"\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=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00223b6ecc11cda64cf5a1e78e1cdd54a6c4\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2020\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221999893d30224ee69cb40b98400584fb\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2020\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000004\u0022\u003EKarakia.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002203c4d87dcf8749c480ab70d1519f751b\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227d70a6f4e3094763a9509efbb8911d49\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=\u0022373df804719c4df39c5e706b7be813ed\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022373df804719c4df39c5e706b7be813ed\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Legislation to be considered by the House next week will include the remaining stages of the Abortion Legislation Bill and the New Zealand M\u0101ori Arts and Crafts Institute Vesting Bill, the third readings of the Taxation (KiwiSaver, Student Loans, and Remedial Matters) Bill and the Smoke-free Environments (Prohibiting Smoking in Motor Vehicles Carrying Children) Amendment Bill, and the first readings of the Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill, the Organic Products Bill, the Child Support Amendment Bill, and the Gas (Information Disclosure and Penalties) Amendment Bill. The first general debate of the year will take place on Wednesday, 18 March.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u0022704dda4853be4d729e7947dd5a2fc850\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022704dda4853be4d729e7947dd5a2fc850\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National):\u003C/span\u003E I thank the Leader of the House for the update. Can I invite him, in the wake of the apparent propensity of the Government to have shortened select committee processes and perhaps more extended hours sittings between now and the House rising for the election, that he produce a longer time indication of when those extended hours could be in order that there could be good planning in the select committees?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022b03221f6b75948c2a6ffa14eb0f21fba\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b03221f6b75948c2a6ffa14eb0f21fba\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E I think that\u2019s a fair request. We\u2019ve certainly been trying to give committees greater notice of when extended sittings will take place, and I\u2019ll certainly take that on board.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229b414926c1294f8fadaa35b6061e8233\u0022\u003EObituaries\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002275ddc6901c844e22b43bb865d803ab63\u0022\u003ESir Robert Fenwick\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u00222c4bce312aa04d01a04d51e4fa433d71\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222c4bce312aa04d01a04d51e4fa433d71\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Minister for Climate Change):\u003C/span\u003E I seek leave to move a motion without notice or debate on the death of Sir Rob Fenwick. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022812e889a65334c1fa46a0a6755ae711b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221205863cc40c4105a276c4d54b6ba22b\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: I move, That this House note its deep sadness on the recent death of Sir Rob Fenwick; recognise Sir Rob\u2019s outstanding contribution to the protection of nature and shaping a more sustainable New Zealand through his vision for a predator-free Aotearoa; his work to protect kiwi and other threatened species, to minimise waste, and to connect people, businesses, and communities in the service of people and nature; and that this House express its sincere condolences to Sir Rob\u2019s wife, Lady Jennie Fenwick, his family, friends, and colleagues.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002238250cf097d7476f97a97af2e2e62502\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022889f857dcae34ffbbf9606aa2db02285\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002202afe735197e4e72ba62defa68ca969e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022 data-id=\u0022b378c861f8c14ad1b2ae613da0eb3afe\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b378c861f8c14ad1b2ae613da0eb3afe\u0022\u003EHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader\u2014National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government\u2019s policies and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u00221dde793fb0164af7b92a55f7d63839d0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221dde793fb0164af7b92a55f7d63839d0\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: On behalf of the Prime Minister, yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277f387a3c42a45fda9f0c18f208d5784\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Does her Government intend to deliver on its commitment to providing light rail in Auckland?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a3702b34f2343128988dcd905f5ed4b\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Like so many things that this reformist Government is engaged in, it\u2019s a work in progress. We\u2019re still working through the fiscals, the policy itself\u2014not just making a whole lot of promises, like the former Government, and not putting up one cent to back them up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022188965ddb5c4478db0b83ab2ecfaf08b\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Is the New Zealand Transport Agency website correct when it says, \u201CThe Auckland Transport Alignment Project \u2026 has committed to providing light rail between the City Centre and M\u0101ngere and to Auckland\u2019s north west within the next ten years\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c0c2187f22e454ca71fc3f88b5f94de\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Actually, that sort of announcement sounds like the previous Government, frankly: \u201Cwithin the next ten years\u201D. We don\u2019t behave like that. This Government makes an announcement when we\u2019ve done all the homework, and then when it\u2019s completed we provide the finances to get the job done and find the workers to do the job as soon as we possibly can.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1c7ad28bf6d4f6f9e22d908b5929008\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: In what time line, then, will the promise of light rail actually come to fruition?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225ab83dc1836b484d842f0945caebed79\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: When the work has been done thoroughly so that we know exactly what should be done in the future. I mean, that\u2019s how our sound Western Government does things responsibly. I don\u2019t know how they propose to proceed in the future, or is it all going to be by guesswork?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229376ee2e54d74b2aac4f054027a9b600\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Prime Minister confident that the current Government will be able to deliver light rail in Auckland faster than the 2037 timetable set out by the previous Minister of Transport, Simon Bridges?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d386ba8f35854d798c29d460fda0672a\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s a superb question. What was happening before was positively glacial in terms of delivery; what we\u2019re doing now is at break-neck speed by comparison.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022483e897d2b0847eda70ab770b8683947\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has anyone from New Zealand First written to her office at any time since she became Prime Minister about the Auckland light rail project? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ceb49ec9415f45f2a88c189d6008f640\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: One more attempt\u2014because I\u2019m sure that any letters to my office are not relevant.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224c01aaf37354f55b4c9b7306df20a3a\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: To her office?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206acbb0b39254338b4b2c51bc7666de7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, \u201Cto your office\u201D I think the member said. I apologise if I got it wrong. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022688a6e1f987b450e889bbd9f0d0645c9\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has anyone from New Zealand First written to her office at any time since she became\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022248b6d82fef049bea6a2882777cb068d\u0022\u003EHon Shane Jones\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s better\u2014improvement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002239733147aee74da8818fd1cb08cde586\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, what was that? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222e42b41eda3c40a7ac25f138d17ec6df\u0022\u003EHon Shane Jones\u003C/span\u003E: Not right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c54a24b122714193bf11b66958f71e5c\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Oh. Has anyone from New Zealand First written to her office at any time since she became Prime Minister about the Auckland light rail project?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b3d7459ec1b4485887d321f4826c46f8\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, I understand that the numbers of New Zealand First supporters and members are legion, so to speak, and so I can\u2019t possibly answer that question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002287f22ead92c64a06a4b2ddb1155b5feb\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has the \u201Cagree to disagree\u201D provision in the coalition agreement been triggered, meaning Labour and New Zealand First can now publicly express alternative views on Auckland light rail?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022997681c094a24a108bf71cd3bf36cfd2\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, this is an extraordinary question. I mean, if it was a fact then I, as Prime Minister, could confirm it, but it\u2019s not a fact at all. And this type of myth-making is sort of beloved of Jenna Lynch and TV3, but it\u2019s not worthy of an Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224db82aa987c74f28ab34520bcdee16f2\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Just answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225608f255b8ce47979c4fd881cc802e9c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: And as you were told this morning, keep quiet, Mr Bishop\u2014you were told that this morning by your senior member sitting in front of you, and I suggest you take that advice. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002220a9a1ddb1344aeba88695e4215c54b8\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has the \u201Cagree to disagree\u201D provision in the coalition agreement been triggered when it comes to taxpayers\u2019 money being spent in Ihum\u0101tao? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7e53d6353594f1a9449dd13278f7a4e\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, this is again more myth-making. We\u2019ve got no idea on earth what the question is asking. I mean, no such thing has happened with respect\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e0e6371339904637a405feb50d563f6b\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Read the Cabinet Manual.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b76393f5f05e4aa18042f44504d2834d\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re just making it up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a6dc26673afd467e9f56fc6a0728fc35\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, I\u2019m unable to confirm the outrageous, mythical suspicions of the Opposition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022afdcf79b720d4dcbbf42cd6b16837013\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Grant Robertson will stand, withdraw, and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e7fa7cdd6f842fab050d1671a5cc131\u0022\u003EHon Grant Robertson\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw and apologise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002294703199b85b4b4d860a5f34163dc4bd\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Prime Minister confirm that she has the support of all Cabinet members to spend taxpayers\u2019 money sorting out Ihum\u0101tao?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022689bfdf03f844fe6817fabec35f46a4a\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, again\u2014[Interruption] Again, this is a work in progress where every member of this Government will be proud of the outcome and where we will have all kept our word.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266548c6214974a49956175a5699ac615\u0022\u003EDarroch Ball\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Prime Minister confirm the average amount spent on travel and accommodation by officials in the Provincial Development Unit in a three-month period?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203d1edb3bcd04b1594891968c574347f\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s a superb question. I can say that the Provincial Development Unit, over a three-month period, spent, per person, $1,819 on accommodation, flying, travelling, driving\u2014the full hundred yards\u2014as opposed to a three-month period of $113,000 spent by one Simon Bridges.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220340af598ceb489b92e1535572587831\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has she considered using funds from the Provincial Growth Fund to actually support employers in a wage scheme?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022617be054d7b0491783746c9cdde601b8\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, and speaking for the \u201CFirst Citizens of the Provinces\u201D could I just say that the Provincial Growth Fund is going into a whole range\u2014hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of plans\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221adbeece1ba14418b92e5bd75b529c1d\u0022\u003EHon Shane Jones\u003C/span\u003E: Job rich.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c93becd19f2d493e9ca012b6c4b6d605\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Job rich, long term, added value, all over our country\u2014for example, like \u014Cp\u014Dtiki, where we\u2019ll have the biggest mussel farm in the whole wide world, and where the medical and economic benefits will be new and fresh from that province. So in that context, the answer is, on behalf of the Prime Minister: yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f043d8de2a84c8b83f598b0b712a8e3\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Prime Minister consider that the nearly $700 million that has not been allocated from the Provincial Growth Fund in these extraordinary times around the coronavirus, and given what is happening with businesses, could be better spent on actually keeping people in jobs and small businesses alive?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002294c012253d9840b98ba2954fcfdfa504\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister: this is an extraordinary question, and by way of allegation as well, because this morning, in Mr Bridges\u2019 hands, it was $654 million, and now it\u2019s grown to $700 million in just the space of three hours. They are both dramatically wrong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002263776108-58dc-4cab-baf1-95282c61d0de\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b79661c855014a8789ae6097116c8058\u0022\u003EHon Paula Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Prime Minister received correspondence from the Rt Hon Winston Peters in regards to light rail in Auckland?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d3c407d2722d44fba4154e75a973700e\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, it\u2019s very fortunate that the person answering for me knows the answer to that question. The answer is no.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002292f2d5b72bc54a0b8fa41204fec6083c\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u0022a671d03384b14216b5a85503ee0fbd74\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a671d03384b14216b5a85503ee0fbd74\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: How is the Government supporting the economy to respond to the impacts of the global COVID-19 outbreak?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022368a16c143ed47c3ab8351992cbfbab1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022368a16c143ed47c3ab8351992cbfbab1\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E I want to emphasise that the best and first way to protect the economy is by containing the spread of the virus. The health of our people must remain our top priority. In response to the economic impact of the global COVID-19 outbreak, we have already provided support for the tourism and seafood industry, boosted funding for business advisory services, instructed Government departments to pay their bills within 10 days, and removed the stand-down period for workers who lose their jobs. Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) are supporting businesses and workers on issues like provisional tax readjustments, remission of late payment and filing fees, wage instalment plans, and income support, and MSD\u2019s rapid response teams are in place in regions like Tai R\u0101whiti. Having already taken these initial actions, it is clear we will continue to see a longer lasting shock to the domestic economy, and that is why we are moving into the next phases of our economic response.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d5720e049dc45bca726af447b77f2a8\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: What actions will the Government take in the next phase of its economic response? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eddf66ea30bb4436851e2bdba70b49ee\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s important to remember that this situation is not the result of a structural economic problem or a natural disaster. This is an evolving global health crisis, which for some is a supply problem, and for others a demand issue. That\u2019s why we need tailor-made responses, not wholesale changes or knee-jerk reactions. The next phase of the Government\u2019s economic response is our business continuity package, which includes a targeted wage subsidy scheme, training and redeployment options for affected employees, and potential future working capital support for companies that face temporary credit constraints. We\u2019re also, as part of that package, working on adjustments to the tax system to support businesses to manage cash flow and support them to maintain employment. We\u2019re also developing options to ensure that MSD can support individuals and businesses to provide temporary financial support and assistance, particularly to vulnerable individuals and families. Of course, the global situation is rapidly evolving, and we remain prepared to move into further phases of response when and if necessary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229c4657d372684405b4620a501adffd5d\u0022\u003EDr Duncan Webb\u003C/span\u003E: What further phases of economic response is the Government preparing for?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226cdb5ad0da37417b858ad2e3cfaa89d1\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019re working on two further phases of response: macroeconomic measures to be deployed in the event of a sustained global downturn, and a recovery phase once the impacts have worn off. I\u2019ve instructed officials to develop longer-term measures that may be required to support the income, the economy, businesses, and workers under this scenario. I\u2019ve also directed officials to begin working on a package designed to support the entire economy when we come out the other side. The business community has asked for this. The final shape of this package will obviously depend on the ultimate economic shock we feel from COVID-19, but our response must be a \u201CNew Zealand Inc.\u201D one, where we work together to diversify our export and import markets. As the global public health and economic situations continue to evolve, these phases of response will ensure that we are ready for any eventualities that may occur. For both the public health and economic response, this is not just a Government response or a business response; it must be a New Zealand response. We are all in this together and we will get through it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ad14e680e30446739900015381c098a6\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u002212a38aca358f4caa879977e81a71a311\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002212a38aca358f4caa879977e81a71a311\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Is he confident the Government is taking the necessary steps to preserve jobs and strengthen the economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u002223d735ac4578459688087fe13931e769\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002223d735ac4578459688087fe13931e769\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, I am, and I\u2019ve just outlined those.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c9c31122dcc44c378c8bb41d91af809c\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: When will money reach affected businesses from any short-term wage subsidy he is planning as part of the business continuity package?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac9e8245a32a4d159ee952371768b71c\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: As soon as is practically possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253decd99d9084993be45532159f725d1\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Can he give any clearer guidance than that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002264d9ca34f3ec400f8fde1642e5f0522a\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: As we\u2019ve announced several times this week, we\u2019ll have more to say about that next week.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022551e1f4dc09a472dad5c0a95a4c4c9db\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Why is he taking longer to announce the details of a short-term package than larger economies such as the UK and Australia?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227fd349c3eafc482b9cb471ffcac18dc8\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: As I\u2019ve already said in my earlier answer, we\u2019ve undertaken a number of actions already. The further shape of the wage subsidy scheme will be announced next week. I think we are responding in a timely manner to these matters. Many of the things that are part of the Australian package are actually things New Zealand\u2019s already done, such as the $12 billion infrastructure package.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc142c79f755496f8b13bfa4f6cb0497\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: He does recognise there is a difference between announcing a $12 billion package and actually getting the money flowing into the economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb406b5aa9c0440db25a405e6b42b0e6\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I recognise the difference between making a whole lot of claims about what you\u2019re going to do, in a press release, and then not putting any money aside for this. Ours is a fully funded $12 billion infrastructure package.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c1db0fc503340b98101333a46f95490\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Regarding his change in language today, from saying the economy had \u201Cstrong momentum\u201D before the coronavirus outbreak to now saying it had \u201Csolid momentum\u201D, what is his definition of \u201Csolid momentum\u201D in terms of economic growth?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228643a88cfbe433b9d59980d19b70f85\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: My definition of \u201Csolid momentum\u201D is that in the Government accounts for the six months ending December 2019, we were $500 million ahead in terms of our fiscal position than what had been forecast; we had higher corporate tax take; higher GST take; we had unemployment at 4 percent; and we had net core Crown debt, when we got to the seven months at the end of January, at 19.5 percent\u2014significantly less than what we were left by the previous Government. That is solid momentum.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022daa0842e047344aa98e3dc73d6fe559b\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Isn\u2019t momentum usually attributed to growth, and is it not the case that 1.6 percent GDP growth for 2019 does not represent strong momentum?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221f09b197dfdc4773b4b9b16247418839\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I challenge the premise of the figures that the member has put out in front of us. We have an economy that has been growing at a faster rate than most of our trading partners and that has strong momentum in its labour market, with 4 percent unemployment, and that has strong momentum in its wages, with wages around a 3.6 percent increase. This is an economy that is doing well. I would really encourage the member to focus on the positive and let\u2019s all get together and actually make sure that New Zealand gets through this coronavirus crisis.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee60caae493447d48e65df6e70f9da2f\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: In light of his previous answer stating the number of things the Government is doing in response to COVID-19, would one of those things be to go out and panic buy, as advocated by David Bennett?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc462f4455cd48e3a678b4ce76f0d339\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Absolutely not. This is the time for cool heads. This is the time for all New Zealanders to focus on what we can do together to ensure that our workers and our businesses get through this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb45a36de06f4630871ddb0ccbd3c3a0\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Has he heard these comments: \u201CDuring a serious outbreak of a new infectious disease, the last thing we need is for our elected representatives to be undermining the important messages coming from the Government, scientists, and public health professionals\u201D, and does he recall that it was microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles, Oxford trained, who said that about Mr Simon Bridges?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002261019a9c26374902ac4b45ea2062dc5b\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: It is imperative that as a country we come together and have a positive focus on what we can do. There are workers and businesses around New Zealand who are anxious. The last thing we need is scaremongering and politicking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224b01ee342eb425db84beb0e9a0fad67\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: I presume the Minister is not saying that the important role of the Opposition is to ask serious questions about how quickly his Government is moving to provide clarity and a clear response to this serious economic outbreak.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248a7e2c88a7b42b68dc22558e25e7854\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, there wasn\u2019t a question there. Another attempt? Does the member want to try and change that into a question?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223b499a15a48e4caa8156ce90d1a4d8ec\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Is the member saying that it is inappropriate in some way for the Opposition to ask serious questions about the speed and timeliness of the Government\u2019s response to this serious economic challenge for this country?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002243b284b0807f4845a1946e6d955517c0\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Far from it. The Opposition is entitled to ask serious questions. Where we have concerns is where people contribute to panic-buying type responses, where we hear from the Opposition a fixation on wanting to attach blame for an issue that, quite clearly, is driven by a global health crisis. What New Zealanders want is for all of us to be focused on how we assist people through this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263299dd11c064332b2856a42ecd8f1c7\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: And is it not important, as we deal with a serious economic challenge, that we acknowledge the real situation of the New Zealand economy prior to coronavirus taking place, and focus on how we come out of this stronger at the end?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220afe498a21674587ac0946e401acc9ea\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I have been answering those questions, and I think I\u2019ve given a number of examples of why we had solid momentum. I wonder if the member might like to reflect on the editorial in today\u2019s Dominion Post, where in response to his claim that the minimum wage should not be increased the Dominion Post said, \u201CThere is an opportunism in calling for measures that would hit the poorest [Kiwis] hardest at a time when \u2026 Government and \u2026 opposition should be bigger than party politics. Putting wage rises for the worst-off on hold is not being in it together.\u201D Perhaps the member would like to reflect on those words.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f85c285ff1d4f26a87b14f8ce40a7e5\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Will any wage subsidy to businesses desperately affected by the outbreak for full-time workers arrive before or after the Government insists those same businesses pay minimum wage workers an extra $48 a week?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225bf4f5cde2ca4de7a7f9e6228a10f4a3\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: As I said, details of that will be announced next week. We will move as fast as is practicably possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d97dc32a372a4bd19db3aff467a22aae\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u0022122fc491632640b2b52f2be083c6b72f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022122fc491632640b2b52f2be083c6b72f\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What does the recent World Health Organization pandemic declaration mean for New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u002299ff46ef74fe4b15a7feca87b91f6a1f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002299ff46ef74fe4b15a7feca87b91f6a1f\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E New Zealand has been effectively dealing with COVID-19 as a pandemic for some time. We\u2019ve been working from our comprehensive and longstanding pandemic plan since January and have taken early and decisive action to protect New Zealanders. As the Director-General of the World Health Organization said this morning, \u201CDescribing the situation as a pandemic \u2026 doesn\u2019t change what countries should do.