to that Government. It\u2019s really important that when you\u2019re going to make these promises on the election trail, when you come to ask the Speech from the Throne from the Governor-General to make huge promises on behalf of a new Government, that there is actually some possibility of being able to deliver on them. Instead, what we\u2019ve seen today in the House in question time, and yesterday, and the day before, is an utterly incompetent group of people who are Ministers in a Government that should not be there. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve seen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EThese people have been in the role for three weeks. They\u2019ve had the best help from the best Public Service that I have seen\u2014the very best people, who have been trying to help them to understand even the most basic parts of their job. Could we get an answer today from the Government that made sense? No, we could not. What we heard was, \u201COh, we\u2019ll come back to you when we\u2019ve done a costing. Oh, we\u2019ll come back to you when we\u2019ve worked out what we\u2019re going to do. Oh, I can\u2019t remember what I said four years ago when I was saying we should have an East-West link\u2014and now suddenly I don\u2019t want it.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s the sort of response we got from an incompetent Government, and they\u2019re not going to have much time to get better, because we are going to hold this Government to account. We are going to ask why it is that we have political questions and attack points from the so-called Green Party all about talking about themselves and using a Government department as one of their advocates, rather than allowing them to be a public service, after all. That\u2019s what we\u2019re going to be doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003ESo when we go back to what this new Government has inherited, they have inherited something that a National-led Government has never had the opportunity to inherit, and that is actually a sound set of books; a country that is going places\u2014upwards, not down\u2014a country where people want to come and live; a country with the lowest unemployment rate of any of our competitor countries; a country that actually took kids who were failing and helped to secure for them a future. What we\u2019ve seen today is the petty nastiness of a Government that wants to take away from little kids who have been failed in the standard, mainstream education system\u2014to take away from them a chance of a better life, because it doesn\u2019t suit the unions\u2019 ideology. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve seen. It has been an absolute disgrace to see that today. We\u2019ve had a Government whose Ministers have been happy to go out and to say that they\u2019re going to wipe out these contracts, that they\u2019re going to ignore the law\u2014which, by the way, is the law of New Zealand. They\u2019re going to do all of that, and the kids who are going to have failed because of that, they\u2019re the kids who are the most vulnerable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve got a partnership school in my electorate, and I am proud of the fact that there are people who are willing and able to help kids who in the mainstream system will simply fail, and they\u2019ll fail because of all sorts of situations. But quite often, if those kids are not allowed to succeed, they will not only have a failure of an education but they will have a failure of a life, and so will their children and grandchildren. And to see today the nasty little pettiness\u2014and did we hear anything from the Speech from the Throne yesterday about these poor little kids? Oh yeah, we did\u2014that we\u2019re going to close down the schools that will help them. That\u2019s what we heard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EWhat a nasty, petty Government to do that. There are no children more worthy of our help as a country and, by the way, for taxpayers to help fund than these kids, because their success actually means generations of success for families. Any of those of us who\u2019ve had anything to do with working in or dealing with the justice sector, the prison service, all of these areas, and even in our electorate offices, we see families where there is intergenerational failure\u2014failure in terms of education, failure in terms of keeping to the law, failure in terms of addiction, all sorts of problems, family violence; all the way through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EThis new, brave Government that\u2019s going to be relentlessly positive for New Zealand has done nothing for those kids other than to make their lives more difficult. Let\u2019s spare a thought for the parents of those children. Let\u2019s just spare a thought for them. So they\u2019ve got good parents trying to do their best\u2014a child with difficulties, a child who cannot function in the mainstream system, because kids are not all born the same. That\u2019s something that you only really learn as a parent. Almost nothing prepares you for parenthood other than parenthood\u2014nothing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EI hate hearing people who have never had to deal with a situation where a child is being bullied, is having difficulties because of teacher\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e1011deb2ef64d908e4d066a2ce4d5aa\u0022\u003EDarroch Ball\u003C/span\u003E: Oh come on, Judith. You\u2019re talking rubbish.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e4acf3f9bd6427a9baeccf235fce71d\u0022\u003EHon JUDITH COLLINS\u003C/span\u003E: I know Darroch Ball thinks that\u2019s funny, but I actually don\u2019t think that\u2019s funny. I think that people like Darroch Ball, who come down to the House and who think that they\u2019re going to shout out and tell us, over here\u2014that they don\u2019t care. Well, I don\u2019t care about people like Darroch Ball, because people like him, people like Darroch Ball, they think more government is the answer to everything. Actually, for those kids, they just need the help, they need the funding, they need people who care, and they don\u2019t need experts like Darroch Ball. If the expert is Darroch Ball, I\u2019d rather have the amateur any day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EActually, when I think about this particular Speech from the Throne, what did we hear? Well, we\u2019re going to have 100,000 new houses built by this new Government in 10 years. Well, on my counting that\u2019s 10,000 houses every year, and by the way, I\u2019ve started counting. So with three weeks in, I hope they\u2019re doing some foundation work. I wonder who\u2019s doing it for them. Isn\u2019t it funny how Governments, like a Labour-led Government, like to claim credit for the private sector, the developers, the people who actually take the risks in life, the people who mortgage their own properties just so that they can actually get a development going, get a subdivision going\u2014the people who take the risks; the people who, by the way, pay the interest rates to the bank\u2014that\u2019s how they do it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003EUnless Mr Twyford is going to set up a great big little building company, which is going to be, what? \u201CKiwi Building Housing\u201D\u2014whatever. It will have to be a Kiwi thing because they can\u2019t use the words \u201CNew Zealand\u201D, because apparently they don\u2019t like that, but it\u2019s the \u201CKiwi Building Housing Company\u201D that is going to be out, building 10,000 new houses a year. Well, it\u2019s a jolly good thing for Mr Twyford and his Government that we have left from Government a situation where there has been job creation of 10,000 jobs a month, with 56,000 jobs created in the last three months. It\u2019s such a good thing that the outgoing National-led Government has left enough money not only in the kitty but actually in people\u2019s pockets so that they can actually do something for themselves. They\u2019re not going to be hanging around, waiting for Mr Twyford, because the developers have been working for some years. They\u2019re working very hard, taking a lot of risks, and the one thing that\u2019s the big risk that they didn\u2019t want was a Labour-led Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022a5ea3782a8ae4480a55d16f19feed97f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a5ea3782a8ae4480a55d16f19feed97f\u0022\u003EMadam DEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I understand this next call is a split call. I call Jan Logie. I will give you a warning bell at one minute.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022c827ad7e11334349abb10af4dad99b47\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c827ad7e11334349abb10af4dad99b47\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora. E Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koe, ki a koutou huri noa i Te Whare ng\u0101 mihi o te w\u0101 ki a koutou katoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E[Madam Deputy Speaker, thank you, and acknowledgments of the moment to you all throughout the House.] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003ETo start, I\u2019d like to offer my congratulations too to you, Madam Deputy Speaker. It\u2019s been a long time since we\u2019ve had a woman in the Chair and it\u2019s really lovely to see, so my congratulations to you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EThe sun is shining and the babies seem to be content and this House has already been changing the way that we do things, and I do want to acknowledge the images that are taking over my social media thread\u2014at least of the Speaker last night in the House holding a baby in his arms, as the baby\u2019s mum spoke in this House. That symbolism of that moment and how much it meant for so many mothers trying to juggle work and life and their commitment to their family, I think it really did show the hope of how, when we support each other, so much more is possible and how much\u2014you know, it was just a beautiful moment, and I hope for everyone to have beautiful moments like that through their workplaces.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003ESo here we are, after a pretty rough election campaign, into a new Government and some new hope. Last night, I was in my electorate, in Porirua East, around where I live\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bea40dc23c854f3e91fe0c205e17a95e\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: You haven\u2019t got an electorate. What\u2019s the name of your electorate?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab952de59c8b42579aee6e3e4d83a07f\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE\u003C/span\u003E: The electorate I live in. I was talking to some local people, and they were talking about concerns around the rising cost of housing, the fact that when they visit some families in the community and take the temperature of the house, that it\u2019s been down to 9 degrees at times\u2014colder inside the house than outside, because the quality of those State houses in that place is so bad. It\u2019s the same with the private rentals. And how they\u2019re working with children in early childhood and supporting the families, and the families are struggling to put food on the table for their kids. And then they are worried for the future of those babies. And I\u2019ve got to say it was quite a grim conversation, and then there was a moment when we looked at each other and we suddenly thought, \u201COh, there\u2019s been a change of Government. Actually, it\u2019s not necessarily going to be like this for ever.\u201D\u2014that actually we now have a Government that is committed to changing those things, that is actually, totally committed to making sure that our families and our communities have enough to thrive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve heard the speeches so far today\u2014and some of the questions in the House from that side of the House\u2014and it\u2019s all about the dollars. And I understand you have to pay for things, but it certainly reminds me of that quote from Oscar Wilde of the definition, I think, of a cynic: the person who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. That, to me, speaks to the hollowness of the world view of that side of the House and the difference for us on this side. We listen to people when they tell us they don\u2019t have enough and that they are getting sick because their houses are making them sick, and we will do something to change that. So I am so proud to be on this side of the House in this\u2014part of supporting a progressive Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EI do just want to touch on some of the sense of also acknowledging that we need to ensure that our families have enough, and we also need to ensure that our communities have the resources to be able to bring people together and to deal with the issues that have come in front of them, and that we are going to have to spend more money. It\u2019s true. We have our domestic violence organisations and our sexual violence organisations with waiting lists that are closing their books in some places\u2014the staff being stretched and worried that their practice is compromised and not able to support people. So I look forward in this new Government to making a difference for our people and our communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022 data-id=\u00226331188401d5422e9324c2bad1164376\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226331188401d5422e9324c2bad1164376\u0022\u003EMARAMA DAVIDSON (Green):\u003C/span\u003E It pleases me no end to be able to stand up and say \u201CMadam Chair\u201D. Thank you so much for stepping into this role. You honour us all in our country. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EThis is my first speech in this, the 52nd Parliament, and I rise with hope, with my colleague Jan Logie and all of the Greens and our Government. I rise especially with a huge sense of responsibility; an acute awareness of the responsibility that we all have now to restore some of the dignity to the people, the rivers, and the progressive values that were eroded over nine years of the former National Government. I\u2019m aware that working together we will do this\u2014we will do this. We have a clear plan and we have had those visions for some time now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EI have a particularly huge sense of responsibility to continue to drive the kaupapa M\u0101ori political aspirations that the Greens have always shared and have always supported tangata whenua and iwi with. We want to both work with our Labour and New Zealand First colleagues and also keep pushing and holding to account, gently, our Government colleagues when we know that the Greens have got some specific plans that we need to keep pushing on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EI am so proud to see Te Reo in schools make it on our agenda\u2014make it on our Government agenda. The Greens are incredibly proud that we have put that on the party political agenda, and certainly on the campaign political agenda, to support the work that has happened for many years to ensure that all our tamariki universally have access to Te Reo in schools. I was proud on Sunday just gone, Mr Speaker\u2014Madam Speaker. See, we\u2019re going to get there\u2014we\u2019re going to get there. I was proud to announce that I will launch and put back into the members\u2019 biscuit tin the bill to initiate a day for Parihaka\u2014Te R\u0101 o Parihaka Bill. This is about claiming the injustices of our country but also celebrating the incredible commitment, the solidarity with the Parihaka descendants and community, to nonviolence in the face of Crown acts of repression and aggression.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EI am really looking forward to working with the Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister Nanaia Mahuta, on things like wahakura, where for such a reasonable cost we can make sure that we say to every tamariki who arrives to us: we welcome you. We welcome you wahakura, a woven baby pod that will also play a massive role in awesome regional economic development for weaving and for organisations who are already trying to provide these pods for us. I will keep pushing for M\u0101ori wards. The bill that was drawn just this year was voted down, but I know I will keep speaking for the establishment of M\u0101ori wards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EI congratulate Ng\u0101ti Wh\u0101tua ki \u014Cr\u0101kei and Ng\u0101rimu Blair for their opposition to the East-West Link, which I am proud that the Greens oppose and which I am proud that this Government has done away with. It was hella expensive. We can do better. I\u2019m really proud that we stood up to that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EI am particularly proud of where we are going in this Government. Seeing Uncle Mr Speaker in the House last night with the beautiful baby Heeni and seeing our breastfeeding mamas and our babies in the House was about understanding that this House is supposed to be a House of Representatives. It is supposed to reflect our community and our society in all parts of it, and it is also understanding that, absolutely, we can make and will make essential decisions because we are reflective of who we are as a country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EMadam Deputy Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to speak. We are heading in the direction where our families, our rivers, and our progressive values have a strong voice, and the Green Party in particular will continue to advocate for an understanding that realises that our social, our economic, our cultural, and our environmental well-being all depend on each, all are connected to each other, and are reliant on each other. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022 data-id=\u002293af57fdfd4247b1b1f6cec4d21819bc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002293af57fdfd4247b1b1f6cec4d21819bc\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH (National\u2014Nelson):\u003C/span\u003E Firstly, can I congratulate you, Madam Deputy Speaker, as Deputy Speaker in the role that you will bring to the House, and also join with other members in congratulating the new Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EMr Speaker has actually been one of the most partisan members of the House. He\u2019s actually pushed the boundaries hard, in even going after members\u2019 families. He\u2019s a member that has the unusual reputation of even having been involved in fisticuffs in the lobbies, and actually has the worst record of any member in being asked to leave the House. His challenge is to change his leopard spots\u2014to turn from being the poacher to being the gamekeeper. It does matter, because this institution sits at the heart of our democracy. I will acknowledge that today\u2019s opening ruling from the Speaker, actually, in my view, gives a signal that he\u2019s prepared to make that change, and he will need to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EThe first point I want to make in this first speech of the 52nd Parliament in the Address in Reply debate is, while the Government is lawful, what has taken place in this Parliament is exceptional and unusual, and we are going to hold the Government to account because, actually, it does not have a mandate for its policies, and I want to put this case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EThis Parliament is one of the longest in the world for its continuous running of our democracy. But this, the 52nd Parliament, is the very first in which the party that got the most votes, the party that won the most seats, is not the governing party. In those previous 51 parliaments, actually who gets the most votes and the most seats counts. There is one exception in that 150-odd year history of this Parliament: in 1911, the largest party was not the Government, but I would point out that it got 34 percent of the vote, not 44.5 percent of the vote, emphasising how unusual the make-up of the Parliament that we have is. And it is not just unusual for our own Parliament; it is actually very unusual internationally. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI put a challenge to members opposite: there are 60 parliaments in the world that are elected by proportional representation. Most of those parliaments have existed post World War II. There is not a single case anywhere in the world in which a party has secured more that 40 percent of the vote and is not in the Government. I will just tell the members opposite: tell me a country in the world where the party that has secured over 40 percent of the vote is not in the Government. The members opposite are silent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc21f8061f43472c9f330c24d6f37304\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: So what?