"\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=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00222b671a6b62e34226b20325f78842d328\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2025\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d56e95ab8651402f96eee2ea7566ce58\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2025\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022acc98688ed834dcca726dcbe4e50a947\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00228d4ac715aab94c55b1d372a516c3d2bd\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022 data-id=\u0022ad56dfd7a16c4e688839202b4270056e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ad56dfd7a16c4e688839202b4270056e\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Assistant Speaker):\u003C/span\u003E Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom, justice, mercy, and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a79b28c141ce45b4bbf345407d89ce6b\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002274879dd223a0496fa8c01f96d21a334a\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022 data-id=\u00220d79384370e648618eff7d1bf529aaa6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220d79384370e648618eff7d1bf529aaa6\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Deputy Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Next week, the House will consider the Retail Payment System\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ed3353f5b86461cbf48e49be84f4c17\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, could the member speak into the microphone. I couldn\u2019t hear that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ecc77781d1b4458adbcf531c9d69408\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: The House will consider the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill, and the Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022022c43a606c44d45adc5840dc9e925fb\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the Deputy Leader of the House for that update. Everyone seems to be talking about urgency next week. Could you just confirm to the House whether that\u2019s happening?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dae1a3749d734d639eba38f2cd063667\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: I have gone through what the business of the House will be next week.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e113829c9d9e4d8db2d587832451404c\u0022\u003EPetitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220ea3012e6f2d4be2953b9b98a4449ffb\u0022\u003EPetitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022 data-id=\u002282b3bbaeb29e4a2caa6f94ae0ac6d0f5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002282b3bbaeb29e4a2caa6f94ae0ac6d0f5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation. Ministers have delivered five papers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u002299318ec1639a4501a9758ec6763c6de9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002299318ec1639a4501a9758ec6763c6de9\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003E2024-25 annual reports of: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL2\u0022\u003EHeritage New Zealand\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL2\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Symphony Orchestra\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003E2025-26 statements of performance expectations of: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL2\u0022\u003EHeritage New Zealand \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL2\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Symphony Orchestra\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EGovernment response to the report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the inquiry into banking competition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec607f87befd45b49c73aa6d1cf15e07\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec607f87befd45b49c73aa6d1cf15e07\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Four select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u0022e3809e5e0d0f48d0a98819a67ee0258d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e3809e5e0d0f48d0a98819a67ee0258d\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EReport of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee on the Patents Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL2\u0022\u003Ereport of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL2\u0022\u003Ereport of the Health Committee on the petition of Lisa Er: Halt the Gene Technology Bill and set up a Commission of Inquiry\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL2\u0022\u003Ereport of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Standard) Amendment Bill (No 2).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022 data-id=\u0022a3484bdfa67141b5a640e3d00959adc5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a3484bdfa67141b5a640e3d00959adc5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The bills are set down for second reading. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u0022281196a18a9e45cba3a909d03ca29e7c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022281196a18a9e45cba3a909d03ca29e7c\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E: Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill, introduction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022 data-id=\u00227318c9d52a254c65973dc0337dadf111\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227318c9d52a254c65973dc0337dadf111\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That bill is set down for first reading. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b0ffc6aa134e4a48b73bf851f77444b7\u0022\u003EUrgent Debates Declined\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022dfe9af63c5814fdeb0b4def08d3c1622\u0022\u003ECharter School Agency\u2014Gazetting of Notice\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022 data-id=\u0022103e0cf7d14c45c5aaad0dc537e8751b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022103e0cf7d14c45c5aaad0dc537e8751b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Members, I have received a letter from the Hon Jan Tinetti seeking to debate, under Standing Order 399, the gazetting of a notice announcing the Charter School Agency was entering into a contract with a charitable trust that did not exist. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. However, the big hurdle to get over in an application for an urgent debate is whether the matter has reached a stage where the House business should be set aside. I do not think this matter has reached that stage. The application is declined.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228bd704832f4445b4b9ba0f9050cc06d7\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222f4fbdbf032040518adc7c4caa062bf3\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224ada85c40fd74e709b85667092f41983\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Justice\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281a465eb20294645bc63efa635c80cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022d2b62bd7b8cb4125b253f1bf42603554\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281a465eb20294645bc63efa635c80cbf\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d2b62bd7b8cb4125b253f1bf42603554\u0022\u003ECAMERON LUXTON (ACT)\u003C/span\u003E to the Associate Minister of Justice: How will recently announced changes to the Arms Act 1983 benefit licenced firearms owners?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022698578e9b2fe41fa82a57ad5df8f7d40\u0022 data-id=\u00221937baa56dbf4db8b98a67bceee452c9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022698578e9b2fe41fa82a57ad5df8f7d40\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221937baa56dbf4db8b98a67bceee452c9\u0022\u003EHon NICOLE McKEE (Associate Minister of Justice):\u003C/span\u003E The Arms Act 1983 is an outdated and confusing piece of patchwork legislation. The policy changes which I announced on Tuesday will rectify this. They will replace unnecessary regulation and ambiguous clauses with clarity and common sense. For the first time in 40 years, licensed firearm owners can have hope of a truly workable arms regime. Licensed firearm owners go above and beyond to comply with the law, and I can\u2019t wait to present a bill to the House this year which will make it easier for them to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281a465eb20294645bc63efa635c80cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022754800a8d76c4b2c8865b3b0b6d45744\u0022\u003ECameron Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: How will separating the police from the Firearms Safety Authority benefit licensed firearm owners?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022698578e9b2fe41fa82a57ad5df8f7d40\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022242720f9294848ac93e7a6ae183f15de\u0022\u003EHon NICOLE McKEE\u003C/span\u003E: Removing police from the Firearms Safety Authority is critical for restoring trust and confidence between licensed firearm owners and the regulator. My reforms will remove blue shirts from the Firearms Safety Authority, remove the Commissioner of Police and police staff from all operational decision-making processes, and establish an independent licensing review committee to stop police from marking their own homework.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281a465eb20294645bc63efa635c80cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263311e671e45402cb3229f83e9f85064\u0022\u003ECameron Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: How will these changes allow licensed firearm owners to understand their obligations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022698578e9b2fe41fa82a57ad5df8f7d40\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b9a0e15544e347cc85be7e16465fc2af\u0022\u003EHon NICOLE McKEE\u003C/span\u003E: Since 2019, licensed firearm owners have had to jump through unnecessary hoops just to comply with the law. No law should be so complicated that it stops people from doing the right thing. That\u2019s why the new Act will be written in plain English and structured logically so licensed firearm owners can clearly understand what is required of them. The regulator will also be able to issue guidance documents ensuring people know exactly what steps they need to take to comply with the law.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281a465eb20294645bc63efa635c80cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f51c28bef0542f9960aad4a3397d9de\u0022\u003ECameron Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: How will these changes help businesses which use or supply firearms?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022698578e9b2fe41fa82a57ad5df8f7d40\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002267965c3488a2450185d883585a4951a3\u0022\u003EHon NICOLE McKEE\u003C/span\u003E: The new Arms Act will provide significant benefits for businesses. Firearm dealers with a good track record will be able to renew their licence every five years instead of annually. Importers will benefit from 12-month import permits. Pest controller licence durations are doubling to five years. Time-consuming licence endorsements will no longer be required for business employees. These are just some of the many benefits for businesses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281a465eb20294645bc63efa635c80cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a307398c61d74bb3a87cde79d5971dc7\u0022\u003ECameron Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What other changes will benefit licensed firearm owners?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022698578e9b2fe41fa82a57ad5df8f7d40\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d17a19d614c42e9b964fa7df9fdae44\u0022\u003EHon NICOLE McKEE\u003C/span\u003E: There are many more changes that will benefit licensed firearm owners. Secure storage will be able to be kept at any premise approved by the regulator, helping students and renters. Visiting hunters and competitors will benefit from a new 12-month multi-entry visitor licence. Licence extensions will help deliver more consistent processing times, and clear limits will be set on what information can be stored in the firearms registry. I\u2019ll finish by encouraging anyone interested to visit the firearms page on the Ministry of Justice website to get further info.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00225d0de8b1065f45648d621d99d4a1343e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Government\u2019s Response to the Royal Commission\u2019s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ba79c9cbab554c389a55314c7574ad07\u0022 data-id=\u0022bd25a981b6a7409abc19c41115700eef\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ba79c9cbab554c389a55314c7574ad07\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bd25a981b6a7409abc19c41115700eef\u0022\u003EKAHURANGI CARTER (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government\u2019s Response to the Royal Commission\u2019s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions: Does she agree with the Prime Minister, who said, when asked whether he would implement all royal commission recommendations, \u201CYes, this is a Government that\u2019s working its way through the 207 recommendations. We\u2019ve already accepted or partially accepted 85 of those\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022 data-id=\u002288f70946384f4407a9cb088deb3b33a0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002288f70946384f4407a9cb088deb3b33a0\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD (Lead Coordination Minister for the Government\u2019s Response to the Royal Commission\u2019s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions):\u003C/span\u003E As the Prime Minister stated, we are working our way through the 207 recommendations, in the royal commission\u2019s redress report and the final report, that are relevant to the Crown. The full breakdown, as set out in the Crown response plan, published earlier this year, is: \u201Caccepted the intent, or partially accepted, 85 recommendations\u201D; \u201CI need to consider a further 99 recommendations\u201D; and \u201Cdeclined 23 recommendations\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ba79c9cbab554c389a55314c7574ad07\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa66d6a0c70c426b936d768fa61aee15\u0022\u003EKahurangi Carter\u003C/span\u003E: What are the specific Government policies that go against the royal commission of inquiry recommendations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002269e2b60560ea481a9748f2f5078f0a9f\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019m not responsible for all Government decisions. I\u2019m only responsible for those ones that are in my area. So it\u2019s a very difficult question for me to answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd3d9b6481e14efd9c1e6c280ebacb35\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. I\u2019d just like to seek some clarification. If the Minister is the lead coordination Minister for the Government\u2019s response to the royal commission\u2019s report, would she not have delegations for, at least, knowing which of the Government\u2019s actions go against the response towards this, in the recommendations themselves?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229afdb413048847ce93f48d24cb0e600f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: How questions are answered and by whom is the Government\u2019s choice. The answer should be given if it can be given, consistent with the public interest. If the answer can\u2019t be given, then the Minister doesn\u2019t give an answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ba79c9cbab554c389a55314c7574ad07\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a4a2c7db78814c319959b1770fe9820f\u0022\u003EKahurangi Carter\u003C/span\u003E: Is survivor Ihorangi Reweti-Peters correct when he said, \u201CIf this Government truly cared about survivors, they would have listened to survivors and the royal commission recommendations, and implemented a new, independent, single redress system.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224199a0864f69424ba63ecf28d8ac8423\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve said on many occasions that the thing that was most important to this Government and to survivors was to give certainty and surety around the Government\u2019s response to redress. We knew that implementing an independent redress entity would take years and multiple millions and millions and millions of dollars. We wanted to prioritise certainty and surety to survivors now, which is exactly what we\u2019ve done. We have said that all the current steps we are taking, you would have to have taken in order to get to an independent agency anyway, which is something that can be reconsidered when we do the review in 2027.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ba79c9cbab554c389a55314c7574ad07\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e2a814de85be4996b840e20e854504f9\u0022\u003EKahurangi Carter\u003C/span\u003E: Should survivors expect to see a further announcement about redress, since the Prime Minister, yesterday, said yes to implementing all Government-centred recommendations of the royal commission, and, if not, should survivors understand that the responsible Minister and Prime Minister\u2014apologies, could I please start that again, Mr Speaker?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a64228ebff94bd3bc90aa4807537684\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think it\u2019d be advisable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ba79c9cbab554c389a55314c7574ad07\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c1cabd525654b608ff986bf1f35a63c\u0022\u003EKahurangi Carter\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. How can survivors trust the Minister to oversee meaningful response to the royal commission when she is not introducing a new redress system despite the Prime Minister stating in his apology to survivors last year, \u201CBut I want to assure you it is our intention to have a new single redress system operating next year.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a228562c120b4747b534f4637e12336f\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Well, in answer to all of those parts of the question, if the member goes to the Crown response website, she will see three documents that have been published on that website. One of them is around our Government response. But what I would say to those survivors is that the most important thing for me right now is that they get the exact details of what is available. What is really unhelpful for those survivors is when they hear things that are not true, because it upsets them and it makes them think they\u2019re not eligible for redress. For example, when they hear things like, \u201CBut the fatal flaw in the redress system is that if you have committed a crime or have been convicted of a crime, you\u2019re not eligible. How crazy is that?\u201D Now, that was deliberately misinforming\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9a780ee6f104e219858d23c99cd5a22\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah\u2014short answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226eaf2cc01b4e4e3ca295c22fa36420cc\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014survivors, causing a huge amount of pain. It is not true, and it was said online by Tamatha Paul.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ba79c9cbab554c389a55314c7574ad07\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002278e706e1690a40b39b8be80cfbb6042a\u0022\u003EKahurangi Carter\u003C/span\u003E: Is survivor Karl Tauri from the New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust justified in saying, \u201CWhy would you want to go back to the place \u2026 you were perpetrated [for redress]? It should never happen.\u201D; and if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222b911cbd745e4370b5421d22ba598ad7\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve already answered this question today and on multiple occasions when we said this Government have ensured that we are looking for consistency and certainty and surety now, rather than a process of an independent system that would take years and millions of dollars. It\u2019s not to say it\u2019s out of the question, but at the moment we are on a track that would probably take us there anyway; we would have to take these steps. The most important thing for survivors right now is to know what the current redress system delivers them and what it delivers them quickly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d1b6074898c4d2dafd2be0594137192\u0022\u003EMariameno Kapa-Kingi\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister accept the findings of a Horizon Research poll commissioned by the New Zealand Human Rights Commission showing clearly that nearly three-quarters of New Zealanders want the Government to fully implement the abuse in care inquiry recommendations; and if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222191493f46a04f659c1deba6dd96be97\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I haven\u2019t seen that poll.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dd1566aa7b414669b5fde6293f9f9770\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, I didn\u2019t hear that answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229726188146244450993ad1c4cfc0a14a\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I said I have not seen that poll, so I can\u2019t comment on it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225eed5175b2ec4dc994c429e064b23930\u0022\u003EMariameno Kapa-Kingi\u003C/span\u003E: Given that only 22 percent of New Zealanders believe the Government is doing enough, what immediate actions will the Minister take to rebuild trust and honour the inquiry\u2019s recommendations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cee4659c059f4b31ae870fb683711c82\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Over the last 18 months, we have taken more actions to redress and support survivors of abuse in care than any other Government: $750 million in this year\u2019s Budget by this Government to make sure that we are topping up payments. We are raising the payments from just over $19,000 to an average of $30,000. We\u2019ve paid out over $1,100 top-ups to people who have come forward. We are on track to deliver redress to more people than we have said we would in this financial year. We have provided certainty and surety at a rate that no other Government has.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223843bc44ac49490aafcc671dbd932660\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022 data-id=\u00224f381c0c672b4e709226e30e251aba7e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224f381c0c672b4e709226e30e251aba7e\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Deputy Leader\u2014Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government\u2019s statements and actions? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022 data-id=\u00229c60f71563d346478172ddb934258204\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229c60f71563d346478172ddb934258204\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes, particularly our decision and policy to pass a regulatory standards bill. For the first time, people will be able to truly and visibly see the costs of laws and regulations placed upon them and will be able to place pressure back on politicians not to make overzealous regulations, such as the earthquake laws that cost billions of dollars, only to be repealed by a more sensible Government later. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed2813e6d1214a4abdd3d849c7c41e1a\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his Minister of Internal Affairs\u2019 direction to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), in December 2024, to cut millions of dollars from their budget at a time when firefighters say they don\u2019t have the staff or equipment they need? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022246e0add58f346068cbec90db0235885\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I do. I note that the costs of the fire service comes from levies added to people\u2019s insurance bills, and our Minister of Internal Affairs is doing a very good job of working on years of neglect, and poor asset management and procurement in order that firefighters can be properly equipped and that people who pay insurance premiums on their home can have some relief from relentless rises in cost of living pressures. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ddace2ec13740928e42267eec77075b\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his Minister of Internal Affairs\u2019 decision to restrict Fire and Emergency New Zealand\u2019s funding, leading FENZ to state that their funding is \u201Cless reliable\u201D and that they must now plan \u201Cfor the possibility that our funding will continue to go down\u201D? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225dca0403a7dc408cbd4b918ea8db9950\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: You see, every Government restricts the funding. We actually\u2014like previous Governments\u2014have to decide how much of a levy can be put on people\u2019s insurance premiums to pay the fire service. So she has not made a decision to restrict it. A restriction has always been there, and if the people on that side of the House had been a bit more restricted in their spending, maybe we wouldn\u2019t be in this mess now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b64a08594e7142f9829a272e2a054381\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Will he guarantee that Fire and Emergency New Zealand\u2019s proposal to cut up to $70 million of spending a year\u201410 percent of their annual budget\u2014will have no impact on the safety of New Zealanders; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022322195a496654c90b06b3bccff965dca\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I most certainly do, and here\u2019s how\u2014and it might enlighten members on the other side. Throwing money at a problem is not the same as solving it. It is possible to solve problems by working smarter, putting in place more competent people, and making better use of resources. This is what households and businesses have had to do, year after year, while a previous Government threw money at every problem, but didn\u2019t actually manage to solve them. So, yes, we absolutely can, and, as a great New Zealander once said, \u201CIf you don\u2019t have a lot of money, you have to think.\u201D\u2014the member should try it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f11e7537a2d74900b2932d3c0cd183d9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The acting Prime Minister will withdraw and apologise for the last comment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002296311e985b7b4008a9cde7e566f5b257\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: I withdraw and apologise. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226769fed5f5cd4699911c9ca3ed973044\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Why, in the same week that a massive fire broke out in Tongariro National Park, has Fire and Emergency New Zealand been forced to cut specialist wildfire roles?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ad2dc63c59d446688a5ab7489bb2cbd8\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: They have not been forced to cut specialist wildfire roles; they have been asked to manage within a budget. They are an autonomous Crown entity, and if you think for a moment that they have made that choice because there was a wildfire\u2014which is the implication of the member\u2019s question\u2014well, that\u2019s just crazy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c81cb7582618460698addd86ad1c2b22\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: What impact will the loss of 140 jobs, including key fire prevention staff, have on firefighters\u2019 ability to respond to emergencies quickly and safely?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ca9093aa23c47c99b3cd9048d4a3b31\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, it won\u2019t have an impact if the resources available to the fire service are well managed, which is precisely the Government\u2019s objective. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022904de68eab1e42f1853e678a4e5a77f9\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Will he guarantee that there will be no pause on the hiring of more professional firefighters?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d5e06f4e63034aedb2786e3d5865239f\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, as I said in my answer to an earlier question, decisions such as whether to hire in a Crown entity are not actually made by the Minister. So you would be asking me, as the Prime Minister, or on behalf of the Minister of Internal Affairs\u2014or whoever you think it is\u2014to actually break the law by interfering in a Crown entity. This Government does not break the law\u2014that\u2019s what other people do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5a5df13ee924f39a017fa30c995c25f\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: When will he back our firefighters by giving them the additional staff and equipment they need to do their jobs safely, rather than making massive cuts to Fire and Emergency New Zealand that, effectively, put us all at risk?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227743550c2b8d434ab9acbad9ec6538f3\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: Well, we back the firefighters every day. We listen, we treat them with respect, we visit the stations, and we do things like having an asset management plan. In 2017, when the Fire Service was merged, there was no asset management plan, and so it was very difficult to know if the assets were reliable to keep firefighters safe. Now, for the further six years, I don\u2019t know what was happening, but for some reason their asset management plan was not put in place. Then, in 2023, I don\u2019t know what happened, but there seemed to be some sort of change, and since we\u2019ve had Minister van Velden in charge of Internal Affairs, an asset management plan has been put in place. I don\u2019t know if there\u2019s a coincidence or a string of them here, but I do know that that member is not the right person to be asking these questions; in fact\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c84456fb91c4d4f9aeb0b2739350a83\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Good. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc95608dc78649d8b887b5504f213f8f\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014I would give up completely\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0bb34e0aada495b9e318d03e2c9a8b3\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019ll do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002282e6ed3cc25e484b801beb9a728b4b58\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Education\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022 data-id=\u00221b7135a40ec74925a8cfd865e9e3059b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221b7135a40ec74925a8cfd865e9e3059b\u0022\u003EDr LAWRENCE XU-NAN (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: E tautoko ana ia i \u0101na k\u014Drero me \u0101na mahi katoa?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E[Does she stand by all of her statements and actions?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022 data-id=\u0022169e2ae829cf4a77a45ea8666f45bf2a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022169e2ae829cf4a77a45ea8666f45bf2a\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in the context in which they were made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233d14e4a5c694d53b9dacdc4d0c67436\u0022\u003EDr Lawrence Xu-Nan\u003C/span\u003E: E m\u014Dhio ana ia ki \u0113tahi atu whenua e whakaako ana i t\u0113tahi o ng\u0101 reo whaimana, \u0101p\u0101 an\u014D ka tonoa e ng\u0101 m\u0101tua. M\u0113n\u0101, \u0101e, kei whea? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E[Does she know of any other countries which teach an official language, only if being requested by parents; if yes, where?]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249752fe1e6234db4896db9d2b72fa6b1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Could I ask the interpreter to start that interpretation again so that we\u2019re certain we know what was said. [Interpreter repeats interpretation]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7c6727fb18245198be2ceb6df5ffccb\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: In answer to that question, the member is referring to one of the points we\u2019re making in section 127 where we\u2019re asking school boards to ensure that teaching and learning is available in te reo M\u0101ori for parents who ask for it. That is a clause that has been in the Education Act since, I think, about 1989\u2014for a very, very long time. It\u2019s important to make sure that there is demand for the thing that you are providing, otherwise, schools would, essentially, be opening r\u016Bmaki classes for nobody. It is an important part of the Act, to make sure that there is a demand for the thing that you are providing, and there is plenty of demand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ea9da67413a4c7caf4bb79c3512f614\u0022\u003EDr Lawrence Xu-Nan\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by her statement \u201CThe Treaty is the Crown\u2019s responsibility, not schools\u201D; if so, how is removing Te Tiriti obligations without consultation with hap\u016B, iwi, and M\u0101ori education experts acting responsibly as a Treaty partner?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d94fdf65d794de7ab0f8b5db161dc1f\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I do stand by the statements that I made that the core obligation of the Crown is to uphold the Treaty and not to be delegated to a school board. That is the case for many Crown entities. Core Crown is defined by Ministers and departments. Crown entities don\u2019t necessarily have Treaty duties, and the boards of trustees are the furthest away you can get, almost, completely, from the Crown in terms of their independence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203f015700b5949158c8874cc526e09c9\u0022\u003EDr Lawrence Xu-Nan\u003C/span\u003E: Who does she think is more committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi: her coalition Government or the coalition made up of 88 iwi, over 95,000 teachers, principals, schools, and kura opposing her repeal of section 127 subsection(2)(e) of the Education and Training Act?