\u201D What it does do, however, is send the strongest possible message to people the world over to take the threat from COVID-19 incredibly seriously and act accordingly. I ask all New Zealanders to play their part in this response.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229518d20ca00747a8bc1ce164de34c68a\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: How are measures at New Zealand\u2019s border helping to protect the public, and will they be strengthened in response to the declaration of a pandemic?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bfa6607234a4e4dabbf52fab68a3ab0\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: In response to COVID-19, New Zealand already has some of the strongest travel restrictions in the world. Just yesterday, Cabinet agreed to extend the requirement for people arriving in New Zealand to go into self-isolation to cover all of Italy. This is on top of the same requirement for arrivals from South Korea and the wider travel ban covering Iran and China. We have consistently taken early and decisive action at the border to keep COVID-19 at bay, and that has helped keep the number of confirmed cases low by international standards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfd16fbf391643fe91846f857f2797c7\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: How can the public help in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3e3dc9249b64ee287bd68c2489a242c\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: My message to the public is that we all have a part to play. Help keep everyone safe. Stay home if you feel unwell, wash your hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds, and don\u2019t forget to dry them. Don\u2019t share your germs: cough or sneeze into your elbow, or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues. These simple steps that we can all take, alongside good public health measures such as contact tracing, are the best way to fight COVID-19.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b81e27d8cbc4e948baeae13d70b37a3\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Has he seen reports that the United States of America has closed its borders to the whole of Europe for 30 days; and, if so, has he sought advice on what response New Zealand should take in order to maintain what he describes as the toughest border protections in the world?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d5092cc8e9d45bf9965a5f6a72c00df\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I have seen that news come through in the last five minutes, and I would note that, daily, we are getting updates on the situation in Europe, in the United States, and across the world as this situation develops. The important thing here is that we are nimble. We have acted early and decisively. That has bought us the extra time to plan, to make sure that we are learning from the science internationally about what works in containing the disease, because we know we will continue to get sporadic cases arriving here, and we are daily reviewing that advice and getting new advice and taking action.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002252bb7365138241dcb13ce9517bdc458d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Housing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022 data-id=\u002245b8e58c1f0f4a36b191809871974caa\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002245b8e58c1f0f4a36b191809871974caa\u0022\u003EHon JUDITH COLLINS (National\u2014Papakura)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Housing: Is she confident that she is fronting up in her housing portfolio?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022 data-id=\u00224f8554552a6e49ef847e7d8639450719\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224f8554552a6e49ef847e7d8639450719\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Housing):\u003C/span\u003E Yes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226878cc297033484e8a9439a4e2367b22\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: When she said in September last year with regard to the housing dashboard \u201CI\u2019m happy to front up every month and I will.\u201D, what did she mean by fronting up every month?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf3a9cbdc79a4b4a9f6420e61b77cb8b\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: What I meant is exactly what we\u2019ve done: that we would put that dashboard up for everybody to see and happy to discuss it with anyone who asks questions, which I do every month.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229cfc4dc40c1641e6a5580c280f933e14\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Why has she only issued one press release on the housing dashboard since she promised last year that she would front up every month?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286c791975c2b4f8aab9d004d2bc30d72\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: The dashboard is placed on the website every month, as we said it would be. I never proposed to issue a press statement about putting up a dashboard. We regard that as business as usual. I save press releases for when we make milestones such as building more State houses than any Government since the 1970s.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7e81e0da8fe4bc892c1cffb18bb434e\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Does she think her department putting the dashboard on its website, without any press release or fanfare, is the same as a Minister fronting up? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b615d9f2e54e4ba3abbe0d3232cc0f4b\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022270764809b164bc18afc0f053a13e8df\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Then why would she be the Minister instead of her chief executive?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234cdde4d10604435a6e799af8f375301\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, that\u2019s an ironic question. The member can ask\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a99a79c84c7d4755a039ccb4651969e5\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: How will we then know when she\u2019s fronting up, as opposed to her department fronting up?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002237a99b65-4919-4800-830d-3dd7c920d5cd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260b916f5e1ec48489ba730f5be61ef9d\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: The member, every month, can go and have a look on a website. She can see how we\u2019re performing across a range of indicators in housing. This is what we said we would do and we have done it every month since we said we would do it. There is complete transparency over housing numbers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b56bf623cf7344d3ae7064095ec9fb4e\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Must be desperate for questions today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0b93f055725484e96856edf5e029b35\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002286b5b544b1714b3687d946f2d2d7d54d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u0022e7c296b217bd4c7aa96ae18af75921aa\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e7c296b217bd4c7aa96ae18af75921aa\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his answer in oral question 10 yesterday regarding those in the mosh pit at the Tool concert on 28 February that \u201CThose people who were in that situation have been identified as casual contacts\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u00223ac2a723935e4db9a54414ad9bfd5c9d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223ac2a723935e4db9a54414ad9bfd5c9d\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, because that is the advice of the public health experts\u2014the doctors and scientists who understand the science of communicable disease transmission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227416dd09ca3743c6bbd1a4bcfd5fb9b2\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: What is the definition of a \u201Cclose contact\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248c5b36aa4a54955a0fa9e7c2bc49b37\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: A close contact is someone who is within about a metre and a half, for more than 15 minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f56e2088e93742bc8913f06788141a41\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Given that answer, does he really believe patrons in the mosh pit and close to the affected patron were considered \u201Ccasual contacts\u201D, given the concert lasted several hours?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022341410b8fe714d279b51aec697aaa7ea\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not going to second-guess the clinical judgment of scientific experts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa5194672dde432e9acc29b0ccf8844b\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Has he ever been in a mosh pit?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002272b598088406427eb10946fec8864c97\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not clear how that really is relevant, given that we\u2019re talking about clinical expert advice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292afd8ba9c6346e3ad6b8a7f117ada5d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, I was a bit slow to get on my feet. I can\u2019t imagine it being within the ministerial responsibility of the Minister of Health to be in a mosh pit. [Interruption] We\u2019ve had a question and answer, go on to another one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f05c1bd5a8cc49bbac206b6201927bdb\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Has he seen reports that mosh pits are hot, sweaty, close contact situations that can last for hours and, in an upcoming event, will go all night? [Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224dd07b7d4a194b3a89e89505fb91faa0\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Settle\u2014settle. No, the member will\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022297c84ce718e436598d41bbb50c32415\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary question?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222bae32231dd04941a756aa41879c0a9c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, no. We don\u2019t want any further development\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c3b01935e9ea49d0b09126a1fb3ccd50\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Yes you do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228de701fefb143329d26439be66204bb\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I certainly do not. I think members need to ignore the double entendre, and we\u2019ll have the question answered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dca269986aa94d288c8903e0c4af5375\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I think what\u2019s important here is actually not sensationalising the situation, but listening to the public health experts. I have seen language used by the Opposition in that regard. I would prefer that we focused on what the scientists and the doctors are saying.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002267bf5820cd294ceb9cb53732d7248637\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm reports that a Northland man who attended the concert is now sick and being tested for COVID-19; and, if so, has this caused him to revisit his assumption about whether concert attendees were casual contacts?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e519ed1193542c8b2773bc60d8fdff9\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I have seen reports of a couple who have done exactly what public health experts would suggest they do. In that case, there was a notification put out about the Tool concert, precisely so that anybody who was there with concerns would take the appropriate action and self-monitor. This couple self-isolated, if I\u2019ve read the information correctly. They then contacted Healthline, then they got tested, and I want to thank them for being good examples of what a good response to public health information looks like.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002293e7d40c48de4fa4b0e1a07d33006c7b\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: What advice would he give to people considering attending events like the Pasifika Festival or the Christchurch memorial this weekend in light of the COVID-19 outbreak?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c481752b988b4bfc9969d571c901a2a7\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: No one in the world can give any absolute guarantees in the current environment, but I can remind the member that we\u2019ve only had five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. There is no evidence of a community transmission outside of family members in New Zealand, but of course we are constantly reviewing the situation based on the advice of scientists, doctors, and experts, and I\u2019ll be expecting further advice on this today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022214902ba316f41ea8c328022eeb9c213\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014ACC\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022cc9d21d0bc3e4baab8c79b8ba399cb2a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cc9d21d0bc3e4baab8c79b8ba399cb2a\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for ACC: Will he consider reviewing Schedule 2 of the Accident Compensation Act 2001 so that it can include exposure to dangerous substances such as PCP and dioxins?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022 data-id=\u002207b4d15573714b6484f0d7a8a5ed5332\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002207b4d15573714b6484f0d7a8a5ed5332\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for ACC):\u003C/span\u003E I have already instructed officials to work on a system that allows for regular reviews of Schedule 2. Schedule 2 was last updated in 2008 and a review is long overdue. Schedule 2, however, is not the only pathway to cover for workplace illnesses. Workers can apply for cover using the gradual process tests set out in section 30 of the Act. I encourage workers who believe their illnesses have been caused by workplace exposures to discuss this with medical professionals and consider making a claim.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d3bbfddf26349b387e783f61ac7fab9\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree that the exposure of sawmill workers to dangerous substances in their workplace has resulted in ongoing health issues, illness, and early death?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022832e8801bfca40ff9661f2e5503293ed\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I agree that the chemicals in pentachlorophenol (PCP) are dangerous. That is why the industry stopped using them in 1988. A number of claims have been accepted by ACC for PCP exposure, suggesting that in those cases, health issues were related to its use.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002204f7a3e0d8cb40faadb6871891d68ffa\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Minister continue the good work initiated by the previous Labour Government in supporting sawmill workers exposed to PCP, dioxins, and furans by ensuring the Act meets the needs of this group of timber workers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eeb785348b324463a1db92b9a1b03464\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: As I said in my primary answer, I have already instructed officials to work on a system that allows for regular reviews of Schedule 2. I would note that the timber workers who have received support from ACC got that support under the existing scheme, and, of course, the health system continues to support all New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022369cbb5e9277491a82ec673badbed29d\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister consider it inconsistent that the Government recognises the damage PCP, dioxins, and furans cause to working people by specific targeted health services but not by including them transparently in the accident compensation system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222904d3bfe52e42149e86328755d6fdc1\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: Well, respectfully, I disagree with the premise of the member\u2019s question. Workplace exposure to PCP, dioxins, and furans is covered by the ACC system. I am advised that since 1992, ACC has received 127 claims for PCP exposure. Of those claims, 64 were approved and 63 were declined.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002220aabd1826934cd7b4d5295c81b0d3f2\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014Transport\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u00223bbfd88cb68e48ea828e2a6dda7c4763\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223bbfd88cb68e48ea828e2a6dda7c4763\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Transport: When will Cabinet consider any recommendations from the Ministry of Transport arising from the twin-track process for Auckland light rail, and what is his best-case estimate of when construction could start?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00220004bdc606e24ea6870cd0d19cfea69a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220004bdc606e24ea6870cd0d19cfea69a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Transport: On behalf of the Minister of Transport, I intend to take proposals to Cabinet within the next two to three months. As I\u2019ve stated on Tuesday, I\u2019ve not yet received advice on a specific date for construction to start.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228afcdfc90ef46a48ad4488207c6840e\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Why has Cabinet not considered the recommendations from the Ministry of Transport on Auckland light rail when he has said previously they would do so in February 2020?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd7596a8750c457d97fedc48da53512f\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, because I haven\u2019t taken those proposals to Cabinet yet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa70ea1f11904d3f9e6d97b0eb7c61e6\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Why has he not taken those proposals to Cabinet yet?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236bbcad8b8d840cc8eed454452f5c396\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Because I\u2019ve not been in a position to do so yet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed85eefada4d44a7b1cff6b4664a1e31\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Can he guarantee that Cabinet will consider the recommendations from the Ministry of Transport before the election?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b493138f17ce4057be03435fcb915971\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m reasonably confident, yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229122d8efa8c48c2863d91538c5023bb\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon Shane Jones, expressed to him his reservations about the Auckland light rail project; and, if so, what did he say?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b1eeaae2e6249678d6e504eab37b9ce\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member can rephrase that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7860a1403f64df28e2da2734ce1e22a\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Any reservations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222169d3183c364181ada5c78a06f70157\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Very good advice from the Hon Judith Collins. She understands these matters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d88b78a6b78441c19a4ba44a24a0aaf3\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: I thought I actually said \u201Cany\u201D\u2014oh, sorry, Mr Speaker. Has the Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon Shane Jones, expressed to him any reservations about the Auckland light rail project; and, if so, what did he say?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eba7c5136331499491453c473e0e9db4\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Discussions amongst the Government\u2019s coalition and confidence and supply partners is part of the process of preparing advice to Cabinet. I have not yet finalised the advice to Cabinet. Those discussions will be reflected in the advice that I do eventually give to Cabinet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c06d817f7d2e4a58a85ad714697e742a\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Is he aware of any recent correspondence from members of Parliament representing New Zealand First relating to their views on the Auckland light rail project, and does he know what that correspondence says?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a942653ca134336925d6de06584eb07\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not in a position to be able to give answers on that level of specificity, on behalf of the member, other than to say that of course the Minister is engaged with discussions with the coalition and confidence and supply partners in the Government. Those discussions are ongoing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226376fe9fd2984e3aba6166fc89c1128e\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Will light rail be complete, to Mount Roskill, by 2021?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7df49187e00448b8ed68e2ba5f7095e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, I\u2019ve already made it clear that that won\u2019t be the case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002244afe6902dc143a8acf4519b56230b66\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014Fisheries\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022 data-id=\u002269f8809277054663a4fdfd46f436a60d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002269f8809277054663a4fdfd46f436a60d\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Fisheries: What reports has he seen about market disruption to the seafood industry as a consequence of COVID-19?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022af37d846b0a945b28443e95de9bd5789\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022af37d846b0a945b28443e95de9bd5789\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Fisheries):\u003C/span\u003E In early February, off the back of reports that the rock lobster industry, which exports 99 percent of the live lobster export to China, would be hardest hit, the Government moved quickly. I agreed that fishery officials could allow a limited release of rock lobster back into the wild. The decision affected those fishers who had live crayfish in holding pots at sea and some held in tanks on land, subject to biosecurity measures. I also recently agreed to allow some of this year\u2019s uncaught rock lobster harvest to be carried forward to the next fishing year, which runs from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. These are two examples of tangible action that we are leading by example in our response to this global issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f95381cbc3104bacbcc8bc44b593ebf1\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: What reports has he had from the regions, such as Wairarapa, in reaction to the Government\u2019s action to mitigate the disruption on the fishing industry as a consequence of COVID-19?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f12f1772873e4855be5cf739c1539f47\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Primary producers and exporters with diverse markets seem to be in strong shape to deal with the disruptions caused by COVID-19. I was in Nelson this week with other Ministers, and firsthand reports from fisheries and winemaking sectors give good insights about what they are seeing on the ground. For example, Sealord says that as a deep-sea fishing company specialising in frozen products, it\u2019s had minimal disruptions to date. New Zealand King Salmon says that product originally destined for China has gone to markets in North America and Europe instead, and this is the benefit of a diverse marketing strategy. They also are noticing a pick-up in orders from China, which they say appears to be \u201Cback open for business\u201D. Winemakers, no doubt in Wairarapa as well as Nelson, are looking at a bumper crop and their biggest headache is the perennial issue of seasonal workers for the harvest.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d71124acade24811b2f5810be4da26e5\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: What other reports has he seen about the impact of COVID-19 disruption on the wider fishing industry?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226c94ec73cde34355aa82646549575fb3\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: The impact of COVID-19 disruptions on the rock lobster industry will be clear in the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) forecast, due out shortly, which estimates a 2.2 percent fall in seafood export revenue. Despite the collapse of the rock lobster market in China, there is room for the wider seafood industry to be optimistic. Aquaculture earnings continue to grow and are expected to increase by more than 10 percent in the current financial year. The SOPI will also note that prices remain strong for hoki, there is high demand for squid, and salmon and mussel exports are growing. Anecdotal reports from our largest fishing port in Nelson also show that seafood exporters with diverse markets have had minimal disruptions from COVID-19. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229957fd5de4ec47b7b4afd03ef64d0a43\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Police\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022 data-id=\u0022726867929460459086b6601251f45bd1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022726867929460459086b6601251f45bd1\u0022\u003EBRETT HUDSON (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Police: Is he confident the Government\u2019s policies are keeping people safe?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022cd3dc03c30cb4401aaa211c55236b07c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd3dc03c30cb4401aaa211c55236b07c\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, especially our decision to almost double the number of fog cannons installed in small businesses like dairies, superettes, and police stations. After I changed the criteria, we have installed more than 500 of these crime prevention devices, and we\u2019re on track for around 1,000. Aggravated robberies of commercial premises are at their lowest level in five years thanks to this fog cannon initiative. Extra police resources have also enabled record seizures of methamphetamine\u20141.8 tonnes in 2019\u2014and meth use in the population is now down by 17 percent. To all those watching at home, and I know a few of them, these are just a couple of examples of the initiative from the true Government of law and order. [Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d752a584fb14474b0ad0640b9f90c9a\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Why have victimisations\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d01bb6a8ba2a4293be8790a0b7801de8\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! No, I\u2019m going to get the member to start again. I\u2019m going to ask Judith Collins to stop her comments.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226782a80cb8044c348dfe000dbeda1432\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Why have victimisations risen by over 26,000 in the 12 months to the end of January 2020?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b04a06d4ce8645a0b10c4d27f2d2b93f\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: More police gives people greater confidence that when they report to police the police will actually do something to address their concerns, but can I give you a couple of examples, please. The introduction of the new family harm legislation in December 2018 led to an increase in the number of serious assaults reported to police in 2019. Family violence is notoriously under-reported, and police are working hard to make a difference for victims and prevent reoffending by perpetrators. There is also increasing demand for police to respond to callouts that aren\u2019t crimes, like mental health and road policing. In last year\u2019s Budget, Minister Clark allocated $1.9 billion to mental health and addiction services. Under this Government, we rebuilt road policing that had been cut by 111 police under the previous Government. Just two examples of why they may have increased.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8f2669b592c4d74abe2f474e9f6af61\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Why, then, have victimisations for property crime risen by over 21,000 in the 12 months to the end of January 2020?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4144b8e78674d7583a5f9b17b88f807\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: That member is very good with some stats, so let me give him a few of my own: 2,000 new police, 1,000 fog cannons, 17 percent drop in meth use, $100 million in seized assets and cash\u201480 percent from drugs, gangs, and organised crime. This is the true Government of law and order that is working incredibly hard to keep people safe and prevent crime in our community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002204fbe9c7579f480aaf24352575c15877\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Why, given the number of new police the Minister claims, have victimisations for property crime risen by over 21,000 in the 12 months to the end of January 2020?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292a95e26d4634237a67d0e0b94074baa\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Those aren\u2019t claims; those are the facts. But let me give you one example. A construction boom\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d568cc27d25841288352cfa68cdd0c3a\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e7c72063a534a6e9f4e2a45bc8d046f\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Would you like me to? OK, thank you. A construction boom and increased housing developments have also seen an increase in dwelling burglaries from residential building sites. Burglars often steal property for sale to feed a drug habit, but thanks to Dr Clark, we have put $1.9 billion to deal with mental health and addiction services. Two thousand new police into our communities are doing a hell of a lot to prevent crime and keep our communities safe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc160e8e94fc49669dceee3fd06d6eb1\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Does it concern him, then, that burglary victimisations have increased by 7.2 percent in the 12 months to the end of January 2020; and, if so, what does he say to the victims of burglaries under this Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5b21629566049b4aaed1225a6151980\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll let that member know what concerns me. There is a bill before this House which will significantly increase penalties for gun crime, and it will keep guns out of the hands of gangs, and that party is not supporting it. That is what concerns me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb68ebba2adc4611b442454300bd4e0c\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Does he believe that the fact that new gang members outnumber the incremental increase of front-line police officers under this Government is helping to make New Zealanders safer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7d1f4cd2c7c4d56a6ddea0a53757f9e\u0022\u003EHon Andrew Little\u003C/span\u003E: That member did nothing about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022547b85a607ec46cf887916f7ccd12cd7\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: In 2011, the Australian gangs became\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022294c67c9599f49b8a0830a1f73be7830\u0022\u003EHon Andrew Little\u003C/span\u003E: They did nothing about it. Lowest under that Government\u2014did nothing about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c2fd8cafe1f3451db1d9edfe9158f997\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Yes, occasionally, Mr Little, you answer on behalf of the Minister of Police. That occurs when he\u2019s not here. I think in this particular supplementary question you\u2019ve done more of the addressing of the question than he has\u2014not that that\u2019s always a high test.