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022919a8e8d-afaf-4342-ad6f-71cbb6024544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298e6f42f6aba4b009a1ab89a77543805\u0022\u003EClayton Mitchell\u003C/span\u003E: Do you understand democracy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc5031ea5e5348139c5ae708e4040cb3\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: The member interjects, \u201CWhat does it matter?\u201D I tell you why it matters. Because what people vote in a democracy matters, and one of the reasons we will be particularly holding New Zealand First to account is that they are responsible for that very unusual outcome. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI also want to remind New Zealand First members of this piece of history: in 2005 the National Party secured 1 percent of the vote less than the Labour Party. We secured 48 seats at that election; Labour secured 50 seats. The New Zealand First Party said they had no choice but to go with the Labour Party in forming the Government in 2005 because they had to \u201Crespect the will of the people\u201D. They had to respect the will of the people. So I am challenging New Zealand First to say what has changed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI also want to say that the Government has a very confused mandate. I\u2019d seek some clarification for the Government as to just what is the mandate that this Government has. Can I take an important issue like defence policy. The New Zealand First policy was that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221b3c002004f44e568e38134c8edcacaf\u0022\u003EHon Phil Twyford\u003C/span\u003E: Do the maths, Nick.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002215be4c22a230486cb152b92133560ef4\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: Let\u2019s do some maths. Let\u2019s do some maths, Phil. The New Zealand First policy was that we do grossly underspend on defence and we need to spend a lot more and we need to double the budget. The Green Party\u2019s policy was that we spend too much on defence and we need to reduce it to just a peacekeeping force. Which policy is the policy of the Government, I ask?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003ETake the important area of foreign affairs, for which we now have a Minister. The New Zealand First policy is that, with respect, the previous Government\u2019s policy was not sympathetic enough to Israel, yet the Green Party\u2019s view is exactly the opposite: it is not sympathetic enough to Palestine. I ask the Government: what is their policy? The Government does not have a mandate, because it is a confused mandate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI take an area that is strong for me, around issues of water quality. New Zealand First organised public meetings in places like the Waikato, and like Southland and Canterbury, and it said the new Government\u2019s water quality policy is so tough it\u2019s going to drive farmers off the land and it is far too tough. And we had the Labour and Green parties campaigning simultaneously, saying, \u201CNo, it wasn\u2019t too hard; it was too soft.\u201D And again, we have a confused mandate from this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI take a really crucial area like tax. The New Zealand First Party\u2014I have their policy in front of me\u2014campaigned on less tax. They wanted the company tax reduced. They wanted GST reduced on key items. Parties opposite, also part of the Government, argued for more tax. And so, on such a fundamental issue, this Government does not have a mandate for its policy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI remind New Zealand First: their policy is to change the law with respect to the smacking of children. They opposed that area of policy. The Green Party has exactly the opposite policy on a crucial issue around children. And again, I say there is a confused mandate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI take an important issue, an issue like the Treaty and M\u0101ori relations. We have just heard a speech from the Green Party saying that they want to have separate local representation for M\u0101ori. Do the New Zealand First members opposite support that policy? They are awfully silent, because they campaigned on exactly the opposite: that we needed to get rid of any special provisions for M\u0101ori in local government or other places, re-emphasising the confused and muddled mandate that we have from members opposite.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve also seen in this very first week of the House the reason that we need to actually ensure numeracy is taught in schools. Firstly, we had the debacle on Tuesday in respect of not being able to count the numbers in the Parliament. But far more serious was the issue exposed by Steven Joyce this afternoon, where, in the very first question time, Labour is refusing to stand by their numbers in respect of expenditure by this Government. In the closing stages of the election campaign, one of the most important and debated issues was whether Labour stood by their numbers, and what we know today, in the very first question time, is that they no longer stand by their fiscal numbers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003EI want to finish with a few key numbers that I want members opposite to remember. Let\u2019s take the issue of employment, because if we\u2019re serious about the issues of poverty, actually jobs are critical. And what we know is that in the last year, 10,000 more New Zealanders got a job every single month. In my area, I would say to Mr Jones, a region unemployment was 2.2 percent at the change of Government\u20142.2 percent. That\u2019s the lowest it\u2019s been in my 27 years as a member of Parliament for that community. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218a175a64fd041929dbe134571d5d477\u0022\u003EHon Andrew Little\u003C/span\u003E: Why\u2019ve we got the lowest wages? Why the lowest wages?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f24c3881e97f41b7a5ad34c78e1c7716\u0022\u003EHon Dr NICK SMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I say to Andrew Little and others opposite: we will be holding you to account around those job numbers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s look at incomes\u2014incomes going up at twice the rate of inflation. Let\u2019s look at the issue in terms of houses: 31,000 houses per year are being built. Every year for the last six years, the number of houses being built has gone up by an extra 10 percent, every single year. This Government has a confused mandate and we will be holding it to account.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00229e559a6c639f49979a8f9094382693dd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229e559a6c639f49979a8f9094382693dd\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Early in the speech from the Nelson member, there were a number of gratuitous and unwise things that traduce the reputation of Mr Mallard. I\u2019m disappointed that you chose not to intervene. Can you just give some clarification, Madam Deputy Speaker, as to how far a speaker can go in maligning the history of the reputation of Mr Mallard.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022926722858db6446bab89b2ea0a7f6bb1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022926722858db6446bab89b2ea0a7f6bb1\u0022\u003EMadam DEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: In fact, the member is quite correct, and I should have\u2014in fact, I did query whether this was a wide-ranging debate, because the member to my left did go on for quite some time. However, I don\u2019t know that any of it was necessarily untrue, and I didn\u2019t take action.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00221d6a8aff07a04f588cf43de764b53515\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221d6a8aff07a04f588cf43de764b53515\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Madam Deputy Speaker, ng\u0101 mihi ki a koe i roto i t\u0113nei whakaaranga \u014Du, kia noho hei M\u0101ngai m\u014D Te Whare.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E[Madam Deputy Speaker, congratulations to you on this elevation of yours to sit as a Speaker for the House.] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EGreetings, Madam Deputy Speaker, a senior member, not unlike myself, from a province; I acknowledge you and thank you for those words of clarification.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EThere are seven stages of grief. We have witnessed that from a member currently holding, by the narrowest of margins, the seat of Nelson. What we\u2019ve got is a mixture of shock and denial. Now, as a consequence of the member, correctly holding his seat\u2014but now he\u2019s in denial because he occupies the desert known as \u201COpposition\u201D. The speech reflects an unwillingness or a denial for what is a system relied upon to elect a Government in New Zealand. Now, he may deny that he enjoys his current position, but he cannot deny the veracity in the existence of the law that enables this Government to be formed. So I accept that there\u2019s still the element of shock.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EI also know that soon we\u2019ll witness in that member the expression of guilt, and that guilt will evince itself with bouts of anger that they should never have run a campaign saying \u201CGet rid of the middle men.\u201D There was always going to be a cost for that assertion. I will not talk about matters that will require substantial legal fees on that side of the House, because it\u2019s not parliamentary to talk about High Court cases. But, in that case, guilt will start to consume the architects of the election campaign on that side of the House, which has caused them to occupy the space where they are.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EOf course, beyond that, the next stage of guilt is often called bargaining. Now, a great bargain is going to take place between my old competent Judith Collins, \u201CSlim Shady\u201D\u2014in the form of Mr Joyce\u2014and\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225aa1bd45ddbb4cb69d4d7d898bc7cda3\u0022\u003EMadam DEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry to interrupt the member, but, please, no descriptions; can we just have the names of the members.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d893df8b9b704d398fcddf2dfdd03b3f\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES\u003C/span\u003E: I apologise. The architects of the campaign\u2014so the grand bargain, as a part of the grief process, will take place as to how do they get rid of the people that caused them to end up in Opposition. The bargaining has to happen amongst themselves, but rest assured, every week that goes by, we will endeavour to pour petrol on that fire. It will grow as they learn about the loneliness, the irrelevance, and, bit by bit, the public indifference, which will just reveal to them how actually lonely they are.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ELoneliness is the next stage of grief: loneliness and reflection. The former Minister, the member for Nelson, has never been reflective about a single thing in this House. And I can\u2019t speak for erstwhile colleagues from Labour, but I have no doubt in my mind that the notion of utu and karma, which they think about from time to time, rests upon the head of that member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ENow, after the bleakness of depression and loneliness, there\u2019s an upward turn. The upward turn is sitting on that side of the front bench. Judith Collins is awaiting her opportunity to serve utu upon the people who deprecated her while she was a loyal Minister in the last Government\u2014incredibly hard-working, loyal to the kaupapa, but, unfortunately, written off. Rest assured, that upward shift is happening, as members who have had their day, like the member for Nelson, disappear down the shaft of political obscurity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ENow, after that in the process of grief comes reconstruction. Now, naturally, I\u2019m the Minister for Infrastructure, but I\u2019ll talk about that another time. Reconstruction is when you try and reinvent yourself, as that side of the House must do, in order to capture enough Kiwis to govern again. You cannot run a campaign to get rid of the middleman, you cannot make the M\u0101oris extinct\u2014OK, you can keep the equivalent of the SPCA in Epsom, one single canine running around, occasionally waiting for a rub, but that\u2019s not good enough to form a Government. That\u2019s not good enough to create a majority in the House. So in the process of reconstruction, not only do they need to freshen up their message but they need to move away from the ugly, cruel, unwise\u2014I have to say\u2014types of memes that they ran through their campaign. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EThat will be incredibly important for the people that they purport to represent, because, let me tell you, from Foveaux Strait, Spirits Bay, Tai R\u0101whiti, Te Tai Hau\u0101uru, I can assure you: your leaders in your own community are knocking on the billion-dollar Minister\u2019s door. Naturally, we will treat them as ordinary, fair Kiwi representatives\u2014something that that side of the House chose not to do where my leader was concerned. There\u2019s a cost for that, folks. You can\u2019t run tawdry, slimy, duplicitous comments and campaigns like that without having to bear the burden of the costs. That cost is three years of obscurity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ENow, of course, the final element of the actual grief process is hope, and the Bible talks about three taonga, and Corinthians talks about faith, hope, and aroha. Well, a small part of me does have aroha for where you find yourselves, but as you did to others, so it will be done unto you\u2014ka pai. Secondly, it is necessary for us to have faith\u2014have faith in the land of the law, Mr Smith, which enables New Zealanders to vote and cause this type of innovative Government to rule the country for three years. Trust and have faith in the law that in your time you helped pass. Of course, the final element of hope is that without change it\u2019s an empty\u2014it\u2019s a barren sensation, and at the moment there is no evidence that their hopes will be realised. We will watch the different stages of grief, along with New Zealanders, as this side of the House gets going, with appropriate levels of humility, to run the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ENow, given that we\u2019ve been talking about the member for Nelson, he has encouraged me to come to his region. I look forward to coming to his region, if only to remind him: don\u2019t ever try to destroy the Treaty of Waitangi rights of the indigenous people by imposing upon them in secret the Kermadecs reserve. Don\u2019t ever try that again. That not only humiliated John Key\u2014humiliated John Key\u2014while he wandered off into an international forum, it not only isolated the hard-working and reputable then Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, but this man got going on a silent agenda that only he could hear in his head, an agenda that has been rejected by so many New Zealanders. He leads those who are still in a wicked place of grief\u2014true. I say to you: not only will we have the billion-dollar fund but we will plant the trees to pay for the $32 billion deficit that that Minister, that environment Minister of the past, has left with New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EUpon agreeing with the Paris Agreement, New Zealand, and as a consequence of doing absolutely nothing to reduce our carbon deficit\u2014that bill is now up to $32 billion, and it must be paid by 2030. Only through us planting trees, only through us bringing the agricultural sector so that they own the full cost of the privileges they enjoy to make money within our environment, will we all as Kiwis make a meaningful contribution. I say it again: $32 billion of a deficit that has to be paid as a consequence of his dilatory approach in relation to climate change.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ESo we will plant trees. We will plant native trees. We will plant exotic trees. We will plant in such a way that the young people see it as an acorn that they can grow and be proud of their contributions to get rid of the excesses of climate change. Number two: we will work with local government. Number three: we will work with iwi. Number four: we will also find spaces within the State-owned enterprise estate to ensure that all sectors of Government work with the Ministers to ensure that our contribution, in a very practical way, reduces the $32 billion deficit. Kia ora t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00222f440d4505b44529b60b08462dd13998\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222f440d4505b44529b60b08462dd13998\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: T\u0113n\u0101 koe e te uri o Te Awa Tupu. [Greetings to you, the relative of the sacred River.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022 data-id=\u00228611310ef2d04d98ac308a91fee1baa9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228611310ef2d04d98ac308a91fee1baa9\u0022\u003EJO HAYES (National):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. I just want to congratulate you for your new position as Assistant Speaker. I also want to extend my congratulations to your other presiding officers as well. So well done, Adrian, well done. Thank you very much, Mr Assistant Speaker, for allowing me to stand up and take this call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI just want to say that the previous speaker, Shane Jones\u2014I think he had all blow and, really, no go in his speech. He talked about planting trees. He talked about planting exotic trees, and he talked about planting native trees. Timber trees\u2014where are our timber trees that we will be able to build houses with? He never really touched on those kinds of trees. Some exotic trees you can\u2019t use, and some native trees you cannot use to do that, because there will be a moratorium on native trees.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EWhen I hear the member as he talks about sitting on this side, actually, and he talks about M\u0101ori and extinction of M\u0101ori on this side of the House. Well, that\u2019s not what happened. We know that over 56 Treaty claims were actually resolved under the previous Government. We know that we worked very hard with the Hon Chris Finlayson to do that work, because M\u0101ori needed to have the opportunity to grow their own economic development. It\u2019s the work that we have done on this side that is actually preparing them for future economic development for all their mokopuna mai r\u0101 n\u014D. And I am sure that the people of the Whanganui Awa will benefit from this as well, the work that we\u2019ve done for Te Awa Tupua, in recognising\u2014and it was a landmark piece of legislation\u2014the awa as a person.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003ESo when I stand here and I listen to all the rhetoric from across the way over there from the Government Ministers, I start to think, you know, let\u2019s have a look at Mr Twyford\u2019s housing. He wants to have these KiwiBuilds. He wants to have all of these KiwiBuilds, yet he tends to forget that it was this Government that actually built more houses than what any Labour Government had ever built in their history. Social housing\u2019s been upgraded\u2014the Housing New Zealand homes. We have amazing social houses in Christchurch, in Christchurch East, and now, with this push to have 100,000 homes per year, the people of New Brighton, the guardians of R\u0101whiti Domain and the rest of the people of New Brighton are now fearing that the Government will take their domain away and put houses on it. This is not what the people of Christchurch East, of R\u0101whiti, and of New Brighton want, and we will fight it every single way to stop any kind of housing going on the R\u0101whiti Domain. That\u2019s how it is. It is our Hagley Park of the east. It is nobody else\u2019s, and no Government, no council, has a right to put a house on there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI attended a meeting just recently of a number of people. It was one of the biggest meetings that they had had. It was a community meeting about this issue, and one of the things they were very clear about, and they did pass that on to the Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Minister Megan Woods\u2014they did pass on their fear that they would lose this battle to retain their R\u0101whiti Domain.