"\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=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000000\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223aaba5eabfdcbe2fc55a1efe91bb3a4e\u0022\u003EWednesday, 2 September 2026\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EThe Speaker\u003C/span\u003E took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000002\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002285eb40e3c60a69bc1baec9f794bf999f\u0022\u003EStart of Sitting Day\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002231099709be1fcf672d828dd12ecdc200\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022 data-id=\u00220911ea1b680b4921e0df2696d7ee2b1c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220911ea1b680b4921e0df2696d7ee2b1c\u0022\u003ETEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker) (14:00)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EE te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu m\u0101tou, m\u014D ng\u0101 karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a m\u0101tou. Ka waiho i \u014D m\u0101tou p\u0101nga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi m\u0101tou ki te K\u012Bngi, me te inoi atu m\u014D te \u0101rahitanga i roto i \u014D m\u0101tou whakaaroarohanga, kia m\u014Dhio ai, kia whakaiti ai t\u0101 m\u0101tou whakahaere i ng\u0101 take o te Whare nei, m\u014D te oranga, te maung\u0101rongo, me te aroha o Aotearoa. \u0100mene.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003E[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EAlmighty 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 and humility, for the welfare, peace, and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00223714012da330e10f98d17e9b51045958\u0022\u003EPresentation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224a5415c0f5942b6d1e5b19714b9cde65\u0022\u003EPetitions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022511331195d970ce3ac00e6a51d3b0908\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Three petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220bc288eaf658d707d03f6228e1627371\u0022\u003ECLERK (14:01): \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003EPetition of Meris Brandram-Adams requesting that the House remove the Ohoka Subdivision from Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Epetition of Michal Zlotkowski requesting that the House urge the Prime Minister to review whether the Minister of Foreign Affairs has met standards expected of a Cabinet Minister and, if not, to remove him from the role, and urge that the House urge all members to hold standards of respectful and professional conduct, and \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003Epetition of Snow Ryan requesting that the House establish a framework that formally addresses wilful deception by elected representatives acting in an official capacity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225054e7ddd6f2f3beecf80254ae7fede1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224a4fca049bca9fc5b175c48d59c9681d\u0022\u003EPapers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ddaa7eebec3161ad54f127299bb839d9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Ministers have delivered two papers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e9bf8def04696f488a4c7a7cc3b6204d\u0022\u003ECLERK (14:01): \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003E2026-29 statement of intent for Whakaata M\u0101ori\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003EGovernment response to the petition of NZEI to halt the Ministry of Regulation\u2019s recommended changes to early childhood education regulations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f76c602d319b792a9d70b99c5cd1b7d8\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220147fc88871a7a11e775c4cf68bf96b9\u0022\u003ESelect Committee Reports\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002277f9ecc2993bb1b3b91203b423432e86\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Two select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249b9fa41a47c8c7264561720158318c4\u0022\u003ECLERK (14:02): \u003C/span\u003EReports of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003EFinance and Expenditure Committee\u2014Second scrutiny activities report for the 54\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E Parliament, and \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItemSL1\u0022\u003EStandard Annual Review Questionnaire 2025/26.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be789f01a9bb0cfaea5bcefd8f12dd4a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The second scrutiny activities report and the questionnaire are set down for consideration. No bills have been introduced.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00226645838610ccb8fabd04de6d6ffcc71f\u0022\u003EOral Questions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227d2b089c022ee2b40de34b529cd6fb61\u0022\u003EHousing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002225a7dbce57aa74026723d0f400269c6e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022 data-id=\u0022eb6c0dcbbb595a4ae17c726d987a1934\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eb6c0dcbbb595a4ae17c726d987a1934\u0022\u003EKATIE NIMON (National\u2014Napier) (14:02)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Housing\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Government considering removing interest deductibility on residential property? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a3a501686970304fa8b7639fd9e39c0e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Hon Chris Bishop.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8d870f901545176f2c94679c0344b65\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: Sit down, \u201CBish\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022 data-id=\u00228af31a65305afc7a0d2864a56d37fc83\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228af31a65305afc7a0d2864a56d37fc83\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP (Minister of Housing) (14:02)\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t you want to hear the answer? [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E] Don\u2019t you want to hear the answer? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240b5f7e494118521cf90b9cd65729d8d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, woah, woah\u2014we\u2019re not going to\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c03f96ef5758012194075f2a6433f4c0\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: He told to me to sit down, and I hadn\u2019t even answered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022976cabe71dea9d5770e24e6f0c3d29dd\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Wait, wait\u2014just a minute. I\u2019ll\u2014sit down; I\u2019ll deal with that sort of thing. We\u2019re not going to have this across-the-House exchange outside of the question being asked and the question being answered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f02b41dd113db0493c47d6975ee894e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Unlike others, no.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223cbe4dc4d57dcd976254941bba680c4a\u0022\u003EKatie Nimon\u003C/span\u003E: What reports has he seen on interest deductibility for residential property?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228188ce06dd2bfe2496a551c68c3746f6\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m still making my way through Inland Revenue\u2019s (IRD\u2019s) regulatory impact statement in 2023. I\u2019m either a slow reader or it\u2019s very riveting material\u2014possibly both. I found page 29 of the 2021 regulatory impact statement particularly interesting. It has a table scoring all four options to deny interest deductibility for residential property against the status quo, using nine criteria. Every single option scored negative on the criteria: new housing supply, rental affordability, efficiency, fairness, revenue, integrity, compliance, cost, and coherence. The highest-scoring criteria was fiscal take. The one shining beacon was more money for the Government, but all four options to ban interest deductibility scored negatively and rated worse than doing nothing. IRD advised against all options and preferred the status quo.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002224a6bdb435e6388fffc7854ba6e32fc2\u0022\u003EKatie Nimon\u003C/span\u003E: What else did Inland Revenue\u2019s regulatory impact statement say?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce8336f0429ad3a8bb84683ea90234c2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Oh well, it could be a long answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227628c5f80d860f1de274d2fa7db1803f\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: In the 2021 regulatory impact statement, it also noted the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development\u2019s views, which warned about three key things: increased rents and more rental churn as landlords pass on costs or sell, displacing tenants, who bear the cost of finding and moving somewhere new; reduced feasibility and supply of new build-to-rent housing; and reduced supply of emergency, transitional, and public housing. Emergency, transitional, and public housing was eventually carved out, and so was build-to-rent housing. They joined a list that had already grown to include farmland, hospices, retirement villages, boarding houses, student accommodation, and papak\u0101inga. It\u2019s not good for any of those groups and, therefore, they justify an exemption. It\u2019s not good for all renters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022173fd1fbbc3f9a9b4f8a6ec77612d70f\u0022\u003EKatie Nimon\u003C/span\u003E: Why did Government decide to reintroduce interest deductibility for residential property?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a9fe36f48080a0d96212929c8dd5eef0\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: We had two key objectives: firstly, we wanted to reduce upward pressure on rents. Rent prices went up by $80 a week between when the ban was phased in and when this Government announced its reintroduction. Since then, rents have been flat. Secondly, we wanted to restore the coherence of New Zealand\u2019s tax system. We believe in the principle that tax should be paid on profit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a3ca8f41fd6071f2e6e3497287d4c0ad\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Did the increase in rent that resulted from this policy undermine the then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern\u2019s stated intention\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221b4f5aa0a7edb7caf0f10acce92e6216\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002256bb8ba5b2db8826c4bb34ddec5bd276\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014of tilting the market\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f27d7ed65876aec200422a4eb42a4ed7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no\u2014no. Sorry, that\u2019s enough. Turn him off. That\u2019s enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022843a21f4984d18fe32b516dd9a7b7b75\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203c535453b893e94cd313d30ae6ca4fe\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: He cannot answer about another Government\u2019s policies; he can answer about Government policy only.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f8bd51ad77f71c6c61a3f07e9842e511\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, the entire\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249da93367a65b7a5c56efc8311daf47a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: So we\u2019ll rephrase the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002299660822a9d6b4581b27e4a94346345d\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: OK. Would the increases in rent that resulted from removing mortgage interest deductibility undermine first-home buyers by making their rent higher, making it harder for them to save for a deposit?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225aca318efabdf9b80201ccca92560e20\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, to the extent that interest deductibility costs are passed on to renters, thus increasing the cost of living for renters and making it harder for renters saving for a first-home deposit\u2014absolutely, that is the case. It\u2019s net bad news for everybody.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a6e78eec992863a81e2219d77228dd68\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Would the Minister then feel comfortable describing such a policy as \u201Ctilting the market towards first-home buyers\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220e21adfe91f9cc82274f8c812d2d2a5f\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Some have claimed that interest deductibility is a policy to help first-home buyers. The evidence suggests that, in fact, it is the opposite.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b58df2eacd605d4cb87c30ea29255641\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Would a move to remove interest deductibility from residential property amount to a renters tax?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022730e76e0c796240d51cf81b4bca72b33\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: Some would definitely call it that. Having argued vociferously that bringing back interest deductibility for rental properties is, in fact, a tax break for landlords, it therefore follows that removing it is therefore a tax increase.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f25f18a245e20dbf183e818ba38c5752\u0022\u003EAuckland\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022087155a9e1f7b8825b62ded87529357a\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022 data-id=\u0022a82d71d722fc14aedac157ac285d1420\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a82d71d722fc14aedac157ac285d1420\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Deputy Leader\u2014Labour) (14:07)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Auckland\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by all his statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u00228a86e2f85fa68b485587a13dbe36dc77\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228a86e2f85fa68b485587a13dbe36dc77\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister for Auckland) (14:07)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and in particular, I stand by the actions of this Government to put a cap on council rates, which will protect Aucklanders from unexpected and unsustained rates increases.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c66aa441b2ca4f39314841b729ec2c88\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No one else talking while the Hon Carmel Sepuloni asks the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221230ac5985f00a64ac7d290d235820d3\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his statement \u201CAucklanders want to see a clear plan and this Government has a clear plan to deliver for Aucklanders\u201D; if so, what is his plan to get the more than 30,000 Aucklanders who have lost their jobs in the last three years back into work?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dee65f11536f0fe86fbb50e603e3170e\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: In regards to the first part of the question, yes. The Government has signed a deal with Auckland. This is a 10-year deal that will bring significant benefits for Aucklanders, and it ensures that there is a relationship that is productive between central government and local government. When Auckland does well, New Zealand does well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222afdb8b6f5624ed90e52fae0549e6169\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Is Auckland going backwards when there has a been a 39\u00A0percent increase in the number of Jobseeker Support Work Ready recipients in Auckland in just the last three years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c30f0c6852211cf0a057f953ab1cec0\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: It is fair to note that Auckland\u2019s unemployment levels aren\u2019t where we want them to be. However, it is fair to also indicate that when we came in, there was an economy in recession. We had high inflation, high interest rates, and that all puts pressure on Kiwi households and, particularly, Kiwi businesses. So the answer to that\u2014as you\u2019ve noted\u2014on our side of the House, is not about more taxes and more spending, but it\u2019s getting the fundamentals right, and that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e40aaa8ed178cb3842d479f6f9167ec7\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Do Aucklanders deserve better than the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, with more than 30,000 Aucklanders out of work in the last three years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e5c2062404a8999302c319ea4bd7fc0\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Aucklanders always deserve better, and that\u2019s why, on this side of the House, we are committed to having no new taxes. We are fiscally focused and disciplined on our spending. We have a long-term plan in place with Auckland to be able to deliver the infrastructure that will turn the dial, to increase jobs, to increase productivity, and to increase economic growth. When all those factors come into play, that will benefit Auckland, and importantly, that will benefit New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022538f1bdb72bbed4d9048eaec6e56e0be\u0022\u003EHon Chris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that residential building consents in Auckland have increased by 20 percent in the last year, that City Rail Link opens in around 10 days\u2019 time, and that there is massive transport investment happening in Auckland right at this very moment?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a53b3cce0477104192bc348982aec9c\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I can\u2014a 21 percent increase in consents, year on year, up to 40,000. That is, if anything, a clear demonstration of this Government\u2019s focus on doing the basics right, fixing those basics, and building a better future for Aucklanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d70b80a2af7cab0f4b21d3f05f9e07a\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Do Aucklanders deserve better than his Government\u2019s cuts, which have led to Auckland City Hospital having 74 fewer nurse positions, and Middlemore Hospital having 78 fewer nurse positions, than two years ago?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227988486de78eba2009f7566b0f282007\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Again, one has to recognise the situation which was the case when we came into Government. We have taken significant steps since that point, but when you try and restructure a health system during a pandemic, you\u2019re going to get consequences, and that is the mess that we are tidying up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e914abed173423e9c10a7f08679dd4f\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Has his Government got Auckland back on track, when Starship Hospital had a shortage of nurses for 59 percent of all its shifts in 2025?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002283fff30478fb33e183c89e72301d3b7b\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, we do have Auckland back on track, and I\u2019ve got to acknowledge all of those healthcare workers who are working very hard during the midst of winter, which is always a challenging time for our health system. What I can be very clear about is that the Auckland City deal that this Government has put in place involves a wide range of portfolios, from education, to health, to economic growth and development, to infrastructure. We are a Government of delivery, and we\u2019re going to continue to do that for the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8a1e45a603161f175a9752602b22884\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Government\u2019s failure to fix the cost of living, failure to get people back into work, and failure to give Auckland the health services it deserves, just more evidence that New Zealand cannot afford three more years of a National Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c28316514734feba40b9055b372fd746\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: What I know is that what New Zealanders cannot afford is nine new taxes, removing Investment Boost, increasing debt, increasing spending, putting a wrecking ball through our economy. On this side of the House, we\u2019re about no new taxes, fixing the basics and building the future, and we will continue to deliver.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e8482bef4e5f54a53556b1feae2ea2b0\u0022\u003EFinance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022da06f189656b8693a48df9a2ff17df71\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b618b847a57b4afb94b76eaea9e042a5\u0022 data-id=\u00220fb120226631bf02587197a661f56df9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b618b847a57b4afb94b76eaea9e042a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220fb120226631bf02587197a661f56df9\u0022\u003EDr CARLOS CHEUNG (National\u2014Mt Roskill) (14:12)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Finance\u003C/span\u003E: What recent reports has she seen on the economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022 data-id=\u00225932ac4f2665e3108d7198e5805c89b9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225932ac4f2665e3108d7198e5805c89b9\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance) (14:13)\u003C/span\u003E: The Reserve Bank has just released its Monetary Policy Statement. This includes the decision by the monetary policy committee to increase the official cash rate (OCR) by 25 basis points. As members will know, the OCR rises and falls in cycles. Recently, for more than seven months, it was down at 2.25 percent, which was the bottom of the most recent cycle. In July, the committee raised the rate to 2.5 percent, and it has now been raised to 2.75\u00A0percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b618b847a57b4afb94b76eaea9e042a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227c90b5fcf1c4149c3b6a82c53d220cfb\u0022\u003EDr Carlos Cheung\u003C/span\u003E: Was this a surprise?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d30661194b2a6504632138adbcce06e5\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: No. Market pricing in the past few weeks indicated an almost 100 percent expectation of this increase. When the OCR was at 2.25 percent, the Reserve Bank\u2019s accelerator was flat to the floor, providing stimulus to the economy when it most needed it. That could not continue forever, and no one expected it to. The Reserve Bank is now easing off the accelerator and removing some of that monetary stimulus, but interest rates remain well below the levels they reached in 2023. Since this move was fully priced in, there should be little or no change to fixed-term mortgage rates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b13aa8ffbae34ee4972a7ab313f6b300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc48b511b286c96ffa4dc11a4bd35638\u0022\u003EHon Dr Deborah Russell\u003C/span\u003E: Take responsibility. You took responsibility when it was going down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002293a3533c6756ffe5b584c7cdb9cdc8f9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The commentary might be useful to the person making it but to no one else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b13aa8ffbae34ee4972a7ab313f6b300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224a920cc9727adeb89cd0e23a4f0d2c93\u0022\u003EHon Dr Deborah Russell\u003C/span\u003E: No, no. Other people enjoy it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022613f84e7d14bc7642d19a3a33be555cc\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Take a supplementary then.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b618b847a57b4afb94b76eaea9e042a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2aa3610d6db16aa283bf9d53c322fb5\u0022\u003EDr Carlos Cheung\u003C/span\u003E: What is the reason for this decision?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e04ca4677cc60d93acb0d4c52833ea3\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: I note that in New Zealand there has been a longstanding consensus about the independence of the Reserve Bank to pursue its inflation mandate. While the member opposite may continually interject, saying that the Government should take responsibility for individual cash-rate decisions, that kind of voodoo economics has been condemned by others.  The Reserve Bank\u2019s job is to keep on top of inflation\u2014specifically to keep future inflation between 1 and 3 percent over the medium term and, in doing this, seek to avoid unnecessary instability in output, employment, interest rates, and the exchange rate. Price stability is monetary policy\u2019s key contribution to longer-term economic growth and living standards, and we\u2019ve seen recently, between 2021 and 2023, that high inflation can be incredibly destructive. Rising fuel prices from the Middle East conflict have pushed inflation to 4.1 percent, and there are concerns this could spread to other goods and services. At the same time, the economy is strengthening. The Reserve Bank has therefore judged that it can reduce monetary stimulus and move a bit more towards a neutral stance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b618b847a57b4afb94b76eaea9e042a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bef1ef005c5727a320579380ed09a14e\u0022\u003EDr Carlos Cheung\u003C/span\u003E: What has the Government been doing to help limit inflationary pressures?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e86af640f083b869887ed6571dadce95\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: The Government has been focused on not adding to inflationary pressure with large increases in discretionary spending\u2014as happened, for example, in 2022 and 2023. Net new spending in each of our three Budgets has been very restrained. This continued restraint means the Government is reducing its Budget deficits over time, and on that basis, the Reserve Bank can set interest rates lower than would otherwise be the case. Let me quote, for example, from Treasury\u2019s 2025 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update, which refers to the savings made in that year\u2019s Budget: \u201CLower aggregate demand that results from the smaller overall Budget creates room for lower interest rates that are around 30 basis points lower than they would otherwise have been by the end of the forecast period.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00224cfef3cc0a207b86d17bff0779d760a3\u0022\u003ESocial Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002229dae83c4d24060248b690983f0f7f9e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022 data-id=\u00226ff8622caaca66b681f219f7d9aeac91\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226ff8622caaca66b681f219f7d9aeac91\u0022\u003EHon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) (14:16)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Social Development and Employment\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by all her statements regarding main benefits and supplementary payments being wrongly suspended since the Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Act 2025 came into force?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022 data-id=\u00224b1cc6d41cb8dae3332f5d06332f4afd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224b1cc6d41cb8dae3332f5d06332f4afd\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment) (14:17)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes\u2014in the context in which they were given. As I made clear in the House yesterday, a number of payments have been affected since the mandatory reviews Act came into force, and that is not acceptable. The Ministry of Social Development\u2019s (MSD) focus has been on ensuring payments are resumed. I have directed MSD to conduct a full review into this issue, including how many people were affected and what further steps are needed to prevent it happening again. I expect to receive the outcome of that review on 10 September.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f62fc09ea80e80d72f400a76eedf9bad\u0022\u003EHon Willow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: How many beneficiaries have had their benefit payments wrongly suspended since the law change?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253060e034ad422455e57a4264ff6cc3e\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I said in the House yesterday, I don\u2019t have that number; that is what I\u2019m expecting to get from the review on 10 September.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222eaac569564fae2bde66964ef6b08493\u0022\u003EHon Willow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: Why, after I asked her the same question yesterday, can\u2019t she tell New Zealanders how many beneficiaries had their benefit payments wrongly suspended, and is she just hiding behind waiting for a review?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259d0634d81d3cb3db5ece9d177720bab\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: No. It is unacceptable that people have had payments suspended when they should not have. I asked the MSD, with urgency, to focus on fixing the problem, which was to ensure that people who had payments suspended had them reinstated and that they were not without funding for long. That\u2019s what the urgency was on, and, separate to that, I have asked for a review where I am expecting all the details, including how many people have been affected by the two issues that I outlined in the House yesterday.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d62fee7d2ae4c33fee0a961986f1a913\u0022\u003EHon Willow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: Why did she take 19 days after being notified to apologise to those receiving payments, such as a disability allowance or supported living payment, for the fact that their benefits were wrongly cut?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227b81bc886d0358e2bdcc5f14064479c0\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I said, I was first made aware of the issue on 13 August, and there were two issues identified at that point. On the Monday, MSD provided an apology and a statement associated with those two issues. I apologised the following day; I have apologised subsequently. It is not good enough that MSD have suspended payments that should not have been suspended, and the focus was on ensuring that those people who had payments suspended had the money returned to them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225565770abc99ac50aef967ee0cbc6a90\u0022\u003EHon Willow-Jean Prime\u003C/span\u003E: How many people couldn\u2019t afford to put fuel in their car to take their children to school, couldn\u2019t buy groceries, or couldn\u2019t pay rent on time as a result of having their benefit wrongly cut?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002207397b0ff9374b62980f4b2187a06183\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: As I\u2019ve said, it should not have happened, and I appreciate that for some people, the suspension of a payment would have caused hardship. That is why I asked the Ministry of Social Development to act with urgency as soon as I became aware of this issue\u2014to focus on reinstating payments so that people did not go without.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002210d99cddc5c7d8c9aae59375b5ab14e8\u0022\u003EChl\u00F6e Swarbrick\u003C/span\u003E: Does she acknowledge that for beneficiaries living below the poverty line, even missing one week\u2019s worth of payments could have resulted in people going hungry or being made homeless, and if so, will her review, due to be released on 10 September, include the possibility of compensation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1901a44e88e40d095f26c06ebac9721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022420df0ccdf9fe8cc172a9dfde17eae8c\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: I appreciate this shouldn\u2019t have happened and has had an impact on those people who shouldn\u2019t have had payments suspended.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002294b1f09d091e94bdd58aedecfa678849\u0022\u003EChl\u00F6e Swarbrick\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. My question was specifically about compensation, and the Minister did not address the issue of compensation and that being within the terms of reference of that review.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c99b519853e6c219fc5aebf3ba36a4aa\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, there were two legs to your question, with all due respect, and she answered the first.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022115ca9809faacf0d250942911ce59188\u0022\u003EFinance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b69a2e566c6b34b0b982108fabc5b571\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec86ee1f0159877afa3043ee22e6620c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec86ee1f0159877afa3043ee22e6620c\u0022\u003ECHL\u00D6E SWARBRICK (Co-Leader\u2014Green) (14:21)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Finance\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by her statement, \u201CIn the absence of the international oil shock, inflation would have been back in the target band\u201D; if so, what actions, if any, has the Government taken to reduce our economy\u2019s dependence on fossil fuels?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022 data-id=\u00223e8cf29fe599f1a6f7df2f9a8436f042\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223e8cf29fe599f1a6f7df2f9a8436f042\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance) (14:21)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. Without changes in petrol and diesel prices, annual Consumers Price Index inflation would have been 2.9 percent in the June quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand, which would have been within the Reserve Bank\u2019s target range for inflation. To the second part of the question, if the member wants to go into specifics, she should put a question to the Minister for Energy, but I am happy to note that the Government has, for example, put energy projects into fast-track consenting and removed red tape holding back solar installations. I am advised that on our watch, solar connections are up 47 percent, that solar generation for March 2026 was up 50 percent from a year earlier, and that renewable electricity generation hit a record 96.5 percent in the final quarter of 2025.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a30a0d3966dcd60345615870df822d80\u0022\u003EChl\u00F6e Swarbrick\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that her Government came to office and cut active investment in decarbonising industry while also committing hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds to subsidise fossil fuels, resulting in our economy having greater exposure to imported fossil fuel inflation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4ac095ff100522803a9df740f08aeaf\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, in terms of things that have exposed us to imported fossil fuel inflation, the fateful decision to ban oil and gas exploration has exposed us to Indonesian coal prices more than any other decision. In terms of this Government\u2019s decision to close the corporate welfare fund otherwise known as the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry fund, absolutely, I stand by that decision.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002225e8fd4f98138c49e0724ba40a20a53f\u0022\u003EChl\u00F6e Swarbrick\u003C/span\u003E: If the Government\u2019s fiscal policy in the last three years had reduced instead of increased our dependence on fossil fuels, does the Minister understand that we would now be less exposed to imported fossil fuel inflation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfa26b8e25fd8343472113f5d96fef3d\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: I reject the assertion in that member\u2019s question, and I once again remind her that the stupid decision to ban oil and gas exploration has left New Zealand fundamentally exposed not only to having to import fossil fuels that we would otherwise be able to produce at lower emissions here, but it has also exposed our entire electricity system to the risk of the lights being turned off in a year where the hydro lakes aren\u2019t full. So for the member to be asserting that somehow our Government\u2019s decisions have led to this predicament I think shows ignorance and recklessness.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a8ab6a20f938e7f1c08ae13de2241b4\u0022\u003EChl\u00F6e Swarbrick\u003C/span\u003E: Why is her Government actively spending hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds on subsidising fossil fuel production instead of investing that money in renewable energy generation, knowing full well that those decisions increase our exposure to fossil fuel inflation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222d8eff8bf2eb9953808697e8c93b943b\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, again, I reject those assertions, and I also point out to the member that reducing dependence on fossil fuels requires more than simply banning fossil fuels, because in order to build renewable generation, we require a reliable electricity system that can perform during dry years and periods of low renewable output. Therefore, the Government has progressed multiple measures to strengthen energy security, reliability, competition, including advancing a winter energy reliability obligation to ensure the sector appropriately manages dry year risk, more reliable\u2014[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022df081cf04644dd0add64b2040ad7cf2d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Excuse me, sorry\u2014if that carries on, you\u2019ll be carrying it on outside the House. Is that clear?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206a93ebc00e1344652d5e86045f6ca81\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Finally, more reliable and affordable electricity enables greater electrification of transport and industry while maintaining affordable electricity for New Zealanders. If we want more investment in renewable generation, which this Government certainly does, and if that member wants that too, she should support fast track and she should support steps to ensure firming electricity is available so that people want to invest in the solar farms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b382351a2e0ec02d4525d14d7a640e2e\u0022\u003EHon Chris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that in 2026 alone, to date, 519 megawatts of new solar capacity has been added, 229 megawatts of new wind capacity has been added, and a 200 megawatt battery has been added, representing nearly 1,000 megawatts of new generation capacity to the New Zealand electricity system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f2c328422b46ff11d168b66dbc2fd8b1\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I can confirm that this Government\u2019s efforts to cut red and green tape are working. Renewable electricity generation built in the past three years was more than double that built in the previous eight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229340db0d6051493982fc3db81fee975a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022499c22f51bcb9ed667e7948360975a65\u0022\u003EChl\u00F6e Swarbrick\u003C/span\u003E: Is the finance Minister comfortable moving ahead with the Government\u2019s plans to underwrite a billion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility with taxpayer money, when the economics have fundamentally changed today, even more radically with the announcement of Methanex\u2019s closure, or will she support a new, sensible cost-benefit analysis?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228884002afb7d9fcf094483df90ce359\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, when the original policy advice on the need for backup LNG in a dry year was developed, that advice was predicated on an assumption that Methanex would be closing in 2027, so we had already factored in the release of that additional gas into the market in our decision making. The member would do well to note, because she appeared not to know in her press release earlier today, that even with that additional gas, we still have a problem in a dry year. It is not enough to fill the gaping hole the last Government left us by banning oil and gas exploration.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002294f76cdacc8bc31ab0f81f829ee4048a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there someone taking photos from the gallery with a flash camera? If you\u2019re using flash bulbs, stop.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002251f2ef55e98050915067f688c1b414a4\u0022\u003EEconomic Growth\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022567787078a757d848b2cde7fc8834fbc\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022 data-id=\u00227b86eecf7b842594b70a98660e5d4ef5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227b86eecf7b842594b70a98660e5d4ef5\u0022\u003EHon GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) (14:28)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Economic Growth\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by her statement, \u201COur Government is determined that New Zealanders who are seeking work can find it\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022 data-id=\u002286b52fd0a28811b5797cbae1b5e8f4f2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002286b52fd0a28811b5797cbae1b5e8f4f2\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister for Economic Growth) (14:28)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and one of the ways that we are supporting job creation is by ensuring that the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) is topped up. Contrary to the wrongful assertions of some members of the House, the National Land Transport Fund is used to fund the road maintenance programme. If the NLTF budget, which provides for thousands of jobs and supports businesses in our construction industry, was to be gutted, those jobs would be put at risk. It would be economic vandalism to slash billions from that fund with no way to pay for it or no plan on how to support those who would be left without work. It would also be reckless for members opposite to propose that they would get rid of the Land Transport Fund because it\u2019s not even used to maintain the roads. Know what you\u2019re talking about before you make up policy on the fly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022be1d923c88043ffd50d9b3783c8f40f0\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ecdad53d3f9b0f241dd2f27759dd8ede\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Hon Ginny Andersen, and nobody else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022997412da7e8af88da6c843d0e5e16229\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: How can she stand by her statement when the Student Pulse job survey shows that student confidence in New Zealand to find a job here has fallen to its lowest level in its 11-year history?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002211d0059b66ae2328c6e4fe98ba7a6a56\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, first of all, I have confidence because I haven\u2019t had to correct statements made on Newstalk ZB this morning after misleading people. Second of all, I have always acknowledged the labour market has been slower to recover than we would like, but we know it is a lagging indicator. Employment increased by around 13,000 people in the June quarter, and more recent indicators are very encouraging. ANZ says that employment intentions are now at their highest since February, while Westpac says that employment is rising again, job advertisements are trending higher, and it expects unemployment to have reached its cyclical peak. But there can be no guarantee of roles for members in this House who don\u2019t even know the facts about the issues they get into yelling matches about on the radio.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002269c46ed403b8308d5e9ee4b3ea82d4f7\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: Is she really that out of touch that she thinks\u2014[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E] Start again? Does she really think\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222be6e3b255568196229e4ac8817a3e00\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just, sorry\u2014people may wish to react, but they need to control themselves. A question can be asked without anybody else making any comment on the question. Start again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9d646ebdb888b0f59275c905ccebe99\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: Is she really that out of touch that she thinks New Zealanders are leaving our country by choice?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f6b57f86be120dc48639603c6dadbdd\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, just to add salt to the wound of that member\u2019s ignorance on the radio this morning, no, there is no Government law requiring people to leave the country against their will. But if it is the member\u2019s proposition that that be the proposal, then that is right up there with her telling Mark Mitchell that he had no economic credibility because she was right about the land transport fund. That member needs to ask herself whether she should really keep asking supplementaries today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fe5f9cb0a2093ab3981638f8573bba3b\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: Does she still stand by\u2014[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228c97f2286ae0a1c62bf02d1a5890a159\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, hang on a minute. Wait\u2014wait.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fbb7ee12771facdb3ca600ecfccbba2a\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: Does she still stand by her statement \u201CThe most important thing we can do to take families out of poverty is to ensure that they have better jobs to go to.\u201D, and if so, why do jobs keep disappearing under her National Government?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e6e2a11bc33d1fd710218c205f29c6bb\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I stand by my statements. No, I would not stand by a statement that says that the road maintenance fund is a separate fund. You need to go check that. It\u2019s a separate fund. You want to be credible on financial things and you\u2019re really kidding yourself\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e3600d4c2be21b53ca0c43272a2a49e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022406f42477a2404cd1c1a266229b12af1\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Would it be a gross violation of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act to force New Zealanders, against their choice, out of the country?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002201ff91df0b243a43871330b23a076b31\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, just be careful how you answer that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022526f2f75565d679a8387cb235eb96a20\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019ve heard a lot of novel policy proposals in this House, but I\u2019ve never before heard someone claim that when New Zealanders leave the country, they do so at the mandate of the Government. But if there was one person I could have relied on to come up with that one, it would have been Ginny Andersen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bb1870e51c8053751a83ca3f7fdbe9a1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, that\u2019s enough, thank you. Just a moment. I should probably have just cut that question off and so we\u2019ll sort it out somewhere else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0e2403c87194ab09a0bd954cda7ab12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002288e638ef6cf6fa6cf5c8be4fa20f07e6\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Who are you sending home this week?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226bb16770b1a64df42c9bd315095ad656\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I beg your pardon?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0e2403c87194ab09a0bd954cda7ab12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022de3ae204302fc146bbd2283b42d11d01\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry\u2014it was over there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c08ce333a1a56036453eff389f9a47ef\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, I would think so. The Hon\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e0e2403c87194ab09a0bd954cda7ab12\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5db534dc70a215b87445f36ab999594\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: I was asking who they are sending home this week.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228980696c2461ae064d944e19fe8be8f0\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Hon Ginny Andersen, and no one else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f6bf96a31c524a332b28f8e69a29d169\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: Are New Zealanders really choosing to leave or is it that disappearing jobs and rising food costs mean that so many New Zealanders just can\u2019t afford three more years of National?