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221457ff0792e34ec18e4ed64059fd0568\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: And I would like to thank Mr Little for his support in this, because I know he\u2019s passionate about what we\u2019re doing in the criminal justice sector. What I would say\u2014what I would say\u2014is these gangs became entrenched in 2011; the next year police numbers dropped by 150. In the last three years of the previous Government, as gangs grew, meth became entrenched, and crime got out of control, police numbers dropped. Under this Government, thanks to New Zealand First support, we have trained 2,000 new police into our communities, and I\u2019m incredibly proud of the work they do to keep our communities safe and prevent harm.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f4f841ed0f140fb840acb9f62107f9d\u0022\u003EHon James Shaw\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister believe that loosening the Government\u2019s proposed gun laws to make it easier for gangs to get guns will keep New Zealanders safe?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022baeff393a6a648aea2713902d635b45d\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a very good point. There is a bill before Parliament which will significantly increase penalties for gun crime, and it will keep guns out of the hands of the gangs. However, that party\u2014the Opposition\u2014is not supporting it, and I can\u2019t for the life of me figure out why.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002269899b13ef604233b50e7293152bd958\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014M\u0101ori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u002292a0695e403a46b584a95be09c9d6837\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002292a0695e403a46b584a95be09c9d6837\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (National\u2014Whangarei)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for M\u0101ori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he stand by all his statements and actions around the Tuia 250 data breach?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u002228a87b7f8fb84dd886dd2d64e92b01d0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002228a87b7f8fb84dd886dd2d64e92b01d0\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for M\u0101ori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Yes, in the context they were made and taken.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d28479f0b0284a31a00f95e88534929a\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Why were data-breached gun licences left off Tuia 250 media briefings and never made public until it was brought into the public domain yesterday? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022073640ef5d044c61bb82fe7ea8fde221\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: There are a number of forms of ID that required replacement after the breach had occurred. The majority of IDs were drivers\u2019 licences and passports. As the member has stated, there were three firearms licences. There were also one medical certificate and six New Zealand resident visas. But the reference was made to the certificate or the documentation that was most prominent, and that was drivers\u2019 licences and, as I said, passports.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002279482673ad7d449baea9aebbac4ac90d\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Were data-breached gun licences withheld from the public because of concerns for gun register legislation following a few weeks later?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ae030bb6eaf4f22a4e4c61e1c02cbdf\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234d471d44d0242658d93b50e103c4083\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: On the Tuesday after the data breach, did ministry officials write to a private secretary in Jacinda Ardern\u2019s office seeking urgent attention around why gun licences were not revealed to the media?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a86f2c0cbe354261a3f7edea7717b5bf\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: I am not aware of any correspondence of that nature.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259a1eaf303fa43a08559bb84377e8db5\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table an email from ministry officials to a private secretary in Jacinda Ardern\u2019s office that came to me under an Official Information Act request in my name.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224dc500db09d42e3b0842a128530fe83\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Has that been publicly made available as well as to the member?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c564461af260450a8774b1d75e9c738d\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Not to my knowledge. It came directly to me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002276bb539b165c43f7a03da6d4723c877d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that being tabled? There appears to be none. It may be tabled.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002272de1600fccc4631acc2e9919c13545a\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: Did officials, including a private secretary in Jacinda Ardern\u2019s office, ever convey to her that gun licences had been data-breached and withheld from media briefings?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229bc6020f082544bc9304478e1365c6b4\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Not that I am aware of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc51439ae17e45e399fbcb871a3c7dba\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: What other Tuia 250 data breach information has never been made public? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc60b6c500824cf6886309c6e8457a46\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: I think that the information regarding certificates or information that was caught up in the breach has been made public via written questions, I believe, and, as I said earlier, the vast majority were passport information and drivers\u2019 licences, but there were also six school IDs, five New Zealand resident visas, three firearms licences, and one medical certificate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218c0340ec7a84c36bf529b748b0ee40f\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table documentation through to me on an Official Information Act request showing medical information was also data-breached, and a Parliamentary Library report showing that\u2019s never come into public domain. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297750e9dcf3d4c29bf7c86f0a0e20e5a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: And\u2014sorry? And?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002288a566f5a28b417fb16ff96d50b81dbb\u0022\u003EDr Shane Reti\u003C/span\u003E: A Parliamentary Library report confirming that information has never come into public domain. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222cc459656192467db56a9786667126fc\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well\u2014[Interruption] Sorry? [Interruption] I\u2019m going to put it to the House, although I\u2019m not sure of the library\u2019s ability to ever provide such a certificate accurately. I mean, you can\u2019t prove a negative, Dr Reti. Is there any objection to those documents being tabled? There appears to be none. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EDocuments, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222772f5b855cf4d4da81f68cc69447269\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Housing (Public Housing)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022 data-id=\u002249426ee04d454de49606597143da45f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002249426ee04d454de49606597143da45f1\u0022\u003EANAHILA KANONGATA\u2019A-SUISUIKI (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): How is the Government making sure that New Zealanders who rent live in warm, dry, and secure housing?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u00227366c6cb38354b92b1c53eb4bec3ba00\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227366c6cb38354b92b1c53eb4bec3ba00\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)):\u003C/span\u003E This Government believes that the over 600,000 households who live in rented homes should be living in places that are warm, dry, and secure. This is why we have introduced changes in the healthy homes guarantee, and also our reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act. I have recently seen some unfortunate commentary that the new standards are burdensome and unnecessary, but the Government disagrees. We do disagree because the Ministry of Health has said that 6,000 children are admitted every year for housing-sensitive hospitalisations, and these children have been found to be nearly four times more likely to be re-hospitalised and 10 times more likely to die in the following 10 years. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d66088d5e75b4e7898d3733e8dd5a86f\u0022\u003EAnahila Kanongata\u2019a-Suisuiki\u003C/span\u003E: Why is the Government limiting rent rises to once every 12 months? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286347ca3ad6e4dfe8e3a2daddab3da40\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: The Government is limiting rent increases to once every 12 months and is also banning the solicitation of rental bids by landlords. We\u2019re doing this because we think renters should be able to have some certainty over costs in a 12-month period. This is a balanced approach, because we also recognise that landlords have to be able to manage their assets appropriately. Again, we\u2019ve seen some unfortunate commentary that this policy should go on some kind of regulatory bonfire. This is unfortunate, because more and more New Zealanders are renting in retirement, and we should give them a sense of security and predictability with their costs. These people are often on fixed incomes, and the unpredictability of rent rises that others seem to be advocating for will only lead to their financial insecurity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b67119559bdc4bef946be7eda1fc23ce\u0022\u003EAnahila Kanongata\u2019a-Suisuiki\u003C/span\u003E: Why is the Government allowing tenants to make minor fittings to their rental homes? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5ba9a5f2eef4348a9becb03243cfe19\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: We are making rental properties safer and more livable by letting tenants add minor fittings such as brackets to secure furniture against earthquake risks, and to baby-proof properties, and installing visual fire alarms for those who are hearing-impaired. I find any commentary that suggests the hearing-impaired would need to jump through hoops to install visual fire alarms quite troubling and the product of a dark, nasty, and insensitive place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022abccf6ca77864b8aa5544d49924ef85e\u0022\u003EAnahila Kanongata\u2019a-Suisuiki\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Government introduce the healthy homes standards? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ad43b46875c04866bdaa022c5232d87a\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: We introduced these standards because we know that in New Zealand nearly 600,000 households are renting and 43 percent of children live in rented accommodation, and we know that our rental stock is of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes. We did this for tenants because we know they should be living in healthy homes. The standards go a long way toward making rental homes healthier for tenants, and they do this by requiring all rental homes to have a heater that can heat the main living area to 18 degrees Celsius and making sure that all rental homes have proper insulation. Again, we are disappointed to see recent commentary that suggested obligations to provide rental homes that keep people out of hospital were somehow onerous. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022fb5a7d18312f43e4a9e31deb772429d4\u0022\u003EAhuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d1a02d2c02f54d82930048f7b592d033\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022 data-id=\u0022e5c543ddddda4bc09b6ae928fa6de306\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e5c543ddddda4bc09b6ae928fa6de306\u0022\u003EHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee to consider the Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to extend a very special welcome to the people of Ahuriri hap\u016B who are with us at Parliament today to hear the first reading of their settlement bill. Ahuriri hap\u016B, iwi, rau rangatira m\u0101. Ko aku mihi atu ki a koutou, nau mai, haere mai.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E[Hap\u016B, iwi, and leaders of Ahuriri. I would like to acknowledge you all; welcome, welcome.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI particularly want to welcome the kaum\u0101tua and kuia who honour us today with their presence. For decades they have worked tirelessly to ensure Ahuriri hap\u016B\u2019s voice has been heard by the Crown. I regret that many kaum\u0101tua\u2014and in particular, Rururarau Heitia Hiha\u2014have passed on before they could bear witness to this bill\u2019s first reading. Piki mai, haere mai, ki a koutou. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003ESince the Wai 55 claim was lodged in 1998, Ahuriri hap\u016B have been resolute in achieving this milestone. Thirty-two years later, the Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill has begun its passage through this House. Mana Ahuriri Incorporated received its mandate to negotiate the settlement of these claims in 2010. Since then, the Ahuriri hap\u016B negotiation team never lost sight of the future it envisions for its people\u2014a future where each member of the iwi knows and appreciates their history, where their language flourishes, and where iwi members thrive economically and socially. Through long days and many nights, the Ahuriri hap\u016B negotiation team of Piriniha Prentice, Joinella Maihi-Carroll, and Barry Wilson have progressed the negotiations for the Ahuriri hap\u016B settlement. To the negotiation team, I acknowledge your mahi and the mahi of those who have supported you, and I congratulate you on your achievement today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also like to acknowledge the work of the Crown team, led by chief Crown negotiator the Hon Paul Swain, with support from Te Arawhiti, the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, the Ministry of Education, Te Puni K\u014Dkiri, and the Ministry for the Environment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EBefore I move on to detail the features of this bill, I\u2019d like to acknowledge the long history between Ahuriri hap\u016B and the Crown which makes this settlement necessary. When the Treaty was signed in 1840, Ahuriri hap\u016B envisioned a partnership with the Crown. However, as has so often been the case in our history, this aspiration was not realised, as the Crown repeatedly breached its obligations under the Treaty. Ahuriri hap\u016B did not receive the full ongoing benefits from European settlement that the Crown led them to expect when in 1851 they agreed to sell the Ahuriri block for the price that the Crown offered. After Ahuriri hap\u016B did agree to sell the Ahuriri block, the Crown failed to ensure adequate reserves were protected in their ownership. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe Crown also negotiated to purchase contested lands in Hawke\u2019s Bay, despite being aware that its approach to land purchase negotiations was provoking tensions that might lead to conflict among M\u0101ori who asserted interests in the blocks. In 1857, these tensions led to armed conflict among Hawke\u2019s Bay M\u0101ori, including some of the Ahuriri hap\u016B. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EDespite the Crown\u2019s actions, there was no fighting between the Crown and M\u0101ori in Ahuriri before 1866. However, in 1866, the Crown initiated hostilities when its forces attacked M\u0101ori at \u014Cmarunui and Herepoho and, as a result, 30 M\u0101ori died defending themselves against Crown attacks, which were launched before the Crown made a reasonable attempt to negotiate a continuation of peace in the district. The Crown captured Ng\u0101ti Matep\u016B and Ng\u0101ti M\u0101hu individuals during this conflict and imprisoned them on the Chatham Islands without trial, in harsh conditions, for two years. After the wars, the combined effect of Crown land-purchasing and the native land laws contributed to Ahuriri hap\u016B being virtually landless by 1930. This had a devastating impact on their cultural, social, and economic wellbeing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThis bill gives effect to the deed of settlement signed in 2016. There have been delays to the introduction of this bill, and it\u2019s regrettable that it has taken this long. The processes have been worked through, and as a result of the Waitangi Tribunal decision at the end of last year, we\u2019ve been able to reach agreement on the basis of which we could bring this bill to the House, and it is now here. Mana Ahuriri Trust has given an undertaking that it will hold elections before this bill is finally enacted, and that has enabled us to bring the bill to the House and to send it to the select committee and put it through its stages. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill includes redress designed to aid Ahuriri hap\u016B on their journey to achieve their aspirations. In particular, I\u2019d like to draw attention to Te Muriwai o Te Whanga, the Napier estuary. Following the devastating 1931 Napier earthquake, Te Whanga was reclaimed, dredged, and heavily polluted. The Crown recognises the role of Ahuriri hap\u016B as kaitiaki of Te Whanga. For Ahuriri hap\u016B, Te Muriwai o Te Whanga is a taonga of great significance and they are committed to healing the damage that has been done to it and restoring it to its previous condition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThe Ahuriri hap\u016B settlement seeks to do this, with this bill establishing a permanent statutory committee called Te Komiti Muriwai o Te Whanga, which will be led by Ahuriri hap\u016B. The purpose of Te Komiti is to provide guidance and coordination in the management of Te Whanga to local authorities and Crown agencies that exercise functions in relation to the Te Whanga. This is an important opportunity to have the estuary restored as a place where the people of Napier can go to enjoy its beauty and receive physical and spiritual sustenance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s also a number of sites of cultural significance being returned to Ahuriri hap\u016B, including Heipipi Pa and Pakake. The settlement provides financial and commercial redress for Ahuriri hap\u016B, including $19.5 million in financial and commercial redress. Although no settlement can ever fully compensate for losses\u2014in this case, for Ahuriri hap\u016B for the prejudice they have suffered as a result of the Crown\u2019s actions and inactions and omissions\u2014the introduction of this bill heralds the entry into a renewed relationship. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003EThis has been a long and testing road to get to this point in the settlement process, but now we can step forward and, as the Waitangi Tribunal recommended, proceed with urgency. I therefore propose the bill proceed without delay to the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee. I commend this bill to the House. N\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022 data-id=\u0022783bf4fec876424cb938149e87d976ad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022783bf4fec876424cb938149e87d976ad\u0022\u003EJOANNE HAYES (National):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora. E koro m\u0101, e kui m\u0101, e rau rangatira m\u0101, e ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Ahuriri, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou. Nau mai, haere mai ki te r\u0101 whakahirahira.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E[Hello there. To the elders, leaders, the hap\u016B of Ahuriri, greetings. Welcome; welcome to this important occasion.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EIt is my pleasure to stand on the first reading of the Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill today. As the Minister has eloquently laid out the historical events that have led to today, I just wanted to add a few more details around the historical events that led us to today. As the Minister said, in 1851 the Crown did actually dupe Ahuriri hap\u016B into parting with their lands. The Crown paid \u00A3500 for those lands. They promised many things to look after the reserves and they didn\u2019t. And really, at the end of the day, that\u2019s where it all started to unravel. By 1866, as the Minister said, the Crown attacked armed M\u0101ori at \u014Cmarunui and Herepoho, and 86 of those M\u0101ori that were captured were sent to the Chatham Islands for two years\u2014very similar to what happened in Parihaka. By 1870, the Crown and private parties\u2014so we\u2019re thinking non-M\u0101ori, mainly\u2014had acquired 51,000 acres. Approximately 54,000 acres were awarded to Ahuriri hap\u016B individuals under the 10-owner rule. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EFrom 1867 through to 1873, more legislation was introduced on M\u0101ori land titles that was to better reflect the owner, but between 1870 and 1900, Ahuriri M\u0101ori protested land issues through the repudiation and the kotahitanga movements. By 1874, the Crown set aside Te Whanganui-\u0101-Orotu as an endowment for the Napier Harbour Board. Unfortunately, Ahuriri hap\u016B were not put on that board. As the Minister laid out, the changes in 1931\u2014the Napier earthquakes\u2014saw those lands drop from 9,500 acres down to 680 acres. So many things had happened in the whenua of Ahuriri hap\u016B. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThere are seven hap\u016B that comprise the Ahuriri claims: Ng\u0101ti Hinepare; Ng\u0101ti M\u0101hu; Ng\u0101ti Matep\u016B; Ng\u0101ti Paarau, which includes Ng\u0101i Tahu Ahi; Ng\u0101i T\u0101whao; Ng\u0101ti T\u016B; and Ng\u0101i Te Ruruku. Located in the Napier - Hawke\u2019s Bay region, Ahuriri faced monumental issues, like many iwi and hap\u016B, just to protect their lands and protect what they had from being taken over, from being stolen, and from being duped. Today, in this House, we stand to right some of those wrongs. As the Minister said, the compensation may not be really what is the real cost of what Ahuriri gave up, but it is a start. As part of some of those reparations, there is a cultural redress whereby $500,000 will be put into a kaitiaki fund; $15,000 for pouwhenua, of which the Ahuriri hap\u016B have a right to state where they want those pouwhenua to be placed; and, as the Minister said, $19.5 million for financial and commercial redress. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EThis bill also provides statutory acknowledgments, deeds of recognition, a Crown apology, and name changes to various sites. I just want to talk about a few of those name changes. So we\u2019re looking at the name changes of Bluff Hill, Hospital Hill, Napier Hill, and Scinde Island to Mataruahou; the mouth of Ngaruroro River, which is local use, to Te Ipu-o-Taraia; Perfume Point to Te Karaka; Sturms Gully to Karetoki Whare; the twin lakes in Kaweka Forest Park - Eastern Lake to Rotoroa; and the twin lakes in Kaweka Forest Park - Western Lake to Rototuna.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EAs I said in the start of my contribution here today on the first reading of this very important bill, and as a member of the Opposition on the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, today is a momentous day for ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Ahuriri. It is a momentous day for this House. As a member of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, I welcome it and all of the issues and the submissions that will come from our visit to your rohe, and I welcome it with open arms and open ears. Without any further ado, I commend the bill to the House. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u00224754f07a537c4c8683f0307170d70291\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224754f07a537c4c8683f0307170d70291\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Labour\u2014Te Tai Tonga):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Speaker. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, \u014Dku rangatira. Mana Ahuriri, ng\u0101 hap\u016B maha, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu nui tonu, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou. Nau mai whakatau mai. Nau mai whakatau mai ki Te Whare P\u0101remata, me k\u012B e kite an\u014D te raiona. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, \u0101e. Harikoa te ng\u0101kau kua tae mai koutou. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EKo Ng\u0101ti P\u0101hauwera t\u0113nei e t\u016B atu nei, e mihi atu nei ki a koutou. Ka hoki ng\u0101 mahara ki a r\u0101tou m\u0101, n\u0101 r\u0101tou i arahi, i k\u014Dkirihia t\u0113nei kaupapa. \u0100e, haere koutou, haere koutou, hoki wairua mai ki a t\u0101tou te kanohi ora e pae nei. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EE \u014Dku rangatira, rau rangatira m\u0101, huri rauna i t\u014D t\u0101tou Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E[Greetings, Madam Speaker. Greetings distinguished guests. The representatives of Ahuriri, the many hap\u016B, wider Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu, greetings. Welcome. Welcome to Parliament, come back to see the lion. Greetings to you all. I\u2019m happy you have arrived.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EThis is Ng\u0101ti P\u0101hauwera that stands before you, who acknowledges you. My thoughts go back to those who once lead this issue, who drove it forward. Farewell to you but also come back in spirit to us, the living.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ETo the leaders, to the distinguished assembly throughout our House, greetings, greetings to one and all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s an absolute delight for me to stand and tautoko this bill at its first reading, and I want to add my welcome to the wh\u0101nau of Mana Ahuriri and all the splendid hap\u016B\u2014the seven hap\u016B that make up Ahuriri who have travelled here today. They\u2019ve had a long wait\u2014they\u2019ve had a long wait to get to this stage. As Minister Little said, this has been a long journey. There have been many steps along the way which Mana Ahuriri have diligently followed\u2014working and making sure that everyone is taken every step of the way. And I\u2019m just delighted that we are able here today, in 2020\u2014it\u2019s been about four or five years since the deed was signed\u2014to start this last phase of this process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo I add my welcome and I want to acknowledge the contributions of all those that have been involved, in particular, the Hon Andrew Little, but also his predecessor, the Hon Christopher Finlayson, who I know was very much involved with Mana Ahuriri with this settlement. Likewise, from all sides, these are very important occasions, very historic occasions, and we get to do the good part by ushering through this legislation, which brings into effect those special documents that have been signed with the deed of settlement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo I want to acknowledge the history that underpins this legislation\u2014the history of the hap\u016B and the wh\u0101nau from Ahuriri. As has been traversed\u2014and I want to acknowledge the contribution from Joanne Hayes\u2014it is a story of Aotearoa, of the settlement of our country. All too typical\u2014all too typical, but that is the history. It all stems from, I guess, an insatiable desire for land, for the settlement of new lands of Aotearoa, and those interactions which took place between the tangata whenua and the settlement powers: the Crown of the day. And just as we\u2019ve done with the settlements across the Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2014whether it\u2019s Maungaharuru-Tangit\u016B, Ng\u0101ti P\u0101hauwera, and others\u2014Ahuriri were no different. They were impacted by Crown policies. They were basically hoodwinked into losing their whenua\u2014hoodwinked by the promise of opportunities, of the benefits of welcoming settlement in their areas. Unfortunately, that wasn\u2019t to be. The settlements\u2014yes they did take place, but the laws that were implemented, which were systematically designed to ensure that M\u0101ori lands were alienated, are a real regret and a stain, I guess, on us as a country. But the good thing is that we are here to acknowledge those wrongs of the past and to make some degree of redress to Ahuriri.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EIf you look at the Hawke\u2019s Bay, Napier: what a beautiful, beautiful part of the country, I\u2019m sure\u2014well represented too\u2014well represented by my wonderful colleagues here. It\u2019s a very thriving, beautiful part of Aotearoa\u2014whether it\u2019s from the coast up in Ahuriri\u2019s place to the Esk\u2014is it the Esk River?