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c4a2b1f19b24400b837f7c104923902f\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Well, the person who is committed to the Treaty is the Minister of Education. The reason that I can say that is the core tenet of upholding the Treaty is ensuring that M\u0101ori children achieve at school, and they haven\u2019t been for so long. Here we are, having a debate about the Treaty of Waitangi and a school board\u2019s responsibility, when we should be talking about M\u0101ori achievement, because that\u2019s what this Government has been doing. We are raising M\u0101ori achievement, unlike the last lot.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b39f3231e86a4fecb32c23f617cc2e34\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224dd30ee7a62e491499ec006986b10a17\u0022\u003ET\u0101kuta Ferris\u003C/span\u003E: What action is the Minister taking in response to the more than 180 New Zealand schools who have signed an open letter to continue to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in education delivery and, also, in response to the iwi chairs\u2019 petition to protect Te Tiriti in education?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022122d78ce82094a22a952d4c8063c522d\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: In response to the second part of the question, I am actively seeking a meeting with iwi chairs to discuss the responsibility that the Crown has for the Treaty, our obligations, and how we\u2019re delivering on those.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d159985436e4cada5f011d47f08683d\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that those 180 schools remain free to teach as much te reo M\u0101ori, tikanga M\u0101ori, and as much about te ao M\u0101ori as they like; nothing has been taken away from them, but they are obliged to respect the choices of others to run their schools their way?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022625b767707f6446e8d6a0fe3b7de0c5a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee4d5289cc23454c8b09f9f8f808d596\u0022\u003EHon ERICA STANFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that is the case. There will be those schools who wish to do that, and I look forward to seeing the results. But it is the rights of other schools to have different opinions. I have recently been written to by a principal who says, \u201CThank you for your courage in streamlining responsibility for Treaty obligations at a national level and for refocusing schools and the Teaching Council on core outcomes for learners. Your clarity and commitment to equitable achievements gives strong direction in a challenging time. Be strong and don\u2019t bow down.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b39f3231e86a4fecb32c23f617cc2e34\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb447863ae2e4851bb00ead9ef7ee8aa\u0022\u003ET\u0101kuta Ferris\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249794abaa29b495a82f8506608e187bc\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think the independents may have used their whole allocation today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b39f3231e86a4fecb32c23f617cc2e34\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a6ba614134cc4d0189949c7be05a5324\u0022\u003ET\u0101kuta Ferris\u003C/span\u003E: No, we\u2019ve got one more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac50fec564b044979dccfb6b18f8427f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t think so. I think your bench mate took two, and there was only one allocated your way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bab007e25fff4471a1460f7b5378fc2f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234809257805a455dbd7a77c7d985a405\u0022\u003EHon Tama Potaka\u003C/span\u003E: Do you think a Government is committed to the Treaty, to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, when they let attendance at schools slide to below 35\u00A0percent?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022240d13149a064777a860bf70d62f982f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Hold on. Wait on. That\u2019s a question of the nature that we\u2019re not having more of in the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022da6240c664364cde99b26a303f2a9df9\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022 data-id=\u0022a5f60af9ddc3458197f17cf52a6ef649\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a5f60af9ddc3458197f17cf52a6ef649\u0022\u003ECAMERON BREWER (National\u2014Upper Harbour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance and asks\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002222b92a97c6d44c42a8d4a90ebe011825\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just hold on. Just wait for the House to give you the respect of their silence while they listen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022 data-id=\u0022f101af236abd41e8b4741ea589295e19\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f101af236abd41e8b4741ea589295e19\u0022\u003ECAMERON BREWER (National\u2014Upper Harbour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on Government support for families?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022 data-id=\u0022a4e6b79ef99940ed9fd4cff0bd984390\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a4e6b79ef99940ed9fd4cff0bd984390\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E In July, I announced an expansion of FamilyBoost to further assist families with the costs of early childhood education. Households can now claim larger rebates on the fees they pay, and more households are eligible. FamilyBoost is paid quarterly, so after 30 September, households were able to go to IRD\u2019s website and claim these larger amounts. I\u2019ve seen a recent report showing that the average payment relating to the September quarter currently equates to just under $100 a fortnight, significantly higher than the average payment of $57 a fortnight for the quarter before. An average payment of $100 a fortnight is welcome support for New Zealanders with young families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228878cca3db434d1b91ef9ee5c8c6e26b\u0022\u003ECameron Brewer\u003C/span\u003E: How many more households are now receiving FamilyBoost?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222700fb1109a2465eaaa1c7845ef9b4de\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: As a result of the changes I announced in July, thousands of families who couldn\u2019t previously claim FamilyBoost became eligible. That\u2019s borne out in the figures. The latest report shows that the number of households receiving FamilyBoost has so far risen to more than 78,000. That is 10,000 more than at the end of the last quarter. We know many families are doing it tough. These changes will help more of them deal with the cost of early childhood education, particularly families where both parents are working.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230e6157626224454bd741ec83c8b37bc\u0022\u003ECameron Brewer\u003C/span\u003E: What difference have these FamilyBoost changes made to households?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b7b18048fbf4185a7d6b8a8efe2e6ce\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that does depend on a household\u2019s particular circumstance: the income it brings in, how much they pay in early childhood education fees. But what I can tell the member is that the number of families receiving FamilyBoost payments of $150 a fortnight or more has increased markedly. In the September quarter, 11,584 households have so far got a payment equating to $150 a fortnight or more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002210e8ba6a2b824c84ac207617f9a4b613\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: How many got $250? How many?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec6a06ac42104b82ab196301ee73dd81\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: I encourage all households who think\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022110c477c911f45ff973e1c99b392e4eb\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: If any?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022661fa28e91d442d7abe4ce92f2ff21c6\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014they could be eligible to go on Inland Revenue\u2019s website and register for FamilyBoost. Mr Speaker, in reply to the interjection\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d1f4e3751caf43b98bcea85bb55c70e7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, you\u2019re not replying to that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022230a08919f5c47c6a1210a5c174d3eef\u0022\u003ECameron Brewer\u003C/span\u003E: What feedback has she received on FamilyBoost?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226c47432da52a41ae9a549c61844e548b\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I get regular positive feedback on FamilyBoost, through emails and in person. A typical email is the following, which I received last month. It says, \u201CI just wanted to say a huge thankyou for the FamilyBoost payments. We\u2019ve found the whole process incredibly easy and impressively fast. It\u2019s been such a positive experience.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f97c859a67994b79a8ce76f515c82774\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224478b7cb554b4997b2dcf567b6816349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ba2fe1e744c40c7a4fe035eacb1792d\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: \u201CAs an ordinary, young, working family with a mortgage, this support truly makes a difference. It\u2019s a real help in today\u2019s climate and we are so grateful for it. Thank you again for making things a little easier for families like ours.\u201D And members of the Opposition cackle at the impact this is having on a real family.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022151bac0e1cd24a709ed11fadad9aa4d3\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Food Safety\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022dc6e774c7eea4eb7b18de6f5efb4bf5a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dc6e774c7eea4eb7b18de6f5efb4bf5a\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour\u2014Dunedin)\u003C/span\u003E to the Acting Minister for Food Safety: Is he committed to his responsibility under the food safety portfolio to \u201Cprovide safe and suitable food in New Zealand and for export\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022 data-id=\u0022f8146efc7e2e4a799a7ced731befe52d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f8146efc7e2e4a799a7ced731befe52d\u0022\u003EHon MARK PATTERSON (Acting Minister for Food Safety)\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, yes, laser-focused.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfc9f473109548b185a4f69adc5f7304\u0022\u003EHon Rachel Brooking\u003C/span\u003E: Why is he proposing moving meat inspection services from AsureQuality, the Government\u2019s recognised meat inspection agency, to a model self-regulated by industry?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f0bffc43b1f4681b238b949c5e56ed4\u0022\u003EHon MARK PATTERSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are consulting on a change to the meat inspection regime\u2014consulting, essentially, on an option that has existed optionally since 2013. Seventeen percent of New Zealand\u2019s meat exports go through this very regime that\u2019s being consulted on, and I would note that it was a regime that was in place when the member herself was the Minister for Food Safety and was clearly comfortable with it then.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cef6825dcdb84d9681190020af6ba860\u0022\u003EHon Rachel Brooking\u003C/span\u003E: How many of the 650 official assessors employed at AsureQuality will keep their jobs?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec88699275844c659eef1323f8c79959\u0022\u003EHon MARK PATTERSON\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a hypothetical question\u2014this is a consultation\u2014but I would say that this is a highly critical part of the red meat sector. There\u2019s a sector here that absolutely relies on the quality of their food safety assurance, so they\u2019re not going to be cutting corners. I would put out that there will still be Government oversight at the very start, at the antemortem, at the start, and at the end. It\u2019s a hypothetical question; we\u2019re still consulting, and no decisions have been made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002293fec79ec6144c6e80ff53e15d58514c\u0022\u003EHon Rachel Brooking\u003C/span\u003E: Is he confident that our trade reputation won\u2019t be put at risk by meat processors doing their own inspections?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e0c555028284097b72f7250860aa2e8\u0022\u003EHon MARK PATTERSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, absolutely. MPI are consulting extensively with our overseas trading partners. There is no way we would put in place any regime that would put our gold-standard reputation at risk\u2014so, no.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022678e70e2d7d54f2d8339728fba0c8e59\u0022\u003EHon Rachel Brooking\u003C/span\u003E: Why has he not requested any risk assessments on a move to self-inspection given that New Zealand trades on providing good quality, safe food to the world, and one bad shipment would undermine our meat exports?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002209f515e8420649d89388e2960db3c92e\u0022\u003EHon MARK PATTERSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, I would argue that the risk assessment has been done since 2013, since this option has been available. Literally billions of dollars of meat has been exported under that regime with no noticeable difference between the current Government-only mandated plants and the ones that are running a more flexible system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224c1f5bd06c6140aa8ce89068cdb51602\u0022\u003EHon Rachel Brooking\u003C/span\u003E: Isn\u2019t this consultation just another case of libertarian ideology trumping jobs, safety, and New Zealand\u2019s hard-won reputation for food safety?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002238cb6554370743b18dcad59fa5d8de53\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK, the deal is that questions are heard in silence, so we\u2019ll have the question again\u2014but it might be good to start with a question word rather than a statement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226167bfba161452fa4c24b43b86ddff5\u0022\u003EHon Rachel Brooking\u003C/span\u003E: Does this consultation provide another case of libertarian ideology trumping jobs, safety, and New Zealand\u2019s hard-won reputation for food safety?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e662b1d2d7bd431bb273f30633411446\u0022\u003EHon MARK PATTERSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, no, absolutely not. I would point out, as the Minister, that this is an MPI decision. MPI run this process; it is their decision. This process has been working exceptionally well for 17 percent of our meat exports since 2013, when the member herself was the Minister overseeing this particular regime. She could turn the mirror on herself.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002274d5410097f145e3b0a1992729f88bba\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d4137ef6b6b841e2ac62e8c46367ec05\u0022 data-id=\u00220358ef6c86434dc89cc6c5ee582b2504\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d4137ef6b6b841e2ac62e8c46367ec05\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220358ef6c86434dc89cc6c5ee582b2504\u0022\u003EMILES ANDERSON (National\u2014Waitaki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has the Government made to make it easier and more affordable for New Zealanders to access the medicines they need?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002208f355c54a924840b843fc8311bab212\u0022 data-id=\u0022536a80cf954444e89bcb8106021515fb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002208f355c54a924840b843fc8311bab212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022536a80cf954444e89bcb8106021515fb\u0022\u003EHon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E From 1 February 2026, New Zealanders with long-term stable conditions will be able to receive prescriptions lasting up to 12 months. This common-sense change means fewer GP visits, lower costs, and greater convenience for patients. It could save patients up to $105 a year and free up thousands of GP appointments. It\u2019s a practical reform that delivers on our commitment to make healthcare simpler, faster, and more affordable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d4137ef6b6b841e2ac62e8c46367ec05\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298039f66af8e4421987c968c4308c4d7\u0022\u003EMiles Anderson\u003C/span\u003E: How will this benefit New Zealanders managing long-term conditions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002208f355c54a924840b843fc8311bab212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002201cafe0cc0ff4e3f85b5aabceaabf768\u0022\u003EHon SIMEON BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: People with conditions like asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure will no longer have to make unnecessary trips to the doctor just to renew a routine prescription. They\u2019ll still collect their medicines from the pharmacy as usual, but with far less hassle and cost. It\u2019s a straightforward, patient-focused change that reduces travel, time off work, and out-of-pocket costs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d4137ef6b6b841e2ac62e8c46367ec05\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022980c2aec4df544978cc03ed57c580fac\u0022\u003EMiles Anderson\u003C/span\u003E: How will this support GPs and the wider health workforce?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002208f355c54a924840b843fc8311bab212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce4672b056994ec28c11a245c30e83c6\u0022\u003EHon SIMEON BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: Freeing up repeat prescription appointments will save GPs and nurses thousands of hours each year. That is time they can spend with patients who need more complex care, and we\u2019re freeing up that time for what matters the most. It is a smart, efficient way to get better results for patients and make the most of our health workforce.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d4137ef6b6b841e2ac62e8c46367ec05\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e58e30c3d59449aa77550319134dad2\u0022\u003EMiles Anderson\u003C/span\u003E: What other steps is the Government taking to improve access to medicines?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002208f355c54a924840b843fc8311bab212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ee483da30bc45dda30e301dfbb26927\u0022\u003EHon SIMEON BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: Many other steps, including through the Medicines Amendment Bill, and I acknowledge my colleague the Hon David Seymour for shepherding it through the House this week. One of the changes we have made removes outdated ownership restrictions that stopped pharmacist prescribers from owning or investing in pharmacies. This cuts red tape and allows pharmacists to play a greater role in providing care in their communities. That means easier access to prescription medicines and more flexible local models. It is another example of this Government backing innovation and delivering practical improvements for patients.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022122d8cf605324a4ea204aaf2a0f5cceb\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014Social Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022 data-id=\u00225d5c0e2f9e3e4f968e631083e8026221\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225d5c0e2f9e3e4f968e631083e8026221\u0022\u003ERICARDO MEN\u00C9NDEZ MARCH (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Is there a suitable job available for every unemployed person in this country; if not, should unemployed people live in poverty?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022 data-id=\u0022f81c6fc522354654adeebe8236595ea9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f81c6fc522354654adeebe8236595ea9\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment):\u003C/span\u003E There are job opportunities across New Zealand for people who are ready and able to work. The 160,000 people currently unemployed represents a wide range of circumstances. For example, they might be in between jobs, have recently received a redundancy payment, they might be being supported by their partner or family. This doesn\u2019t mean they are in poverty. Our Government is focusing on work to grow the economy and create more jobs, because we know this is important.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227f05f518d0da4a21b214332adb673ce8\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: Is it correct that single jobseeker beneficiaries on average have a weekly income deficit of $107; and if not, what does she say to the Zero Hunger Collective\u2019s findings?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260eb540effb84513a434217285acb2d6\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I said, there are a range of circumstances where people are unemployed. Not all of them are on the jobseeker benefit. What we want to see is those who are on the jobseeker benefit being supported to prepare for and get ready or take up job opportunities. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dea28020bfa647ccbcc92ef359f59f8b\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. I asked a relatively straightforward question in relation to an organisation\u2019s findings, and I don\u2019t believe the Minister actually addressed the organisation\u2019s findings or the figure that I put to her.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d3a574c2c782443d997e7c6c6d87dccc\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I think in her opening statement she said there are many different circumstances that people will find themselves in on the jobseeker benefit. I think that probably covers it as an address to the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002285d665e348bd40a2a6b1fe53d07fd19b\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: Was the Ministry of Social Development correct when it advised her that restricting access to benefits for 18- and 19-year-olds would result in more people needing income support and greater demand for foodbanks?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c5d412d74cba45128c2843d190a07f97\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and the Ministry of Social Development was also right, as the Prime Minister was, saying that we don\u2019t want to see young people trapped on welfare. We don\u2019t want them to see future decades of their lives stuck on welfare. We have higher expectations of them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b2425b1994d41ddaba9796a0b5ed0e6\u0022\u003ERicardo Men\u00E9ndez March\u003C/span\u003E: So if her answer to the previous question was yes, why did she go ahead with a policy that would result in more people needing income support and greater demand for foodbanks?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002215080e7fbe3a4bfc9d4e668dd042447f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ecc00bde1fd24f3d97c6caddfaf3c7f7\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: Because, as I\u2019ve said multiple times in this House, we believe 18- and 19-year-olds should be starting on the path that gives them the greatest opportunities for the rest of their lives. That means being in education, being in training, or being in a job.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002250ba0c7c487d44e0845385e1d7ee6a30\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014Public Service\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022 data-id=\u00221d070b75653c48779036b0b868ed8463\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221d070b75653c48779036b0b868ed8463\u0022\u003ECAMILLA BELICH (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for the Public Service: Which is correct, her oral answer in the House on 12 November 2025, in which she said, \u201Ca communications strategy is not the same as a paid advertising campaign, which I was not aware of\u201D, or her answer to Written question No. 50726 that \u201CThe Public Service Commission later informed my office and asked us to inform the PMO prior of the specific advertising going live\u201D? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022 data-id=\u00224788902ec1f44bf0b7754d0a5deec75c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224788902ec1f44bf0b7754d0a5deec75c\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER (Minister for Hunting and Fishing)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for the Public Service: Both statements are correct. The Minister was aware the commission would be using social media to provide facts about the strikes. She was not aware that they were paid advertising.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002284f6e7be392d465499750e83a38da02c\u0022\u003ECamilla Belich\u003C/span\u003E: When she told the House that \u201Ca communications strategy is not the same as a paid advertising campaign\u201D, was she saying she was not aware of the specific Facebook posts posted by the Public Service Commission in late October 2025 as part of its communication strategy on the planned industrial action?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268f33ad186e04046aad89e21849a84f6\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister for the Public Service, no, she was saying that she was not aware that they were paid advertising.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4df57deb73745f9b2559a88c7a998d3\u0022\u003ECamilla Belich\u003C/span\u003E: How does she reconcile the Prime Minister\u2019s public statement on 3\u00A0November 2025 that he had not been informed in advance of the campaign with her own written answer, which states that \u201CThe Public Service Commission\u2019s communications strategy regarding the industrial action held on 23 October 2025 was discussed with the Prime Minister and myself and our offices prior to the Commission\u2019s advertisements being published.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022677377d72c42448b879e5b3f1068e574\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister for the Public Service, my understanding is that those answers were in response to questions about paid advertising campaigns which the Prime Minister was not aware of.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002202e9cf8e530f4d73b3c29cc590ddad89\u0022\u003ECamilla Belich\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept that irrespective of whether she was aware the advertisements would be paid, she did not object, and signed off the Public Service Commission\u2019s communications strategy prior to the 23 October industrial action?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002225c2ee7c94dd4f8a94a98c1a8f9136f2\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: Can the member repeat that one again, sorry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221becec802a834a44b90d3a66fb6407e1\u0022\u003ECamilla Belich\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept that irrespective of whether she was aware the advertisements would be paid, she did not object, and signed off the Public Service Commission\u2019s communications strategy prior to the 23 October industrial action?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251437543ba4a4e1f9bbb446cfa244d08\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister for the Public Service, I assume she didn\u2019t object, but I\u2019m of the understanding she\u2019s not required to approve of those kinds of campaigns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d8b19dc802a4ab094e1fe5e9d161e9f\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I appreciate the Minister\u2019s attempt to address the question, but we have a situation here where he has stated he is answering on behalf of and then making assumptions on his behalf, and they don\u2019t quite marry up. If the Minister answering on behalf of the Minister doesn\u2019t know, it would be better for the House\u2019s understanding if he just said that, rather than making assumptions on his behalf whilst answering on behalf of the Minister. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002247744edf94164b92b1937b120a59d9f5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, it\u2019s not unusual in these circumstances for a Minister to say, \u201CI don\u2019t have that information.\u201D But we\u2019ll just try the question again, and we\u2019ll try the answer again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002272d71c5e381f44fc9182c06d53a2f76f\u0022\u003ECamilla Belich\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept that irrespective of whether she was aware that the advertisements would be paid, she did not object, and signed off the Public Service Commission\u2019s communications strategy prior to the 23 October industrial action?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e9eb6ab44e14308a4556b85db0d549a\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, Mr Speaker, but I think that question was differently worded to the one prior to it, but\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226751bb90f4a4731b361cd215be05d35\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I don\u2019t think so. Certainly\u2014look, I got it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eeda35da5a1645049b12ce651be4708a\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: OK. Well, I don\u2019t have that information to hand, I\u2019m sorry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d771ceeb9914a519559db8d37681a71\u0022\u003ECamilla Belich\u003C/span\u003E: What were the Department of Internal Affairs\u2019 objections to the Public Service Commission\u2019s advertising?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231570dadb49e4d08b77eb64aaf2be4a6\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister for the Public Service, I\u2019m personally not aware of what the specific objections were. What I am aware of is that a staff member from the Department of Internal Affairs raised a query as to whether or not the social media advertising was in line with social media guidelines, which they subsequently found that they were.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002252fb8bf488eb4d8bb810d717a25a64a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a9434e57251409f90e5f3050b68be55\u0022\u003ECamilla Belich\u003C/span\u003E: Has she or her office since verified whether the Prime Minister and/or his office were, in fact, informed prior to the advertising campaign going live, and, if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223fa71773cda24d3da2773c797fbba84e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220050ff83882c43118a7b97d5cd80b578\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister for the Public Service, I don\u2019t have that information. But if the member would like to put it in writing, I\u2019m sure that the Minister will answer it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222b6e407e741343edb4f9f6e57a1b5bf1\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Science, Innovation and Technology\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022 data-id=\u0022ffc13412f1ac4ab389efc1171cdbbfbb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ffc13412f1ac4ab389efc1171cdbbfbb\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: What steps is the Government taking to support science and innovation to grow the economy and improve the health of New Zealanders?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022 data-id=\u00225cc0d8a89e314625a4600c8b3400ba0c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225cc0d8a89e314625a4600c8b3400ba0c\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI (Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology):\u003C/span\u003E The Government is committed to supporting research that delivers impact where it matters most. That is why we have, for example, recently announced $75 million to boost New Zealand\u2019s resilience to infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness through the Infectious Diseases Research Platform. We\u2019re currently seeing an outbreak of measles in New Zealand, which has reinforced the need for robust infectious disease research and response systems.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022195a1de3cacf4520b4dac4850bd4ffa3\u0022\u003ETom Rutherford\u003C/span\u003E: How is the Government empowering our world-class scientists, universities, and research organisations to turn ideas into market-ready solutions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cec0da6863f74d85b4cd943aab13c964\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: Today, I announced new rules for managing intellectual property that will ensure our brightest minds are incentivised and supported to turn ideas into impact. Currently, each university and research organisation manages intellectual property differently, and institutions often claim ownership of discoveries made by their researchers. This can limit inventors\u2019 ability to commercialise their work and drive growth. Under our new policy, university researchers will have the first right to commercialise their inventions, either independently or alongside the universities for support. This approach will foster and drive more innovation so Kiwi-made discoveries reach New Zealanders and the world faster, improving lives, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d9fb2cbabe1b4a14881626cfc42f701d\u0022\u003ETom Rutherford\u003C/span\u003E: What recent announcements has the Government made to explore new areas of scientific discovery?