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003ESo when I start to look at all the promises that come from the Government, and I look at the way that this side of the House has actually set up this Government\u2014we\u2019ve set them up. We have increased the average wage by $13,000 from $46,000. That\u2019s nearly $60,000, the average wage that people get in their pockets. That\u2019s a really good set up to help people to actually be able to live comfortably in their lifestyles, the way that they choose.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI also look at the family packages\u2014$1,350 per annum for people; 3.1 million people would have got that under National, had National been the Government. This side over there\u2014the Labour Government\u2014is going to wipe that out. They\u2019re wiping out all tax regimes that would actually help low to medium income earners get a foot up and start to actually live the life that they want.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI look at the health packages that this side of the House, this National Party, actually put in place for free GP services to those under the age of 13. That\u2019s GP services and prescriptions. That\u2019s when I start to look at that; this is what this side of the House did. For the first time in 40 years, it was this side of the House that increased benefits. The Labour Government has never done that. They have never, ever done that for beneficiaries at all. It has never, ever, been a piece of legislation that the Labour Government has ever done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThey say that they are the Government of the people. They are not the Government of the people; they are the Government of their own selves\u2014of themselves. That\u2019s who they are. They don\u2019t give a toss about the people out there; I can tell you that now. They only want to worry about themselves. They only want to think that they are doing great things, when we all know that they\u2019re not doing anything for the people out there. And so, when I look across there and I see New Zealand First over there and I see the Greens over there, I see the Greens say something and I look across at New Zealand First and your smile goes down. It goes down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThen we had last night the paid parental leave\u2014the bill that came in\u2014the first and second readings. Then I look at that and I look at what this side of the House, this National Party, actually talked about: our new paid parental leave from 18 to 22 weeks. It was done within economic and fiscal boundaries, so people could afford it. The risk of having paid parental leave jump up to 26 weeks by 2020 will actually, may actually, put jobs at risk. It could actually put jobs at risk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EOne of the areas of that paid parental leave on this side of the House that I want the Labour-led Government to actually think about is around the flexibility part of the package that we had. The flexibility part\u2014the first part was about having both mum and dad at home with the newborn, without dad taking annual leave to actually do that. I know, because my son had a baby on 22 August and he had to take annual leave to actually stay at home to help out his partner and their new baby. The second part of it is a free dental visit for pregnant women. Because we all know\u2014well, actually, you men wouldn\u2019t know across the other side\u2014women that are pregnant, they do lose quite a lot of their calcium, and they do have issues with their teeth. So, therefore, part of the flexibility package was about giving women a free dental visit during their pregnancy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EFinally, to women and IVF treatments: at the moment they only get two free visits for treatment. We were offering a third free treatment, because we do care about children. We are about children. We want to see children live and thrive in this country. That\u2019s why we have done so much around protecting the children under the change from Child, Youth and Family Service to the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki\u2014whose name\u2019s going to change. I would like to think that the basis of that ministry will stay the same. I want to see it stay the same because it did target young children that were most vulnerable and at most risk of abuse. You can sit over there and you can laugh about it, but those children\u2014and you know as well as I know\u2014they are M\u0101ori. They are M\u0101ori kids and we\u2019ve got to look after them. That is our responsibility\u2014all our of responsibility. That\u2019s why I want to see the whole infrastructure of the Ministry for Vulnerable Children\u2014or for Children, however they want to put it\u2014stay the same with the purpose of having the young people sitting at governance level, helping to make decisions, helping with decisions, and helping to actually recruit staff, so it\u2019s actually focused on them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003ESo without any further ado, I see the clock is actually ticking down, and I know Fletcher wants me to carry on, but, buddy, hey\u2014you know? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e11a5f05-1940-41b2-8f1e-911dba7a43a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022840b30a34a5849c39512446f48d99b64\u0022\u003EFletcher Tabuteau\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019ve got a minute\u2014carry on!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220353ba2906c545ba8ee3efcb01daebb3\u0022\u003EJO HAYES\u003C/span\u003E: I hear what you\u2019re saying: I\u2019m pretty good, I know that, and I know you love hearing my wonderful voice floating over to you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EAnyway, I just want to close off. We heard the Prime Minister talk about intentions, and all I can say about intentions\u2014and, most probably, good intentions is where she was coming from\u2014is there is one saying about good intentions, and that is: the road to hell is paved with good intentions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219b2966680c04dfdbc2eace433370785\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Whoo!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfe435b62d464a8aa5e9a435014ecd86\u0022\u003EJO HAYES\u003C/span\u003E: Whoo! Yeah. So, let\u2019s have a look and see what these intentions are going to do. They\u2019re nothing. They don\u2019t do anything. There is no action in behind that. We are going to see an interesting three years as to what\u2019s going to actually happen, whether or not these people can actually deliver. I doubt they\u2019ll be able to deliver. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u002242ae5382007e493099e96659779aa1ed\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002242ae5382007e493099e96659779aa1ed\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. Can I begin by congratulating you on your election as Assistant Speaker, and, indeed, congratulate the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard on his election as Speaker, the Hon Anne Tolley as Deputy Speaker, and Poto Williams as the other Assistant Speaker. I think it\u2019s great that as the diversity of Parliament is now really starting to evolve\u2014it\u2019s great to see even in that small clutch of presiding officers the extent of diversity in your group, and I think it\u2019s fantastic and it\u2019s great to see you in the Chair, Mr Assistant Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also like to congratulate my leader and the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, on the leadership that she has provided, the campaign that she ran, and her work in establishing a solid, stable, enduring relationship with our colleagues in New Zealand First and in the Green Party, to form what is a truly MMP Government in New Zealand at last. This is what MMP was about: voting blocs, parties coming together and forming that interesting mix\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b314e7856fda46149286713b63c666c3\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Is that what you call it\u2014an \u201Cinteresting mix\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229162ce29877c4e60bd5128556893000a\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014of policies we have in common, and a real diverse representation of the views of New Zealand. I\u2019m sorry there was no room for Mr Seymour, in spite of his celebration of past achievements of past Labour parties. I want to acknowledge the members opposite, and welcome the new MPs opposite too, and to say that amidst the histrionics, the theatrics, the slights, and the insults\u2014and, of course, there won\u2019t be many of those now, because Mr Mallard has ruled against them\u2014the Opposition does have a vital role to play. We respect that, we understand it, we know it, and it is vital for a thriving democracy. If there\u2019s one thing that we all come into this House to do, and a value with which we are all imbued, it is that sense of the robustness of our democracy, of the freedom of expression that every member gets to enjoy in this House. It is your role, it is our role, and we respect each and every part of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EOf course, members opposite will know, whether through the adversarial exchanges in this House\u2014either in question time or in the debates that we have, or, indeed, in the exchanges in select committees\u2014or whether it\u2019s the debates we have in the metaphorical town square, we might just find that there are some things that we agree on, and we should never hesitate to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003ECan I welcome the new members on the Government side as well. I look particularly to the new Labour MPs, and what a rich well of talent we get to draw upon in this 52nd Parliament. I am very proud to be part of a party that has the level of diversity that it has: the number of new women MPs, M\u0101ori MPs, and members for whom New Zealand is the place that their families chose to come to live and settle here. Our caucus is richer for that, this Parliament is richer for that, and New Zealand is richer for that as well. We are a country that celebrates its diversity, and I celebrate that on this occasion as well. Slowly but surely, the rest of this Parliament will catch up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe Speech from the Throne set out ambitious and challenging goals in housing; in health; in public safety and police, because we have a bit of work to do there; in the environment, because we have only one planet; and in building a truly productive economy, where wealth is generated and wealth is fairly shared. That is our goal. The Prime Minister yesterday, in her Address in Reply speech, made it clear what the Government\u2019s priorities will be. They are about genuinely reducing child poverty, about building an education system for the future\u2014for early childhood, for primary, for secondary, and for tertiary. There is transformation about to happen in education, and it won\u2019t come a moment too soon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d4540171d724f9e9b1b6f95861114bd\u0022\u003EHon Tracey Martin\u003C/span\u003E: And adult and community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022adc7a03c6e7849689df92d78525f4f87\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: Of course\u2014and adult learners, too, as the Hon Tracey Martin has just reminded me. Of course, the other big challenge and goal we\u2019ve set ourselves is to give first-home buyers a chance to restore that Kiwi dream of owning your own home. And why wouldn\u2019t we, in this great country we call Aotearoa New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThere is a good reason why New Zealanders wanted change. The Hon Nick Smith can rail all he likes about mandates. The truth is, just like in his electorate, more people voted against that side of the House than for it. More people voted for this side of the House than against it. That\u2019s why we have a mandate. That\u2019s why we are the Government. New Zealanders wanted a change, because\u2014see, here is the reality: we cannot claim to be a success as a nation when we have record homelessness in this country. That\u2019s not a New Zealand value. That\u2019s not a New Zealand way. We cannot claim success when 60 percent of wage and salary earners in the last 10 years have noticed that they have not got ahead, and in some cases have gone backwards. That\u2019s not success. No matter what figures you trot out, that ain\u2019t success.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EWe cannot claim to be a success when 290,000 children live in poverty. We cannot claim success when our health system is left struggling to provide basic healthcare for many New Zealanders. That\u2019s not success, and New Zealanders had enough and they wanted change\u2014and they\u2019re going to get it. We cannot claim success when the regions are struggling and when job growth numbers\u2014as the Hon Nick Smith talked about; he was very proud of those job growth numbers, but we can\u2019t claim success when those numbers are based on a growing number of part-time, casual, short-term, temporary, low-paid jobs. That\u2019s not success. That\u2019s why we\u2019re committed to genuine productivity growth, genuine productivity improvement through good investment, good technology, and good long-term jobs that pay well. I know members opposite are confused about what a good quality job looks like, because that was a question from the Hon Steven Joyce today. A good quality job is something that allows a person to live in decency and in dignity, because that\u2019s the New Zealand way. We have big challenges.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EIn justice, we have a sharply increasing crime rate, a rapidly rising prison population, and we had a previous Government that continues to boast about its version of social investment, and I just lay this out for this House. They talk long and large\u2014still\u2014about social investment. They say, \u201CDon\u2019t take it away.\u201D You see, their version of social investment was \u201CLook, we can look at the numbers and we know where the hard problems are, and therefore where the money needs to go.\u201D Nine years they had in Government, nine years they had running their version of social investment, looking at the numbers, seeing where the hard problems were. But what happened? For nine years they told us of social investment, but when it came to criminal justice, they even declared that prisons were a moral and fiscal failure. So in their nine years in Government, as the prison population steadily rose throughout that nine years, as the crime rate grew\u2014certainly, serious crime grew in the last three or four years of that Government\u2014what was the single biggest social investment they were prepared to make to fix those hard issues? One billion dollars and yet another prison\u2014$300 million a year for yet another prison.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b256f003bea44eb58688ef79ccab53ef\u0022\u003EHon Louise Upston\u003C/span\u003E: Well, just let them out, then. Unlock the doors. Let them out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b040168456a4b519ab87178c95e13f7\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Labour\u2019s open door policy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002217478759942949618e706a34b50bf371\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE\u003C/span\u003E: And the silly, mindless bleating from the members opposite who say, \u201COh, let them all out.\u201D They don\u2019t have an answer. They don\u2019t have an answer. They claim to be the authors of social investment to fix the big social problems we\u2019ve got, but they don\u2019t have a single answer. Eight years they had of tackling those problems, and they said a year ago, \u201CWe know what the answer is. We\u2019ll build another prison. It\u2019ll cost a billion dollars. We\u2019ll spend a billion dollars on another prison, and we\u2019ll spend $300 million a year locking these people up because we don\u2019t care about the real problem.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EWell, that has to change, and it\u2019s going to change because you\u2019ve got brilliant people like the Hon Kelvin Davis, like Peeni Henare, like the Hon Tracey Martin, like Darroch Ball in New Zealand First, and like the members of the Green Party, who care about fixing the problem, and that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do. Just as we have done for Teina Pora, it is time for justice for all New Zealanders. It is time to stop the growing crime rate that happened under that Government; time for New Zealanders to feel safe in their homes, in their streets, and their communities; time to do something for justice; time to do something better for New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022 data-id=\u002209bfcdfd8eed49af9c67e89bbd3d063c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002209bfcdfd8eed49af9c67e89bbd3d063c\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker, and let me congratulate you and your other presiding officers on your appointments. It is particularly good to see two new Assistant Speakers and also the Hon Anne Tolley as Deputy Speaker. I\u2019d particularly like to congratulate the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard for his work as Speaker today. I think members on both sides can see that he is going to play this with a very fair and even hand with his new approach to question time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to start by thanking the people of \u014Ch\u0101riu. Once again, the voters in \u014Ch\u0101riu have shown confidence in the National Party, and the National Party plan as being the right plan for them and for all of New Zealand. In 2014, when I had the good fortune to enter this Parliament for the first time, just a little under 19,000 people in \u014Ch\u0101riu put their faith in National, and then, just a few weeks ago, again over 18,000 of our voters in \u014Ch\u0101riu kept their faith in the National Party. It was a very interesting election in \u014Ch\u0101riu in 2017. It was a campaign of two halves. The two halves shared one thing in common, and that was a party and a National candidate that understand that it\u2019s the party vote that delivers the seats in the House and gives a party the best opportunity to form a Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EBut the second half of that campaign also gave the opportunity, for the first time in 21 years, for a National Party candidate to contest this seat, and I thank every voter\u2014both National Party voters, but as the split votes show us, also voters from other parties\u2014that put their confidence in me. Four and a half weeks is not an optimal length of time for a campaign, but I look forward to the next three years to win the confidence of those National Party voters and the other constituents of \u014Ch\u0101riu. I think, as all members\u2014electorate MPs and list MPs across the House\u2014know, the best way of achieving that is by working hard in our communities and working hard for the members of our communities, irrespective of where their political affiliations may or may not lie.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EBut it is easy to see why the people in \u014Ch\u0101riu have such a strong affinity to the National plan. The demographics in \u014Ch\u0101riu show a very strong proportion of families with mortgages and high homeownership, in work, and with children\u2014the sorts of people that need an economy to be performing well and continuing to grow; an economy that offers them their future prospects and the choices for the careers they need to make the choices that will help them and their families get ahead. They could see that in the National Party plan there was something that could deliver the future that they wanted. So I am sure along with all of us they watched or listened to the Speech from the Throne with some hope for that future. What they got was a whole lot of intentions and a great lack of any real plan. It was a speech that was rich in rhetoric and light in detail. No more was that evident than in the area of information and communications technology. This is an incredibly important industry, part of an even more important sector of our economy, for the hopes and prospects of New Zealanders, and it rated nary a mention in that entire speech. All it got was that apparently productivity is reliant on the use of technology. Well, there are no points awarded for saying that. It is one of the most obvious statements that anyone could make, but there was no detail and no plan as to what the Government thinks it might do to deliver that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003ESo let\u2019s give some context as to how important this is. The technology sector, which includes ICT, is 8 percent of our economy\u20148 percent of our economy\u2014and therefore a roughly proportionate percentage of our jobs and prospects are reliant on what a Government will do to support the sustainability and growth of that sector. And we heard nothing. Now if we look at ICT as a component of that, most recently\u2014in only the last few weeks\u2014the Technology Investment Network released their TIN200 report on technology exporters. It was actually fantastic news. For the first time ever our technology sector businesses have reported total global annual revenues of $10 billion\u2014$10 billion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002293aeb765c83d494e8920fc876d734df0\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: How much?