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ef7358e80ae478aa2f88c88a8786303\u0022\u003EHon Meka Whaitiri\u003C/span\u003E: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228e852421aa3e4c73bd11f3310157b401\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014down to Ngaruroro and over to the K\u0101weka Ranges. So that\u2019s a beautiful part of Aotearoa. Unfortunately, yes there were historic purchases that took place, but, mainly through the works of one Donald McLean\u2014we can reflect on what that particular member of this esteemed House achieved during his time in the 1860s in particular\u2014Ahuriri were, effectively, forced off their lands through the 10-person rule of putting communal land tenure into these foreign structures, which were designed to ensure that lands were lost and divested and handed over to the settlers and the Crown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo that is the crux of this\u2014the mamae, because of the impact that that had on the Ahuriri hap\u016B and their wh\u0101nau, and also on their mahinga kai, their treasured taonga of Whanganui-\u0101-Orotu and those traditional areas where they lived and flourished. So this is a means of redressing that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EThe Crown has acknowledged its wrongs and its breaches of the Treaty and its principles in that series of actions which took place over 150 years ago. But we mustn\u2019t forget them, because it\u2019s had a very detrimental impact. I\u2019m so pleased that through this process, which we do quite regularly, and I have the privilege of being a part of, as the chair of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, we can see the positive impact that these Treaty settlements are having across the motu. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EMs Hayes outlined all the various elements to the settlement, and it was a tough negotiation, I\u2019m sure. What I\u2019m actually thrilled about is that Ahuriri are not waiting around; they\u2019re very anxious and they\u2019re on the move. I was thrilled to see that they have an aspiration of being a\u2014and they are\u2014major commercial property stakeholder and owner right in the heart of Napier, Ahuriri. That is the future which we are ushering in today through the passage of this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s those sorts of inspiring things. It\u2019s seeing the mokopuna who came in with all their aunties, uncles, parents, kaum\u0101tua today; they are the future for Mana Ahuriri, and I\u2019m sure they won\u2019t forget this special occasion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI do want to acknowledge Matua Piri Prentice\u2014what a rangatira; just his presence, his gravitas, his leadership that he showed when we welcomed Mana Ahuriri into the House this afternoon. So I\u2019m sure that with outstanding rangatira and leadership of all of the trustees of Mana Ahuriri the future is well in hand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo with that, I am looking forward, along with other members of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, to\u2014I\u2019m sure\u2014hopefully coming up to Napier to conduct our hearings, to hear from the wh\u0101nau, and completing the task that we have to undertake, because this is a really significant piece of legislation. I\u2019m pleased to have spoken at this first reading. I add my tautoko once again. N\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, kia ora t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022 data-id=\u0022b8ba7fbcf91042178298223218d748ac\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b8ba7fbcf91042178298223218d748ac\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te Mana Whakaw\u0101. Te Whare e t\u016B nei, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. Te papa e takoto nei, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. Ng\u0101 mate, haere, haere, haere. Ng\u0101 reo, ng\u0101 mana, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E[Greetings, Madam Speaker. To the House that is before me, greetings. To the land on which we stand, greetings. Those who have passed, farewell, farewell, farewell. To the many spokespeople, representatives of the people, greetings to you one and all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a pleasure to rise and speak at the first reading of the Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill. I would certainly like to extend a very warm welcome to everybody from the Ahuriri hap\u016B who has come here today to hear this historic occasion in the House of Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also like to just reflect on where we\u2019re at in this process, because this has been a long time coming; the redress that we\u2019re seeking here today, through this bill, stems from the 1800s. It was only in about 2013 that this deed was actually agreed to, and it is the work of the previous National Government. I would like to acknowledge the Hon Chris Finlayson, who, if he\u2019s not here, is probably sitting at home watching this debate, because\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286d91813aece4cc7887025f9811b5db7\u0022\u003EHon Meka Whaitiri\u003C/span\u003E: He\u2019s watching you, Dan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220eef001f7cfc43989b6dc689972014f5\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014he\u2019s watching; he\u2019s watching us now\u2014this is a matter of personal significance to him and his ministry, and I do just want to acknowledge the work that he\u2019s done, because, through the previous nine years, we signed 56 agreements.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221fd5706699cd44fba0d0f0428618136c\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: How many?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fedca155e3d04e6889f8bddeddbce0b6\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: 56\u201456 deeds of settlement were signed in the previous nine years. So it\u2019s really great to see the current Government continue this good work, but I do want to acknowledge that this has been a bipartisan effort from both sides of the House to settle these grievances and to, hopefully, pave the way for future economic and cultural prosperity for hap\u016B and iwi throughout the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ELook, about the bill\u2014we\u2019ve heard today about the wrongs that this bill, essentially, apologises for. But I just want to run through some of those specifically. So this bill seeks to acknowledge the acts and omissions that have led to the people of the Ahuriri hap\u016B feeling like they\u2019re landless, throughout the many years since their land was taken, the many instances of just taking away that land, and also the cultural significance of taking that away in terms of what it meant for loss of economic opportunities from that land. We all know now the great things that are happening up in the Hawke\u2019s Bay and Napier with respect to agriculture and viticulture. Unfortunately, the people of Ahuriri hap\u016B have been locked out of that economic opportunity. So this deed, in fact, apologises for that loss and acknowledges that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EIt also looks at the various cases where Crown actions have led to an undermining of their sovereignty, whether it be through the land purchase\u2014which was a pitiful amount, really, that was given\u2014but also the lack of protection over historical and cultural sites. This bill seeks to acknowledge that, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EThen, in the late 1800s, the armed conflict that led to 14 M\u0101ori being killed. That\u2019s why I acknowledged the deceased in my opening remarks, because it\u2019s important that we are here today not for just our people here but also to acknowledge those that have passed as well, but also the attack on \u014Cmarunui and Herepoho and the subsequent issues that resulted from that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003ESo, look, there is, I think, as the Minister outlined at the start, no amount of money that could seek to properly make full redress for what\u2019s happened, but we hope that the $19.5 million that has been committed through the deed of settlement is a significant and, I think, important amount, but also the right to buy some of those cultural lands that we\u2019ve talked about as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f429fecb-a955-4d95-8105-e5144e651204\u0022\u003EAs a member of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, I\u2019m looking forward to coming up to the Hawke\u2019s Bay and Napier region and to just investigating and meeting some of the locals up there, and also to discussing this bill and how we can bring effect to the deed\u2014the best case possible. So it\u2019s a really important bill and a very important occasion here today. I do want to acknowledge the current Minister but also the previous Minister, Chris Finlayson, for his contribution. I look forward to working with my colleagues from the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u0022e4aa93368cd84d8b93a44e341dd8ced4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e4aa93368cd84d8b93a44e341dd8ced4\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry):\u003C/span\u003E Reo M\u0101ori. Takitimu waka. Kahungunu iwi. Ng\u0101 hap\u016B i ahu mai i Ahuriri, tau mai ki Te \u016Apoko o Te Ika i t\u0113nei r\u0101. Uru mai ai ki Te Whare o te raiona, m\u0101takitaki i ng\u0101 mema, ahakoa n\u014D hea, ahakoa p\u0113hea te tae o te kiri, he hui tahi nei i roto i te whakaaro kotahi. N\u0101 reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EAhau e t\u016B nei, ka mahara au ki o koutou m\u0101tua. Ko te tangata tuatahi i pupuru i te t\u016Bru m\u014D Te Tai R\u0101whiti, t\u014Dn\u0101 ingoa ko Te Moananui. Ko Tareha. He kaum\u0101tua i wh\u0101nau mai i te ao k\u014Dhatu. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EKa mate a Te Moananui ka t\u016B mai a Takamoana, a Karaitiana. He aha te pakanga o \u0101na mahi? N\u0101na te \u012Bnoi atu ki Te Karauna m\u014D ng\u0101 whenua p\u0113nei me Ahuriri kia arotakengia, kia \u0101ta haukerekerengia e t\u0113tahi k\u014Dmihana. Ka t\u016B t\u0113n\u0101 k\u014Dmihana engari he hua kore. K\u0101hore he hua i puta i t\u0113n\u0101 k\u014Dmihana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EKa tuku a Takamoana ki raro, ka t\u016B mai tana teina ko Henare Tomoana. He aha oti ng\u0101 mahi oti i t\u014D koutou matua, i a Henare Tomoana? N\u0101na an\u014D i mau haere te kiri hipi ki waenga tonu i ng\u0101 iwi o te motu. He aha oti te patanga o t\u0113r\u0101 mahi? He akiaki n\u014Dn\u0101 ki te iwi M\u0101ori, me whakaparahako i ng\u0101 mahi o Te Karauna kia rata mai ai te iwi M\u0101ori, te hokohoko tonu i \u014Dna whenua.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EMuri mai i a Henare Tomoana ko te rangatira o te taihoa, ar\u0101, ko Timi Kara. Muri mai i a Timi Kara ko W\u012B Pere. I muri mai i a W\u012B Pere, t\u016B mai ko T\u0101 Apirana. Hinga ana a T\u0101 Apirana, ka t\u016B mai t\u014D koutou matua i roto i a Te Mahia Tiaki Omana. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ETake \u014Dku e mihi p\u0113nei atu ki a koutou? Maha tonu. Tokomaha tonu ana ng\u0101 kanohi rangatira o Kahungunu kua whakakanohi mai i ng\u0101 p\u0101nga me ng\u0101 nawe, ng\u0101 moemoe\u0101 an\u014D hoki mai i a Kahungunu ki roto i t\u0113nei Whare. I t\u0113nei r\u0101 kei te whai mai koutou i \u014D r\u0101tou tapuwae kia whakatutukitia t\u0113nei w\u0101hanga o te kaupapa, n\u0101 reira, me tino mihi atu ki a koutou, e ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Ahuriri, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu, koutou ka tau mai ki roto i Te Whare i t\u0113nei r\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ET\u0113nei me t\u0101 t\u014D m\u0101tou hoa n\u014D Te P\u0101ti Nahinara e k\u012B ahakoa te iti o te p\u016Btea, e kore te katoa o ng\u0101 nawe e ea, otir\u0101, koia t\u0113nei te kaupapa e taea te whakatutuki i t\u0113nei w\u0101. Ko wai ka m\u014Dhio r\u0101nei p\u0113hea r\u0101nei te huri o te tai \u0101 ng\u0101 r\u0101 e haere ake nei? Engari ko t\u0113nei r\u0101, ko m\u0101tou o Te P\u0101ti Aotearoa Tuatahi e t\u016B tahi ana me \u014D m\u0101tou hoa o Te R\u014Dp\u016B Reipa, t\u016B tahi ana me \u014D m\u0101tou hoa katoa o Te Whare ki te tautoko i te werawera, ki te tautoko i te ngoi i pau i a koutou k\u0113k\u0113 ki t\u0113nei taumata. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E[M\u0101ori Language. Takitimu is the great ancestral waka. Kahungunu is the iwi. The hap\u016B that travelled from Ahuriri to the head of the fish on this day. Welcome to the lions\u2019 den to watch the members, irrespective of party or the colour of their skin, unite for a single purpose. Greetings, greetings, greetings one and all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EAs I stand here before you, I remember your ancestors. The first person who sat in the seat of Tai R\u0101whiti, his name was Te Moananui, Tareha. He was an elder who was born in the old world. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ETe Moananui passed and Takamoana, Karaitiana, took his place. What was the purpose of his efforts? He pleaded with the Crown that lands such as Ahuriri be reviewed and investigated by a commissioner. The commissioner was appointed but nothing came of it. Nothing came of that commissioner.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EWhen Takamoana was laid to rest, his younger brother Henare Tomoana took his place. What did this elder of yours do? He wore leathers when reaching out to the iwi of this country. The purpose? To encourage M\u0101ori iwi to resist the efforts of the Crown to ingratiate M\u0101ori so that they could buy our land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EFollowing Henare Tomoana was the king of patience, James Carroll. Following James Carroll was W\u012B Pere. Following W\u012B Pere was Sir Apirana. When Sir Apirana passed, he was succeeded by your elder from Te Mahia, Jack Ormond. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EWhy do I acknowledge you in this way? There are many, many leaders of Kahungunu who have brought your concerns, your issues and your dreams from Kahungunu into this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EToday, you follow in their footsteps by completing this part of the journey; therefore, I congratulate you, the hap\u016B of Ahuriri, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu, you who have made it to the House today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EI note what our colleague from the National Party said\u2014that because of the small size of the redress, you will not solve all of your problems today. Who knows what will happen in the future? But today, we of the New Zealand First Party, alongside our friends from the Labour Party and alongside our friends from throughout Parliament, support and acknowledge the immense efforts you have all put in. I greet you one and all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EAs is often the way when we\u2019re dealing with historical M\u0101ori grievances, we like to recite the names of the people that in an earlier time sought to address the types of issues that we are addressing today. There are two names in particular that I have brought forward from those colonial times, one being H\u0113nare Tomoana, who amongst other things was responsible for the M\u0101ori land repudiation movement. He followed his brother in this House, Takamoana, who sought the creation of a commission of inquiry to investigate the wrongdoing associated with land purchases, one of which we are talking about here today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EThe commission of inquiry was described by him as a tree that was barren, that did not yield fruit\u2014he r\u0101kau whakapakoko.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EWhen he was followed by H\u0113nare Tomoana, he came after having also driven the creation of the M\u0101ori Parliament. So the people that are here today are no strangers to the many travails or attempts that have been made from this part of Aotearoa to redress these historical wrongs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EOur party does acknowledge the efforts of Mr Finlayson in settling the various claims of the broader Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu community\u2014some are still outstanding. We also acknowledge the work of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, which is a great training ground for MPs to understand the meaning of the term \u201Cthe patience of Job\u201D, because the hap\u016Bs of Aotearoa have definitely had to have the patience of Job to arrive at a day such as today. It\u2019s also where a number of us, as MPs, have learnt the importance of being patient. It may have occurred to you that I never actually ever sat on that committee\u2014well, that\u2019s another matter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ETo Mr Prentice, to the Crown negotiators, Mr Swain and your colleague: although there are big challenges in this part of Aotearoa and the effects of land loss, of resource loss, and of dispossession continue to linger in the socio-economic statistics amongst certain pockets of our M\u0101ori community, not only in this part of Aotearoa but in other parts, today should be regarded as a day of celebration, of jubilation, and as we remember, going forward, the names of the t\u016Bpuna who sought to do the best they could in their time under far more trying circumstances. So with these few words, we salute the efforts of those who have been the architects of the settlement, and we wish the waka going forward a great safe and prosperous journey. Kia ora t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022 data-id=\u00223d981c6d5d81476b9663cf200c1ddf20\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223d981c6d5d81476b9663cf200c1ddf20\u0022\u003EDr SHANE RETI (National\u2014Whangarei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. E rau rangatira m\u0101, e ng\u0101 iwi, kia ora mai t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003E[To the gathered leaders, to the iwi, thank you all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EOthers have traversed the history that brings this bill here today, with great elegance, and I echo their words. There have been many stages on the way to the House today, as is consistent with a Treaty settlement bill. On 19 December, maybe, this story started in 2013\u2014the formalities of this story\u2014when the Crown and Ahuriri hap\u016B signed the agreement in principle. Three years later, the deed of settlement was signed. At that time, the redress was financial and commercial redress, which continues through to today, I would add. Financial and commercial redress, including $19.5 million and the right to buy shares in the K\u0101weka and Gwavas Crown Forests Licensed lands. Pakake, Heipipi Pa Historic Reserve and Conservation House in Napier are to be vested in Ahuriri hap\u016B as part of the cultural redress. The settlement is also to include a permanent statutory committee called Te Komiti Muriwai o Te Whanga to protect and enhance the environmental, economic, social, spiritual, historical, and cultural values of Te Muriwai o Te Whanga, the Ahuriri estuary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003EAt that time, in 2016, this was the 81st deed of settlement to be signed by the Crown\u2014significant progress, and I too want to acknowledge my colleague Chris Finlayson and the important work in settling many historical grievances, not just in the Hawke\u2019s Bay but across New Zealand. The current bill has the standard structure of a Treaty settlement bill: the Crown acknowledgment and apology, cultural redress, the financial and commercial redress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022861a1798-a396-4a6c-b9e2-7d2f15d4a001\u0022\u003ESo this bill is now on its last journey, if you like, starting with us here today, and then when we conclude, we pass the care of this bill to my colleague Rino and my friends in the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, and we give them this important piece of work to shepherd, to take out to the hap\u016B\u2014out to the community\u2014and hear and crystallise all the important views of community stakeholders and anyone who has an interest in this bill. We then charge them to bring it back to the House as a well-formed view of all the stakeholders who have interest and recommendations. Madam Speaker, 2013 to 2016\u2014it\u2019s taken many years to get here, in a way. Let\u2019s not get in the road of the good work of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee. I commend this bill to them and to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022dcae08793f8a4c20a03889d6d20e6359\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dcae08793f8a4c20a03889d6d20e6359\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green):\u003C/span\u003E I rise on behalf of the Green Party to also offer our support for the Ahuriri hap\u016B claims settlement, and to welcome and acknowledge the people of Ng\u0101ti Hinepare, Ng\u0101ti M\u0101hu, Ng\u0101ti Matep\u016B, Ng\u0101ti Paarau\u2014including Ng\u0101i Tahu Ahi\u2014and Ng\u0101i T\u0101whao, and Ng\u0101ti T\u016B, and Ng\u0101i Te Ruruku. All of the hap\u016B have come together\u2014or been, possibly, through the typical Treaty settlement process, forced together\u2014through this process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge that, as always, this has been a long day coming to start to see the legislation reach this stage. And I want to acknowledge the resilience and leadership of the many rangatira who, over many generations\u2014as was noted within the Ahuriri hap\u016B ratification information document, and I\u2019ll quote that\u2014\u201Cdevoted and committed themselves to defending the rights of our people and to righting the wrongs of the past\u201D. That is important work for hap\u016B and for us as a country to acknowledge the dreadful wrongs that happened and that we are all still living with or benefiting from. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EIt has been 10 years, just since the Crown recognised the mandate of this claim, and that was to start a conversation about the wrongs that started in the 1850s. As with others in the House, I\u2019d like to briefly touch on\u2014and it always feels uncomfortable to me on some level of trying to summarise just the extent of the wrongs, but it feels important to put it on record, and because we still have such an issue in this country of not knowing our history. So I will just touch on the history where, in the 1850s, the hap\u016B in this area\u2014which is the hap\u016B around Napier\u2014decided that they were interested in selling some of the land and looking at developing a relationship with the Crown. The intent was for that to be mutually beneficial, as you would expect in terms of a Crown that holds rule of law quite close as a concept, and they might have expected that to have been able to be a relationship around integrity, consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. But actually what they were met with was dishonesty, manipulation, theft, and violence\u2014including unprovoked attacks on M\u0101ori and the taking of 86 members of their hap\u016B who were imprisoned without trial on the Chathams for two years. This was done by a Crown who we still hear speaking the rhetoric of the importance of the rule of law. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EAnd just within 20 years of having entered those engagements with the Crown for 54,000 acres in the land of Ahuriri hap\u016B, 51,000 of 54,000 acres had been dispossessed from those people\u2014and that included just incredibly precious places, including the estuary and a place that fed literally, but also spiritually, the people. And to speak particularly around the damage that was done\u2014because I think there\u2019s the taking of the land, but then there\u2019s being made to see the desecration of that land and observe that and feel that. To me, the example of how the Te Whanganui-\u0101-Orotu, which was originally\u2014so that is land and the waters around the harbour\u20149,500 acres, where that land, through the harbour trust and actions of the Crown, was drained and land was reclaimed from it. So that precious, precious waterway from 9,500 acres has been reduced to the point now, at high tide, where it is only 680 acres. That, to me, is a physical demonstration of the damage and the violence that has been committed against Ahuriri hap\u016B.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EAnd I want to also just acknowledge that in those years, again after that, between 1900 and 1930, the Crown and private parties \u201Cacquired\u201D almost all of the rest of the precious life-giving and sustaining lands that were Ahuriri hap\u016B. And many of those lands were sold so that the people could meet their basic living costs. To me, again, that demonstrates the compounding harm of theft and dispossession that we see now in the suffering of all too many people within M\u0101oridom. That makes colonisation a current reality, not an act of the past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EIt is traditional for the Green Party in our speeches and first readings to acknowledge that we believe that Te Tiriti is a positive force for social cohesion and peace, but the full capacity of Te Tiriti to bring our communities together cannot be reached until genuine restitution is made, and that Te Tiriti, as it was written and agreed, supports hap\u016Btanga and that hap\u016Btanga is undermined by the settlement process. Again, we have seen that in evidence through this process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EI do want to acknowledge the Waitangi Tribunal hearing that found that even in the process of this settlement the Crown breached its obligations for monitoring and maintenance of mandates. I will acknowledge the current Minister, Andrew Little, for, on the day of that finding, acknowledging that finding and moving forward to be able to get us back into the House today. But it really does speak to, I believe, how much more work we have to do to restore the true intent of Te Tiriti and the hope of that to all of us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EI just briefly touch on and acknowledge how hard fought for this settlement has been. Again, so much of this is about trying to restore connection to the land and acknowledging Ahuriri hap\u016B as kaitiaki of their land. I want to acknowledge what a gift that is for us as a country and the generosity of Ahuriri hap\u016B in maintaining that as a focus. It is really pleasing to see the establishment of Te Komiti Muriwai o Te Whanga, and that will promote the protection and enhancement of the environment, economic, social, spiritual, historical, and cultural values of Te Muriwai o Te Whanga for present and future generations. That is, for me, just such a blessing, an act of generosity for all of us. And while this should be an acknowledgment of the harm that the Crown has caused and our commitment to do better in the future, it is important to acknowledge the generosity of hap\u016B even in this time and we look forward to the resolution of this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022 data-id=\u0022ed2e4d03592c45deac8e7703f320cf59\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ed2e4d03592c45deac8e7703f320cf59\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE (National\u2014Tukituki):\u003C/span\u003E Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to the people from Ahuriri, kia ora. It\u2019s lovely to have you here and while this is a very respectful occasion, I do want to lift the level of energy a little bit, because this House has been sitting late this week and people are a little bit tired at the end of the week. But I want you to be very optimistic, our guests from our rohe, and for Meka and Stuart\u2014this is an important day for the people of Hawke\u2019s Bay, for you to be with us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003ECan I, first of all, acknowledge the negotiating team\u2014kaum\u0101tua Piri, can I acknowledge you. It\u2019s nice to have you here. Barry and Joinella, can I acknowledge all the work that you\u2019ve done in getting to this point. I have known all of you for some time and I hold you with deep respect and I admire what you\u2019ve done in getting to this point. Evelyn, can I acknowledge you as well, even though your husband stood against me twice for the mayoralty in Hastings. I acknowledge your passion and the things you\u2019ve done to help and, on the odd occasion, giving me some guidance on this particular settlement. Bruce, can I acknowledge you, up the back? Bruce is the best taxi driver in Hawke\u2019s Bay and it\u2019s nice to have you here with us. And especially T\u012Bpene, can I acknowledge you. T\u012Bpene sits in the audience as a young leader. He started off as my first rangatahi leader in that course, and he\u2019s here today, and I acknowledge you moving up the system of leadership. Thank you for being here. Can I acknowledge all of you that represent the seven hap\u016B of the Ahuriri settlement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EThese negotiations haven\u2019t been easy, and later on in my speech I will talk about some of the challenges that I think still exist. But these negotiations have been going on since 2010. Previously the Hon Shane Jones said you have to have the patience of Job. It\u2019s my experience that in these settlements you do; not only in the Government processes, but sometimes even in getting everybody involved in the same settlement around the table. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EYou were badly let down in 1840 in the negotiations that really meant that your land was sold for \u00A31,500 in a partnership, and, from that day until now, largely what you expected at the time hasn\u2019t been delivered and in many ways your role and your mana and your whenua have been eroded from that day to this point. It was typified in 1857 when there was an armed conflict. We know that a number of people, a number of members from your wh\u0101nau, ended up being incarcerated on the Chatham Islands for two years. That was a low point in Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s history. It was a low point in the relationship.