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002243b3d4cb064d407aac7f480b5cb96cf2\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: The Government has refocused the Marsden Fund so that it fosters breakthrough discoveries with the potential to deliver lasting benefits for our economy, health, and environment. With this in mind, last week, more than $80 million was announced for 107 different Marsden Fund research projects. These projects include improved cancer treatments and cleaner energy solutions for industry, which will support established research leaders as well as the next generation of emerging scientists.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002204393ecf79cc4087ac72b63b6f57c4c9\u0022\u003ETom Rutherford\u003C/span\u003E: How does the science and innovation sector feature in the Government\u2019s plan to deliver greater economic growth?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275ee3be056734cdaa6eb44bccb4f6d3f\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: Innovation, technology, and science is important to the Government\u2019s Going for Growth agenda. As well as the initiatives I have just discussed, we are also investing $42 million for a new biodiscovery platform, $70 million for artificial intelligence, $71 million for new materials and magnets, $40 million for Endeavour Smart Ideas, and $183 million for Endeavour research projects. These will all create new opportunities within our science sector and support high-value jobs for New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002239ca5c8523424ca18503a14536fea8b5\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Science, Innovation and Technology\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022 data-id=\u00224452eb0277b64ae5a8ca531f47f8fa0b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224452eb0277b64ae5a8ca531f47f8fa0b\u0022\u003EREUBEN DAVIDSON (Labour\u2014Christchurch East)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: How many full-time research jobs have been lost or left unfilled in the last two years as a result of funding cuts or restructuring in the science system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022 data-id=\u00224bd2d09c2f574b12aa3493e708c1f712\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224bd2d09c2f574b12aa3493e708c1f712\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI (Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology):\u003C/span\u003E I am advised that there have been 114 science jobs associated with the disestablishment of Callaghan Innovation. I am further advised that there has been a net reduction of 224 science staff within the Crown research institute / public research organisations from July 2024 to September 2025. However, these are not the result of the current reforms of the science system, but, rather, operational decisions. It is important to note that our science organisations make changes to staffing levels for a variety of reasons as they adjust to changes in emerging priorities and fluctuations in market conditions, including success in contestable funding and commercial revenues.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb23b9f763414afd80f2239e05b3a0ff\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Has he asked how many of the 200 Kiwis a day leaving the country to find work overseas are scientists?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa9626a9d8a64230a4c323420cbdd904\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: I value all of the scientists who are currently in the system and who currently may be making a choice to go offshore. I would encourage them to contribute or be a part of the funding I have just announced, but, furthermore, I am encouraged by the biannual StatsNZ R \u0026amp; D survey, which shows that the broader New Zealand science sector has actually grown from 28,200 roles in 2022 to 30,600 roles in 2024, adding around 2,400 full-time roles.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d108ec9b35b4e168a446c2ab2ebe91f\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with the winner of the Prime Minister\u2019s Science Prize, who last month said that, if the funding doesn\u2019t change, \u201Cscientists will pack their bags and move to other countries.\u201D, and, if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228423fbcbe5da43919e75e111f3088aa1\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: I agree with the winner of that award and congratulate him on the good work that he was doing, and I can reassure him that during this period of the Government\u2019s restructuring of the science sector reforms, the funding for the science portfolio has not changed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bbeb2c27333b49e79bb170f13c84af48\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Will he, instead of cutting jobs, ring-fence or expand support for early-career researchers, to encourage our youngest and brightest to stay in New Zealand?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222cbecd054ccb452692f3f4be61e967fc\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: Early-career researchers are well looked after through a number of funding mechanisms, including Marsden, including the Health Research Council, and including the Endeavour Fund, and we\u2019ll continue to ensure that pipeline of emerging researchers through to later careers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228446a2be84014e7381ef8bec341875c5\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: What is he more proud of: the $10 million invested in the Deep Heat geothermal project or the $11 million he has spent to make scientists redundant at Callaghan Innovation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b16c10a9c18b45deaedfd99978ff74dd\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: If the member is proposing that they should receive no redundancy, he should discuss that with the Public Service Association, and I\u2019m very proud of the $10 million for Deep Heat supercritical geothermal energy in the Taup\u014D Volcanic Zone.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a7985bceb3648d182f1f70b261b4659\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Is the winner of the Prime Minister\u2019s Science Prize right to accuse the current Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, of being \u201Can idiot for running a Government that budgeted more for AI than for the Marsden Fund\u201D and to characterise his Government\u2019s science funding as \u201Cbatshit\u201D for budgeting 327 times more funding for a single road than for basic science?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dfa1de23f4774eb1b02f841d89f309d4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfd5fb6c7f1a418e8b30215f1b551e0a\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the Prime Minister for his support of the science portfolio and would suggest that some accurate numbers actually be done. Marsden was $70 million or more in one year; AI is $70 million over seven years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002244f062e7a73046f0b2647c87583e35fb\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Mental Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cc18fca1517544d48a85a448eabd4308\u0022 data-id=\u002222e06db30dd04a91b925b4afb4da25a1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc18fca1517544d48a85a448eabd4308\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002222e06db30dd04a91b925b4afb4da25a1\u0022\u003ERIMA NAKHLE (National\u2014Takanini)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Mental Health: What recent announcement has he made regarding the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220dadb94c23504a7b8e4dca31a4ff46fd\u0022 data-id=\u0022d1d0fa138f2d46cba84427547d1643e1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220dadb94c23504a7b8e4dca31a4ff46fd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d1d0fa138f2d46cba84427547d1643e1\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY (Minister for Mental Health):\u003C/span\u003E One of the Government\u2019s top priorities is to improve access to mental health support so all Kiwis can have the help when and where they need it. This morning, I announced that five grassroots community organisations have received second-round funding from the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund. By partnering with organisations such as Barnardos, Netsafe, Plunket, the Graeme Dingle Foundation, and Ki Tua o Matariki, we will deliver more support for young people and expand maternal mental health services. When someone takes the brave step of reaching out, whether it\u2019s your child, a friend or a family member, this Government\u2019s committed to ensuring the right support is there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc18fca1517544d48a85a448eabd4308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f42efb1e1be42679afea9c1f3493827\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: How will the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund deliver more youth mental health services?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220dadb94c23504a7b8e4dca31a4ff46fd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8655add4065412db9b56bf54cc282cb\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: Good question. This Government is not just focused on ensuring the right support is in place for mental health issues but we focus strongly on preventing Kiwis from getting to that point. The innovation fund will increase services available for children. Barnardos will strengthen the 0800 What\u2019s Up helpline, provide free immediate support to more children, and reduce waiting times. Netsafe will create a digital harm and mental health response network, strengthen its helpline, and train up to 1,000 workers to respond to youth distress linked to online harm. We\u2019ll also support the Graeme Dingle Foundation to expand their Project K programme, helping young people across the Waikato, Western Bay of Plenty, and Christchurch. No matter where you live, this Government is committed to ensuring that faster support is there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eecda23c8c1446109b5754513a81075f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Faster answers would be good too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc18fca1517544d48a85a448eabd4308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002208ec9ace39d441338cd69fb10872fd26\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: What new maternal mental health services will be supported through the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220dadb94c23504a7b8e4dca31a4ff46fd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022150d04ad06cc426da14938e030793d9c\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: The Government\u2019s focus is to strengthen prevention and early intervention. We know the first thousand days of a child\u2019s life lay the foundations for good mental health. The innovation fund will support young mothers, through Ki Tua o Matariki, to run peer support groups for expectant mothers aged 15 to 25 in Auckland. The innovation fund will support Plunket to launch a new online maternal mental health service in the Waikato, providing personalised care plans for parents of children aged zero to five. The Government is committed to ensuring we have the right support in place for mothers and young families.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc18fca1517544d48a85a448eabd4308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022077fe5b42e14467c8cd7e691af290592\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: What are the objectives of the mental health innovation fund, and which organisations have already received funding through this initiative?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220dadb94c23504a7b8e4dca31a4ff46fd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b26d31d21df8495691485d610de40c12\u0022\u003EHon MATT DOOCEY\u003C/span\u003E: Our mental health plan is focused on delivering results, faster access to support, more front-line workers, and a better crisis response. The innovation fund delivers increased access to mental health support, scalable solutions, and increases the workforce. The matched funding for innovative projects improves mental health outcomes. Quite frankly, it gets the money out of the door in Wellington to hard-working NGOs and community providers. The first round of recipients included Mates in Construction, the Mental Health Foundation, Youthline, Wellington City Mission, Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust, Sir John Kirwan Foundation, Women\u2019s Refuge, and Just a Thought. Behind every one of these new services are thousands of Kiwis, now getting the timely support they need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002206c6bacab76a4c51bd4e025cea78d139\u0022\u003EQuestions to Members\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002231a54a1033fa40b2a9427ec95edeb03b\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Environment Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225f7e23d3e36441cbb5adcaca9866cbeb\u0022\u003E1.\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e0a14980c39c4f5ea9fe6124590e5d19\u0022\u003E Hon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour\u2014Dunedin)\u003C/span\u003E to the Chairperson of the Environment Committee: Why did she explain advertising an 11-day submissions deadline for the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill on the basis that \u201CUnder Standing Order 198, I opened submissions to meet the expectation of the timeframe\u201D, when Standing Order 198 makes no reference to the timeframe for submissions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022 data-id=\u0022c4bf491c72dd488ca179309bcc72d3c6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c4bf491c72dd488ca179309bcc72d3c6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: It would appear the member, the chair of the select committee, is unable to answer that today. The question is deferred and can be asked again on Tuesday.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003EWe come now to Government order of the day No. 1. Before I call that, can those leaving the House for other business do so quickly and quietly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\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=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222654b42d2be04b20850381836bed9ac2\u0022\u003ERegulatory Standards Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022167f6bc17b7646c498729b9386c23012\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022 data-id=\u0022f81eb782dfbe4e9da8ef7e18da27efeb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f81eb782dfbe4e9da8ef7e18da27efeb\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR (Minister for Regulation):\u003C/span\u003E I present a legislative statement on the Regulatory Standards Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022 data-id=\u0022aa5191943f264956865b3d7de30bb0e0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3421c47b95e43b0a0c8a30392b77297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022aa5191943f264956865b3d7de30bb0e0\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on Parliament\u2019s website.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220fb75c76938d4c38b1a2277276120260\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR\u003C/span\u003E: I move, That the Regulatory Standards Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EThe Regulatory Standards Bill is a good idea that has been a long time coming. I would like to acknowledge the many staff; MPs, including the Hon Rodney Hide; the Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce, and particularly Bryce Wilkinson; the Ministry for Regulation, and particularly Gr\u00E1inne and Andrew; the Finance and Expenditure Committee, led by Cameron Brewer; and my colleagues in the ACT Party and across the Government, who have all at different times worked to make this possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to start with a thought about Acemoglu and Robinson, two guys that just got the Nobel Prize for their work on institutions and how they contribute to people\u2019s prosperity. Their basic idea is that we benefit from a long tradition that established this Parliament, the courts, and the executive; a strong State capable of stopping anarchy that is none the less restrained by the tension between that Government and the rest of the community. That is the balance required so that people can live free and prosperous lives. In recent decades, our society has continued to build the tension between our civil society and our State so that we can be free and prosperous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EWe have, for example, put in place the Public Finance Act 1989 so that New Zealanders can see when politicians are racking up debt on their account or wasting their money. We\u2019ve put in place the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act so that New Zealanders can see if politicians are inflating away the value of their savings, and we put in place the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 so the people can see if politicians are making laws that violate their basic personal freedoms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EThese institutions are critical. They don\u2019t restrain Parliament. They don\u2019t stop politicians from making laws. But they do create that critical tension between a civil society that\u2019s informed and can see what politicians are up to and can critique it on the one hand, and a strong State that can prevent anarchy and protect us from violence on the other. But sadly, so far we have not put in place a law that exposes the impacts of politicians putting restrictions on the use and exchange of property. The Regulatory Standards Bill changes that. If you want to pursue some cause, then you need to be open about whether it is going to impact people\u2019s value that they get from their property and the value that they get from their time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EThis Government follows too many who failed to do that adequately. The cost of the restrictions are immense and they are felt throughout our society. It is the teachers who say, \u201CAll I wanted to do was help young New Zealanders reach their potential and all I actually do is fill out forms and comply with bureaucracy.\u201D It\u2019s the builders who complain that it takes longer to get permission to build something than actually build it, or the financial service workers who say they can\u2019t give financial advice to the people who really need it because, under the rules, they can\u2019t afford it. It\u2019s a generation marching because fundamentally they don\u2019t believe that they will have their own property in one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth because we\u2019ve made it too hard to build the homes and the infrastructure that connects them together.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003ESometimes these stories of politicians making laws and regulations are deeply personal. I\u2019d like to tell the story of one such woman I call Robin. She worked for 45 years in the public sector and charity in this country. She said, \u201CI believed in this country until it was all taken away.\u201D What happened is that she had built up a pretty good nest egg. She was looking forward to her retirement and being able to spoil her grandchildren. She owned her apartment where the body corporate decided to knock off some routine maintenance, but unfortunately they ran into the earthquake-strengthening laws and $1\u00A0million later, she has no savings and she has to sell her apartment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003ERemember she said, \u201CI believed in this country.\u201D She came to my electorate office and she insisted on reading out her story, through tears. People should just think about these human faces sometimes. What happens when people make a law for some worthy purpose but don\u2019t actually ask what the impacts on individuals will be? Robin\u2019s true bitterness and sadness came from the fact that this Parliament has now realised those laws actually never stacked up. We will get rid of them. If only\u2014and here is the really sad thing\u2014the advice at the time had been given more prominence and taken more seriously. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EThat is what the Regulatory Standards Bill will do. It will ensure that new laws are accompanied by a consistency accountability statement that will largely replace the current but sadly ignored regulatory impact statements. These consistency accountability statements will be based on the principles provided for in this bill, for the first time actually put in legislation, but they will say that we have to identify the cost of people\u2019s liberty being restricted, their property rights being impaired, or fees and levies that are unreasonable, among other principles. We will identify the impacts, and the regulatory standards board will act as a watchdog, seeing to it that the consistency accountability statements are fully accurate and open to the people. The Act will also provide for reviewing already existing laws against those principles. It will empower the Ministry for Regulation to request information from other departments when going about those duties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003ENow, I want to say a little bit to the critics who have been many but, in my view, poorly informed. People say that this bill should have, amongst its principles, things such as equity or upholding Te Tiriti or public health or environmental custodianship. The misunderstanding is that any Government can still pursue those collective goals through collective action. The point of the Regulatory Standards Bill and its principles is to identify the costs of those laws and those collective projects on individuals. If you want to identify a significant natural area on someone\u2019s farm, you can, but if the rest of the community really believes it\u2019s that valuable, perhaps they should be prepared to compensate that farmer rather than make them bear all the cost for a collective goal and do so without even acknowledging the cost being put on them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EWhere this bill leads us is a more respectful and more civilised society, one where if you want to benefit, if you want to pursue an objective that you think is worthy, and if you want to impose costs on other people using and exchanging their property or you want to take up their time to achieve your goal, then as a start, you have to at least be open and honest about the fact that you\u2019re doing it. Parliament can pass the law if it really wants to, anyway. But just like we have kept in that narrow corridor between a strong civil society and a strong State when it comes to spending people\u2019s taxes, printing more money to devalue their savings, or passing laws that violate their basic personal freedoms with the Public Finance Act and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, the Regulatory Standards Bill means that politicians need to at least be open and honest about the impacts that they have on individuals when they pursue their goals.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EThat is what we need to be doing in this Parliament. It is a movement towards a more civilised society where adults treat each other respectfully. That is something that I look forward to implementing over the next six months as this bill comes into force. I am very proud to stand behind it. I\u2019m very grateful to all those I named at the beginning who have helped make this dream a reality so far and I commend this bill to the House. Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022 data-id=\u0022635922425119463780bcb3f1d15ba2d1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022635922425119463780bcb3f1d15ba2d1\u0022\u003EHon Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora e te Mana Whakaw\u0101. I want to explain why, within the first 100 days of the next Labour-led Government, we will repeal this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EThe first reason is this: there has been no piece of legislation that has come before this House that is less wanted. The Minister said the critics were many; the critics were overwhelming. In the select committee process, less than 1 percent of the submitters supported this bill. Not only that, it was across the board. All of the civil society organisations\u2014the Law Society, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, the Children\u2019s Commissioner, the Commissioner for the Environment, the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee\u2014the list goes on and on and on. They all made thoughtful submissions explaining why this bill was unworkable and did not truly reflect what good regulatory practice was.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EWhat it amounts to is baking in a libertarian set of values into our lawmaking process, skewing the lawmaking process in a particular libertarian, philosophical way. At root\u2014and their words were used by the Minister in his speech today\u2014it\u2019s about the protection of property rights, the protection of absolutely free use and exchange of property, in his words. The rest of the bill is cover, is camouflage, for the genuine libertarian ideal of the promotion of the freedom of property rights above all else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EThe second reason we\u2019ll get rid of this bill is because it\u2019s simply wasteful. The number of submitters who understand the legislative and policy development process said that the problem has been mischaracterised. We do not need a new piece of legislation and a new regulatory standards board to undertake this. We have a series of procedures in place, from good policy development and problem identification through to the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee and the Regulations Review Authority, the Regulations Review Committee, the select committee process\u2014and again, the list goes on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EYes, we can do it better. We can do better regulatory impact statements. We can do better departmental disclosure statements. But what we don\u2019t need is another piece of paper\u2014a consistency accountability statement\u2014that public servants have to go and undertake. We found out that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment projects it will cost them $60 million a year and 25 percent of their policy capacity to comply with this. What did they say? That this risks making their regulatory stewardship worse because of the diversion of resource to this bureaucratic form-filling that the ACT Party pretends they\u2019re against. That\u2019s why it\u2019s cover; that\u2019s why what it really does is try to bake in property rights into, essentially, our constitutional framework. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s the third reason why we\u2019re going to get rid of this bill at the first opportunity: it\u2019s fundamentally unconstitutional. This House is where law is made. This House and its committees and its processes are the correct place for scrutiny. That\u2019s why we have the Attorney-General\u2019s New Zealand Bill of Rights Act reports come before us. What we don\u2019t need is a cabal of hand-picked members of a committee that sits outside of this House on the regulatory standards board\u2014hand-picked by the Minister for Regulation\u2014to second-guess what goes on in this House. This is the place for deliberation. This is the place for scrutiny. This is the place for examination. To say that there is another group of people out there who you have no control over\u2014unelected people\u2014it\u2019s fundamentally undemocratic. What we have is, essentially, a politically appointed group of people criticising democratically elected processes and people. It\u2019s wrong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EHere\u2019s the true irony of this bill: it\u2019s procedurally flawed. The bill that is about regulatory quality broke every rule in respect of how to make good rules. Was it properly consulted on? Absolutely not. The consultation was deeply flawed and skewed. The pre-legislative consultation itself pre-empted the decision. It said, \u201CHere\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do. What do you think around the edges?\u201D Did it consult M\u0101ori as it should under the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi? No, it didn\u2019t. It left them out: \u201COh, they can just tack their consultation on to the end.\u201D That\u2019s not good legislative process. And what about hearing the Minister talk about regulatory impact statements and bemoaning how they\u2019re not followed? His own regulatory impact statement for this legislation did not meet the quality standards imposed by Treasury. It was a rubbish regulatory impact statement. It was an absolute shambles. The idea that he stands up and says, \u201CI\u2019ve got this great piece of legislation about regulatory quality.\u201D, when he doesn\u2019t follow his own rules about regulatory quality, is outrageous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EWhat we have here is a piece of legislation that, let\u2019s face it, has been waiting in the ACT Party wings for this moment for 20 years. You know where it comes from? It comes from a report by the New Zealand Business Roundtable\u2014the mates, essentially, of big corporates. That\u2019s who wants this bill in place. On that side of the House, it\u2019s come from the ACT Party, but let\u2019s not forget: it\u2019s yours as well: New Zealand First, so-called stander-upper for the little guy. Here, you\u2019re standing up for big corporates. The National Party: well, you being absolutely led by the nose by the libertarian ACT Party whilst you undermine the conservative values that you say you represent. They should be ashamed of themselves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EUltimately, this is a politically motivated bill. It\u2019s a bill which is absolutely libertarian in its values. It seeks to put in place a set of far-right values which come out of a theory of economics that basically says the most important right is the right to private property. It throws to one side every other right we hold dear\u2014genuine rights, about equity, about preserving human dignity, about preserving our environment, about preserving indigenous people\u2019s rights. To say \u201CDon\u2019t worry about it, we don\u2019t need those as principles of good regulatory standards\u201D is to absolutely demean a set of rights that we have worked and fought hard for across centuries. All for what? For profit\u2014for corporate profit, moreover. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203b3a8aad696414a8eb7f03fa4e88c59\u0022\u003EWe are committed to repealing this bill in the first 100 days of the next Labour-led Government. This is a bill which is deeply unpopular, and it\u2019s a bill which no National-led Government in its right mind would support. It\u2019s a bill that New Zealand First are deeply uncomfortable with, for right reason. But what\u2019s that? That is the cost of the baubles of power, because this is the dirty deal that has been done to pass a bill\u2014a regulatory standards bill, that isn\u2019t about regulation\u2014and it has no standards. It\u2019s a bill about hard-baking into our constitutional system\u2014into the very cogs of the machine that makes law\u2014libertarian principles: the protection of property over person, the protection of property over human rights, and over our environment. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve got here, and that\u2019s why we will get rid of this bill at the first opportunity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022 data-id=\u0022c7ef048becbf4228b71cfa2acfbb1c7e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c7ef048becbf4228b71cfa2acfbb1c7e\u0022\u003ETAMATHA PAUL (Green\u2014Wellington Central):\u003C/span\u003E This bill is a bit like a cockroach: we keep stamping it out, but it just won\u2019t die. They tried this three times before, as Duncan Webb just said. They\u2019ve tried this in the past, and every single time it failed. They tried it again with the Treaty principles bill, and what happened with that? It got thrown out at the first reading\u2014it got chucked in the bin\u2014and now it\u2019s come before us again. It\u2019s a cockroach; it just won\u2019t die.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EBut the danger in this bill is not actually how damaging it will be, although that is a real danger of it. The danger of this bill is how eye-wateringly boring and technical it is, so that most of the general public aren\u2019t necessarily paying attention to the consequences of this bill. They\u2019d be forgiven for thinking that it was just a boring old bill, because the ACT Party can\u2019t get it by standing on what they really want, so they couch it in legal and technical and constitutional terms to try and get their foot in the door\u2014just like a cockroach. That\u2019s how a cockroach lives, isn\u2019t it? In the dark, in the night\u2014not in broad daylight, being clear about the intentions of what they hope to achieve. Or maybe it\u2019s like a rat\u2014maybe it\u2019s like a rat. You see one, you think that\u2019s it; there\u2019s 20 more where that came from.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EThe intentions\u2014the intentions are the same, no matter how many times they\u2019ve tried to do this. It\u2019s erase Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ransack the environment, and put corporate greed over the public good. Because we used to make things here in Aotearoa: we used to create paper; we used to make wool, timber; we used to manufacture things\u2014cars, clothing. We cared about each other. We understood that in order for people to work hard in those industries\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022212cf7474b304d86a379dbfeb693d855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce42b0a61e9b4e7e81054e7e47d6d4c4\u0022\u003EHon Mark Patterson\u003C/span\u003E: Wool\u2019s coming back.