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002295d453042a92a13b48a6ce710f5c6cd5\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: She\u2019s a sucker for punishment. It is the case that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022aa24d8d7b89e88b9367ecb68fb006682\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, remember that all questions and answers are actually directed through the Speaker. I\u2019m not going to get upset by that, but please don\u2019t start by suggesting that I\u2019m a sucker for punishment\u2014although anybody watching this!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a17f4844da9e211dd62bbf83fd4260b7\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, you have at any point the option to cut it off; you\u2019d be doing us all out of some pain. It is the case that New Zealanders will choose to leave the country for a variety of reasons relating to their personal circumstances, and it is ultimately their choice to do so. Our Government is working very hard to strengthen this economy so there are more job opportunities and better opportunities to get ahead, and a key part of that is being able to commit to New Zealanders that we will not be imposing new taxes on them. I think it\u2019s time that that member backtracked after yet another incorrect claim.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022edf83bdb74ded50e0cddbeceefc5db0a\u0022\u003EHon Chris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Just in relation to New Zealanders who are seeking work, and making sure they can find it: has the Minister seen the comments of two teachers, who are undoubtedly looking for work, long-time Labour supporters quoted in Newsroom this morning saying that the curriculum reforms of this Government have given her the most confidence about what she was teaching in the 18 years she\u2019d spent in the classroom?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4d4507cd82bbb858af518f9431f28b8\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. I can say that one of the most important ways to strengthen this economy for the future is to better educate our kids and ensure they have the literacy, numeracy skills and knowledge needed to contribute to a growing economy. It is heartening to me that despite the long-term affiliation between the teacher unions and the Labour Party, they are rejecting the proposals from that member to get rid of our successful education reforms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022648439ad6c495a5a9f6d67a3d9e92fea\u0022\u003EHon Chris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. I seek leave for the Hon Ginny Andersen to have an additional supplementary question in light of how well this one\u2019s going.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229f84eb066d4f7e796dc831e4a79e3feb\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, as you know, you can\u2019t seek leave on behalf of another person, however, the Hon Ginny Andersen, point of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224962326ff14a9e63cf41f732560db8bb\u0022\u003EHon Member: \u003C/span\u003EJust give her one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c548cc760c543ab9c6c657900ca15336\u0022\u003EHon Ginny Andersen\u003C/span\u003E: Has he done any recent polling in Hutt South lately?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea3f49e1467824206980275a88325b1d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no, no. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E] For those people who are either watching or listening to the broadcast, please understand that we are literally\u2014I think it\u2019s now about six days away from the Parliament lifting for the Election, but the campaign has clearly started in here. Can we now move to question No. 7\u2014Andy Foster.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226da1d1811477cb93495ea1153cff43c6\u0022\u003EHealth\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228618d2308c63de4275931db7205037ea\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022 data-id=\u002207df20ed4f36300b1b45f9e1b0e3c8ff\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002207df20ed4f36300b1b45f9e1b0e3c8ff\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER (NZ First) (14:36)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EAssociate Minister of Health\u003C/span\u003E: What updates can she provide about upgrading our emergency helicopter fleet?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f36277cb754947fa93977a31a33abd49\u0022 data-id=\u00229d05dee00a61e778c1cd64f53732f3fd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f36277cb754947fa93977a31a33abd49\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d05dee00a61e778c1cd64f53732f3fd\u0022\u003EHon CASEY COSTELLO (Associate Minister of Health) (14:37)\u003C/span\u003E: Last month I was privileged to attend an event to welcome the addition of a new Airbus\u00A0H145\u00A0D3 helicopter to serve the Hawke\u2019s Bay region. This new helicopter is a significant upgrade to the existing aircraft it has replaced, with enhanced automation, improved performance in challenging conditions, and superior patient care capabilities. This is great news for the people of the Hawke\u2019s Bay, and I want to acknowledge the Hawke\u2019s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust for their unwavering commitment to supporting air ambulance and search and rescue services to the region since 1992.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bfcaf3c1880f9a586c0d92b7160e302d\u0022\u003EAndy Foster\u003C/span\u003E: Have other regions also benefited from upgraded emergency helicopters?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f36277cb754947fa93977a31a33abd49\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224af3df8e6e71400df4beb878b03204ff\u0022\u003EHon CASEY COSTELLO\u003C/span\u003E: Yes. Given the vital role the emergency helicopters play in saving lives around New Zealand, particularly for those living in remote, rural, or regional areas, this Government invested $27.3 million across 2024 and 2025 to replace ageing helicopters with 16 newer aircraft. The new Hawke\u2019s Bay helicopter was the eighth near-new, or new, aircraft to come into operation since early 2024. Other regions that are already benefiting from upgrades include Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Greater Wellington, Nelson-Tasman, Canterbury, and the West Coast.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228e56b3769914a86c60f1f1deba21677c\u0022\u003EAndy Foster\u003C/span\u003E: Why are upgrades to the emergency helicopter fleet important?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f36277cb754947fa93977a31a33abd49\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b25fae927c65ea5dc97a886ff1861ac7\u0022\u003EHon CASEY COSTELLO\u003C/span\u003E: In 2024, New Zealand\u2019s emergency helicopter fleet was the oldest in the developed world. This created sustainability and reliability risks, and meant the excellent paramedics, doctors, and nurses providing treatment to patients have had to do their work within the constraints of the existing fleet. On top of that, emergency air ambulance helicopter services have come under increasing demand, which has grown more than 21 percent over the last five years. In the last calendar year alone, the emergency air ambulance fleet flew 13,274 hours\u2014an average of more than 36 flight-hours each day. Meeting this growing demand and ensuring patients can receive the best care in their time of need is essential and requires a fleet that can spend more time in the air and less time under maintenance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225244174e6701cf28088e9c7b6f0584c4\u0022\u003EAndy Foster\u003C/span\u003E: What updates can she provide about the next steps in this upgrade programme?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f36277cb754947fa93977a31a33abd49\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d8b750e36faa47b434a3a8ba6eaee4f\u0022\u003EHon CASEY COSTELLO\u003C/span\u003E: By June next year, the final eight replacement helicopters will be in service. The next region to benefit from an upgraded aircraft will be Gisborne, with its replacement helicopter due to enter service at the end of this month. Following that, the final seven replacement helicopters will begin operating in remaining parts of the North Island, including New Plymouth and Palmerston North, and also in Christchurch. Air ambulance staff do incredible work, and these upgrades will ensure they have the tools to deliver the best outcomes for patients.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f14de746ffc30b30e44dda82ba5b5216\u0022\u003ERevenue\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00220bd68032be34e2c8a065634004f8093b\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022 data-id=\u0022013a73d4455165ef88cb0b08bf63ad6d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022013a73d4455165ef88cb0b08bf63ad6d\u0022\u003ECARL BATES (National\u2014Whanganui) (14:39)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister of Revenue\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Government considering implementing a capital gains tax on small businesses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u0022603a2f7124e8b475a8478be6c487af3c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022603a2f7124e8b475a8478be6c487af3c\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister of Revenue) (14:40)\u003C/span\u003E: No, this Government will not introduce a capital gains tax on small businesses. Small business owners work hard; they take risks, they employ Kiwis, and invest their own money to build something for themselves and their families. Taxing capital means less investment, less growth, and less jobs, and that\u2019s why a capital gains tax will never be progressed by this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f0dd00b92162c73aba5e764b626a2ff\u0022\u003ECarl Bates\u003C/span\u003E: What types of small businesses could be affected by a capital gains tax on commercial properties?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252db626e03134c9a79061240273696ea\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Many small businesses that own property that they operate from\u2014think of a mechanic who has a workshop, or a hairdresser with a salon, or the owner of a local dairy. A capital gains tax on commercial property would mean the owners of those properties would face a tax bill when they sell their premises. These are ordinary Kiwi business owners who have worked very hard and invested over many years to build up an asset. On this side of the House, this Government will not punish them for that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d606f337060ca64e3ee04736df6b2aa1\u0022\u003ECarl Bates\u003C/span\u003E: What would a capital gains tax mean for a small business owner who owns the property they operate from and sells it when they retire?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252f8358fe521eb9051b67f4c45fd8431\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: For many small business owners, the property they operate from is also part of their retirement nest egg. If that property that they own increased in value by, say, $100,000, a 28 percent capital gains tax would mean a $28,000 tax bill when they sell up. We don\u2019t think Kiwis who have spent decades building a business should be penalised when the time comes to retire.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa78b1e9222bf10b5d57f0c41eec7712\u0022\u003ECarl Bates\u003C/span\u003E: Why does the Government believe small business owners should be able to keep the rewards of the businesses they have spent years building?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022021dead3070469d8432165091d15a82a\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, because we want New Zealand to be a country that rewards hard work, savings, and aspiration. Small business owners put their own money on the line, they create jobs, and often spend decades building up their businesses and the property it operates from. Our message to them is simple: we back you to get ahead and we will not punish you for succeeding. No new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db3c7d3751ca87bd82c112eab169c8c4\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: Would a capital gains tax on the increase in nominal value of an asset mean that a small business owner in the position he describes would actually be paying tax on inflation even though they were no better off?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbb5909feb80c9d3615f2c6e83fb9df5\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, the reality is that the cumulative effect of a capital gains tax as asset values appreciate means that the tax burden that falls upon those business owners in that scenario would be significant. Again, that is a tax burden that is borne by business owners who have done a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into their businesses, that back the Kiwi economy and back New Zealand. We back those individuals.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226e1ef2baa19e4b8b9dc9ee8604ae7dba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ea706f6e6460be5132867b0d5b1f508e\u0022\u003EHon David Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: What would the Minister believe about the financial acumen of someone who designed a capital gains tax like that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d3468af3a77134ff71914e321b9a8ae6\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, we can see examples around the world of tax policy that is neither efficient nor effective at collecting tax revenue. If you want to identify one of the worst ways in which to collect tax revenue, then you would look at a capital gains tax, which is why, on this side of the House, we will not be implementing a capital gains tax. It is an inefficient mechanism; it attacks capital, and, by the way, capital is used to grow the economy, and on this side of the House we want to grow the economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b35d2196c518eafe3e6d3af24bbae90f\u0022\u003EBuilding and Construction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ac9eca622cafb80f3530c184957180c2\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223de6e6d6d57d40b483b9b558769ce301\u0022 data-id=\u002203b7076b78012e7665930a9031060743\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223de6e6d6d57d40b483b9b558769ce301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002203b7076b78012e7665930a9031060743\u0022\u003EARENA WILLIAMS (Labour\u2014Manurewa) (14:44)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Building and Construction\u003C/span\u003E: Are builders who operate as sole traders and small businesses better off today than they were three years ago?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022 data-id=\u002245ca342282d748d11c7c360cc8c55ea4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002245ca342282d748d11c7c360cc8c55ea4\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS (Minister for Building and Construction) (14:44)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, in particular because of Investment Boost, which allows sole traders to immediately deduct 20 percent of the cost of new business assets, including new tools, machinery, or a work ute. That means better cashflow for sole traders, a lower tax bill, and more money in the back pocket of builders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223de6e6d6d57d40b483b9b558769ce301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229be5b327b4327f430b73e2dde5086b6f\u0022\u003EArena Williams\u003C/span\u003E: Were the 764 construction businesses liquidated over the past year crippled by rising prices?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265bffe8d2f128757fdb9ba7e3fece8ef\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it isn\u2019t without doubt that the construction sector has been through a difficult downturn, but we are now better placed than we were three years ago. Three years ago, inflation and interest rates were high, construction costs had surged, and consents were falling. Today, interest rates and inflation are lower. We have seen 40,581 homes consented in the latest year, up 21 percent year on year. I\u2019m very proud of this Government\u2019s contribution.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223de6e6d6d57d40b483b9b558769ce301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f866efcdca6162fbc95b65ba7cd27b97\u0022\u003EArena Williams\u003C/span\u003E: Will he defend price rises of up to 70 percent this quarter across aluminium, timber, glass, insulation, plastics, and wall panels as part of his Government\u2019s plan for sustainable price rises?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c532793319817d325c95ae057ea4db0d\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: As I noted in my prior answer, the impact and consequences of high inflation levels and high interest rates mean those costs flow through to builders and the construction sector. While I am regretful of the reality of the policy that we inherited, we are focused on fixing that and we are doing that. We\u2019re implementing a number of policies in order to improve the situation, including a wide range of changes to the building consent legislation, which will make it easier, cheaper, and faster to build in this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223de6e6d6d57d40b483b9b558769ce301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c05873d4df66e86db6e8c7259ce29ed7\u0022\u003EArena Williams\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by the previous Minister\u2019s prediction about building price rises that \u201Cthe changes we have made will dampen inflation\u201D, when the evidence today shows that prices are still rapidly rising\u2014so fast that projects can\u2019t get off the ground?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022925e1f7dfc95d7cf80a38a0766a39dda\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I do stand by those statements. I would encourage the member to look forward rather than in terms of the downturn which occurred three years ago. The sector today is better positioned, it has greater confidence, and the forward look around activity is improving. We acknowledge that not every builder has yet felt that recovery, but this Government is focusing on policies such as fast-track reform, such as reform to the building consent system, such as replacement of the Resource Management Act. All of this will result in more building activity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223de6e6d6d57d40b483b9b558769ce301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002256fe2fc740f556c3ee212c8a156565ef\u0022\u003EArena Williams\u003C/span\u003E: Why did the Government cut Apprenticeship Boost from January 2025, causing new apprentices to fall 34 percent in just that year?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229fb4ce970d4f47d9853d2ea64ddc5b74\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a4adfd6e1d004a58510097f22fa5fcc\u0022\u003EHon SIMON WATTS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I don\u2019t agree with the premise of the question raised by that member. This Government has significantly invested in the area of workforce, and it is very clear that we know that what we inherited three years ago was an unsustainable boom-and-bust cycle\u2014announcements of projects with funding and delivery that was not there to complete them, which left Kiwi builders exposed when that pipeline inevitably fell away. Our job on this side of the House is to replace that pipeline with a credible funded pipeline, and we are getting on and executing that agenda.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e0bb4972433ed568d5e400f624b0c67e\u0022\u003EWomen\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f7c7ce2088c8528bd5d248a82e14bc5b\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022 data-id=\u00220a145978d78c303a61d67d25400d3166\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220a145978d78c303a61d67d25400d3166\u0022\u003EDr VANESSA WEENINK (National\u2014Banks Peninsula) (14:48)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Women\u003C/span\u003E: What recent announcement has she made regarding cervical screening? [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5cbda099c8f8b1a94a2c33e1f9c49f3\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Hang on a minute. The Hon Nicola Grigg.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022 data-id=\u0022a125eb170cffe32e221eb45de3139e66\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a125eb170cffe32e221eb45de3139e66\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA GRIGG (Minister for Women) (14:48)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. Yesterday, the health Minister, Simeon Brown, and I announced that cervical screening will be free for all eligible women aged 25 to 69 from 1 March 2027. Currently, over half of women eligible for cervical screening have to pay for the appointment, and from next year almost 800,000 more women will be eligible for the free screen. We also launched New Zealand\u2019s cervical cancer elimination plan, which sets out a pathway to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Successive parliamentary reviews\u2014including one in 2018\u2014and, also, women\u2019s health advocates have called for this change for years. This Government has listened, this Government has funded it, and this Government is delivering it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eaf3a967ec669bb414287e2da25aa84b\u0022\u003EDr Vanessa Weenink\u003C/span\u003E: Why is making cervical screening free so important?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022828b905da200dd1975204c25d60165cc\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA GRIGG\u003C/span\u003E: Well, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and when it\u2019s found early, the five-year survival rates are at around 90 percent, but once it spreads, that survival rate falls to about 19 percent. But screening only works if women can access it, and we know that cost can be a barrier for some women. By making it free for all eligible women, we are making it easier for them to access this potentially life-saving service.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7ac6afcc335fd4f5740bbef2b416d2c\u0022\u003EDr Vanessa Weenink\u003C/span\u003E: What does the Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan seek to achieve?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b52e289eb7e26d3b3775acf80d9bab32\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA GRIGG\u003C/span\u003E: The plan sets an ambitious goal of eliminating cervical cancer in New Zealand by 2040. It focuses on increasing HPV vaccination rates, lifting screening participation, improving follow-up care, and ensuring timely treatment. New Zealand has the tools to make cervical cancer a disease of the past, and this Government is taking the steps necessary to get there, rather than just talking about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281a6096a6de4a681f28ee5b688ba8600\u0022\u003EDr Vanessa Weenink\u003C/span\u003E: What does the announcement say about the Government\u2019s priorities?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230b098729edf3cfd46031c380c417c7b\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA GRIGG\u003C/span\u003E: It shows this Government is focused on practical action that actually improves health outcomes for women. We\u2019re investing in prevention and early detection because that saves lives\u2014[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002274cefbc02c5f646940df45167d0dfc38\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, just\u2014sorry. Look, just a minute. This is a reasonably serious sort of topic, and I can\u2019t understand why you\u2019re chipping at it so hard. Just let the answer come.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281fc7cfeff7dd53af1ea72b3e97aff8a\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA GRIGG\u003C/span\u003E: May I start again, Mr Speaker?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022505ca562822f06af7a61b16ebc975319\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, but shorten it up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022593d2619fbfac86fd1806031f974e5b7\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA GRIGG\u003C/span\u003E: Wonderful, because it actually shows that this Government is focused on practical action that actually improves health outcomes for women. We\u2019re investing in prevention and early detection because that saves lives and reduces pressure on the health system. Importantly, we are able to deliver free cervical screening for all eligible women without introducing a new tax to pay for it. That is what good Government looks like: improving public services while managing taxpayers\u2019 money responsibly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ea2631dbd854a99a7221767af7dbb428\u0022\u003EEconomic Growth\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e8982730507677e8a6a34af498f736c8\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022 data-id=\u002297c40dee670b8da6f3d165b69b8e3446\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002297c40dee670b8da6f3d165b69b8e3446\u0022\u003EHon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader\u2014Green) (14:51)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EMinister for Economic Growth\u003C/span\u003E: Does she stand by her statement that \u201Cgrocery prices are high by international standards and Kiwi shoppers are being poorly served by a market effectively dominated by just two major players\u2014Foodstuffs and Woolworths\u201D, and, if so, what will she do to address this poor service for Kiwi shoppers?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022 data-id=\u0022661f41fe888e91a831e0ecdafddf7903\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022661f41fe888e91a831e0ecdafddf7903\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister for Economic Growth) (14:51)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, the Commerce Commission\u2019s August \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EAnnual Grocery Report\u003C/span\u003E says that New Zealand grocery prices remain higher than the OECD average and that major supermarkets still hold 82 percent of the market. The fundamental problem is too little competition. That is why this Government is removing barriers that have kept competitors out of the supermarket sector, strengthening protections for suppliers and competition law, and making it easier to build and replicate new supermarkets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d3930cc8a79a3b6cd18616d85d2edf73\u0022\u003EHon Marama Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept the Commerce Commission\u2019s findings that the supermarket duopoly has been making over $1 million a day in excess profits, and is that fair on regular people struggling to put food on the table?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228e10ad6bbd3b7b545a4d9f3f57e5f12c\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I support the Commerce Commission\u2019s findings but not necessarily the way that they are paraphrased by Green Party members.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229a3affd58dd0d0674c4eb0da426ec24c\u0022\u003EHon Marama Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: When, if ever, will people see any results at the checkout from her long-awaited supermarket reforms?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228f30a9759a519afa17fe732467d234b\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: It is the case that food price inflation has reduced dramatically, with the latest data showing that food price pressure has been easing, with food prices increasing just 0.1 percent in July, with annual food inflation at 1.9 percent. This compares with peaks for food price inflation under the last Government, which reached over 12 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e417e76ab1bcd0c2df3c39babc35c07\u0022\u003EHon Marama Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Will she join the 86 percent of the country who want the Government to ban price gouging by supermarkets like Australia has done?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221f1ee0dc5a22a38a6eb8e45257e3116b\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, no, I do not think that there is a workable proposal on the table for doing that. There are really big questions that need to be asked to determine a maximum price so that costs aren\u2019t shifted elsewhere in the supply chain or on to other products, to define what is an excess profit margin, and to consider the wider effects that that would have. Determining an excessive price, members, is also inherently complex. It requires judgments about the cost of supplying individual products and what constitutes a reasonable profit margin. Of course, I know that there are some members in this House who would love a Soviet-style regime where the Government sets the price for everything.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022375d4adb2d1bab6b7515929758edb1aa\u0022\u003EHon Marama Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Will she intervene on behalf of Kiwi shoppers to break up the supermarket duopoly and create a third competitor to lower grocery bills, and, if not, is it because David Seymour won\u2019t let her?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e721ec7717bc6c2abff31e7dba373d93\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, you can ask the question again, but you can leave the last bit off it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222257bcb78ffa82e78f4f676302b1b2a0\u0022\u003EHon Marama Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll ask a different supplementary, Mr Speaker. What are the Commerce Commission\u2019s findings in relationship to the duopoly\u2019s profit, and does she agree they are excessive?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282eff9c3bc6172930c5dc5caf3fb0063\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS\u003C/span\u003E: As I recall, the Commerce Commission\u2019s various annual grocery reports indicate that the margin on groceries in New Zealand appears larger than that in other markets, and this has been directly linked to the lack of competition in our market, with an effective duopoly. That is why this Government has progressed a range of changes to lessen the barriers to competition and ensure there is more of the competition you would expect in a workable market.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00228a8d9086599309e194b80f67d2e09ccc\u0022\u003EHousing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022098dc087688e90ad6a5a0b35314e191e\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u00222241a865f8e89e21c63d2681739d39d8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222241a865f8e89e21c63d2681739d39d8\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (14:55)\u003C/span\u003E to the \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EAssociate Minister of Housing\u003C/span\u003E: What advice, if any, has he received about changes to the Government\u2019s retirement village repayment policy following the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon\u2019s statement that there would be a \u201Csurprise\u201D retirement village announcement?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022 data-id=\u002236bb9e984d4c4907cfdbba8e34b2a07c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002236bb9e984d4c4907cfdbba8e34b2a07c\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA (Associate Minister of Housing) (14:56)\u003C/span\u003E: I receive a wide range of advice, particularly in places like Linda Jones Ryman retirement village and Foxbridge Bupa in the mighty electorate of Hamilton West, and, importantly, I listen to and interact with and talk with our treasured seniors and their wh\u0101nau on a regular basis on what the policy reforms mean for them. I also continue to engage with operators, the Retirement Commissioner, and other stakeholders. That advice has covered things like repayment time frames, affordability, sector liquidity, and other changes that could apply to current and future residents. It confirms that we and our dignified kaum\u0101tua in retirement villages need a fair and balanced reform package.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5c03b6177ad73fec8872d458c35cdd9\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: Will he reduce the maximum repayment period from 12 months; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229332fda6355740d0aee69490ae898ddb\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA\u003C/span\u003E: As we know, when we commenced the mahi on the reform package, there was a range of different issues that were confronting the sector, including dispute resolution, the ownership and maintenance of chattels, and disclosure and transparency requirements, as well as exit repayment time frames. What we have done is land on a fair reform package that includes a six-month interest arrangement and a 12-month mandatory repayment time frame, and we think that is a fair and balanced package, alongside the other changes we have proposed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220ff86debf42e148836ed3ef90568f41b\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: Why did he choose a 12-month mandate when officials advised that only 5 to 10 percent of residents would benefit?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f647b7d1096901ff7226e1d5d91928f6\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA\u003C/span\u003E: There is a range of different expert analysts in this House and beyond, some of whom have actually suggested maybe a three-month mandatory repayment time frame is suitable, but the ministry itself and the retirement village operators have said that that is not feasible. It could create a $3 billion to $4 billion liquidity requirement. It could result in new residents paying $60,000 to $120,000 extra to buy\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226dee6415e198e93c89a45d0f0b61ccee\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. The question was very specific regarding advice that he had received from his own officials regarding a time frame that he and his Government are proposing. He has spent this entire time talking about why he doesn\u2019t agree with a three-month time frame, as opposed to actually answering the question about the advice that relates to his proposal of a 12-month time frame.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002261cac166a744acb71828d83dc4cda9fd\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: But the question itself asked about a five-month time frame.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002237526d1607f3e0bcbbcb9929da4b2681\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: No, it didn\u2019t, sir.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b25563b0ee08b417a80fcd36eca8df59\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, sorry, I thought it did.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7efdb488539fa530cab2082087c1845\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229900cdf275d3969f523262127cd9a807\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019ll ask the member. Did you mention a five-month time frame?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228b1011b31faca3331cc356eea1053644\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: No, I mentioned his 12-month time frame.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022790b8bd73b69fba19b5dc21e85ed0ba2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: As opposed to what? I definitely heard \u201Cfive\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221bcf281b6f9189fbb00f86af617c8f77\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: I asked him whether he would reduce it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a4d9714d9e434a4c7382d3db32e8aea\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: To?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229002b831cacb3b07869209e8bf41686a\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: I asked him if he was prepared to reduce his time frame.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263557300849c7b64f43cfb15e1078861\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK, fair enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225ea8bb11c3685f2ccb9fa05c130e75d6\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. The \u201Cfive\u201D that you heard was in reference to the advice that the ministry gave the Minister that only 5 to 10 percent of residents would benefit from this Government\u2019s 12-month proposal, and so far\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226a90432b805e7a7883fa7a04f80de356\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I did pick that up. I had\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d6090c07e47fb960e52f168ce01b3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022310dcc0cbdd8634aef0552da83ec957c\u0022\u003EHon Kieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, that\u2019s the only reference.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e6c050690e54abec873dbb787faa2fe9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014thought that it was five months.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002249081c84aebc5bf9030d3dbe262177f8\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, well, there are a number of different views across the House and, actually, out in the sector around what an appropriate time frame could be, but the ministry itself and retirement operators have said that a three- and a six-month time frame would not be feasible. It could potentially break the sector because of the liquidity requirements, the increase in costs and incoming residents, and the increase on a per-week, per-unit basis of between $130 and $260\u2014and we\u2019re talking about a cost of living crisis. The other thing is that once you reduce the repayment time frame too much, all of a sudden the retirement villages put the handbrake on amenities like bowling greens and swimming pools, and, actually, the most important thing, which is the aged healthcare provision in these places. That is not a situation that anyone in this House would countenance for our treasured, beloved, and cherished seniors.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d895785913a7bd2e396296ccd5ef27f\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary. [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233c009b841afad74d16f7058f1898780\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No one else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc6b87462ca88a11269ff113e9af7ef5\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: Will he apply his mandate to all 56,000 current residents so that their licences don\u2019t become less marketable than new licences; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b6d35379d42bac02e3fb94302c507f09\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA\u003C/span\u003E: It is important for the public to have confidence in contractual certainty and the integrity of contract law. We don\u2019t just throw contract law to the wind, unlike others that we know. It is important to ensure a fair and balanced reform package that acknowledges the needs of current and future residents. We will continue to get feedback, but what we won\u2019t do is change the material provisions of 45,000 contracts just to hand out free stuff.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002252edfecfe557a924fbba78e32a01f1a6\u0022\u003EHon Chris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister confirm that an earlier repayment period is theoretically feasible, but it comes with very large and expensive trade-offs that will actually be felt by existing and future retirement village residents?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc63546c251c06137fd96c65c556f5e2\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA\u003C/span\u003E: I can confirm that, and it is important that we land a fair and balanced reform package that acknowledges a range of issues, including the need for us to continue to have contractual certainty, to have uplifted consumer protections, and to continue the provision of aged healthcare, which would be severely compromised in the event that we bring the repayment time frames back too far.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228a986d871b3d7b74e1e8abe8e5792060\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: Will his reform include an automatic initial repayment of 10 percent of residents\u2019 own money, as recommended by officials from multiple Government agencies; if not, why not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d58d922c9e6159962f4cad5c0b7a123\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA\u003C/span\u003E: Cabinet has made decisions in November 2025, and we will continue to receive feedback. If there are any new Cabinet decisions to be made, we\u2019ll let Parliament, the member, and the public know.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226e4bd1299986957a1934f4f1c0b1ead\u0022\u003EIngrid Leary\u003C/span\u003E: Why is he listening only to operators, rather than to retirement village residents, who have waited far too long when it comes to getting their own money back?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229d5b13d601794bb282d99453116ad395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230632328d610398984be0f83923738d6\u0022\u003EHon TAMA POTAKA\u003C/span\u003E: I visit residents in retirement villages throughout the country. I\u2019ve been to places like Russley in Christchurch, to places like Hilda Ross\u2014a great National Party member from many years ago\u2014over there in Hamilton East. Also, there is the Metlifecare, out at Forest Lake in Hamilton West\u2014I\u2019m always going to mention Hamilton. It\u2019s important that we ensure that we uphold contractual certainty, that we uphold contractual law, and that we land a fair and balanced reform package that sustains the test of time but also ensures that the retirement village sector, the aged-care sector, and the property sector actually continue and they don\u2019t break. On our side of the House, we don\u2019t just get out and throw contracts to the wind. We are very, very mindful of the need for consumer protections but also of the need to ensure that we not only have a sustainable retirement village sector but also a sustainable provision of healthcare across a variety of forms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233502d9cadf0aae4c55a4dfe960f1a6d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That concludes oral questions. We\u2019ll take a short break while those who need to leave the House for other business do so quickly and quietly.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002224d5e8cdb3321a8839b9099a9575aedd\u0022\u003EDebates\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00225afbb571a3ed7a9c64ef6a866ed369cb\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022 data-id=\u002248dd89f92f69abb88ba9a0614410ce57\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e65b51223cf4eb8aa02a982d92f8959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002248dd89f92f69abb88ba9a0614410ce57\u0022\u003EHon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader\u2014Green) (15:04)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the House take note of miscellaneous business\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ERecent research by the Human Rights Commission was clear that most people want to see Te Tiriti honoured and don\u2019t support the divisive politics against it. That research also highlighted the importance of respectful discussion about Te Tiriti, legal and constitutional protection of Te Tiriti, and an improved partnership between Crown and M\u0101ori.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe beloved Dr Moana Jackson, back in 2017, said Te Tiriti has \u201Calways been about the rightness that comes from people accepting their obligations to each other.\u201D What a profoundly beautiful vision for our country. What a profoundly incredible way to build a country. Te Tiriti has always been a way to unify us under the agreement of prioritising the wellbeing of people, the wellbeing of our connections to each other and our connections to the living systems for many, many generations of mokopuna to come.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EInstead, we\u2019ve seen egregious behaviour by this Government to constantly undermine Te Tiriti. These attempts also undermine the decades and generations of relationship building, hard work between M\u0101ori, tangata Tiriti, tauiwi\u2014non-M\u0101ori\u2014of building trust and respectful relationships, coming together for good, which is what Te Tiriti is about. But instead, this Government shamefully leans into the worst of people\u2019s fears\u2014instead of what Te Tiriti represents, which calls on the best of our humanity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019m proud; there is a way forward instead. The Greens have consistently sought to role model honourable k\u0101wanatanga in this place of Parliament. I am proud of our longstanding, consistent commitments to legislative change, to policy change, to entrenching the vision and the guidelines of Te Tiriti in Parliament, in everything that we do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EJust this week, we\u2019ve been staunchly upholding, for example, the manaaki responsibilities of Waikato River iwi to ensure the health and protection of their awa, not just for their mokopuna but for all of our mokopuna.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOur Green solutions on K\u0101wanatanga responsibility are what I am proudly putting in here in the House today. A Green Government would revoke any changes made to Treaty clauses or references in legislation by the Luxon Government and replace those clauses and references with the strongest possible wording, such as \u201Cgive effect to\u201D. We would resource national conversations for constitutional transformation informed by Matike Mai proposals. We would entrench M\u0101ori seats. We would devolve power and decision making in resource allocation to where it always would\u2019ve been, should\u2019ve been: under article 2 of Te Tiriti, which is the mana motuhake and sovereignty of hap\u016B.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe have an entire chapter of Te Tiriti in our manifesto, which outlines legislative change to recognise and centre Te Tiriti across all of the work that we do, across all of the decision-making models across Government, and resourcing iwi and hap\u016B to properly participate as partners rather than advisers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETe Waonui a T\u0101ne is a vision that we announced a few weeks ago which would properly recognise marae as the central essential infrastructure that they always have been, that doesn\u2019t just involve investment out to marae and hap\u016B but also devolves the authority, the mana, the power properly out to marae and hap\u016B, because they know best and are more accountable than most to the decisions that need to be made at the local level.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is what constitutional entrenchment of Te Tiriti looks like. The Greens are proud of the long work that we have done to show a way for a K\u0101wanatanga to be honourable authentic partners in the relationship that all of our ancestors signed up to, which is a way to centre Te Tiriti, a way to uphold the self-determination of iwi and hap\u016B over our communities and our resources while the Government maintains its k\u0101wanatanga responsibility to ensure that services, that communities are served in the way that all communities should be served.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI came to this debate today, Mr Speaker, thanking you for allowing me this chance and opportunity to put on record a beautiful vision and a pathway to ensure that Te Tiriti is properly constituted in the way that we do things in Parliament. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022 data-id=\u002279187ddc20fac1f27eb0384aecb39227\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226b99476d584f47b19420b8154e6947dc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002279187ddc20fac1f27eb0384aecb39227\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance) (15:09)\u003C/span\u003E: In some ways, elections are about trust. Well, you cannot trust Labour on tax. Today, I want to bring to the attention of this House a series of grossly misleading statements that Labour members have been making about their capital gains tax proposals. Repeatedly, Chris Hipkins has claimed that the capital gains tax he has designed will not impact businesses. He has made it absolutely crystal clear, saying, \u201CHere\u2019s what is exempt from our simple, targeted capital gains tax: the family home, farms, inheritances, KiwiSavers, shares, businesses.\u201D Well, there is just one problem with that claim, and the problem is it is categorically untrue. Labour\u2019s own policy says it will impose a 28 percent capital gains tax on commercial property. Just last week, Barbara Edmonds said that Labour would impose a capital gains tax on residential and commercial investment property, while insisting businesses would be excluded. Now, newsflash, who owns commercial property, members? Well, answer: businesses\u2014Kiwi businesses, including small businesses.