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EJust to put it contextually for members of the public who may be listening at home, Mana Ahuriri encompasses the land between the Ngaruroro River, the Esk River, and the K\u0101weka Ranges largely. Some of that is in my own electorate, and it\u2019s separated from the rest by the Tutaekuri River, which is in the Hon Stuart Nash\u2019s electorate. Meka Whaitiri covers all of our electorates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EThe net result of that, though, is that I have been acutely aware over my time of the grief that has been caused by not only that alienation of land but also the harm that was done out of that conflict where basically the Crown turned on its partner of 1840 and there was armed conflict. It\u2019s previously been said that Te Whanganui-\u0101-Orotu went from 9,000 acres to 600 acres at high tide. That is the erosion of the scale of the land; and basically, in 1930, people that had signed up into a partnership in 1840 effectively were almost landless. To add insult to injury, in 1931, when the land came out of the sea, where Hawke\u2019s Bay airport currently is, what happened? Basically, the Government regionalised it and gave it to the harbour board\u2014they gave it to the harbour board. The Government held some of it, which is the Landcorp farms, used some of it for the airport, but fundamentally, the rest of it was given to the harbour board and over time has either been sold off or leased. So even in relatively recent history, you have watched your land just disappear before you by various Acts and various Governments along the way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003ESo I want to acknowledge and thank you for standing up for some of the protection works that are required in the estuary and for the concept you\u2019ve brought about of jointly trying to solve some of those solutions. Barry and Piri, I remember in my previous role having conversations with you about the airport, and the strategic nature of that, and I hope, into the future, you form part of the governance and management and even some of the ownership of the airport as a strategic part of Hawke\u2019s Bay. I know you have great plans for Landcorp farm, should you get hold of that as part of the settlement. I think, based on what you\u2019ve advised me of, that will be a very encouraging development for the people of Napier and the people of Hawke\u2019s Bay.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EI now want to come on to the deed of settlement and what has happened since, and I can probably say this slightly easier than members of the Government. In my view, the hold-up through the Waitangi claim process and other things\u2014and I heard today, there could even be a hold-up through the M\u0101ori Land Court further\u2014is depriving you of your own destiny and your value. What was signed in 2016, and what you now have, has already meant that you have lost millions of value in those developments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EAs part of the select committee process\u2014I\u2019m not sure whether it\u2019s possible or not\u2014I would like the select committee to look at how that can be redressed, because, fundamentally, these people in this room today, they want to get on with the business and they\u2019ve signed. There\u2019s a small group of people that are using every potential avenue to slow it down. The Waitangi Tribunal found there may have been a technical sort of breach in terms of the election of trustees. The Hon Andrew Little has done the right thing by bringing it to the House, as long as that\u2019s fixed. We just cannot allow these types of things to continue on. I remember having conversations with the Hon Christopher Finlayson, along the way, as a sort of bystander to this, and he said he felt he could get there, but there was a small group of people that were holding up the process. So I am hopeful that the select committee can have a look at that along the way, if that\u2019s within scope.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EI do want to, in closing, make some comments about people that are not here today that have been part of this journey. I particularly want to talk about Heitia Hiha and the work he did, the fine man he was. He passed in 2018, at a time, really, when, in normal circumstances, we should be having this debate\u2014we should have had it then. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EI have been talked to, led, encouraged, and worked with many groups of this settlement group and groupings, many fine people from Hawke\u2019s Bay. It is a small settlement\u2014$19.5 million and some other redress\u2014but it is hugely significant to the people of Napier, the people that are in this room today. We\u2019re on our way. This is where the laws get changed. This is universally going to be supported through this House. There will be a select committee. We hope any things can be ironed out or changed in that process, and in a relatively short time, based on how long this has been going on, this can be sorted. This settlement can be sorted. You can get on with some very exciting developments for Hawke\u2019s Bay and Napier. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s my great pleasure to support this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022bee3869cbac54492804b40bb74187107\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bee3869cbac54492804b40bb74187107\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Before I call the next speaker, I just want to make the following comments, because I will be leaving the chair during the next round of speakers, but it would be inappropriate for me as a former Deputy Mayor of Napier and a person who has lived and raised a family in the rohe that is before the House not to greet the members of the Ahuriri hap\u016B. I too wish to pay my tribute to a long-term friend, Heitia Hiha.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EThis is a split call. I call Paul Eagle.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022 data-id=\u002227d596b2f3324129a1da08b7ff548379\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002227d596b2f3324129a1da08b7ff548379\u0022\u003EPAUL EAGLE (Labour\u2014Rongotai):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te Mana Whakaw\u0101. Takitimu, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu, Ahuriri hap\u016B, iwi, rau rangatira m\u0101, ko aku mihi atu ki a koutou ng\u0101 wh\u0101nau, nau mai, haere mai. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003E[Thank you, Madam Speaker. Takitimu, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu, the people of Napier, the many leaders, my greetings to you the families, welcome, welcome.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EThank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity to take a call on this the first reading of the Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill, the first time I\u2019ve spoken on a bill. Can I say, recently, as part of my rohe, it includes\u2014and we\u2019ve heard about the Chatham Islands in different k\u014Drero today. We had the Crown apology and settlement for the Moriori on R\u0113kohu, and what an experience it was. Can I just say that it was a moving experience, and being part of that really made me feel, as a member of Parliament for the first time, the real sense of importance it is to get these settlements through and get some progress. So on that, can I acknowledge the members of Parliament who have put the mahi in and done the work. Obviously, that\u2019s the Hon Andrew Little; the Hon Christopher Finlayson, who was the list member for Rongotai, including the Chathams, and the Treaty Minister who put work in here; and Meka Whaitiri, Stuart Nash, and Lawrence Yule as local members of Parliament, because it takes everyone in here to get these across the line. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the negotiating teams because it takes both sides. I always find this interesting, these tense negotiations, but I learnt why. When I was on the Chatham\u2019s listening to the experiences for the Crown apology, I sat there and I thought \u201CHmm! There\u2019s been some nasty stuff done here.\u201D And suddenly I thought \u201CJeez, the Crown was nasty. What a mean pack of so-and-so\u2019s at the time.\u201D But then I suddenly realised that I am the Crown and that I am the representative, and I thought \u201CJeepers! I better wipe the tears away and take some responsibility.\u201D And that\u2019s what we\u2019ve heard today. We\u2019ve heard the pain and sorrow. I was in disbelief, actually. So I take a lot more notice of these settlements because they are deadly serious in every way possible. It\u2019s important we get this right and that we correct history where it\u2019s gone wrong and make sure that when we move forward it\u2019s accurate in every way so people understand. I know that our tamariki, as they grow up, they too want to ensure that when they go through school, it\u2019s a history lesson that is accurate but also teaches right from wrong and puts the story straight. So that\u2019s certainly important for me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve talked about the Chathams. Lots of people have talked about it, and they talk about it in such a dreadful way. Well, can I say to you now, ladies and gentlemen, that it\u2019s no longer dreadful. There is crayfish, p\u0101ua, oysters, and all sorts of beautiful kai moana that certainly put the wrongs right. I encourage the hap\u016B of Ahuriri to match that, in terms of their memory of their ancestors, their t\u016Bpuna, who were treated in the way that they were. So I want to acknowledge that. I don\u2019t say that in a joking disrespect, but it would have been a dreadful experience, and I know that when Ng\u0101ti Mutunga somehow found their way to Wharekauri R\u0113kohu, that too would have been a frightening experience on arrival, but the good Moriori made them welcome, and I won\u2019t talk about the rest of their history this afternoon. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EBut the redress is important, and we\u2019ve heard today, this afternoon, about both the financial and non-financial, and the members have talked about what that includes. I want to encourage you to embrace the settlement, to use it in every way, from an economic and social perspective, and really advance the cause for you as the people, the seven hap\u016B, of Ahuriri, and make wealth in every way possible. I remember those words being said to me on R\u0113kohu for the Moriori settlement. This is your time. It\u2019s only the first reading, but it will go through to the third reading, and I would encourage you to do for your people all those things that you\u2019ve wanted to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022217f4585-f6ef-408d-9318-8a6b8506920b\u0022\u003EKia kaha, kia manawanui, n\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022 data-id=\u0022abc808d84b744cc389600e36008750c9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022abc808d84b744cc389600e36008750c9\u0022\u003EHARETE HIPANGO (National\u2014Whanganui):\u003C/span\u003E Takitimu te waka. Ki ng\u0101 uri o ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Mana Ahuriri. Nau mai haere mai ki t\u0113nei Whare P\u0101remata, Te Whare Miere. Ko Harete Hipango taku ingoa. N\u014D Whanganui te iwi. Ko Ng\u0101ti T\u016Bpoho te hap\u016B. Ko P\u016Btiki Wharenui a Tamatea P\u014Dkaiwhenua te marae. T\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003E[Takitimu is the ancestral waka. To the descendants of the hap\u016B of the Ahuriri territories, welcome to Parliament, welcome to the Beehive. My name is Harete Hipango. Whanganui is my iwi. Ng\u0101ti T\u016Bpoho is my hap\u016B. P\u016Btiki Wharenui a Tamatea P\u014Dkaiwhenua is my marae. Greetings one and all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EWhenever I stand and have the privilege to address the House and those who have travelled from afar to gather here on this significant occasion of the reading and the passage of the bill\u2014which is depictive and reflective of a lifetime journey for many: those of us from our past, those of us who are here, and those of us who are yet to come\u2014I always stand and attempt to make a connection.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003ESo what I have done is\u2014being the member of Parliament for Whanganui but also uri of Whanganui\u2014made that affiliation and connection to a tupuna of Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu and our people from Ahuriri who have come here. Your tupuna, Tamatea-Pokai-Whenua, travelled over to my area, my whenua, a long time ago. When we stand on our marae and whenever I am home, I always hearken to that relationship. Nau mai, haere mai.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EAt this first reading of the bill, my colleagues have addressed much of the history. Some may have noticed that as part of my journey as uri of Whanganui, I had the privilege of sitting up in the gallery some years ago with the passage of Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Bill, our bill. I have also as part of my lifetime journey, carrying on the journey of my t\u016Bpuna, as our people from Ahuriri, Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu, today do that\u2014we carry with us the burden, but we also carry with us the hope.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EPart of my journey 25 years ago was, as a young woman, going on to reclaim part of our whenua at P\u0101kaitore, Moutoa Gardens. Twenty-five years ago, on 28 February, I was there with whanaunga and many who had travelled from afar to hearken to the memory of the efforts and the hard work associated with that journey. Here I stand today, in this position of privilege, to acknowledge Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu Ahuriri, with this first reading in the passage of your bill. I say \u201Cyours\u201D because I always hearken, refer to our people who come and travel and gather from afar, and also many of us who are down here in Wellington continuing that mahi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EI have limited time with this call, but I just share that our people who have gathered here from Ng\u0101ti Kahungunu, this is your bill. You know the contents of it, because it is your people who have carried that burden for decades, for generations. We are here today to celebrate the present, with the first reading and the passage of this, going through to the final reading, hopefully that not being delayed any further.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EI acknowledge my parliamentary colleagues\u2014Minister Nash, Meka Whaitiri, and my colleague Lawrence Yule\u2014because we carry on part of the journey on behalf of those. That is our role here as members of Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EThis bill, it\u2019s divided into significant portions, and I will just very briefly highlight those. Clause 8 is a depiction in detail of a historical account of the mamae, of the grievance, of the injustice. Clause 9 traverses the acknowledgments of the Crown\u2019s errors, of the Crown\u2019s avarice, and of the Crown\u2019s attempts to remedy and rectify. Clause 10 is the formal apology in this bill. Then, of course, it goes without saying, but for those who do not know and for the purposes of the law, to be very clear, clause 13 defines and details who you of Ahuriri hap\u016B are. That is for the benefit of the Crown, and is the clarity of a commitment to you, to those who have gone, but to those of you who are to come into the future and carry on in representation of what the Crown has traversed, with all its wrongdoings, to make this right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022868f3a11-6a23-474f-a25e-6bc1d4c6e93f\u0022\u003EThere is so much\u2014I am limited with my time. I do hope to take a call at the second and the third readings, when there will be many tears of memory, of remembrance, but also of hope and joy, travelling into the future. In conclusion, I commend this bill on the first reading through to select committee, where I invite my parliamentary colleagues\u2014I hope I have the opportunity to sit in on that select committee to ensure that there is clarity, there is transparency, that things are corrected and put right so that this carries through into the future. Ng\u0101 mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022 data-id=\u0022e3043e0d90b749879c06e24ba4ccbf4d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e3043e0d90b749879c06e24ba4ccbf4d\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Madam Speaker. Tuatahi, e tika ana ki te maumahara te kaiarahi tuatahi o Te R\u014Dp\u016B K\u0101k\u0101riki, Jeanette Fitzsimons. N\u014D reira, Jeanette, maumahara t\u014D kaha ki te k\u014Dkiri i te kaupapa i ng\u0101 w\u0101 katoa. He wahine toa. He wahine \u016B ki te kaupapa, he wahine i k\u014Dkiri i te kaupapa taiao me te kaupapa k\u0101k\u0101riki, n\u014D reira, e te whaea, moe mai, moe mai, moe mai r\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EKa huri atu in\u0101ianei aku whakaaro ki te rangatira T\u0101 Robert Fenwick. Ahakoa he P\u0101keh\u0101 ia, he tangata i tautoko i ng\u0101 kaupapa M\u0101ori i roto i T\u0101maki Makaurau. Ko ia te tiamana tuatahi m\u014D te irirangi Mai FM, n\u014D reira, Rob, te rangatira, moe mai, moe mai e koe ki ng\u0101 ringa huia o ng\u0101 matua t\u016Bpuna kua riro i te p\u014D. \u0100, ka nui t\u0113n\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EKi a koutou, ng\u0101 rangatira i tae mai nei i t\u0113nei w\u0101, i whakarangatira i a m\u0101tou i t\u0113nei w\u0101, t\u0113nei te tino mihi ki a koutou. He honore nui ki te t\u016B i mua i a koutou i t\u0113nei w\u0101. T\u0113nei te mihi ki a koutou m\u014D \u014D koutou kaha ki te k\u014Dkiri i t\u0113nei kaupapa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EKi a koe e te matua, Piri, ng\u0101 mihi ki a koe e te p\u0101p\u0101. I tahuri koe t\u014D korowai rangatiratanga i runga i a m\u0101tou i t\u0113nei w\u0101. T\u0113nei te tino mihi ki a koe e te p\u0101p\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EKoutou katoa, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 an\u014D t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E[Hello, Madam Speaker. Firstly, it is only right that we remember the first leader of the Green Party, Jeanette Fitzsimons. Therefore, Jeanette, I remember your strength to fight for the cause at all times. A woman of courage. A woman who was dedicated to the cause, who drove the environmental cause and the green cause, therefore, may you rest in peace.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EI now turn my thoughts to that great man Sir Robert Fenwick. Although he was P\u0101keh\u0101, he was a person who supported the M\u0101ori cause in Auckland. He was the first chairperson of the radio station Mai FM; therefore, Rob, you who were a great man, may you rest in peace and return to your ancestors who await you. I leave it there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ETo you all, the leaders who have arrived at this time, who have honoured us at this time, we are immensely grateful for your attendance. It is an honour to stand before you at this time. I would like to thank you for your dedication in driving this forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ETo you, Piri, my elder, thank you. You have cloaked our occasion with honour. My unending thanks to you my elder.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ETo you all, thank you, and greetings to one and all.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s an honour just to have a little bit of a k\u014Drero to celebrate this day, because you would think it would never have come. Thirty-two years. How long do we wait for justice? Thirty-two years. So many of our people have to wait and wait and wait for this, and we lose so many along the way\u2014in particular, Ruruarau Heitia Hiha. You know, one must never forget the commitment that some of our rangatira have given.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EBut of course I always mihi to our groups who come in here, because I always have aspirations of partnership. We know how the partnership was breached all those years ago. When I look back at 1840 and the breaches that Ahuriri have gone through\u2014not receiving the full, ongoing benefits from the European settlement that they were led to expect when they agreed to sell the Ahuriri block for the price the Crown offered. We\u2019re talking about 1851; here we are in 2020, hoping and praying that that partnership that the former Mayor of Hastings Lawrence Yule talked about will be honoured. I mihi to him for some of his k\u014Drero today, because we want a partnership that reflects justice\u2014that reflects justice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EAs Minister Andrew Little said, this settlement does not\u2014if you looked at it financially\u2014reflect the justice and the millions that you should be getting; $19.5 million, as the Minister said, doesn\u2019t reflect justice. It is an acknowledgment of the pain and the mamae that you\u2019ve gone through\u2014just an acknowledgment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EI think the beauty of these types of days is that we are united in the House in terms of the compensation that should be given to our people. I\u2019ve said this before and I say it again: if you want to look at real compensation in terms of Ng\u0101i Tahu, in terms of Tainui\u2014Minister Nanaia Mahuta knows better than anyone. Her father was the main negotiator for Tainui, negotiating at $170 million, yet the Tainui claim could have been $15 billion plus\u2014$15 billion plus. The Ng\u0101i Tahu claim, the same again\u2014$18 billion, that claim was rated at. These are the sacrifices that our people make\u2014these are the sacrifices that our people make.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EBob Mahuta, Tipene O\u2019Regan, they set it up, they made the sacrifice, and look what they\u2019re doing today. Look what Tainui\u2019s doing today. Look what Ng\u0101i Tahu\u2019s doing today. I look forward to what you\u2019re going to be doing in the next few years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ESo t\u0113nei te mihi ki a koutou. Rawe ki te kite i a koutou i t\u0113nei r\u0101.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E[So thank you all. It is wonderful to see you all today.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s the start of this process. Thirty-two years ago it began. Justice now will happen over the next few months, or the next year or so, or hopefully before the year is up. We\u2019ll get this across the line so that all of our people and all of your rangatahi can benefit. T\u0113nei te mihi ki a koutou. T\u0113n\u0101 n\u014D t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022b7825022947747029543a73cb44d91d8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b7825022947747029543a73cb44d91d8\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Nau mai, haere mai, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, Mana Ahuriri, especially to Piri and Barry. Welcome. It\u2019s been a long time coming. It\u2019s been a long, long journey from Ahuriri to this House; too long\u2014far too long.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EI can\u2019t help agreeing with the words of my colleague Lawrence Yule\u2014and you won\u2019t hear that often. I\u2019m well aware of the work you, Piri and Barry and Joinella, have done in getting this bill here. We\u2019ve had a number of conversations over the issues, the challenges, and the time, and I\u2019ve always welcomed these engagements and interactions, but I acknowledge the time it has taken to get here has been too long.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EOur P\u0101keh\u0101 forebears had little imagination when it came to naming places in Napier. Hospital Hill\u2014well, there used to be a hospital on the hill. Bluff Hill\u2014the hill ended in a bluff. It\u2019s now fitting and proper that this part of Napier where I live will now be called Mataruahou; Perfume Point\u2014it\u2019s where the sewage outfall used to end up\u2014now renamed Te Karaka; and others\u2014important.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EBut it\u2019s not the true nature of this settlement, rather an apology and a Crown acknowledgment that the Crown was wrong and breached the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles\u2014cultural redress that will recognise the traditional, historical, and spiritual associations of Ahuriri h\u0101pu with places and sites owned by the Crown within the Ahuriri rohe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EFinancial and commercial redress of $19.5 million in recognition of historical claims and interest that has accumulated since the agreement in principle was signed in December 2013 will also be paid, as well as the right to purchase a number of assets and properties, including the purchase of the Crown shares in the Hawke\u2019s Bay Airport Ltd.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EAll these are important\u2014and I acknowledge this\u2014very important, in terms of moving forward. Minister Jones has outlined a distinguished list of Ng\u0101ti Kahungungu leaders who have fought this battle in earlier times, and a number of members who have spoken have also outlined the history that has led us to this House today. But what I know are the practical implications of this settlement\u2014that is, the people of Mana Ahuriri can now move on in a way that I know will add significant value not only to the people of Mana Ahuriri or Ng\u0101ti Kahungungu or even Napier but to all the people of Hawke\u2019s Bay. I have seen some of the plans, and they are truly aspirational.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003ELike other speakers, I acknowledge Chris Finlayson. I also will acknowledge the Minister Andrew Little, but there are other players in this: Paul Swain; the Hon Sir Michael Cullen has also played a part in getting us here, and we wish him all the best in the greatest battle he has had to take on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EBut one thing I would say, to conclude, is this is a good outcome. I hope like hell that the progression of this bill isn\u2019t held up unnecessarily. Today is a good day, and tomorrow will be the start of the process for rebuilding Mana Ahuriri\u2019s wealth, health, and wellbeing. That, as a long-term resident of Napier, I absolutely welcome. Kia kaha.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022ebc6d43e492d4eec8790bb6d143bf7ed\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ebc6d43e492d4eec8790bb6d143bf7ed\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I too want to welcome the people of Ahuriri to Parliament. It\u2019s a special place to come to. Some of us wonder why we came here, but I think it is a special place. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI guess you\u2019re wondering what some old Scottish descendant from the Manawat\u016B is doing speaking on a bill like this, and I have a half of one foot in the territory of Rangit\u0101ne and one in the territory of Ng\u0101ti Apa. But I think it\u2019s pretty special, these things, and I often have the privilege of speaking on Treaty claims bills, and I can only think that that\u2019s because I\u2019ve been around for longer of the Treaty claim process than most. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI also wanted to pay a special tribute to a couple of people who often speak on these bills. I think Rino Tirikatene puts the bill in perspective for me, and I think he does a special job in our Treaty claims process with the way he speaks on the bills. He always gives me a bit of education. I also today want to acknowledge Lawrence Yule because I thought he did a great job. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EAs I said, you may well wonder what I\u2019m doing here, but my mother lived looking at Perfume Point for quite a while, and, Stuart, I think the reason Perfume Point is called Perfume Point is now a very different reason than it was in the old days, and the activity there is much different than it used to be as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EShe lives in a retirement village in Napier, and I was in there the other day. Quite extraordinary, she had a book on her table and it was called A Changing Land by Sir Donald\u2014it wasn\u2019t by Sir Donald McLean, clearly; it was about Sir Donald McLean\u2019s life. He, of course, was the Government land acquisition officer, or commissioner, in the very early part of Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s recent history, I suppose\u2014150-odd years ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EBut the thing that really intrigued me about it was, as you glance through a book like that and you glance through the notes that we\u2019re given to speak on these bills and the deed of settlement and the bits of history, there\u2019s a lot of great similarity between what we have explained to us here and what\u2019s actually written about the history. You can see how some of those very unfortunate, actually, and interesting deals were done. I think it\u2019s great for us to have the history of these things, but, actually, the important thing is that we get to the end of this process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EDespite what Willie Jackson was saying earlier about what they should be worth, actually, what they\u2019re worth is what you make of them. I think it\u2019s very special that we get to the point where these settlements enable everyone to move forward. We\u2019ll never replace or repair what\u2019s gone on in the last 150 to 160 years, and I don\u2019t think we should expect to. Ironically, Sir Donald McLean is buried on Scinde Island, which is a part of this Treaty claims process, and it\u2019s named in the settlement. So the history, whatever we make of it, is always going to be with us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI think it\u2019s really interesting that we get to a point where, through a great deal of time and a lot of discussion, we end up with some sort of a settlement which enables us to move on. I think that\u2019s the important thing for this Parliament. It\u2019s the very important thing for New Zealand. I think, where we\u2019ve got to a point of settling these\u2014I was going to say adequately, but that\u2019s probably not a very good word\u2014processes and we come out the other end of them, I think we\u2019re getting some very good results. I think that\u2019s such a great thing for future generations of New Zealanders because it does get us to a point that\u2019s, I suppose, satisfactory for us all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EInterestingly, my daughter and my two grandsons also live in Ahuriri, even though I\u2019m a Manawat\u016B person. I don\u2019t know why they ever went to Hawke\u2019s Bay, but they went there, and I\u2019ve got to live with it. But it is special, and so I congratulate everyone who\u2019s been part of this process. I know that you\u2019ll get a lot of, I guess, pleasure out of what happens in this place in the next few months, and I hope it moves through relatively quickly. Almost all of the people who will be dealing with that in select committee have spoken on this bill this afternoon. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EI just want to say I think it\u2019s great progress. I wish you all the best in the future. I know that this thing will work well for you, and I hope, as Lawrence said, that maybe the select committee can deal with some of the issues that have changed in the interim, because, well it\u2019s a long, long time since you first signed the deed of settlement, but it\u2019s certainly a long time since you got to the point of getting this bill moving. So thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on this, and I do wish you all the best in the future going forward. Congratulations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022732145fba102440b91d744ff108d22ad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022732145fba102440b91d744ff108d22ad\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour\u2014Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare, t\u0113n\u0101 koe. Ng\u0101 mema o Te Whare nei, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. \u0100e, e t\u016B ki te p\u014Dwhiritia ng\u0101 iwi, ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Ahuriri kua tae mai i runga i te kaupapa whakahirahira, n\u014D reira, otir\u0101, \u014Dku rau rangatira m\u0101, e kui m\u0101, e koro m\u0101, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, nau mai, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, nau mai, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, nau mai.