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022adc702652f9c489897212af35d617997\u0022\u003ETAMATHA PAUL\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014like making wool, Mr Patterson\u2014we needed to provide for them, as well. We knew that if we gave people the basics, that they would be able to live a productive life that benefits our country and our economy\u2014a concept that seems completely foreign to that side of the House. These are the basic tenets of social reproduction: make people happy, give them the basics; they\u2019ll work hard and they\u2019ll make babies, and those babies will go on and be the future generation of our nation. Those are important things. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EEveryone could get good healthcare back in the day. A good public education was available to everyone; even university education and training was free. Everybody had the opportunity to live in a house through State housing, and parents could stay home and raise their kids themselves. That was a time when New Zealand understood what mattered the most. That carried on for many decades. People were happy, they had more money in their pockets, and it was easier to be born into a poorer or a working-class family because you knew that if you worked hard, you could transcend class, you could move around. It\u2019s a concept called class mobility. Don\u2019t know if that side of the House has heard about it before, but it used to be a thing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EYou could set yourself up, buy a family homestead, and really get intergenerational wealth to pass down to different generations. But then in the 1980s and the 1990s in this country, there was this idea that grew across the world where people decided that they wanted\u2014and felt that they deserved\u2014more than their fair share. They looked at housing and said, \u201CWhat if we just bought all the houses and made everybody else pay rent to us?\u201D They looked at healthcare and said, \u201CWhat if we put a price tag on hospitals and GP visits?\u201D They looked at university education and said, \u201CWe should put a price tag on that.\u201D That\u2019s the same mindset that would probably sell us back the air that we breathe, if they could. What if they could just get really, really rich? That is neoliberalism, and that is this bill. It\u2019s the mindset that we should put a price tag on everything, and it is the concept of putting private greed of the few before the public good for the many.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003ENow, the ACT Party are the architects of this bill, because they understand that there are two things that stand in the way of them and their mates getting richer, and that\u2019s Te Tiriti o Waitangi and protections for the environment. But this time, it got through\u2014after many failed attempts\u2014thanks to our Prime Minister. Our Prime Minister, the amateur politician who doesn\u2019t even understand what he signed up to in his coalition agreement, who doesn\u2019t even understand the way that he sold away the founding document of our country in his agreements. Maybe he should just stick to business, because he\u2019s not a very good politician.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EIn order to serve their agenda of concentrating wealth within the hands of a few people, David Seymour has created his own ministry. He\u2019s put himself in charge of the ministry and he\u2019s made this bill, which on the surface, again, is very boring, but the implications are far-reaching. Now, this right here, this is a regulatory impact statement. Every time a bill is passed in this House, one of these are prepared. It is essentially the pros and the cons of a bill. The reason that the ACT Party and the Government don\u2019t like these is because these are the really annoying things that tell us what the public and the people think. These are the really annoying things that tell us the consequences of what happens when you throw the environment aside or concentrate too much wealth in the hands of a few. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EBut these are the Public Service\u2019s acts of resistance. Their resistance is a simple thing that might be a bit confronting or a bit mind-boggling to the Government; it\u2019s a simple thing called evidence. Because when all of the political rhetoric and all of the communication lines and all of those key lines that you\u2019re fed by your advisers are brushed aside, these stand as a statement of fact; because when all of the bills\u2014including the fast-track bill, the pay equity bill, the Treaty principles bill\u2014came through, these were the things that provided evidence and truth for us to make a decision. But these are the things that continue to be ignored. So these are inconvenient for the Government, and that is exactly why they want to change these rules. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003ENow, this bill uses words and phrases that everybody, in principle, might agree to. It takes things like the rule of law above all else but purposefully erases tikanga M\u0101ori, the original law of this land. It makes the assumption that everybody is equal under the law, erasing the fact that that is dictated by your race and how much money you have access to. It puts the rights of individuals before collective rights that we all hold: our collective right to safe drinking water; our collective right to good housing, good healthcare, good education; the collective right of future generations to inherit a planet that is livable and breathable; to inherit rivers that they can swim in, clean air that they can breathe in, forests that they can walk in, mountains that they can climb; the collective rights and mana of iwi and hap\u016B to pursue tino rangatiratanga. These are collective rights, which an individualistic theory like neoliberalism could not even begin to comprehend.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EThis bill will make New Zealand more unequal. The wealthiest 311 families in New Zealand have more wealth combined than the bottom 2.5 million New Zealanders. The Government has made everything more expensive, from the supermarket to the bank, to the GP clinic, to schools. You know what one of the first things they did when they got into Government was? They removed the reporting that IRD does to actually record and track wealth inequality in this country, and then they put through bills like this just so that we can\u2019t see what\u2019s happening right in front of our eyes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EThis is the most fundamental breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in modern times. It tramples over and erases tikanga M\u0101ori. There was no consultation with M\u0101ori, which actively breaches principles of good faith and partnership. When this bill comes into force on 1 January 2026, a few weeks away, any piece of legislation that mentions or honours or gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi will be in its sight lines. This is capitalism, and this is recolonisation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022528bff81a75942df8b97f66c623c8a91\u0022\u003EThe people who engineered this bill don\u2019t care about New Zealand. The people who engineered this bill don\u2019t have the range to even comprehend te ao M\u0101ori or Te Tiriti or iwi and hap\u016B. Their mates are placed in Australia, in Canada, in America. They don\u2019t care about us. Make no mistake, this is capitalism, and David Seymour: you better run and tell your mates in the Atlas Network that we\u2019re going to burn capitalism to the ground, because socialism is about honouring and upholding the dignity of all people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022 data-id=\u0022d9d81e9d1836484d92ceeb76580a9f3d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d9d81e9d1836484d92ceeb76580a9f3d\u0022\u003ECAMERON BREWER (National\u2014Upper Harbour):\u003C/span\u003E I want to use this occasion to congratulate the ACT Party on what has been over 20 years of advocacy and hard work by the ACT Party. This Regulatory Standards Bill gives effect to National\u2019s coalition agreement with ACT. We heard and we consulted widely; we heard approximately 30 hours of oral evidence, and received over 159,000 written submissions. Of course, that was on top of over 23,000 submissions last year, after considerable departmental consultation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b2f5c45d42a433893ae6677b9a7307d\u0022\u003EBut as the chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee, now I want to point to the fact that we have improved this bill considerably with amendments that have seen the tightening up of the board and chair\u2019s independence and separation from the Minister and the Government of the day, consistent with provisions in the Crown Entities Act. So, again, I congratulate the ACT Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dd8e3373a1e7446bb28d6db4e8cab8ef\u0022 data-id=\u0022635c34e4b7e047bab41cc7a6cfe8a15a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dd8e3373a1e7446bb28d6db4e8cab8ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022635c34e4b7e047bab41cc7a6cfe8a15a\u0022\u003EHon CASEY COSTELLO (Minister of Customs):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to speak on the third reading of the Regulatory Standards Bill and to bring some context back into the very emotional debate that has occurred and bring it back to some semblance of fact. Again, the trouble with the principles of socialism, as we\u2019ve heard so many times before, is that, eventually, you run out of other people\u2019s money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dd8e3373a1e7446bb28d6db4e8cab8ef\u0022\u003EWe support this bill because, on the fundamentals, it promotes an open and accountable Government that legislates with key principles in mind: the rule of law, efficiency and regulation, property rights, an independent judiciary, and the belief that every New Zealander is equal before the law. That equality relates to your equality of opportunity, that everyone has that chance to achieve their full potential.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dd8e3373a1e7446bb28d6db4e8cab8ef\u0022\u003ESo, therefore, we have no hesitation in commending this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022 data-id=\u0022770337ad9d094661bc3fe607caa9e91c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022770337ad9d094661bc3fe607caa9e91c\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: This call is a split call\u2014Rawiri Waititi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022 data-id=\u0022d26d92602cef4909a6919b2b18394fa9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d26d92602cef4909a6919b2b18394fa9\u0022\u003ERAWIRI WAITITI (Co-Leader\u2014Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori):\u003C/span\u003E As I take to my feet, as my people took to theirs a year from today, I remember standing at the edge of Te Rerenga Wairua, thinking of the many people who have sacrificed and dedicated their lives to liberation of our people and to the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, resolute and unwavering in their conviction, whether thousands of people followed them, or only a few.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003EI remember the ika huirua [two deaths at once] of that time: koro \u201CBom\u201D Gillies and Ricky Mitai.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003ENg\u0101 p\u014Dito o te h\u0101o k\u016Bpenga o te iwi M\u0101ori [The buoys of the net of unity]\u2014the buoys of the net of kotahitanga that held our people together during the biggest h\u012Bkoi this country has ever seen. I remember the ahi, a righteous, raging inferno in the puku of everybody that walked the h\u012Bkoi. I remember the k\u0101pura ahi [burning fire] that was lit in Rangiriri, the declaration of undisturbed occupation\u2014a reflection of the same fire burning in the puku of everyone on that h\u012Bkoi; their declaration of undisturbed sovereignty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003EThen, I remember Te ahika o Tainui [burning fires], a time when a fire threatened our whenua at Whangapar\u0101oa and it was burnt to smithereens. And yet Te Haika o Tainui, the marker of the landing place of the Tainui waka, remained untouched. In the middle of scorched earth, the pou of our story still stood.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003EI remember Kiingi Tuheitia. I remember, in recent days, the inferno that blazed on Tongariro Maunga\u2014scorched earth, once again\u2014and still, Te Riri\u014D, that significant pouwhenua, marking undisturbed sovereignty, remained untouched. From the ashes, the declaration remained.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003EI remember Te Arikinui Tumu Te Heuheu. I remember, on this day last year, coming back to this House during the h\u012Bkoi, ki te mura o te ahi [to the lion\u2019s den], our righteous, burning anger, the fire in our puku as we shook the very foundation of this House, and the world, with a haka. A haka led by voices of our rangatahi\u2014a declaration of our resistance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003EAgain and again, the same pattern appears. First, the land is scorched. The system thinks it has burnt us out\u2014and yet the pou remain. The stories remain. The people remain. And so when I look at the Regulatory Standards Bill, I see it for what it is: another fire. Not the fire of our people seeking justice, but the cold, calculated arson of a Government that wants to burn down the constitutional protections that stand between our people and exploitation. It is no accident that this Government has brought the Regulatory Standards Bill to its final reading one year after the first reading of the Treaty principles bill and during the anniversary of the h\u012Bkoi o Te Tiriti. We remember that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the first and highest regulatory standard of this land. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003EWe will repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill. Ahi, in all its forms, means to withstand, to hope, to regenerate, to rejuvenate, to reset. It is a declaration of our occupation and our tino rangatiratanga. This bill tries to smooth that ahi. Our job is to keep it burning. To the day one year ago that our people stood in the streets and reminded this House who we are, today, as this Government tries to pass a law to forget us, we stand again to remember. We remember that Te Tiriti is our standard, our covenant, our fire that does not go out. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003EWe remember those who walked before us, who stood often alone and lit the path anyway. To our people feeling the same fire in your puku: do not be distracted by the noise. Remember the bigger picture. Remember who we are. Remember why we believe. Keep the ahi burning. This bill may pass in the House today, but it will not survive our people tomorrow. We will all rise from the ashes and we will build an Aotearoa hou\u2014not on the scorched earth of deregulation, but on the enduring fire of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Kia ora t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022 data-id=\u00226fb053d5c6d441818743bfcf64eac387\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226fb053d5c6d441818743bfcf64eac387\u0022\u003EDr LAWRENCE XU-NAN (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. This bill, essentially, embeds a neoliberal cuckoo egg in every legislation. It is a parasite that is going to be wiggling its way throughout everything that this Government and any other Government does. There is no logic, there is no rationality\u2014one can\u2019t find any form of enlightenment here\u2014so what is this bill really, really about? Now, I want to say that I am surprised, but, frankly, I am disappointed but unsurprised at the Government and the Cabinet and the executive allowing such a bill to get through, allowing an ACT-led Government to create a noose around every single Minister\u2019s neck. They are allowing the passing of a bill that probably is one of the bills in history that has a near 100 percent opposition rate during the select committee stage. This shows the naivety of this Government. This shows that this Government will do whatever they can, and trample over whoever gets in their way, to obtain and retain power.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003EBut let\u2019s talk about what this bill intends to do. This bill intends to empower the legislature, but we have seen those who proposed this bill having no qualms about pushing through urgency in the House and sending bill after bill into urgency and extended sittings. That\u2019s not empowering the legislature. We have seen a Minister of the very party that proposed this bill pushing through a pay equity amendment bill that got rid of every active pay equity claim in the country without public consultation. How is that empowering the legislature? The sheer hypocrisy is astonishing. We have seen opaque track records of anything that that particular Minister has introduced. We have seen school lunches being harmful for our tamariki, to the point that it\u2019s a health and safety risk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2fe47b3666e4b5996f80c07fba44290\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Back to the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cdd2c90ac97d4932920ba9272d957acf\u0022\u003EDr LAWRENCE XU-NAN\u003C/span\u003E: It is back to the bill, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225eaf5e007b2d488e858df9e650c14580\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: When you were talking about the legislation, you were on the bill, but now you\u2019re just deflecting a little bit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb93c20a0b6249b7a7a434916d350198\u0022\u003EDr LAWRENCE XU-NAN\u003C/span\u003E: It is addressing the broader context of the principles of this bill, of empowering the legislature and decisions that are made. This bill introduces the Regulatory Standards Board, which is, presumably, there for the people and to be objective. However, the same Minister who will be responsible for the creation of such a board has also created other agencies and ministries that are opaque and do not adhere to what is needed in terms of transparency and the expectations of the people of Aotearoa. We\u2019re seeing the Charter School Agency that has been introduced, signing a deal with a non-existent company when it comes to the creation of new charter schools. We\u2019re seeing the Ministry for Regulation having, on average, one of the highest salaries yet, producing reports that have no evidential basis. So it does beg the question: how is the Regulatory Standards Board going to achieve that, when they respond to one Minister\u2014and one Minister alone\u2014when we already have parliamentary mechanisms that are cross-party in the form of the Regulations Review Committee, which performs the same function? I don\u2019t know about you, but I hear yellow tape in all of this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e2154eca8dae42a480d28fe23da6e395\u0022\u003ESo the Green Party sees this as a zombie, Frankenstein of a bill that does nothing for Aotearoa. New Zealanders care about each other and the planet, and they will not stand by this bill, and so the Green Party will repeal it, for sure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022 data-id=\u0022986ca8384b804c80ab908451a3ab78bb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022986ca8384b804c80ab908451a3ab78bb\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS PENK (Minister for Building and Construction):\u003C/span\u003E Oh, thank you, Madam Speaker. I don\u2019t have time to talk about the fires burning and the ahi mentioned by Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, even as they engage in their own acts of self-immolation. In a brief contribution, I just want to focus on the comments made by the Hon Duncan Webb alleging some form of democratic deficit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EAs the sponsor of the bill has quite rightly pointed out, this is merely an accountability mechanism, such that Parliament can still pass laws, notwithstanding that it will have to account to the people of New Zealand about the way they\u2019re passed and the effects that they will have on ordinary New Zealanders. I\u2019d also point out that Parliament has already given a much more muscular power to the courts, enabling them to declare legislation inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. That\u2019s a much more muscular power. That is a genuine democratic deficiency, and this Parliament has already established that it\u2019s happy with it. While courts can\u2019t strike down legislation in the same way as the Supreme Court in the United States\u2014thank goodness\u2014nevertheless, we require of ourselves some kind of response when courts engage in that way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EThis is a much more tame, much less muscular power. It\u2019s an exercise in increasing accountability, democratic responsiveness, and I join others on this side of the House in recognising this commitment within our coalition agreement, and I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022 data-id=\u0022447a51752e524dfca9e0e146f5fec7a7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022447a51752e524dfca9e0e146f5fec7a7\u0022\u003EHon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. When we are elected to Government, we will repeal this bill. We will repeal this bill. It is an odious bill. It should never have come to this House. It has been opposed by the great majority of New Zealanders. Less than 1 percent of the people who sent in a submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee supported this bill. The reputable submitters, people like the Legislative Design and Advisory Committee, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227ab5191e85114899b5e4ff4d0920ec06\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: The Clerk of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002275e1485da53b46f7b56f6141e911015e\u0022\u003EHon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah. So many of our civil institutions opposed this bill. It should not be here, and we will repeal it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve noticed, in speeches in the House, all too often people fling around words like \u201Ccommon sense\u201D and \u201Cideology\u201D, and they\u2019ve become a shorthand for something that people don\u2019t agree with or that they think is right. I\u2019m going to avoid those words, in this bill. I actually want to dig into the actual principles and talk through why they simply don\u2019t work for legislative processes. I want to start with the concept of principles in the first place. We\u2019ve called them principles. They are, here, really working, in some ways, sitting in here as rights. Now, I don\u2019t follow Jeremy Bentham, I don\u2019t think that rights are \u201Cnonsense on stilts\u201D. Nevertheless, I think they are something that we have, as it were, invented or constructed in order that we can live with each other, in order that we can find our way in groups and in society. They\u2019ve become, if you like, heuristics or rules of thumb that we deploy\u2014and for good reason, because we live in complex societies and we want to find ways to live alongside each other.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EThis bill puts inside it some rights or principles, and they are set out in clause 8 of the bill. They\u2019re called the \u201CPrinciples of responsible regulation\u201D, but what we are really doing is putting some rights in here. There\u2019s some around the \u201CRule of law\u201D: \u201C(a)(i) the law should be clear and accessible:\u201D. To be honest, this is not the usual account of the rule of law, but never mind. That \u201C(ii) the law should not adversely affect rights and liberties, \u2026 (iii) every person is equal before the law:\u201D, and so on, seems pretty reasonable. There\u2019s an element of individualism going through there that I do want to talk about, later. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EThen, under \u201CLiberties\u201D\u2014again, a somewhat foreign word in New Zealand. Though we do talk about freedom and liberty, it\u2019s one of those we don\u2019t normally talk about, the liberties that we have. But it says that \u201C(b) legislation should not \u2026 diminish a person\u2019s liberty, personal security, freedom of choice or action, or rights to own, use, and dispose of property\u201D. That\u2019s in clause 8(b).\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EBut then the emphasis of this law, of these principles, on property becomes very clear in clause 8(c), where it talks about the \u201CTaking of property\u201D and that \u201C(c) legislation should not impair\u201D property rights. What this bill does is it reifies property rights above other rights. Now, that\u2019s an interesting step to take, because one of the things about rights or principles is that we actually have a whole lot of them that we\u2019ve said are good things for us to abide by in our society: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association. We do think that property rights are important. But the thing is, these things often exist in tension. They often run up against each other. One person\u2019s freedom of speech runs up against another person\u2019s freedom of speech. One person\u2019s property right runs up against other people\u2019s property rights. There\u2019s a whole lot of tension there, and there is no single right which is a trump card, of which can be laid down and said, \u201CThis one trumps everything else.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EPart of the job of Government, part of what we are trying to do here, is to reconcile the tensions between these rights, to find ways through them. It\u2019s actually a hard and difficult job\u2014that\u2019s why Government ends up having to try to do it. It is hard to reconcile the tensions between some of these rights. We actually try to do this, but not by slamming down a trump card and saying that one is the one that matters most.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003ENow, the Hon David Seymour talked in his speech of a sad case of a person who had lost her retirement savings because of some new obligations that were imposed on property owners in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes. You know, eight people died on the 702 bus when the facade of a building collapsed on them. The reason, as a Government, the National Party decided\u2014back in I can\u2019t remember which year it was\u2014to put in some earthquake strengthening requirements is because people lost their lives in earthquakes, because many of our buildings are not up to earthquake standards. Yes, people have property rights, and yes, people have a right to be alive, and those things can run up against each other and it can be hard to work out how much we pay where. But property does not trump. It is something that has to exist in tension with all the other rights. Those rights are in tension, and yet this bill says that property is the one that comes first.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EI talked briefly before about the right of association. There was a very good reason for that, because some rights exist as group rights. But we are not just some kind of set of individuals, one plus one plus one plus one plus one plus one. We are a society, and a society is composed of groups of people standing in particular relationships to each other. There are some rights that only exist because groups exist\u2014or group rights, as it were. I\u2019m going to give a particular example that might matter to us. If you want to hold and keep and speak a language, it can only be done if other people hold and keep and speak that language too. There is a reason why we think that it is important to have te reo M\u0101ori as an official language in this country and to support the teaching of te reo M\u0101ori in schools: to ensure that it is used across our society. There is a reason why it is so often that we hear that language spoken in this Chamber. It is because we hold it dear, yet if we can only have te reo M\u0101ori spoken by one person alone it doesn\u2019t work. Languages work collectively.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003ESometimes, in this bill, it reifies individual rights. It says that individual rights come first. But we actually have to work to hold that tension together. Yet this bill says\u2014and I think I\u2019d have to go to the exact clause\u2014that \u201Cclause 8(b) legislation should not unduly diminish a person\u2019s liberty\u201D. Individual liberty matters, but so, too, do group rights, and we should not trump one over the other. Instead, Government should work its way through them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EI had intended to speak a little of Te Tiriti, but our colleague Rawiri Waititi has done that. I want to speak of one further set of group rights, rights that are not in this bill, that we do need to think hard about, and that is environmental rights. Now, there is a sense in which the environment holds its own value, but that\u2019s a hard and complicated one to explain in this speech. But I want to talk about how environment\u2014our environment\u2014affects us all. My trees affect my neighbourhood. The beautiful kahikatea on my property, they matter to my neighbours. But if I chop those trees down, they belong to me. My name is on the title deed, they belong to me, but if I chop them down, there goes the security of our hillside. That\u2019s why those kahikatea matter. No, they are not assets just to be deployed by me; they are trees that belong to the neighbourhood. My using an internal combustion engine car affects us all, through the heating of the earth, through the use of fossil fuels, every time. By myself, just one little bit of me doing that\u2014me doing it wouldn\u2019t matter too much; the trouble is all of us do it, and together we create a problem for all of us. We need to think about the environment as well, and yet the environment is not in here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221728c83aef144fd2932788b376b5ffe8\u0022\u003EProperty rights do not normally encompass environmental rights as well. Those things can be in tension, yet this bill does not address those tensions. This bill reifies property rights above all. It says that is what matters most, and, actually, as New Zealanders, we have rejected that for a very, very long time. We will repeal this shoddy legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022 data-id=\u00226dcc80d22da8420b8739b9069db00e3a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226dcc80d22da8420b8739b9069db00e3a\u0022\u003ETODD STEPHENSON (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. Look, I\u2019ve listened to some of the contributions, and I think they were debating an entirely different bill in an entirely different time. The Regulatory Standards Bill is very easy to pick up and read. If we actually look at its purpose, it does some of the things that it\u2019s being criticised for, like supporting Parliament\u2019s ability to scrutinise bills, ensuring we\u2019re developing high-quality legislation, and exercising stewardship over regulatory systems\u2014that\u2019s just in clause 3 of the bill. Really, it\u2019s already doing some of the things it\u2019s being criticised for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003EIts principles are very straightforward. In clause 8, the \u201CRule of law\u201D\u2014no one can disagree with the rule of law; even Deborah Russell accepts that the rule of law is important\u2014it sets out what that is. It is very easy to read. \u201CLiberties\u201D: it\u2019s talking about people\u2019s ability to own property and do with it what they will, and, if that\u2019s impinged, that\u2019s what we start to look at in this bill. Again, as the Minister outlined in his excellent introduction, it doesn\u2019t stop Parliament doing anything. What it does is it makes sure that the people entirely understand what Parliament\u2019s doing when they infringe\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279280329f21f4c12bf4c6a97300575d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c5e3481321d249b084f87d3be08d3f1d\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re going to give it away.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002234aca0ebb18748ab8f391c8335855006\u0022\u003ETODD STEPHENSON\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014on their property rights or take them away. I hear Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori yelling out at me from down there. It\u2019s hard to know\u2014I mean, they didn\u2019t even bother to do a differing view on this bill? That\u2019s how engaged they were in it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003EYou can easily read through the important principles that this bill puts in place. It\u2019s not going to restrict Parliament. It simply provides\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022218167d7f7b54e98aa1d9578e9a1f357\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: All right, stop the interjections and let the person giving the speech tell us what he wants to tell.