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWho are we talking about? Who are these businesses that Labour wants to hit with a capital gains tax? The mechanic who saved for years to buy the workshop they operate from. If that mechanic sells, they want to hit him with a capital gains tax. Who else are we talking about? We\u2019re talking about the dairy owner who owns their shop, who has worked endless hours investing in that business, and when he sells up, they want to tax him. Who are we talking about? We\u2019re talking about the baker who owns the building their bakery operates from. When that baker sells up, maybe due to a marriage breakup, maybe due to a diagnosis of a terminal disease, maybe because they want to retire, what will Labour do? Hit them with a capital gains tax. We\u2019re talking about the couple who spent 20 years running a small motel\u2014loads of laundry, cleaning up after people, and investing in the property to support their retirement. What does Labour want to do to acknowledge their aspiration and effort? Hit them with a capital gains tax.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese people I have described are not evil property speculators, as Chris Hipkins and Barbara Edmonds would have you believe; they are hard-working Kiwis who have spent their lives building businesses, taking risks, employing people, and saving for their futures. Labour wants a piece of what they built. Labour wants to swipe their hard-earned achievement. For small business owners, let\u2019s be clear: the property that they operate from is often their retirement savings plan. They may have spent decades putting everything back into the business, paying down the mortgage, employing workers, working weekends, and taking the risks. Then, after 20 or 30 years, when they finally sell up and expect that asset to give them some financial security, who\u2019s standing there with his hand out? Who\u2019s standing there with his hand out? Chris Hipkins.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELabour won\u2019t even adjust the capital gains tax for inflation. No, they want to tax the inflation too. Take a fish and chip shop owner in Morrinsville; their property increases in value by $100,000 over 10 years, even if that increase is just driven by inflation. Labour will hit them with a $28,000 tax bill when they sell. Life happens. Some business owners sell because their relationship\u2019s broken down, they\u2019re sick, or they need support. In that circumstance, what will Labour do? Hit them with a capital gains tax.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is an issue where the contrast couldn\u2019t be clearer. National truly wants to reward aspiration and effort to back businesses to invest, grow, and get ahead. Labour wants to tax the asset that they have spent years building. That\u2019s the choice: no new taxes or a multitude of new taxes. National backs aspiration; Labour wants to punish it. No more taxes with us. You can\u2019t trust Labour on tax.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223b11bafcf5b5427480393ffeef4fe6e8\u0022 data-id=\u00225d86b41b6ac22f891f77ed16773833e1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b11bafcf5b5427480393ffeef4fe6e8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225d86b41b6ac22f891f77ed16773833e1\u0022\u003EORIINI KAIPARA (Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori\u2014T\u0101maki Makaurau) (15:15)\u003C/span\u003E: I want to speak directly to the people who sent me here, and that is to T\u0101maki Makaurau. To the wh\u0101nau struggling with the cost of living; to the rangatahi wondering whether there\u2019s still a future for them in their city; and to every person who\u2019s been made to feel they matter less because of who they are, where they come from, or the language that they speak, I see you, I hear you, and I am not giving up on you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ET\u0101maki Makaurau is unlike any other electorate in this country. It\u2019s the home of mana whenua, the home of M\u0101ori from every waka, and one of the most diverse places in the world. Our diversity isn\u2019t a problem to be managed; it\u2019s a strength to be represented. But too many of our people help build the wealth of our city while being locked out of it. They build the houses, but they can\u2019t afford to live in them. They care for our sick but struggle to see a doctor themselves. They keep our schools, transport systems, and communities running, yet their wages disappear into rent, power, petrol, and kai before the week has even begun. Meanwhile, more people are living in cars, emergency accommodation, and on the streets in the wealthiest city in Aotearoa. That\u2019s not failure by our wh\u0101nau; that\u2019s failure by the Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor three years, this coalition has asked ordinary people to do more with absolutely less. It\u2019s cut support while living costs remain high. It\u2019s treated Te Tiriti o Waitangi as an inconvenience, te reo M\u0101ori as a target, M\u0101ori representation as something to be feared rather than respected, and M\u0101ori need as something to be punished. It\u2019s spent more time attacking M\u0101ori than addressing housing, healthcare, and hardship. We will not accept that, and we mustn\u2019t allow racism to turn communities against one another. Because when M\u0101ori rights are weakened, nobody becomes more secure. When migrant communities are blamed, nobody\u2019s rent comes down. When beneficiaries are attacked, nobody gets a better-paying job. Division doesn\u2019t fill a pantry, build a house, train a nurse, or educate a child; it only protects those who are already holding power. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETe Tiriti o Waitangi\u2014Te Tiriti o Waitangi\u2014offers this country another way. It provides a foundation for shared authority, for mutual responsibility, and a Government accountable to people. The next three years can be better. With Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori helping to form a new Government, we can bring down the cost of essentials and build homes people can afford. We can create secure, well-paid jobs and restore workers\u2019 power. We can strengthen kaupapa M\u0101ori healthcare and make seeing a doctor affordable. We can back kohanga reo, kura kaupapa M\u0101ori, and every learner to succeed as their beautiful selves. We can invest in prevention, rehabilitation, and wh\u0101nau instead of prisons, punishment, and poverty. We can restore honour to the relationship between M\u0101ori and the Crown and between tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhy not start with T\u0101maki-makau-rau? The city exists because mana whenua opened that door. On 18 September 1840, Ng\u0101ti Wh\u0101tua rangatira Apihai Te Kawau, Te Tinana, and Te Reweti opened the way for Auckland, for T\u0101maki-makau-rau, to be established. Yet Auckland Anniversary Day marks Hobson\u2019s arrival into Te P\u0113whairangi, the Bay of Islands, not the day it was founded nor the generosity that made it possible. Let\u2019s change that. Auckland Anniversary should be 18 September. It should tell truth about how our great city came to be and honour the mana whenua who made it possible\u2014not as a token gesture but as recognition that T\u0101maki-makau-rau exists because mana whenua made space for a relationship with the Crown. That relationship was betrayed. Our generation has a responsibility to rebuild it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ET\u0101maki-makau-rau does not need another Government that manages decline and manufactures division. It needs and wants courageous, stable, and fair leadership\u2014leadership that sees every culture in our city and says, \u201CYou belong here.\u201D But never forget whose whenua holds us all. A new Government is possible, \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003Ee te motu T\u0101maki-makau-rau\u003C/span\u003E. A better T\u0101maki-makau-rau is possible, and what is good for T\u0101maki-makau-rau is great for Aotearoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022 data-id=\u002242ffb9bd5cb415e3bcb8b217cd655577\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002229b8d22182614a1b8b6e8ef03bf61503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002242ffb9bd5cb415e3bcb8b217cd655577\u0022\u003EHon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour) (15:20)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003ET\u0113n\u0101 koe e te M\u0101ngai o te Whare\u003C/span\u003E. I want to start this contribution by talking about a struggling father caught in National\u2019s bungled benefit payments. and I want to quote him. He said, \u201CLast week, Monday, I was at breaking point and decided to log a complaint to WINZ. By Tuesday morning, I could see this was really stressing my daughter too, so I decided to go to another district office, where I got help that they could only offer, which was putting $100 for food.\u201D\u2014for food. That is the human cost when Kiwis, through no fault of their own, can\u2019t even afford the bare necessities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe least they deserve from this Government\u2019s bungled benefits is a \u201CSorry\u201D\u2014a \u201CSorry\u201D from a National Government who promised to make things better, but, instead, they are making it worse. Kiwis cannot afford another three years of this National Government, and what was Louise Upston\u2019s response to all of this? Taking 19 days\u2014and almost three months since Labour raised this issue with her\u2014to apologise, and when she finally said sorry, she couldn\u2019t do so without throwing her officials under the bus. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAn apology is not the same as accountability. If she was truly sorry, she would own up to her shoddy lawmaking processes and her job cuts that have caused distress to so many.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThings aren\u2019t stacking up. Last week, when I asked the Minister for Social Development and Employment if the processing delays had resulted in benefits being cut, she said \u201CPossibly.\u201D, and yet yesterday, in the House, she said that she was advised by her officials on two issues to do with this law change on 13 August. So did she know if any benefits had been cut or not? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhile Louise Upston plays politics to avoid accountability, struggling Kiwis are worried about not being able to pay for their bills, for their rent, for their food, or for their doctors visits. In fact, I asked the Minster today how many people couldn\u2019t put fuel in their car to take their kids to school, couldn\u2019t buy groceries, or couldn\u2019t pay rent on time as a result of having their benefit cut, and the Minister wouldn\u2019t answer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI worry for those affected, that they may have incurred debt because of National\u2019s botch-up. Louise Upston has since said that she can\u2019t say how many have had their benefits wrongly suspended but that they have all been back-paid. How is it they can all have been back-paid, but she doesn\u2019t know how many? They gave us the figures for the winter energy payment, and so why not now? Is she hiding behind a review? Did she mislead the House in saying \u201CPossibly.\u201D when she had been briefed and had ordered that they be back-paid, and then asked for a review? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe human cost: with the Minister unable to give the figures, I\u2019m happy to provide her with some. On National\u2019s watch, one in three households are struggling to access food, one in seven children experience material hardship, tens of thousands of seniors over the age of 65 are unable to afford basic necessities, tens of thousands of Kiwis are now on the jobseeker benefit, and, of course, 15,000 pensioners and veterans had their winter energy payment cut as a result of the bungled benefits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo quote another man who emailed Louise Upston directly in July about the issue, he described himself as 84 and frail in health. He said in his email to the Minster that he already completed his review, but was still told his payments were stopping. He found the Ministry of Social Development\u2019s letter distressing. Again, this was back in July, and so when will the Minister take accountability? New Zealanders are waiting, and we cannot afford three more years of National. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022 data-id=\u0022995314a063320b573c8c0d45e79706bc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022995314a063320b573c8c0d45e79706bc\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP (Minister of Housing) (15:25)\u003C/span\u003E: Elections are always about many things, but I can tell the House what this election is definitely going to be about. It\u2019s going to be about tax because, for the first time, actually\u2014arguably, in a generation\u2014this election is going to be about a massive new agenda of new and increased taxes across vast swaths of the economy and all aspects of New Zealand life, and a Government and a National Party that is running on a clear mandate: no new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Labour Party says, \u201CJust one new tax\u2014just one.\u201D I\u2019ll come back to that idea about just one, but let\u2019s have a look at the one that they\u2019re talking about, which is the capital gains tax. It is unadjusted for inflation, as Nicola Willis has pointed out. Barbara Edmonds said a few days ago\u2014in fact, 10 days ago\u2014that businesses are excluded. Well, that sounds good, except it isn\u2019t accurate. In their own words on their own policy document, the capital gains tax includes second residential properties and beyond, and commercial property. So businesses, dairies, manufacturing plants\u2014the basis of many businesses and, arguably, most businesses up and down the country and commercial property will now be subject to a capital gains tax, and you can\u2019t tell me that that will not have a diminishing effect on growth, on investment, and on precisely the things that New Zealand needs. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe are going to talk a lot more about Labour\u2019s alleged one new tax at this election, and let me tell you that for free, but it\u2019s not just one. I want to read out for the House just the sort of taxes that we are talking about. Across Labour, the Greens, Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, and, now, the Opportunity Party, we\u2019ve got the capital gains tax, the 45 percent top income tax rate\u2014I think that idea comes from the Greens\u2014a punitive new tax on aspiration\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc11f82d3da3b080a8be48415ebd9c3b\u0022\u003ETom Rutherford\u003C/span\u003E: Envy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c94d52cc803924b81373df5083071c73\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s an envy tax\u2014that\u2019s right, Tom Rutherford. It is a punitive tax, and the Labour Party often talks about people leaving New Zealand. Well, good luck keeping people here when people who are doing well in life are slugged with a 45 percent top tax rate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got the asset tax, which is also proposed by the Green Party. Well, it would be interesting to see how an asset tax works. I think that\u2019s just a tax on owning an asset, and so it\u2019s much broader than commercial property. Just owning something is, therefore, subject to a tax, and now, of course, we\u2019ve got the Greens proposing an inheritance tax, as well. Other people who are perhaps not so polite as me would call that a death tax. Now, we haven\u2019t had inheritance taxes\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220b60f3de86f94cdcba16d6caa82b94e5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d27ddedc01560bea23841667ec039a50\u0022\u003EHon Damien O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: What about GST? Come on!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221290dc21ee13310d2a869e180f0ee001\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014in New Zealand for quite some time, but a death tax would mean for example\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220b60f3de86f94cdcba16d6caa82b94e5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022416c4aa24a9150d7fbf62e5416ab41be\u0022\u003EHon Damien O\u0027Connor\u003C/span\u003E: GST\u2014John Key said that. Are you going to lie, as well?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235847e84bbbca6b5519176ff993c0780\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Hey, no, hang on\u2014that\u2019s enough, right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e225dae17f908266c8ebdbf7b04e342e\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS BISHOP\u003C/span\u003E: They really don\u2019t like it, do they? They don\u2019t like it\u2014they don\u2019t like hearing about all these taxes. A death tax would mean that family members who pass away would not be able to leave money to their kids\u2014well, they could leave some money, but the taxman would come along and take a great big whacking slodge of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen we\u2019ve got the gift tax from the Greens as well. We\u2019re got an increased business tax rate and, of course, we\u2019ve got what I call the rentals tax or the tenant tax, and we are yet to hear what the Labour Party is doing about interest deductibility changes. Well, I\u2019ll tell you for free that they will definitely in the next few weeks announce a policy of unwinding interest deductibility on rental properties, and who will pay for that? Tenants and renters, which is why it\u2019s a renters\u2019 tax. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen, of course, we get to the big mother of it all, which is the land tax. Now, there is a view out there among some people who are a bit attracted to the vibe of TOP, that \u201COh, no, no, no, no, no\u2014the land tax is not a real thing.\u201D It is TOP policy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThey are campaigning on a land value tax, and my message to Kiwis is that if you vote for that, you are voting for that policy. You will choose to regret that vote because when it all comes into the mix in here, and the kind of election kind pot spits out something at the end of it, do not wake up on 8 November with a four-headed, hydra-party Government implementing a capital gains tax, a 45 percent top income tax rate, an asset tax, a death tax, a Netflix tax, a gift tax, a business tax, a rental tax, and a land tax. That would be a recipe for disaster. Reject it. No new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235fddf2e2f8b9c52aa69fecd4361b2ab\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The Hon Damien O\u2019Connor!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ce57df309b20ba32ada138a9de90f9f\u0022\u003EReuben Davidson\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you Mr Speaker\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229c07457855ee310f2faea0ee8c73335\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I just called Damien O\u2019Connor. I assumed that he was going to take the call, since he used up most of the last one. Reuben Davidson.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022 data-id=\u0022b54a4b4875dbabb6d4095457d6900ea4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b54a4b4875dbabb6d4095457d6900ea4\u0022\u003EREUBEN DAVIDSON (Labour\u2014Christchurch East) (15:30)\u003C/span\u003E: That was a taxing contribution from the other side of the House. I want to actually talk about something real and serious, which is the urgent need for online safety for young New Zealanders. I want to start by just going back 15 months ago, when the Prime Minister stood on the tiles in this building and said that online safety for young New Zealanders was a priority\u2014so much of a priority that he was going to support a member\u2019s bill. Not a Government bill, but a member\u2019s bill. I am pleased, and I would like to thank the Minister of Education for initiating a select committee inquiry into online harm for young people in New Zealand. I would like to say to the Minister, thank you for initiating that inquiry. I would like to say to everyone who made contributions, thank you for taking the time, for sharing very, very personal stories about your real and lived experiences of online harm in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI would also like to say that I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m very sorry that this Government has refused to take the very straightforward, simple step of putting aside one hour\u2014one hour of Government time\u2014to introduce that bill and allow the select committee process to begin. Because those voices have been silenced by this Government, I would like to take this opportunity to revisit just some of their submissions. They carry with them a very important message about the real harms that were happening and why we need to act. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019m going to start with Mana Mokopuna, the Children and Young People\u2019s Commission, who said that giving effect to children\u2019s rights in the digital world and preventing online harm for our youngest generations is a shared responsibility. That\u2019s a pretty simple and clear message. A pretty disturbing one, from Makes Sense, is that one in three young people have reported having an online sexual interaction, and one in four 9- to 12-year-olds, and one in five of those are believed to have been with an adult.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa puts it really clearly in their submission. \u201CA safer digital environment is not achieved by locking young people out, it\u2019s built by ensuring everyone has the tools, protections and opportunities to engage meaningfully and safely.\u201D A select committee process to shape a future law to protect young New Zealanders online would start that process and could have started by now, but this Government has blocked it. Eating Disorders Carer Support NZ urges the Government to regulate the online environments in which the many harms they highlight occur, and Frances Valintine of AcademyEX puts it very clearly when she says, \u201CNew Zealand has an opportunity to lead internationally in protecting children from digital harm. The evidence supports immediate action, and delay will only result in continued harm to our most vulnerable population. The future of our children\u2019s education, mental health, and social development depends on our willingness to act on the clear scientific evidence.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe have a moral obligation to protect children from harm\u2014everyone in this House\u2014and the evidence demonstrates that social media platforms in their current form pose a significant threat. A significant threat that this Government is refusing to act on. One hour. One hour of House time to introduce that bill would allow the select committee process to begin. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is not just an issue in New Zealand. We only have to look to what\u2019s happened in the last week in the United States, where a record settlement has been reached\u2014a settlement of NZ$28 billion against Facebook and Instagram, for the damage that they have done to young people in the US. There\u2019s a professor at the University of Massachusetts, Carolina Rossini, who says: \u201CThe settlement amount is a beginning, not a resolution. Money compensates for past harm; it does nothing about the product that keeps causing it. Unless the settlement compels genuine redesign \u2026 the harm continues the day the check clears. And redesign without accountability is a press release\u201D\u2014which is all this Government\u2019s commitment to online harm has been.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u00220f956d366c13d8ccad4d24245d426b10\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220f956d366c13d8ccad4d24245d426b10\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (15:35)\u003C/span\u003E: New Zealanders are working hard. They\u2019re getting up early, running businesses, raising families, paying mortgages, paying rent, and doing their best to get ahead. They expect that when they work hard, they should be able to keep more of what they earn. This is exactly why National has made a really clear commitment: no new taxes, because at a time when families are still feeling the cost of living pressure, the last thing New Zealand needs is more taxes. This Government understands something really simple: you don\u2019t build a strong country by making life harder for the people who create jobs, take risks, and work hard every single day of the week. You build a strong country by growing an economy, creating opportunities, lifting wages, and keeping taxes low, so people can keep more of what they earn.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen we came into Government, inflation was high, interest rates had surged, and household budgets were under enormous pressure. Our focus was simply on fixing the basics. We\u2019ve worked to bring inflation down, ease pressure on interest rates, rein in wasteful spending, and deliver tax relief for the first time in 14 years to hard-working New Zealanders. The results are beginning to show. The economy is growing again. Treasury forecasts the economy will grow by an average of 2.7 percent over the next four years. Around 220,000 more jobs are expected to be created and, importantly wages are forecast to grow faster than inflation. That matters, because the best long-term answer to the cost of living is not bigger Government; it\u2019s higher incomes; it\u2019s more jobs; it\u2019s stronger growth; and it\u2019s making sure people keep more of the money they earn\u2014their money. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s why National\u2019s approach is different. We believe Government should live within its means. We believe in disciplined spending; we believe in getting value for taxpayers; and we believe that every dollar collected in tax is a dollar that somebody has worked hard to earn. The alternative is a return to higher spending, higher borrowing, and, ultimately, higher taxes. New Zealanders deserve to know what\u2019s on the table. The Opposition has lined up billions of dollars in additional spending commitments and, as always, someone has to pay for them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENational\u2019s position is pretty straightforward. We are not asking Kiwi families to dig deeper into their pockets to fund more Government spending. Instead, we\u2019re focused on growing the economy. We\u2019re making it easier to invest, easier to build, easier to do business, and easier for New Zealanders to compete in the world. When businesses succeed, they create jobs. When jobs are created, wages rise. When wages rise, families have more choices and greater financial security. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat is the positive cycle that we are building, but this debate is about more than just economics; it\u2019s about fairness. It\u2019s about whether someone who works hard should see the reward for their effort. It\u2019s about whether young families trying to buy a home can get ahead. It\u2019s about whether a small-business owner can invest with confidence. It\u2019s about whether future generations inherit a country that rewards aspiration and achievement. National says yes. We want New Zealand to be a country where hard work is rewarded, where success is encouraged, and where Government takes only what it genuinely needs to provide quality public services. That\u2019s why we can continue investing in schools, hospitals, roads, and police, while maintaining our commitment to keep taxes low.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe choice is becoming increasingly clear: a Government focused on growth, jobs, higher wages, and no new taxes; or parties that believe the answer to every challenge is another tax and more spending. National knows the path to higher living standards is not by taxing New Zealanders more; it\u2019s backing them to succeed. We\u2019re fixing the basics and we\u2019re building the future. And we\u2019re ensuring that New Zealanders work hard. When New Zealanders work hard, they get to keep more of what they earn with, simply, no new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022443f23de4cbd464f91833e6c466c98c0\u0022 data-id=\u00220afd4afe33ac84cbb415a742de5e161c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022443f23de4cbd464f91833e6c466c98c0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220afd4afe33ac84cbb415a742de5e161c\u0022\u003ETODD STEPHENSON (ACT) (15:40)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, there\u2019s already been a lot of talk about tax this afternoon, and you can say a lot of things about ACT New Zealand, but being inconsistent on tax isn\u2019t one of them. ACT is the OG \u201Cno new tax party\u201D. The hint is actually in our history. It\u2019s in our name, the Association of Consumers and Taxpayers. It\u2019s part of ACT\u2019s DNA. No new taxes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhile others may have joined us now, and I want to acknowledge Minister Willis, Minister Bishop, and Tom Rutherford, we have been clear and consistent over time: ACT won\u2019t support any new taxes. Introducing new taxes will not unlock New Zealand\u2019s potential; it will do exactly the opposite.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn fact, in this term of Government alone, ACT has killed three new taxes, because the first law of no new taxes is simple: don\u2019t introduce any. And when a politician says they\u2019re going to tax someone else, remember that affects everyone, buyers and sellers and people across the economy. Taxing the banks might sound like your popular idea, but no one believes that the customer won\u2019t end up paying.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETaxing tourists for a bed tax might sound like a popular idea, again, but the costs will fall on those running motels, hotels, accommodation businesses, and New Zealanders travelling around the country to stay in those places. Putting a stamp duty on foreign buyers, it\u2019s going to be paid not just by those foreign buyers but also by the sellers, so they\u2019ll get less money when they sell their house. If you think this isn\u2019t true, just think about GST and how it\u2019s expanded over time. It captures more and more people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is why Labour and its potential coalition partners are so dangerous. Labour, as we\u2019ve already heard this afternoon, has committed to a capital gains tax whilst also, I would note, removing Investment Boost, and, as has already been discussed, commercial property will be included in this capital gains tax. That\u2019s punishing motel owners, small manufacturing businesses, engineers, etc. But then it gets worse, because when you look at the Greens, there\u2019s at least six new taxes they\u2019d prefer. I had to write them down, there were so many. You\u2019ve got a gift and inheritance tax; you\u2019ve got an increase in the top personal rate tax; a wealth tax; a special tax on technologies and banks; again, removing interest deductibility, which we already have heard this afternoon and the evidence shows we\u2019ll just see rents increase; we\u2019ve got a higher company tax rate. We\u2019ve already got one of the world\u2019s highest company tax rates already. Then you pop in Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, they\u2019ve got all of those things and then some other things like a land banking tax, a vacant home tax, stamp duty, some kind of international transfer tax, and then a complicated GST credit system, and, as has already been heard this afternoon, the possibility of a land tax. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese are really mounting up and there\u2019s so many problems with new taxes. I mean, there\u2019s the administration and compliance alone that\u2019s going to mean more public servants here in Wellington. But the more concerning thing is it punishes those who want to invest, work hard, and get ahead; people who actually want to invest in businesses and grow this economy. It punishes people who want to employ their fellow Kiwis and invest in new innovations and equipment. It will discourage those who want to take the next risk and build the next Rocket Lab or Halter. And that\u2019s why Governments should never introduce a new tax. We need to manage the Government\u2019s finances within the budget we\u2019ve been given, just like others must do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAny Government without ACT is going to be a higher-spending Government. If voters want a balanced budget with no taxes, they need to think about the parties they\u2019re going to support. ACT is here to ensure we unlock New Zealand\u2019s potential and lock Labour out. Supporting anyone else is a vote for bigger Government one way or another. We are the OG \u201Cno new tax party\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c117f6511bc4b8fb6fdcf9c6133fb99\u0022 data-id=\u0022f4f07610a8cfe4f887f9ae0075b10a47\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c117f6511bc4b8fb6fdcf9c6133fb99\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f4f07610a8cfe4f887f9ae0075b10a47\u0022\u003EDr DAVID WILSON (NZ First) (15:45)\u003C/span\u003E: I want to say to the people that have just arrived, New Zealand is the lucky country and we don\u2019t actually need the Paris Agreement or net zero. Let me explain that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe can do what needs to be done ourselves. Copenhagen Consensus Center said that the cost of net zero in New Zealand by 2050 will be 16 percent of GDP. Don\u2019t worry about health, education, housing, anything else that we need to spend that money on. We\u2019re going to spend it on silly climate policy, which is very, very expensive. Look, it\u2019s only $72 billion, I think you\u2019re used to those kinds of numbers, aren\u2019t you?\u2014spending that sort of money. Just look at what we did during COVID. But, by the end of the century, we will have spent US$5 trillion for the poultry effect on the climate of what has been estimated as four one-hundredths of a degree. That\u2019s it. You\u2019re going to spend $5 trillion to get four one-hundredths of a degree. It\u2019s not going to do anything. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EEnergy is good. We basically used wood for our energy 200 years ago but, at the same time, there was 80 percent poverty in the world. Since then, we moved to coal, which gave us the Industrial Revolution and intense heat and so on and so forth, so we were able to reduce poverty. To oil and gas, even fur, even more. Now, if you\u2019re a high-energy country, we\u2019re less than 8 percent poverty worldwide. Energy is good. Let me just say this, there are no\u2014I\u2019ll repeat that: no\u2014low-energy, high-income countries in the world. No low-energy, high-income countries in the world. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat the Paris Agreement told us is wind and solar\u2014wind and solar, that\u2019s what we need to do. We need to actually focus on wind and solar. Well, isn\u2019t that interesting? Here\u2019s a graph for you all to look at that\u2019s just come out from the independent energy association looking at the cost of electricity in 70 nations and the relative percentage of their usage, and it looks like that. So the more usage of solar and energy, the higher the price. You may also notice there\u2019s a little gap down here where there are no countries where we have low cost and a high percentage of solar and wind. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELet me explain why that is. It\u2019s really quite simple. When you have solar and wind, it\u2019s intermittent; comes on, goes off. You might have about 150 percent more in the morning and during the day than you get at night, where it goes to zero. What do we need to firm that up? Actually, we need other sources, and that is why New Zealand is the lucky country. We heard earlier today that just recently New Zealand reached 97 percent renewable energy for our electricity. The quarter before that was 60 percent hydro and 36 percent geothermal. Well, isn\u2019t that interesting? That hasn\u2019t changed and it won\u2019t change. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIf we do believe that this is an existential crisis\u2014and I think sometimes the existential crisis lies with the person that\u2019s saying it, but anyway\u2014cheap renewable energy will drive our growth. New Zealand really is one of the luckiest countries in the world because we already have hydro and geothermal. We can expand in our hydroelectricity production. We can expand our geothermal energy production. New Zealand First has invested $60 million looking at super critical geothermal energy, and we\u2019re now looking at naturally occurring hydrogen here in New Zealand. We don\u2019t need the Paris Agreement. We don\u2019t need net zero. We\u2019re doing better than practically every other country in the world right now. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhy do we need this extra cost? I\u2019ll tell you why. The whole thing is completely ideologically driven. We\u2019ve got climate catastrophists, and over on this side, we\u2019ve got climate realists. We know what to do here. We know that we need to invest in adaptation, innovation, and new energy sources. Economic growth produces resilience. You can\u2019t have economic growth without prosperity and cheap renewable energy. New Zealand First is right on the money here. We will deliver for New Zealand, and, no, young people up there, climate change will not kill us all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226c562dc86e974914b8878595e580f138\u0022 data-id=\u00228ed7433d2ea0494f5e85b2f3e60a15d1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c562dc86e974914b8878595e580f138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228ed7433d2ea0494f5e85b2f3e60a15d1\u0022\u003ECATHERINE WEDD (National\u2014Tukituki) (15:50)\u003C/span\u003E: Hard-working New Zealanders should be able to keep more of what they earn and be rewarded for their hard work. That is why there will be no new taxes under National, but on that side of the House, it is tax, tax, and more tax.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELabour, Greens, Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, and The Opportunities Party have come out with a list of taxes. Let\u2019s name a few of them: capital gains tax, a 45 percent top income tax rate, wealth tax, inheritance tax, digital tax, gift tax, business tax, rental tax, land tax, bed tax, stamp duty\u2014oh, my God! It is hard keep up with all the tax announcements coming from the other side which will send a wrecking ball through our economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENational is focused on growing the economy, creating jobs and opportunities, and no new taxes, and letting Kiwis keep more of what they earn, while Labour is over there concocting the next plan for a new tax. \u201CWhat can we tax today?\u201D, Labour asks. Oh, they\u2019ll tax your income, they\u2019ll tax your house, they\u2019ll tax your business, and they\u2019ll tax your ute, too, and they\u2019ll tax your inheritance. If that is not enough, they\u2019ll tax you when you die, with a death tax too. Labour and the Opposition keep treating hard-working New Zealanders like a bottomless ATM. We saw it three years ago and, yes, they\u2019re back again to do it. Labour promising the free stuff, racking up $18 billion worth of unfunded, so-called free promises\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b343f6c09c979305d7ebf7e43f8b0067\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. A member can\u2019t just stand up in the House and assert things about another political party that are not true.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022de1e805c64815380e6293070db6fab52\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll just take some advice on that. The advice I have got, and I agree with it, is that it\u2019s a debating point. There are opportunities for rebuttal. I mean, this is a debate. It is a general debate, so your next person could refute them and I would invite them to be able to do that. We\u2019ll just move on from there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226c562dc86e974914b8878595e580f138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220df7b8dac6e6893fae586eb810a2a06e\u0022\u003ECATHERINE WEDD\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. Look, Labour is promising the free stuff, racking up $18 billion of so-called free promises. But let me tell you, nothing comes for free. It comes in the way of taxes\u2014taxes. First it was nine new taxes, then before the ink could even dry, it racks up to 11 new taxes: Labour\u2019s capital gains tax and the bed tax, the Greens\u2019 income tax and wealth tax, the M\u0101ori Party\u2019s stamp duty on every household, a bach tax, an international companies tax, and The Opportunities Party\u2019s land tax. Look, we\u2019ve already got a land tax. It\u2019s in the form of rates. We pay our rates already. Just when you thought the list couldn\u2019t get any longer, Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori comes out with a bottom line and has five new taxes. That\u2019s a bottom line for forming a Government with Labour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor the Opposition, it just looks like tax has become an obsession. On this side of the House, we respect your hard-earned money and we will let Kiwis keep more of what they earn. For the people who have poured their sweat and their tears, their time, their late nights into building their future, National will respect that hard work and achievement and we will not tax it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMany homeowners in Hawke\u2019s Bay that I\u2019m talking to are worried about the taxes coming out from the Opposition and the biggest tax grab that this country has ever seen\u2014So they should be, because Labour and the Opposition are coming for your home through a capital gains tax, a land tax, an inheritance tax, a wealth tax, and a stamp duty. They aren\u2019t stopping there; they\u2019re coming for your business through higher corporate tax rates and capital gains taxes, and they\u2019re coming for your hard-earned income. Every time Labour promises a free policy, they ask, \u201CWhich pocket can we reach into to pay for it?\u201D This is not the way to get New Zealand ahead. The way to get New Zealand ahead is through tax relief initiatives like Investment Boost. Investment Boost\u2014a great initiative from this Government where we can grow jobs, we can grow opportunities, we can grow businesses, and we can lift wages, because that is about fixing the basics and building the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224781da7e0ee64557a3bcb565f241de8e\u0022 data-id=\u002282478796f6af2623d6f797fd75ca58d0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224781da7e0ee64557a3bcb565f241de8e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002282478796f6af2623d6f797fd75ca58d0\u0022\u003ECAMILLA BELICH (Labour) (15:56)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to start with something that is true. New Zealanders cannot afford three more years of National. New Zealanders are working hard and they\u2019re going backwards, and all the National Party can do is stand up in this House and go through a long list of things with absolutely no basis in truth. It would be the same as us saying that the National Party is going to sell Air New Zealand. It would be the same thing as us saying that the National Party is going to buy the BNZ, or do any number of things that these possible coalition partners of the National Party have. There is no truth in the long list of lines that the National Party has just gone through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut I\u2019ll tell you something that is true. News just in since I\u2019ve been in the House: \u201CReserve Bank hikes the official cash rate and warns that inflation will stay elevated for the rest of this year.\u201D This is what this Government is delivering for New Zealanders: higher inflation, higher prices, and New Zealanders can\u2019t afford it\u2014New Zealand cannot afford three more years of National. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EDo you know another thing that New Zealanders can\u2019t afford? They cannot afford the cuts that National have secretly planned for the country. National cuts; Labour invests. National has already announced cuts of 9,000 Public Service jobs, but they\u2019re not happy with that. They\u2019re not happy with 9,000 unplanned, unscoped, unevaluated cuts. They\u2019ve gone to their chief executives and they\u2019ve said, \u201CWe want you to cut some more. Come back to us at the beginning of September\u201D\u2014which is now\u2014\u201Cand tell us how much more you can cut.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThey\u2019re not stopping there. They are also going into the election with a clear plan. Minister Goldsmith, the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government, stood up in this House and said, \u201CWe are going to, after the next election, totally restructure the entire Public Service.\u201D They said, \u201CWe are going to take the number of Government departments down from 42 to 20.\u201D, totally changing the scope and the way public services are delivered. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat will remain for New Zealanders as a result of these plans? The Government is focusing on restructures rather than focusing on you. It is focusing on changes that may have implications for the services that New Zealanders rely on\u2014border security officers, schools, hospitals, GP practices, those who are responsible for keeping our children safe online, our firefighters. Where do these cuts start and where will they end? The Government will not tell New Zealand. They won\u2019t be clear about it. They want New Zealanders to vote them into office and to give them a knife to slash away the services that New Zealanders depend on, without telling them where these cuts will fall, without telling them the impact of Public Service cuts. On this side of the House, we say that is not good enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOf course we want the best spend for our public dollar, but we will not make these cuts that the National Party is making. To add to that, I was very proud to hear our leader, Chris Hipkins, announce today that a Labour Government would introduce a public good test to assess whether the restructures that are going to go ahead, or are proposed, would actually impact New Zealanders in a positive way. That is the commitment of a Labour Government. We will not arbitrarily cut public services, and if there is a cut, we will make sure that, before it occurs, it is only in cases where it\u2019s in the best interest of New Zealanders. That is a commitment that this Government will not make to you, because they don\u2019t care about public services. Their plan is to cut public services and, if it was up to the ACT Party, privatise because they say that they\u2019re not working. That is their secret plan, and the next election is a choice; it\u2019s a choice between cutting things back or starting to build them back up again. It\u2019s a choice between three more years of National and more cuts and higher prices and higher inflation. We cannot afford another three years of National to find out how much further they will go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cf22a832d14a4c99ab5dfd16e24446e5\u0022 data-id=\u0022a7d9b846def32377494415d0206ee167\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cf22a832d14a4c99ab5dfd16e24446e5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a7d9b846def32377494415d0206ee167\u0022\u003ERIMA NAKHLE (National\u2014Takanini) (16:01)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. It\u2019s an absolute pleasure\u2014a rare privilege, actually\u2014to be able to stand up and give the last general debate speech of the 54th Parliament. It\u2019s been, also, a blessing to serve as the local member of Parliament for Takanini, and in this short space of time, I\u2019ve seen and I\u2019ve experienced immense joy in seeing how much good Government policy can help the good people of Takanini and the good Kiwis around New Zealand\u2014practical solutions well-thought-out, not solutions based on a sick addiction to spending.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve also seen what horrendous Government policy can do, and six years of thoughtless, reckless, Labour-led policy left New Zealand in a shambles: inflation over 7\u00A0percent, interest rates crippling family budgets, businesses under enormous pressure, and crime out of control. Labour sits there across the bench, cackling away, expecting us to fix up their six years of mess in less than three years\u2014Madam Speaker, welcome to the chair. Their answer? A capital gains tax\u2014that\u2019s going to fix all the problems they left us with!\u2014a capital gains tax that won\u2019t tax your family home and that won\u2019t tax other things, but, \u201CListen to us; just trust us\u2014trust us.\u201D, they said.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt won\u2019t tax businesses, apparently\u2014it won\u2019t tax businesses. Well, that\u2019s a misleading statement dressed in the bells and the whistles of a promise, and we know the track record of their promise because of what has come to pass. Where there\u2019s a business that\u2019s built on the sweat and the tears of hard-working New Zealanders that have worked their hearts and their souls out to buy the land where their business is located, that business will be subject to a 28 percent capital gains tax if that lot across the House\u2014God forbid!\u2014come into Government come 7 November. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat about the local dairy in Conifer Grove? A beautiful young Sikh, Indian couple that came to New Zealand with big hopes and big dreams. They\u2019ve purchased that land over there where the business is, and they are looking forward to building a beautiful life for their upcoming family. There\u2019s another gentleman in Takanini that was so proud, as he told me, that he had finally saved the money to buy land and start up a car sales business in Takanini. What will happen with them when they decide that \u201CYou know what? It\u2019s time to hang up the boots, and we have a right to retire and enjoy the rest of our days.\u201D? They\u2019ll be taxed for their hard work, even though they\u2019ve been told that they won\u2019t be by Labour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhere will it stop? They say that it will only be on capital that doesn\u2019t include family homes, but do you recall\u2014please, send your mind back to 12 July 2023\u2014when Chris Hipkins stood up and said that no Government under him will implement a capital gains tax? Well, that didn\u2019t take long for him to change his mind, and I wish he was changing his mind about a flavour of tea or the colour of shoelaces. No, this is something quite massive\u2014capital gains tax. He promised the New Zealand public that he wouldn\u2019t bring it in under any Government under him, and yet he\u2019s flip-flopped like Labour always flip-flop. Instead of helping build, helping grow, the tree of the economy of New Zealand, they hack away at it like there is no tomorrow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat about their friends? Nine new taxes combined. Capital gains tax under Labour, wealth tax under the Green Party\u2014that are jealous of anyone that actually works hard and gets somewhere\u2014inheritance and gift tax, bank tax, big tech tax, wealth tax, property stamp duty\u2014I know how that feels for my cousins in Australia\u2014land banking tax\u2014which, basically, means you\u2019ve got to rent your investment property; otherwise we\u2019ll punish you\u2014international profit transfer tax, and land value tax. It won\u2019t stop. Would Kiwis like to give their money to a party that is addicted to spending in the most sick way or to the National Party that will treat their taxpayer money with respect? Halloween is one week before 7 November. We don\u2019t want to wake up to a horror of ten new taxes. Vote National.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe debate having concluded, the motion lapsed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002205777af222ae41f5d90bb588b8436d0c\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I declare the House in committee for consideration of the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229e6ddc4ca29767f06a8d595a9fc09dcc\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223fe2e768ac2b72f65102dbb57928c498\u0022\u003E\u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b552026b3940e953e334e055fc9eb9f1\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u002218074676757ccfcf840d1a165ebb6897\u0022\u003EPreamble\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002247676b4a4c7d29e8d3ec820ffa632acc\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, the House is in committee on the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill. We come first to the preamble. This is the debate on the preamble to the bill. The question is that the preamble stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022c82b789157c987876c2c5a303bf33519\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c82b789157c987876c2c5a303bf33519\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:07)\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Chairman, I do just want to take this opportunity to thank all members of this committee that have taken the opportunity to look at this bill to suggest some improvements at select committee, for us to be able to bring this bill back to the House for this important committee stage as we go there. I also do want to take the opportunity to thank the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (\u014CCHT) board, with its chair, Darren Evans, and also with Cate Kearney, the chief executive of \u014CCHT, for the remarkable work they do in providing affordable social housing in Christchurch City\u2014and, of course, with the passage of this bill, they will be able to extend wider.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EWe all, in this Chamber, know how important community and social housing is. We, to varying degrees, support it, but I think everybody can agree that it is an important aspect for us. It is with pride as a Cantabrian that I stand here with this bill that means we can expand what has been happening in Christchurch further beyond our city limits and that we can see Greater Christchurch and the Waimakariri and Selwyn and beyond benefit from some of the innovative approaches that \u014CCHT has taken over time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224781da7e0ee64557a3bcb565f241de8e\u0022 data-id=\u002238b0ef5520719d28dddbb09d816785a2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224781da7e0ee64557a3bcb565f241de8e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002238b0ef5520719d28dddbb09d816785a2\u0022\u003ECAMILLA BELICH (Labour) (16:09)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chair. It\u2019s a pleasure to be able to ask the member in charge of the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill some questions at third reading, and I want to commend the member for shepherding this bill through the House. Often, private bills are a key part of what it means to be a local MP, and I know the member herself has taken her role as a local MP in this Parliament and Parliaments before very seriously and has delivered for the people of Wigram and Christchurch. This bill is another example of the hard work she\u2019s done in this area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI note the preamble includes an extensive history on the nature of the variation and the background to how this bill came before the House, but I just wanted to ask the member\u2014as we are in the preamble, which does set out somewhat of a wider context for the debate\u2014if she would mind expanding on some of the work that has already been done in relation to community housing and on how this particular housing trust fits with the other work that has been undertaken in Christchurch to address these important needs. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI additionally note, due to the extensive notes reported in the preamble, that there is some reference to legal advice, and I wanted to know if she wanted to expand at all on the type of legal advice that had been received that has led her to bring this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022e617d5c133c7f57ff49172ba6e1344da\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e617d5c133c7f57ff49172ba6e1344da\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:10)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chairman. Well, it\u2019s fair to say that the local councils and the trust itself desperately didn\u2019t want me to be sitting here in this chair having to do this by virtue of a local bill. They did receive advice to see if there were alternative ways in which they could update their trust deed that would allow them to go beyond the city limits of Christchurch. The trust, when it was established in 2016 to take over some of the public housing assets of the Christchurch City Council, was established by an Act of Parliament, and the advice they received was that, like many of these trusts, they needed to come back to this Parliament to amend such a fundamental provision, such as where they operate, what their rohe is. So they did receive advice on that; they were looking for alternative methods. When the Mayor of Christchurch first raised it with me back in 2022, I think it was, he was like, \u201CWhy won\u2019t you let us build beyond Christchurch City?\u201D, and it\u2019s like, \u201CBecause you need to apply and have a local bill, Mr Mayor, and change the law in order to do this.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOne of the other questions that the member Camilla Belich asked was around how the preamble sets out a history of how the trust came to be. As I said, in 2016, it was established to take over part of the Christchurch City Council\u2019s public housing units. This is at a time when the then National Government was moving all social housing to compete for the income-related rent subsidy, and around the country we saw a number of entities like this established. So the trust started life as a receiver of the city\u2019s affordable rental housing, but over time it has evolved. One of the reasons I\u2019m so excited about why \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT) will be able to do stuff beyond the limits of Christchurch City is not only is it a provider of rental housing but when we brought in funding, for example, for there to be affordable rentals that were not subject to income-related rent subsidy, OCHT were one of the first community housing providers to jump at this opportunity to fill this gap that really had been left by all our councils having to go down the route, in 2016, of having to start to compete for the income-related rent subsidy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESomething that OCHT has also been a bit of a pioneer in, taking advantage of funds that the Labour Government set up, was around shared equity and how they could get involved in shared equity schemes and offer people pathways into homeownership who wouldn\u2019t otherwise have achieved this. So, from their beginnings in 2016, they\u2019ve been set up because of a change of policy in this place to make sure that they could survive. In terms of Christchurch\u2019s proud history, I think they\u2019re the first council in the country to offer rental accommodation in the 1930s, so they wanted to continue that very proud history of providing affordable rentals for Christchurch\u2019s citizens.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022 data-id=\u00226fdde2cfb9c65666bef1ef0b4581fa4e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226fdde2cfb9c65666bef1ef0b4581fa4e\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT (Labour) (16:14)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chair, and can I just start by acknowledging the member Megan Woods for bringing this bill before the House, the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill. I have had a cold over the last few days, so forgive me if I have moments where I have to cough sideways as we work through some of my questioning for the member. Not infectious, of course; just a little bit of a hangover of a flu that many people in New Zealand have.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHowever, it\u2019s great to see the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill before the House this afternoon. I think anything that enables housing across the motu, across Aotearoa New Zealand, really is desperately needed, as we find many families and people in such dire situations. I just wanted to go back to the preamble part, and apologies for being the Aucklander in the room, but I wanted to ask if the member could elaborate that point (4) there for the context; \u201CThe trust deed was amended in 2017 to include a reference to Banks Peninsula in the description of the charitable purpose of the trust. This was to make it clear \u2026 that Banks Peninsula is part of Christchurch.\u201D I wondered if the member could just backtrack a little bit for me to just help me understand why that\u2019s needed to be included in this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe second point there is around point (5), that \u201CThe trust agreed with the Greater Christchurch Partnership, which includes local authorities, mana whenua, and government agencies\u201D. How does the member see the relationship with mana whenua here? Are there currently good practices in place\u2014from an enabling perspective, is there actually work that could be done more in this area in partnership with mana whenua? I\u2019m very keen to understand what the opportunity is there. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022c0a4e905389e52af355a0d2cfc01f3f2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c0a4e905389e52af355a0d2cfc01f3f2\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:16)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chair. I\u2019m happy\u2014always\u2014to educate an Aucklander about the mainland. It is always a great pleasure to do so. The reference to the 2017 inclusion of Banks Peninsula was, of course, the year that there was an amalgamation of the Banks Peninsula District Council with that of Christchurch City Council and they became one, so the trust deed needed to be amended to take into account that there had been that council reorganisation and amalgamation, because, up until then, it had been quite separate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EIn terms of the Greater Christchurch Partnership that the member Shanan Halbert asks about, that is a relationship between Ng\u0101i Tahu but particularly between the particular r\u016Bnanga that sit within the area of Greater Christchurch. That is a really important relationship, as well as Crown entities such as the New Zealand Transport Agency, such as KiwiRail\u2014all of the things that kind of bring us together outside of the limits of Christchurch City, which includes parts of Waimakariri and also parts of Selwyn, as well, and Rolleston and Lincoln. But the relationship with mana whenua and with r\u016Bnanga is vitally important. Indeed, some of the examples that I talked about in terms of the shared equity schemes that the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT) is doing are actually in partnership and looking to do more in partnership with local r\u016Bnanga. I think there is more scope, and I know that\u2019s something that OCHT is very keen to do more on in this area. I think the role of Ng\u0101i Tahu\u2019s Canterbury r\u016Bnanga in housing is something that they are very keen to expand on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022 data-id=\u0022f6f5cfa9b84371a87ee1ad8d31c6bbf0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f6f5cfa9b84371a87ee1ad8d31c6bbf0\u0022\u003EDr VANESSA WEENINK (National\u2014Banks Peninsula) (16:18)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat debate on this question now close\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222bea20af136c81fe890ba6e0b487014a\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: There\u2019s still questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224781da7e0ee64557a3bcb565f241de8e\u0022 data-id=\u002209c796b3406b35183871a406a30fc2f9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224781da7e0ee64557a3bcb565f241de8e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002209c796b3406b35183871a406a30fc2f9\u0022\u003ECAMILLA BELICH (Labour) (16:18)\u003C/span\u003E: I just had a few more questions on the preamble for the member the Hon Dr Megan Woods. I just wanted to know\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf69be3e27a1e53c501d960c3d62a11c\u0022\u003EHon Dr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: These Aucklanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c110acff65ae740394c7e0a65b3539a4\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Aucklanders are interested.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224781da7e0ee64557a3bcb565f241de8e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ed26fde8b2c4efca2c391c744fd051e5\u0022\u003ECAMILLA BELICH\u003C/span\u003E: Obviously, we\u2019ve got the background set out here, and I thank the member for going through some of the history. Also, I think most people who bring local bills or private bills to the House will be in a similar position, where they\u2019re unable to achieve their objective without bringing legislation to the House. I think, when we look at legislation moving forward, that\u2019s often something we consider\u2014that is, trying to avoid situations where this is the only way that things can be changed. But the objective, obviously, to move the scope of where the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust can work appears to be an admirable aim and worthy of this House\u2019s time. I wanted to ask: has the member received or seen any plans relating to the future work of the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust once this preamble is achieved through the enactment of this Act? Does she know the type of work that they endeavour to undertake, and what difference that will make for Christchurch?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThank you to the member for answering my question around the legal advice and the issues that were looked into in relation to the High Court potentially ruling on this, and that being no longer sought as a result of this Act. I just wanted to confirm: is it correct that, through passing this legislation, there will no longer be a need for the trust to enter into any other kind of legal challenges or involve the High Court in looking at any of its activities from now on?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI just wanted to confirm: is it correct that, through passing this legislation, there will no longer be a need for the trust to enter into any other kind of legal challenges or involve the High Court in looking at any of its activities from now on? Will this, therefore, be an alternative pathway, if you like, that they could go through? Two questions, really: just a clarification on the reference to the High Court advice, and an expansion on what the \u014Ctautahi Community Trust intends to do with its, hopefully, newfound jurisdiction at the end of today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022b162a1d86acc8ca8699c55192081c6bc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b162a1d86acc8ca8699c55192081c6bc\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:20)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chairman. The impetus for this change came from the Canterbury mayors\u2014that being down from Timaru right up to Kaik\u014Dura\u2014wanting to look at what the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust could do within their areas. I guess it\u2019s scale, really. These are smaller councils, and putting together a community housing provider and having them operate in their area was really beyond what they could do. It makes a great deal of sense that you could have that scale that could spread beyond the boundaries of Canterbury.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere was some discussion at the Social Services and Community Committee around whether there needed to be some geographic parameters put around this, and the discussion was not to. The last thing we wanted to see was the trust having to come back and look at doing another amendment through this mechanism because it needed to expand one more town over or needed to do something like that. To not put those geographic guardrails on it was a decision that was made, but I think the member, in her questions, raises a very important point. A lot of the House\u2019s time is spent on these local and private bills which are around amending trust deeds and what we need to do to allow changes, which, like this bill, has support right across the House. It is a sensible change. It\u2019s one that makes good sense for the local area, and it\u2019s one that local members, no matter their political party, can get behind and bring their caucuses along with them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt does raise a question about whether we need to look at whether there are other mechanisms, I think, for making these changes in a more efficient way that doesn\u2019t use as much of the House\u2019s time, but also doesn\u2019t put such a strain on the organisations that are having to bring these bills and get the legal advice to get private bills drafted, and to use this mechanism for changing the way they operate. I think that is something I\u2019m sure the member would be keen to turn her legal mind to, and that this Parliament could consider for future parliaments whether there are other ways in which it can be done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill does not do away with the trust deed, however. It makes specific amendments to where it can operate in terms of what it does. It makes specific amendments that flow on from that around winding up, for example, if the worst happened, how it is that you would allocate the resources, given that it\u2019s now beyond the simple structure of just Christchurch City Council of how you would do that. There\u2019s some flow-on amendments from that very simple change around the geographic boundaries, but it does not do away with the trust deed. If the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust, for example, wanted to do something entirely different than housing, it would have to come back, and the trust deed would need to be changed in this way again, so it isn\u2019t a carte blanche change that allows it to do anything.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022 data-id=\u002296d966b69700ab28dfe8e718fd12751e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225322e0a4529b497cbc59faf0515037dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002296d966b69700ab28dfe8e718fd12751e\u0022\u003ESHANAN HALBERT (Labour) (16:24)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chair. Just going back to the Preamble, and I just want to acknowledge the member in the chair, the Hon Dr Megan Woods. She looks great in the chair, can I just say. It\u2019s also wonderful to have so many good Labour MPs in Christchurch advocating for outcomes for \u014Ctautahi, particularly in the Chamber today, but I\u2019m just interested on the numbers side of things. If I remember correctly, at times when I\u2019ve visited Christchurch, I understand the number of houses that might have been built in some of the partnership work in the past, and I wondered if the member could talk me through the outcomes that have been achieved over that period. I guess the modelling of what this enablement might achieve, whether that be through numbers or regional reach, what are the expectations as a result of this particular bill coming and passing through the House?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022f10cc567a1f04a25b77ea03735782938\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f10cc567a1f04a25b77ea03735782938\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:25)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chairman. It is fair to say that, over the last few years, \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT) has had a mammoth job to do, because, in 2016, when it was set up, of course, it inherited a lot of the post-earthquake rebuild work of much of our social housing, so that has been the organisation that has been able to bring that work together and to fruition. Some of it has been simple replacement, but, of course, as we all know, in order for any community housing provider to add to its stock and the number of houses that it holds, there needs to be continued extra funding given to the income-related rent subsidy from central government, because the thing that turns a simple dwelling into a social house is the availability of income-related rent subsidy, if that is the way that it\u2019s going to go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s fair to say, in the last couple of years, that growth has slowed down because there hasn\u2019t been the growth that we had seen over the previous six years in the income-related rent subsidy. In terms of what the modelling looks like outside of the city of Christchurch, a lot of it will come down to what funding is available. When we were in Government, for example, we brought in things such as doing much longer-term contracts with OCHT, so central government are doing a 20- and 25-year contract, which would mean that they could then go and raise capital in order to build, so there was that surety over the life of the asset of what that would look like. But in terms of the ability in places like Kaiapoi, in places like Rolleston and Ashburton, these places where we will need more and more social housing, that growth will come down to what availability there is in terms of income-related rent subsidy funding from central government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002282ab0ea3cc1948dabe8e5cc6838658d0\u0022 data-id=\u00229126c405d9818f85f75d8f2d5bab2eb2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002282ab0ea3cc1948dabe8e5cc6838658d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229126c405d9818f85f75d8f2d5bab2eb2\u0022\u003EDAN ROSEWARNE (Labour) (16:27)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Chair. I might add, from what Shanan Halbert mentioned as well, you look very good in that chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022083a816abbb847f0a99aff178b1bbba2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dabf200d8ecbdd137e9b6726a5248302\u0022\u003EHon Carmel Sepuloni\u003C/span\u003E: Keep the compliments rolling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002282ab0ea3cc1948dabe8e5cc6838658d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265a5477269952ad70fdbe6f9e5b70e37\u0022\u003EDAN ROSEWARNE\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, absolutely. I just wanted to touch on, over the years, you\u2019ve provided some fantastic support to the people of Waimakariri in the housing space. There have been a number of occasions where we\u2019ve actually visited community groups out there\u2014in particular, Karanga Mai Young Parents out at Kaiapoi High, and also Social Services Waimakariri, and we recently visited Satisfy Food Rescue. One of the things that keeps coming up when we talk to these community groups is housing and whether housing is appropriate, whether it\u2019s in the right place, and whether it\u2019s meeting the needs of the community members in Waimakariri. My question there, I was just wondering: how do you see the potential for this bill, once it becomes an Act, in benefiting the people of Waimakariri?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022ecac71a7d5f7e332e7e3b2c4ae12ea1b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ecac71a7d5f7e332e7e3b2c4ae12ea1b\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:28)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, and an excellent question. I think one of the impetuses behind this was the absurdity that, while we could have organisations like K\u0101inga Ora for the first time in decades building new social housing in Kaiapoi, for example, we couldn\u2019t have \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust going beyond the boundaries of Christchurch City, so the Waimakariri is a district kind of split in two in terms of what could happen in terms of different areas of it. I think, in terms of the ability for \u201CWaimak\u201D to really put together its own kind of destiny plan around what it sees as the needs of its community, and to have an organisation that it can call on in terms of building that housing and developing that housing that best suits the needs of that community, this is the piece of legislation that will allow that. I would like to acknowledge that Dan Gordon was one of the mayors that did ask for this in this group of Canterbury mayors that came and asked for that, because I think all of the Canterbury mayors could really see how this could work beyond their particular boundaries and could benefit their regions but not have to reinvent wheels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EPreamble agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022017e1b494c62518b44ff1a4b98e91cad\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u0022edb4929c43d8f108c78b207f64e68e1c\u0022\u003EPart 1 Preliminary provisions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002202d96932b38400cc8f2049ba421c1f43\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we now come to Part 1. This is the debate on clauses 3 and 4, \u201CPreliminary provisions\u201D. The question is that Part 1 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u002286f28b1d01eac492b5ee2e132bbc2b2b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002286f28b1d01eac492b5ee2e132bbc2b2b\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:30)\u003C/span\u003E: I am just wondering if the member in the chair, the Hon Dr Megan Woods, can explain to us, when she looks at the trust\u2019s charitable purpose, as set out in clause 4.1 of the trust deed, why that particular area is important for the benefit of this. I notice that it talks about Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, and so on\u2014and just the particular needs of social housing tenants in those areas as compared to perhaps the rest of the Greater Christchurch area, and what difference this bill will make in that respect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u002205f97477a98fb84a8d04bc0186a29c18\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002205f97477a98fb84a8d04bc0186a29c18\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:30)\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member Ingrid Leary for the questions. The critical piece, as you say, in Part\u00A01, in terms of clause 4.1 of the trust deed, is that the difference it will make is that it will have the ability of a very experienced community housing provider being able to apply that experience in places beyond the bounds of Christchurch City, as it\u2019s defined as a particular area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI think that will be one of the most critical things, to build social housing that is fit for purpose for particular communities. As we all know from our own areas, in some areas there is more need for one-bedroom social housing units; in other areas, it\u2019s all around four- and five-bedroom homes for extended families. What it will do is allow those local communities to be able to work with an experienced and established community housing provider to get the best fit for their community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u002270e5426a373465bdcf2817fd66697d18\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002270e5426a373465bdcf2817fd66697d18\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:31)\u003C/span\u003E: I also note that the trustee was amended in 2017 to refer to Banks Peninsula, and I believe the member, the Hon Dr Megan Woods, has answered that, but I am curious to know how she sees mana whenua\u2019s involvement\u2014whether that will be enhanced or diminished or remain relatively the same, in relation to the changes that will be brought about by this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u002207169419231678b7834dc51a3118dc04\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002207169419231678b7834dc51a3118dc04\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:32)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. I see that absolutely as an opportunity for strengthening the involvement of mana whenua, in particular the papatipu r\u016Bnanga and the way that they can be involved. There are many r\u016Bnanga that fall within the rohe of Christchurch and that can work, and do have very good relationships working, alongside them. Also, there are many r\u016Bnanga that sit further outside of Christchurch City, across Canterbury, that have a huge desire and ambition around what they can do for housing and how they can work in partnership, and what they can do to make sure there is that kind of quality housing available in their areas.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u00224d9bc01868173fe3f2132a7cf11f4cdb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224d9bc01868173fe3f2132a7cf11f4cdb\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:33)\u003C/span\u003E: I note that the trust has sought legal advice to save itself from having to go through this protracted kind of use of House time but that the advice said it probably would not be able to extend its charitable purpose. I wonder if the member in the chair, the Hon Dr Megan Woods, could just expand on what the legal impediment is there, and also, why it is imperative that the charitable purpose is expanded in this way. We are, obviously, using time in the House to do this. Has she considered other ways, or had the trust considered other ways, that they could achieve the ends that are being met by this particular bill?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u002293d66eed83b941f544dc3fefbd5f8dff\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002293d66eed83b941f544dc3fefbd5f8dff\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:33)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll just very briefly touch on that, because we have had some discussion on that. The trust actually sought very hard not to have to do this to, and I have some other colleagues in the House that might want to turn their minds to this for future parliaments. There are some trust deeds that actually have to be amended, if you\u2019re going to make substantial changes to them, by Act of Parliament, despite the desire to be able to do it in other ways\u2014so thinking about what we might be able to do to make more efficient use of the House\u2019s time in order to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022 data-id=\u00221e60acbbdfb43249db567bc95b3a788c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221e60acbbdfb43249db567bc95b3a788c\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour\u2014Dunedin) (16:34)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess, flowing on from that answer, in an earlier question about the links to both Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, obviously, there has been some reorganisation in Christchurch City with Banks Peninsula some time ago. The member in the chair, the Hon Dr Megan Woods, knows much more about that than I do. We have on our books at the moment\u2014well, not really our books yet, but it\u2019s certainly Government policy\u2014that this Government wants more local government change to happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI guess my question is: does this bill that we have in front of us protect the trust sufficiently now from any future changes in local government boundaries? And does the member have any views, going to the point that she just made, about how many other trusts and organisations\u2014I know we have a museum in Otago that has its own specific legislation that relates to local government boundaries. How much House time might be required to make all these changes?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u00224777b85ddc70c1a67d754d5cc4729ac1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224777b85ddc70c1a67d754d5cc4729ac1\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:35)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. I think the member the Hon Rachel Brooking raises an incredibly important point, because what this bill does is open up and allow the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust to work right across the South Island; not that I\u2019m suggesting there should be any super-city, ruled from Christchurch, that controls the entire South Island!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002226c5417f2078c74778216eefa24dd276\u0022\u003EHon Rachel Brooking\u003C/span\u003E: Are you sure you\u2019re not?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260943f0f00e21212b12dcb0cd8ad5ca3\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: I would never suggest that to that member. But I think the member does raise an interesting point. Obviously, there had to be a change after the Banks Peninsula council amalgamation that needed to be brought in here. I guess, in some ways, the changes that we\u2019re making here would actually mitigate the need to come back if there are any forced amalgamations of councils that would occur\u2014I can\u2019t imagine there would be any councils that would extend across from the South Island into the North Island, although I may be mistaken. It would mitigate against that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThat is not to say\u2014and the point the member raises is a very good one\u2014that they\u2019re could well be other trusts that are defined by territorial and local government boundaries, in where they can operate, that would find themselves in the position of having to make amendments to their purpose and that would, potentially, need to come back and have amendments to their legislation in order to do that. I think it is a very important point that needs to be considered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022 data-id=\u00222a47ff88dd545e63e1ec3441da2cd377\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222a47ff88dd545e63e1ec3441da2cd377\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour\u2014Dunedin) (16:37)\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. I\u2019m sorry to disturb this debate, but I do think I just saw a flash from the Chamber, and the Chair might want to comment on that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef510eef25e59d9aedb31a72a1b1433d\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: From the Chamber or the gallery?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223e4eff798e0594146764a911d61b11e4\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, not the Chamber\u2014into the Chamber from above.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229059d46cfbd7c88b286f2ae1f02eaa7f\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: OK. If anyone up there is using flash photography, would you please refrain. It\u2019s not allowed in the House or the gallery. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u00225f390ca2cfc5a19d390bc4d2f5d52c78\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225f390ca2cfc5a19d390bc4d2f5d52c78\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:37)\u003C/span\u003E: The member in the chair, the Hon Dr Megan Woods, has herself talked about the relationship with Christchurch City Council and alluded to the support from the council. I wonder if we could have just a little bit more detail about how that endorsement of this came about and what the relationship is like with the Christchurch City Council. Clearly, that would have a lot of sway with members of the public wanting to understand that this is a good move, and having a really well-recognised territorial authority with all that weight behind it is significant. I\u2019d just like to understand the depth of that relationship and the depth of their endorsement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u00227795b5f2063d50c92dcc0c66db12b006\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227795b5f2063d50c92dcc0c66db12b006\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:38)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, and it is an excellent question. Thank you very much. While this bill does allow \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust to operate outside of the confines of Christchurch City, which includes Banks Peninsula, it does retain Christchurch and Banks Peninsula as the primary focus of the trust. It was a trust that was obviously set up to manage what is a legacy taonga for Christchurch, and that is many generations of ratepayers of Christchurch that have built up a substantial portfolio of social and public housing. It\u2019s something we are proud of and that we hold dear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn terms of where the impetus came from, which the member Ingrid Leary asked about, it was actually instigated by the mayors; not only the Mayor of Christchurch City, Phil Mauger, but also the mayors from other councils in Canterbury\u2014Selwyn and Waimakariri. Kaik\u014Dura was also involved. There was a number of mayors that said, \u201CLook, we just need to be able to have this expertise operating in our area too, and that\u2019s something we would want to see.\u201D This is something that has very much been driven by the councils themselves, not something that is being imposed upon them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI think it shows that, when we allow councils to work out where they can work well together\u2014this came out of the Greater Christchurch Partnership. It started the conversations there, which is where we bring together Christchurch City along with Waimakariri and with Selwyn, and central government agencies and iwi, to talk about the region. That is devoid of thinking about lines on a map drawn for the purposes of local government but what modern-day Christchurch operates as and how that operates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f01da59d2c9e86fbed5a6c08c9999913\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m going to take a call from Ingrid Leary, but I will say that it\u2019s a very small part with two clauses, so it would be nice if we could really get some finalisation around the questions in this call, if that would be helpful. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u002244c42706e19ae613d95ffc8f5c0a7334\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002244c42706e19ae613d95ffc8f5c0a7334\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:40)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. It\u2019s really just coming to matters that the member herself is bringing into the debate. She talked about the rates element from the territorial authorities, and I can imagine that for a trust that is doing excellent work like this, there would be an appetite from some philanthropists in the area to want to contribute. We\u2019ve also talked about the relationship with mana whenua.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI\u2019m interested to know if the financial basis of the trust is simply the rates. If it is, is that because it\u2019s a requirement in the trust deed, and does that move over into the statutory requirement, or is there flexibility and leeway, both in the trust deed itself and in what she envisages for the application of the new bill, to be able to accommodate other forms of income that could make the trust more vibrant and sustainable in the long term? What\u2019s the thinking around that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u00227e56d4aebe6ddd8a35edb2a2a8142b8f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227e56d4aebe6ddd8a35edb2a2a8142b8f\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:41)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. By and large, the ratepayers of Christchurch do not contribute to the funds through rates. This is funded, and it is a ring-fenced asset in housing. The income that is received for rent\u2014both from tenants, but, importantly, the income that is received by way of the income-related rent subsidy\u2014and the operating subsidy that goes with operating public housing in New Zealand goes back into the trust. That is what allows them to continue their reinvestment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EEven before the advent of the trust in Christchurch, Christchurch City tried to operate its public housing in way that was ring-fenced away from general rates income and that could be self-sufficient. I guess the legacy of such a large portfolio\u2014from memory, I think Christchurch City was and is, if you put Christchurch City and the trust together, the largest landowner after K\u0101inga Ora in the country. It has a substantial portfolio of social housing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ad2b75155b9ae194e6ff9d33fbb29009\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a85a253bbb50559541a122b1c21cc7bc\u0022\u003EPart 2 Purpose of trust and other matters, and the Schedule\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022232e0649e6cf814bee7e49289ac98a85\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we come now to Part 2, \u201CPurpose of the trust and other matters\u201D. Part 2 is the debate on clause 5 and the Schedule. The question is that Part 2 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022 data-id=\u002241fdf645d644656e30c38e7dcfdd6349\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002241fdf645d644656e30c38e7dcfdd6349\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour\u2014Dunedin) (16:43)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. What this does is it varies the terms of the trust. In Part 1, the \u201Ctrust deed\u201D and the \u201Ctrust\u201D are defined terms\u2014and, of course, I won\u2019t go over those\u2014and we see, in the preamble to the bill, some discussion of what is in that trust deed. The definition of the trust deed \u201Cincludes all amendments to the trust deed since that date\u201D\u2014that date being 19\u00A0February 2016.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen we turn to clause 5, which is Part 2, and it varies that trust deed. I guess it would just be useful for the member to talk us through why it is that the deed needed to be amended in these specific ways\u2014because, on the face of it, it doesn\u2019t all look like it relates to the boundaries of Christchurch. It would be useful when we get to the Schedule\u2014oh, no, sorry, the Schedule is in this part, so I\u2019ll speak to the Schedule as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat happens is clause 5 says there\u2019s going to be some variation to the trust deed, and then you find what those variations are in the Schedule. They do refer to the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula areas. The question is, if the member can explain, how these changes to the trust deed\u2014if, effectively, the importance of these changes is just because when the deed is referring to \u201Cthe benefit of the communities in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula\u201D, there is an addition after that that says \u201Cand other areas as determined from time to time by the trustees\u201D. Is that the most significant change that we\u2019re looking at here? It\u2019s this addition of \u201Cand other areas as determined\u201D. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022b38dddc6660ceec09e1f94fa52e2b5cb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b38dddc6660ceec09e1f94fa52e2b5cb\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:45)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. The member Rachel Brooking is right that clause 5(1)(b), in particular, replaces clause 4.1 of the trust deed with Part 2 of the Schedule. It is around that geographical boundary that sits there. As I said at the Social Services and Community Committee, there was debate about whether or not we needed to put in geographic guardrails. It could be that some people don\u2019t trust people from Christchurch not to look to expand their kingdom too far across the island!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThe decision was made that \u201Cand other areas\u201D allowed more flexibility, it would achieve what was needed and wanted by the mayors, but would mitigate against the need to come back if there were further geographic expansions. In an earlier contribution, I talked about not needing to come back if, say, someone one town over wanted the trust to operate, but the geographic guard rails had been established in such a way that would require us to do this all over again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u00221f818b77691c943e9a768ef413c2e143\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221f818b77691c943e9a768ef413c2e143\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:46)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m interested in the member\u2019s answer to that, and I\u2019m glad she has faith and confidence that the trustees will keep it relatively close to home, because they are quite broad words.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to look at some other broad words in Part 1, which talks about the social housing tenants. It talks about how, from time to time, the trustees can consider people \u201Cwho are suffering genuine hardship or need, including without limitation\u201D\u2014and then there is a series\u2014\u201Celderly, the young, the disabled, the unemployed, and other low-income people.\u201D Obviously, that\u2019s got a really worthy purpose, but the \u201Cwithout limitation\u201D wording is very strong. I can see that there might be a purpose to make sure that the trustees have the flexibility to be able to expand their charitable purpose or the groups of people that that supports, such as, say, single parents or whatever. I\u2019m wondering why the words \u201Cwithout limitation\u201D were specifically used and if that was something that came up in the Social Services and Community Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also just want to look at the legal structure from Part 2 and the way Part 2 operates in terms of lifting and shifting everything as if the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 applies. If the member could explain, perhaps from a lawmaking perspective, why this particular provision is so important for her bill to be able to work properly. What would happen if we didn\u2019t do that? Would that be an impediment to the types of things the trust would be able to achieve?