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002257b14483d611428eb7592ca2dbfd3efe\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON\u003C/span\u003E: Ten billion dollars. That\u2019s a huge number of jobs and prospects for Kiwis, because that is fundamentally what those revenues mean. They\u2019re not some abstract figure of dollars to be counted up by an accountant; they are jobs and incomes\u2014$10 billion. And ICT delivered over 58 percent of the annual growth in that export business sector\u201458 percent. It is hugely important to the jobs and incomes of New Zealanders, and what did the Government have to say about it? Nothing\u2014nothing. But apparently productivity is addressed through technology. Well, you know, how? What are you going to do? New Zealanders want to know. They actually want to know that the Government has a plan to support the growth in opportunity for them in that most important industry. There was nothing at all\u2014nothing at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EWell, there was not quite nothing\u2014not quite nothing. There was something that was vaguely related. There was something vaguely related, although it wasn\u2019t addressed specifically: the plan for the reinstatement of R \u0026amp; D tax credits will apparently also help ICT. There\u2019s one small problem with that, and that is that under the last Labour Government the R \u0026amp; D tax credits were an abject failure, and they will be the same again. They were a failure, and will continue to be, because they crowd out investment. The Government should know\u2014certainly the last Labour Government knew, because they had reports that showed them\u2014that what would happen under the tax credits is simply that people would report work they were already undertaking as part of R \u0026amp; D. There was nothing really new to be created out of that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EWhat was worse was that firms used the definition of research and development that the then Labour-led Government took from the Australian Taxation Office or the Australian deployment, and that simply allowed businesses, particularly businesses using ICT, to redefine or repurpose upgrade activity as R \u0026amp; D. They were able to classify expenditure on upgrading systems and applications as R \u0026amp; D and claim a tax credit from the taxpayer. It was purely and simply a rort, and the closest that this Government has come to saying what they\u2019re going to do that will help or affect the ICT industry is that they\u2019re going to reinstate the regime that allows rorting of the taxpayer. The taxpayer can simply look forward to the same outcome.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EWell, New Zealanders deserve better. They certainly deserve better in an industry that is so pervasive across the economy of New Zealand and the public sector. There should be a focus on how they are going to grow business optimisation; how they are going to grow the ability for businesses to act more effectively and more efficiently; how they are going to improve customer services, back-office business processes, and the way businesses connect with their suppliers and customers; how they are actually going to help use technology to create more opportunities, more jobs, more incomes; and how they are going to help the public sector deliver better public services to New Zealanders and change the machinery of government through technology. There was none of that at all\u2014not a skerrick of it. It was an enormous disappointment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EWhat they did show us, though, was the difference between what the two main parties see as the role of Government. See, the Labour Government very clearly sees that the answer to every problem is more Government, and it shows in the way they take choices away from people, retain that financial resource in Government, and then dole it back out again, expecting people to be grateful for getting a little bit of their own money back. A good example is that when the Leader of the Opposition used an example about checkout operators and truck drivers paying for lawyers\u2019 and accountants\u2019 university training, the Prime Minister said, \u201CWell, maybe those checkout operators have got children that they would like to go to university.\u201D Well, if they weren\u2019t going to cancel their tax relief, they\u2019d be able to afford to do that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003EBut instead what they do is they\u2019ll take the money from them, dish a little bit back, and then demand that the recipients are grateful for that. Well, it\u2019s no way to run a Government. It\u2019s certainly no way to run a country. It\u2019s going to lead simply to a dependency on the State, which is actually what their ethos of government is all about. I think New Zealanders are going to wake up to this really quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022 data-id=\u00228a7e69fb35a5457d8bfc628ce8d66f3c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228a7e69fb35a5457d8bfc628ce8d66f3c\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. Hoi an\u014D, ka \u016B tonu ahau ki Te Reo M\u0101ori, hei whakaohooho ake i te wairua o t\u0113r\u0101 taha o Te Whare, kia rongo an\u0101 r\u0101tou i te mamae i p\u0101kino nei ki a t\u0101ua Te M\u0101ori, ki roto i ng\u0101 tau e iwa kua pahure ake nei. K\u0101ti, tuatahi, e tautoko atu ana i ng\u0101 tangi m\u014Dteatea ki a r\u0101tou kua ngaro atu ki te p\u014D. I nanahi r\u0101 i wh\u0101ki mai Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare i te ingoa o Rangi McGarvey, kua ngaro atu ki roto i ng\u0101 wiki tata ake nei. \u0100, ka tautoko an\u014D hoki i te tangi m\u014Dteatea ki t\u0113ra o ng\u0101 p\u0101p\u0101 a Lewis Moeau i ngaro atu ki roto i te m\u0101rama kua pahure ake nei, ka t\u0101pae atu ko t\u014Dku tupuna a Parehuia Kopa, i riro i ng\u0101 rangi taha ake nei. R\u0101tou ki a r\u0101tou, ka whakahokia mai ng\u0101 r\u0101rangi k\u014Drero ki a t\u0101tou e Te Whare.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EE Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, ka tautoko atu ahau i ng\u0101 mihi kua \u016Btaina ki runga i a koe, koutou ko te k\u0101hui M\u0101ngai o t\u0113nei Whare, atu ki te \u016Bpoko tae rawa atu ki a koe. \u0100, e mihi atu ana ki a koe, koutou hoki, me \u014D koutou wh\u0101nau ki roto i ng\u0101 \u0101huatanga o te w\u0101. Ka tautoko an\u014D hoki i ng\u0101 mihi ki t\u014D t\u0101tou Pirimia hou. Ka k\u012B atu \u0113tahi, he k\u014Dtiro, ka k\u012B atu ahau ki a r\u0101tou, he wahine m\u0101ia. Kua rongo atu ahau i tana hiahia m\u014D Aotearoa wh\u0101nui ki roto i ng\u0101 tau e toru kei mua i a t\u0101tou, koinei ahau e tautoko atu ana. E tautoko atu ana ahau i ng\u0101 k\u014Drero, \u0101, ka tukuna atu i ng\u0101 mihi ki Te Rohe P\u014Dti o T\u0101maki Makaurau, i whakaae mai kia tukuna atu, kia whakahoki atu ahau ki roto i t\u0113nei Whare P\u0101remata, hei m\u0101ngai m\u014D Te Rohe Wh\u0101nui o T\u0101maki Makaurau, te rohe kua kitea i te p\u014Dharatanga, te rohe kua kitea i te k\u0101inga koretanga, te rohe kua kitea i te kore mahitanga. Koia r\u0101 te mahere, ar\u0101, te per\u0113ne, kua k\u014Drero mai r\u0101 \u0113 t\u0113r\u0101 taha ki roto i ng\u0101 totohetanga i te r\u0101 nei.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EK\u0101ti, e hari koa ana t\u0113nei M\u0101ori n\u014D Te Tai Tokerau. E hia nei ng\u0101 M\u0101ori kua uru mai ki roto i t\u0113nei Whare i t\u0113nei w\u0101. Ko te tini o ng\u0101 M\u0101ori ki roto i Te K\u0101hui K\u0101wanatanga, t\u0113nei ka mihi. Ko te tini o ng\u0101 M\u0101ori kei roto i Te K\u0101wanatanga, ar\u0101, Te R\u014Dp\u016B Reipa kua uru mai ki roto i t\u0113nei Whare, t\u0113nei ka mihi. E whakah\u012Bh\u012B ana! E whakah\u012Bh\u012B ana me p\u0113r\u0101, ka tika! \u0112ngari, ka mahara ake ahau i te tini o ng\u0101 M\u0101ori kua wehe atu, mai i t\u0113r\u0101 nohoanga o Te Whare P\u0101remata, tae noa mai ki t\u0113nei w\u0101. Ko tetahi an\u0101, ko Te H\u014Dnore, ko Te Ururoa Flavell, ko t\u0113tahi ko Marama Fox, ko t\u0113tahi atu ko Metiria Turei, ko t\u0113tahi atu ko David Clendon, ar\u0101, ko Pita Paraone, ar\u0101, ko Denise Roche, ar\u0101, ko Ria Bond. Ka k\u012B atu ahau ki a r\u0101tou, kei konei tonu m\u0101tou e kawea ana i ng\u0101 \u014Dh\u0101ki me ng\u0101 t\u016Bmanakotanga \u014D r\u0101tou kua ngaro atu ki te p\u014D. \u0112ngari, ka huri atu ahau ki ng\u0101 mema M\u0101ori hou kua uru mai, aini tata ake nei. Ka rongo Te Whare i te k\u014Drero tuatahi o ng\u0101 wahine toa o Te Tai Tokerau, o Te Tair\u0101whiti hoki, ar\u0101, ko Willow-Jean Prime t\u0113r\u0101, ar\u0101, \u0101, ko t\u014Dku tuahine a Kiritapu Allan t\u0113r\u0101\u2014e hari koa ana, e hari koa ana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EI te nohoanga o Te Whare P\u0101remata i ng\u0101 tau e toru kua pahure ake nei, ko au te mema o t\u0113nei Whare, kua kaha k\u014Drero nei i Te Reo M\u0101ori, ka p\u0113r\u0101 tonu, n\u0101 runga i te k\u014Drero mai i Te Torouna o Te K\u0101wana Tianara ka k\u012B atu, \u201CKo tetahi o ng\u0101 aronga o t\u0113nei K\u0101wanatanga, ki t\u014D t\u0101tou Reo M\u0101ori\u201D. Me p\u0113hea r\u0101 t\u0101tou e whakatauira ai i Te Reo M\u0101ori ki Te Motu wh\u0101nui mehemea k\u012Bhei t\u0113nei Whare e \u016B ana ki ng\u0101 \u016Bara o Te Reo M\u0101ori ki te k\u014Drero i Te Reo M\u0101ori. K\u0101ti, t\u0113nei ka mihi! K\u0101ti te whakah\u012Bh\u012B, me k\u0101ti te whakah\u012Bh\u012B! I \u0101ianei n\u0101 i runga i te ng\u0101kau whakaiti, ka k\u014Drero atu ahau m\u014D ng\u0101 k\u014Drero i puta mai i Te Pirimia ki roto i ng\u0101 rangi kua pahure ake nei.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u0100, kua k\u014Drero mai Te Pir\u012Bmia m\u014D te \u0101huatanga o te hunga taiohi. E tika ana ng\u0101 whakatau\u0101ki o ng\u0101 m\u0101tua, o ng\u0101 t\u016Bpuna, an\u0101, ko te aronga o te hunga o n\u0101ianei, n\u0101, m\u014D ng\u0101 tamariki, mokopuna ki roto i ng\u0101 tau e t\u016B nei. Mehemea e \u016B tonu ana t\u0101tou katoa ki t\u0113r\u0101 \u016Baratanga, ko te hiahia o t\u0113nei K\u0101wanatanga, kia aro atu ng\u0101 mahi, ki ng\u0101 mahi e p\u0101 ana ki te hunga rangatahi, ki te hunga taiohi, ki te hunga tamariki, ko te hunga e noho ana ki raro i te p\u014Dharatanga, ko te hunga kua t\u016Bkinohia e Te Karauna ki roto i ng\u0101 tau kua pahure ake nei, e ng\u0101 tamariki e kai ana i ng\u0101 tarutaru me ng\u0101 m\u0113a h\u0113 katoa o t\u0113nei ao, kua hinga atu ki te p\u014Dharatanga ki roto i ng\u0101 tau. Koia r\u0101 t\u0113r\u0101, ko te aronga o t\u0113nei K\u0101wanatanga me ahau hoki, t\u0101 te mea, kua whakat\u016Bngia e Te Pir\u012Bmia tetahi o ng\u0101 M\u0101ngai M\u0101ori o Te Whare nei, ki te tiaki i te kaupapa rangatahi m\u014D Te Motu wh\u0101nui. E hari koa ana!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EKo tetahi atu o ng\u0101 kaupapa kua k\u014Drero mai e Te Pir\u012Bmia ki roto i w\u0101na kaupapa katoa\u2014ka whakapono ahau, n\u0101 Te Wh\u0101nau Ora ka piki ai te oranga o t\u0101tou Te Motu wh\u0101nui. Me kaua e k\u012B ake, ko ng\u0101 M\u0101ori anahenahe, k\u0101hore! Engari, horekau he rerek\u0113tanga ki waenganui i t\u0113nei mea te wh\u0101nau, me te family. Kua h\u014Dh\u0101 katoa au ki roto i t\u0113nei Whare, ka rongo atu i ng\u0101 mema o Te Whare nei, ka k\u012B atu, \u201Cto help family and wh\u0101nau\u201D. Ko taku p\u0101tai atu ki a r\u0101tou, he aha te rerek\u0113tanga? He aha te rerek\u0113tanga o te wh\u0101nau me t\u0113nei mea te kupu P\u0101keh\u0101 \u201Cfamily\u201D? N\u014D reira, ko taku aronga i t\u0113nei w\u0101, ko Wh\u0101nau Ora. E hiahia ana au kia t\u016B pakari ai te kaupapa m\u014D te oranga o Te Motu wh\u0101nui\u2014kaua ko ng\u0101i M\u0101ori anake\u2014n\u0101 runga i te whakaaro, mehemea ka piki a ng\u0101i M\u0101ori ki roto i te ao nei, ka piki a Aotearoa nei wh\u0101nui! N\u014D reira, koia r\u0101 t\u0113r\u0101 ko \u0113tahi o ng\u0101 k\u014Drero, mai i Te Tor\u014Dna, mai i Te Pir\u012Bmia ki roto i ng\u0101 wiki, i ng\u0101 m\u0101rama kua pahure ake nei.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EKo tetahi atu o ng\u0101 kaupapa e tiaki ana ki roto i taku k\u014Dnae mahi m\u014D ng\u0101 tau e toru kei mua i a t\u0101tou, an\u0101, ko te \u0101huatanga ki ng\u0101 kait\u016Bao, ar\u0101, ko te community and voluntary sector. \u0100, kua p\u0101nui atu ahau i ng\u0101 k\u014Drero \u0101 ng\u0101 \u0100pih\u0101 o Te K\u0101wanatanga e p\u0101 ana ki t\u0113nei wahanga mahi, engari ka whakaaro ake ahau ki roto i a t\u0101ua an\u014D o te marae, ko te nuinga o ng\u0101 kaimahi ki runga i te marae, ko te nuinga o ng\u0101 kaimahi ki runga i ng\u0101 papat\u0101karo puta noa o Aotearoa nei, an\u0101 he wh\u0101nau, he kait\u016Bao. Ko te tini o ng\u0101 mahi i oti nei i ng\u0101 hapori \u0113hara m\u0101 Te K\u0101wanatanga, t\u0113r\u0101 e tautoko engari m\u0101 te kait\u016Bao nahenahe. Ko t\u014Dku hiahia kia piki an\u014D te tautoko o Te K\u0101wanatanga i ng\u0101 kait\u016Bao puta noa, kia ora m\u0101rika ai ng\u0101 hapori puta noa i Te Waipounamu, huri t\u016B atu ki Te Ika-a-M\u0101ui. Koia r\u0101 \u0113n\u0101 ko ng\u0101 k\u014Dnae mahi kua whakaritea nei e Te Pir\u012Bmia m\u0101ku, hei kawe atu ki roto i ng\u0101 tau e toru nei.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EE hari koa ana kua tiro atu Te K\u0101wanatanga hou nei ki ng\u0101 kaupapa nui o te ao. Ka p\u0101tai mai t\u0113r\u0101 taha o Te Whare: \u201CKei hea te mahere m\u014D \u0113nei o ng\u0101 manako o t\u0113nei K\u0101wanatanga?\u201D Ko t\u0101ku e k\u012B atu ki t\u0113r\u0101 taha, ko te mahere kua kitea e t\u0101tou Te M\u0101ori ki roto i ng\u0101 tau kua pahure ake nei an\u0101, ko te p\u014Dharatanga, an\u0101 ko te k\u0101ingakoretanga, an\u0101, ko te p\u0113hitanga o t\u0101ua Te M\u0101ori. N\u014D reira kei a m\u0101tou ng\u0101 kaupapa, kei a m\u0101tou te mana p\u014Dti o Te Iwi M\u0101ori, kei a m\u0101tou te mana p\u014Dti puta noa, me te hiahia kia mahi ng\u0101tahi t\u0101tou katoa, ar\u0101, o t\u0113nei taha o Te Whare\u2014ko Te R\u014Dp\u016B o Aotearoa Tuatahi, ko Te R\u014Dp\u016B K\u0101k\u0101riki. E hari koa ana! Ko m\u0101tou nei ng\u0101 p\u0101ti, ng\u0101 r\u014Dp\u016B, o Te K\u0101wanatanga. Ka k\u012B atu, he mata m\u014D Aotearoa. Kaua e k\u012B atu, m\u014D te hunga whai rawa, kaua e k\u012B atu m\u014D te kaporeihana, kaua e k\u012B atu m\u014D te kamupene nahenahe \u0113ngari, ka k\u012B atu ko ng\u0101 kanohi me ng\u0101 m\u0101ngai o t\u0113nei taha o Te Whare, he m\u0101ngai m\u014D te katoa!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EN\u014D reira, e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, k\u0101re e kore ki roto i ng\u0101 rangi e t\u016B nei, ka rongo atu koe i t\u014Dku Reo M\u0101ori e k\u014Drero ana i ng\u0101 kaupapa o te w\u0101. Hoin\u014D t\u0101ku, e mihi atu ana ki a koe, ki ng\u0101 manuhiri, me ng\u0101 whanaunga kua tae mai ki roto i Te Whare ki te whakarongo mai ki ng\u0101 k\u014Drero tuatahi o t\u0113nei taha o Te Whare. K\u0101ti, t\u0113n\u0101 koe, e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, kia ora t\u0101tou katoa!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E[Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. Accordingly, I will remain speaking in the M\u0101ori language to rouse the spirit on that side of the House so that they hear the pain that affected M\u0101ori badly during the past nine years just gone. And so, firstly, I endorse the grieving laments to them who have been lost to the void. Yesterday, the Speaker of the House disclosed the name Rangi McGarvey, who passed away in recent weeks. I also endorse the grieving laments to that one of the fathers, Lewis Moeau, who died a month ago and mention my ancestor Parehuia Kopa, who died in recent days. They to themselves, the lines of the talk are brought back to us the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EMr Assistant Speaker, I endorse the tributes placed upon you, and upon collectively the Assistant Speakers, from the head right down to you. I commend you, and you collectively, as well as your families in the circumstances of the moment. I also endorse the tributes to our new Prime Minister. Some say, a lass, but I say to them, a capable woman. I have heard her desire for New Zealand - wide in the three years before us and this is why I am supporting her. I am endorsing the comments and send my thanks to the T\u0101maki Makaurau electorate, who agreed that I be allowed and permitted to go back into this House as a representative for the extensive T\u0101maki Makaurau electorate where poverty, homelessness, and unemployment has been seen. That indeed is the plan, in other words, the per\u0113ne that the other side have told us in the debates today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EWell, this M\u0101ori from the North is absolutely pleased. Such a lot of M\u0101ori have come into this House at this time. Such a myriad of M\u0101ori in the Government caucus and I applaud this. I am proud of it! I am really proud it\u2019s like that, and so it should be! But I think about the myriad of M\u0101ori who have left since that sitting of the House right to this moment. One is the Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, another is Marama Fox, another one is Metiria Turei, another one is David Clendon, namely Pita Paraone, Denise Roche, and Ria Bond. I say to them, we are still here bearing the last words and aspiration of theirs who are lost to the void. But I turn to the new M\u0101ori members who have just recently come in. The House has heard the maiden speeches of the warrior women of the North and of the East Coast as well, namely Willow-Jean Prime there, and my sister colleague Kiritapu Allan there\u2014absolutely pleasing and joyful.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EDuring the sitting of the House in the three years just past, I was the member of this House who diligently spoke in the M\u0101ori language and will continue to do so based on the Speech from the Throne of the Governor-General that stated, \u201COne of the interests of this Government is to our M\u0101ori language.\u201D How indeed will we exemplify the M\u0101ori language extensively to the nation if this House is not complying with the values of the M\u0101ori language to speak it. I commend this! Enough arrogance, put an end to it! Right now, and with an air of humility, I will talk about the statements that emerged from the Prime Minister in the days that have just gone by.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EAnd so the Prime Minister spoke about the circumstance relating to the young ones. The wise sayings of the parents and ancestors are right, it is indeed the interest of the young ones of today, the children, and the grandchildren of the future. If we are all still complying with that aspiration, the desire of this Government is to focus tasks on those relating to young ones, youths, and children, to those ones living in poverty, to those ones ill-treated by the Crown in past years, to those children on cannabis and on all the wrong things of this world, and over the years have become impoverished. That indeed is the focus of this Government and mine as well, because the Prime Minister has appointed one of the M\u0101ori representatives of this House to take care of the young person\u2019s policy for the wider nation. I am elated!