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002299a8f9d2352746b9a55ddab1055419f6\u0022\u003ETODD STEPHENSON\u003C/span\u003E: It simply provides more information for the public to judge whether a Minister or Government is doing the right thing, what the costs of doing that thing are, and whether it is supported. This is an excellent bill, and, in fact, members of the Opposition should actually be supporting it because when Parliament infringes Treaty property rights, it will be a useful thing. So I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022 data-id=\u002216f06f631e4a45229e5a26c8b2dc31fd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002216f06f631e4a45229e5a26c8b2dc31fd\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022 data-id=\u0022899b667b15d84a648b87685825fee468\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022899b667b15d84a648b87685825fee468\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. If anyone wanted yet another example of how Christopher Luxon is all talk, this bill is the perfect example. He came into the election campaign promising to be the master negotiator, and when it came time to sit down with David Seymour, he gave him everything he wanted. This bill is exactly the sort of thing that happens when that is the approach taken by the Prime Minister. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve witnessed this through the debate. The National Party don\u2019t want to talk about this. They\u2019ve taken very short calls, and they\u2019ve even given one of their calls to the ACT Party. They do not want to be associated with this bill. They are being forced to do this because they didn\u2019t have the gumption to say no when they should have, and they were locked into it. The same can be said for New Zealand First, for that matter: you would think that a party that has signed up to this, that has only got one call and a debate, would take that call. They did not. I think it is very clear to anybody that is witnessing this debate\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e3bd76c668504c7aa6194895f238098d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just to clarify, there was a call from New Zealand First.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022297e557a0e0c482cb6020fdcb6c95ea6\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: Oh no, I know. That\u2019s what I said. It just wasn\u2019t very long. No, that\u2019s all good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224aa28b1b87404ddc908fcf5bf85a84fc\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, I misunderstood what you said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c12842f2464450291826070e80878d7\u0022\u003EHon KIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: No worries\u2014no worries at all. I appreciate the opportunity to repeat for absolute clarity that New Zealand First, you would think, would want to have an opportunity to explain to all of their voters that have got in touch with their party\u2014and we know that is the case: a large number of New Zealand First voters have got in touch with them and said \u201CDo not support the Regulatory Standards Bill, because it is overreach.\u201D\u2014because there is quite possibly the largest proportion of people opposed to a bill through a select committee process ever: 98.7 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003EThere are many members that have been in this House longer than me and some have not, but I would wager even the Rt Hon Winston Peters, who Christopher Luxon kept going on at in an exasperated state this week\u2014\u201CHe\u2019s been here for 50 years, for goodness\u2019 sake,\u201D he said\u2014I guarantee he hasn\u2019t seen a bill that\u2019s come through Parliament that has had this level of opposition. You would think that given that it\u2019s because of the National Party and because of New Zealand First that this bill is passing, they would have the courtesy of explaining to New Zealanders why. They don\u2019t. They don\u2019t want to know about it. They just want to do their cursory, customary comments and sit down, because they know, deep down, this bill is a dud.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003EThis is right-wing ideology in the extreme being enforced on the executive that basically every Minister is now going to have to kowtow to David Seymour for permission to continue. This is the bloke that portrays himself as the one that wants to find efficiencies in Government and saving money, when the cost that this bill imposes will be as high as $60 million a year\u2014and supposedly, that is efficiency.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003EThe ministry, another pet project of David Seymour\u2014the Ministry for Regulation that wasn\u2019t needed in the first place\u2014they\u2019ve advised him that this bill isn\u2019t needed, but he doesn\u2019t care. He doesn\u2019t care because he knows better, and because he knows that he\u2019s got the National Party backed into a corner from day one, because Christopher Luxon didn\u2019t have the gumption to say \u201CThis is dumb, we\u2019re not going to do it.\u201D The master negotiator said \u201CCome one, come all, have all you like. As long as I\u2019m Prime Minister, I don\u2019t care.\u201D, and now we\u2019re stuck in this situation where we have to deal with this bill. New Zealand is a country that has a proud history of ensuring that society as a whole is considered when decisions are made. But now, all of a sudden, we are a country that is at the whim of David Seymour. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022311eba0f075e448993bb59225ea956bb\u0022\u003EThis bill will be repealed within 100 days of the next Government. That is absolutely ironclad, locked in. This is a temporary experiment of right-wing ideology that will not last the test of time. Like all other ideological berks, this will go down into the history of political science classes at university. That will be the legacy of this bill, because this will not last. This is dumb. This is stupid, right-wing thinking that New Zealand First and National had the opportunity to say no to, but they were more interested in becoming Ministers than actually standing up for what they believe in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb2929110b9e4de593f6e50397159f32\u0022 data-id=\u002260b077826cdb450aba1eedac51224463\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb2929110b9e4de593f6e50397159f32\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002260b077826cdb450aba1eedac51224463\u0022\u003ENANCY LU (National):\u003C/span\u003E I stand to speak in support for the third reading of the Regulatory Standards Bill. The Finance and Expenditure Committee (FEC) that I\u2019m part of have worked really, really hard to improve the bill from its original state until now to pass in the third reading. We have tightened the board and the roles and responsibilities for the Minister of the day. The FEC have put in the hours of work to improve the bill. This bill also gives effect to the National-ACT coalition agreement that New Zealanders actually voted for. Therefore, congratulations to the ACT Party, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022 data-id=\u00224020e128afa04d37895ba92ff5e9c97f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224020e128afa04d37895ba92ff5e9c97f\u0022\u003EARENA WILLIAMS (Labour\u2014Manurewa):\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ETaku rakau e\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ETau rawa ki te whare\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EKa ngaro a Takahi \u0113\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ETe whare o te kahik\u0101toa\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EHei ngau whakapae\u2014\u0113\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EHei whakapae ururoa e hau mai nei\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EKei waho kei te moana\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EK\u0101ore aku mihi\u2014\u0113\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EAku tangi m\u014D koutou\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EMau puku ko te iwi\u2014\u0113\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EKa m\u014Dwai tonu te whenua\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EE takoto nei\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003E[I have put my weapon away\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EFootsteps no longer heard\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EThe house of the red m\u0101nuka\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EProtects me\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EShielding against ill-winds\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EThat blow from the sea\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ENo words\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ENo tears my people\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EBut deep sorrow\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EAnd a desolate land\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ELying afore me]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EYou can hear my emotion in my voice today when I stand, seven generations from the land takings of T\u016Bhoe that song recalls, as the chair of the Regulations Review Committee that is charged with the review of regulation. That land taking was lawful, and it was made under regulations passed by executive Government that no elected person was accountable for. They were certainly not accountable for the people of T\u016Bhoe, who are largely still landless.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EFor that member to stand in this House and claim that land takings will be solved by this bill, that property rights will be protected, and that those people who still have no justice in the eyes of the State is a farce. When I think of the role of the Regulations Review Committee, it is more than just a committee that oversees a technical and legalistic area of our Parliament; it is people who care about the function of regulation and the people who it serves. It considers complaints from ordinary New Zealanders who are able to bring something that they care about in their lives, whether it is their electricity bills or the fees that they pay to become a nurse or a doctor; to people who they can meet with at street-corner meetings; people who they elect at the ballot box; people they might not agree with, but who they can go along to a community meeting with and ask a question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EThat is a fundamental function of our democracy. It is not one that is guaranteed and it is the one that we must fight for, because seven generations ago, people in New Zealand did not have that right. Many of the names I\u2019m going to read you in my whakapapa of those seven generations\u2014M\u0101ori did not have that right. It started with Honewahia o Taihakoa, then his son Tutaka Ngahau, then his daughter Whiuwhiu, then her son Te Amo, then his son Te Wehenga, then his son Hare Mahanga Te Wehenga, then me. These are people who I remember. Their names live on in my children\u2019s names. They are people who have been denied the right to come to Government and have a say, and that is why this debate matters to people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EWhen I speak of the Regulations Review Committee, it\u2019s a well-loved committee. There are many people sitting in this House today who served on it. They are Parliament\u2019s legislative enthusiasts. They are the public law nerds; they\u2019re the regulatory experts. They are people who care about shaping lives and making a regulation in our law work for us. It\u2019s one of the few parts of Parliament that still works across party lines and requires genuine cross-partisanship. We hear from ordinary people, from businesses, from experts, and we test whether the written rules by Government are fair, proportionate, and effective, with the best legislative council in the country advising it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EI record my thanks now here to the Office of the Clerk for their exemplary public service in that committee. That committee\u2019s cross-partisanship and its cooperation is its strength. It ensures that regulation is grounded in real-world impacts, and that elected representatives are accountable to the people for that. It\u2019s because of that\u2014because of the trust New Zealand has now placed in our democracy\u2014that I\u2019m standing today with that kind of emotion and passion for this area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EThis bill weakens democracy. Transparent scrutiny that Parliament provides is important to everyone, and this bill sets up a new framework that elevates narrow interests over the public good and, ultimately, public trust. It makes it harder for this House to pass the kind of protections that New Zealanders rely on: a fair go for those small businesses competing with the top end of the town, and reliable electricity, and phone connectivity, and safe workplaces. It means that ideological ideas enter into our legal system through the executive. That\u2019s destabilising, because it shifts power away from accountable MPs and towards an ideological test that was never asked for by the public. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ENational MPs on the other side of the House know that, and they should be ashamed of that. They know this is a dark day for our democracy. Everyone in the National Party should be hanging their heads in shame, and they will be, because their names will for ever be attached to this harmful bill. It lays bare just how weak this Government really is. Once again, Christopher Luxon has shown he is too weak to stand up to David Seymour; just like in the Treaty principles bill, and just like legislation last month which confiscated the rights to the foreshore and seabed that people have won in the courts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EThis bill is completely out of touch with what people want, and it\u2019s harm that Christopher Luxon is willing to do to New Zealand, just to cling to power. It\u2019s disturbing. National chose a grubby deal to stay in office over standing up for the people that they serve in their electorates. They\u2019re trading away the responsibility to govern in the public interest for the comfort of keeping the seats on that side of the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EI want to make one thing clear: Labour will repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill. Fewer than 1 percent of submitters supported this bill at select committee; fewer than 1 percent. Christopher Luxon was told loudly and clearly that New Zealanders do not want this, and he pushed ahead anyway. If he or anyone else in the National Party is not willing to take decisions on behalf of the people that you purport to lead, why even be here? The Regulatory Standards Bill puts corporate interests ahead of our communities, ahead of environmental protections, and ahead of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It is a grim and visionless idea for a country that is founded on something bigger than any one of us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ELaws and regulations that keep people healthy and safe, like requiring landlords to heat homes, will be left to the whims of David Seymour and whether he thinks it\u2019s a good idea or not. It will make it harder to keep our air and our rivers clean and to reduce climate emissions. New Zealanders will remember this day in 2026 when they vote National out, because those are the MPs they can hold accountable; those are the MPs that represent the electorates they sit in. So I want to tell them: the next Labour Government will repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill within our first 100 days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EThe strength of these words reflects the strength of the evidence presented to us. Submitters told us this bill would make regulation less stable, less fair, less democratic, less of a New Zealand they wanted to be a part of. Fewer than 1 percent supported it. That alone should cause any responsible Government to pause. Instead, the Government pressed ahead anyway, and in doing so it has ignored the very principle that sits at the heart of good regulation: legitimacy, faith, public trust in the system. For regulation to work, it must be trusted. David Seymour, in his opening speech, referred to the strengths of those institutions as a fundamental principle of any economy that works. That is true. To undermine public faith in this way is not only bad for this place but it\u2019s bad for our economy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EWe need a carefully balanced, transparent system, and this bill undermines that trust. It also undermines Parliament. It weakens ministerial responsibility. It shifts decision making to a structure that is not democratically grounded, and it sidelines that cross-partisan, evidence-based work that the Regulations Review Committee can and does still do. It\u2019s work New Zealanders rely on to protect their rights. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ERegulation isn\u2019t abstract. It means something to the people who need it, and it affects their daily lives. It\u2019s a patchwork of protections for the things we care about, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi and those places that make New Zealand special. This bill puts all of that at risk, and as the chair of the committee entrusted with scrutinising regulation on behalf of the public, I needed to raise how much of an impact this will have not only on the work of that committee but on all of the systems that this Parliament is proud of and has built up on the world stage for that kind of regulatory scrutiny. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003ENew Zealanders deserve a system that protects them, and not one that basic protections are harder and harder to achieve within. This bill is wrong for our democracy, it\u2019s wrong for our people, it\u2019s wrong for our future, and I\u2019ll be glad when Labour repeals it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221b25fe0aaf4a441c89618f1fa196cd1e\u0022 data-id=\u002244a8ecd950fc498b9245b9cbd26296eb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221b25fe0aaf4a441c89618f1fa196cd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002244a8ecd950fc498b9245b9cbd26296eb\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019ve listened intently to the debate in the House today and there\u2019s nothing new that has come from this debate that I haven\u2019t heard already in the Finance and Expenditure Committee. This bill is all about accountability of the executive. On balance, I think this is a positive step forward. I certainly look forward to the day when we see more cost-benefit analysis. I\u2019ve seen far too many bills across this House with very poor drafting, very poor cost-benefit analysis, and I want to congratulate the ACT Party and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002207c8a587aecf4ffeb8e331d3dc0989a5\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 Regulatory Standards Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 68\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 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 Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15;Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori\u00A04; Ferris; Kapa-Kingi.\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      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000354\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\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=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002282c05fb83a674ad48f7a4f65e4e0fa97\u0022\u003ETelecommunications Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022848310d16e4c4566bcb9ebf4c1f4fae6\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022 data-id=\u00221ed88d46612d4a6a8c07591bfe8003ae\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221ed88d46612d4a6a8c07591bfe8003ae\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS PENK (Minister for Land Information)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for Media and Communications: I present a legislative statement on the Telecommunications Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022869f754bc3064416b7e35f4b1dfd6f1c\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the Parliament website.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e4a47578da84334b88e0ebbd0eef086\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS PENK\u003C/span\u003E: I move, That the Telecommunications Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee to consider the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003ETelecommunications services are vital to New Zealanders\u2019 lives, and the sector generally works well. But, as we all know, technology moves fast. This bill makes a series of targeted regulatory changes to ensure regulation keeps up with changes and Kiwis continue to have world-class connectivity services. There is a second bill that gives effect to the rest of the package of telecommunication regulatory changes that Cabinet agreed to, but I understand that this has not been approved across the House for association for first reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EBeyond the targeted improvements in this bill, we are in the process of making other improvements to regulatory settings for the telecommunications sector. We\u2019re making critical updates to the national environmental standards on telecommunications facilities as part of the Resource Management Act changes\u2014or, rather, replacement\u2014as well as removing barriers from the activities of fibre companies so that they can innovate and expand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re also undertaking a broader communications systems-level review, led by both the Minister for Media and Communications and the Minister for Regulation. Decisions following that review are yet to be made, but I understand that Ministers have worked to avoid duplication between the changes made in this bill and the matters that the Ministry for Regulation has been looking into.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EThere are three key issues in the Telecommunications Amendment Bill. First, the bill makes permanent the rights that allow fibre providers to access shared property to install fibre. These rights were set to expire earlier this year and have had a short extension until 2028 to give us time to consult on their future. As many of you will know\u2014colleagues, friends\u2014fibre broadband has economic and social benefits that come from Kiwis making use of the high-speed, reliable telco services. But without these rights, some consumers will be at the mercy of an unresponsive or unsupportive neighbour if they want to use shared property to connect to fibre. Making the rights permanent reflects our commitment to supporting New Zealanders to connect to, and benefit from, high-quality telecommunications services.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EThis Government is also committed to protecting the rights of property owners, and so the bill makes the existing protection mechanisms for these people permanent as well. These protection mechanisms include access to dispute resolution, limits on how much shared property can be impacted, and requirements about how the impacted property is reinstated. The bill also allows for the rights to be invoked when a fibre installation order is placed directly with a fibre provider. At the moment, the rights can only be used when someone has ordered a fibre broadband plan from a retailer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EDevelopers or landlords are understandably reluctant to sign up to a broadband property for a property they\u2019re not going to be living in just to get fibre installed. But the change in this bill means that a property owner\u2014or, again, a developer\u2014with a shared driveway can use the rights to get fibre installed before anyone moves in without having to sign up to a fibre broadband plan. It will therefore support more properties to be fibre-ready and improve access to fibre for more New Zealanders. The protection mechanisms for affected property owners will also apply in these circumstances, balancing the benefits for consumers who want to connect with fibre with impacts on other property owners.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003ETo the second of the three promised areas, the bill makes it mandatory for large retail telecommunications companies to be part of an industry dispute resolution scheme if they aren\u2019t already. Many of our biggest telecommunications providers have already voluntarily joined a scheme, which is great. However, we\u2019re seeing that as the telco industry evolves, more New Zealanders are finding themselves without access to a telecommunications dispute resolution scheme. Given the number of complaints relating to the telco sector each year, it is important that consumers can escalate their concerns to an industry dispute resolution scheme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re conscious that membership in such a scheme does come with costs for the provider. The bill creates a revenue threshold for when a telco provider needs to join the scheme to balance the benefits for consumers with the impact on the industry. The threshold mitigates the impact on membership fees for these telco providers, meaning that there is still a low barrier to the entry to market, supporting completion, competition, and innovation. The bill widens the type of schemes that can be recognised as industry dispute resolution schemes for the purposes of the Act.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003ESince providers that aren\u2019t already in the telecommunications dispute resolution scheme will need to join one, the bill ensures that the Act is flexible enough to recognise schemes set up by providers outside the traditional telecommunications industry. Indeed, this change reflects that more Kiwis are buying their telco services from non-traditional telecommunications companies like electricity providers. All industry dispute resolution schemes will continue to be reviewed by the Commerce Commission\u2014fear not\u2014meaning that any poor performance of new schemes can be addressed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EThird and final, the bill creates a new regulation-making power so that telecommunications development levy amounts can be set in regulations. The levy funds non-commercial telecommunications services and infrastructure and has been critical to some of our most successful rural broadband programmes, but the amount of the levy is currently set in the Act. This means that if there is a need to increase the levy to respond to a specific connectivity challenge, a full parliamentary process is required to amend the Act.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EIf we really want to be able to use the levy to meet its purpose of addressing non-commercial telecommunications challenges\u2014and I think we do\u2014then we need greater flexibility. By amending the Act so that the amount of the levy is set in regulations, we\u2019ll be better placed to respond to connectivity challenges as they arise. To balance this increased flexibility, any regulation that increases the levy amount will need to have consultation with telecommunications providers that pay the levy. This addresses some early stakeholder concern about a lack of checks and balances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EI think it\u2019s important to note that decision making on increases currently need to go through the House, and so we\u2019re engaged in the process of balancing the need for accountability and a robust process, on the other hand, with the ease of being able to do the business of changing that as need be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EThe bill will allow for necessary flexibility to set the amount at an appropriate level while keeping regulatory uncertainty to a minimum. The bill also makes minor and technical amendments to improve clarity and make consequential amendments. For example, the bill amends a set of regulations to reflect the Commerce Commission no longer accepts cheques.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002271f12c4b44b448a087c615d97d111286\u0022\u003EAt a high level, this bill is about making sure we have the right regulatory settings in place for an important market. The targeted changes in this bill support competition, foster innovation, and help stimulate economic growth. I encourage members and the public to have their say on this bill through the select committee process, and, in the meantime, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022 data-id=\u002260c0e30ef9f040e4b061756ec216b5ef\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002260c0e30ef9f040e4b061756ec216b5ef\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022 data-id=\u0022afad5ff66e0b444bae6e050689b0103c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022afad5ff66e0b444bae6e050689b0103c\u0022\u003EREUBEN DAVIDSON (Labour\u2014Christchurch East):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s good to have an opportunity to confirm that Labour supports efforts to modernise the regulation of the telecommunications sector. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003EAs we know, there\u2019s a complicated and complex set of physical infrastructure across New Zealand\u2014both terrestrial and satellite infrastructure\u2014that enables the telecommunications sector in New Zealand. Despite all of that, there are still gaps and blind spots within New Zealand where we can\u2019t connect or are unable to connect for various reasons. What needs to happen is that that legislation that governs telecommunications in New Zealand needs to close up the gaps in the same way that we would then be empowered to close up the gaps in connectivity across the country. We know that connectivity is crucial, and we see that no more so than in times of natural disasters or, as someone on this side of the House suggested, Mother\u2019s Day! Yes, it\u2019s very important that connectivity is available at that time of the year as well. We do welcome the move from the Minister to bring the regulatory environment in line with modern industry practice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003EWhat this bill does, as part of a programme of regulatory reform, is ensure that the regulatory environment that the telecommunications sector operates in is fit for purpose and consistent with changes that have occurred in the industry. It\u2019s a very fast-moving industry, which is why the legislation needs to move to not just keep up but to, in fact, get ahead of that. Right now, membership of an industry dispute resolution scheme is voluntary, and the Commerce Commission estimates that 200,000 consumers don\u2019t have access to a dispute resolution mechanism\u2014which is a lot of people who would be unable to progress or raise claims or complains, should they need to, about issues to do with their telecommunications connectivity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003EThe bill will mandate that telecommunications providers with an annual revenue of more than $50\u00A0million must be members of an industry dispute resolution scheme. This is set at $50 million to maintain a lower barrier to entry. The bill makes the rights for fibre internet providers to access shared property to install fibre permanent. These rights were set to expire earlier this year, but that had already been extended through to 2028, and this bill now makes that permanent. It allows the Minister responsible for the Telecommunications Act to set the telecommunications capabilities, like the Rural Broadband Initiative, through Order in Council. It\u2019s currently set at $10 million per annum in Schedule 3B of the Act, and increasing it would require an amendment to the Telecommunications Act through the normal parliamentary process. The bill also empowers the Commerce Commission with a role considering requests for regulatory exemptions for the smaller fibre companies, which is also an important thing for us to see happen as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003EOne of the other things I wanted to raise as we discuss the subject matter of this bill and the services that it provides to New Zealanders and connects us with is that, earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend the Spark Accelerate summit in Auckland, which happened over two days, on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. That was a really impressive showcase of some of the opportunities to innovate and to increase productivity across our business sector and our business community, which is fantastic. It also provides enormous opportunity, through connectivity, for us to empower communities\u2014rural communities, regional communities, isolated communities, and also some of our underserved communities in our cities and in our urban centres who, up until now, haven\u2019t been able to, or, for many reasons, aren\u2019t able to enjoy the level of connectivity and the level of service that they need and deserve to have.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c01400a9cbf474c88d6fed00e84afcc\u0022\u003EOne final note that I really wanted to reference in closing is that there was a request for this bill to be wrapped into the Telecommunications and Other Matters Amendment Bill on the Order Paper, but I think that it\u2019s very important that, given the differences in the two bills, and the different areas that each of them seeks to address, we need to keep those bills separate, and we need to deal with the issues in each separately because they are separate issues. We do support the bill, but we think it\u2019s important to take the time to get the legislative infrastructure right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022 data-id=\u0022348fac5f71f847bd8108c6f6c255335f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022348fac5f71f847bd8108c6f6c255335f\u0022\u003ERICARDO MEN\u00C9NDEZ MARCH (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Greens are supporting the Telecommunications Amendment Bill, and we look forward to having a constructive conversation at the select committee stage and engaging with submitters on the issue. As others have canvassed, what this bill does is it sets up a dispute resolution scheme for high-revenue telecommunication providers and makes other minor changes to the Telecommunications Act. I think this is a worthwhile bill to support because enhancing consumer rights and improving dispute resolutions are good things that I think can build cross-party consensus. This shows that, actually, should the Government choose to prioritise its legislative agenda towards the rights of consumers, we could probably be having far more constructive conversations in the select committee stage and in the House, unlike the previous debate we held, which clearly was driven by one party and one party alone.