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022c02a6d9cd5c5496f2f2ac0e8540a9c83\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c02a6d9cd5c5496f2f2ac0e8540a9c83\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:48)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. To my knowledge, there wasn\u2019t discussion at the Social Services and Community Committee around the terminology that the member is referring to. What I assume is that what it is giving is enough scope. As I talked about in earlier contributions, the trust is actually innovating; it is no longer just renting out to people who qualify for the income-related rent subsidy. They are also doing another category of kind of affordable rentals. They are also looking at shared equity type schemes. These don\u2019t have the criteria that are applied by income-related rent subsidy rules that go with that. It allows it and gives it a kind of direction of the groups that they would see and that the trust would want to be assisting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EIf I understood the member\u2019s question correctly, around what the limitations would be if we didn\u2019t change the law, it\u2019s just that they simply can\u2019t operate outside of their specific area. It would confine them, and they would not be able to work across that greater partnership.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022 data-id=\u0022d5b849e91fa295d21f86aafae1d0d54c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d5b849e91fa295d21f86aafae1d0d54c\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour\u2014Dunedin) (16:49)\u003C/span\u003E: Just further to the point that Ingrid Leary was making, it was about\u2014the member in the chair, I think, is trying to convince her further-southern colleagues that this is not going to be a Christchurch takeover.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022188fba46777b0697e6cfe1a5d7da1ddd\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: I had not realised until this afternoon that Dunedin was so threatened by Christchurch.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002240604f24da5b5c747fa902abf78d8cac\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING\u003C/span\u003E: They\u2019re our big brother, Madam Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002298600864c6644c9f18d99764eb039d39\u0022\u003EHon Dr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s all about that stadium!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f1585b7d7cd042a3632a1095ce93fac0\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, your taxpayer-funded stadium, unlike our ratepayer one. Anyway, this might digress into something that\u2019s not seemly for Parliament, and so we won\u2019t go there, except to say that Christchurch now has a wonderful stadium that looks magnificent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EGoing to that point, is there anything, apart from \u201Cand other areas as determined from time to time by the trustees\u201D that limits the geographical area, or is it simply the name of the trust, that it has historically operated in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, and that the people who have been involved in it thus far have been the mayors of those other councils that are in Canterbury and in close proximity to Christchurch? Is it sort of the contextual nature of it, or is there anything anywhere else that places any caveats on the geographical area? I mean, there are lots of good things to have come out of Christchurch, and so it\u2019s certainly not the end of the world if there\u2019s not. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec6c3a0fb4a2547e334bd494e1218d0f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec6c3a0fb4a2547e334bd494e1218d0f\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:51)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. In terms of the question as to whether there are those geographic guardrails, the answer is no. I guess that the limiting factor is the patience of the people of Christchurch. The primary purpose of the trust is still primarily to be community and social housing in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, and so I think there would be some grumpiness if there wasn\u2019t continued activity within that area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EBut if we have a look at a number of our community housing providers, the way they get scale is by actually operating across greater areas or, indeed, by operating at a national level. One need only look at the Salvation Army, for example, as a great example of a community housing provider who operates at a national level. It\u2019s the way that we can get the scale and get the expertise that is there. The member has nothing to fear. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u00221bc35d0f3e39aac35259a8ddfaec2fd6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221bc35d0f3e39aac35259a8ddfaec2fd6\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:52)\u003C/span\u003E: I also want to look at the\u2014I think Part 2 of the Schedule is included, if I\u2019m correct, Madam Chair?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d7cecc1b69aaa37a4165c1f586abfed\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: It is. All of the schedule is included.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c530b9ceb35935b97a692688fcf99685\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. It\u2019s talking about the benefits not being for \u201Cthe private pecuniary profit of any individual\u201D, and then also has another one around the purpose of that, and it\u2019s really trying to, obviously, serve the charitable purpose. I\u2019m wondering whether the member considered whether other types of profits that are not necessarily pecuniary and direct but that could be a form of benefit to that individual that don\u2019t involve a financial transaction, but might be, say, that their family members could live there, or there is some other kind of benefit. Is there a way that that is limited through this, or is she concerned that this is only about kind of financial transactions, rather than other social transactions that could accrue a conflicted benefit that might then not serve the charitable purpose of the bill?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022dc842f9de5b391e96a503e5ee5d45e45\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dc842f9de5b391e96a503e5ee5d45e45\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:53)\u003C/span\u003E: The provision of the bill is primarily around the pecuniary benefit that could flow. In terms of the social benefit, I guess it\u2019s our systems for allocation of housing that would stop that. If someone is to go into an \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (\u014CCHT) home, in the majority of their homes, they have to qualify for an income-related rent subsidy. There is a test that goes through there that is applied through the Ministry of Social Development. It is then the placements team at \u014CCHT that would look to house people who already qualified for that, and so the purpose of the bill is focused on the pecuniary interests that could flow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220ca4f246fd87b172607e9ac2b70c340f\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll take a call from Ingrid Leary, but I\u2019d really like to wind up this part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u00229b7ae442c211f88020053b4ce7198cbb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229b7ae442c211f88020053b4ce7198cbb\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:54)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. Just on Part 3 of the Schedule, which talks about replacing clause 9.5(b), which is to do with the board appointments panel, there\u2019s some really interesting wording about a requirement for that person, I believe, to have \u201Can empathy with the people for whom the Trust would provide social or affordable housing\u201D. I wonder if the Minister could describe for us what she thinks would be included in that, and also what might be excluded that would make somebody not able to qualify if they lacked that empathy for those particular beneficiaries.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u00220031d9fc5021aa5b8312a947f35e43be\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220031d9fc5021aa5b8312a947f35e43be\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:54)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. I think most trusts, when they are looking for people to come on their board, are looking for people that share values, believe in a particular cause, and have expertise in achieving what needs to be achieved in terms of the provision of housing. I think we all know what \u201Cempathy\u201D means. It\u2019s someone who believes in and sees the value of having social housing and the transformative nature that it can play in a person\u2019s life, whether that be from a health or a social benefit, and from a community perspective, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00220a9aa9e2b004ab64442176b35d704873\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00226ed8ded71639c4c5d809fdfa392f1991\u0022\u003EClauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002221ec03b188f3f632bb6913179d8f55c8\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we come now to our final debate. It is the debate on clauses 1 and 2: \u201CTitle\u201D and \u201CCommencement\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022 data-id=\u00229989e84c195105c01e5d8b4178752438\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229989e84c195105c01e5d8b4178752438\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING (Labour\u2014Dunedin) (16:55)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a small question\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5d385408e8b12d998ed7f9b8a69e448\u0022\u003EHon Dr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: What have you got?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022df374eab640ace486f0cbcef6ad16626\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and this is on the title.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022694c3cef004e40d78a26712dce80070d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d8681c2f0c07b7514bf9caa3fa0c63ec\u0022\u003ESuze Redmayne\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s actually not funny.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022379bb890462e76c5e231f9bc8b592c24\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: Well, we don\u2019t know if it\u2019s funny yet, because it hasn\u2019t come out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222c6463d70604436695b4f49ebe8951ef\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002208d4dc3c4b1b5cda969969adcc5a87f9\u0022\u003EHon RACHEL BROOKING\u003C/span\u003E: No. Well, what is funny, I say to the members opposite, is that often I stand here and do calls on the titles of different bills. I suggest terrible titles to represent the terrible things that this Government is doing to legislation, and they are right: it is not funny\u2014I totally agree with them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, in this case, I\u2019m just worried\u2014I\u2019m not really worried, but with regard to our conversation about the geography of the area, instead of it being Christchurch-specific, I think it should be Canterbury-specific. It should be the Waitaha community housing trust because that gives more of a suggestion or an inkling to those who are looking at indications of the geographic proximity that is considered when the different councils are interested in this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s my only suggestion for what is a very good bill, and the members opposite are, of course, quite right. It\u2019s not funny, and it\u2019s important that we let this trust operate to the best of its ability to house, with empathy, those people who are in need and who are forgotten by this Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022 data-id=\u00220e6a0951ef5c8daa38895d7b02921af8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002200ae89b8149340638b3bd22c705616a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220e6a0951ef5c8daa38895d7b02921af8\u0022\u003EINGRID LEARY (Labour\u2014Taieri) (16:57)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. I have two questions for the member in the chair, the Hon Dr Megan Woods. The first one is that I note that the date in the title clause says \u201C2025\u201D, and I wonder if the member has considered whether it would be worth updating that to \u201C2026\u201D, just to give it some currency. There are probably conventions around when the bill was first introduced that might preclude that kind of change, but it\u2019s not too late, and I apologise that I don\u2019t have an amendment on the Table. But it is something that would just make it a little more current, and it certainly would provide a signal to those who are looking at the written words in the trust\u2019s documents, and then also at this legislation, in wanting to know when there was a transition, which is captured in Part 2 because Part 2 captures the transition under the relevant Act. But making that really clear in the title might just help people who are having to do the sort of legal donkey work and legwork to be able to find the right documents and know where that kind of brightline was when things changed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo that\u2019s my first question. It would be a very simple amendment because it would be simply\u2014you wouldn\u2019t even have to change the \u201C2025\u201D; it would just be replacing the \u201C5\u201D with a \u201C6\u201D at the end. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe second question is regarding the Act coming into force on the day after Royal assent. That tells me that this is a really simple matter and that, probably, things can just get straight into gear, but I wondered if the member can think of any problems that might arise if it was to occur so quickly. Has she gone through all the different scenarios so that we can be sure that there won\u2019t be a problem for the trustees in having it come into effect so quickly after we have gone through this process in the House? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022d94b34f4ed085cd9d909f5e5007cae90\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d94b34f4ed085cd9d909f5e5007cae90\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (16:59)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. I don\u2019t intend to take long in answering these questions. First of all, the bill will be updated in its date as it goes through its legislative process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn terms of the trustees and whether this will be too fast for them and whether they will see that as a problem, I can categorically say no. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is an idea that was first put to me, I think, in 2022, so it\u2019s been a long time in the making. They would have loved to have seen it happen quicker and not have to go through this legislative process, so I think it is fair to say they are awaiting the day when this comes into effect. In response to my question from the Hon Rachel Brooking, there is nothing that member can say that will persuade me to take the word \u201C\u014Ctautahi\u201D out of the title, no matter how eloquently she tries. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 2 agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill to be reported without amendment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002251e9d5d07b7c7f8a38e2e916f7528a11\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker, the committee has considered the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the report be adopted\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b24cb13fdde21dd0beb5bd3656bec9b7\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for third reading immediately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b11fcbe5cb58458ef20d6190b2643512\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u002241befdc8c91343361e154b9024178b83\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002241befdc8c91343361e154b9024178b83\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (17:01)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill be now read a third time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219b05c88ef19588e634f9629537a18da\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c27d1f892dd937f9dcf377bc7fa0f74\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: It gives me great pride to rise for the third reading of this bill. It is a small but important change for our region in Canterbury, indeed the wider South Island, and means that we have more people that are bringing their hands to the very important mahi of addressing the housing crisis that we have in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI do want to thank the members of the Social Services and Community Committee, who gave this bill a very good consideration when it went to committee and came back with some suggested changes, particularly around the winding up clause, that made the bill stronger. I also want to acknowledge my Cantabrian colleagues from across the House who have supported, and got their caucuses on board with supporting, what is a very sensible change, which has been driven by an organisation which I think we all know does some fantastic work in our city. I want to acknowledge the board and I want to acknowledge the staff at \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT), who do fantastic work housing some of the most vulnerable in our city with great empathy, and doing it in a way that does meaningfully change lives and makes lives better.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen we look through the explanatory note of this bill and we see the history of this, the deed was settled by its original trustees and we read through the names that are there: Vicki Buck, Andrew Turner, Paul Lonsdale, Alexander Michael George Skinner, Lloyd Matthew Mander, Pamela Joy Sharpe, and Stephen Leslie Phillips. These are some of the names of people in Christchurch who, for decades, have worked on the provision of public housing in our city. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo that, I want to use the opportunity of this speech to pay particular acknowledgment to three Christchurch city councillors who, over time, absolutely championed the cause of public housing in our city. David Close is a city councillor in Christchurch who fought every day of his life to make sure that Christchurch could continue to provide affordable rental housing to its citizens. I also want to acknowledge the work of Carole Anderton as a Christchurch city councillor and the work that she did around the provision of affordable rental properties. And the work of Phil Clearwater, who even in retirement continues to work in the field of community and social housing and ensuring that our citizens in Christchurch do have access to something that can be so transformative in their life. In fact, he sometimes misses our campaign meetings in Wigram to go off to board meetings on social housing providers, but Phil\u2019s work continues. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also would like to acknowledge the work that can be done now because of the passage of this bill. The impetus was simple. There were a group of mayors who were frustrated because while Canterbury was starting to operate a bit differently, particularly post-earthquake, in terms of seeing itself in Greater Christchurch, an area that transcended the local government boundaries and saw itself in Greater Christchurch that included bits of Selwyn and bits of Waimakariri. It was not within the ability of this trust to go and build housing outside of the city limits of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. So they came to me as the Minister of Housing frustrated and asked me why we were stopping the trust building in their areas, to which I did tell them it was completely within their purview to change it, and the change needed to come from them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI congratulate the mayors, Phil Mauger the Mayor of Christchurch, Sam Broughton the then Mayor of Selwyn, and Dan Gordon, the Mayor of Waimakariri, who came together to put together this proposal, and the trust that worked so closely with them. Because it is that provision of social housing that is so critical. It is the work that the trust has established itself as a property developer, its ability to build at scale, its ability to cut down costs while building incredibly attractive and warm, dry, and secure homes for its tenants because of the scale its building at, but also its innovation, that it is looking to operate outside of the limits of the income-related rent subsidy. What could it do to be a provider; could it provide affordable housing that wasn\u2019t only for people who qualified for the income-related rent subsidy, but people more broadly who might be struggling with the cost of housing?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAlso the OCHT was one of the first community housing providers to jump on board when our Government brought in shared equity funding for community housing providers in order to start thinking about ways in which we could bring people who otherwise would be excluded from homeownership into homeownership. These are all the kinds of innovative ways that the trust is looking at in terms of housing and what it can do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt has been my absolute pleasure to bring this bill to the House. It has been my absolute pleasure to work with colleagues and I thank the House for the work it has done on it. I commend the bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b45703e4f74c56a12d5ee374911159ae\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=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022 data-id=\u002236361a47a70d4672c95c5b25ff380101\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022446ec2690c724b8189770c259d2e676a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002236361a47a70d4672c95c5b25ff380101\u0022\u003EHon NICOLA GRIGG (Minister for Women) (17:08)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Look, I rise on behalf of the National Party. We\u2019re very, very pleased to support the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill at the third reading. And my congratulations again to the member responsible, Megan Woods, for shepherding it through Parliament. It\u2019s absolutely fantastic to see it pass its final stages this afternoon. I want to acknowledge the significant contribution that the trust has made to Canterbury over the years, and indeed look forward to the further significant contribution it\u2019s going to make to wider districts across the region, but most importantly, the difference it will make to those people who will avail of its properties. With that, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e1805cd375c153eb83c3387996e576c0\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Just before I take another call, just for the purposes of the people in the gallery, there have been a few questions this afternoon around cameras. The advice that I\u2019ve been given is that there is permission for people to take photos during the valedictory only, but without a flash. So for those of you that want to take photos, that\u2019s fine without a flash, but only when we get to the valedictory.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a9132473ddf040a897b92b965ff8d6b1\u0022 data-id=\u00224bb9315e795697900095d50580bcd868\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a9132473ddf040a897b92b965ff8d6b1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224bb9315e795697900095d50580bcd868\u0022\u003EKAHURANGI CARTER (Green) (17:08)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise at the third reading on behalf of the Green Party to support fully the member\u2019s bill of the Hon Megan Woods, the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to begin by acknowledging the people struggling out there, those who are living rough. The single mums with kids seeking safety and sleeping on their friend\u2019s couch or in garages or in their cars. To the working families struggling to pay the rent or mortgage and to put food on the table. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo all the people who are overrepresented in homelessness: our disabled wh\u0101nau; tangata whaikaha M\u0101ori; survivors of abuse in care; our rainbow community; trans people; people coming out of the justice system; kids who have been through State care, and, the fastest-growing cohort of homeless people in New Zealand, our seniors\u2014those over 65 years old; incredibly worrying\u2014women over 65, I promise the Green Party will keep fighting until you have a safe and stable home where you are warm and healthy and can wake up knowing where you are going to rest your head. To all the people out there who are holding on to hope and know that we have enough in our country for everyone to have the things they need, like housing: thank you. Thank you to the community advocates and housing organisations who are out there tirelessly with our communities, people who ask: what kind of country are we, where our elderly people are the fastest-growing cohort of homeless people?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt does not have to be this way. It is a political choice. We all need somewhere to call home, a place to rest, to share with our loved ones, to make a life, and to watch our kids grow up. In my hometown of Christchurch, we have incredible organisations and people caring for families and people in need of stable, long-term, healthy homes. It\u2019s a basic human right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Green Party promises to fix renting to make healthy homes affordable for all of us and put the interests of people over profits. We will build tens of thousands more warm, sustainable, accessible, and affordable homes in places people want to live.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s organisations like the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust, Christchurch Collective for the Homeless\u2014who I met with earlier this week at the Christchurch Community House; and kia ora, Whaea Brenda\u2014the Christchurch City Mission, the Methodist Mission, Housing First, Te R\u016Bnanga o Ng\u0101i Tahi, and campaigns like Doors to Dignity, that was launched in Christchurch to ensure all seniors are housed. These organisations and the people working at them are holding on to hope in times of political uncertainty. It\u2019s people like local Christchurch nurse Pam Sharpe, the former deputy chair of the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust, who are out there in the rain and the cold, checking in on our homeless communities day in, day out, building trust with people and giving people hope.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EStable, safe, and healthy homes are harder and harder for people to access. Far too many families are forced to pay through the roof to rent homes that make them sick, and a generation have been locked out of owning their own home. To quote the wonderful Pam Sharpe from the recent Frank Film called \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EHousing the Homeless\u003C/span\u003E, on homelessness in Christchurch, \u201CAs a decent society, we need to let [people] know \u2026 we care\u201D. \u201CHomelessness\u201D, she says, \u201Cis insidious. We\u2019re a population of 5 million and we can\u2019t get \u2026 housing right. There\u2019s something very wrong.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn Christchurch, the real issue is there are not enough homes, and we have a huge issue with Airbnbs being bought up even before the houses are complete and sitting empty, all while homelessness and housing insecurity increases. We have a massive issue of the proliferation of Airbnbs, and we need to change the rules and change the laws so we aren\u2019t unintentionally putting profits over people having access to housing. We need to build more houses so we don\u2019t have suburbs that are ghost towns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI commend the the Hon Megan Woods for bringing this really important issue to the halls of power. Supporting community housing organisations like the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust is one of the ways we can meet gaps that leave people living in cars, tents, under bridges in Christchurch and around Aotearoa. \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust provide good quality houses at good value under budget, time and time again. They are warm and dry. They are so good at building houses\u2014the Crown could learn a thing or two. This bill, to expand the regions that they can work in in Canterbury, just makes sense.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOften, we politicians, we stand here pontificating about what we think, so I want to read into the \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EHansard\u003C/span\u003E the real lived experience of someone who experienced homelessness in Christchurch and now, with the support of community housing organisations and wraparound support, is now a social worker who advocates and educates to make our communities safer for everyone. Her name is Rach Taane, aka DJ Axis, and these are her words. \u201C\u014Ctautahi, and Aotearoa as a whole, urgently needs more housing. I think most of us can agree that. Safe, stable, affordable housing has to be the starting point, because people cannot heal, rebuild, parent, study, work, or feel safe when they have nowhere to live, because housing cannot stop at handing someone a key and hoping for the best. If someone has spent years surviving on the street, in unsafe homes, in State care, or moving through the systems that have harmed them, they need wraparound support, connection, life skills, trauma support, advocacy, community, and time to learn how to feel safe in a home again. Homelessness is intersectional. It is deeply connected to sexual violence, family violence, poverty, racism, State care, uplifts, addiction, disability, mental health, and intergenerational trauma. So many rangatahi on the street are not choosing homelessness. They have been taken from their wh\u0101nau, placed in unsafe or abusive care settings, and have run because the streets feel safer than the system meant to protect them. That should all stop us in our tracks. These are human beings, not problems to move along\u2014out of sight, not out of mind. Well, not for those with a heart and basic empathy for others, like those at \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn Rach Taane\u2019s words: \u201CI speak from lived experience. I ran from my pain after being raped at 14, and I was further harmed by authorities and my peers after I was blamed for it. I searched for comfort and escape through meth and codependent relationships. I couch surfed, lived in sheds, gang pads or anywhere I would end up. At 19, I was lucky to get a bed at St Marks rehab in Blenheim before I ended up dead on the street. Supported living taught me how to live again: how to cook, how to manage basic life skills, how to feel safe, and how to build a future. The therapists are who inspired me to give back and become the professional that I am today.\u201D Thank you, Rach. Today, Rach is a social worker who has worked front line for 15 years alongside people of all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, and sexualities. She knows homelessness does not discriminate, that many of us are only one major health issue, accident, job loss, family breakdown, or crisis away from housing insecurity ourselves. The increasing rate of women over 60 finding themselves homeless is a brutal indicator of where we are heading. That is why we need more homes and we need the right support wrapped around people once they are in them. That is how housing becomes safety, not just shelter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAt a time when so many are needing community-focused housing, this bill is a welcome move. It means more housing across Canterbury being built with the wants and needs of our community in mind. \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust is a not-for-profit and Christchurch\u2019s largest community and affordable housing provider. Thank you to the crew past and present at the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust for your care, for your manaaki and practical solutions that meet the needs of our communities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Green Party supports this bill, and we say thank you again to the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust. We look forward to hearing the success stories about our community members in warm, safe, dry homes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022443f23de4cbd464f91833e6c466c98c0\u0022 data-id=\u0022bafbe6cdfe1d6ac1e7bea6a5df7e146d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022443f23de4cbd464f91833e6c466c98c0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bafbe6cdfe1d6ac1e7bea6a5df7e146d\u0022\u003ETODD STEPHENSON (ACT) (17:19)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. I rise on behalf of ACT to take a short call on the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill. I want to acknowledge the Hon Dr Megan Woods for bringing this private bill through the House. She\u2019s obviously a Christchurch-based MP, and I think she\u2019d be very pleased to have this done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI just want to also acknowledge, actually, this has had the support of all the parties across the House\u2014including today, which is quite unusual\u2014special permission for the committee of the whole House, and then a third reading immediately to be done so we can get this done in this term of Parliament. ACT does support community housing trusts like this one. What we\u2019re doing here today, which I\u2019m sure has already been well canvassed, is altering the trust deed so that it actually can provide its important housing services to a larger geographic area in the Canterbury region. Actually, using community housing trusts such as this to deliver really important housing projects and community housing for New Zealanders is something that this Government has invested in, and it\u2019s actually a really great way of doing it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAgain, I just want to acknowledge that this has had the support of all of the parties across the House. My colleague Laura McClure was on the select committee. I want to, again, say that we are supporting this, and I commend it to the House. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022 data-id=\u00224643ae281af4a8ccdf97f3a806101d3d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224643ae281af4a8ccdf97f3a806101d3d\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER (NZ First) (17:21)\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker, thank you. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to speak in support of this bill\u2014it\u2019s common sense. I was going to make quite a long speech here, but I\u2019m advised that we want to get through to speeches later on to get some other bills through, so I\u2019m going to cut it a long way short. I just want to say congratulations to the Hon Dr Megan Woods for the work that\u2019s been done there. Congratulations to Christchurch City Council for overseeing and establishing \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust in the first place and also for overseeing it and still having three trustees on the board. Congratulations to the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust for the work that they do. It\u2019s not just about providing houses\u2014they\u2019ve build 401 to date as of June, I think it was\u2014but also for the work that they do in looking after all of the tenants that they have there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELook, I was going to make a lot of comments there, but I just wanted to say I know that there is a demand for their services outside of the Christchurch area. I\u2019ve seen that demand. I had the pleasure of supporting the community of Upper Selwyn Huts when they were threatened with eviction by their own council. That council knew that many of those people in that community were on low incomes and would likely end up needing social housing. They also knew that they didn\u2019t have any social housing. So they said, \u201CLook, Government, you should be providing social housing in the Selwyn district area because it\u2019s an area of high growth.\u201D I did say to them, \u201CWell, you\u2019re not looking very clever if you\u2019re wanting social housing provided in your area and you\u2019re actually going to contribute more to the demand of it by removing these people.\u201D Anyway, we saved that community, and that\u2019s a fantastic thing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELook, I think this bill is common sense, and in the interests of time, I am going to cut my speech a long, long way short and keep my National colleagues happy for once. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b6fb347acb690c47892f9be4f483b8ad\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The next call is a split call\u2014Mike Davidson.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022 data-id=\u00224b8826fb102c1870282379053b34fbcd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224b8826fb102c1870282379053b34fbcd\u0022\u003EMIKE DAVIDSON (Green) (17:22)\u003C/span\u003E: Kia ora e te P\u012Bka. I rise on behalf of the Green Party also in support of this bill. I\u2019ll take just a quick short call. Firstly, I\u2019d like to acknowledge the Hon Dr Megan Woods for her work on this bill and, of course, the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust, who have done an absolutely fantastic job over the years. It\u2019s great to see that they\u2019re going to expand beyond the boundaries of Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI think we all know that Christchurch City Council has a proud tradition of being a provider of public housing. I think we just need to remember it was a then National-led Government that actually excluded councils\u2019 ability to receive income-related rent subsidy that created this. I think, back in the day, that was an example of a National Government that did not value local government and councils\u2014pretty much exactly what we\u2019re seeing from this term of a National Government, where local government is once again treated poorly, which is such a shame from all the great things that local government can do and provide for their communities. In this instance, it was social housing. But, look, I think what \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust has done has been absolutely fantastic, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022752e35040473b6fb4bf48b126194afd7\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Joseph?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270ac3138d96523937e89a2303e1245d8\u0022\u003EJoseph Mooney\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bac4263afd35336eadbedea97a4100af\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The only reason I let this continue is because it\u2019s a private bill; otherwise, I would have actually taken a vote just then.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022 data-id=\u0022f42a6c94f5de4de61c8c40581350e1f2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f42a6c94f5de4de61c8c40581350e1f2\u0022\u003EJOSEPH MOONEY (National\u2014Southland) (17:24)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I rise to make a very short call as the chair of the Social Services and Community Committee, which heard submissions on this bill. We made some recommendations on it, which have been accepted. I congratulate the Hon Dr Megan Woods for being the member who sponsored this private bill. I particularly want to give a shout-out to the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust for all of the very hard work they do and success that they\u2019re doing. We worked very hard as a committee to get this through as quickly as possible and get it into the House. Obviously, this evening, we wanted to get through it as quickly as possible so this can be changed so that the community housing trust can get on with it. I was a little bit surprised by the length of time it took for the Labour Party to get through the committee of the whole House stage, but we\u2019re here now. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022 data-id=\u0022a13b6a5f6bed8fb1a659f5dd8968f2e7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a13b6a5f6bed8fb1a659f5dd8968f2e7\u0022\u003EREUBEN DAVIDSON (Labour\u2014Christchurch East) (17:25)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Look, it\u2019s a real privilege to be able to stand and take a call on this third and final stage of the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill. As a Christchurch MP with the privilege of being the member of Parliament in Christchurch East, which is home to a large number of \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust homes and communities, it\u2019s really great to be able to speak in support of this bill and be able to help to shepherd the bill through the House in this final stage to ensure that the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust can continue to do the amazing work that they do for our communities in Christchurch and in \u014Ctautahi, but be able to do that beyond Christchurch and \u014Ctautahi, which is ultimately the purpose of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI did want to start by commending my colleague the Hon Dr Megan Woods, who has done an extraordinary amount of work to bring this bill to the House and then to move it through and to ensure that, alongside our colleagues this afternoon, we could actually give it the proper stress testing that bills like this need in the House at the committee of the whole House stage. Whilst we could just rush this through, we have just in the last few weeks seen, potentially, the unintended consequences of what happens when we rush the lawmaking process in this House. In fact, some of our most vulnerable New Zealanders are left high and dry, often literally, at critical cold points of winter when their benefits are not received adequately and they are left without the funds that they need and without the means they need to be able to lead good lives, which is ultimately what we should be passing laws in this House to be able to achieve.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt is important that we give this bill, at every stage through the House this afternoon, the proper and adequate examination and scrutiny that it needs so that we know that, when we put it into place, what we have done is empower the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust to be able to continue to do their good work, not just in Canterbury but beyond Canterbury as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EUltimately, what this will do is allow them to build on their success to make even more communities stronger. That\u2019s ultimately, since 2016, what the community housing trust has done once it was established. It was established by the city council to manage the community housing portfolio of the Christchurch City Council and to address the housing supply and affordability issues in Christchurch and in Banks Peninsula as well, which was to also include the remit of being through the development of new social housing. Recently, I was able to attend the opening of two new housing projects that the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust have completed in Christchurch, one being in Bromley, beside the Tane Norton Park, and the other being very close to the central city, just off Fitzgerald Avenue there in Linwood. These are fantastic new community housing facilities that will provide warm, dry homes for so many members of Christchurch. It will be very great to be able to see their work continue outside of Christchurch as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, we are faced with some very real challenges in the housing space in New Zealand at the moment. That\u2019s no more real than in Christchurch East in the Bexley Wetlands, if you head up Wetlands Grove and meet Fire and her community, who are living in temporary housing structures\u2014some living in cars, some in buses, some living under tarpaulins and under pallets. These are people who, despite what some people claim, are not camping in the red zone. These are people who are trying to survive because they cannot find, and there is not available, a warm, dry home for those people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, this is crisis level in our communities now. We must all be seeing it, wherever we go. We see it in the Bexley Wetlands, with Fire and the community there, where there are estimated to be up to 80 people some nights calling that abandoned subdivision, with not a single house left, but just some sealed roads and some streetlights\u2014they are now calling that space home. It makes it even more relevant why we need to be, in this House, empowering the likes of the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust to build the communities and the homes that they have beyond the boundary of \u014Ctautahi Christchurch, because it is an issue and a problem that we are now seeing right across New Zealand. We need to do and should be doing everything we possibly can in this House to empower organisations like the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust to be able to build new homes for the people who so desperately need them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, we\u2019re supporting this bill; I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve made any secret of that, considering the fact that we brought it to the House\u2014just in case you were under any illusions, I say to the Hon Dr Megan Woods, as to whether we would supporting the bill or not. I\u2019m very pleased to confirm that we are supporting the bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also wanted to acknowledge a community who have recently moved out of an \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust development in Christchurch East, and that\u2019s the community that have called Mabel Howard Place home for close to 50 years now. That\u2019s a development of single studio units, 40 of them, which were built a long time ago. They are no longer fantastic places to live, but nevertheless they have been really good homes for the people who have lived there, and in recent years, the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust has been managing a number of those residents to move out as those dwellings have no longer really been suitable for habitation. Any week now, that housing complex will be completely empty, and that will be the end of a really significant chapter for the community that have called it home over the last decades. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe really good news is that the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust will now see the redevelopment of that space, and that space has changed in the decades that it\u2019s been there. That space is now adjacent to our City to Sea Pathway in Christchurch East. It\u2019s adjacent to the Avon Park, and \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust have really exciting plans to build a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes that actually face out on to the new spaces and on to the park, and to create a really vibrant, diverse base for communities in that part of our electorate. It\u2019s great to see that that is another example of the excellent work that the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust do. It\u2019s another reason that we will be empowering this trust to operate beyond the geographic confines of just Christchurch. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, I did want to make special mention here\u2014and, Madam Speaker, please bear with me. You will be aware that despite the amazing bill that we are passing, people are not necessarily crowding into the galleries for this bill this afternoon; they are, in fact, crowding into the gallery for a valedictory statement by one of our colleagues. This colleague often gives me a really hard time about how much funding goes to Christchurch and Canterbury, and so I think that it\u2019s only appropriate not only that I stop talking but also that I acknowledge that I\u2019ve been talking about a fantastic initiative outside of Canterbury that will actually take what they do out to the rest of New Zealand. I think Greg O\u2019Connor would very much approve of that. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022297bc572c27f45308dffb067ca3e7915\u0022 data-id=\u0022f8a779f7e2731bedf3cf070b9b5ed2c0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022297bc572c27f45308dffb067ca3e7915\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f8a779f7e2731bedf3cf070b9b5ed2c0\u0022\u003EDr HAMISH CAMPBELL (National\u2014Ilam) (17:33)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a very common-sense bill which extends the geographic boundaries for \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust. Therefore, I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224ee4471ecdcf4eeda5bd6179167372f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022043babf42c44e7047f6fa0d38df434b2\u0022\u003EDan Rosewarne\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002233008bade9cac4d95f06b7236dc4bf2a\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, there you are. I was looking for Dan Rosewarne, and you\u2019re over there. I call Dan Rosewarne, but I\u2019ll also just make the member aware that we\u2019ve probably got about five minutes before the valedictory speech is due, and so you might not get a full 10-minute call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002282ab0ea3cc1948dabe8e5cc6838658d0\u0022 data-id=\u0022cd5bb5f0a15dbe4fbee68b3e86be3547\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002282ab0ea3cc1948dabe8e5cc6838658d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd5bb5f0a15dbe4fbee68b3e86be3547\u0022\u003EDAN ROSEWARNE (Labour) (17:34)\u003C/span\u003E: No worries, Madam Speaker. As mentioned before, Labour is pleased to support our own bill in the third reading of the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill. Now, this is a sensible bill that removes a legal restriction and allows a trusted housing provider to respond to housing need in more communities across the South Island.