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EOne of the policies that the Prime Minister talked about from within all her policies\u2014I believe it was Wh\u0101nau Ora that increased the well-being of all of us as a nation at large. Let\u2019s say it wasn\u2019t M\u0101ori solely, no! But there isn\u2019t a difference between this wh\u0101nau and family thing. I have become absolutely fed up in this House when I hear members saying, \u201Cto help family and wh\u0101nau\u201D. My question to them is what is the difference? What is the difference between wh\u0101nau and this English word \u201Cfamily\u201D? Therefore, my focus at this time is Wh\u0101nau Ora. I want the matter about the nationwide well-being to stand robust\u2014not just for M\u0101ori people\u2014solely based on the viewpoint that if the well-being of M\u0101oridom goes up in this world, New Zealand - wide well-being will go up too! Therefore, those are indeed some of the statements from the throne and from the Prime Minister in the weeks and months just past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EOne of the other policies that I look after in my portfolio for the three years before us is that one in relation to volunteers, in other words, the community and voluntary sector. And so I have read the accounts by Government officials about this section of work, but I give due consideration to you and I of the marae in that the majority of workers on the marae are family and volunteers, as are those on the playing fields here throughout New Zealand. The myriad of tasks completed in the communities are not Government supported but are solely volunteer supported. My hope is that Government support of volunteers increases throughout as well so that communities in the South Island and North Island are better off entirely. Those then are the portfolio tasks that have been considered by the Prime Minister for me to be responsible for in these three years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003EI am absolutely delighted that this new Government has examined important matters of global concern. That side demands: \u201CWhere is the plan for these desires of Government?\u201D My response is that the plan we of M\u0101oridom discovered during the years that have just gone by is that poverty and a lack of homes have suppressed M\u0101ori, you and I. Therefore, we have the policies, the voting mandate of the M\u0101ori tribes, the voting mandate throughout, and the desire for all of us to work in collaboration, in other words, all of us on this side of the House\u2014New Zealand First, and the Greens. I am absolutely rapt! We then are the parties, the groups indeed that make up the Government. I say, a face for New Zealand. I am not saying a face solely for the rich, the corporate, and the companies, but, I say to that side, a face and mouthpiece on this side of the House, a mouthpiece for all!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003ETherefore, Mr Assistant Speaker, without a doubt in the days to come you will hear my M\u0101ori voice talking about the policies of the moment. Accordingly, all I have to do is to acknowledge you, the visitors and the relations that have arrived in the House to listen to the maiden speeches of the ones from this side of the House. And so enough, greetings to you, Mr Assistant Speaker, to you collectively, and to us all!]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u00228c257bbb25344421934023e5e7b453a6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228c257bbb25344421934023e5e7b453a6\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: T\u0113n\u0101 koe. Members, just as a word of explanation, I understand that there wasn\u2019t a translation. I don\u2019t listen to the translations, but I can assure members that everything was in order in terms of what the Minister has said. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u0022cbcc0bb5a22841a3bf6946ac63294248\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cbcc0bb5a22841a3bf6946ac63294248\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National\u2014Hamilton East):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Assistant Speaker, thank you and congratulations on your new role in this House. We trust you implicitly and thank you for your gesture in letting us know what was said in the last speech. So thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThis country has embarked on a socialist experiment in the last few weeks. It\u2019s an experiment that is doomed to failure. It is an experiment that is socialism at its worst, and it is in this country for the first time. It\u2019s time for the people to stop this socialist experiment. The other side of this House will have an agenda over the next three years where it will want to keep the poor people poor. Those members do not want anybody to get an education so they can lift themselves out of the trap of poverty. That is why they have taken away national standards. They are taking away NCEA. They are keeping people in poverty, and that is what socialists always want, because socialists want to be in control and they don\u2019t want to give anybody any chance to get the best out of their life. That is a socialist agenda that will not succeed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe other thing socialists always want to do is make people dependent on the State. They want to make people dependent on the State for their housing. They want to make people dependent on the State for their jobs. That is what those socialists are doing at this moment. They are creating an attitude and a sense of dependency in this country that will not set New Zealanders free and will not enable them to succeed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe other thing that socialists want to do is to create barriers around our borders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022922aee02307c4f67b8b3157b03f7f44c\u0022\u003EThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m sorry to interrupt the member. Can I ask members to my right, please do not bring the Speaker into your interjections. There is too much of a barrage of interjections coming across the House. Please be mindful of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da3a76b2858e42ac8a58b9f1e29044a6\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: The other thing socialists do is they put up barriers. The socialists over there are going to stop immigration into this country. They are going to stop people coming in that have got aspiration and want to work hard to make this country great. You can see the New Zealand First Party laughing. Well, all those Labour members that turn up to all the ethnic events, beware, because the people there know that your agenda is to stop people coming into this country. That\u2019s what all socialists have ever done and that\u2019s what you\u2019re going to see out of that side of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe other thing socialists do is they love big spending. They love to promise and spend and spend, and they\u2019ve got to pay for that spending, and that\u2019s going to come in increased taxes on New Zealanders. That is what these socialists are going to do in the next three years. They\u2019re going to increase the spending of Government. [Interruption] There were 51 promises yesterday, Mr McAnulty. Watch your constituency look at that and go, \u201CWhat\u2019s happening to my people?\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe other thing socialists always do is think they\u2019re right. The 60 people that are on that side of the House always think they\u2019re right. They become the privileged elite. They know better than the 4.5 million people that are out there. That\u2019s what those socialists are going to turn into in the next three years\u2014the privileged elite that know better than the 4.5 million. That\u2019s the reality of what we have entered into in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s an experiment based on a group of people that never got over 1984. They never got over the Labour Government that brought in reforms to this country. They want to go back to a utopia that never existed and never can, and never will succeed. Mark my words. The end of socialism will come when you see higher interest rates, lower growth, and higher unemployment, and you will see a mass exodus of New Zealanders going out of this country. There will be a housing crisis in this country that will be created by that socialist agenda and those 60 socialists over there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ENow, we\u2019ve heard of all their good intentions\u2014how they mean to do well and how they love to see this country prosper. But they don\u2019t mean that at all. The world has learnt the lesson of how socialism fails. Every experiment that has been tried in this area has failed. We will be the only country, apart from North Korea, in this region that will actually be taking on a socialist agenda. That will put New Zealand back generations, and it is all on those 60 people over there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EWell, it\u2019s not actually all on those 60 people over there, because 50 of them never actually got voted into Government. Only one man let them become the Government, and that is a bitter and twisted individual that wanted to show that he was bigger than the system in his last term, in this Government. So that is the true nature of what we will see from those parties over there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EToday we saw that we cannot trust a single one on that side. There is no trust over there. They have reneged on all the things that they promised during the election campaign. There was going to be a fiscal plan that could be relied on by New Zealanders. That has gone out the window today. We cannot rely on the economic plan that the Labour Party was so stringent about during the election, because the Budget is still to be prepared. We can\u2019t rely on any of those figures.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EWe also can\u2019t trust them on housing. When they were asked today if there would definitely be 100,000 houses built, they could not commit to that. In fact, the Acting Prime Minister today would not commit to building those 100,000 houses, which every candidate out there in the Labour Party went around spouting that they would build. There is no commitment from Labour members to do it, and they are reneging on that promise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThere is also the $1 billion of funding that the New Zealand First Party was promising during the election. They are reneging on that now as well, saying some of that will be existing promises in things that are funded. There\u2019s no commitment there for a $1 billion fund for the provinces, and we even see in the paper today that Wellington is getting into that $1 billion fund that ought to have been for the promises that the New Zealand First Party made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThen there was education today. There was a renege on education: the promise of a free first year of education. And what actually happens in that? Australian students can now come over here and get their first year of education free. That\u2019s what it means under Labour\u2019s plan. So there are going to be New Zealand teenagers working on the farms, working in the orchards, working in the factories\u2014doing all those hard jobs in the New Zealand economy\u2014and paying taxes for Aussie students to come over here and get their first year of education free. That\u2019s what the Labour Party has promised and that is what Labour is delivering. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EGo out to those young men and women that want to make the most of their lives and may not want to do it through a tertiary education, and tell them that they are going to have to pay for some foreigners to come over here and enjoy our education system, because that\u2019s what you\u2019ve agreed to. That the plan that Labour has agreed to. We heard how strong Labour was going to be in dealing with international relations, how they were going to go over there and tell the Australians what they think, and they came back offering free education for the first year for every Australian student that can come to this country, and hard-working Kiwi kids are going to pay for it. Andrew Little shakes his head. Andrew Little, you know it\u2019s true. You know it\u2019s going to happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EToday we heard in question time the answers were: \u201CWe\u2019ll work through this in due process.\u201D, \u201CThese things are still to be developed.\u201D, \u201CWe\u2019re going to do a budgetary process.\u201D That is not the response that you expect from a new Government that\u2019s had nine years to work out things. That\u2019s not the response from someone that actually knows what they want to do. That\u2019s a response from people that are running and hiding, and that\u2019s what these socialists are doing. They\u2019re running and hiding because they know that they don\u2019t actually know what they are going to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EIf you look at socialism, look at the Waikato for no better example of how it\u2019s going to fail, because in the Waikato there were two things that were promised during this election for the gain of the Waikato region. The first was the continuous expressway to Tauranga. That is now gone. These socialists are going to spend that money on trams in Auckland, going to Auckland airport from downtown Auckland so that the privileged elite of the socialist class can go on their flights overseas, and the good people of the Waikato are going to miss out on that economic growth advantage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe other thing that was up for grabs in the Waikato in this election was the Waikato medical school, and that\u2019s not going to happen under these socialists either, because the Minister of Health is from Dunedin and the Dunedin university is the one biggest impediment to that medical school happening. They are definitely going to not let this happen. So the Waikato has lost the most out of this socialist agenda. Our farmers are going to get attacked. We\u2019ve lost out in infrastructure that would have grown our strong economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EI am dismayed that this country has to endure an experiment that is put onto it by one man\u2019s fallacies, and this country will have to pay for a decade to turn around that socialist experiment. It will not work. It cannot work. It has been proven time and time again in the history of the world to never work, and the Green Party can hang their heads in disarray, but when you look at question time and you look at the agenda that your party wants to do, we know socialism is alive but it will be dead at the next election and all of you with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u0022e9e6970f339d4511ae4705e8b3a16568\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e9e6970f339d4511ae4705e8b3a16568\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (National\u2014Whangarei):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to stand for the first time and speak in this new Parliament. I would like to start by thanking the people of Whangarei for asking me to be their voice in Wellington, and I commit to working hard for them and for the people of New Zealand. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EI also want to acknowledge my adversaries who competed in the seat, especially the member Shane Jones, who has been returned to the House, and I want to wish him well. I also want to encourage him to not to lose sight of what matters to Northlanders or, more specifically, not to lose sight of the wood for the trees. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EThe Leader of the Opposition spoke yesterday about holding this Government to account\u2014[Interruption] Yes, eventually you will get to it, but that\u2019s OK. The Leader of the Opposition spoke about holding this Government to account and the benchmarks and the baseline that we will be watching. I would extend that and localise that to Northland. What are the benchmarks that we are looking for in Northland? What are we starting with? Well, during the campaign, the people of Whangarei and the people of Northland told us that jobs and the economy were their number one issue, so let\u2019s look at some of the independent measures of those metrics, and where the Government passed the baton on to the next Government. I use that analogy deliberately because there is evidence to show that in any Olympic race, when you pass the baton on, 10 percent drop the baton, and I\u2019ll come to petrol prices later. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s look at some of those economic metrics for Northland\u2014first of all, the latest ASB regional dashboard. Northland is third overall for economic growth. Of all of the 16 regions, it is third overall, and it has moved up to five stars\u2014the top that you can be, as the ASB regional dashboard assesses it. Here\u2019s the challenge then to the Government. Here\u2019s the challenge. Here\u2019s where we\u2019re starting: maintain a five-star economy in Northland. There\u2019s the challenge. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EANZ job ads in Northland to June this year\u2014176 new job ads. Here\u2019s the challenge: do better than 176 new job ads. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EThirdly, unemployment\u2014very important figures from Statistics New Zealand. They are quite fresh\u2014no more than a few weeks ago. Northland is down to 6.6 percent, the lowest in two years. There\u2019s the challenge: do better than 6.6 percent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EHouse prices are also somewhat a measure of economic success. As house prices go up generally, confidence goes up and it reflects economic growth. How has that been for Northland? Well, it is really interesting. We\u2019ve tended to be a region that sinks quickly and rises slowly. When we\u2019re battered by various economic forces, that tends to be our trend. So the inclination might have been that if there is any buffeting of the economy, Northland would suffer. But, in fact, if you look at the Infometrics report from two or three days ago, where they identify 10 regions that might suffer adversely from falling houses prices, Northland is not in that 10. Probably for the first time for a wee while, we are not going to be the region that takes the hit first and recovers slowly. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003ENow, people also told us that infrastructure was important and roads are important, and there are several roads that impact Whangarei directly. First of all is the road of national significance from P\u016Bhoi to Whangarei, and let\u2019s break that into segments because it is actually important. There\u2019s P\u016Bhoi to Wellsford\u2014that has started. Te Hana to Whangarei\u2014that is under consultation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EI want to focus on one part of that: the Whangarei to Marsden link, which is part of the $500 million four-lane announcement that we made. Now, the four lanes from Whangarei to Ruak\u0101k\u0101, or Marsden, has a cost-benefit ratio of 1:5, and parts of that are actually quite high\u2014in fact, Toetoe to Whangarei is 3:5. The importance of that is that this is a busy segment of road. It is very busy for several reasons. First of all, we have all the freight coming down from the North that comes down on that road. Secondly, we\u2019ve got explosive population growth in Northland. Quite aside from what one of the other members spoke about earlier in the day, we\u2019ve got explosive population growth, particularly in Bream Bay and particularly One Tree Point. They\u2019re coming to Whangarei, and they are using that road. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EThe other component to having such a high benefit-cost ratio was the safety factor. It is very sad that in the past week we have had three deaths south of Whangarei on that exact segment of road\u2014the segment of road that we want to turn into four lanes, reflecting the fact that we think infrastructure is important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EMy point here is that I would strongly encourage this Government to continue those four lanes from Whangarei to Ruak\u0101k\u0101 and to Marsden Point. If they truly believe that the port is that important, they will see this segment of road as being fundamental to servicing the port, and so I would strongly encourage them to do that and to maintain that with some rapidity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003ENow, in our hands, clearly Whangarei\u2014and I heard it commented that it is one of the towns, or Northland, more specifically, that is a zombie town. That just can\u2019t be possible. It can\u2019t be possible, and I think it shows a lack of respect for people who have worked so hard to get the region to where it is. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EWe heard the Prime Minister talk about regional development and how important it is, so we\u2019ve got some licence to explore that. First of all, let\u2019s look at population growth. At least 1,500 people a year are moving to Northland. We think this year it is probably going to be 4,000. We\u2019re a popular area now\u2014yeah? Statistics New Zealand is also confirming that that is going to be pervasive. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EIf we look right through to 2038, in the North Island there are seven centres that will grow or will keep growing their population, and Whangarei is specifically one of those. Now, with a growing population, every 2.7 people constitute a household. Each household spends roughly a thousand dollars of household expenditure in the Whangarei economy, and it cycles through the Whangarei economy. It is spent on housing, it is spent on food and accommodation, and it is spent on transport. Unfortunately, the transport component has gone up significantly lately\u2014particularly, actually, since this Government has been formed. You see, the international environment has seen us as risky in this new Government, and, consequently, the New Zealand dollar has fallen. A consequence of that is that petrol prices have gone up. On 31 October, they were at an eight-month high, and yesterday the main port price was reported as the highest in three years. So that\u2019s going to hurt the household expenditure of people in Whangarei. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EWhat I also want to briefly comment on is rail\u2014clearly, a topical issue for Northland\u2014and I want to reiterate a few things. First of all, if there is a business case for rail, I will support rail. Secondly, the mantra\u2014or the narrative, if you like\u2014that we have from KiwiRail is that if there are commercial quantities of freight at commercial rates, KiwiRail will carry that freight. So those are a very simple couple of parameters that will certainly have my support and, I\u2019m sure, the support of some of my colleagues, taking in mind the fact that the corridor was designated 20 years ago or more, and no Government\u2014no Government\u2014has seen fit to institute that rail. No Government\u2014it didn\u2019t make sense in our hands; it won\u2019t make sense in yours. But again, if you can show that business case, you will have my support. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003ESo it is a pleasure to be back in the House. It\u2019s a pleasure to be on this side of the benches. Looking across, I\u2019d like to acknowledge some of my whanaunga\u2014Willow-Jean Prime, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. She is actually wearing the korowai that I wore at my maiden speech, because we share the same hap\u016B. So t\u0113n\u0101 koe to you, Willow-Jean. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EAgain, I look forward to the rest of this term and to holding the Government to account. Thank you, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022bdae43b4e5c1482ba6e54650df241114\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bdae43b4e5c1482ba6e54650df241114\u0022\u003EMr SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The time has come that the House has agreed for there to be maiden speeches. I will remind members that maiden speeches are 15-minute speeches and the bell will ring with five minutes to go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022 data-id=\u002244e3be57133a4fe4ad11cb9fdaa8a61b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002244e3be57133a4fe4ad11cb9fdaa8a61b\u0022\u003EJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E \u201CKa tangi te t\u012Bt\u012B, ka tangi te k\u0101k\u0101, ka tangi hoki ahau: t\u012Bhei mauri ora!\u201D E ng\u0101 mana, e ng\u0101 reo, e ng\u0101 rau rangatira m\u0101: t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EKo Whakarongorua te maunga, ko Utakura te awa, ko Ng\u0101tokimatawhaorua te waka, ko Te Honihoni, Te Popot\u014D, Te Ngahingahi ng\u0101 hap\u016B, ko \u016Atutewhanga-te-raorao, ko Hokianga-nui-\u0101-Kupe te moana, ko Ng\u0101puhi te iwi, ko Te Puketawa te marae, ko Heeni Kingi t\u014Dku kuia, ko Lyndon Marcroft r\u0101ua ko Helen King \u014Dku m\u0101tua, ko Lily taku tam\u0101hine, ko Jenny ahau.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E\u201CH\u016Btia te rito o te haraheke, kei r\u0101 te komako, e k\u014D? He aha te mea nui? M\u0101ku e k\u012B atu: he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!\u201D N\u014D reira, e ng\u0101 iwi e tau mai nei: t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E[\u201CThe t\u012Bt\u012B cries, the k\u0101k\u0101 cries, and I lament as well: behold the breath of life!\u201D To the authorities, languages, esteemed ones, and others: salutations, acknowledgments, and accolades to you collectively and to us all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EWhakarongorua is the mountain, Utakura is the river, Ng\u0101tokimatawhaorua is the canoe, Te Honihoni, Te Popot\u014D, and Ngahingahi are the subtribes, \u016Atutewhanga-te-raorao and Hokianga-nui-\u0101-Kupe are the seas, Ng\u0101puhi is the tribe, Te Puketawa is the marae, Heeni Kingi is my female elder, Lyndon Marcroft and Helen King are my parents, Lily is my daughter, and I am Jenny.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E\u201CPluck out the centre shoot of the flax clump, and where then will the bellbird be, love? What indeed is the greatest thing? I will say: it is people, it is people, it is people!\u201D And so, to you, the people seated about here: salutations, acknowledgments, and accolades to you collectively and to us all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ECongratulations to you, Mr Speaker, on your appointment to this new role. It is a privilege to stand in this House of Parliament before so many esteemed and honourable members, and, more so, before the peoples, tongues, and tribes of Aotearoa New Zealand. I stand not for myself but for those who have invested their time, effort, and energy into the body and soul of the person before you. As a recipient of their efforts I feel duty to serve to the best of my ability, and with the strength and determination that I have.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThere are many to thank for the opportunity to stand, to speak, to represent, and to work for the progress of the nation. I firstly thank the Rt Hon Winston Peters for his leadership, political vision, and uncompromising quest to hold true to the New Zealand First values. My talented caucus colleagues and my fellow kapa haka mum from all those years ago, Tracey Martin: for shining the light on my political pathway. The New Zealand First board and my electorate team: Lee, Sarah, Julian, Lee, and our volunteers; to my brother Paul, my sisters Marian, Claire, and Gabriel and their families, for their support in all ways; to my aunt Gillian and uncle Michael Harris; and to my heart, my daughter Lily\u2014thank you all. To my family and my dear friends in the gallery today: thank you for being here with me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThere are other people I will thank, people whose presence is powerful and abiding. I pay first homage to my mother Helen Marian King, an artist and teacher from Wellington. Helen was a passionate advocate for the arts and pioneered the establishment of the Rotorua Art Society, which has since become part of the Rotorua Museum. Mum filled our home with paintings, pottery, and sculpture, and networked with many artists of her era. While she hung paintings for exhibitions, I spent hours exploring the dusty sulphurous chambers of the historic Rotorua Bathhouse, which, at the time, had fallen into neglect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EMy father, Lyndon Harrison Marcroft, had served firstly with the J Force and then with the K Force with the UN in Korea\u2014now, 67 years later, a nation still in the news. He returned to civilian life as a school teacher and then an accountant. Dad was born in Utakura in Hokianga, but grew up in Ngongotah\u0101, on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Both his parents had come down from the North to take advantage of the timber opportunities that were opening up in the region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThe Marcrofts were Albertlanders, a group of non-conformists who came to New Zealand in 1863 on board the Matilda Wattenbach seeking a new life but who ended up in dire straits. They would have perished if it hadn\u2019t been for the manaaki of the local iwi from \u014Cruawharo who fed and housed them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EMy poppa, Hubert Lyndon Marcroft, worked at the Fletcher sawmill in Ngongotah\u0101. He would be chuffed about New Zealand First\u2019s forestry and billion trees projects. My nana, Heeni Kingi, also known as Jeannie from Utakura, came down with her sister Carrie to work as tourist guides at Whakarewarewa. My grandparents\u2019 first house was a tent\u2014but they had a wooden floor. Nana was a matriarch of the most gentle and loving nature and her sponge cakes were legendary. For her, family was everything.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EMy maternal grandmother, Marian Lydia Shaw, was born in Kaponga. Her family were early arrivals sailing from Plymouth to New Plymouth on the Amelia Thompson in 1841. The school dental nurse married Jack King, an aspiring architect and engineer with Dawson and Cooke, which went on to become King \u0026amp; Dawson, a Wellington company still in existence today. Jack became a leading coolstore designer in the 1950s, a life fellow of Standards New Zealand, president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, and recipient, in 1966 of a CBE.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EAccording to our family history, Jack entered a competition to design the Wellington cenotaph. Although he didn\u2019t win, his entry included lions at the base of the design. Grandpa King\u2019s lions, as they came to be known, were later added to the base of the cenotaph as a World War II memorial. When you leave the House today, make sure you stop at the cenotaph and get a selfie with Grandpa King\u2019s lions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EMy parents, Helen and Lyn, created a loving and secure family for their five children. I\u2019m the middle child, and I have many precious memories of the love and fun we had: tramping in the bush, swimming in the Blue Lake, beach holidays at Pukehina, church on Sunday, and mucking about with our cousins and the McDowell Street kids.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EOur family was devastated, however, when my father suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 48. I was 11 years old and my youngest sister was just 18 months old. Unexpectedly, our Ng\u0101ti Ng\u0101raranui whanaunga asked my mother for dad\u2019s body. She agreed, and so my father\u2019s tangi was held at Waiteti Marae on the shores of the lake. He did not go home to rest in Ng\u0101puhi, so the dislocation from our hap\u016B, our iwi, stretched out over many years to come.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThis knock back, however, was soon followed by another. About a year and a half later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and our family, like many others, went through three years of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, doctors visits and blood counts. Her slow demise was hard to endure as the cancer took its toll.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EI pay particular thanks to my foster families, who welcomed me into their homes: the Hill family of Rerewhakaaitu, Marianne Saxton of Turakina and the Sweets of Tihi-o-Tonga. Also to Granny King, a Kiwi matriarch of a staunch sort, who swept in and scooped up her beloved grandchildren. For her, family was everything.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EI note here New Zealand First\u2019s policy to increase free breast screening for women up to the age of 74. This forms part of our two-party coalition agreement with Labour. Our next challenge, I believe, is to include the screening of younger women. My mother was in her 30s when breast cancer rocked our world.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThe events I\u2019ve described shaped my views on the importance of family and extended family to staunch the gaps that life sometimes opens up, leaving children vulnerable. However, families are not what they once were, and sometimes there\u2019s nobody to pick up the pieces, at which point the State must step in. For such a relatively affluent Western country, 5,600 children in State care is a pretty poor statistic. Do we have the moral courage to discuss the real underlying cause of it? I hope we can. Instead of just asking if we have a healthy economy, we must also ask: do we have healthy children; do we have healthy families?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EMy political beliefs and the values I hold stem directly from my personal experience, not from an external ideology. They happen to be more traditional than radical, more centrist than extreme, because that is what has worked for me. I believe that trust underlies all beneficial human interactions and that trust is a two-way street built on mutual cooperation. These experiences make me sympathetic to the social, family, and mental health issues that result from people under financial stress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EI believe there is a shadow over our land, a shadow not cast by a long white cloud but an invisible shadow, felt most acutely by those who live in poverty and debt. Poverty overshadows all aspects of life, not just financial but social, cultural, and intellectual, thus creating a poverty of the imagination for those affected to find ways to help themselves. This kind of poverty can be just as paralysing for those afflicted in 21st century New Zealand as it was during any feudal period. Political freedom is one thing but financial freedom is quite another. Liberty can be whittled away in many different ways, frittered away a percentage at a time, dollar by dollar, rule by rule, and clause by clause. When liberty is lost, the accompanying losses of self-determination, self-esteem, and self-respect are all compounded. There\u2019s a well-known saying that \u201CWithout hope the people perish\u201D, but the problem with perishing is that it\u2019s painfully slow and it affects children, who often grow up damaged.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ENow the media industry, where I have spent almost 30 years, is going through a series of crises as it adjusts to a dynamically changing news and media environment. The advent of smartphones has put technology into the hands of citizens, who now have the tools to create their own content and completely bypass gatekeepers of the established media. This is an echo of a pattern that occurred in the late 1970s when magnetic tape cassettes put recording technology into the hands of rock and roll wannabes. What these enthusiasts lacked in technique and production values they more than made up for in attitude. Armed with second-hand instruments and a garage, somewhere distant like Dunedin, they set about conducting their jangle-and-drone experiments, which simultaneously delighted their peers and dismayed their parents. The same nonconformist, give-it-a-go attitude has been adopted by media-savvy millennials and Gen Xers, who are simply bypassing the establishment and creating their alternative punk media. Citizen journalists with no overheads, no oversight, no style guides, no ethics policies, and no advertisers are able to create and publish content in competition with the mainstream. The quality of the content produced is of course highly variable. The mainstream media has been pushed into a losing battle for views, and clickbait journalism has resulted. For all its faults, this new-wave journalism does sometimes deliver doses of honesty, and in a world jaded by spin doctors, euphemisms, and McCarthyist slogans, the ring of truth will always find a listening ear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThe shift and tone of the media has been accompanied by a shift away from neutrality. This shift is the result of the pursuit of a commercial imperative and the scaling back of public broadcasting. As public broadcasters now compete in an environment of clickbait commercial media on the one hand and blogger-based journalism on the other, it\u2019s hard to maintain the standard of impartiality that is essential for this public service.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ENew Zealand First values certain foundational principles that are fundamental to our Westminster-style democracy. One of these is the independence of the courts. Another is the importance of the fourth estate in communicating with the people. Both require rules to work effectively, both require funding, and both require the support of Government. I contend that though the court of public opinion in Aotearoa New Zealand does not meet at a certain time and place like this court of Parliament or a court of law, the court of public opinion is nevertheless a space where important discussions about our nation are aired. Public broadcasting performs an essential service to the nation that cannot be served by commercial media nor by independent volunteers. The role of public broadcasting in the 21st century, I believe, is to shape in the minds of its people not only the trajectory of our nation but also the tenor of its flight. For these reasons, I support the strengthening of public broadcasting, Television New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, and the depoliticisation of M\u0101ori Television.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EMy path to Parliament was unexpected, although I had a background interest in politics from a news context. I was soon to realise there was a role for me. A few years ago I was called to reconnect with my M\u0101ori heritage, which brought me face-to-face with the deprivation in the North. Our valley in north Hokianga is a place where extension cords stretch from windows across to lichen-encrusted caravans, where there are old buildings leaning in the wind, half the weatherboards fallen off, and the silent poverty that blows through the region, and yet it was a place steeped in political history. My tupuna, the Ng\u0101puhi prophet \u0100perahama Taonui, had a deep interest in politics and often expressed his ideas in visionary terms. His father, Makoare Te Taonui, signed He Whakaputanga, the declaration of independence, in 1835 and then Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Mangungu on 12 February 1840. My new-found Utakura cousins Kay and Rudy Taylor, and Papa Manuwera Tohu QSM, drew me into the wh\u0101nau and into the heart of Ng\u0101puhi politics.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EI was given the job of pumping up the volume of the voice of Te Kotahitanga o Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B Ng\u0101puhi on our Treaty settlement journey. I believe there\u2019s hope now that we can and must move forward together for the benefit of all our families. It is time to heal; it is time for Ng\u0101puhi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ESo here I stand in this House of Representatives with the korowai of my ancestors on my shoulders, only too aware of the history, the intellect, and the pressing needs of the nation that all come together in this place. I may not be the loudest voice in the room, but I will bring a strong and compassionate voice for all the people as I seek to serve this amazing nation. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E[Applause]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EWaiata\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u0022f4d15db6a928406e8b5d815621a61adc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f4d15db6a928406e8b5d815621a61adc\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora t\u0101tou. First, I want to thank the voters of \u014Ch\u0101riu for electing me as their MP. Mine is the electorate that probably best understands the power of the MMP vote, and they once again used it wisely, electing a Government MP. I\u2019ll work tirelessly to ensure they will not be disappointed. I also look forward to my electorate continuing their comfort with long-term incumbents, as I acknowledge the 33-year career of my predecessor, the Hon Peter Dunne, and wish him well in retirement after a distinguished career.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EMy election was a tribute to my small but effective campaign team. I want to especially acknowledge Glen Labrum and Judi Fergusson, who kept the Labour flame burning through some pretty lean years and finally got to enjoy the election of a Labour MP\u2014kia ora, guys. I acknowledge my wife, Desley, who kept it real for me in the best possible manner, by paying the bills while I campaigned and, of course, advising me to harden up when I was wavering in any way. We\u2019re a good team.