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003EI think it\u2019s important here to put in context that Chorus was initially set up to provide ultra-fast broadband. That has been quite successful and important to modernise our economy and for access to information and other services. I think it\u2019s good that this bill will also, then, look at the next steps in relation to extending the right for fibre providers to access your property to install fibre. I think there\u2019s other conversations we need to have in relation to the dispute resolution scheme because, in some ways, that, in and of itself, will lead to consumers having better outcomes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003EOne of the things that I\u2019ve noted in the context of this bill has been the broader political conversation around the purpose of Chorus moving forward. The Government did, effectively, invest in Chorus when the roll-out of the fibre settings were being put in place. I think the services that Chorus provide, in my view, should be a public good, and we should work towards that because access to services like internet are actually becoming essential services. We saw that during, for example, the pandemic. For those entities that help provide that very same infrastructure, we should be empowering them to broaden the services that they can provide but ensure that they are also retained in the public good. While it is good to see that this bill is being introduced to better support consumers and broaden the services that Chorus can provide, I think it\u2019s important also that the Government, in its broader political and economic agenda, enhances the ability for Chorus to remain, as I mentioned earlier, within the public good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003EThere are also other provisions in this bill that we look forward to examining in greater detail at the select committee stage, which includes allowing a telecommunications development levy to be set through regulations, as opposed to primary legislation, and this would be led by the Minister in charge. This is, I think, something that feels practical. Often things that are set within primary legislation end up not necessarily keeping up with the times or the economic conditions, so having provisions for these levies to be set through regulations by the Minister is a useful way in which we ensure that we can adapt to the different economic outlooks and also what the industry at large looks like. We also have, in this bill, the provision for the Commerce Commission to fulfil roles given to it by the constitutions of Enable Fibre, Northpower, and Tuatahi First Fibre with ministerial approval. All of these changes, I think, are things that are common sense. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228b7b671ebc6d45ae91350f8e13a7fb42\u0022\u003EWe commend the Government for bringing this bill forward. As I said earlier, I think one of the key things that will continue this constructive conversation will be submitters\u2019 engagement with this bill. I look forward to members of the public, people who may have an interest within those industries, participating in the select committee stage, but also, within the select committee stage, to us continuing to honour the accessibility of participation by members of the public. I also reflect on the fact that we\u2019re receiving a lot of submissions to the Standing Orders Committee and on the fact that, I think, bills like this one are a great example where I hope we receive an above-average amount of submissions from the public. It should not always be bills that rally up a lot of outrage\u2014rightfully, in many cases\u2014that get public engagement, and the protections for the public to engage with bills like this one, in my view, should be protected. We look forward to continuing to hopefully support this bill, and we commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022 data-id=\u0022b4ddfa8d470349e9878c43334f6fb042\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b4ddfa8d470349e9878c43334f6fb042\u0022\u003ETODD STEPHENSON (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It gives me pleasure to rise on behalf of ACT and speak on the Telecommunications Amendment Bill. You know, ACT is proud to be part of this well-functioning Government. It\u2019s actually been interesting coming into Parliament and, obviously, being involved in select committees and in part of the Government. A lot of the work we\u2019re doing is actually fixing up areas where things have been neglected for some time. This is another excellent example of where we\u2019re taking a targeted approach to updating the Telecommunications Act 2001, which is actually quite old now, if you think about 2001 and think about all the technology changes that have happened.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003EBack in 2001, no one would have imagined that we would now actually have a satellite network around the world that can deliver internet to you anywhere in New Zealand. I know members across the House who use phones that are supplied by Parliament will now know that that service is actually available anywhere in New Zealand to actually get communications on your phone even when you\u2019re not near a cell tower. So those are the kinds of changes we\u2019ve seen even in what could be described as a relatively short period of time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003EThis bill just seeks to make some very sensible updates and actually add to the existing dispute resolution scheme by making it mandatory for certain companies with over $50\u00A0million in revenue to have to join the scheme. Our broadband roll-out in New Zealand has been very successful and we want to ensure that where there are these issues around enabling access to shared properties, that can still be done. Actually, if you look in the bill\u2014and if people have got time, there is a great example. Sometimes these bills are great; they have little examples of what they\u2019re talking about. They use the example of a three-storey apartment building and why needing this shared access is appropriate, so that\u2019s a very sensible change.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got some other minor updates around the telecommunications development levy, and we\u2019re going to set that by regulation. We\u2019ve got a bit of an expansion to the role of the Commerce Commission in relation to very specific companies, and some other technical updates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff775135e61c4e95af2c92c58bf12a52\u0022\u003EAll in all, this is actually a very, very sensible piece of legislation to make sure that the Telecommunications Act remains fit for purpose. It\u2019s very encouraging to see that\u2014we\u2019ve already heard all the parties that have spoken so far are going to support this to select committee, which I think is very good, because it is at the select committee that any of the specific details can be worked through. I\u2019m sure this will get a number of submissions, particularly from telecommunications providers and users, I suppose, of telecommunications services as well. They will be able to go through the details of this bill and identify any issues. I know that the select committee will work diligently to make sure that when this is returned to the House, any issues have been identified. This is a very sensible update and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022 data-id=\u0022f1e89d4d3eef4529bfa9797b18e439ca\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f1e89d4d3eef4529bfa9797b18e439ca\u0022\u003EJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First in support of the Telecommunications Amendment Bill. This is a particular area which I have a lot of interest in as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for communications with the delegation of rural connectivity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022\u003EThe telecommunications industry provides an essential service\u2014in fact, some would say it\u2019s a critical service. The industry provides the foundation of every modern service that we consume. We, in fact, have high-class digital infrastructure networks in New Zealand\u2014we should be very proud of that. We know that the high-quality digital connectivity drives economic growth; it increases productivity, social inclusion, and access to essential services like healthcare; and, of course, education is enhanced by it. It empowers rural, remote, and hard-to-reach regions to thrive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022\u003EAlso, whether you\u2019re high-tech farming; whether you\u2019ve got a quarry that needs intelligent quarrying systems; if you\u2019re into gaming development, PikPok\u2014went to visit them this week, doing marvellous work\u2014emergency management, we see that they are increasingly integrating high-tech tools to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. We have 87 percent of the country covered, now connected, through the Ultra-Fast Broadband Programme, Rural Broadband Initiative as well, and the Marae Digital Connectivity Programme. So we do have, in fact, a telecommunications network that is the backbone of our daily lives in ways that we couldn\u2019t have imagined mere years ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll mention a couple of changes in this bill. We\u2019ll be changing to the telecommunications dispute resolution scheme, where we\u2019re raising that threshold\u2014where a telco or an internet service provider being part of that dispute resolution scheme\u2014from $10 million to $50 million; raising that threshold. I\u2019ll give you an example of a Manawat\u016B Inspire Net. They deliver internet services right across the Manawat\u016B to the council, a lot of land area, as well as Massey University. In the last 26 years they\u2019ve had two complaints. Do they need to be part of that disputes resolution scheme? They\u2019re only a small provider; they don\u2019t meet that big threshold. So no. It\u2019s common sense and practical, the changes we are making here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022\u003EAccess to shared property: we\u2019ve heard others mention that this is a practical and pragmatic change. We\u2019re making sure that the current temporary rights to accessing shared property\u2014so if you live at the end of a shared driveway, your front neighbour can\u2019t block you getting fibre. That\u2019s a great change in this bill; and that telecommunications development levy, also known as the TDL, it\u2019s currently sitting at $10 million. It was $50 million originally when we rolled out the broadband; through regulation instead of through legislation, we could change that up at some point and that regulation will be managed by the Minister for Media and Communications.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022\u003ELastly\u2014but not least\u2014local fibre companies (LFCs): we are going to make sure that they can operate in line with the permitted activities of Chorus. This will level up their playing field; this is long overdue. It\u2019ll allow these LFCs to create additional lines of business, expand their networks further into rural communities\u2014which New Zealand First believes is extremely important. They\u2019ve found ways of being creative with their business cases, but this actually will help them to expand further and deeper into rural areas. This is really important to ensure the economics will actually be the right bridge to cross. I just want to acknowledge the local fibre companies, Enable networks, Tuatahi First Fibre, and Northpower\u2014the OG of LFC\u2014for the great discussions that we\u2019ve had. Also acknowledging the team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment\u2014James and Deb\u2014for the great discussions we\u2019ve had. Thanks for listening. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022 data-id=\u00226236967d71f14b20b085592003ca7c8a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226236967d71f14b20b085592003ca7c8a\u0022\u003EMARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI (Te Tai Tokerau):\u003C/span\u003E This Government has made one thing abundantly clear\u2014its determination is to push ahead and strip away what it calls red tape; rules and so on that it believes hold back the progress of our country. We saw that approach in the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill, a piece of legislation we unequivocally oppose. Unfortunately, we didn\u2019t get the opportunity to speak to that bill, but let me be clear: progress cannot come at the expense of accountability or the voices of our people, and that rings true even for the Telecommunications Amendment Bill, which I stand to speak to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003EAt first glance, the Telecommunications Amendment Bill may seem straightforward but it\u2019s remarkable how outdated regulations can stifle even the most basic functions of modern infrastructure. This bill updates the rules for phone and internet providers so they keep pace with rapid technological change. It permanently allows fibre providers to access shared properties, apartment buildings, and multi-owned land to install fibre internet. It also requires large telecommunications companies to join a dispute resolution scheme, giving consumers a simpler path to resolve complaints. It gives the Government flexibility to set the communications levy, it expands the Commerce Commission\u2019s oversight of fibre companies, and it makes technical changes for clarity and efficiency. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003EThese are good things on paper\u2014necessary things. But we must look deeper at the implications for M\u0101ori. One concern is how permanent site access might extend to shared M\u0101ori land. The disclosure statement assures us that the safeguards under Te Ture Whenua Maori Act apply, and that provides some reassurance, but greater engagement from te iwi M\u0101ori is required in shaping these provisions further.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003EOur position is to support this bill at first reading, not because it\u2019s perfect but because it deserves full scrutiny at select committee, where te iwi M\u0101ori can be heard and amendments considered. Progress must never come at the cost of partnership\u2014that\u2019s the principle we continue to uphold. Thank you for the opportunity take this call, Mr Speaker. Kia ora t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022 data-id=\u0022ef072d9a51c54441a2659f9f9b73f63b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ef072d9a51c54441a2659f9f9b73f63b\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: Now, Ms Kapa-Kingi, the requirement would be that that was the Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori call. Did you have the go-ahead from Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori to take that call?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4e2b48d9d7c49238d36c1b76f98eafb\u0022\u003EMariameno Kapa-Kingi\u003C/span\u003E: I didn\u2019t have a direct conversation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2ed4c7c5e134080887d21299fd969a3\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: All right, OK\u2014probably a mistake on my part but I\u2019m happy that, in future, to take that call that will be a requirement. If you\u2019re taking another party\u2019s call, you\u2019ll need to actually get their permission.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022df8572c9d717414ebd8ed7b76887e04e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002247baf1bab8454e399348e08e4b04e5d5\u0022\u003EMariameno Kapa-Kingi\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Ka pai.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ba442950f3941bcb627183b24152be2\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: A wonderful speech anyway.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022 data-id=\u0022bd0ca1dfe9d44bd199ad6da213ca695f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bd0ca1dfe9d44bd199ad6da213ca695f\u0022\u003EDr HAMISH CAMPBELL (National\u2014Ilam):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is with great pleasure that I rise in support of the Telecommunications Amendment Bill. It\u2019s great to hear support around the House for this piece of legislation. Of course, the National Party has a long history when it comes to telecommunication because it was Steven Joyce who rolled out the ultra-fast broadband right across the country\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221eac64d070f64ab4b93bc75acf08fcd9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c6770656231142279b665a0c0d0ca054\u0022\u003ESimon Court\u003C/span\u003E: Such a good project.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e01757de509944dca1ba11840103c3b2\u0022\u003EDr HAMISH CAMPBELL\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014such a great project; thank you, Mr Court\u2014which has allowed so much progress here in New Zealand. Actually, my colleague to my left, Tom Rutherford, the MP for the Bay of Plenty, actually remembers before ultra-fast broadband, when we had dial-up, so, maybe, he\u2019s not as young as I thought he was. But the thing is, there\u2019s been a lot of development in the telecommunications field. I must give a shout-out to RIVIR, based in Christchurch, which has developed world-leading technology when it comes to the Internet of Things over satellites. A couple of months ago, I had the great pleasure of talking in depth with the founder there about the great work that they\u2019re doing and the usefulness of being able to monitor things in far-flung places. It does just highlight how far we have come when it comes to telecommunications.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EI do just want to get back to this bill because, really, what it is about is actually modernising our telecommunications legislation to enhance that even further. Of course, we need a reliable high-quality network and digital connectivity to improve our productivity. It\u2019s essential to growing our economy and easing the cost of living. Of course, these days, with artificial intelligence and a range of other technologies, we need that communication. We\u2019ve also heard about smart farming and other options, which are just going to require more data, and we need to make sure that we are up to date with our telecommunications. Of course, this bill introduces regulatory changes to improve telecommunication services, particularly in those rural and hard-to-reach places. I know there are areas in New Zealand which still could be considered hard to reach. Of course, there is now satellite communication with some of our mobile networks, which is interesting and great, because it helps support that innovation and economic growth by enabling better connectivity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not just connectivity for households; it\u2019s also about businesses and essential services. Regulatory barriers do prevent smaller, maybe more local, fibre solutions or companies from offering a diverse array of services, and, of course, that will be addressed. I know there are companies in Christchurch that are looking forward to that happening. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003ERural Kiwis will see improved access to reliable, high-quality digital connectivity. That helps for remote learning, but also we want to have more digital healthcare. This Government, of course, has rolled out telehealth, a great way to maybe see your GP; maybe you can\u2019t get into the local one, but maybe if you have a cold or something like that, you can have digital healthcare, which is really, really important. This bill really supports innovation, investment, and delivery of world-class connectivity services across New Zealand. Of course, that connectivity connects us with the rest of the world. Therefore, I commend this bill to House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022 data-id=\u002214437b6d9e9b4a239c03bbf0f45105ec\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002214437b6d9e9b4a239c03bbf0f45105ec\u0022\u003EARENA WILLIAMS (Labour\u2014Manurewa):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is a bill that Labour supports because improvements to consumers\u2019 experience of telecommunications in New Zealand is important to everyone, and this is something we intend to work through carefully at select committee, to really understand what the trade-offs were here for the Government. There are a few noted in the regulatory impact statement, like a move from what was consulted on from the option to mandate membership in the industry dispute resolution scheme for retail providers from $10 million, and it\u2019s gone up to $50 million in this bill, and some other changes like a ministerial regulation-making power over the Telecommunications Development Levy, which is important to all New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EI want to draw the House\u2019s attention to the information that we\u2019ve been presented with here. It says just at the top of the page, pretty plainly, \u201CA programme of regulatory reform is underway to ensure that the telecommunications regulatory regime continues to support a well-functioning telecommunications market\u201D. That statement suggests that there is more to come, and I would ask the Ministers: what is more to come here? What can the House expect, that might be introduced, say, at the select committee stage or at the committee of the whole House stage, no doubt, that would make this a priority for a Government that has a busy legislative agenda and more to do, when these changes are relatively minor, relatively technical, and make a small change to the improvements that consumers can expect?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve heard from the Under-Secretary, Jenny Marcroft, that this makes a big change to the local fibre companies, and it does. It is important for rural connectivity here that they come within the remit of the Commerce Commission, but that has been a change long-signalled\u2014I think since 2011\u2014and it is pretty well understood in the industry. So what else in here is planned? We know that the Government has flagged up an intention to sell off State assets, and one of those is Chorus. Can we expect other changes that will impact on Chorus\u2019s ability to continue to offer public benefit through telecommunications infrastructure? As the member for Ilam noted, National has a long history of proud State investment in Chorus and the fibre roll-out. That is something to be proud of: National walking back on its State-asset commitment to that important infrastructure, and, also, overseeing, while under the John Key Government, a break-up of the telecommunications sector that was allowed by\u2014quite innovative at the time\u2014competition rules that allowed a third player to enter the market. Can we expect further market consolidation under this Government\u2019s watch, as we have in other important sectors like in energy and in supermarkets?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EI want to just highlight, for our work at the select committee, the things that I will be most interested in. The first is the dispute resolution scheme. It\u2019s great to see the Government mandating membership of an industry dispute resolution scheme. It would be useful if other consumers in other industries, where complaints are really important, had a mechanism of accountability. We\u2019ve had that from this Government, but we haven\u2019t seen that in financial services or in consumer credit. So my questions will be around how far this extends, why the threshold at $10 million has been changed to $50 million, which would essentially be the bigger providers, when a huge range of consumers will miss out on those dispute resolution mechanisms if that threshold is changed higher. It is sensible that all consumers have access to a well-functioning dispute resolution scheme, and you would think that it would also be in the Government\u2019s interest to make sure that consumers could raise complaints about fairness and about service quality when that is so important to our economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll also be asking questions about the development levy. You know, just for the House\u2019s context, that is a levy that subsidises telecommunications capacity in the public interest, and it has been so since 2011. Things like rural broadband, black spots, telecommunications service obligation-relay services for the deaf and hearing impaired, and connectivity to the Chathams are all things that their levy pays for. Why would we set a new regulation-making power, where the incentives to the Minister were to set that down, when this pays for such important public infrastructure for people to communicate with each other and to do business in Aotearoa? Those are the questions I\u2019ll be asking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022519d6dc608c64c79aba1420bb8d4dfa8\u0022\u003EThis bill could be dealing with things like bill transparency for consumers; copper withdrawal by Chorus through many of our towns and rural areas; retail-service quality, which is declining in New Zealand for telecommunications customers, particularly over the three major providers; and phone consumer-credit debt, where affordability is a huge issue for most New Zealand consumers. I\u2019ll be asking why in this bill are those things not addressed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022 data-id=\u0022b17344fd855b41169503f19eb5539dfb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b17344fd855b41169503f19eb5539dfb\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. It\u2019s great to stand up and make a contribution on the Telecommunications Amendment Bill. I was just talking with my colleague Hamish Campbell next to me; he was telling me about a time he can remember when the internet was being created, and I can\u2019t remember a time when we didn\u2019t have the internet available. You\u2019re looking at a bit of chalk and cheese on this side of the House, but it\u2019s great to have both of us contributing on this legislation, because it\u2019s good to have a variety of perspectives on the legislation, and lived experience, Mr Campbell, I think, would be really important. It\u2019s great to stand up and speak about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003EIt is an important piece of legislation, as Arena Williams was talking about in her contribution as well. The following piece of legislation that will be coming through the House shortly as well is the Telecommunications and Other Matters Amendment Bill. Both of these are making sort of targeted changes to the regulatory settings, which, from our Government, is really important because, number one, it supports economic growth; competition, which is really good to have in the telecommunications market; and, ultimately, better outcomes for consumers. These legislative changes seek to ensure that the regulatory regime keeps pace with changes in the market and remains fit for purpose, and I think that\u2019s a really important part around legislation\u2014ensuring that, as I talked about last night regarding Deborah Russell\u2019s companies address members\u2019 bill, it\u2019s really important that legislation is agile and not nostalgic, and actually is prepared to change and adjust as times change and develop. I think this piece of legislation and the supplementary Telecommunications and Other Matters Amendment Bill is going to do exactly the same as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s talk about some of the key provisions that are included in the legislation. We know that reliable and high-quality digital connectivity both improves productivity and is essential to growing our economy and easing the cost of living. We know that\u2019s really, really important for us. We also know that this bill is introducing regulatory changes to improve telecommunications services\u2014particularly, as Arena Williams also highlighted in her contribution, in those really rural and hard-to-reach areas. It\u2019s really important for those communities to have increased and improved access to telecommunications services, particularly in our rural and hard-to-reach areas.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003EThe bill does also support competition, innovation, and economic growth by enabling better connectivity for households, businesses, and essential services. Regulatory barriers that are preventing smaller, local fibre companies from offering diverse services will be removed, and I think that is really, fundamentally important for competition, and for your normal household, those in rural communities, but also businesses to know that local fibre companies are offering diverse services. The regulatory barriers they have will be removed, which is really, really important for competition. As I\u2019ve been talking about with rural New Zealanders, they\u2019ll see improved access to reliable, high-quality digital connectivity, which is a really good thing for our rural communities\u2014they are the backbone of New Zealand, and to support them in this space is really, really important, and the legislation does exactly that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003EIt also focuses on better connectivity supports for remote learning, digital healthcare, as Hamish Campbell talked about in his contribution\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002296e2b39ada204513974da2706fe77f9d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203f7b6d22d974dd3a77935d46950323a\u0022\u003EJenny Marcroft\u003C/span\u003E: So did I.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221609a90dae3143f9a788f4cb371cf564\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: And so did Jenny Marcroft as well. We are rolling that out as a Government and wanting to take it further, so having access to digital healthcare is really, really important, and this legislation supports it. It enables it to go further, for more Kiwis to get access to digital healthcare, and that\u2019s a good thing. That is a really, really good thing. It also provides economic opportunities for local businesses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003EThe bill also supports innovation, investment, and the delivery of world-class connectivity services across New Zealand, and it amends the rules governing certain local fibre companies\u2014LFCs\u2014so that Enable Networks, Tuatahi First Fibre, and Northpower Fibre can have more types of activity, sort of similar to Chorus and what we see that they do across New Zealand, encouraging wider service provision. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ef044682c0bd4c8885c626cbc9acb678\u0022\u003EMy last two points are around how it helps to unlock the growth potential of regional fibre companies, which are really important, so that they can actually better serve their communities and compete more effectively and create more competition in the market, which is a good thing. When you have increased competition, what does it do? It drives down costs for households and for businesses. That\u2019s a really important thing to do in the economy, and a really important thing for New Zealand families with the cost of living\u2014drive down costs for households and businesses. This is a great 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=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022 data-id=\u0022f99189b841ec40aea14e533e289cfe30\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f99189b841ec40aea14e533e289cfe30\u0022\u003EGLEN BENNETT (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Mr Speaker. This bill does a lot of things. I\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s driving down prices for households quite as much as the last speaker, Tom Rutherford, said. But, hey, if that does something in this, I guess we\u2019ll support it, because we want to deal with issues such as the cost of living. As I listened across the House to a piece of legislation I know very little about\u2014and it\u2019s in a wheelhouse that\u2019s not my own. It is always good to understand, and here are the experts in the room or those with the good speaking notes from their parties to talk about what this bill is and what it does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EThe previous speaker also admitted that he\u2019s only lived in a life where he has known the internet and that kind of thing. It is amazing how quickly the world changes and how often this House doesn\u2019t always keep up with the rapidly changing nature of technology in the world. I don\u2019t want to age you, Mr Speaker, so I won\u2019t, but I remember a time when I used to visit my grandparents and we had great joy in the party line that they had on their street and the ability to\u2014\u201CWas this our ring or was this not our ring?\u201D, in terms of the different rings it had and\u2014listen in to other calls. Obviously, that has changed rapidly over time to everyone having a fixed telephone in their home\u2014generally one, maybe two, but always fixed on the wall\u2014to the fact now that we have telecommunications in our pockets almost anywhere.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EI want to raise just a couple of reflections on this bill and, I guess, the autonomy of Aotearoa New Zealand and how we make sure that we\u2019re getting it right. I was reflecting that in Taranaki we have a fibre provider called Primo. Interestingly, about three, four months ago, the Australian Navy came through and, using their Australian navy technology and radar, accidentally knocked out the whole of our telecommunications\u2014well, it was for Primo in Taranaki. It was a complete mistake. It wasn\u2019t intentional, but it definitely was a challenge. Yep, there are challenges with the spectrum space, but the reason I say that is because we have, obviously, international players like Starlink and others that are in the game, but if we can get our telecommunications, our connectivity, right, then I think it\u2019s good for New Zealand and for \u201CNew Zealand Inc.