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust was established 10 years ago by the Christchurch City Council and it has built a strong reputation for delivering community and affordable housing. It has grown to become the largest provider of community housing in the South Island. The track record is there, the capability is there, and the demand is there. The bill simply allows the trust to put that experience to work in places beyond Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe often talk about housing in terms of numbers\u2014how many houses have been built, how many families are waiting, and how many homes are needed\u2014but behind every number is a person. It might be an older New Zealander wanting to stay in the community that they\u2019ve lived in for decades, it might be a young family trying to get ahead while juggling rent, groceries, and childcare, or it might be somebody who has had a rough run of things and just needs a stable place to rebuild their life. Having somewhere secure to live makes a huge difference, and when people know that they\u2019ve got a roof over their head, they can focus on the things that matter. They can stay connected to work, keep their kids in the same school, and participate in their community, and that\u2019s why organisations like \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust are so important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also want to acknowledge the wider community housing sector across Canterbury. There are a lot of good people doing some great work in this space: housing providers, support workers, volunteers, trustees, councils, churches, charities, and community organisations. Most of them don\u2019t seek recognition and they certainly don\u2019t want to make any headlines, but every day they make a real difference in people\u2019s lives. Whether it\u2019s in Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Ashburton, Timaru, or elsewhere across the region, community housing providers are helping people who might otherwise struggle to find a place that they can afford, and they deserve our thanks. I acknowledge Christchurch City Council for having the foresight to establish the trust in the first place and for recognising that housing challenges are best tackled through partnership and long-term thinking. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Social Services and Community Committee has also done some good work on the bill. The amendments recommended by the committee strengthen the provisions around the treatment of assets if the trust were ever to be wound up. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOn that note, I just want to acknowledge my good mate Greg O\u2019Connor and the people who are assembled in the gallery today. You\u2019re a good mate, and I look forward to hearing your valedictory statement. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc309ec894fc60c93d189a5f2dcaed66\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I call on the always-succinct Carl Bates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022 data-id=\u0022d08f41add8601e27241b29708e8638f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d08f41add8601e27241b29708e8638f1\u0022\u003ECARL BATES (National\u2014Whanganui) (17:37)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. National loves Christchurch. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EDebate interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022daf7892f6e7434f2534c0f8d0cbeafc2\u0022\u003EValedictory Statements\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002289be2c9111f25c8d8af05af401a09961\u0022\u003EGreg O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229543bb440ca17bd386829f1c98c04e23\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Members, I\u2019ll indicate now that at the conclusion of Greg O\u2019Connor\u2019s valedictory statement, the House will suspend for the dinner break. But, for now, I call on Greg O\u2019Connor to make his valedictory statement to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c4943fd1cf914de0befcb7a16280f910\u0022 data-id=\u0022fbf34ebc2704546623f6660e9a0ae6a2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c4943fd1cf914de0befcb7a16280f910\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fbf34ebc2704546623f6660e9a0ae6a2\u0022\u003EGREG O\u0027CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu) (17:38)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA valedictory\u2019s a oncer,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA privilege experienced by few,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo I thought consigning it to verse\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWould afford the moment its due.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThere were other options,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EPlenty of genres I could tap,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI thought it might test the Speaker\u2019s patience,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIf I\u2019d presented today in rap.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo, bow out I do before you,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA humbling number have returned the RSVP.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENot all MPs are afforded this privilege,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMany a parliamentary exit is involuntary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI arrived nine years past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWith \u014Ch\u0101riu\u2019s blessing,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThough with a small-enough margin,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat kept us till final count guessing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETo the good folk of my electorate,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll always remain beholden,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EGreat local support,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EDoes the MP on their behalf embolden.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAn electorate dominated by Mount Kaukau,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe tower atop piercing the sky,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhich thanks to pest-free volunteers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENow has an increasingly native bird cry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBeing elected in to this House,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd sitting up in the big Chair,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHas allowed use of the living and learning,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s gone into the making of this grey hair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHowever, lessons and skills learnt before here,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOnly get us in the door.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe real honing of one\u2019s political craft,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EStarts on this Chamber\u2019s floor.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMost arrive as high achievers,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd a desire to improve our world.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWith a determination to stand apart,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhen insults and vitriols hurled.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESuch ideology seldom lasts,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBeyond the first derisory interjection.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe aroha quickly melts away,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWith utu planned back in that direction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c4943fd1cf914de0befcb7a16280f910\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut as I learnt as a young cop,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENo lesson comes without pain.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELearning to hold one\u2019s own\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIs how we best for our constituents gain.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s those who abhor the division,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBelieving it should all be done by consensus.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOf course, removing robust debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWould leave half the electorate defenceless.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIn fact, there\u2019s plenty of times we largely agree;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s around philosophical differences we clash.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWithout an outlet for such digression of belief,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EDemocracy will have done its dash.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve had a privileged position in this place,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EArbitrating from the Speaker\u2019s Chair,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000618\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIn a world that\u2019s partisan and siloed,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000619\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAn ideal place to each argument hear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000620\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000621\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EYou see much more while presiding;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000622\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s no place for members to hide.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000623\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThere are workhorses who carry a big load,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000624\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe odd one happy to be along for the ride.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe MP demographic is pretty reflective,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000627\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWith personalities from quiet to loud.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000628\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe look pretty much like the new New Zealand,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000629\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThough \u2019round one end of Myers-Briggs we crowd.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000631\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut for all that diversity, it\u2019s still down to numbers,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000632\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHowever strongly the argument you mount,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000633\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBecause to successfully prosecute your cause here,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000634\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EYou need to learn how to count.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000635\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000636\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd as MMP matures\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000637\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd Kiwis become attuned to its power,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000638\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMixes and matches of political persuasions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000639\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAre the reality of our politics now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000640\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000641\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd while the theatre of question time\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000642\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIs the public window to Parliament\u2019s soul,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000643\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECross-party relationships are built outside here,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000644\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EEven ignoring results of the latest poll.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000646\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESelect committees and parliamentary trips,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000647\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECombined with sporting and cultural occasions,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000648\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EProvide cross-party opportunities for dialogue,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000649\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd in my case numerous abrasions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000650\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI dragged this broken old body\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000652\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOff to parliamentary rugby and cricket\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFor the opportunity of cross-party mixing,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000654\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThough I did claim an ex - Black Caps\u2019 wicket.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000655\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014I should\u2019ve invited Dion Nash here today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000656\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000657\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo I reflect on my time in this place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000658\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENine years has gone incredibly fast,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000659\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EProudly part of a mighty continuum\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000660\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhich us all will long outlast.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000661\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000662\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI did manage a member\u2019s bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000663\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat passed through the House with ease,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000664\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA law to curtail paedophiles\u2019 opportunities\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000665\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETo offend against kids overseas.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000666\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000667\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EUltimately, Parliament\u2019s job is to pass laws,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000668\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo I suppose in that regard I had some success,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000669\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut it\u2019s the work we do for our constituents\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000670\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat rarely gets into the press.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000671\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000672\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWithout a doubt, it\u2019s our staff members\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000673\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWho are the heroes of answering the constituent\u2019s call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000674\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELeanne\u2019s been with me from the start.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000675\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EActually, I found and recruited her in Johnsonville mall.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000677\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EShe\u2019d run a pub in Johnsonville,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo knew the local rogues, some here today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000679\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s you, Kerry, Alan, Barry, Jono.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000680\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EShe had kids at the local schools,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000681\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo around the electorate knew her way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000682\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000683\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EShe stayed with me all nine years,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000684\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhile Sophia taught her political nous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000685\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EKnowing she always had my electorate back\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000686\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAllowed me to concentrate on my work in this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000687\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000688\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe got her husband, John, voting for the first time ever.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000689\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHonestly, I said, \u201CVote for whoever you like.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000690\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut her real above and beyond\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000691\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWas babysitting my disabled son, Mike.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000692\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000693\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBack to the topic of that mall,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000694\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI met my office landlady in exactly the same spot.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000695\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWithin a month of being elected,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000696\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI had secured staff and a location hot.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000697\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000698\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut while that mall proved a fertile recruiting ground,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESadly, attempts to secure a rebuild have been frustrated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000700\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIn any survey of what annoys my locals,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000701\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u201CThat bloody mall\u201D is always top rated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000703\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe powers of a local MP\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000704\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECan\u2019t override land-banking calls.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000705\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAs Ronald Reagan would say to the Aussie owners,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000706\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u201CStride, bulldoze down those walls.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000707\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000708\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENow, sadly, I relinquish my \u014Ch\u0101riu role,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000709\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe electorate cruelly dissolved with the stroke of a pen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENormally when an MP says they lost their seat,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000711\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESome beggar has nicked it off of them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000712\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000713\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIn my case it\u2019s disappeared,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000714\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EGone to the graveyard of electorates past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000715\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI wonder, if it was held by a senior Minister,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000716\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhether the axe would\u2019ve come down as fast!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000717\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000718\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u014Ch\u0101riu\u2019s now divided in three,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000719\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELeaving locals to work out their new voting zone.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000720\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOf course, it\u2019ll now take three MPs\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETo do the job I used to do on my own.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000722\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000723\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI started my Police career up in \u014Ch\u0101riu\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000724\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETrying to keep northern streets free of crime,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000725\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA slightly broader mandate as an MP,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000726\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut people\u2019s needs don\u2019t seem to change with time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000727\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000728\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe ethnic make-up is now way more diverse,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000729\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd the housing\u2019s chomped up the farms,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000730\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut if there\u2019s one place that\u2019s defied change,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000731\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s my mates in the Newlands Arms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000732\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000733\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA true battlers\u2019 pub in a family suburb called Newlands,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000734\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhich looks very much like our new human fauna,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000735\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s an oasis of our past in its midst\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000736\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAffectionately known as \u201CCobweb Corner\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000737\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000738\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBeing comfortable in cafes and churches,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000739\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWith my wee red car announcing I\u2019m around,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000740\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMeant I didn\u2019t need to hang around the office\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000741\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFor citizens to know where I was to be found.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000742\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000743\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut most humbling of all,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000744\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhen I have my son Michael in tow,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000745\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIs that his sometimes intrusive and inquisitive nature\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000746\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECould be challenging for those who didn\u2019t know.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000747\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000748\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut he was welcomed wherever we went,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000749\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOn sports fields and public meetings by all folk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000750\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI even once had the Chinese ambassador\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000751\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EKeeping him preoccupied while I spoke.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000752\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000753\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHe proves people are inherently good,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000754\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EUnderstanding there are those who will never survive on their own,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000755\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFrom the generous Sir Mark and Dorothy, here today,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000756\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETo those putting up with him stealing their phone.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000757\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000758\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMy vision was to build a role\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000759\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhere Mike could participate too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000760\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt happened without ever being planned.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000761\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHe\u2019s now often expected to turn up too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000763\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI spent 40 years in policing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000764\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBefore plunging into this role.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000765\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA new audience for all my war stories\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000766\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd police Minister was my ultimate goal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000767\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000768\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019d policed pretty much everywhere possible,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000769\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EExperienced Wairarapa\u2019s bombing and fires.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000770\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI spent a year working undercover,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000771\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhere we got new names and survived as liars.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000773\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey were pretty formative years,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000774\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhere I met people smarter and cleverer than me,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000775\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWho, if they\u2019d had the opportunities I\u2019ve been afforded,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000776\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWould have had lives likely crime free.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000777\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000778\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s why I get frustrated\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000779\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhen politicians with no idea yell, \u201CMore time!\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000780\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECleverer use of more shorter sentences\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000781\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECan disrupt instead of displacing crime.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000782\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000783\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHowever, tough sentencing talk wins elections,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000784\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo sheltered middle-class politicians talk tough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000785\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMaking the crime and the punishment more proximate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000786\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWould mean our current cells are enough.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000787\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000788\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI do like the idea of the patch ban.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000789\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENow they are hurriedly hidden when cops are around.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000790\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s a great message to impressionable youth,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000791\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EStopping gangsters from strutting around.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000792\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000793\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMy undercover days taught me about gangs:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000794\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat misogyny and stand-over rule.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000795\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EForcing young ones to do their jail time\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000796\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIs their most effective tool.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000797\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000798\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo that and detective work\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000799\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIncreased my understanding of policing\u2019s soul.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000800\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThis consolidation of my policing experiences\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000801\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESet me up for my Police Association role.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000802\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000803\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt was from 20 years there as president,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000804\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ERunning a multimillion-dollar show,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000805\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat I was exposed to the commercial world\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000806\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd understood the perils of poor cash-flow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000807\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000808\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo when I came to Parliament on the Jacinda wave,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000809\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECourtesy of Winston\u2019s then wise hand,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000810\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019d hoped a ministerial post might come my way eventually,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000811\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOnce I\u2019d learned the lie of the land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000812\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000813\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHowever, a harsh lesson in politics was to follow:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000814\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMedia love you when you\u2019re providing a nice sound bite.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000815\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut, as a politician, it\u2019s all about \u201CGotcha!\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000816\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAny concessions become the highlight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000817\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000818\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt resulted in a telling off from Jacinda herself,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000819\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBy phone, as it was done in a hurry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000820\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd while I was standing in an Indian takeaway\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000821\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EDeciding the spice level of my curry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000822\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014and Sophia, here today, is my witness.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000823\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000824\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo it was backbench all the way,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000825\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWith a bird\u2019s eye view of the events that defined our time,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000826\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EDuring Christchurch terrorism and White Island,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000827\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhich dominated the party line.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000828\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000829\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd as a complete aside on the Christchurch shootings,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000830\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe two cops who caught the offender once worked for me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000831\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey\u2019re types who lived close to the edge,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000832\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut they\u2019re what we want tough cops to be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000833\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000834\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBack now to the political career:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000835\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBy COVID, I was on the finance committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000836\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe Reserve Bank Governor was a regular attendee,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000837\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EExplaining his financial strategy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000838\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000839\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAs usual there\u2019s now a revision;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000840\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EEveryone\u2019s an expert in hindsight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000841\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s so damned easy to forget those pictures\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000842\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOf Italian doctors and nurses dying day and night.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000843\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000844\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWho can forget that first lockdown?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000845\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe Wellington MPs got to play a special part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000846\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAs the death toll around the world skyrocketed,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000847\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHere it never got off to that start.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000848\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000849\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe knew it was special times,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000850\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat needed a response that was brave.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000851\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA helluva lot of our elderly and sick\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000852\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWould\u2019ve been carted off to their grave.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000853\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000854\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThen came the aftermath.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000855\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe term \u201Canti-vaxxer\u201D was born.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000856\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA palpable anger and societal split\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000857\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECame to a head out on Parliament\u2019s front lawn.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000858\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000859\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI personally came in every day,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000860\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003Ebringing my toothbrush when it looked like they\u2019d Parliament surround.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000861\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFor those who condone or leverage mob rule,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000862\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EKnow civilisation quickly collapses when unbound.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000863\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000864\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIf police had lost the battle that day,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000865\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt would\u2019ve been the country\u2019s eternal regret.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000866\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI saw heroism in defence of New Zealand out there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000867\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI fear rewriting has minimised that threat.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000868\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000869\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd the House continued sitting,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000870\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESmelling of smoke permeating out on the green.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000871\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve witnessed plenty of violent behaviour,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000872\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd this was as perilous as I\u2019ve seen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000873\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000874\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019m often asked if I miss policing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000875\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s one day I\u2019d have gone back in the door.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000876\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThose men and woman who battled out front\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000877\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EDug deep to uphold the law.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000878\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000879\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENot long after that I was made Deputy Speaker,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000880\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENot a role I\u2019d sought or understood.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000881\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe bipartisan nature is certainly appealing,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000882\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd you work out who at their job is any good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000883\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000884\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI discouraged the reading of speeches\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000885\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd members for their oratory skills to try.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000886\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt might be unfair to a few,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000887\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EScreening that written out by that damned AI.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000888\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014this is not written by AI, but can you accuse\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000889\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b6b1ce20fdca25a64c0d0d4bff69a3e5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, that\u2019s pretty clear.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000890\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c4943fd1cf914de0befcb7a16280f910\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220c3220b30d5d13b8ca703afc0bf52963\u0022\u003EGREG O\u0027CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: I was wondering if you can actually accuse yourself of hypocrisy, as far as reading speeches goes!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000891\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAh, for the days of \u201CKing Dick\u201D Seddon,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000892\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWho could speak on his feet for many an hour.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000893\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETimes have moved on somewhat,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000894\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut a good orator can still hold some power.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000895\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000896\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETrouble is that the quality of the argument\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000897\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECan be at odds with the manner in which it\u2019s put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000898\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESome of Parliament\u2019s best thinkers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000899\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFind it hard to with crap merchants\u2019 foot.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000900\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000901\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBeing a backbencher in Government\u2019s frustrating,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000902\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOften restricted to 30-second spiels.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000903\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s why Opposition\u2019s the development opportunity,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000904\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhere you can pretty much say what you feel\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000905\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014if the Speaker\u2019s in a good mood!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000906\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000907\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo a parliamentary career should involve both.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000908\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt takes time to develop the craft.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000909\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EYou could do worse than study Winston\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000910\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFor things you\u2019ll find in no \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EStanding Orders \u003C/span\u003Edraft\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000911\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000912\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELiving on the edge of what\u2019s permitted,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000913\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHe keeps potential interjectors wary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000914\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESome wonder how he remains in the House;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000915\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOthers reckon he\u2019s got some photos of Gerry!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000916\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000917\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETraditions are important,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000918\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETo provide a context as we move with the times.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000919\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWestminster provides the basis\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000920\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut not immovable bottom lines.