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EPreparing this address has presented an opportunity to reflect on those significant factors and events that had the greatest impact on my decision to stand for Parliament, and on what I hope to achieve here. The singularly most important contributor to what and who I am was being born into a large rural family, a house full of love, books, and knowledge, and where a constant stream of visitors exposed me to a world beyond the confines of our Buller farm. My late father Eamon\u2014who would have been proud to join my mother Kath and some of my siblings in the gallery today\u2014spent six years training for the Catholic priesthood before leaving and, with my mother, established a small, marginally productive West Coast dairy farm, which relied heavily on the nine children they produced for farm labour. He often commented that he and my mother were more fertile than the farm.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EBoth my parents were heavily involved in community activities, and at one stage my father was chairman of the West Coast hospital board while my mother was the chair of the Buller High School board. We siblings understood community service and involvement, even if milking cows while they were off farm was our early contribution. Later, I came to understand the value of a good start, a t\u016Brangawaewae to retreat to, and a yardstick against which to measure my post-farm progress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EI was to require such a retreat when, during my early years as a police officer, I was deployed deep undercover where, armed with a new identity\u2014a black leather jacket, a beard, long hair, and earrings\u2014I was despatched into the underworld to detect criminal offending first-hand. Becoming immersed into a world where the values I took for granted were largely absent, where might was right, where the protection of the State was negligible, and where the lives of most people I met were rendered powerless by dependence on violence, drugs, alcohol, and welfare, had a profound effect. I returned to the farm at the end of my deployment as a chain-smoking, exhausted individual with a deep pub tan, racked with guilt over having betrayed people I had come to know well during my deployment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EIt was only in retrospect I realised that having a stable place in the world to call home was a privilege denied even some of my fellow undercover operatives, who struggled, and in many cases failed, to transition back to the police world they had been despatched from. I recall one colleague lamenting the fact his parents\u2019 marriage had split while he was deployed, and both were with new partners and in houses in which he didn\u2019t feel he could comfortably put his feet on the furniture\u2014no resting place for his soul. Whereas, back on the farm milking cows, possum trapping, attending the local church, and playing rugby re-geared and reconditioned this prodigal son.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EI realised how privileged I was to be able to opt out of that underworld and to return to the fold\u2014an option not available to most of those I left behind. I also reflected on the talents, skills, and resourcefulness of those I\u2019d encountered \u201Cin the scene\u201D. Those skills were put to use organising drug deals and other criminal enterprises, often requiring a considerable degree of sophistication, planning and, yes, even courage, given the consequences of failure, which ranged from lengthy prison sentences to severe violence. Many would\u2019ve done well in the legitimate world, given the opportunity, education, and, more importantly, the role models to do so, instead of becoming largely net users of welfare, justice, and other State resources and, more sadly, creators of victims and perpetuators of the cycle of alienation from mainstream society.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003ELater, as a detective dealing with the victims of those I\u2019d previously rubbed shoulders with, I often had to reconcile my empathy for their victims, with a degree of understanding of the lack of ability for even serious offenders to act in anything other than the manner normalised in the world they grew up in. Our efforts to protect victims by diverting and steering people away from crime must involve realistic alternatives as well as punishments. You can\u2019t get back onto the straight and narrow if you never knew what straight and narrow looked like in the first place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOne experience as a small town detective provides an illustration of the difficulties of escaping gang life. I received a call at home late one Friday night from a gang leader, informing me that he intended to go straight and religious and to come to his house to pick up his illegal firearms. As I walked into his house, I was assailed by a large group of his female companions who, having clearly joined him on his new religious journey, replaced the expletives I was used to being regaled with at that place\u2014suggesting that I make love elsewhere\u2014with their new mantra of \u201Cpraise the Lord\u201D. Surrounded by this enthusiastic posse, I struggled back down the drive heavily laden with a large cache of firearms, as a car load of rival gang members pulled up outside the address, intent on mischief. Seeing me, they hesitated long enough for the accompanying throng to divert their attentions from trying to convert me to focusing on the new arrivals. It is one of the abiding memories of my time in the police: looking over my shoulder as I opened the car boot to see those bewildered gangsters surrounded by a large posse of women entreating them to \u201Cpraise the Lord\u201D, while I, who they recognised as a local detective, dumped my armload of firearms in the car and left quickly. Sadly, those conversions did not last long.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EMy next venture into a completely unknown world was heralded by the birth of a son with high and complex intellectual disabilities. This was a stark lesson that there will always be those in our society who will be totally dependent on others for their existence and development. I\u2019ve often described Michael, who joins us in the gallery here today\u2014joins us in the gallery here today\u2014as being like a blond stallion racing through life, with the family huddled together on his back with no saddle or bridle and, at best, a piece of rope just to keep from falling off. Having to suction and tube-feed him at home between frequent emergency hospital visits did introduce Desley and I to a very new world.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOur relief came when we discovered an organisation called Hohepa, which was prepared to take in a boy who could not communicate, was not toilet-trained, was running away at every opportunity, was tipping out every fluid container he could access, and was assaulting his sister. I discovered there are people in this country who, for very little financial reward, work tirelessly and with a humbling devotion to not only keeping our disabled dependants safe but also giving families like ours our lives back. Our journey into the unknown with Michael was as poignant as the undercover one had been. The existence of a largely State-funded disability sector that supports organisations like Hohepa and others like it ensured the best outcome, not only for Michael but for the whole family, especially his siblings, Isaac and Eve, who could not be here today as they are playing rugby in Ireland and sitting an exam in Dunedin, respectively.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EIn continuing the rather dramatic nature of my life lessons, I was to get another life-changing \u201Copportunity\u201D in my late 40s when diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. Sharing the radiotherapy and chemotherapy clinics with a very diverse range of fellow patients at Wellington Hospital proved that, like intellectual disability, cancer is no respecter of postcodes. At this traumatic time, one has to have faith in the expertise of others. Access to life-saving treatment at such times must remain a right and a commitment provided by a caring society. Cancer does not respect postcodes; nor should those providing the treatment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve arrived at this spot where so few are privileged to stand, representing my \u014Ch\u0101riu electorate, armed with a diverse range of life-changing experiences. Other learning experiences have been helping establish and lead the international body of police unions, heading the New Zealand Police Association\u2014and I acknowledge some of my colleagues there\u2014and sitting on the boards of companies variously providing insurance, providing residential homes for the intellectually disabled, and importing farm machinery. I highlight these aspects of my journey to provide a backdrop and a context for what I\u2019m convinced needs to happen for New Zealand to get the balance right between the need to empower and incentivise all citizens, to maximise their talents and create wealth\u2014whatever that wealth looks like\u2014and, at the same time, accept that for any number of reasons, as varied as genetic limitations, medical and intellectual intervention, and what I colloquially refer to as unlucky sperm and ova, there are those who will always require the assistance of the State.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EA pure market-led philosophy\u2014ironically, exactly what I encountered in the criminal world\u2014will leave an increasing number of isolated and alienated people in its wake. A society that purports or even desires that all its citizens have the same opportunities to contribute and participate can demand its Government have effective strategies, policies, and allocated resource to do that, because, especially in the case of those on the periphery of society, if we don\u2019t provide those opportunities, others will\u2014and are. This country has a severe gang and methamphetamine problem\u2014very apparent if you live in poorer communities. That untapped resource and talent, of the sort I encountered during my undercover years, has been directed into forming some very lucrative and extremely sophisticated criminal syndicates, which have penetrated virtually every community in New Zealand. If you grow up believing that involvement in these gangs and syndicates represents the only way you will ever acquire wealth or rise from your circumstances, however naive that belief may be, of course many will take it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EOur prisons are now overflowing with those supplying methamphetamine and those who have committed, usually violent, crimes associated with its use, but the supply of willing recruits to replace them is endless. Cutting off that supply is as essential as any other strategy to combat crime. We know how important education is in ensuring everybody, including potential gang recruits, leaves school work- and life-ready, but that\u2019s only part\u2014albeit an important part\u2014of the solution.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EI believe much of the solution lies in creating opportunities for people from different strata of our society to gain some empathy with others, essentially by mixing\u2014in the case of the better-off, knowing it\u2019s not poor people\u2019s fault they are poor. Conversely, people like myself who are born to advantage need not feel guilty but do need to understand the advantages such birth confers on us in the journey of life. It\u2019s far too complex a solution to address in the short time I have, but can I say that I intend to leverage off the experiences that I\u2019ve had to work towards making New Zealand a more egalitarian society.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EMy decision to stand for Labour surprised many of my contemporaries, but when I explain my belief that only Labour Governments were able to make the fundamental changes to the status quo that will be necessary if we\u2019re not just going to keep building prisons for an increasingly alienated sector of society, they generally understand. It\u2019s not more laws and prisons required; it\u2019s options for the next generation of potential jail bait, to divert them. Make sure the local drug dealer isn\u2019t the only person they see with flash cars and that they can go to the authorities when victimised without being labelled a nark.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EEgalitarianism, where Jack is as good as his master, was the cornerstone of New Zealand. It can be again, but it will take a commitment and a strategy to achieve it. I want every New Zealander to know that whatever happens, they can have trust that when they need a safe place to go, the State will be their metaphorical farm that they can go to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EFinally, as the most senior member of the \u201Cclass of \u201817\u201D entering the 52nd Parliament, I\u2019m conscious that I may not have as much time as many colleagues to make a contribution. However, being part of a new Government that is already breaking new ground in the MMP environment and is committed to ensuring a fair go for all, I am eager and willing to do all I am able to ensure all New Zealanders, including those in my \u014Ch\u0101riu electorate, feel welcome at, and can afford to attend, the concert where the rock star economy is playing. N\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022 data-id=\u00223065cab68d384f328123ff0c468cec6a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223065cab68d384f328123ff0c468cec6a\u0022\u003EWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EK\u0101ore te k\u012B patu te makere no-a i te ngutu-u, \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EHe p\u014Drutu wai hoe i a K\u0101wana i runga e-e; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EM\u0101tau ana roto i te hau k\u014Drero-o e \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EHerengi-a koi-\u0101 te r\u0101kau ka whiria e-e; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003ETe \u0101-ta whakarangona ng\u0101 mahi o te arero-o; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EKo to-o t\u012Bnana r\u0101 i waiho atu i tawhiti e-e; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EKo t\u014D whai reo kau ka tuku mai ki ahau-u, \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EI ahu ai atu e-e aro kau mai ana e-e; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003Eka-a te tiriwa-a, te ripa ki a au, kara ma-a; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003Eka pu-a te \u0101, te rai ki tautoro-o \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003Eka whakamutua n\u014D ng\u0101 whata rangi o te whakarongo e-e i!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E[The intent to kill won\u2019t necessarily slip from the lip,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EBut merely a splash of paddled water upon the Government, indeed; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003ECleverly within the tenor of the talk,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EThat the tree considered be restricted; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EAnd that deeds of the tongue be carefully obeyed; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EThat body of yours was abandoned there in the distance, indeed; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EYour owning a language unreservedly,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EAnd then submitting it to me; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EWent elsewhere and then came back directly, indeed; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003ESpace and boundary back to me glows, oh friends; \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EThe urge blossoms as do the rye that stretches forth and terminated as an elevated storage of obedience, indeed!] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EThe words of this waiata are from a letter sent by Hone Heke to Governor Grey, where Heke is reprimanding the Governor for moving the capital away from \u014Ckiato in the north\u2014away from the people\u2014and where Heke is reprimanding Governor Grey for his messages said from afar. Empty words that fall so easily from his lips.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EEmpty words\u2014that\u2019s something I am not here to indulge in. I am here with a purpose. I know why I am here. I know who I represent. I am a child of Te Tai Tokerau, the birthplace of our nation, where our founding document Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed. I am the daughter of a P\u0101keh\u0101 mother and a M\u0101ori father. I am proudly bicultural. I am proudly bilingual. I stand here in the House of Representatives proud to represent all New Zealanders. I am here to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It is who we are. It is all of us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EThere is a whakatauk\u012B: \u201CTangata ako ana i te whare, te t\u016Branga ki te marae, tau ana.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E[\u201CA person taught at home is a sheer joy to behold when he/she stands upon the courtyard.\u201D] It basically means that a child who is well taught at home stands collected on the marae. Today I stand here in our Whare, and I stand collected because of my mum, and because I was taught well by my mum. My mum is somebody who has always had the courage to do what is not always popular, but what she feels is right. She wasn\u2019t afraid of anything. She would chase a dog back down the street to its owners with a stick, and warn them if they didn\u2019t tie up their dog, she would call the pound. She would tell you off for spitting; she would tell you off for littering. She would stop hoons hooning up and down our streets. She would not allow drinking or drugs around children. And she would call the police and report domestic violence. Not even gang members or teens full of attitude could intimidate her. She was not always popular, and I was so shame. But this is something I appreciate now, as an adult and a mother myself. I now know it was because she cared about our community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EToday I stand here in our Whare, and I stand collected because I was well taught by my nana. My first memory was of walking up the hill to visit my nana. I just loved visiting her. She\u2019d sit in the corner in her chair and we would talk and talk and talk and talk\u2014and anyone who knows me knows I like to talk. It was she who taught me how to work through my words, how to use my words to create understanding, and just how important words can be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EToday I stand here in our Whare, and I stand collected because I was well taught by my people and our history, people like our whaea Dame Whina Cooper, a woman of conviction whose image and message is still carried deep in our hearts. Slight in frame, headscarf neatly tied below her chin, thousands of people in her wake. Using her walking stick to hold the ground in place below her, one step after the other, she walked from the top of the North to the steps of Parliament to deliver a single message: \u201CNot one more acre of M\u0101ori land.\u201D As I make my own journey from the top of the North to the steps of Parliament, I look to this incredible M\u0101ori woman from the North as inspiration.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EToday I stand here in our Whare collected because I was well taught, and I continue to be well taught, by my wh\u0101nau: by my dad, who is always smiling; by my amazing husband Dion, who is always there to support me, holding it down at home so that I can do this mahi here\u2014I love you, Dion, for all that you do for me, for our girls, and for our community; by my sister Season-Mary and my brother Lloyd; and by my babies, my two beautiful election babies, Hihana Mairehau-Belle Te Tau o Taku Ate, and Heeni Hirere-June Te Kare o Nga Wai Prime. You have taught me so much, and we have so much more to learn together. I love you. Mama loves you both.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EToday I stand here in our Whare, and I stand collected because I was well taught by Moerewa. I am really proud to come from Moerewa. Despite our hardships, our community has remained strong. We have so much heart. We support each other and we try to lift everyone up. I am privileged to be lifted up here today. As with each and every one of us in this Whare, I recognise that privilege, and I recognise that when I stand here, I stand as my mum, my nana, my people, and my community. This is great responsibility, but it gives me great strength. Like I said, I know why I am here; I know what I am here to do. In the words of our whaea Dame Whina Cooper, and in the actions of my mother: \u201CTake care of our children. Take care of what they hear, take care of what they see, take care of what they feel. For how the children grow, so will be the shape of Aotearoa.