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E[Madam Speaker, greetings. Members of this House, greetings. Yes, I stand to welcome the iwi, the hap\u016B, of Ahuriri who have arrived on this important occasion; therefore, indeed, the distinguished guests, the elders, greetings and welcome, greetings and welcome, greetings and welcome.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI\u2019m pleased to conclude this debate as the local member for Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti and to extend my warm welcome to the wh\u0101nau and ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Ahuriri who have arrived here for this significant date. A long overdue wait for a bill that others have spoken about and addressed, but he tika t\u014D k\u014Drero e Piri. He whakaeroa te w\u0101, \u0101e he tika. Whakaaeroatia.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E[What you said was right, Piri. It has taken too long\u2014yes, that\u2019s right. Too long.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EWe were in the Legislative Council Chamber, where we welcomed these people, and the rangatira Piri talked about the long wait. So I want to acknowledge that long wait, not just in the terms of acknowledging the harms and the omissions at the actions of the Crown but their long wait since getting mandate for the Wai 55 claim that was filed in 1988, to have the mandate to negotiate confirmed in 2010, to actually have the deed of settlement signed in 2016, and here we go, four years later. So if there was ever an iwi that was patient, these are the people. These are the people in terms of their losses and also in terms of the process which all iwi have to go through in terms of settling past grievances in the Treaty process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI was fortunate to have kai with some of the aunties from T\u0101ngoio, and they made some really important points around not just the process of Treaty settlements but our kaupapa. The k\u014Drero was about whakapapa and about whakapapa not having boundaries, and how whakapapa unites ia wh\u0101nau, ia hap\u016B, ia iwi. So I want to share that, because that was a point of discussion at our lunch table around the significance of whakapapa, and when there are the challenges which these particular people have been subjected to, it is our tikanga practices that will pull us through and our whakapapa that will pull us through. So I just want to acknowledge the aunties that I had kai with from T\u0101ngoio and from Maungaharuru Tangit\u016B that have joined us here today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EOthers have talked about the various parts of the bill, and I look forward to joining my chair\u2014Rino Tirikatene\u2014and the other members of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee to journey up to Ahuriri, hopefully, to give proper scrutiny to this bill. But I wanted to draw the House\u2019s attention to Minister Little\u2019s comment in his contribution on this bill where he talked about entering into a renewed relationship\u2014a renewed relationship. I want to acknowledge not only the economic strength and might of ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Ahuriri but the cultural and social and the environmental strength that these people will bring to the greater Napier area. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI am excited to share, to observe, and to be part of the aspirations that they\u2019ve already started around putting their economic prowess to bear on the lives and in the developments that are happening in Napier as we speak. Of course, we have our port and we have our airport, and we have our newly reopened railway line, thanks to our coalition partner, New Zealand First\u2014the opening of the Napier to Wairoa line. These are a people that have lived in this rohe for generations, and as we talk about the lifting and resilient economy of the Napier area, then these people are going to play a significant part in that resilience, now and going forward. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI want to also acknowledge the mokopuna that were in the r\u014Dp\u016B that arrived here today, and I want to acknowledge them because it\u2019s their history and their journey that we are here for. For many of us that have gathered here and for the whawhai around getting our claims\u2014and I know they\u2019re probably ngenge and probably want to haere tonu and hoki ki te kainga\u2014it\u2019s important that I acknowledge them and that they and their presence here reminds us of why we come to this place and why we do our job for the future and their benefit. I just want to acknowledge those two mokopuna that have joined us in the House today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ELike I said, there will be parts of this bill that will be tested through the select committee process. I too just want to add my congratulations and thankyous to the negotiators, Piri Prentice, Joinella Maihi-Carroll, and, of course, Barry Wilson. It\u2019s never an easy task\u2014never ever an easy task\u2014being a Treaty negotiator, never. The Hon Nanaia Mahuta, my colleague Adrian Rurawhe, and myself are all former Treaty negotiators, so it comes from a position of experience to say that it is never ever an easy task, because you\u2019ll get those on the side of you that want you to go faster, and there are those on the other side that want you to taihoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ESo I want to acknowledge particularly Piri and Barry and Joinella for hanging in, for being there from day one, and for seeing this through. I do hope that we pass this bill in its conclusion as quickly as possible, but I want to acknowledge your efforts, particularly Barry, Joinella, Piri, and those kaum\u0101tua that are no longer here with us. I too want to add my acknowledgment of Uncle Heitia Hiha and his guidance that he applied on this particular settlement and negotiation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EIt is a time to celebrate, but it\u2019s also time to acknowledge the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes in getting us here, and also to acknowledge the Crown negotiators and Te Arawhiti staff that have worked and beavered behind the scenes. There\u2019s been acknowledgment of the former Treaty Minister Chris Finlayson. I want to acknowledge his work in terms of getting the deed of settlement in 2016, but particularly I want to acknowledge my colleague the current Treaty negotiations Minister, the Hon Andrew Little, for putting this bill in as soon as the report from the Waitangi Tribunal came out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThere were comments from across the side about hold-ups. Look, we all understand that everyone has a right to justice and reviews, and we have just allowed that to happen. But the tribunal has said haere tonu, haere tonu, and there has been a commitment to ensure that the trustees\u2019 elections proceed before we have that final third reading. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ESo it is really, indeed, an honour to stand in celebration of this first reading the Ahuriri Hap\u016B Claims Settlement Bill. I am looking forward, like I said, to travelling home to ensure that we give due process and due scrutiny to this bill. I want to join with all members of this House in acknowledging again those that have travelled down to witness this first reading. It is, indeed, my honour and privilege, with all members of this House, to commend this bill, and we look forward to it coming to select committee with great haste and to reporting it back to this House. I commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EWaiata\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EBill read a first time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EBill referred to the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224de8c08afeb342cab5f6fe063f50d5b2\u0022\u003ESmokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a391ed8a01374304821d6164d85c3967\u0022\u003EInstruction to Health Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000405\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 11 March.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u00222225ae5d9bc147478fb2e3ba43736d69\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222225ae5d9bc147478fb2e3ba43736d69\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: When we were last debating this motion, the Hon Tim Macindoe was speaking, and should he wish, he can take the remainder of his time, which is nine minutes and 14 seconds.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022 data-id=\u00220c6d164167ea4c24bb1d2a471460079a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220c6d164167ea4c24bb1d2a471460079a\u0022\u003EHon TIM MACINDOE (National\u2014Hamilton West):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Madam Speaker, and indeed I do. As the saying goes, \u201CAnd now for something completely different.\u201D I was just getting started as the lunch adjournment was taken on this motion, so if I may just, for the benefit of those who are listening who may not have been listening beforehand\u2014this debate began approximately a quarter of an hour before the lunch adjournment. It is not a debate about the contents of the bill, and I want to assure the Speaker that I understand that. The first reading of the bill has already been passed, and my party has supported it. This is a response to a motion that has been put forward by the Associate Minister of Health, Jenny Salesa, proposing for there to be a truncated select committee process whereby the Health Committee would be required to complete their consideration of submissions in a much shorter space of time and to report back to the House, essentially, by a date before the House rises for the general election. I put that on record because, as I say, there may be people listening who won\u2019t understand that we are debating that motion. We are not debating the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill and its contents; that has already been undertaken. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EWhen I commenced my debate, I was conscious of the fact that an interjection had been made just a couple of moments before, which I think is drawing attention to one of the most important reasons why the House must not agree today to the proposal from the Associate Minister of Health for there to be a truncated select committee process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db18c57505b14e1ba070f727f57002cd\u0022\u003EHon Shane Jones\u003C/span\u003E: Trifling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222a771bc8051440598529023a6901c2ba\u0022\u003EHon TIM MACINDOE\u003C/span\u003E: That is a particularly silly interjection from the Hon Shane Jones in view of the seriousness of the issue that I\u2019m about to cover. I\u2019d point out he wasn\u2019t in the House at the time that this was even raised, and therefore for him to make such an interjection is most inappropriate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EAs we know, the international COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is developing at a rapid rate, and just in the last couple of hours, the President of the United States has announced a ban on all international travel from Europe to America. That is absolutely relevant to this particular motion because it suggests that the Health Committee may well be dealing with some extraordinarily important issues relating to the continued development of the COVID-19 outbreak over the next few months. Conceivably, they will have a huge extra body of work to consider as a result of this international outbreak as it continues to claim victims internationally and here at home. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EWho knows what is to come? That\u2019s why I say to the Hon Shane Jones that his interjection was particularly inappropriate. Who knows what measures the Health Committee may be required to consider as a result of what is going to be proposed, perhaps by the Government, perhaps by the World Health Organization\u2014who knows? As I say, it\u2019s an unfolding situation. Their workload may become overwhelming, and that is directly relevant in this instance because the Government is asking the select committee to truncate a select committee process that would normally be approximately six months from the start to the completion of the bill\u2019s consideration, just at a time when their burdens may become more acute than we can ever remember. They may have to make that work, in responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, their absolute priority for the next few months, and I do hope that the Government is listening. I do hope that the next Government speaker on this motion will respond. They may have to make that work an absolute priority. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EIt is utterly unreasonable, therefore, to ask them to deal with this particular bill, the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill, in a truncated fashion. It has a lot of agreement\u2014it doesn\u2019t have complete agreement\u2014and while it\u2019s an important measure, it is nowhere near as important as dealing with the coronavirus outbreak and whatever work that throws on to the committee. So I ask the next speaker from the Government to respond specifically to that point, and it can\u2019t be avoided or trivialised, Mr Jones. I hope you would acknowledge that point. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EThere are some other points that I would wish to make in the time that is available to me. The first is\u2014and this is the more conventional one, but it needs to be dealt with all the same\u2014truncated select committees should be avoided because it\u2019s poor process. We as a Parliament have a responsibility to give proper consideration to bills. That\u2019s why there\u2019s a very established framework that we operate under, and a truncated process often leads to rushed and imperfect lawmaking. We shouldn\u2019t be prepared to do that, and it\u2019s, frankly, arisen simply because this Government has been a chaotic shambles. They spent two years failing to deal with legislation in a timely fashion, and suddenly, now that they have a deadline of a looming general election and the date that the House will rise for that election, they\u2019ve suddenly realised, \u201CGood lord, we didn\u2019t do anything for two years, and now we can\u2019t get anything done because time doesn\u2019t permit.\u201D Well, their ineptitude doesn\u2019t justify a truncated select committee process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EThe next argument is that this is absolutely an affront to democracy. It\u2019s closely aligned to the point that I\u2019ve just made, but it\u2019s an affront to democracy because members of the public have a right to be heard and to make their submissions in a considered fashion. I mentioned that there is broad support for this bill\u2014that is true\u2014but there is not unanimous support for this bill in this House. We know from the fact that the ACT Party is opposed that there may well be members or supporters of the ACT Party who would wish to be heard on the bill\u2014perhaps, more importantly, some of those constitutional experts who frequently appear before select committees to express their concerns on constitutional abuses or the constitutional implications of measures. They too have a right to be heard and should be given the opportunity to do so in a timely fashion. It is not reasonable to say to busy professional people, \u201CDrop everything; do this in a hurry\u201D, just because the Government is out of control and it\u2019s lost all semblance of order and the ability to do things in a timely fashion. They shouldn\u2019t impose that on members of the public who have a legitimate interest. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EThe third thing that I want to draw attention to\u2014or rather the fourth, if you include the opening point that I made about the burdens on the Health Committee\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c93fff11404c441ea4340c37eefc1e81\u0022\u003EHon Shane Jones\u003C/span\u003E: Making it up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022378e97c7f06b4e0fa665ea26281f9704\u0022\u003EHon TIM MACINDOE\u003C/span\u003E: Making it up? \u201CMaking it up,\u201D says Mr Jones. It is really unbelievable that such imbecilic interjections are coming from a senior Cabinet Minister who ought to be taking this matter seriously. I hope that he\u2019s going to respond, but if he does, I hope that his response will be considerably more considered than this nonsense that we\u2019re having to listen to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EThe point I was going to make is in my capacity as the shadow Attorney-General, and to draw attention to the fact that one of the things the select committee would have to take into account is the fact that there has been an Attorney-General\u2019s report\u2014and the Attorney-General is in the House at the moment\u2014a section 7 report concluding that the bill is inconsistent with section 14 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and therefore cannot be justified under section 5. Now, I acknowledge that there is precedent for the Attorney-General\u2019s reports, under Governments of both complexions, to be ignored. The Attorney-General has a job to do and he has done that, and I acknowledge that with respect. The point I am making, though, is that the select committee also needs to take that into account. That would be factored into the report that they would send back to the House. It may well be that they would say, \u201CWe respect the Attorney-General\u2019s conclusion, but nevertheless we believe that matters of public interest override it and therefore we will continue.\u201D They\u2019ve got to have the opportunity to do that work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228a1cb04e-8a86-44d1-9004-6e158e220339\u0022\u003EHere we have a Government that is seeking to deny the select committee the opportunity to do their work properly. It would be remiss of me, as the shadow Attorney-General, not to draw attention to the fact that that\u2019s part of the mix here of what has to be considered. So, I implore the Government to think again. This is not sufficiently serious a matter for it to be trivialised and pushed to one side by a Health Committee that may have a much more serious matter to grapple with if measures relating to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak are put before them and dominate their work. Because you can be sure that if they are given that work to do, they\u2019ll have to make that their priority. So I hope that the members of the Government say, \u201CYes, that\u2019s a reasonable point.\u201D even if they reject the other points that I\u2019ve made, to say, \u201CYes, that is a reasonable point. We must not do that to this committee at such a serious time of an international outbreak.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00226b1721d66f064f5296b97cf3974a9c56\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226b1721d66f064f5296b97cf3974a9c56\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry):\u003C/span\u003E Obviously, the referral motion enjoys the support of the party I belong to, but this debate has become tainted by alarmism. This debate has wandered right off the track. It is a very narrow, well-understood device used by both sides of the House from time to time. But to suggest that we should acquiesce with this merchant of doom from the other side of the House at a time when all parliamentarians should be standing shoulder to shoulder and giving reassurance to New Zealanders rather than plucking inaccurate information out of Google, as he\u2019s just done in terms of America and Europe, without understanding the technicalities of that decision\u2014not only has the member moved us away from a very common parliamentary practice, which we will be voting for, but he is now trying to scare, trying to panic, and trying to taint what is an important piece of legislation which has long since been talked about in this House: a public policy issue to which we are no strangers. So this notion that we\u2019re on the edge of a precipice\u2014worsened and exaggerated by the other members of the House at the very time they should be giving a tone that is calm and reassuring, not dividing New Zealanders in levels of panic and scaremongering, moving along like Cassandras. So for those reasons, under no circumstances whatsoever will we agree with the sentiments of the last speaker, Mr Tim Macindoe, and I encourage us to move very quickly to the end of this rather elongated and fruitless debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u00223b47639be5464cd2b3764f98e307b9d6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223b47639be5464cd2b3764f98e307b9d6\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Could I just remind members before I choose\u2014with a very difficult choice\u2014that this is a very narrow debate. Thank you for your understanding. On the basis of your miming, Chris Penk gets the call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022 data-id=\u0022bc60c91b19ac4b26943cdc7df7d2a190\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bc60c91b19ac4b26943cdc7df7d2a190\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK (National\u2014Helensville):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Assistant Speaker. I didn\u2019t realise that hand gestures were helpful to sort of communicate a message in the House. I\u2019ll bear that in mind in other contexts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7f55fbe47264c07aeb3879761ef4eb7\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Not always.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224194ef4d6abc4e93a20be90c190d9d6a\u0022\u003ECHRIS PENK\u003C/span\u003E: Not always\u2014OK, thank you. The member who has just resumed his seat, the Hon Shane Jones, said before that the matter was trifling, but I think he would acknowledge that it\u2019s never fruitless to try to avoid a law turning to custard. So, for that reason, the select committee needs as much time as possible, or at least not less time than usual, to be able to consider the matter that will be before it\u2014namely, the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill. I make that submission for approximately four reasons. By happy coincidence, they all start with the letter \u201Cc\u201D: cross-referencing other obligations, certainty, complexity, and the crowded public square. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EThe first of those is cross-referencing other obligations. Mr Macindoe has already referred to the need to weigh New Zealand Bill of Rights Act report requirements so I won\u2019t go into that in any detail, but I think it\u2019s also worth noting that the other obligations that would need to be weighed against the substance and, indeed, the detail of the law itself include international obligations. For example, the World Health Organization\u2014oh, I beg your pardon; I thought someone called out \u201CWho?\u201D\u2014Framework Convention on Tobacco Control contains New Zealand\u2019s obligations with which this law will need to be consistent. So, it\u2019s important that the select committee turns its mind to that and isn\u2019t unduly rushed in doing so, lest it miss an opportunity to continue New Zealand\u2019s alignment with that international instrument. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EThe second point was around certainty, more particularly the need to get the law right the first time. This is an area of public life that will be important to those who perhaps don\u2019t necessarily interact much with parliamentary processes and debates, and I would rather not see a situation where the Parliament, as has happened regrettably sometimes in recent years in relation to drug legislation of other types\u2014to sort of go backwards and forth and create some confusion in the community. So, for the sake of certainty, it\u2019s important that the select committee takes all the time that it needs to get this legislative process right the first time. As the saying goes, \u201CAct in haste, repent at leisure.\u201D Well, this would be an Act that will be passed, and it seems that it\u2019s set to be passed in due course, and to do that hastily and only to be required to repeal or replace at leisure later would be a shame and certainly one that\u2019s open to the House to avoid today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EMy next point was around complexity, and that really touches on the fact that it is a very technical piece of legislation. If we look, for example, as early as the second line of the explanatory note, the select committee will need to turn its mind to the differences and relative merits of \u201Ctobacco smoking products, herbal smoking products, smokeless tobacco products, and vaping products\u201D. To allow them the time that they need to gain expert advice on the differences between those from a health perspective, and I suppose from a justice perspective as well, is very important. I don\u2019t think that we should tie the hands of the select committee any more than would be the case normally in terms of a reporting period in relation to their very important duty to consider those details. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EMy final point relates to the crowdedness of the public square. Mr Macindoe is ahead of me in referencing the particular demands that he expects\u2014and I think, quite reasonably\u2014will be placed upon the Health Committee in the coming months regarding the coronavirus pandemic as we can now call it despite accusations of scaremongering which are themselves scaremongering and spurious. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EBut more generally speaking, there will be a crowded public square, such that people who have an interest in this legislation will no doubt also be keenly interested in paying attention to other matters of policy making within this legislative process, but also ahead of the general election. So I think we\u2019d be naive not to think that that will be important in part of the context of lawmaking and submissions that can be expected in relation to this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f96cdca1-b63c-4602-b2b3-276f58ebb518\u0022\u003EAgain, I think for the members of the Health Committee, to pressure them unduly to have a shorter than usual process in considering this very important legislation would not do justice to them, nor indeed the subject matter of the bill. So for that reason, I, along with colleagues on this side of the House, it seems, reject the notion that there should be a shorter period for the Health Committee to consider the bill before reporting back.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u00229fb47841b15d47148e702948ef9e34e5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229fb47841b15d47148e702948ef9e34e5\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN (Assistant Whip\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022104e3075d6714cdea5d7d46b64655e6d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022104e3075d6714cdea5d7d46b64655e6d\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Ruth Dyson)\u003C/span\u003E: Before I call Matt Doocey, could I just say that despite the previous speaker, Mr Chris Penk, indicating that he understood the debate was narrow, there was very little of his contribution that actually referred to the instruction that we are now debating: it doesn\u2019t cover the content of the legislation, it doesn\u2019t cover the prospect of a pandemic in New Zealand and the subsequent Health Committee workload, and it doesn\u2019t cover the American travel ban; it just covers the instruction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022 data-id=\u0022b8f8cb07c15d4f1ab96baf124ad0166e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b8f8cb07c15d4f1ab96baf124ad0166e\u0022\u003EMATT DOOCEY (National\u2014Waimakariri):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Assistant Speaker, thank very much. I want to start by saying that I rise on behalf of not only the National Party but as a member of the Health Committee to oppose this instruction to truncate the report-back time to 2\u00BD months. You know, we\u2019re not here for three months or four; it\u2019s two and a half. I just want to start by saying, in response to that last Government member, the Hon Shane Jones, who took his call, if I said half the rubbish that he does in this House, I\u2019d expect my mum to call me up and tell me to come home. I mean, we are debating a serious matter here. This is the first time this Parliament has had the ability to debate regulation on vaping\u2014the first time. In the words of his own colleague Darroch Ball, who interjected when the Hon Michael Woodhouse was debating, he said, \u201CYou\u2019ve got to do it once and do it right.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003EWell, in fact, that\u2019s what we\u2019re actually arguing for today in this debate: doing it once and doing it right. New Zealand\u2019s Parliament has not debated regulation on vaping before. And in the words of the Minister herself, when she took the first call of the first reading of this debate around the smoke-free and the regulation of vaping, she said, \u201CThe bill is complex.\u201D So you have the Minister responsible for the bill who says it\u2019s complex, which is coded for \u201CI don\u2019t think we\u2019ve got this right.\u201D, yet, on the other hand, the introduction of a 2\u00BD month instruction to go through a submission process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003EAdd into that mix that the Minister herself admitted that, in fact, there hadn\u2019t been a lot of consultation in the lead-up to this bill. The Government talks about a new style of politics, yet they decline the Opposition\u2019s request to be involved in the formation of this bill. There\u2019s no other consideration of stakeholders in this policy development, so how can we go from the Minister accepting this is a complex bill and the Minister stating that, in fact, there hasn\u2019t been a lot of consultation\u2014which I would probably state means there hasn\u2019t been enough consultation\u2014and now the report-back time has been truncated to 2\u00BD months. The risk is we don\u2019t have that consultation and we don\u2019t have the ability for submitters to have their say. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003EI know we are to talk about the 2\u00BD months in this debate and not the content of the bill, but I just want to make one quick point because I am going to be brief here. This bill is around the regulation of a harmful substance. We are not making things safe here; we\u2019re introducing vaping to reduce the harm. Yes it reduces harm by 95 percent, but it is a harmful substance. So how can we be in a position in Parliament when we are looking at the regulation of a harmful substance, and we\u2019re saying the bill is complex\u2014so we haven\u2019t got all the answers yet. We\u2019re actually stating we haven\u2019t done much consultation, yet all of a sudden we\u2019re saying, \u201CYou\u2019ve only got 2\u00BD months to seek submissions and to hear them.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ee649aea-c6fa-4610-9fcf-5c4bb2d3cd33\u0022\u003EThe problem is we are going to be forced into a position to return a bill back to the House, after 2\u00BD months, that would not have all the tyres kicked. It will not be fit for purpose. We will be forced to go into the committee of the whole House, and there\u2019ll be a number of Supplementary Order Papers from the Government side, and there will be from the Opposition side, to correct the problems that this bill will come back to in the second reading. And that is why I think we should be opposing the 2\u00BD month\u2014not three, four, or six\u2014report-back date. Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022325080cd0da844f89928adab99f26b75\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 2 June, 2020; and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions), during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House; and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a siting of the House; and outside the Wellington area, despite Standing Orders 191, 193 and 194(1)(b) and (c).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 55\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 55.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002211b3a0a3735e4cf8977b1f284d7189c5\u0022\u003ELocal Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002218f66598f9294393a99e49f89b495045\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u0022b4939865b4554410a6af4343d44bf335\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b4939865b4554410a6af4343d44bf335\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the Local Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee to consider the bill. At the appropriate time, I intend to move that the Local Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 29 June and that the committee have the authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions), during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House, and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House, and outside the Wellington area, despite Standing Orders 191, 193, 194(1)(b) and 194(1)(c).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EWhatungarongaro te tangata toit\u016B te whenua.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EPeople may perish but the land shall always remain.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThat is a prescient reminder of the role and responsibility that M\u0101ori electorate MPs have in this House to continue to advocate for positive change in relation to whenua M\u0101ori. A key objective of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 is to facilitate the occupation, development, and utilisation of M\u0101ori land for the benefit of its owners. Rating law and practice has long been recognised as an impediment to achieving that objective. This bill implements measures to remove rates as an impediment to the use and development of M\u0101ori land by its owners.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EIn developing proposals for this bill, it became apparent that in previous reviews of rating legislation, issues around rating M\u0101ori land had been put in the too-hard basket. The result is that much of our present law about rating M\u0101ori land dates back to 1924 and what was then known as the Native Lands Rating Act. This bill makes some changes to bring rating law into line with the current expectations for M\u0101ori-Crown relationships and, importantly, the unique land tenure system applying to whenua M\u0101ori.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThis Government does not believe that issues relating to use and development of M\u0101ori land can be solved by a single measure. This bill is a part of a package of measures designed to assist M\u0101ori to develop and use their whenua. Let me briefly summarise other measures this Government has taken, which include the introduction of Te Ture Whenua Maori (Succession, Dispute Resolution, and Related Matters) Amendment Bill that will simplify some of the legal process requirements that M\u0101ori land owners face; the allocation of $56.1 million in Budget 2019, enabling the establishment of regional on-the-ground advisory services in Tai Tokerau, Waiariki, and Te Tai R\u0101whiti; the creation of a whenua knowledge hub, and the Tupu New Zealand website that I launched in February this year; new and enhanced services for the M\u0101ori Land Court and the modernisation of the M\u0101ori Land Court information systems; the provision of feasibility and investment funds for M\u0101ori land owners through the Whenua M\u0101ori Fund; and $100 million set aside from the Provincial Growth Fund for the development of whenua M\u0101ori.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EReturning to this bill, that works in conjunction with these other initiatives to stimulate wh\u0101nau development through whenua. I\u2019d like to now comment on the key proposals contained in this bill. By far the biggest problem for owners of M\u0101ori land engaging with local authorities about development is the problem of rates arrears. Under current law, the accumulation of rates arrears creates a negative cycle. The ability of owners to pay rates and the inability of wh\u0101nau to develop their land has prevented them from being able to pay those rates. Existing rates arrears inhibit owners from engaging with local authorities to promote the development of the land. We need to break this cycle. We actually need to change up the conversation, because if whenua M\u0101ori is developed, there are local and regional benefits from growth opportunities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThis bill does this in two ways. First, land blocks that are entirely unused will be made non-rateable and existing rates arrears on those blocks will be written off. At the same time, land which has been set aside under Ng\u0101 Whenua R\u0101hui kawenata will also be made non-rateable. Second, local authority chief executives will be given discretion to write off rates arrears on any land where they consider the rates cannot be recovered. In addition, they will be able to write off rates where a person has inherited a beneficial interest in a block of M\u0101ori land and finds that they have also inherited rates arrears. The bill\u2019s third initiative is to create a statutory remissions process for rates on M\u0101ori land under development.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ESome councils already grant rates remissions for developments they see as economically beneficial for their district. Currently, each council develops its own remissions policy, so there is no national consistency in approach to development remissions, but there needs to be. This bill will provide a consistent set of criteria and considerations that each council must take into account when dealing with an application for rates remissions for the development of M\u0101ori land. Owners of M\u0101ori land have particular difficulties accessing capital for development, as the nature of their land titles creates difficulties in securing mortgages. Granting rates remissions or postponements during the development stage recognises this issue and is an investment for a council in obtaining future rating streams from productive utilisation of whenua M\u0101ori.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe bill\u2019s fourth initiative addresses the problem of fragmentation of M\u0101ori land titles. Many M\u0101ori land blocks are quite small, and individually they may not be economic to develop. If owners can agree to manage the blocks as one, development is possible. However, the combined rates charges for these blocks can be very high because of the application of uniform charges under the local authority rating schemes. The bill provides that where multiple units of M\u0101ori land are used as a single economic unit, if they were part of the same original block of M\u0101ori land they can be rated as if they were one rating unit. The Far North District Council, for example, did this for the \u014Ckahu blocks in its district, reducing annual rates from $18,000 to $8,000 per annum. This bill will make this universally available for many M\u0101ori land owners.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe bill\u2019s fifth initiative addresses the rating treatment of homes on M\u0101ori land. Where there are multiple homes on a block of M\u0101ori land or a home is incidental to other uses of the land, the title arrangement means the homeowner is unable to access the rates rebate scheme. In 2018, this Parliament passed legislation granting access to rates rebates to occupants of retirement villages. It is clear that where there are multiple homes on M\u0101ori land, there is an equally compelling case that low-income homeowners in those homes should also be able to access the rates rebates. This bill will enable that to occur.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe bill proposes a number of other changes to the rating legislation. One is particularly important and I know it will have a positive impact in many regions. In 1967, the Government of the day amended the Maori Affairs Act to direct that certain M\u0101ori land be changed to general land. This was done without consultation or notification to the owners. The effect of that change was to expose that land to alienation through abandoned land and rating sales under the rating Act. I am aware of cases where such land has recently been offered for sale under those provisions. This bill will stop future sales of that classification of land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ERating matters have been a concern for M\u0101ori land owners ever since the practice was introduced in the 19th century. Ironically, it was one of the key issues my tupuna Mahuta opposed as an unfair measure when he was an early member of the legislative House. This bill will deal with some of the longstanding issues that have continued to arise in that area. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022 data-id=\u00227c52b31eee0246d9b1d005ebcb11584f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227c52b31eee0246d9b1d005ebcb11584f\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE (National\u2014Tukituki):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s my pleasure to rise and speak to this bill. National will be opposing this bill\u2014I say that from the beginning, and I\u2019m going to outline some reasons why. In the specific instance of the rating of M\u0101ori land, some of this bill has some merit, but the risk it causes is that you set a policy that will then not be consistent with a whole lot of other Government policies that are being rolled out right now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EMinister, I understand the rating of M\u0101ori land; I\u2019ve been a mayor where I\u2019ve remitted those rates, so I know it can be done. I\u2019ve been a mayor when we have put the uniform charges together on several properties, so the rates per property have been reduced. It can be done. It can be done with elected officials who understand the need and the value and the good. Now, I accept that not every electorate official thinks the same, but that is the core of New Zealand\u2019s democracy. Here we have a process where the Government rides in and says, \u201CIt\u2019s available to everybody.\u201D It\u2019s important I say that because\u2014I\u2019ll come back to this later\u2014I\u2019m struggling to understand what is so broken that needs to be fixed, without the precedent understanding of Ministers on your side of the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EWhat the Minister Nanaia Mahuta is really asking in this bill is that there is a provision to write off rates on M\u0101ori land, and the penalties that go with that, for whatever reason, because it\u2019s unproductive land or can\u2019t be used.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EThe Government currently has a significant number of policy initiatives under way, many of which we have concerns about. One of them relates to the freshwater package that is being looked at at the moment, which asks people\u2014or tells people, really; compels people\u2014to fence waterways. Fence them off; they can\u2019t be used. They then become unproductive\u2014unproductive land all around New Zealand. Five metres, I think, Mr Parker, is the minimum. Five metres, I think you\u2019re talking about, either side of the water\u2014or is it going to be 10?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002244d30ebe8ac14844ae52892e172609cd\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s being consulted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281a0c7e3504c409b9fa4320b6e270de5\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, it might be consulted on, but that\u2019s what\u2019s being considered. A massive sway of farmland is becoming unproductive because we\u2019re trying to support the waterways.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EThen we have the new policy that\u2019s just been announced about indigenous species, how we manage biodiversity\u2014a case where a lot of New Zealand land, farmland included, may not be used for a productive purpose. Are they all going to get rates relief? Are they all going to get remissions? That hasn\u2019t even been thought about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003ESo the fundamental premise from this side is that unless you do this holistically, you are setting up one part of New Zealand to have a remissions policy and a way it operates, without thinking about the precedent that goes on in other parts. I come back to my own experience in this place. I have seen the inability of, in many cases, multiply owned, unproductive M\u0101ori land, that is in some cases landlocked, having rates build up over years and having to be remitted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EI remind members of this House that rates\u2014some countries call them \u201Ctaxes\u201D\u2014are really the way in which we fund the local authority to operate and all the things that it operates for. Everybody that owns a property has a requirement to pay their share of those costs, and that is set on basically land or capital value, generally. If the land is unproductive for whatever reason, you can mount an argument to say that there is no loss to the community for that land because it\u2019s not being used. You can also mount the case on Department of Conservation (DOC) land. DOC land is not being used apart from the keeping of the New Zealand estate. It may be used for tourism purposes, but in many parts of New Zealand it\u2019s not rated for. The net result of all of that is that the people who have the productive land or the use, they fund\u2014whether it\u2019s houses, businesses, commercial operations, or industrial operations\u2014the cost for that community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003ENow, we have, in this case, a bill that says, basically, a chief executive can write off historic rates and arrears for M\u0101ori land\u2014whether its multiply owned or not\u2014that has been unproductive, to set the record straight. I can think of at least three times in my mayoral career where we had reports to us that looked at the value of the rates and the arrears. I agree with the Minister that in many cases, it\u2019s the value of the arrears that are the issue. I think in all those three years, we wrote those off. But the net result of that is probably that we should never have charged them in the first place, because we end up putting them in a mix of the budget and then writing them off at the end. The net result of that is you push the price up for everybody else that is paying if you\u2019re going to deliver the same level of service. So our view is that we think the Government should first settle the M\u0101ori land tenure issues through Te Ture Whenua Maori Act before addressing this issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EWe also think that the Government has not thought through the ramifications of some other policies that, out of fairness and equity, should apply for the same remission\u2014that is that if you set land aside for an environmental value on waterways and it\u2019s unproductive, why cannot any New Zealander get a rates remission of that? If you set land aside for biodiversity, why can any New Zealander not get a rates remission for that? The net result of doing all of those things, including the M\u0101ori land rates remission, is that you narrow the pool of people who are paying the costs of providing the services for that community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EMany farmers in New Zealand\u2014as an example\u2014plant large areas of land for conservation purposes. They can get a remission if it\u2019s a QEII, but if it\u2019s not then there is no remission available. So on one hand, we accept that there\u2019s an issue with M\u0101ori land and historic debts and the penalties, but the way in which this goes about addressing it disadvantages all other ratepayers. If the Government wanted to fix this, and if the Government is consistent in its approach, then the Government should fund the rates of this land. The Government should fund the rates on the land that is going to be required to be fenced off and unproductive for water quality. The Government should fund the rates for the biodiversity value that New Zealand is going to get if that biodiversity strategy happens. Ultimately, what you\u2019re doing is removing the productive base from New Zealand and you\u2019re putting extra costs on that very same productive base.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EIf you\u2019d asked me to talk on this or if the party had asked me to talk on this probably two years ago, without those new provisions I\u2019m talking about, I would have had a little bit of sympathy. But I really worry about the precedent that is being set, and I really worry that in this wish to, sort of, put a line in the sand and allow development, you\u2019re setting a whole precedent of issues that haven\u2019t been thought through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EMinister, you said that in the Far North, they\u2019ve done all sorts of things to deal with how they reorganise land. Those things are already available in the current law. I have done them myself under the current Act. So I\u2019m struggling to understand what is so revolutionary about this bill, what it\u2019s expecting to fix, and, on the other side of that, the dangerous precedent it\u2019s setting for all the other land that is about to become unproductive by various other Government policies and who\u2019s going to pay the rates on that. Ultimately, a local authority has a budget and it does things: it builds roads, sewerage, water. All those things it does, it needs to fund those, and there is a certain community that has to fund them. If you remove the rating base and you take areas out of the rating base, what you largely do is put more and more costs on what\u2019s left, particularly urban ratepayers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003ESo in our view, while the issue is there, the approach to resolve it is not the answer. It creates a can of worms and will set a precedent for many other types of Government policies that haven\u2019t been thought about. So we strongly oppose this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u00228dd04dbd6cc3483fb523af19126954bf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228dd04dbd6cc3483fb523af19126954bf\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour\u2014Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019m glad to follow that member who has just resumed his seat, Lawrence Yule, from Tukituki, because what I was listening for was: what would they do? What would they do to unlock the economic potential in underutilised M\u0101ori land?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252b7e925098f41778639335ddb9caf16\u0022\u003EAnahila Kanongata\u2019a-Suisuiki\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019ve done nothing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229971309a3d5d4523bafffa0358c55fba\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI\u003C/span\u003E: Nothing\u2014that\u2019s exactly right. They\u2019ve done nothing. But here we have this Minister, in this bill, talking about unlocking and allowing M\u0101ori land that has accumulated years of rates to participate in the economic gain, to bring benefits to the region\u2014to themselves and to the regions, to this nation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EAs a member of a large area of M\u0101ori freehold land, it is important that we on this side of the House explore the options for all M\u0101ori land owners, but these ones that the Minister has outlined are those that can\u2019t even get to the first step. We are, as the Minister outlined, making amendments to the ratings Act to ensure M\u0101ori land owners who, for whatever reason, over many years have accumulated rates and do want to participate can unlock the potential in it. But I listened to that side, because essentially what that side is saying is we don\u2019t care about rate remission or coming up with solutions to enable M\u0101ori land to develop wherever they are. That\u2019s what they\u2019re saying to our people throughout the country: they don\u2019t care.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThis bill, as the Minister outlined, is actually addressing the very issue that M\u0101ori land owners, both when we were reviewing when they had the ture whenua and now that we\u2019ve had te ture whenua, about their right to participate\u2014and rates have been, for a long year, an inhibitor to them participating. So this is what this bill is essentially doing. It\u2019s allowing certain tools under the ratings legislation of the local government bill to ensure that those that have M\u0101ori land blocks that are non-rateable\u2014or removing rates on underused M\u0101ori land by providing powers to the chief executive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ENow, that member talked about a very progressive council, the Hastings District Council, that he used to lead once upon a time, but what I couldn\u2019t get was if Hastings can apply\u2014and they do apply, and some other progressive councils do apply\u2014then what\u2019s the problem with legislating it so there is an even application of rates remission on M\u0101ori land? What\u2019s wrong with that? That\u2019s not inequitable; that\u2019s actually smart, right? That\u2019s actually smart. So that is the proposition under this bill that the Minister is presenting to the House. It is a way in which we can, like I said, unlock the potential in M\u0101ori whenua. It is a very complex set of arrangements in terms of unlocking M\u0101ori land, but we see this bill as part of the Minister\u2019s wider M\u0101ori land reforms\u2014i.e., the changes in Te Ture Whenua Maori Act, the whenua M\u0101ori p\u016Btea that the Hon Shane Jones has made available under the Provincial Growth Fund.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThirty percent of M\u0101ori freehold land is in my electorate of Te Tai R\u0101whiti, so the rating issue is a very real burden for many of them. I heard the former speaker talk about \u201CWell, if we give it to them, why can\u2019t we give it to others?\u201D The reality is that for a lot of M\u0101ori land, we\u2019re the last cab in the rank when it came to unlocking land, particularly around access to water\u2014and he did mention that. He did mention water. All that we\u2019re trying to do with this bill\u2014that the Minister is trying to do\u2014is show a commitment from this side around the utilisation and the potential of M\u0101ori land, that that side has never addressed, through this bill. This is what this bill is doing, and I\u2019m excited that we are bringing this up, as I said, as part of what the Minister has said in her wider M\u0101ori land reforms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI know that in terms of the point she made around abandoned land, one of my councils\u2014and I\u2019ve got 10 councils throughout my electorate, but one of my councils\u2014has historically put abandoned M\u0101ori land up for sale\u2014abandoned M\u0101ori land for sale. So this bill is addressing that particular issue by ruling that out. I\u2019ve got to say, for what little land is in M\u0101ori possession, which is the 1.4 million hectares\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e987770454149a98a220874579aa686\u0022\u003EMarama Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, the last bits left.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a2bd617605724aad858c6a3ee5876ca7\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s right. This side of the House are making a stance: that we need to protect what little M\u0101ori freehold land we have\u2014not only protect it but, in this bill, enable its development economically. So I\u2019m really pleased that the Minister has presented this bill. I\u2019m looking forward to it coming to the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee. But more importantly, if that side had voted for it, it would\u2019ve been interesting to hear them expand on the bill, which I have yet to see, and hopefully some of those members will get up on their feet and say what they would do around unlocking M\u0101ori economic land. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022 data-id=\u0022d184eddda576456db48b357b33069863\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d184eddda576456db48b357b33069863\u0022\u003EDr JIAN YANG (National):\u003C/span\u003E I speak on this Local Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill. The bill has three objectives. The first one is to support the development of M\u0101ori land; and, secondly, to support the development of housing on M\u0101ori land; and, thirdly, to modernise the rating legislation affecting M\u0101ori land\u2014so it\u2019s all about M\u0101ori land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003ERates arrears are considered to be a very significant disincentive to M\u0101ori land owners engaging with and developing their land, but is the issue so significant? Or, shall we say, there are many other issues that you need to consider.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003EThe regulatory impact assessment states\u2014I read\u2014that \u201CM\u0101ori land tends to be more isolated, in smaller holdings and, less \u2018useable\u2019 than general land: for example, 80 per cent of M\u0101ori land is classified as being of lower quality and only 17 per cent of M\u0101ori land is considered suitable for arable use. Up to 20 per cent of land is considered landlocked, and about 16,000 (60 per cent) M\u0101ori land titles are smaller than five hectares, with approximately 11,000 (40 per cent) being smaller than one hectare.\u201D If M\u0101ori land is more isolated and classified as being of lower economic value, how does this amendment encourage the development of the land and make the land more accessible for productivity? We are not sure whether this bill will indeed achieve the objectives\u2014that is, to support development of M\u0101ori land and support the development of housing on M\u0101ori land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003ESo to develop M\u0101ori land, we need to consider a wide range of issues or factors such as the constraint due to their resource management consent or resource management system under the Resource Management Act 1991. And you may need to consider the operation of the collective decision-making rules for M\u0101ori land under Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993\u2014or called the TTWM Act\u2014and also we need to consider the constraints on the availability of development finance, which are also a consequence of the TTWM Act. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003EThe bill itself incentivises M\u0101ori to develop land, with particular emphasis on housing due to the housing shortage. But why would this provision not extend to general land? There has been no mention of the impacts this bill will have on general land owners, and farmers and general land owners have not been consulted as a part of the regulatory impact assessment. Also plenty of farmers who presently plant large parts of their properties with trees, for the purpose of improving the environment, do not enjoy risk reduction for non-productive land. Well, if rates write-offs on M\u0101ori-owned land occur, this will be subsidised by general land owners, who will cover the cost of the write-offs of the council. We can see the difference between M\u0101ori land and general land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003EClause 39, the powers of the chief executive to write off rates that cannot be recovered\u2014this is clause 39, about the powers of the chief executive to write off rates that cannot be recovered. But does this apply to non-M\u0101ori land as well? The bill needs to specify if the authority to write off rates applies to non-M\u0101ori land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003EAs I said, the consultation has only been between M\u0101ori land owners and land councils. The Far North District Council expressed views against the bill from general ratepayers. This is a poor policy that fails to quantify any economic benefit or value to the local districts, and places an additional cost on general ratepayers. Now, collecting rates in M\u0101ori-owned land has been an issue for a long time. The council\u2014indeed, many councils\u2014are facing this particular issue. But the bill itself should address more important or deeper reasons for the issues related to M\u0101ori land. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003ENow, the Government needs to first settle M\u0101ori land tenure issues through the TTWM Act 1993 before addressing appropriately these rate issues. Also we see that Labour, the Greens, and New Zealand First opposed Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill in 2017. I quote this: Mr Kelvin Davis said, \u201CThere has not been a case for change as to why the 1993 Act does not work because \u2026 there are any number of M\u0101ori trusts and incorporations that are doing perfectly fine. They are doing very well. We have got a $40 billion M\u0101ori economy under this Act,\u201D\u2014this is what Kelvin Davis said during the first reading of the bill. So Labour opposed the bill because they felt it did not help small M\u0101ori land owners. The new bill does not distinguish between smaller or larger M\u0101ori land owners. So it gives a general rating exemption to all M\u0101ori land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003ENow, Labour opposed this bill because it did not support small business. But then, in the end, they did not specify this bill itself is for small M\u0101ori land owners. The Cabinet paper on the bill fails to quantify the value of writing off the rates that the local economies would get. So the bill falls short of creating effective initiatives for the development of M\u0101ori land. So this issue has been there for a long time. If the purpose is to develop M\u0101ori land, then you should give strong incentives. But this one, we do not see that it\u2019ll achieve what it intends to achieve. As I said, if the land itself is so isolated and remote, then why would this itself be enough to incentivise people to develop on M\u0101ori land? Some councils believe that this bill will create tension in their districts and will be racially divisive. And the bill fails to safeguard M\u0101ori land staying in M\u0101ori ownership. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022656487fe-e0a2-485c-8dc2-fe61b9aec128\u0022\u003ESo these are the concerns and, therefore, we believe you should really have more discussion and, at this stage, we oppose the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022 data-id=\u00222ead02e75ef54993af23cd7137665534\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222ead02e75ef54993af23cd7137665534\u0022\u003EHon SHANE JONES (Minister of Forestry):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Speaker. Naturally, this is a first reading for this bill, and a number of the concerns have been already identified. I\u2019ve no doubt in my mind that the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee will receive submissions and diligently work through those submissions. On this side of the House, we are not that pompous to think that this bill doesn\u2019t deserve further scrutiny, and there can be refinements. That\u2019s the virtue of having a select committee process. But the underlying kaupapa of the bill is to enable those M\u0101ori land owners who either want to dedicate their land to a long-term permanent heritage purpose not to be rated out of existence, or those who may actually want to evolve the use of their land to do it in such a way that they\u2019re not insolvent before they start. Now, these are actually matters that will advance the interests of the broader rate-paying community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003ENow, we did have a few contributions from the former mayor there in the Hawke\u2019s Bay. Of course, his recitation of history is deliberately selective. We have just settled the Ahuriri claim, which gives a very sad history, originating with the affairs of Donald McLean, who, in 1867, was also the originator of the M\u0101ori seats. And if you read the history of the Ahuriri claim, you can come to no other conclusion than that local government in his area\u2014of which he\u2019s obviously an administrative descendant of that generation of land squatters who actually took the land off those hap\u016Bs. So there\u2019s just no coherence. However, he\u2019s entitled to his view. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f44431ef-b505-4e94-9f57-a60b0a569bf7\u0022\u003EI think that there shouldn\u2019t be much scope for the discussion of these things of over-bloated language and apocryphal scaremongering. The M\u0101ori land is a key part of growing the provinces. The regions and the territorial authorities have proven incapable without a clear instruction from central government. And where the legislation may need some further refinement, just trust in the democratic select committee process. That\u2019s why the Minister has nominated the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee to consider the bill. I suggest to the members on the other side of the House: use that process and stop the scaremongering, stop the divisiveness over this issue; it\u2019s very unbecoming. Thank you very much.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022 data-id=\u0022896c9a93c0e3448a9e930c3474ded3f7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022896c9a93c0e3448a9e930c3474ded3f7\u0022\u003EDENISE LEE (National\u2014Maungakiekie):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to speak to this particular bill. Other colleagues before me have expressed our party position, and that\u2019s to not support this in its first reading. What we know is that M\u0101ori land accounts for approximately 5 percent of New Zealand\u2019s land area and is predominantly concentrated in the mid to upper North Island. These are some of the facts and figures that the regulatory impact assessment (RIA) has brought out. And there\u2019s about 2.7 million interests\u2014not hectares, interests\u2014in 27,000 or so M\u0101ori land blocks. So that is a lot of interests that we\u2019re talking about. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EMost of that land tends to be\u2014and others have referred to this as well\u2014more isolated, smaller holdings. But notwithstanding, there are significant pockets in some of the larger areas\u2014for instance, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taup\u014D. There\u2019s also, and I smile at this\u2014the RIA brings this out\u2014secondary urban communities. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve even heard of that: secondary urban communities such as K\u0101whia and Paihia.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003ESo there is a need\u2014and we all agree with this and we\u2019re hearing this in the speeches this afternoon\u2014for us to settle M\u0101ori land tenure issues in full. I think everyone agrees that that\u2019s something that needs to happen, and this bill is talking about that. It wants to aim to support development of provision of housing on M\u0101ori land and to modernise the legislation. So that\u2019s a good aim, right? That\u2019s a good, worthwhile aim for the bill. And when you\u2019ve got $1.1 billion or so of what those M\u0101ori land rating units currently account for, this is something of sizable importance and significance. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EWe know that access and development difficulties exist, and\u2014one more time\u2014we all agree on that and there needs to be some assistance to get some of this land productively used. But are rates the only impediment to the productive use of this land? Is that the only issue that we need to address to get this land productively used?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233ade04a87464840a0504202c3051cb9\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d686dc116b94760aa2d2316ed737ffc\u0022\u003EDENISE LEE\u003C/span\u003E: The answer is squarely no, but that\u2019s what this bill is doing, and thanks for the assistance on the other side of the House, whoever is assisting me right now. Our issue with this bill is that it\u2019s the wrong way around. What we\u2019ve got here is a sidestepping of the real issues. What we feel on this side of the House is that the Government\u2019s going for a high-profile low-effort option here. It\u2019s not addressing the fundamentals of what the issue is. It\u2019s just one part of it. So if you\u2019re going to spend the time and effort of this House and the time and effort of the Government\u2014by the way, very shortly before an election\u2014is this the only issue that you go after? Our answer on this side of the House is no. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003ESo what we know is that this bill\u2014and for those listening\u2014allows for multiple dwellings on M\u0101ori land to be treated as one dwelling and enjoying lower rates. Put simply, that\u2019s what this bill does. So we know that if a rate write-off occurs, and that\u2019s what this bill allows for, it\u2019s going to be subsidised by general land owners. Make no mistake about that. Someone needs to cover the cost of the write-offs to the councils. And I\u2019ll just say that one more time: someone needs to cover the cost of the write-offs to councils. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003ESo if we refer back to what I said earlier around the number of interests, the amount of hectares, and the number of land blocks, this is a significant issue. Someone will have to end up paying. So we\u2019ve got questions around where we\u2019ve got to for this first reading, how the Government got here, but first, before I do that, the process of consultation. It\u2019s a good question to ask for any bill or any legislation that we receive here in the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003ESo, according to the Department of Internal Affairs, there\u2019s been limited consultation with local governments, and I\u2019ll stress the word \u201Climited\u201D. Really interesting for me, and it was before my time, but the Hon Nanaia Mahuta opposed Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill because she didn\u2019t believe there was enough consultation, and here we are with not enough consultation on this bill. So we\u2019ve got an ironic switcheroos going on here this afternoon\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b435a3aa7e64780bb2544a2d7e99520\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Switcheroos!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2e25dc7d34d411b8bceb1b567d65ce7\u0022\u003EDENISE LEE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014switcheroo, switcheroo\u2014injecting the good adjectives on a Thursday afternoon. And we\u2019ve got Cabinet papers for this bill confirming that there has been small consultation. So that\u2019s out there for everyone to see and for everyone to read. The consultation\u2019s only been between M\u0101ori land owners and local councils. Now, I note that my colleague Jian Yang raised that the Far North District Council, bless their socks, did express views against the bill on behalf of general ratepayers. So at least someone talked to general ratepayers, but it wasn\u2019t this Government and it wasn\u2019t any of their officials in the lead-up to this. So we know that if we\u2019re going to talk about general ratepayers and councils, there are several councils around New Zealand that feel that a move such as this in this bill will create significant tension. That\u2019s something that we should take seriously and it\u2019s something that we will take seriously with the passage of this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003ESo in my remaining time, back to what our questions would be on this side of the House and then I\u2019ll finish up there. Is it OK\u2014and here\u2019s a fundamental question for the Government\u2014to fail to quantify any economic value to local districts and to place an additional cost on general ratepayers? What we\u2019re arguing is that they have failed to quantify any economic value to local districts with this bill. Perhaps it\u2019s there; we\u2019d like to see it. We\u2019d like to hear from it. We\u2019ve got a process that they can do that with. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s something else, a question we have around new section 62A, in clause 33, which allows for persons using abandoned general land to be liable for rates if the land has ceased to be M\u0101ori land. Really what that means, and this is interesting, is: does the bill actually safeguard M\u0101ori land staying in M\u0101ori ownership? Has the bill actually addressed that, or is there a loophole here? That\u2019s something that should be addressed during the select committee process, but we\u2019ve picked that up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EClause 39, inserting 90A, gives powers of the chief executive to write off rates that cannot be recovered. Does this apply to non-M\u0101ori land as well? In other words, if the regulatory impact analysis is confirming that this power could apply to non-M\u0101ori land\u2014the writing off of rates\u2014does the bill need to specify that that can in fact take place? That is another potential loophole, or something that\u2019s not been addressed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EAnother question: the bill states it incentivises M\u0101ori to develop land, and it\u2019s emphasising the housing shortage. It\u2019s referring to the housing shortage. So it\u2019s encouraging the use of this land because of the housing shortage. Why would provisions in this bill not then extend to general land? Can you use the same mechanisms to encourage housing provisions in development everywhere, and perhaps specifically the powers of the chief executive that I referred to earlier? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EMy last question would be: if the bill has such a low legal threshold for M\u0101ori land owners to prove how their land can benefit the district\u2014because in this bill, they have to prove that they are going to benefit the district\u2014how is it fair, or is it right? Is that low legal threshold the right one to go after?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022943fd636-21ec-4442-9a72-68c49464776f\u0022\u003EThe real final question that would summarise all my prior questions would be this, and it\u2019s quite simple and I think it\u2019s a really legitimate and fulsome question that the Government should answer: does this bill create effective initiatives for the development of M\u0101ori land? That\u2019s a very simple question to ask. Is this bill creating effective initiatives, or, in fact, is it a wrong way around, side-stepping, high-profile, low-effort pre-election push? Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022 data-id=\u002255ab5fc09ba948ceb9a7184195e5d8e1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002255ab5fc09ba948ceb9a7184195e5d8e1\u0022\u003EMARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader\u2014Green):\u003C/span\u003E The Greens strongly support the Local Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill. One thing is for sure: an agreement in this House on this bill is that we all love land. That\u2019s why so much of it was taken off tangata whenua and was benefited off for over 100 years when it was taken off us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EThis bill is to correct a long injustice, a long injustice that should never have been in place in the first place. This is to make sure that unused lands are unrateable, to be able to wipe out land rates arrears that have built up over time for pieces of landlocked land, for pieces of unusable land, that wh\u0101nau have not been able to engage with. This bill is going to ensure that, like other general conservation lands, M\u0101ori Rahui kawenata lands can also be considered non-rateable like other general conservation lands have been considered to this point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EThis bill is about putting right something that has been long wrong, and the speeches from the Opposition that like to pit a group against other New Zealand communities and groups when we are about correcting justice is an immature approach to making law, and it is an immature approach to politics, and it\u2019s not even real. Some M\u0101ori are farmers. Many M\u0101ori are ratepayers. The Opposition likes to section out communities as if there is no relationship and no benefit from uplifting a particular group\u2014in this case, M\u0101ori land owners. Trying to minimise the value of uplifting M\u0101ori land owners, being able to engage with their land, as if it has no other value for the rest of our country, for their local communities, is simply an immature attempt at pitting groups of people against each other. I\u2019m disappointed that that\u2019s the approach that is being taken by the Opposition tonight. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003ESo I am not going to take that approach. I am going to uphold the values of what this bill is trying to achieve, and not on its own. The Minister was very clear in her opening speech tonight that this bill of making rates fairer and equitable for M\u0101ori land owners sits in conjunction with a whole raft of changes, which at the core are about affirming and retaining M\u0101ori land for M\u0101ori wh\u0101nau and hap\u016B. It includes the provincial funding projects that are going around the provinces, for people to be able to initiate projects on their land. It includes a whole raft of visions and aspirations, and this bill is one important part of it. If people were listening in the House tonight, they would have heard that loud and clear. The questions that the Opposition are getting up to ask have already been answered. Realising that we will all benefit when we remove barriers for M\u0101ori to be able to use their land is good for all of us. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EAnother principle that I am actually open to hearing about: how do we make sure that local authorities and local councils are able to run and do their core business as local governments? That again is another scaremongering tactic by the Opposition, as if making things right for M\u0101ori land owners is going to deny local councils the ability to run their core business. How dare we think of that approach in this House when upholding justice. How dare we scaremonger the threat\u2014an untrue threat, a dishonest threat\u2014to the rest of us when we are trying to put something right that has been wrong for a long time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EAnother question arose from the Opposition: how is this going to actually benefit M\u0101ori land owners? For far too long, M\u0101ori have not even felt that they have been able to approach local authorities with proposals and engage in ideas and initiatives for developing land and using land because of the rates arrears that have built up over many, many years. Removing that stigma and the real fiscal arrears absolutely is going to make it easier for M\u0101ori land owners to engage with their land. That is the prime, obvious point of this very bill. Sometimes I wonder if they are just running out of things to talk about in their speeches, because all of these questions have been canvassed steadily through the course of the speeches here in this House, in this introduction of the first reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EI agree that I want to see this bill get its passage into the select committee so that we can start having these valid debates, so I am going to keep my speech not as long as I would initially have wanted. But I just want to end on making sure that we correct this injustice. For over 100 years, this law and the unequal process of rating M\u0101ori land has been neglected\u2014for over 100 years. Tonight is the beginning of correcting that and amending that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a5f0fe84-01e8-4eb3-a590-0025017c4243\u0022\u003EMaking sure that M\u0101ori can thrive and contribute and engage and participate in our own lands is absolutely good for all of us. So I\u2019m very proud to support this, the first reading of the Local Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill, and we look forward to seeing it through to its passage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022 data-id=\u00227bbbcc9ea026410ebf473af2a0a79f6e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227bbbcc9ea026410ebf473af2a0a79f6e\u0022\u003EMAUREEN PUGH (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I too rise in opposition, speaking to the Local Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill today. I wonder why it actually even has that title. I suggest it could be called the \u201CLocal Government (Un-rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill\u201D because that, in effect, is what this bill is setting out to do: to un-rate M\u0101ori land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ENow, the Minister stated in her opening address to the House on this bill that rates are an impediment to developing M\u0101ori land. That\u2019s probably quite true, but the reality for every other property owner in this country is that rates are an impediment to having property. Some people would argue, and certainly do, that rates are an impediment, but, actually, rates are what fund the local authorities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s been my experience over quite a few years that the engagement that happens between local constituents and their local councils has more to do with the outcomes of those discussions and the progress that is made on various parcels of land, especially our M\u0101ori land, than legislating and having a top-down approach.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EThe Minister used the example of the Far North District Council, where they reached a negotiation and were able to bring the rates down from $18,000 a year to $8,000 a year. That\u2019s really commendable. I think that\u2019s a classic example of the partnership and the collaboration that councils individually can come to with their various landowners. But as my colleague Denise Lee pointed out earlier, that shortfall is picked up by somebody else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ESo just to explain, the rating system is just one big pie, and it\u2019s established by working out what the work programme is and the costs are for a local council over the course of the next financial year. So that figure is agreed to by the councillors: the work programme, all the projects, all of the maintenance, all of the capital investment that it\u2019s going to have, all the debt servicing that a council has, and the rates are struck for the following year. So it doesn\u2019t matter where that money comes from. The portion that each person pays is attributed to the parcel of land that they own. The rates are derived from your uniform annual general charges, your levies or things like your funding assistance rate, subsidies that are provided, and the rates that are struck by the council on residential properties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003ESo when one group has a rate discount of $10,000, that money and that cost shifts to all of the other ratepayers. So, in effect, you have one group that will be subsidising another. Now, we already know that this is going on in the country, and we\u2019ve had a couple of great examples today, but one of the things that did concern me when I was reading this paperwork was the lack of consultation. It was even brought up in the documentation when this bill was being prepared, and it says, \u201CThe RIA acknowledges time constraints around effective consultation,\u201D and \u201Climited recent consultation with local authorities on proposals has led to some assumptions\u201D, and I would argue that it\u2019s led to some huge assumptions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EOne of the things that I have most concern about in this bill is that what we\u2019re going to do is segregate our communities, because it is going to cause disruption and it is going to cause resentment if ratepayers in a certain district are being asked to subsidise other ratepayers simply because they don\u2019t pay their rates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EBut I\u2019d also like to just explain too how the rate arrears work. We\u2019ve heard a lot about the rate arrears and why that is a barrier to some people coming forward and negotiating with their councils, but I would strongly argue that if a party was to come to their local council and make some arrangement for how those rate arrears could be forgiven, or waived, and then how they could move forward, I doubt there would be a council in this country that would not agree to some arrangement. But the reality is with rate arrears that they only accrue for seven years anyway, and then they are written off at the other end. Councils do this every year, as we\u2019ve heard today from my colleagues. The rate arrears are forgiven after seven years, so the accumulation of rates is only for a window of seven years, and I say that most of those councils would definitely welcome an opportunity to come to some arrangement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EThe Hon Shane Jones mentioned the select committee process and having great faith in that process, and I know that very few landowners would come to a select committee and argue against this bill when it so dramatically supports them. But I would also suggest that local government and individual ratepayers would certainly want to defend and oppose this bill, and they are the ones that I speak for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EThe previous speaker, Marama Davidson, mentioned that this bill ensures that unused land is unrateable, and I\u2019d just like to tell the story of Colin\u2014a ratepayer and a constituent on the coast. Colin has a large parcel of land that he bought many years ago. It\u2019s unused and, in his eyes, it\u2019s now unusable because that land has now had a significant natural area designation put on it. Unfortunately for Colin, he still has to pay the rates. So if we are going to allow some concessions for unusable land and have them unrateable, then I think we\u2019ve just lifted the lid off a very wriggly can of worms, and I think there\u2019s a really valid argument for those people who feel they are going to be disadvantaged by having one portion of our community that is offered some benefit in terms of rates relief for unusable land. I think that\u2019s a very dangerous place for this Parliament to be going. If I recall some of the arguments that have come from that quarter, from the New Zealand First members, they have been strongly opposed to different sets of rules for M\u0101ori in this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EWhen you\u2019ve got an area of land, as we do on the West Coast\u2014I\u2019ll talk to Westland: it is 87 percent unrateable anyway because it is mostly Department of Conservation estate or stewardship land or Government land. So when you say 87 percent is already unrateable and you\u2019re going to now introduce a bill that could make even more of it unrateable, you simply put the squeeze on a small community and make life even harder for them to upkeep the infrastructure that they need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EThe whole of the West Coast, taken as a whole, is 85 percent unrateable because of its land status, and if we think about the use of that 15 percent that West Coasters scratch a living off, they still have to pay for the roads that people drive on, they have to pay for the footpaths, and they pay for their water supplies, their water disposal, their stormwater, and their waste collection, and the cost of compliance and regulation. So all of those costs are going to fall on a smaller and smaller group of people, and when you\u2019re already 87 percent unrateable, that\u2019s a very big ask. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003EI suggest that this bill does nothing to support those people that are already doing it tough, and I think we are going to buy a fight with everyday ratepayers who bite the bullet and understand that they have to pay for the things that they enjoy in their community. They need to know that they can afford to pay to turn the lights on, to have the water run and the toilet flush, and to have all those practical things, but there comes a point when the cost on a small group becomes just too unbearable, and we have to give a great deal of consideration to things like this bill that are going to make it almost impossible. Thank you very much. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022960dd0ff2e1b4843bc4d0728d1879e08\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022960dd0ff2e1b4843bc4d0728d1879e08\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call. I call Jo Luxton\u2014five minutes. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u0022a3514366f52c47c0b4fc9a35511a2bee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a3514366f52c47c0b4fc9a35511a2bee\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. This piece of legislation is about unlocking economic potential on M\u0101ori land, and what we have here is arrears that have grown and grown over many, many, many years. A lot of it has already been classified as unrecoverable. So is it not better to wipe the slate clean so that these people that own this land can turn around and build on it, make it productive, and then pay rates from there onwards, as opposed to, potentially, never ever paying the rates on this land? It would remain unproductive and unusable. So, in my mind, this is a fantastic piece of legislation, and I commend it to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u0022e7aeba2bac114b5c86c73a239a071a05\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e7aeba2bac114b5c86c73a239a071a05\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National\u2014Hamilton East):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Speaker, thank you. I just wanted to take a short call on this bill because I do actually have a bit of sympathy for what the Government members have been saying around the issue of M\u0101ori land. We need to be realistic around a lot of M\u0101ori land. It is in places where it is very hard to deal with, and it is very small blocks of land that aren\u2019t economical in their own right, that are leased to other neighbours or farmers, and that have very multiple ownerships as well. That puts that land in a very difficult predicament to make it have an economic value, in some cases, to provide a return, and I think that is something we need to be mindful of in this House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EI know the ill that the Government is trying to deal with, and there is a problem there that we need to be aware of. We need to have a concerted effort that deals with that issue so that we can actually provide some substance, I think, to those landowners that have, generally, felt an injustice in the past and are now looking at making the best utilisation of the assets that they hold. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe National Party sees a dilemma, though, in the current bill in that it is, potentially, going to cross-subsidise between other ratepayers, and that is a valid issue that should have been worked through by the Government before this bill came to the House. So, in essence, there is an issue there that we need to consider, but it also is something that really needed a much better solution that avoided that cross-subsidisation result. I would recommend that the Government relook at the legislation to find a solution which enables that to happen. Thank you, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00220138d2ea3a0d476fbd705414dfd20fe5\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the Local Government (Rating of Whenua M\u0101ori) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 56\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 54; ACT New Zealand 1; Ross.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a first time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000535\u0022\u003EBill referred to the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id20200312fc1730e6049e4b989db430a1a9c71fab000536\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 6 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"