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000921\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000922\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EDress standards and language\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000923\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAre at the front line of that debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000924\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EJeans and four-letter words are current ramparts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000925\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe no-go should always be language of hate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000926\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000927\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EPersonal nastiness is incredibly unprofessional.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000928\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt just lowers respect for the place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000929\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThose for whom it\u2019s their go-to should remember\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000930\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELife\u2019s not a sprint but a stayer\u2019s race.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000931\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000932\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI leave here with faith in the institution\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000933\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat to an outsider can seem quaint and confusing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000934\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut it does the job it\u2019s meant to do,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000935\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThough the how can leave many musing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000936\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000937\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe could do with slowing legislation\u2019s pace.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000938\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMany bills are pushed through way too fast.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000939\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnother layer of genuine debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000940\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMight give more laws the chance to last.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000941\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000942\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe Speakers enforce the status quo,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000943\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENew rulings move things along,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000944\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut removing big chunks of the process willy-nilly\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000945\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ECould create many an unintended wrong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000946\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000947\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd I say to those of my age demographic\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000948\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWho are quick to decry politics and all who take part\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000949\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThat when our young folk hear nothing but criticism,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000950\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIn our democracy they\u2019ll inevitably lose heart.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000951\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000952\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHell, I\u2019m all West Coast Irish,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000953\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhere, whoever was Government, we were born agin \u2019em.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000954\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHowever, several generations in,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000955\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe learnt being inside best enables our opinion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000956\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000957\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnother feature of being here\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000958\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIs that MPs\u2019 ethnicities come to the fore.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000959\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThough I\u2019m fourth-generation New Zealand,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000960\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI rode my Irish ancestors\u2019 shoulders to this floor.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000961\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd speaking of West Coast Irish,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000963\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFour of my siblings are here today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000964\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EGrowing up on a Buller dairy farm\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000965\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EShaped the people we are today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000966\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000967\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EPrivilege has little to do with money;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000968\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s books and stability and safety,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000969\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBeing taught by those nuns at Granity Convent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000970\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBelieve me not one was under 80!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000971\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000972\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOur parents, Eamon and Kath, gave us a great start,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000973\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELiving down in the mighty Buller.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000974\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOf course, these are the days I wish they were still here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000975\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey couldn\u2019t have made our lives much fuller.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000976\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000977\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThanks for making the trip here, family,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000978\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EEspecially my kids: Eve, Issac, and Mike.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000979\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey\u2019ve brought along grandson Freddy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000980\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EGrandad says you can do what you like!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000981\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000982\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt was looking a bit unsure earlier,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000983\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhen Eve missed her flight from Sri Lanka.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000984\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EShe navigated Isaac and Mike all her life,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000985\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo no problem to get here without help from dad\u2019s banker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000986\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000987\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBurgo and Vince are ex international colleagues.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000988\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey\u2019ve both worked many an Aussie police station.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000989\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe way their politics are heading over there,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000990\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019m concerned they\u2019re here recruiting for One Nation!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000991\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000992\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to shout out to all who\u2019ve made it,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000993\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBoth from the Parsons and two sheds.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000994\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s a shearing and a boat one,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000995\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFrom where there were a few hard-won votes for the reds.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000996\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000997\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt was from there and the KTC,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000998\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe sporting clubs, cafes, and churches,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0000999\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI was privileged to receive votes,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001000\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EEnabling me to resist right-wing lurches.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001002\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut, of course, it\u2019s always down to the local team,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe ones who put up billboards and knock on doors,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWho deliver brochures by the thousands,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWho got me into this place of making laws.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI must thank Margaret, Glen, and Judy,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EKeefe, Graham, Peter, and Lyra.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWith Alex, Kate, and Lucy,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey formed the heart of the \u014Ch\u0101riu fire.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETo my campaign managers, Hamish and George,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFortunately, both way smarter than me,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EYou allowed me to follow my instincts,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhile your organisation skills were key.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey gave me the opportunity to be here,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA privilege afforded few,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EA time dominated by the COVID pandemic,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhich threw all manifestos and strategies askew.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe tried to do a lot,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd history will show most ideas were right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOur grandkids will study COVID\u2019s impact\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd know it was way more than a medical fight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI think it\u2019s thrown the world off its axis,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe way World War I last did,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd it\u2019s a long way from a necessary correction,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETowards isolationism and despotism, we\u2019ve slid.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe victims will always be the defenceless;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ETheir survival is in political leaders\u2019 hands.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe only pass through this place once;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe have to prioritise all in our fair lands.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe four-year term\u2019s a must.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMeaningful change must be brave,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EGiving the benefits time to accrue,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBefore to the Treasury benches we wave.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMy preference would\u2019ve been to stay;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI reckon I\u2019ve got a few miles left on my clock.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019m not ready for the pipe and slippers,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd there are more doors out there for me to knock.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBut I leave one helluva lot wiser\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAbout the politics of our land.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBest lessons are learnt by doing,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd I\u2019ve got a new respect for all those who stand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s the staff who keep this place ticking.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe public servants would be most missed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s they who are democracy\u2019s lube\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd yet daily in this place are dissed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s not forget the real workers,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ELike those who push the mail and cleaner\u2019s cart.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EUnlike we politicians,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWithout the workers it would all fall apart.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI can\u2019t finish without mentioning my EA, Susan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EShe\u2019s managed to render me useless on my own,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EOrganised, loyal, and competent,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EForever available on the phone.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBoth her and Leanne have their families present,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnd to thank them is only right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENothing was ever too much trouble for those two,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIncluding calls for help at night.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014\u201CLittle Red\u201D running out of petrol in \u014Ch\u0101riu Valley; there they were with the can of petrol\u2014John and Leanne.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThey both adopted dog Herbie,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EInsisting he be in the gallery today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHe\u2019s dreading my retirement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHe\u2019ll miss the attention that in this place comes his way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EHaving had EA support for 30 years,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve now got to get my own appointments right.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EThe really scary day is coming\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhen I have to book my own airline flight!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAs members, we\u2019re well looked after,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EFrom the moment we walk in the door.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EAnyone who thinks it\u2019s about them should observe what happens\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWhen they\u2019re not an MP any more.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe have to own our wee slice of history\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EDespite the world around us looking vexed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve won life\u2019s lottery to be Kiwis,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo let\u2019s make it better for those who come next.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ESo thanks to all who have given me this opportunity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019m ready for my next chapter \u2019cause\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003ENext time I\u2019m needing assistance, I\u2019ll say,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u201CDon\u2019t you know who I was?\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMy future\u2019s an unwritten chapter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s great the family are all back in NZ.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll make the most of every opportunity,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBecause my next mention in this House will\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EBe when I\u2019m dead.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThank you, and we have a waiata.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EApplause\u003C/span\u003E]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EWaiata\u2014\u201CDanny Boy\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a2d138cbb839455d9754acbe91a75102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d16ff4426030d39a76b6dd864c6e93cd\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E The House is suspended for the dinner break and will resume at 7.30\u00A0p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterItalicsCentred\u0022\u003ESitting suspended from 6.03 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022bae16530372eb35551c66f67c2e3d760\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227050b9a200f9b2b5b8f6162d5560099a\u0022\u003E\u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d13f8d34491532ea8b168ef81df4542a\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001112\u0022\u003EDebate resumed.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d47b67c5bfdfb184160cf99cdee2deec\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Good evening, members. Before we broke for the dinner break, we were on the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill. We\u2019re on the third reading. The next call, which is call No. 11, is a Labour Party call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002242067e22c7a349218b3b868f58eda79d\u0022 data-id=\u00229991737260257ddafaa2a42d853e0efe\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002242067e22c7a349218b3b868f58eda79d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229991737260257ddafaa2a42d853e0efe\u0022\u003ERACHEL BOYACK (Labour\u2014Nelson) (19:30)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s a real pleasure to take a call on the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust (Trust Variation) Bill this evening, and can I begin by acknowledging my colleague the Hon Dr Megan Woods, who has championed this bill through the House on behalf of the trust as a private bill. These bills are a bit unusual, although I think in the last couple of terms of Parliament, we\u2019ve been having a few more of these bills.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI just wanted to acknowledge the excellent local member of Parliament who has driven this bill through the House, and it should receive its final reading tonight so that it can take effect. It was very nice to see the Hon Dr Megan Woods as the member in the chair tonight, and I\u2019m looking forward to seeing her in the chair a little bit more, passing more legislation after the election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EJust on to the bill, we are supporting this bill, which I\u2019m sure is no surprise to many. What this particular bill does is it allows the trust to operate outside its current areas of operation, which are in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. It looks at operating further so it can deliver more housing for more people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI do just want to put a shout-out to community housing providers across New Zealand. They play an important role in providing social housing and community housing to people who are vulnerable. In my own area, we have a couple of locally owned community housing providers. One is the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust, and they do an excellent job. On top of the provision of social housing from the State agency K\u0101inga Ora, our community housing providers play an important role in ensuring that there\u2019s extra housing that meets the needs of the local community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat this bill will do is it will enable what is a high-performing community housing provider to respond to housing needs across the South Island while it still retains its primary role of supporting people in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The trust exists to bridge the affordability gap that is left by the private market, because, unfortunately, renters\u2014particularly those with low incomes who are left to the private market\u2014often end up paying quite an exorbitant amount of their low incomes towards rent, and so what housing providers like the \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust do is ensure there is appropriate and affordable housing provision for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat this bill does is it delivers a housing system that stabilises people and strengthens communities, and it will be able to do that more broadly outside of its current areas. It will be able to operate in other parts of the South Island. Now, it could be good for other parts of the South Island, which would be excellent. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EJust a little bit of background information on the trust: it was established in 2016 by Christchurch City Council to manage its community housing portfolio, and that included not just managing the existing portfolio but developing new social housing. It\u2019s the largest provider of community and affordable housing in the South Island, and so what this bill does is it allows it to actually broaden its operation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll just make a couple of comments around the work that the Social Services and Community Committee did. The bill as it was introduced would have allowed the trustees a broad discretion over how assets are distributed in the event of a wind-up, without any express requirement to align distribution with where those assets were developed. The committee\u2014and I think this is a fair consideration of the committee\u2014wanted to see greater protection for proportional distribution and formalise the intent to prioritise local organisations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt recommended inserting clause 25.3, which requires the board, when transferring the asset trusts, to \u201Chave regard to the principle that, [where] reasonably practicable, \u2026 Assets [are] transferred to \u2026 organisations who can apply [them] for the benefit of people living in the geographical area in which those assets were generated, acquired, developed, or (in the case of physical buildings) situated.\u201D It also recommended inserting clause 25.4 to reflect the current wording in the deed that \u201CIf the Board \u2026 is unable to make decisions \u2026 in accordance with [clause 25], the Trust Assets must be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the High Court under section 27 of the Charitable Trusts Act\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese clauses that are being inserted are really important. It\u2019s important that the intent of the development of the trust is honoured if there were to be a wind-up in future and that there is some proportionality in terms of where those assets were actually developed in those geographical areas, so that it doesn\u2019t become a situation where, if there was a wind-up, that asset distribution could go to places that hadn\u2019t contributed in a strong way to the actual development of the trust and its assets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe all know in this House how important it is that people are housed, that they\u2019re housed well, that it\u2019s affordable, that they get security of tenure, that they have homes that are warm and dry, and that they are able to improve their health and their overall wellbeing outcomes. That\u2019s why we, in the Labour Party, are always so supportive of any mechanism that can help to ensure greater delivery of social and affordable housing. I congratulate the member again on taking this bill through the House, and I know that it will pass tonight, and this will enable this excellent community housing trust to continue its good work in the community. For that reason, I commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022 data-id=\u00225187abdf23066712d54c6b454f681e22\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225187abdf23066712d54c6b454f681e22\u0022\u003EDr VANESSA WEENINK (National\u2014Banks Peninsula) (19:36)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This bill will enable the excellent model of \u014Ctautahi Community Housing Trust to expand beyond its current boundaries. Therefore, I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d7eb365f497a172704e6b606edcf14f7\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d9a62fe05ad8ddc7d13ded8381d6f5a7\u0022\u003ETrust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b2d0ddd32139cfda629ef50ef25fe524\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00227fb64371afe188f556538d73d004e974\u0022\u003EPreamble\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222de0c4e1eea8cc858d5cd3e4039bba37\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, the House is in committee on the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill. We come first to the preamble. This is the debate on the preamble to the bill. The question is that the preamble stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022ad56e25a3bd9af93035d8e94f781638b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ad56e25a3bd9af93035d8e94f781638b\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (19:38)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. As you\u2019ve rightly pointed out, this is a bill of five clauses. That\u2019s one part, and the preamble is a relatively substantial part of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn the preamble, it sets out that Trust Horizon is a registered charity in terms of what that charity can do under the Energy Companies Act 1992 and what it has done, and then it talks the energy-related purposes. Before we get into the questions about this, I just would like to congratulate the member Dana Kirkpatrick, who has brought this bill to the House on behalf of her local community and has worked across the House to ensure that people have access to information and support the bill. That doesn\u2019t mean we don\u2019t have some questions, though, as we go through in terms of this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn terms of the preamble, one of the main things that this centres on, and we\u2019ll come more to this also when we get to clause 3 of the bill, which is the purpose clause\u2014that\u2019s the other bit where we\u2019ll get a chance to discuss this. But this is really cutting to the heart of it in the preamble, where it says, in recital (10), that \u201CThe trustees consider that it is desirable to amend the terms of trust to\u2014(a) broaden the Trust\u2019s objects\u201D.  That\u2019s really what this bill is doing. It\u2019s saying that this trust can do more than fund energy-related projects and it wants to broaden it out. There was a lot of talk around that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, this is a relatively important point for us to consider, because this is coinciding with some work the Government is currently putting through in terms of looking at changes for electricity distribution businesses\u2014or our EDBs\u2014or our lines companies, as civilians are more likely to call them, and the way in which they operate and how this will intersect with some of the changes that are going through with that work. I do note that there is different legislation that covers different kinds of lines companies and I have been in discussion with the member Dana Kirkpatrick, whose bill this is in the name of, and she has provided me some of the advice that she\u2019s received around the intersection with that broader work that the Government is currently going through around reforming our lines companies. I\u2019d be interested to hear from the member in the chair any further elucidation that he could give us on behalf of the sponsoring member on that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022cc87b3620d10e64f283d7281d65bcc55\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cc87b3620d10e64f283d7281d65bcc55\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (19:41)\u003C/span\u003E: The bill\u2019s preamble notes that the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 allows the High Court to approve a variation of a trust deed. Under the Act, the court has the power to vary the purpose of a trust in certain circumstances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EIn relation to this and what the member Megan Woods is asking around energy-related purposes, the Ministry of Justice\u2019s advice to the Social Services and Community Committee was that, to the best of its knowledge, 35 trusts were established following the Energy Companies Act 1992, including Trust Horizon. Of those trusts, there are only six other charitable trusts. Those six charitable trusts are the Otago Central Electric Power Board, now Central Lakes Trust; the EnergyDirect Community Trust, now Hutt Mana Charitable Trust; Powerco Wanganui Trust, now Four Regions Trust; Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust; Taranaki Electricity Trust; and the TECT Community Trust. None of those six charitable trusts are limited to energy-related purposes. The proposal to broaden the trust\u2019s charitable purposes therefore brings it into line with other charitable trusts. It does not seek special treatment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022cda1bd2857b8991a27d9c2fe9096062e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cda1bd2857b8991a27d9c2fe9096062e\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (19:42)\u003C/span\u003E: I appreciate the position that the member Tom Rutherford is filling in for a colleague here, but there are some very specific questions, and I know that there are some officials in the Chamber that may be able to assist with this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s really about how this bill is going to sit alongside option 3B in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment\u2019s current \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EDiscussion document for the electricity distribution businesses\u003C/span\u003E. This is a piece of work that is looking at how it is that our electricity distribution businesses are going to operate. Option 3B relates to restricting ancillary investments in activities; requiring electricity distribution revenues to be spent on electricity distribution services; prudent dividend policies and prioritising consumer rebates; and affordability outcomes ahead of distribution used for broader community purposes, such as community grants. That\u2019s explicitly in a discussion document that the Government has under way. This is really how this private bill is going to sit alongside those changes if they were to be enacted. I\u2019m sure that the officials can give some advice. It\u2019s really around the nature of this being a charitable trust and the different structure a number of our lines companies have. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENone the less, I think it is important that, as this bill goes into this committee stage\u2014given that this discussion document that I\u2019m talking about has come out since the select committee process concluded, so this wasn\u2019t an issue that was able to be discussed at the Social Services and Community Committee, or for members to ask questions about it, because it is quite fundamental that we have one part of Government that\u2019s got a discussion document out there restricting the ability of lines companies to make investments in ancillary services. I mean, we have seen examples of lines companies buying wineries, for example, and, as much as people might like to buy wineries, I think many of us can agree that it probably isn\u2019t the core purpose of a lines company. So just how and what advice has been received, if any, and how does that sit alongside that piece of work?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022e3d4a6b4c60062edb1c11930a48078c3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e3d4a6b4c60062edb1c11930a48078c3\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (19:44)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair, and thanks to the member Megan Woods for the question. I do have advice on that. The question the member is asking about is about option 3B in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment\u2019s \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EDiscussion document for the electricity distribution businesses\u003C/span\u003E, which was published in August 2026. Option 3B relates to restricting ancillary investments and activities, requiring electricity distribution revenues to be spent on electricity distribution services, prudent dividend policies, and prioritising consumer rebates and affordability outcomes ahead of distributions used for broader community purposes, such as community grants. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThe answer to the member\u2019s question is that the ability to progress and implement such reforms would not in any way be impeded by the passage of the current bill. The sort of reforms contemplated in option 3B, if they did become Government policy, could only be implemented by primary legislation, so any changes on the line company reform would require primary legislation. Nothing in this bill would prevent any reform by primary legislation that may come out in future reforms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u002211f914aae2142f7d26677c4f9447c31f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002211f914aae2142f7d26677c4f9447c31f\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (19:46)\u003C/span\u003E: I appreciate the member Tom Rutherford getting that advice, and I also appreciate that this wouldn\u2019t restrict the ability to change primary legislation. The question is more flipped the other way; that if those changes were to go through, such as outlined in option 3B in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment discussion document, whether they\u2019d have to come back and make changes to this trust.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u002206f8f917765acdaaa6b5ae98f284f6a1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002206f8f917765acdaaa6b5ae98f284f6a1\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (19:46)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m no fortune-teller, so I can\u2019t tell you what may or may not happen with future legislation, but my understanding is that you would not have to come back and change this legislation if that legislation was to progress in the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ebecbcb4e4312b594ec97f7cb5386fad\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: I am not quite sure about scope, either, because a discussion document is not law. This bill is going through the passage of legislation under the current laws, not future laws, if any. So I think we\u2019ve probably exhausted that topic.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u002201912d58fbadbe6497de449962840b59\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002201912d58fbadbe6497de449962840b59\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (19:47)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. As I said, it is an important context for this bill that has changed since it went through the select committee stage, so it was important to have the opportunity to ask those questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMy questions, now, are around the changes that will be a result of this piece of legislation, which is that we can have this energy trust, who are able to distribute money for things other than energy purposes. They have around $200 million worth of assets in the energy field, but this will open it up. There will be housing, community, sports, cultural, a whole range of organisations that potentially can get grants from this trust. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOne of the things that hasn\u2019t been dealt with in this legislation and the change around it is prioritisation. I\u2019m just wanting to know whether this is something that the member Dana Kirkpatrick, who is sponsoring the bill\u2014and I appreciate it\u2019s a different member in the chair\u2014has received any advice or had discussion with officials or, indeed, with the trust around prioritisation. The Act is silent on this; it merely changes the purpose of how the money can be distributed and expands it out\u2014for example, was there any discussion around protected minimum allocations for energy initiatives? Was that something that was anticipated? While it\u2019s broadening out, I think most people can see that there\u2019s a whole lot more that needs to be done in energy. I think we can look at the SEANZ\u2014the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand\u2014we can look at the contribution they made in their submission to the Social Services and Community Committee on this, which argued that we are far from having our lines companies exhaust the opportunities of where they could be supporting communities in terms of electrification and what could be done then. Was there discussion of protected minimum allocations for energy initiatives within this area?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELikewise, funding for household energy hardship. Was this something that was discussed in terms of talking about whether there would be a protected minimum that would go to funding for household energy hardship? We know there are so many families across New Zealand\u2014no doubt in this part of New Zealand, as well\u2014who at the moment are really struggling to pay their power bills. Would this be seen as something that is a priority for the trust?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELikewise, was there a discussion about whether there would be protected ring-fences for energy efficiency? What could we do to make our homes and our businesses more efficient, both from a cost perspective but also from a health perspective?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019m lucky enough to live in a region of New Zealand where, when you put together with EECA\u2019s Warmer Kiwi Homes, some homeowners can be in the position of not having to pay anything for their insulation upgrades because there are other organisations that come in and pay the difference. And we see the real health benefits of that. So was there a discussion of a ringfence for that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELikewise with local resilience, we know that, when it comes to our lines infrastructure, those poles and wires are having to put up with more and more extreme weather events; it seems like every couple of months. Was there any discussion or advice around how the trust could be investing more to ensure that this region is more energy resilient, that it was able to withstand those storms that we know are happening particularly in this part of the world? Would that be a priority for investment, or how would that be decided?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELikewise, was there discussion about whether or not the trust could invest in generation and renewable generation? It\u2019s quite a different business from what they\u2019re currently doing, in terms of investing in poles and wires and electricity distribution, and traditionally we don\u2019t see those two things coming together. The broadening of the trust\u2019s objective would theoretically allow for the investment also in electricity generation, so I\u2019d be interested to know whether, in terms of prioritisation, that was something that was discussed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnd, likewise, community energy projects: we know that community energy, and particularly community batteries, offers some real opportunities to communities up and down the country\u2014no doubt in this part of the world as well\u2014in terms of households being able to afford their power bills and offering ways in which people that don\u2019t own the roof that sits above them\u2014[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003ETime expired\u003C/span\u003E] Madam Chair?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d2f7e81e77d00e8976fdad6dcaca03c4\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Have you got more?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e46cdf85a530d6572842bad83dcd35b\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll just finish this question. They don\u2019t own the roof that sits above them. Has there been consideration of how there may be more that can be invested into that area\u2014about how this will be prioritised\u2014given that the bill is silent on it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u002213093807a57a9be69f18fdd7397a250f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002213093807a57a9be69f18fdd7397a250f\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (19:52)\u003C/span\u003E: The bill broadens the trust\u2019s purposes from narrowly defined energy-related activities to the wider concept of charitable purposes while preserving the trust\u2019s focus on benefitting the people of the district. The Trust Horizon now holds assets worth more than $200 million; yet, under its current rules, it has found itself increasingly limited in the range of projects that it can support. Meanwhile, the communities of the eastern bay do face real challenges in areas such as housing, education, health, employment, environmental protection, and community wellbeing. This bill would allow the trust to respond to some of those needs. As I\u2019ve said, it does have sizeable assets, over $200 million, but the trust is limited.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThe member asked around the trustees and whether it was going to be defined in the legislation, around what may be in or what may be out for them to potentially want to invest some of the money in. I would say that the local trustees are elected to the board, and, on our side of the House, we are supportive of local members making local decisions in the best interests of local communities, and the local trustees are elected to that trust to make those decisions. If I think of one in my home patch of Tauranga, we have TECT, who do fantastic work. Again, they have local trustees elected to their board, who make informed decisions based on the proposals that are put to them, so I don\u2019t think it would be appropriate for Wellington to set in legislation what is in and what is out. Ultimately, I trust the locally elected trustees to make the best decision possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022 data-id=\u00222220c87236f22a62b825e6c6db7fd62f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222220c87236f22a62b825e6c6db7fd62f\u0022\u003EJOSEPH MOONEY (National\u2014Southland) (19:54)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat debate on this question now close\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224557f76aad6041c5e8bcb4dd262f9aeb\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: I think there\u2019s a little bit to go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022 data-id=\u0022ab00715f9b1a79f19d8f9cf7597e8d47\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ab00715f9b1a79f19d8f9cf7597e8d47\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE (Labour\u2014Palmerston North) (19:54)\u003C/span\u003E: Kia orana. Thank you, Madam Chair. Can I first just acknowledge the member who\u2019s in the chair on behalf of Dana Kirkpatrick, who was the member who\u2019s seeing this bill through the Parliament. I guess it\u2019s appropriate that it\u2019s Mr Rutherford. He\u2019s tangentially near the area that we\u2019re talking about here, as is my colleague the Hon Jan Tinetti.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI want to look at recital (7) of the preamble. This is in relation to \u201CEnergy Related Purposes\u201D, and it\u2019s to do with the definition, basically, that\u2019s outlined there. Now, the former teacher in me identifies that there is a proper noun in the legislation here, which is in relation to \u201Cthe District of New Zealand\u2019s energy resources\u201D. It\u2019s a proper noun, because it\u2019s capitalised, whereas the small \u201Cd\u201D district is elsewhere in the relevant clause.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224942506ae9df0eb48e2bf429dd9e1ec0\u0022\u003EJoseph Mooney\u003C/span\u003E: A teachable moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226faf3597009fad6d2abcf61cbbe55fb3\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Mooney. Thank you\u2014any time. My question there is: why is it not just related to \u201CNew Zealand\u201D? It might be that there\u2019s a particular reason in energy sorts of spheres or circles why districts are required, but if we were to just relate it to \u201CNew Zealand\u2019s energy resources\u201D, how might that differ from simply not having the proper noun there?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI just have two other questions, and I\u2019m happy to do them now, Madam Chair?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e10479822ffa7e06f450a9b074633b65\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, please.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229bcc2f09aafb1fd998cb6916d8e52246\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE\u003C/span\u003E: OK. The second one is in relation to recital (7)(f) of the preamble, and this is in relation to when the beneficial use criteria would kick in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt talks about the \u201CAcquiring equity in the Company up to the maximum of 25% of the Issued Capital of the Company:\u201D Now, of course, this is its own piece of legislation and so effectively anything that\u2019s stated there in isolation could trump any other existing legislation because it should stand on its own merits. My question is why the threshold is there, where it has come from, and whether it is\u2014and it might just be that it is contained elsewhere, in perhaps the deed or other documentation around this. When we\u2019re talking about a ceiling of 25 percent, is it related to some other existence somewhere else, as opposed to having a specified amount outlined in the legislation itself?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen my final question, Madam Chair, and picking up on the comment that you yourself made: there is reference here around how this bill will effectively curtail the ability for it to have to come back to Parliament. I think it\u2019s recital 10(b) of the preamble, actually. It says, \u201CThis power will also allow for any further variations that may be required in the future without having to seek a further private Act and without requiring Parliament to consider the details \u2026\u201D, which I think is actually probably wise. However, the way in which that provision effectively kicks in is where the approval of the High Court is given. It\u2019s not just saying that, in terms of seeking to change aspects of this, we\u2019re going to take up Parliament\u2019s time, but it provides an avenue to effectively mitigate or prevent the use of Parliament\u2019s time by going through the High Court.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMy question to the member is: is that the appropriate mechanism? I think it\u2019s appropriate that there is a mechanism, but why is it that, effectively, a decree or a decision of the High Court is the appropriate\u2014and there are many courts in this country; why it is that the High Court is the appropriate one?