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EBut Aotearoa is not in good shape. We have not been heeding this advice. We are not taking care of our children. I have travelled from the top of the North to the steps of Parliament so that, like Dame Whina Cooper, I can be in Parliament and deliver my message: not one more child should live in poverty, not one more family without a home, and not one more young New Zealander without a dream.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EI now want to share a personal story with you\u2014a story that motivated me. Because of it, it was probably inevitable that I was going to end up here today. As a student many years ago, I opened the newspaper and there was a two-page article on wanted or convicted criminals. Many of them were young. Almost all of them were M\u0101ori and Pasifika. Many of them, I could tell from their last names, were Ng\u0101puhi, and one of them even carried our Ng\u0101ti Hine rangatira\u2019s name: K\u0101witi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EI was so deeply saddened, angry, and frustrated. How could the descendant of an ancestor whose signature is at the top of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, whose reputation as one of the most powerful military leaders, strategic thinkers, and peacemakers, be in this situation? This is not supposed to be his destiny, or anyone\u2019s destiny. I thought to myself: we can\u2019t just point the finger and blame. We have to do more. We have to try harder.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EI believed then that if we just addressed our history, our colonisation, and the wrongs of the past; if we had a proud sense of identity; if we were more connected and took collective responsibility as wh\u0101nau and communities; if we were caring and supportive not just of our own wh\u0101nau but of others; if our children played more sports and had no time and energy to be hautut\u016B and get up to mischief; if we could all do well at school, then surely\u2014surely\u2014it could be better than this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EYou know, just a few months ago I literally saw the same thing on my back doorstep. The helicopter was circling, cops were searching with torches and dogs, roadblocks\u2014all for a M\u0101ori boy who ended up handing himself in. And you know what? He carried the K\u0101witi name too. I was absolutely gutted. We have got to change this. Forty-nine percent of our children in Northland live in poverty. Our youth unemployment rate is over 20 percent. We have one of the lowest average incomes in the country. That is not right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EBut it\u2019s not just Northland; for too long, our nation has been shaped to look after the few, and it has come at a cost to the many. We have allowed the economy to take the place of the people. It\u2019s back to front. I am here with my people\u2014my wh\u0101nau, my colleagues in Government\u2014to change this; to bring people and our communities back to the centre of everything we do. This is our nation. It belongs to us as a people: to M\u0101ori, to P\u0101keh\u0101, to our brothers and sisters who have joined us since the first footprints were laid down in sand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EBut what does it mean? Well, it means finding ways to rebuild the communities we have been losing. It means protecting and growing our rights as people, not just as economic units, health clients, or clients of any kind. It means nurturing our children by nurturing their wh\u0101nau, their mums and dads, and their grandparents\u2014all of those around them. It means nurturing them through decent education and health, right from the start, with a focus on community and not just individuals; to be loved by all of us and not turned into metrics.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EI want to say a bit here about mental health and suicide, here. It touches all of us\u2014my own house; my own street. If our statistics weren\u2019t bad enough, Northland has the highest youth suicide rate in the country. We have a crisis, and this has to stop, urgently.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EThis nation belongs to all of us, and it should be for all of us. That means good jobs, jobs that pay well and give people the freedom to live their lives, to take part in their communities, and to be part of them\u2014to have warm, safe, and dry homes. It means finding our way back to who we are as New Zealanders. That\u2019s why I could never have been anything but a Labour MP, because no other parties speak so strongly to these values and to the way that I was brought up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EJust as I bring my people to this Whare with me, so too do my colleagues bring theirs. I want to echo our leader Jacinda Ardern. We are a Government for all New Zealanders and we will get this done with all New Zealanders. This is the House of the people. This is not a place for empty words. It is a place to do right for our people, with our people, together. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E[Applause]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EHaka\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u0022e570481aee9c4441aff600ad46d06c98\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e570481aee9c4441aff600ad46d06c98\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EE t\u016B, e t\u016B, ng\u0101 pou o toku-u whare, pouwhenua, poutaiohi, tipu-u tua-h\u0101kiri e-e.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EKirikiri rangaranga, tukutuku k\u014Drero, hei here i ng\u0101 pou \u014D toku-u whaere e-e.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EKam\u014Dkia e-te iwi kia whang\u014D, kia kai i te reka \u014D hu-a e-e!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E[Rise up, arise indeed, the pillars of my house, pouwhenua, poutaiohi, tipu-u and tua-h\u0101kiri.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EStories handed down in the ornamental lattice and panel work will indeed secure the pillars of my house.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EBlink at it, oh tribe, until you are hoarse so that you may indeed devour the sweetness of your outcomes!]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EHe tino h\u014Dnore ki te t\u016B i roto i t\u0113nei Whare o Te Paremata, mai t\u0113nei uri o Te Pirir\u0101kau o Ng\u0101ti Ranginui, o Ng\u0101i Te Rangi, o T\u016Bwharetoa, mai i ng\u0101 waka o Te T\u0101kitimu, M\u0101taatua, Tainui. Ki a koutou e \u014Dku nei rangatira i roto i t\u0113nei Whare, \u0101, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E[It is a real honour for this relative of Te Pirir\u0101kau of Ng\u0101ti Ranginui, of Ng\u0101i Te Rangi, and of T\u016Bwharetoa, of the canoes Te T\u0101kitimu, M\u0101taatua, and Tainui to be standing in this House. To you, my esteemed ones in this House: salutations, acknowledgments, and accolades to you collectively.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EFirst, Mr Speaker, may I acknowledge your elevation to the bench, sir. It wasn\u2019t that long ago that I heard your remarks in the closings of the 51st Parliament, where you put forth your aspiration that you might have the opportunity to have wee Heeni and Hiwaiterangi on your knee in this Whare, as Speaker of this House in the 52nd Parliament. To see that vision come true last night during our first legislation going through its first couple of readings\u2014the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill\u2014it was truly and indeed an honour to see that, so congratulations, sir.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003ETo my friend, colleague, and contemporary, who unfortunately just had to leave, the Hon Anne Tolley from the mighty, mighty East Coast, who too has been elevated to the bench in the role of Deputy Speaker, I want to acknowledge her. My whanaunga Adrian Rurawhe from R\u0101tana P\u0101 and my colleague Poto Williams: ka nui te mihi ki a koutou, \u0101, e \u014Dku nei rangatira [much appreciation to you collectively and to you, my esteemed ones].\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003ELike many monumental events in my life, you could describe my entry into this House as somewhat accidental. As a high school dropout of the age of 16, I entered into the full-time workforce at KFC, with the aspiration to work in every single KFC in this country so that I might see the world! Incidentally, I might add that I joined my first union at that time. I didn\u2019t really know what it was at that point, but that was the Service and Food Workers Union, and that began my journey into this place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThe hint of the adventure and the thirst to know New Zealand beyond the small confines of my humble East Coast beginnings of the mighty Paengaroa led me to taking a job as a cherry picker in Blenheim, when I was 17 years old. With dreadlocks flying, 50 bucks in my pocket, a second-hand backpack on my back, and a borrowed tent strapped to my pack, I commenced my first long-distance hitchhike down country towards those cherry fields. En route I came through Wellington. I remember walking down to the ferry terminal, gazing up at this odd shaped building to my left, kind of compelled to take that little meander up that track, and sitting outside on that forecourt outside this House, gazing up wondering: wonder what they do in there. I said to myself that day, I\u2019m going to find out, and I kind of want to work there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI could not have anticipated that that would come in the form of being a member of this House. So to those in my party that have put your trust, your confidence, your faith in me to represent our values and our vision for a greater New Zealand, I thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI\u2019m one of 10 children, from a relatively mixed family that transcends race, class, and geography. My dad\u2014up there in the gallery\u2014is a son of a solo mother who raised four boys in Gore to be resilient, hard-working, and decent men. Her ancestors arrived here in 1848 aboard the vessel the Blunder, landing in Port Chalmers from Scotland. My father\u2019s father was the son of migrants from Aberdeen that came via Sri Lanka, where they were the owners of a tea plantation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EMy mother\u2019s father: a fisherman and World War II veteran. Her mother: a Pirir\u0101kau princess who was raised in the centre of our universe, Te Puna. And I just briefly want to acknowledge the member Todd Muller, who was the first member of this House to be from that centre of the universe, and I\u2019m proud to join him as the second.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI have the honour of carrying my grandmother\u2019s name: Kiritapu. Now, my nana spoke only Te Reo in the home until the age of five, when she entered into the native schools system. On her first day at that school, her name was changed to \u201CKitty\u201D, a name that she would carry for the rest of her life, and she was strapped for speaking Te Reo M\u0101ori. Whatever the intention, it was nevertheless the effect that my nana\u2019s cultural identity was whipped out of her at that school, and so too, some might say, was her voice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003ESo Nana, I stand here in this House to honour your name, to give voice to the voiceless, who, for whatever their circumstances, cannot speak for themselves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EGrowing up, central government politics wasn\u2019t really a part of our daily discourse, but standing up for what was right and honourable was of absolute fundamental importance. Now, I swear I didn\u2019t swap notes with my colleague here, Willow-Jean. This was truly epitomised by my mother, Gail. During my formative years, I saw my mother lead a walkout from our community, a community that we loved and that we cherished, but nevertheless whose leadership she perceived to be abusing its power. It was a stance that took courage and the support of my dad.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EMum, for standing up for what you believed in, in the face of all adversity, I thank you for giving me, in turn, the courage to stand up for what I believe in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI\u2019m an extraordinarily proud New Zealander. Now, we come from a country that punches above its weight; a country that in 1893, in a movement led by Merepeka Mangakahia and Kate Sheppard, became the first country to give women the right to vote; a country that stood for being clean and green by taking a nuclear-free stance when it was politically unpalatable; a country that has been bold enough to face its past, and embark on a process for reconciling of our history by, in part, trying to establish the Waitangi Tribunal and engaging in the Treaty settlement process; a country that is the home of Weta Workshop, Flight of the Conchords, Lorde, and\u2014my cousin by dint of marriage\u2014the director of Thor: Ragnarok.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EIn 2016, I was fortunate enough to marry my best friend because this Parliament was one of the first in the world to recognise marriage equality. I am indebted to the members of this House, from both sides, and particularly Louisa Wall and the Hon Grant Robertson for championing something so simple as the right to marry the person you love.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EWe are a small but mighty nation. However, despite our proud history, there is still an incredible amount of work to be done. During the course of the campaign and indeed throughout my electorate, the East Coast, I met with people that share their stories. In the words of one of my constituents: \u201CThere is ugliness in the shadows, if you take the time to look.\u201D Indeed, I look.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI saw the family of seven living out of their cars at the beach in Thornton. I saw the working-aged man in \u014Cp\u014Dtiki who\u2019d waited four years for a heart operation. I saw the nine Gisborne families who in a period of just a few weeks lost loved ones to suicide. I saw the kids who are left parentless by their mums and their dads who are lost in the irrationality that is P. I saw the strain on the face of the full-time working mum in Kawerau who can\u2019t afford the gas to get the kids to school, to sport, to participate. I saw the forestry worker from Ruat\u014Dria who passed away in a workplace accident exactly one year to the day from his first cousin. There is ugliness that lurks in the shadows but, sadly, this is not unique to the East Coast.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThey say that it is easier to invest in building strong children than it is to fix broken men and women. I am committed to giving my all in this Government that invests in ensuring that our kids reach their true potential. I am not one of those people that think that Government has the answers to everything, or can do everything. But I believe that the role of the Government is to work collaboratively with the communities that we serve to enable the many, and not just the few, to reach their full potential.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThe law\u2014it\u2019s a funny thing. Although we don\u2019t actively think about it when we go about our day to day lives, the law sets out the parameters and rules by which we collectively live. The law touches many aspects of our lives, from telling us to stop at a stop sign, to influencing the way in which our economy performs. The impact of the written word of law is pervasive, and deeply felt when it is working well, but it is much more so when it is not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EAs a lawyer, I learnt to operate within the confines of the existing words of the law. But as a member of this House, we are privileged to influence and determine the content. This is not a privilege I take either lightly or for granted. I am filled with genuine hope entering into this House, as part of the sixth Labour-led Government, and particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Prime Minister Ardern has compassion and empathy and connection to the people that we seek to serve, and under her leadership, and indeed the leadership of our executive, I feel like we are on the precipice of true change.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003ERecently, I met a young man from T\u0101neatua who had just finished high school, and he came up to me on the street and said, \u201COi, Kiritapu, if I vote for you, will you help fellas like me get a job?\u201D This is the type of kid who is all too easily written off as being a future burden on the system, and not an asset to invest in. I am proud to be a part of a Government that will give kids like this\u2014and indeed, really, kids like me\u2014a shot. We know that to do this, we must do the basics, and do those basics right: by stimulating our economy\u2014and in particular our regional economies\u2014by focusing on our core industries and nurturing community buy-in to our local workforce, and ensuring that the infrastructure is there to support such growth. While it\u2019s positive, I\u2019m not talking just about the growth of the shareholders\u2019 bottom line. I\u2019m talking about the successful growth of people in meaningful jobs and industries, and community that works together for the benefit of all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThere are many people on my journey that have helped me to reach my potential. First, I want to acknowledge my constituents of the East Coast, and in particular my members who worked doggedly for nine months on our campaign for change. You all know who you are, and I am deeply indebted to you all. In particular, to my campaign chair\u2014campaign mentors\u2014Sir Michael Cullen and Lady Anne Collins, sitting here in this gallery today, I embark on my journey in this House and I am indebted to you both for the wisdom, patience, and guidance that you have graciously bestowed upon me. To my mum, my dad, my aunties, my uncles, my brothers, my sisters, my cousins, and to, you know, a few of you fellas up there, thank you all for grounding me, holding me, and loving me, because we are but a sum of each other. Finally, kai koe e te tau [to you, my beloved one], who\u2019s probably had to step out with our baby\u2014she\u2019s somewhere. There she is. Natalie, for the love, guidance, wisdom, patience, and everything else that you give to me and our wh\u0101nau: ka nui te mihi aroha ki a koe [much affection to you]. And I know I owe you for this one, mate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EI commenced my remarks in this House today referring to my 17-year-old self stumbling across this Parliament. On that same day, that young girl penned a short spoken-word piece outside on this lawn that seems appropriate as I stand in this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EWe are raising a nation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Eof beautiful babies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThis is our generation,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Ewhere we lift our heads high.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EBe gone the days of our forebears,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Ewhere they were taught to be shy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EBecause this land,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Eyes, Aotearoa,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Eit is our promise,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Eand that is for sure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EBeing strong in our identities,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Efostering visions of equality,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Estrong people\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003Eand strong communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EYeah.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EWe named our daughter Hiwaiterangi. Hiwaiterangi is one of the nine stars of Matariki and it is the star that we cast forth our dreams, hopes, and aspirations to for the crop of the year ahead. My prayer is that the work I do in this House, alongside my colleagues, lays the seeds so that my daughter, and indeed all children in this nation, will fulfil the dreams and aspirations of our forebears for a fairer, more equitable Aotearoa New Zealand. N\u014D reira, e te Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E[Applause]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EWaiata\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20171109ad656a27431445089597c58df74a5783000617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 6.20 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"