\u201D that we\u2019re protecting our own brand and who we are.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EAs I look through this legislation, I see that it mandates telecommunications industry dispute resolutions, which will mean that yes, consumers are better served. But then I was interested, as I flicked through\u2014where is it? I\u2019ve just lost it now, but it was somewhere here. It was very interesting. Part of the programme is the regulatory reform to ensure that the regulatory environment the telecommunications sector operates in is fit for purpose and consistent with changes that have occurred in the industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EI was surprised by this part, that the reality that is right now is that membership of an industry dispute resolution scheme is voluntary. If you think that telecommunications is such a key part of our everyday life, the fact that it\u2019s currently voluntary actually staggered me. The fact that this legislation will ensure that the Commerce Commission is able to establish and ensure that the rights of consumers are protected is a good thing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EFinally, it is good to see, as was said, that it is often about the smaller players. The fact is that there is scope and there is space in this legislation for those smaller players to stay in line with the Commerce Commission rules and regulations, but they\u2019ll have exemptions within this. I think that is good because there are small community groups that are engaged and we need to support that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EFinally, we support this bill because it is simple and practical. As my colleague Arena Williams has said, we look forward to taking it to select committee because that is a space where we take something which we agree with, but then we ensure that it is properly pulled apart, critiqued, challenged, we have engagement from industry, from members of the public, and it\u2019s put back together and comes back into this House fit for purpose for the coming years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221b25fe0aaf4a441c89618f1fa196cd1e\u0022 data-id=\u00227c89eebfa260429b961370a965700c17\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221b25fe0aaf4a441c89618f1fa196cd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227c89eebfa260429b961370a965700c17\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote):\u003C/span\u003E Well, that was a long five minutes, wasn\u2019t it, members? Look, there\u2019s a lot to be proud about our telecommunications sector. We have one of the highest rates of connectivity in the developed world, thanks to the previous National Government\u2019s roll-out of fibre by Steven Joyce. I also want to mention the Hon Amy Adams, who also led that effort. We also have a lot to be proud about retail competition. We\u2019ve got lots of players in the retail competition market, and that is, I think, thanks to one of the former Labour Governments who really broke up the sector and encouraged greater competition. There\u2019s also a lot of innovation: satellites, data centres, artificial intelligence\u2014there\u2019s lots going on. I think there\u2019s lots to be proud about. This bill is about making some cosmetic changes to improve the regulations\u2014Rima is going to tug my arm very shortly. I think this is a good bill, and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221b25fe0aaf4a441c89618f1fa196cd1e\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221b25fe0aaf4a441c89618f1fa196cd1e\u0022\u003EBill read a first time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022 data-id=\u00227ff795361f3b49aba3daecfcbaf709fa\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227ff795361f3b49aba3daecfcbaf709fa\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is, That the Telecommunications and Other Matters Amendment Bill be considered by the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003EBill referred to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229046717c5c7343f88649a3dd1218ff59\u0022\u003ESpecial Debates\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223a480c4752694e7892128614f13d4c17\u0022\u003ELocal Issues\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022 data-id=\u00223a6241ba3c554b7d9e7e4c55c877811e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223a6241ba3c554b7d9e7e4c55c877811e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: We come now to the debate on local issues, arranged by the Business Committee under Standing Order 80. Would some honourable member care to move that the House take note of local issues? But before I do that, it is a local issues debate. Anyone listening should be able to tick off geographically around this country, so if it sways on to broader political issues, expect some intervention from the Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022 data-id=\u0022b4b631e1107940c7861bf831f48ca4cb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b4b631e1107940c7861bf831f48ca4cb\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON (Minister for ACC):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the House take note of local issues. What better place to start a local issues debate than focusing on the beautiful Coromandel. At this time of year, as the beautiful p\u014Dhutukawa flower begins to emerge on the Thames coast, New Zealanders turn their minds to their summer holidays. They turn their minds to sand and surf and sunshine, and, of course, whenever they do that, first comes to mind the beautiful Coromandel. But before they get a chance to come to the beautiful Coromandel, there is a little bit of work that needs to be done on our roads.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003EOver the last couple of weeks, some of the local Coromandel people have been severely inconvenienced, but for a good cause. On the Thames Coast Road just north of a beautiful little township called Tapu\u2014Simon Court knows the pub there well\u2014there has been a bridge called the Boundary Creek Bridge. Now, that meant a new bridge needed to be put in. So the good folk at the New Zealand Transport Authority and their contractors had to close the Thames Coast Road for nearly two weeks. What that meant was a degree of inconvenience for the local people, because it\u2019s quite a long detour around the other side of the peninsula for those folk. But we know in the Coromandel that that was important infrastructural work to be done ahead of the summer break.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003EThen, this very day, on the other side of the peninsula on what is referred to as State Highway 25A, between K\u014Dp\u016B and Hikuai, that road is currently closed, also, during daylight hours from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for remedial work to be done on that piece of road, as well. So notwithstanding the inconvenience to local road users, we know that that important work needs to be done ahead of the massive influx of visitors that we will be receiving in the coming weeks and months as we delight at the prospect of a glorious summer of sand, surf, and sunshine in the Coromandel.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003EAnother piece of important infrastructure has been returned to the Coromandel, and that is a piece of infrastructure that involves a ferry service from downtown Auckland into Coromandel Harbour. Now, we\u2019ve been without a ferry service to the Coromandel for a number of years, so to have this service back available, which enables people to go from the ferry terminal, the ferry buildings in downtown Auckland, direct into Coromandel Harbour at Hannaford\u2019s Wharf, is a great delight and it\u2019s been very much welcomed by local Coromandel people. It\u2019s not just the good folk of Coromandel town who benefit from a ferry service like that but, indeed, the whole peninsula. So they have an opportunity to come and visit all the delights of the Coromandel Peninsula.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s talk about what some of those delights are. Let\u2019s start with Coromandel. It\u2019s a place where nature has gone all out on beauty, and we all know that, because when New Zealanders think of the Coromandel they have positive thoughts about not only the quality of parliamentary representation but about the region, the area, the beautiful bush, the white beaches, the sand, and all that goes with a holiday in that beautiful part of the world. Think of Cathedral Cove, where work has been done by the Department of Conservation and others to ensure that that track, which had been closed for a long time since the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle, is now open again. That is another very favourite tourist spot for so many\u2014not only local domestic tourists but international visitors, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003EAnd then, close by, is the famous and wonderful Hot Water Beach, where people can literally go and dig a hole in the sand at low tide and sit in their own spa pool\u2014and people do it. I\u2019ve not visited there at 2 o\u2019clock in the morning, but I\u2019m told that if it\u2019s low tide over summer, at 2 in the morning there are people sitting in beautifully dug sand Jacuzzis in the beautiful Coromandel.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003EAnd then, think about the forest walks, the waterfalls, the beautiful bush setting, the magnificent kauri trees that are there for us all to enjoy, but, also, wonderful creative folk in the peninsula and around the area, as well. It would be remiss of me not to mention the southern part of the electorate, Katikati and \u014Cmokoroa, a horticultural hub, with murals, beautiful artistic areas, and lovely cultural events, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222920838580534015892dca5aaa818cf6\u0022\u003EBecause this is a split call with my colleague Suze Redmayne, I\u2019m going to conclude by inviting not only parliamentary colleagues to come to the beautiful Coromandel this summer but all New Zealanders. Do come and pay us a visit. You\u2019ll be welcomed with open arms, and we will be delighted to have you spend time but, more importantly, money in the beautiful Coromandel.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022 data-id=\u00222c9d1d9292eb467b8affa44e7f99b6d7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222c9d1d9292eb467b8affa44e7f99b6d7\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: Suze Redmayne\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022 data-id=\u0022a519e59abace4a5481704aa69f6ea7b7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a519e59abace4a5481704aa69f6ea7b7\u0022\u003ESUZE REDMAYNE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019d like to share my fantastic morning. Dr Shane Reti and I\u2014our fantastic Minister for Universities and Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology\u2014went to Palmerston North today to the opening of Ng\u0101 Huia, Massey University\u2019s newest addition to the vet school. T\u0101wharau Ora, it\u2019s called. We got a wonderful welcome from Rangit\u0101ne and also an outstanding waiata\u2014a series of waiata\u2014from the students at Manukura School. It was a great start to the day. Ng\u0101 Huia is the third and final major development in Massey University\u2019s 10-year plan to upgrade their vet science buildings. They\u2019ve come a long way since 1963, when the inaugural class of 32 students began their studies in an old building and World War II army mess huts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022\u003EThe vet school is the only one in New Zealand that\u2019s earned respect and high accreditation internationally. It was ranked first in Australasia\u2014in fact, first in the Southern Hemisphere recently in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. It\u2019s ranked among the top 20 in the world. It was absolutely brilliant to tour the first-class facilities today with Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas and Professor Jon Huxley. All of the 120 students a year in the group will reap the benefits of these new facilities. Simply outstanding. Laboratories, specialist equipment\u2014it\u2019s glass, stainless steel, shiny and new machinery, even an array of life-sized animal simulators to test and train our future vets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022\u003EOf course, as well as celebrating the magnificent building, I want to acknowledge the skills and commitment of the staff and students\u2014they\u2019re the heart and soul of the vet school\u2014and the contribution they make to New Zealand and especially to our rural and provincial economy. They\u2019re a part of the engine room of New Zealand and they deserve to be celebrated. Just before we left, it was brilliant to see the fifth-year students having just sat their last exam. I wish them all well in their future endeavours.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022\u003EI also want to take this opportunity to talk about the devastating fire which broke out in Tongariro National Park last Saturday. It has wreaked havoc across 2,800 hectares of this really important part of our country. It was a privilege to spend some time up at the Central Plateau Emergency Management Centre on Sunday along with my colleagues, Ministers Mark Mitchell, Tama Potaka, and our member of Parliament for Whanganui, Carl Bates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022\u003EThe centre was the hub of the multi-agency and community response being led by Fire and Emergency New Zealand to fight the fires. Together, with the National Emergency Management Agency, Department of Conservation (DOC), the Ruapehu District Council, New Zealand Police, iwi from across the region, and local volunteers, they worked incredibly hard to protect our people and our park. Thirty-five fire crews were operating at the peak: 15 helicopters, five fixed-wing aircraft. They evacuated 120 people, tourists and locals alike, from the mountain.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022\u003EI was fortunate to have an opportunity to fly over the area with Minister Potaka, which put into perspective the mammoth task. We were watching helicopters filling up their monsoon buckets by dropping into creeks in the bottom of a ravine and then dumping it on to the flames. You could kind of compare it to running from your kitchen out to the garden with a teacup of water at a time trying to put out a bonfire. But these magnificent humans did it. With the help of a timely downpour of rain, they managed to first contain it and then put it out. They also managed to protect a DOC hut and the majestic Pou Whenua Te Riri\u014D, which stands at the entrance to Tongariro National Park. Our beloved Chateau Tongariro escaped the flames. It took a village and the rain to put it out, and it will take a village to restore our park to her former glory.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266d6872f24ce4f77ba5ac75f0fc62c76\u0022\u003EOf course, as well as the devastating impact on the physical landscape, there\u2019s also a significant economic impact to consider, as well. Our tourism and transport operators, hotel and motel owners, restaurateurs, cafe owners who rely on visitors coming to walk the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Maungatapu Track, and also the Tongariro Northern Circuit\u2014they\u2019re going to be hurting right now, too. Control of the park has now been handed back to DOC, and I know Minister Potaka is relentlessly focused on restoring the flora, fauna, biodiversity, and economic prosperity of our most famous National Park in the mighty Rangit\u012Bkei\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227ecb5f932ca840d49794da378d58ca37\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: The member\u2019s time has expired. Five-minute call, the Hon Carmel Sepuloni.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022 data-id=\u0022b1dc6f1e42474be4852ea177a4ff5edc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b1dc6f1e42474be4852ea177a4ff5edc\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Deputy Leader\u2014Labour):\u003C/span\u003E I stand here today proudly as the member of Parliament for the Kelston electorate. As well as that, I\u2019m a former elected board of trustees member for Kelston Boys\u2019 High School, the parent of a son who has already gone through Kelston Boys\u2019, and the parent of a son who will start his secondary schooling there next year. This school has an outstanding record of achievement. In front of me right now, I have the list of alumni, many of them sportspeople\u2014rugby, rugby league, basketball, soccer, wrestling\u2014many of them with academic backgrounds, many from the business community, from the arts community, and even a few politicians, including my colleague across the House, the Hon Chris Penk. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003EWe have seen how fiercely protective the Kelston community is\u2014how loyal they are, and how incredibly resilient they are\u2014especially in recent weeks, when it was made public that there has been an attempted charter school takeover. The outrage that the community have felt has been evident across social media and in the media. The idea that a trust who do not have the qualifications or credibility to take over a State school and turn it into a charter school is very evident when you just go through the Kelston community or look at any of the social media pages or the media that has been put around it. This is such a clear example of how and why David Seymour\u2019s charter schools model is dangerous, and there are a number of things that we need to point out with regards to what has gone on in this particular instance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003EThis school has been put under relentless pressure for at least a year. This school has had incorrect information put out there publicly about them, including information about their academic achievement and their roll. They have relentless pressure put on the school in the form of a trust who is attempting to get people elected to the board of trustees so they could effectively take over a State school and turn it into a charter school. That trust was demanding the contact details of the parents of the children at that school so that they could lobby the parents to try and get elected to the board of trustees. This is a State school that has been targeted by, as I said, a trust that lacks credibility and qualification, but this has been allowed to happen because of the David Seymour charter school model, where they have, effectively, set a target for 15 State school conversions to charter schools under their watch. Now, we can imagine that this is not the only school that is going to experience similar pressure, and it\u2019s important that we look at this example so that we can anticipate what could happen across the country. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003EAlongside the pressure that they have had put on them by the charter schools model set up by that Government, they\u2019ve also had to endure the very messy David Seymour - led lunches in schools programme. Alongside hundreds of other schools, they are also enduring a failed curriculum and qualification change process where they have barely been consulted. Alongside this, and alongside hundreds of other schools, they have been forced to take strike action because of the fact that this Government does not want to meet what are fair pay and working conditions. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003EI cannot understand why Chris Luxon and Erica Stanford have allowed David Seymour to have so much power in the education portfolio. A man who leads a party who got, what, 8 percent at the last election is making decisions for our children, and he is simply not qualified or equipped to be making any of those decisions. It extends beyond even what the secondary schools are experiencing; it goes to the changes that he has been making in early childhood education\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221eac64d070f64ab4b93bc75acf08fcd9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228c2f2efe077f41178cb6116efa4ef7a2\u0022\u003ESimon Court\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you. I didn\u2019t want to interrupt the member, but your direction at the start of the debate was very clear\u2014to stick to local issues and not to stray from them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002299e5598886df43299456ba8aed7d56b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f2d89245b441427888dcfdc834a0b1e6\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O\u2019Connor)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and, if the member had been listening, there was often reference to Kelston Boys\u2019 High School. I\u2019ve written down how many references, actually, so there was sufficient reference locally. Anyone watching would know where Kelston was. That\u2019s the test. Carry on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002284f8db4346204b51af872b70e7282e38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7379391758840d19feb5a439d594fd3\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: This Kelston community is hell-bent on ensuring that this charter school conversion does not go ahead, and believe you me, you do not want to test the Kelston community. Let me just add that it\u2019s not just the community; it is the teachers, it is the board of trustees, and it is the students who are coming out strongly, and this should simply not go ahead.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227d50be4a7fd042fca27c41c4c644561f\u0022 data-id=\u00226669501148cf4f658d69a3514afa906f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227d50be4a7fd042fca27c41c4c644561f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226669501148cf4f658d69a3514afa906f\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Labour\u2014Te Atat\u016B):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Kiwis expect a decent public health system, and Westies are no different. In West Auckland, we love our hospital on Lincoln Road; the staff are great, they do their best\u2014but it makes Westies so mad that our hospital is so badly underfunded and understaffed. Patients are waiting too long to get the care that they deserve, because the nurses are too busy to get to them. And why is that? Because this National-led coalition Government is underfunding and understaffing the public health system. The numbers don\u2019t lie. Between January 2024 and June 2025, documents released under the Official Information Act show that 71\u00A0percent of all shifts at Waitakere Hospital were understaffed. Three of the wards in the hospital\u2014two of the general medical wards and the maternity suite\u2014were understaffed for one-third of all shifts in that 18-month period. The Huia Ward, a 20-bed acute unit that caters for a range of acute medical and cardiac patients, was understaffed for nearly half of all the shifts in that period. Across the board, these numbers show that Waitakere Hospital has been running short by 20 nurses\u201420 nurses down on the number needed to deliver the official and agreed safe staffing levels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227d50be4a7fd042fca27c41c4c644561f\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a simple equation: underfunding leads to understaffing, and that leads to people not getting the care that they deserve when they need it. Scott, of Te Atat\u016B Peninsula, told me that he turned up at Waitakere Hospital at 4 a.m., on the advice of his doctor, after he started bleeding profusely a week after surgery on his nose. He was admitted but then spent six hours on a bed on wheels in the middle of the emergency room with people working all around him. They told him there was nowhere else to put him, and in all that time, he never got to see a doctor. Judy, another of my constituents, gave birth to a baby girl back in May. Due to some complications, Judy was booked in for a caesarean section at Waitakere Hospital. When the big day came along, it was all go, the contractions were happening, and, suddenly, the clinical staff told Judy that she had to go to North Shore Hospital because there was a lack of experienced staff at Waitakere. Judy also felt let down after the baby was born. She had to go all the way to Warkworth because Waitakere Hospital doesn\u2019t yet have birthing units. West Auckland new mums have to go to Helensville and Warkworth to use their post-natal care birthing centres. In Judy\u2019s words, \u201CIt\u2019s woeful.\u201D Craig of Swanson told me he went to Waitakere Hospital a couple of months ago with a broken collarbone. He waited two hours before he was admitted, had an X-ray, and was then told they couldn\u2019t deal with it and he\u2019d have to go to North Shore Hospital. His wife drove him there, and he had to wait three hours before being sent home without seeing a doctor and being told the hospital was overloaded.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227d50be4a7fd042fca27c41c4c644561f\u0022\u003EThese stories are not uncommon, but they are not good enough. Our healthcare workers are exhausted. Is it any wonder they\u2019re leaving in droves for Australia, where they have minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and much better terms and conditions? These people became healthcare workers because they wanted to help people and give people the care that they need, not risk their suffering because of a lack of staff. The people of West Auckland demand a decent public health system that\u2019s there for them when they need it. This Government has made bad decisions and has the wrong priorities. It\u2019s given tax cuts to landlords and property speculators and tobacco companies while it underfunds and understaffs our hospitals. The people that I represent, in West Auckland, demand better.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022 data-id=\u0022a8df2b80a088490a81e453ec2bc7ae58\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a8df2b80a088490a81e453ec2bc7ae58\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green\u2014Rongotai):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Speaker. There will be no surprise that I rise to speak about our beautiful city Te Whanganui-a-Tara, but particularly the wonderful part of it that is known as the Rongotai electorate, the electorate where I was elected as the MP at the last election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003EWellington is a beautiful city. It is a compact city. It rates high on global surveys of livability, partially because it\u2019s easy to walk and cycle and take public transport. That\u2019s why it has one of the lowest car ownership rates in the entire country. That means Wellingtonians can have a better quality of life, because they aren\u2019t sitting in traffic as long and they aren\u2019t spending as much money\u2014thousands of dollars a year\u2014on owning a car. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003ENow, 30 percent of the city is covered in greenery, and we\u2019re surrounded by our absolutely phenomenally gorgeous coast. Rongotai means \u201Csound of the sea\u201D or \u201Cfeel of the tide\u201D. Like so many others, I absolutely love and feel a deep connection to our moana here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003EThe most bizarre thing to me is that we have recently learnt the anticipated cost of the Government\u2019s priority transport projects here in Wellington, which is right between our Green electorate of Wellington Central and the Green electorate of Rongotai. The Mount Victoria Tunnel projects are now estimated to cost $3.8 billion\u2014that\u2019s $3,800 million. This is an eye-wateringly high amount of money for projects which will do nothing to actually make it easier for people to get around the city. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003EThe Greens would like to see a much more constructive approach that actually takes into account the needs of the local people. This is clearly only a priority for this Government because Government Ministers and backbench MPs get picked up by their Crown limos and their taxis at the airport and get driven to Parliament, and they mistakenly believe that somehow adding less than 2 kilometres of one extra car lane in each direction with seven stop lights in between at a cost of $3.8 billion is going to save time for anyone. It\u2019s outrageous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003EJust to help people get their head around the numbers, I have brought some visual aids. [Holds up graph] So this goes back to the year 2000 and it shows some of the cost per kilometre of different motorway projects. A lot of them are projects that we would think of as being extremely expensive. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll send this to members opposite. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003EOne thing you can see that really stands out in this graph is the Waterview Tunnel. The Waterview Tunnel was significantly more expensive per kilometre because it is a tunnel in an urban area. But let\u2019s look at what\u2019s happened with the 2025 investment cases for the new roads of national significance, because of all the projects that have been announced, the Wellington ones are the most expensive per kilometre by far\u2014far more expensive than Petone to Grenada, the Hope Bypass, Mill Road, even, or Warkworth to Wellsford. These are all extremely expensive projects. But if we compare it on a per-kilometre basis, then you see how much more expensive is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003ENow, I really have to go back and show you the whole thing in context, because this is the cost per kilometre of motorways. This is the Waterview Tunnel, which is three lanes in each direction. Then over here are the Wellington roads of national significance. I mean, it\u2019s incredibly, incredibly expensive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003EMembers opposite can sit there and make their jibes and their pathetic little calls out to me to try and get me upset, but it\u2019s embarrassing for them\u2014embarrassing for them\u2014because they\u2019re the ones who are telling New Zealanders they can\u2019t afford healthcare services, that we can\u2019t afford hospitals, that we have to sell public assets, and that somehow it\u2019s unaffordable to pay nurses, teachers, and firefighters what they deserve, to get firefighters the appliances that they need to fight fires, but they can afford to spend $3.8 billion on less than 2 kilometres of one car lane in each direction in the centre of Wellington, the place where people clearly want other options. We know that because Government parties got less than 26 percent of the vote combined. There is no mandate for this project in Wellington. The Greens alone got 50 percent more party votes than the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022 data-id=\u00221f9ea4a7049b4674b3cba8c20798185f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221f9ea4a7049b4674b3cba8c20798185f\u0022\u003EHon DAVID SEYMOUR (Minister for Regulation):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am pleased to speak tonight in this debate on local issues on behalf of the people that I represent and those like them, from Point Chevalier to the Tamaki River\u2014those residents of the Auckland isthmus who have an interest in Plan Change 120 being imposed by Auckland Council today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EI want to start by saying that it comes from a good place. For too long, the promise of New Zealand has not been kept to younger people. There are too many people who ask the question, \u201CWhy should I support a property-owning democracy when I see no pathway to property ownership myself?\u201D And the problem is that we have made it too hard to build a home in one of the most sparsely populated and beautiful countries on earth. That much is true. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EBut the solution, which is a hangover from the previous Government, of increasing the zoned capacity in and of itself is only part of the solution. We need to ensure that we improve the infrastructure supply, the building supply, and, also, the timeliness of consenting in order that people can actually build the homes that they need in our beautiful city.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003ESimply zoning more property to go up higher and faster is not in itself going to make housing available to the next generation. That\u2019s why I support the Government\u2019s policy of asking Auckland Council to provide 2 million more dwellings. But I equally ask our Government to listen to people, particularly in Auckland, and particularly in the isthmus: how can they consider the possibility\u2014just the chance\u2014that maybe that 2 million number is too high? That is what people are starting to ask themselves in the area of Auckland that I represent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EIt may be that people who go down to the waterfront in Judges Bay or Hobson Bay or out in the inner west see the signs saying, \u201CDon\u2019t swim today because there is sewage on the beach.\u201D It may be that people who are worried about the heritage of their communities, or who saw the sinkhole when a 100-year-old brick sewer collapsed due to intensification, have a point when they say that we\u2019re not going to solve the challenge of making housing abundant by simply zoning overstressed areas to intensify beyond what the market will demand anyway. It may be that Auckland Council needs to think carefully about development in the north-west, about greenfield land, about opening up land and planning infrastructure in areas where there is market demand for the type of housing available, rather than zoning more of the housing that people don\u2019t want.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll give you a perfect example. Near where I live on Manukau Road, you\u2019ve got the best bus service in the country, you\u2019ve got Cornwall Park, you\u2019ve got Newmarket, and you\u2019ve got the best schools\u2014not in the country; in the world, actually. It\u2019s a great place to live, but can a developer take a section that\u2019s developed to go to four storeys and build 28 apartments on it? No. Commercially, that fails, and you can see commercial failures all up and down Manukau Road despite the intense zoning.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EWhat that tells you is that the market demand is not in place for what Auckland Council is trying to impose through Plan Change 120. What that tells you is that people who are giving their feedback to Plan Change 120 have a point\u2014that the plan needs to be changed to spread out, and that perhaps, our Government will be listening to those people and saying that 2 million notional units in Auckland is asking too much too soon from a city that wants sensible planning and coordination of infrastructure and development so the next generation can have a shot at a ladder of opportunity to own their own place in a property-owning democracy\u2014but done much smarter than is being done now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222fee4f49a15c4795a3ba0d173a43c15c\u0022\u003EIt might be as simple as saying that we want, perhaps, two-thirds of 2 million homes under law. If we were to make a law like that, I think the people that I represent would be much, much happier. Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022 data-id=\u0022d82c69e04cdf4959b484f3d1dfb2b35b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d82c69e04cdf4959b484f3d1dfb2b35b\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Speaker, thank you. As a list MP, I see my constituency as being from Cape Reinga to somewhere south of Stewart Island. I get the privilege\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ddb7fdb968e74dddbde31d7045e4aaf5\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that\u2019s fairly local.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d620d012e33a4fcfaf1e2bc4919b2068\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014of meeting lots\u2014it\u2019s very local\u2014of wonderful people all over our beautiful country. Often, it\u2019s wonderful to be able to help out some of those at a community or organisational level.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003EJamie Arbuckle here and I both visited the Upper Selwyn Huts just South of Christchurch last June. It\u2019s located next to the Selwyn River just south of Christchurch, a short distance from Lake Ellesmere. It\u2019s a beautiful settlement of just under 100 houses\u2014a place and a community to fall in love with; a place where everybody knows and supports each other, the way I imagine New Zealand used to be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s sited on a Crown reserve and managed as a local purpose reserve by the Selwyn District Council as a hut settlement. But the whole settlement, at that stage, was under threat of eviction by their own council. That settlement first began as a fishing village established by the people of Christchurch for fishing. The first fishing box there was in 1888, and it became a reserve in 1895 dedicated for fishing huts. It became a popular holiday spot\u2014built tennis courts and lots of infrastructure; people started over time to live there, albeit for short periods.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003EWhat I was drawing on there is that the fishing was so good that in March 1927, the future King George IV and Queen Elizabeth fished\u2014cast a line. The Christchurch Star reported then, \u201CHis Royal Highness arrived at the Selwyn Huts at 1.30 p.m., remained there fishing until 6.00 p.m.\u201D So he obviously spent a lot of time there, and it\u2019s understood that though he did not meet with any degree of fortune\u2014I understand that as a failed fisherman\u2014he thoroughly enjoyed the outing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003EThe community held picnics, sports days, gala days, bonfires, fireworks, concerts, fancy dress racing, rowing, racing, and so on. The huts became baches and by the 1940s there was a shop, tea rooms, and regular deliveries of meat, vegetables, and even a community library. It increasingly became a place to stay for extended periods, which was accentuated after the Canterbury earthquakes. Now, most of those are homes which are permanently occupied.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003EBut in 2019, the Selwyn Council determined that it issue only short-term leases and then require the whole settlement to be removed because the waste-water system was at the end of its life. Jamie and I were asked to visit because the council had published a paper in March of 2024 with no engagement whatsoever with the Huts community that simply adhered to the 2019 decision that says, \u201CYou\u2019ve got to go.\u201D, even though the council had fixed or was fixing the waste-water system and the reason for removing them no longer existed. The council decided to issue some pretty Draconian deeds of licence and said, \u201CYou\u2019ve got five years. We might give you another couple of five years, and then you are gone.\u201D Now, the reason they gave\u2014not waste water\u2014was the potential risk to the settlement from sea-level rise. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003ESo I wrote, after our visit, at length to the council and challenged them on multiple issues. I said that their reason for removing the settlement had changed, but they hadn\u2019t really looked at whether the removal was still justified at all. They\u2019d been unduly certain about the degree of sea-level rise, they based their position on the most extreme possibilities, and they were acting prematurely to terminate the leases well before there was any risk of sea-level rise impacting on the settlement. They used 100-year projections but said, \u201CWe\u2019ve got to get rid of you in 15 years.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003ETheir own consultants on the matter, on the issue of sea-level rise, concluded that even the most severe flooding event recorded did not result in any inundation of the settlement. The consultants said the main message from this report is that climate futures are highly dependent on emissions scenarios and, therefore, highly uncertain. I proposed to them that they considered triggers, as their near neighbours at Hurunui were doing with the Amberley Beach community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003EThey\u2019d also failed in their self-acknowledged\u2014and this was the council that self-acknowledged\u2014legislative obligation to protect the welfare and interests of the hut owners and residents. The council itself said there were many vulnerable people resident in the Huts settlement and it expected evicted residents would likely end up on the wait-list for K\u0101inga Ora or the like. Several residents told us that their limited life savings were wholly tied up in their homes at Upper Selwyn Huts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003EWhen the council then said that the Government was not investing enough in social housing in the Selwyn district, it made their argument look pretty fragile. They\u2019d also mischaracterised the consultation as merely of medium significance, even though they were proposing to take people\u2019s homes away. I said, \u201CI think that constitutes high significance under their own significant policy and the consultation requirements of the Local Government Act.\u201D Their officers also misrepresented the Reserves Act maximum lease term in the council paper, and they failed to tell the councillors about the ability to renew the leases.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003ELong story short, the council acknowledged that it had got its processes badly wrong. They paused their processes the following month, agreed to engage with the Upper Selwyn Huts community, engaged an independent consultant, and there was ongoing consultation for the next wee while. Eventually, that consultation concluded with a full day of oral hearings in August this year, which I joined by Zoom\u2014would have loved to be there, but I had to be in hospital that day. By that stage, the council\u2019s reason for eviction had again completely changed; it was now fire safety. The residents told story after story about their connection to the place and the councillors would have had hearts of stone not to be moved. I had the privilege of summing up and the council moved 180 degrees. That community is now there, and it has the right to stay there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286d28c7cf70746ddbc10bc02e6fafb66\u0022\u003EDr Hamish Campbell\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022215e8900367044c88b9420c8aa6e1705\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER\u003C/span\u003E: We had the pleasure of joining for the 130 years celebration, knowing they would still be there\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a07b942116874032b5d2361f7b61d241\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member\u2019s pushing the time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022fdda043d491c47629c336b7aadb222fc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022850137195a6c46b7876afb148e30b3c6\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014for 130 years to go. Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022 data-id=\u002215a112e0fd9f4e9397341ac04e82024c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002215a112e0fd9f4e9397341ac04e82024c\u0022\u003EDr HAMISH CAMPBELL (National\u2014Ilam):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s really appropriate that I rise to speak in this local debate on the eve of Canterbury Anniversary Day, a day when we celebrate 175 years of everything Canterbury, everything red and black. Make sure you don\u2019t forget the black, because we wouldn\u2019t be seen dead in red. A lot of us will be celebrating tomorrow at the Christchurch A\u0026amp;P show\u2014actually, it\u2019s the new Royal A\u0026amp;P Show of New Zealand\u2014and it\u2019s going to be great.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EMany great things have come out of Canterbury and Christchurch over the last 175 years\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc18fca1517544d48a85a448eabd4308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229889fb2de2784f46a23756a869d6996f\u0022\u003ERima Nakhle\u003C/span\u003E: Like Dr Hamish Campbell.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ccd852a899b4044a7ca00ce985f87c5\u0022\u003EDr HAMISH CAMPBELL\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014including myself. I ask a question as I stand here: what do London, San Francisco, and Christchurch all have in common? Well, I will tell you. They\u2019re all cities that have faced devastation, have not only survived, but have come back stronger, bolder, and ready to thrive in the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EChristchurch, of course, has answered \u201CWhat sort of place do we want to become?\u201D by saying that we want to be a place with vision and with courage. We have redefined ourselves as a city where traditional meets transformational. We have historical landmarks, and some of these do continue to provide discussion\u2014whether it be the Canterbury Museum or our cathedral\u2014but there are other great buildings, like the stadium, Te Pae, the Court Theatre, and the Youth Hub, which all offer bold responses and fresh opportunities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003ETourism is thriving in Christchurch. Christchurch Airport is preparing for its busiest ever summer season, with international capacity climbing 15\u00A0percent above last year and surpassing pre-COVID levels. I do want to acknowledge our outstanding Minister for Tourism and Hospitality or her tireless work to enhance tourism across the country. Just this morning, she welcomed official statistics showing continued growth in overseas visitor numbers. Of course, we\u2019ve had the Tourism Boost package developed in partnership with industry, we\u2019ve had the $7\u00A0million events and tourism investment package, and this is all leading to great, great outcomes for Christchurch.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not just tourists that are choosing Christchurch city; our city now has the highest rate of domestic migration in the country\u2014a clear sign that New Zealanders are choosing to work, to study, and to live in Christchurch. This influx of talent and energy is strengthening our workforce and fuelling innovation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EOf course, Christchurch is also the city of choice for students. Enrolment at the University of Canterbury, which sits right in the middle of my electorate of Ilam, has surged to about 25,000 students this year, an all-time high for the third year running and a 12\u00A0percent increase on 2024. Of course, further growth is expected next year. I\u2019ll make a quick shout-out to the students. They\u2019re starting their summer break, having finished their exams. Ilam will be a little bit quieter without them, I won\u2019t deny, but we are looking forward to having them back next year. Also, I want to acknowledge one of those students, Lachlan Rountree, who has helped in my Ilam office very capably. I wish him well for his future endeavours.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s not just our university students that we\u2019re sending off. We also sent Kevin the giraffe from Orana Park up to Hamilton Zoo. I understand transporting a giraffe is no small feat. There\u2019s a lot of\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227bfbfe37ce814cb3aa74531cc44e81ca\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Ryan Hamilton will be very happy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022701bd0a0d72a4d30aaf77120e7bc83c7\u0022\u003EDr HAMISH CAMPBELL\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah. Unfortunately, it\u2019s not going to be a breeding programme. All the giraffes in the Hamilton Zoo are males, but maybe future breeding programmes will benefit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003ENot many electorates can claim to have an international airport, a world-leading university, and giraffes and other wildlife, but I digress. Christchurch is leading the way. A recent Business Canterbury report shows that 64\u00A0percent of businesses expect the economy to strengthen over the next year, the majority of businesses plan to hire more staff, the majority of businesses intend to invest in plant or equipment, and 79\u00A0percent are confident in their ability to manage disruption.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002212fd037a8544418390244b7c3a65216e\u0022\u003EInnovation is another major driving force in Christchurch, and I want to acknowledge the opinion piece in the Press yesterday by Nathan Beaumont, talking about Christchurch. He said, \u201CAcross this region, businesses are doing extraordinary things. They\u2019re the engine of the South Island\u2014creating jobs, developing world-leading technology, and strengthening New Zealand\u2019s reputation overseas.\u201D Of course, the university has long been a source of world-class ideas, and, now, our Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology has just unleashed a new intellectual property policy that will empower researchers to take that even further. Christchurch is the place to be. I\u2019m looking forward to a great, great show.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223c5c789f523a4f6e999737053b828e66\u0022 data-id=\u00223df2d112caee4404b32518b9e26a62ab\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5c789f523a4f6e999737053b828e66\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223df2d112caee4404b32518b9e26a62ab\u0022\u003EHELEN WHITE (Labour\u2014Mt Albert):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. I want to give a very different kind of advocacy today\u2014from the electorate of Mt Albert, with regard to the plans to build more houses\u2014from the one that was given by the Hon David Seymour. I want to do it, first, by talking about why we need those houses; why they need to be where, actually, it was planned they would be. The first reason I want to give is one where I\u2019d actually refer people to a book called Abundance by Ezra Klein, which makes a really compelling case for the link between not having enough affordable housing in a city and issues like homelessness. There\u2019s a direct correlation, and it is incredibly important that we look at this differently. We need to break through a block that we have had around affordable housing, and it needs to be close to our city, because we need our city to thrive. It needs to be a livable city. It needs to be one where we don\u2019t all take our cars everywhere. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5c789f523a4f6e999737053b828e66\u0022\u003EMy solution, today, is not to send every new home buyer out to Drury. That is, unfortunately, the message that we heard from David Seymour. He talks a big game, but he\u2019s actually protecting an interest that is very wary of this. It is very wary because it\u2019s actually really nice to live in suburbs full of beautiful houses, close to the city, without many people there. I\u2019m lucky enough to be one of those people. I\u2019m in one of those communities. But what we miss out on, even from our point of view, is our kids moving into those areas. Our kids don\u2019t, because they can\u2019t afford to. I have two daughters and a son. One daughter will go and live in Nelson, because that\u2019s affordable if you\u2019re going to be a teacher. Another one is in Sydney, and it\u2019s really hard to see how she will come home and, if she does, how she will come home and live near me. It undermines my quality of life, too, if she doesn\u2019t get to live close.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5c789f523a4f6e999737053b828e66\u0022\u003EThis is a really interesting scheme that\u2019s come up. It\u2019s not easy for people in my community to look at it without some fear. There are good reasons to have some fears and to participate in the submission process that\u2019s coming up, to make sure that we get it right. While it has been a long time, it is now a bit of a rush, and the risk of that is that we actually don\u2019t get it right, we don\u2019t engage in the process, we rush the plans, and we make mistakes. This is an area that has been subject to issues like stormwater issues. There was a big issue in the floods. It\u2019s important that the buildings are quality, that we engage our creative powers, and that the people in those suburbs really get stuck in and improve those plans. It is also important we don\u2019t chuck out the baby with the bathwater, because this is a powerful step in creating an inclusive community, if we get it right. There are some beautiful examples. We\u2019ve got a subway that\u2019s going to come right into the area. It\u2019s going to be eight minutes to town. It\u2019s going to be amazing to have a fast train that is eight minutes to town, and it\u2019s going to make a big difference to how that suburb thrives. It\u2019s going to be really important that there are advocates in there fighting for the Government to spend money to actually make sure that things like the rail happens fast, and that there\u2019s grade separation at schools, where the traffic can still flow and the public can still use those places. That\u2019s really important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223c5c789f523a4f6e999737053b828e66\u0022\u003EWhat was really a little bit shocking about the Hon David Seymour\u2019s speech was it was like he was distancing himself from this process, when this is the Government\u2019s policy. This is actually a Government policy, and he is, actually, in the Government. He\u2019s the Deputy Prime Minister, so it\u2019s, actually, not something that he can distance himself from or that he should be distancing himself from. That is not appropriate. It\u2019s really important that we fight for what we need in our suburbs and make sure that we get it right, but it\u2019s also important we remember all the generations that live in those suburbs and make sure that they end up being quality communities. I intend to do that. I\u2019ve got a public meeting on this issue very shortly\u2014I think it\u2019s in two weeks. It would be great to see people there. We will make sure people are well served and they can do a good submission. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022 data-id=\u00228fec98a246bb45aba1d0df27ac35457c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228fec98a246bb45aba1d0df27ac35457c\u0022\u003ETIM COSTLEY (National\u2014\u014Ctaki):\u003C/span\u003E Hello, Madam Speaker. I really enjoyed hearing about Coromandel and Rangit\u012Bkei and Christchurch. There were some nice, positive local speeches about the great places we come from around this country, and I intend to talk about the great places I come from like, like Horowhenua and K\u0101piti. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EI can\u2019t help but notice the contrast on the other side of the House; just the miserable approach that we\u2019ve heard towards a fun and positive local debate. I really wish all people would enter into it with the same spirit, and it\u2019s not too late. There\u2019s one speech left. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bdb4120af127433fb9e705b5f479e453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220699cca8c08049c7b90f7a5416a9128a\u0022\u003EHon Julie Anne Genter\u003C/span\u003E: I said some positive things.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7117497ee6d4eb6a87c75209fba2a0e\u0022\u003ETIM COSTLEY\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, the lady doth protest too much right now, while she\u2019s cancelling tunnels and roads, just like the one that got cancelled in Levin. People still remember that, back in 2018 when Labour cancelled it and then Julie Anne Genter said, \u201CWell, you can only have two lanes. One is for buses and public transport.\u201D\u2014there is no public transport, of course. But people are driving on those roads now, up Transmission Gully, through the K\u0101piti Coast. They\u2019ll be driving to spend their summer there. I know some people are arguing for Coromandel, but I would say they should come to the K\u0101piti Coast and Horowhenua\u2014what a place to come to to spend your summer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EThe strawberries are already out. The beaches are heating up. It is, I would argue, the best place to spend your summer in New Zealand\u2014and talking of things like strawberries, they are award-winning. I think of Lewis Farms that took out a Wellington Gold Award this year with their strawberries. Shirley\u2019s Strawberries\u2014also great. I wouldn\u2019t be picking favourites.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EYou can spend a night on K\u0101piti Island with the guys at Kapiti Island Nature Tours. They just won one of our local business awards. You could check out our amazing food and beverage sector, something I\u2019m really proud of. I think it\u2019s fantastic. You can drive from Foxton Fizz down to Whittaker\u2019s for chocolate, and everywhere in between. What a fantastic region to come to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s so good that I\u2019ve run events, and I\u2019m running another one in March in Parliament to celebrate our amazing food and beverage sector that comes out of this region. This time we\u2019re doing it in summer so that those strawberries will be in season. I know some people love asparagus. I\u2019m not such a fan, but some people love it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EWhat a place to come to and what an area for growth in New Zealand. Some MPs come from places like Dunedin and St Clair Beach; Katie Nimon is from over in Napier, which has Marine Parade\u2014terrible beaches. Can we just acknowledge that these are terrible beaches? They\u2019re popular. I don\u2019t know why. If you go to St Clair, it\u2019s a concrete wall into rocks in the ocean, yet people want to flock there. Come to Paraparaumu where there\u2019s a nice open beach. It\u2019s safe. You can go to Raumati. Every now and then there are a few people in the region we\u2019re not so keen on, but it\u2019s a great place to come. Check out the new surf life-saving club at Wait\u0101rere\u2014I was referring to Chris Hipkins\u2014or at Paek\u0101k\u0101riki. Matt and Karen have done an absolutely stunning job fund-raising and running that project. Homestead Construction from Levin have built it, and it is something we should be proud of. It is exactly the kind of thing we need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EThere are some big ideas for growth. There\u2019s an idea for a gondola on the hills, overlooking the sea; a marina\u2014big things, and why shouldn\u2019t we have them in our region of K\u0101piti? It is a fantastic place. It is, I would argue, the only place in New Zealand you can have the authentic mountain-to-sea experience. You can be in the heart of the Tararua Ranges and then, an hour later, you can be in the Tasman Sea. What a great place to come and do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EThings to attract people in are what our region needs. It\u2019s great to see the growth that\u2019s already happening. In just a week, Rebound will be opening\u2014Rebound Playland \u0026amp; Trampoline Park. This is the new trampoline park and indoor play centre. I put up a little photo on Facebook. It went bananas.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EBut the other thing opening is Golf for Good, and I want to just take a minute to shout out to Golf for Good. This is the new mini golf course, and you say, \u201COh yeah, we\u2019ve had mini golf courses before.\u201D This one is pretty unique. This is a combined project of the local Lions and Rotary clubs. I think it sends a really special message when you see Lions and Rotary working together. I do actually just want to make a special mention of Alistair Beissel, who has chaired this committee; of Vic Hewson, Mal Bird, and Anthony Clouston from the Rotary Club. They\u2019ll be starting their meeting in 10 minutes\u2019 time on a Thursday night. And from the K\u0101piti Combined Lions, I want to mention Rex Bullard, who\u2019s done a great job with sponsors Tony Lester, Murray Pringle, and Alan Gibbs. They have done a fantastic job. Not only that but they give these sponsors tickets, family passes, to hand out. They donate them to, say, the local scout group who then raffle them off for auction\u2014you know, hand them out. That generates money directly into these local clubs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003EBut then everyone that comes to play on the mini golf course also raises money for the local community. This is exactly the kind of thing we do when our community is at its best, our country is at its best, and what better community in this country than Horowhenua, than the Whitby area, and in particular, I have to shout out to the K\u0101piti Coast. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022 data-id=\u002279278fe5a953497089490ae3ec27a6b0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002279278fe5a953497089490ae3ec27a6b0\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Speakers don\u2019t normally inject themselves into the debate, but if they did, you might hear about Raglan occasionally. I call Greg Bennett\u2014Glen Bennett, sorry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022 data-id=\u0022fcba249e4e5a4547bfeac817b27d2d4d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fcba249e4e5a4547bfeac817b27d2d4d\u0022\u003EGLEN BENNETT (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E That\u2019ll do. Being accused of being negative on this side of the House\u2014it\u2019s not by choice or for fun. It\u2019s the reality that we have to speak up in these local debates about local issues. They\u2019re important. It\u2019s not this Pollyanna, just, \u201CLife is wonderful and everything is fine.\u201D\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eac32f149d894fa0ac22ecceb7393316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220372fd80e49741e3a97ec213cf211f8b\u0022\u003ETim Costley\u003C/span\u003E: Cheer up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002243537d4a47a74bdc9ec5ec30aa2b96e5\u0022\u003EGLEN BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014as we as we tiptoe and we\u2019re told to cheer up, because I want to talk about homelessness in Taranaki and, particularly, homelessness in New Plymouth. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EWhen you say, \u201CCheer up.\u201D or \u201CLet\u2019s stop being negative.\u201D, it\u2019s not about being negative. These local issues debates are about shining a light on the challenges and on the things that are going on with our local communities. I\u2019m saddened and broken by the fact that in Taranaki, over the last 18 months\u2014or less than, actually\u2014there has been a 250 percent rise in homelessness\u2014a 250 percent rise in homelessness. That is why we get called negative or for us to cheer up, but the reality is we are here standing in this Chamber to fight for the people who are homeless, to fight for the people who are voiceless. I am here to speak about that this afternoon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EWe look at the challenges\u2014and there is many a challenge when it comes to homelessness and why people end up in homelessness, but it definitely is around rising rentals. It\u2019s definitely around the challenges in the economy. It\u2019s definitely around job losses. It\u2019s also about traumatic events and things that go on in people\u2019s lives, but it is also about choices that are made by people in this House and by the Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EWhen we look at the housing plan and the State housing initiatives that were in place, there were a number of them. We had more than 600 applications on the social housing wait-list in Taranaki\u2014over 600. They are not individuals; they are families and people in need. They are generations of people and we need to do something to change the state of our housing here in Taranaki and around the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EI look at the initiatives that were in place and were under way. I look at the 44 units that were built between 2020 and 2023 in central New Plymouth. We often get told about the facts: \u201CWe don\u2019t have the right site because it\u2019s one and two bedrooms we need.\u201D Well, they were all one- and two-bedroom units.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EWe also look at things like the purchase of property to build over 100 K\u0101inga Ora houses in central New Plymouth, as well. That was paused. That\u2019s just sitting there with nothing else going on. There were more than 100 other houses up in West New Plymouth, in Westown, and in Glenpark Avenue over in Vogeltown. Again, those projects have been paused and are just sitting there while people sit on the housing wait-list, while people sleep in cars, sleep in doorways, sleep in the park, sleep down by the beach, in places where it\u2019s actually not acceptable, because everyone should be able to get a decent night\u2019s sleep in a safe place with a roof over their head.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EI think it\u2019s an indictment on Government, it\u2019s an indictment on this House, that we as a nation are allowing people outside these doors, people in New Plymouth and Taranaki, to be on the streets. Then we look at things like\u2014and I\u2019m glad that the New Plymouth District Council has stepped up. They\u2019ll put some money in. Do they need to? No. Have they chosen to because they\u2019ve seen the need? Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EI look at the challenges of our men\u2019s night shelter that was established in 1981, I think it was, closing its doors this year because of lack of funding. They were providing housing to our most vulnerable. I do want to congratulate the New Plymouth District Council for stepping up and stepping in and looking at a Taranaki homelessness action plan, supporting the Ng\u0101motu Street Initiative to support and help those in need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00228682d6827e0e49d986d3bf8a86021933\u0022\u003EI need to finish by thanking those who are stepping up and stepping in where Government is failing. I think of the Roderique Hope Trust and what they do around housing people. I think of our iwi providers. I think of church groups. I think of the YMCA, who are stepping into spaces that we as a Government have failed in, because, as I said at the start, there has been a 250 percent rise in homelessness in Taranaki. That is an outrage. That is on us and we must do something about it. [Interruption] Yeah, laugh as you want, or think that we\u2019re just being negative, but we\u2019re here to stand up for people in need. We\u2019re here to stand up for people and say that everyone\u2014everyone\u2014deserves a dry, warm, safe place to call home, that they can share their lives, their loves, and their futures with.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022 data-id=\u002296edc94bd61442569c14892762ce6c33\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002296edc94bd61442569c14892762ce6c33\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just before we adjourn the House, I would just like to make mention of Roland Todd, whose mother passed away this week. We\u2019re all thinking of Roland today. I\u2019d also like to thank Kellie Watkins and everyone in the Chamber officers\u2019 team, which has pulled together and helped us do our job as well as we\u2019ve been able to, so thank you. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 18 November 2025.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202511138be4019a6bd74fc7b89d861ca323b122000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b05298d233114114a3080f0d123f4b7c\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 5.58 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"