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022 data-id=\u00223bce7fe94486be70244ce8a35538873c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223bce7fe94486be70244ce8a35538873c\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT) (19:57)\u003C/span\u003E: I have a question for the member in the chair, Tom Rutherford, around recital 7(b) of the preamble, \u201CEnergy Related Purposes\u201D, which states, \u201CImprovements to the supply of electricity to the general public in rural or remote areas in the District by replacing inadequate or unreliable supply systems.\u201D Horizon\u2019s network, according to the Commerce Commission\u2019s disclosures, collected $38\u00A0million in line-charge revenue in 2025, while its three-year average capital expenditure (CAPEX) on asset replacement and renewal\u2014I would expect some of it is in rural or remote areas, but their average annual expenditure on CAPEX was only $6.6\u00A0million a year despite collecting $38 million in line-charge revenue. I\u2019m interested in the claim that energy-related opportunities have been exhausted with an electricity network that, Horizon themselves say, continues to require substantial renewal and replacement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe second question\u2014I see the member\u2019s taking advice\u2014is that Horizon\u2019s network have stated in their current price path that they\u2019re embarking on a $225 million, 10-year investment programme, and they\u2019ve separately sought to reopen its regulated price path for the $14.2 million \u014Cp\u014Dtiki upgrade. The Commerce Commission\u2019s draft decision would allow another $4.9 million to be recovered from consumers. Did the trust or the promoter of this bill get any advice on whether any part of that project, the \u014Cp\u014Dtiki one as an example, or complementary reliability and consumer support projects could fall within the trust\u2019s existing energy-related objectives? Given that the trust has $200 million, it has claimed, sitting in its bank account, that begs a number of questions. Have they not adequately invested in asset renewals and upgrades, in line with the needs of their asset over the period that this large amount of money has been accrued and that they pay dividends to the trust? That\u2019s a question that needs to be asked and answered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe second one is: given that energy-related purposes in the current trust legislation provides for them to fund improvements by replacing inadequate or unreliable supply systems, wouldn\u2019t that fall squarely in the remit of upgrading assets, whether they be transformers or poles and lines, in accordance with that clause, all around rural and remote areas? Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022214082912314ed7a3c2a5bbad9f9dbd2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022214082912314ed7a3c2a5bbad9f9dbd2\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:00)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. Just coming back to a couple of questions that Tangi Utikere asked, he asked around energy-related purposes, meaning purposes which relate to some aspects of the beneficial use, application, or enjoyment in the District of New Zealand\u2019s energy resources, and he highlighted the word \u201CDistrict\u201D. The history of local trusts has been always to have a focus on local assets to local needs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHe asked around recital (7)(f), acquiring equity in a company up to a maximum of 25\u00A0percent. There is no maximum. This was addressed by the courts in 2000 through the legislation there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere was a question around the word \u201CDistrict\u201D, Mr Utikere\u2014if I was in your classroom, I would address you that way, sir\u2014around whether it was a capital \u201CD\u201D or a little \u201Cd\u201D. Well, it\u2019s defined in the trust deed in clause 1.1 and clause 6 and means \u201Cterritory over which the Bay of Plenty Electric Power Board was authorised to supply electricity\u201D, hence why that has a capital \u201CD\u201D in this case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere was a question around \u201CWhy the High Court?\u201D It\u2019s because the High Court exercises jurisdiction over trusts, particularly charitable trusts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo Mr Court\u2019s question around why in the last year, I can\u2019t remember the figures exactly off the top of my head, but there were significant\u2014hundreds of millions of dollars and then only a few million. My understanding is that they have a completely separate entity that undertakes that work in rural and remote communities across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022 data-id=\u0022dcd7679725723abfd96b97fdecb02274\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dcd7679725723abfd96b97fdecb02274\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT) (20:02)\u003C/span\u003E: Just to follow up the question, for the member\u2019s benefit, Horizon Networks collected $38 million in line-charge revenue in 2025, while its three-year average capital expenditure on asset replacement renewal was only $6.6\u00A0million a year. That is a very large difference in the amount of money they are collecting from customers versus what they\u2019re spending on asset replacement and renewal. If there\u2019s one thing the Infrastructure Commission has made clear and that parties across the House agree on, it\u2019s that infrastructure operators should be spending at least 60c of every dollar that they spend on asset renewal and maintenance. The question for the member in the chair, Tom Rutherford, is: how can the claim be reconciled that energy-related opportunities have been exhausted when Horizon Networks itself says the energy network continues to require substantial renewal and replacement?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThe second question, which I don\u2019t believe I got a clear answer to, was: given the trust\u2019s energy-related purposes recital (7)(b) is very clear that the trust can distribute money to replace inadequate or unreliable supply, particularly in rural or remote areas, it seems like there is a good case for the trust to do a better job of identifying, separately from Horizon Networks, a regulated price pathway in terms of recovering costs from consumers and making investments. The trust itself has an opportunity to make additional investments in asset maintenance and renewal outside of what Horizon Networks are doing. That has not been adequately explained through the committee stage, and it hasn\u2019t been adequately explained to the House yet this evening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022c1554ae5656436b0df878f196bc16ee0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c1554ae5656436b0df878f196bc16ee0\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:04)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to Simon Court for his questions. The lines company is a separate entity to the trust. The trust owns the shares in the lines company, but decisions about maintenance and upkeep of the assets are decisions for the company; they are not decisions for the trust. The trust can only spend their money for charitable energy-related purposes, upkeep of assets or the like, and not for the charity per se. For example, the $200\u00A0million that I talked about also is not funds that they hold in a bank account; it is largely the value of the electricity network.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022 data-id=\u00225845d248c28df3260e3b8bd2eb6b4561\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225845d248c28df3260e3b8bd2eb6b4561\u0022\u003EJOSEPH MOONEY (National\u2014Southland) (20:04)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat debate on this question now close\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f63e1e374f27d1e8674749adbae3dc3\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: I knew you would do that. No, I think there are some unanswered questions yet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u0022fe84e5632e98b85f9569acfaacea008c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fe84e5632e98b85f9569acfaacea008c\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (20:04)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. Carrying on from Simon Court\u2019s excellent questions, which actually haven\u2019t been addressed yet, the fact that this is a charitable trust that happens to also be a lines company is, I think, something that is well understood by everybody here. The whole point of contention at the select committee, and something that we want to probe a bit more in committee stage, is this question: have the energy-related expenditure opportunities been exhausted? It requires an answer of \u201Cyes\u201D in order to say that therefore we should be funding different things. It is an absolutely pertinent question. I don\u2019t think that has been adequately addressed. I can see the member Tom Rutherford is getting some more advice there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt comes to where I started in terms of the contributions and questions I was making around the discussion document that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has out at the moment. This is a question that is being asked of all lines companies at the moment\u2014exactly the question, Mr Court\u2014in terms of the proportion of what has been collected from consumers, i.e., everyday New Zealanders who are struggling to pay their power bills, and what is being reinvested back into those networks to make sure they\u2019re resilient.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe other further question I have for the member in the chair is: has the trust looked at non-network solutions? Often, we know that non-network solutions actually are going to provide more efficient, more affordable, and more resilient options for consumers. Non-network solutions\u2014we get to a point where we don\u2019t expect our lines companies to just build poles and wires, as they have for 100-odd years, but actually we start to see things like solar and batteries and more distributed energy systems as a far better alternative for some communities, particularly, many of the lines companies will tell me, when it comes to rural upgrades. This is particularly important when it comes to the area that this bill is discussing and whether or not that is something that has been considered. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIf we can take the question back to its bare bones\u2014and I would never purport to speak for Mr Court, but I think if we strip back the question that the committee is still wanting to know\u2014it is: what evidence is there that the trust has exhausted all its energy-related opportunities for expenditure? We know that this is pretty much a limitless piece of string in terms of what needs to be invested across all of New Zealand, including the Bay of Plenty, that we\u2019re discussing tonight. I think that\u2019s what the committee is interested in hearing about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u00227b432bab1060a6f12e37dcb2b5bf8e0f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227b432bab1060a6f12e37dcb2b5bf8e0f\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:07)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m advised that there are not enough applications lodged, plus the trust goes out proactively to their community and they have expended all available income where they can, hence why they are seeking to broaden their remit. For example, 60 percent of the total houses in their district have been retrofitted for insulation already, and under the current parameters, as set out in the legislation that it is working in at the moment, they are confined to how they can spend the income that the trust has at present.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258c5d3d45aee5f9a5effddb706009d9c\u0022\u003EHon Dr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a7e7f734c346df942d70fdbdb205ed7\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Is this new material?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002287810d66563537cc9290233ede8da452\u0022\u003EHon Dr Megan Woods\u003C/span\u003E: No, it\u2019s a follow-up question for the answer the member just gave.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002264cf8cb4acdbc0444372d0c81ae6411e\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: The Hon Dr Megan Woods.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u00229243ed9139e23ac559e7089f0c693fc1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229243ed9139e23ac559e7089f0c693fc1\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (20:08)\u003C/span\u003E: The member Tom Rutherford has just told us that they have gone out and they have proactively looked for opportunities for expenditure and that they\u2019ve left no stone unturned. I appreciate the position the member is in, but it does go back to Mr Court\u2019s question. This is an organisation that collected $36 million. I think $36 million was the number, Mr Court, that they collected from consumers in this area last year. Have they really exhausted all their opportunities if they\u2019re still continuing to collect $36 million from consumers in that area? Why haven\u2019t other alternatives been looked at?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u002211f57ad532acc012922ccc5ec2c49b6a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002211f57ad532acc012922ccc5ec2c49b6a\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:09)\u003C/span\u003E: The trust doesn\u2019t collect any money from consumers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229cfd43ed33ed0a323c9037c222e48cc\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Unless there\u2019s new material, we are moving on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u002274661a2d97d12b7c991c8e8149364aa5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002274661a2d97d12b7c991c8e8149364aa5\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (20:09)\u003C/span\u003E: I really do think that that is an unanswered question. I think we\u2019re dancing on the head of a pin when we\u2019re talking about the difference between the trust and the lines company. This was established under the energy Act, but nevertheless, we will move on because there are other questions. Those questions are around how different communities are going to be represented in terms of these decisions. These are quite different decisions that will be being made. They\u2019re not all going to be energy-related.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo how will that community representation come in on a trust\u2014that\u2019s my first question. How will iwi and local residents be represented when it comes to this new bigger basket of funding opportunities that the trust can look at? Will local residents and iwi have a formal role in terms of making those decisions? Earlier, when I asked the member about how it was and whether there were going to be protected minimums, I think there was a little bit of misunderstanding. I wasn\u2019t for a moment saying that it should be prescribed in the legislation. I can see it\u2019s not in the legislation before us. My question was to whether there had been advice. This is in the same vein. I know it\u2019s not in the legislation, but I would expect that the member who brought the bill would have asked some questions around the decision making and the governance of this and both how those grant decisions will be made and how they will be made transparent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe other is\u2014because this is covering a relatively broad geographic area in terms of the area it covers\u2014what is going to be done to ensure that there\u2019s geographic equity? We\u2019re not just talking about energy-related decisions now. When we were talking about energy-related decisions, there were very prescribed pathways that needed to be decided. What was needed where was far more obvious in terms of the needs of a particular community in terms of its distribution business, but when it comes to now looking at distributing this money to community groups and sports clubs and other charitable purposes, how will the trust and the board that it is elected to make decisions about energy? What will be put in place to ensure that they are ensuring that all the communities who fall under the rohe of this trust deed\u2014how will they be protected and looked after in here?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u00229be170ef95afb79a5ee8658a25a8599e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229be170ef95afb79a5ee8658a25a8599e\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:12)\u003C/span\u003E: The member asked around how the communities in and amongst the district will make sure that, effectively, they get their fair share of the pie. There are six trustees on the trust. There are three wards\u2014two from the Whakat\u0101ne ward, one from \u014Cp\u014Dtiki, and one from Kawerau. Those four elected trustees then subsequently appoint two other trustees to the board to make up the total six. They each have their geographical spread from across their communities, but they will ultimately consider all of the applications that are before them to make those decisions. None of the other trusts across the rest of the country are specified in legislation from Parliament that says, \u201CYou must divvy it up to this part here and that part there and this part here of the district.\u201D Those decisions are best made by the locally elected trustees who know their communities better than anybody else.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022 data-id=\u0022154f1a9355d05372e2f4ec89e7fcd8ad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022154f1a9355d05372e2f4ec89e7fcd8ad\u0022\u003EJOSEPH MOONEY (National\u2014Southland) (20:13)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat debate on this question now close\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat debate on this question now close\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003EAyes 67\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 48; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003ENoes 55\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori 4; Ferris; Kapa-Kingi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPreamble agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a35263ef803e567e58865a1f8cf99014\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a5148ddcce115e04293dbc653694ab6e\u0022\u003EClause 1 Title\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022702bed185458add8fe798ecfb6071fde\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we come now to clause 1, which is the title. The question is that clause 1 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022 data-id=\u0022e6d02c486b4f3ffae75ba91f052aa854\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e6d02c486b4f3ffae75ba91f052aa854\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE (Labour\u2014Palmerston North) (20:14)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. Just a very quick question. The title itself talks about inserting \u201Ctrust variation\u201D. Now, I don\u2019t know if this bill has been previously amended by the Parliament, and certainly the preamble that we\u2019ve just agreed to provides the mechanism through the High Court for it to not necessarily come back. So why is it not just referred to as \u201Cvariation\u201D as opposed to \u201Ctrust variation\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc83b1b8c7f3bd4ab9a0defa6aa7d01d\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Just getting some advice.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u00228cc20635ef91b6614455738f96687743\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228cc20635ef91b6614455738f96687743\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:15)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair, and thanks to the member Tangi Utikere for his patience while I got some advice. Because it\u2019s varying the trust deed, and all other trusts that have gone through this process have the same thing in the title.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00222fe84af9e015c9ba08bc31e640cfb2de\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00227c9e382f2999ac649e39c033dee4b38f\u0022\u003EClause 2 Commencement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bea542255c68e064ca088ebf80133e24\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we come now to clause 2, which is the commencement. The question is that clause 2 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EClause 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002217e12270a1547a55ee4e796e7fa5bb5b\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b18792ecc426db3e0540f5d50c45de54\u0022\u003EClause 3 Purpose\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d95cae3b8ff0db7a7dcebcab93d931c\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: We come now to clause 3, the purpose. The question is that clause 3 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u00227ae51532b1399f45305e52bcb4a7fa12\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227ae51532b1399f45305e52bcb4a7fa12\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (20:15)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have a very short question here. I just want to clear something up for the member in the chair. Nobody has been suggesting that we should put into legislation criteria for decision making or indeed prescribing amounts that need to be ring-fenced. It has more been asking the member in the chair whether the member who was sponsoring the bill discussed this and had advice on it. They are absolutely things that should be asked at this committee stage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EThe question I have here in the purpose clause\u2014which is obviously that the purpose of the Act is to amend the terms by broadening the trust\u2019s objectives from energy-related purposes to charitable purposes. The member who\u2019s sitting in the chair has told us at some length the way that this is an elected trust\u2014it\u2019s democratically elected for four-year terms. We could all learn from this trust, maybe, that it has elected. But these were members that were elected to run a board for energy-related purposes. I just wondered if there had been any advice or any discussion with officials about whether or not they needed to be seeking a new mandate from the local communities and population that this was a board now that was going to be fulfilling a very different function\u2014it wasn\u2019t just going to be making decisions on energy-related matters and purposes; it was now going to be broadened out to charitable purposes, which we\u2019ve canvased when discussing the preamble\u2014and whether the member who sponsored this bill sought advice about whether it was advisable that a new mandate and perhaps fresh elections may be required for the trust board.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022a0131f6193a79f62b7613c5cad15a63d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a0131f6193a79f62b7613c5cad15a63d\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:17)\u003C/span\u003E: There was an election held on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 for two vacancies on the trust. Alongside that, there was also a consumer poll that was held at the same time. The question that was put was: \u201CDo you support Trust Horizon proceeding with a variant bill to Parliament for the purpose of varying the trust deed, dated 1 August 1994 trust deed, to widen and clarify the charitable purposes in the trust deed?\u201D The result was 80.7 percent in favour of doing so and 19.3 percent opposed. That, to me, would seem there is extremely strong community support and mandate for the change that is happening tonight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EClause 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a6946202c44734b6baf29abab1ab8b85\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00229ed6205be586fd857aca729b18a18320\u0022\u003EClause 4 Interpretation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da07f99f8ea06783a131571a423d7d3e\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we are now at clause 4, the interpretation. The question is that clause 4 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EClause 4 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f5df07f56d1dc1ff6a877a100a004996\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u002256a22f4167aaf4668c21f0bfa4113059\u0022\u003EClause 5 Terms of trust varied and the Schedule\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220d911f619932c8f433d766f148173242\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019re up to clause 5, terms of trust varied and the Schedule. The question is that clause 5 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 5 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill to be reported without amendment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022221f2c505a9792a30dd3d25643ec61c6\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker, the committee has considered the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the report be adopted\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalIndent\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226715ce887046ead3577ed22cc82a9dbb\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for third reading immediately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022787d0f5c791bef9b01c7e401357eef2f\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022ff2611ee5569be5a91d37e53a55a52be\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ff2611ee5569be5a91d37e53a55a52be\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD (National\u2014Bay of Plenty) (20:20)\u003C/span\u003E: on behalf of \u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBold\u0022\u003EDana Kirkpatrick (National)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill be now read a third time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday marks the final stage of a bill that is simple in its drafting but potentially transformative in its impact on the communities of Whakat\u0101ne, Kawerau, \u014Cp\u014Dtiki, and Kaingaroa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBefore I dive into the detail around what this bill is actually doing, there is a person who is not here this evening who deserves a huge amount of credit for the work that she has put in to get the bill to where it is today, and that is the local member of Parliament Dana Kirkpatrick, the member for East Coast. I know you\u2019re going to give me a telling off, Madam Speaker; I can see it in your eyes\u2014I can see it in your eyes; say less, say less.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002241aa27b04c7b255f4739866a688f2714\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: It was probably the shaking of the head.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cb40eb85aab340879622563050ab25fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec110e22de9cb7b2d308c0131c3bbcbd\u0022\u003ETOM RUTHERFORD\u003C/span\u003E: But Dana Kirkpatrick has been the leader of this piece of legislation from day dot as the local member of Parliament. She\u2019s done phenomenal work getting it to this stage, and to Dana we say thank you for your tireless advocacy on behalf of your local East Coast electorate and getting this bill here today to its third and final reading before the House rises.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EDana Kirkpatrick is proud to sponsor the bill on behalf of Trust Horizon and the people the trust was created to serve. Trust Horizon traces its origins to the electricity sector reforms of the 1990s. Established in 1994 as the Bay of Plenty Electricity Consumer Trust, it was created to ensure that the benefits of community ownership would continue to flow back to local people. Over time, it became the Eastern Bay Energy Trust and, more recently, Trust Horizon.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor more than three decades, the trust has been an outstanding steward of community assets. It\u2019s distributed more than $50 million in grants and community investment, projects that have strengthened local communities, created opportunities, and improved quality of life across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EYet despite that success, the trust has been constrained by a trust deed that limits its funding to charitable projects that can be classified as energy-related purposes. Those restrictions may have made sense in 1994, but they no longer reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities the trust serves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI refer to the example used at length in the second reading of the trust being able to pay for solar panels on the sports club roof but not being able to fund fixing the roof itself. One of the most important pieces to understand is why the trust could not just apply a rebate to all electricity users in its region, which many people asked about. I think it needs to be explained that the charitable status of the trust means this was not possible. Widespread rebates do not meet the charitable test, despite what many people think, and so this avenue was simply not possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill broadens the trust\u2019s purposes from narrowly defined energy-related activities to the wider concept of charitable purposes, while preserving the trust\u2019s focus on benefiting the people of its district. It also establishes a sensible mechanism for future amendments to the trust deed, subject to High Court approval, removing the need for a future Parliament to revisit every minor change.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe need for this change is clear. Trust Horizon now holds assets worth more than $200 million, yet under its current rules it\u2019s found itself increasingly limited in the range of projects it can support. Meanwhile, the communities of the Eastern Bay of Plenty face very real challenges in areas such as housing, education, health, employment, environmental protection, and community wellbeing. This bill allows the trust to respond to those needs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EImportantly, the bill is not about abandoning the trust\u2019s historical mission. Energy-related initiatives will continue to be supported. In fact, they remain an important part of the trust\u2019s work and identity. What changes is that energy projects will no longer be the only projects that are eligible for support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen we look at the trust\u2019s record, we can see why this change is so exciting. Trust Horizon has invested in warmer, healthier homes and community initiatives. It has supported education and skills development programmes for rangatahi. It has backed community facilities, marae, arts and cultural projects, environmental restoration, and healthcare-related initiatives. Over the years, its funding has touched almost every corner of community life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn the past year, the trust provided funding to support the construction of a new wharekai at \u014Cmaio marae\u2014excuse my pronunciation, Madam Speaker\u2014helping strengthen a vital community hub. It supported social and healthcare services to help power 15 new affordable homes. It funded lighting and sound upgrades for the historic De Luxe Theatre in \u014Cp\u014Dtiki and supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives in local schools.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThrough its community grants programme, the trust helped purchase an electric van for Waka Eastern Bay, improving transport access for those who need it most. It funded predator control technology for conservation projects around \u014Chiwa Harbour. It established a Community Energy Contribution Grant fund that has assisted dozens of marae and community organisations with energy costs and supported Galatea School to extend the use of its swimming pool through energy-efficient heating infrastructure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBeyond grants, the trust has also taken a long-term approach to community investment. It has invested in local solar development, supported innovation in environmental projects, contributed to housing initiatives, and backed economic development opportunities that create jobs and prosperity within the region. It has demonstrated a commitment not only to providing grants but to building a strong future for the Eastern Bay.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen an organisation with that track record tells us it can do even more if unnecessary restrictions are removed, Parliament should listen. The overwhelmingly positive response from the community\u2014the 80 percent of people that I just spoke about that voted in favour from the local community for this\u2014confirms that view. The trust engaged extensively with stakeholders, iwi, community organisations, and the public. The support received demonstrated that local people understand the benefits this bill can unlock.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the work of the Social Services and Community Committee. The committee carefully considered the bill, heard submissions, and reported it back with unanimous support. The committee process reinforced the conclusion that this is a practical, sensible, and community-focused proposal. I thank the trustees of Trust Horizon: chair David Glover; chief executive Derek Caudwell, who was here this evening in support of me\u2014and a big thankyou to you, Derek, and to Jono Orpin-Dowell KC for his advice as well\u2014and their advisers, submitters, community members, and all those who have contributed to this process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMost importantly, I acknowledge the generations of people across the Eastern Bay who have supported and benefited from Trust Horizons\u2019 work over the past 30 years. Private bills are often highly local in their focus. They may not affect the entire country, but they can make an enormous difference to the communities that they serve. This bill, to the Eastern Bay, is one of those measures. It respects the original intent behind Trust Horizon, it preserves the community ownership legacy created through electricity sector reforms, and it allows a successful local trust to better meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also wish to acknowledge the Parliamentary Counsel Office. While private bills may be local in their effect, they are no less important to the people who rely on them. The expertise, guidance, and professionalism of the Parliamentary Counsel Office throughout the drafting and legislative process has been invaluable, and I thank them for their contribution.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMost importantly, I want to acknowledge Trust Horizon itself. David Glover and Derek Caudwell, their advisers, trustees, leadership team, and staff have shown considerable vision, commitment, and perseverance in bringing this proposal forward. It would\u2019ve been easier to continue operating within the existing framework, but instead they have looked beyond the status quo and asked how the trust can better serve future generations of its own community. For more than 30 years, Trust Horizon has been a careful steward of community assets, investing more than $50 million back into the people and communities of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. From supporting marae, schools, environmental projects, housing initiatives, community facilities, and local economic development, the trust has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving lives across the region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill is the result of that same forward-looking approach. It reflects a desire not simply to preserve a legacy but to build upon it. The trustees recognise that the needs of our communities have evolved, and the trust\u2019s ability to respond should evolve as well. Their leadership and determination have brought us to this point, and they deserve recognition for that achievement. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAt its heart, this legislation is about unlocking opportunity, empowering communities, and ensuring that the benefits of community-owned assets continue to flow to the people they were always intended to serve. On behalf of Dana Kirkpatrick, the hard-working local MP for the East Coast electorate, she is incredibly proud to have sponsored this bill on behalf of Trust Horizon and her communities of Whakat\u0101ne, Kawerau, \u014Cp\u014Dtiki, and Kaingaroa. So, on her behalf, I commend the bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228735c2506b7fd1da7727989eb109676\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\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=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022 data-id=\u00229b995e6ecc5d5107520ff63f73f77d6a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002254aa7c61326f4a0395e6e4031c554ba3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229b995e6ecc5d5107520ff63f73f77d6a\u0022\u003EHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Labour\u2014Wigram) (20:30)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to join that member, Tom Rutherford, who has just taken his seat, in congratulating Dana Kirkpatrick for the work that she has done on this bill. Private bills and local bills usually do spring from that very important work of being someone on the ground in a community and understanding what the needs are. I commend Dana Kirkpatrick for that work. I also commend Dana for her work to get cross-party agreement on this bill, as is often the case with local and private bills. It shows how a local MP can bring other people from across the House around a local issue. Well done; it is an achievement for Dana to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis doesn\u2019t mean we don\u2019t have questions about this bill. We are supporting it. It has been really stressed how important this bill is to a local community, but this bill sits in the context of a huge amount of change in the New Zealand energy system and what needs to happen. I think this bill really highlights the tangled situation we have when it comes to our distribution businesses in New Zealand. We have three categories of lines companies, as normal people would call them, or, as those in the sector would call them, EDBs, or electricity distribution businesses. But there are three distinct types of EDBs. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere can be private trusts, which exist to make distributions to consumers; there can be charitable trusts; and then there can be mixed private and charitable trusts. To make this even more complicated, what we are talking about tonight and what led to some of the questions in the chair becoming more complicated than they needed to is that the dividends policies of trust-owned EDBs can differ, as well. What we have is Trust Horizon owning Horizon Energy Group, including Horizon Networks. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI don\u2019t expect anyone to be following along from that. My point is that we have an incredibly complicated and messy situation with what is one of the most important elements of how it is that we electrify New Zealand and we reduce bills for New Zealand households and businesses. This bill sits squarely in the context of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment being out at the moment for consultation around what we need our lines companies to look like in the 21\u003Csup\u003Est\u003C/sup\u003E century, what we need to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow, I don\u2019t think this Government\u2019s work is going far enough in terms of imagining what a 21\u003Csup\u003Est\u003C/sup\u003E century New Zealand lines company ecosystem would look like. For example, we need to be considering if there is a requirement for a lines company to demonstrate that building poles and wires is the least-cost measure they can take, and that they have considered alternatives like non-network solutions, like putting batteries and solar in place before they just keep doing what they\u2019ve been doing for 100 years, which is building poles and wires. When it comes to many of our rural upgrades, for example, or a number of our commercial or industrial companies, actually, poles and wires are not the least-cost option that should be followed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI do not for a moment think this would be a reason not to vote for this bill, because this bill actually just brings Horizon Trust into line with many of its counterparts around the country. It does not result in Trust Horizon having an unusual purpose compared to other EDB-related trusts with charitable purposes that exist around the country. The opposite is, in fact, the case. Of the six EDB-related trusts with charitable purposes, Trust Horizon is the only trust that is limited to energy-related purposes. The other five trusts are for charitable purposes, broadly defined in a way that is analogous to that proposed in this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIf anyone is confused, I\u2019m not surprised, and this is a big part of the problem: we do have this incredibly tangled situation. I think we need to ask ourselves, as a country: what do we need to invest in our distribution infrastructure to deliver low-cost electricity to New Zealand homes and businesses over the coming 50 and 100 years? Then we need to say: have we exhausted all the possible ways that we could be investing in our communities for cheaper power, for more resilient power, for power that we can trust and that we know best serves our community? I would be gobsmacked if any region of New Zealand can say, hand on heart, \u201CWe\u2019ve got that covered. We\u2019ve got all the money we need to invest in the infrastructure we need for electrification.\u201D Simon Court asked some very good questions in the committee stage demonstrating that\u2014what the requirements are of what we actually need to be reinvesting into those. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor me, that is what it comes down to\u2014not just for Horizon Trust. I fully appreciate why Horizon Trust wants to make itself the same as the five others in the category that it belongs to, but as a country, we need to be thinking about: how do we do this properly and where does this bill fit within this? Now, of course, if there needed to be legislation that reorganised the way in which we required EDBs to do things\u2014after all, there is a live consultation document\u2014it\u2019s not going to preclude us doing any of that. But we do need to be thinking, and this bill is a reminder of the very messy situation that we\u2019ve got around our energy system: the way it\u2019s owned, the way it\u2019s operated, the way it\u2019s held.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI know that there are incredibly good people up and down the country that are doing the best for their communities, and they do it with the best of intentions, but whether that is the way in which we can ensure that we have all the investment we need for the next 100 years is something we do, as a country, need to give thought to. I do think that local communities need to be incredibly involved in any decisions about their own electricity systems. They know where the pinch points are when the storm comes through; they know the areas where the power goes out\u2014they know these kinds of things, and that is incredibly important. I\u2019m not for a moment saying we shouldn\u2019t be doing that, but we do need to take stock and ask ourselves: have we really invested everything we need to in the energy system we need for the 21\u003Csup\u003Est\u003C/sup\u003E century? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat said, Labour is happy to support this bill, and I congratulate Dana Kirkpatrick for the work she has done on it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022 data-id=\u0022ca2f221d12c2163360a505588ed50826\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ca2f221d12c2163360a505588ed50826\u0022\u003ECELIA WADE-BROWN (Green) (20:37)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. I rise to support the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill. I want to say a few things about community energy trusts, talk a little bit about why there is an uneven distribution of them, and then make a few points about what could happen in that beautiful region of Whakat\u0101ne and the East Coast. I would like to say that I have not been at the Social Services and Community Committee, but I have looked at some of the submissions and I\u2019ve talked to our energy spokesperson, Scott Willis, on this matter, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ECommunity energy trusts in New Zealand have a unique and exceptional role to play to end our national exposure to volatile international fossil fuel prices, to electrify our nation, and to deliver affordable and locally resilient power. Our vision is distributed, affordable, decarbonised power for all of us\u2014think distributed, not Think Big.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI was very interested to hear Mr Rutherford speak, first of all, highly of Dana, which I would absolutely agree\u2014Dana Fitzpatrick, who\u2019s led this\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002238b68e90367ebdfba841b73b9f3916d0\u0022\u003EKatie Nimon\u003C/span\u003E: Kirkpatrick.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cdcdcf3485b57db83e737cf9b1edef47\u0022\u003ECELIA WADE-BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: Kirkpatrick\u2014thank you. I\u2019d also like to endorse his particular example drawn from the select committee process of saying it doesn\u2019t make sense to insulate the roof, to put solar panels on top of the roof, and then to not be able to fix the roof itself. That\u2019s very sensible. But what I\u2019d like to draw attention to was that very eloquent speech about how that side of the House really supported local trusts with elected members being able to do what they thought was right without direction from Wellington.  Well, it would be lovely if you\u2019d just spread that to include elected members and councils, as well\u2014but it does show that I was listening to that third point. We do support this bill, but we\u2019d like to make it clear that, instead of just broadening the trust\u2019s rule, it was very important to make sure that the energy-related purposes remained, as well as being able to do other things, because there is a lot of work to be done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to say two things about energy trusts, in general, that relate to this bill. Here we\u2019ve got Whakat\u0101ne and that area\u2014Kawerau and so forth\u2014having a really good trust that has kept its assets and is able to do a lot of good work and wants to do more good work. There are gaps around this country where there are no energy trusts, and I\u2019ll come to that in a moment, but I also want to think of the ongoing legacy of Jeanette Fitzsimons\u2014not Fitzpatrick; Fitzsimons\u2014because it was Jeanette\u2019s idea to have the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority so that we could actually have warm, healthy homes across the motu, and that legacy has endured a number of different Governments. The money has gone up and the money has gone down, but it\u2019s still there, thank goodness.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn a cost of living crisis and a global energy crisis\u2014and it\u2019s worse than it was in the 1970s; not that many of you remember the 1970s\u2014it does make sense to use the resources of Trust Horizon to enable a transition to a more local energy system that is also more resilient. It was very interesting to hear Minister Mitchell talk about resilience in emergency management and to have a real endorsement from around the House, but we do have limited resources, and I think that examples like Trust Horizon can really contribute to that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s refer to why we\u2019re not fortunate enough to have such an energy trust in Wellington. Back in June 1996, Sue Kedgley and I campaigned against the sale of Capital Power. If we hadn\u2019t sold all of Capital Power\u2014not retaining anything for a community energy trust\u2014we might have been able to look at Trust Horizon and say, \u201CYes, Wellington too.\u201D But the council of the time, including, originally, an opponent of the sale of Capital Power\u2014my colleague Mr Foster changed his mind and enabled the sale of Capital Power.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220bbc800c94467a1357311cdb5fb75084\u0022\u003EAndy Foster\u003C/span\u003E: No, it\u2019s because they changed the deal, unfortunately, Celia.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c58695d453a16dbd9201b0ebca3f30d4\u0022\u003ECELIA WADE-BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: Well, you\u2019ll have your time to speak, but that\u2019s, I think, what the record shows.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235683180d8038ac79bb45d2472a21ac8\u0022\u003EAndy Foster\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m not going to spend that time, but you need to know a little bit more than that, because you don\u2019t. You don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about, unfortunately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e919d60d3f5ac4f06ebc1b191e3525ec\u0022\u003EHon Member: \u003C/span\u003EOh, the mayors are fighting\u2014the mayors are fighting. Take off the chains\u2014you\u2019ll work it. Which one is the ball; which one is the chain?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022187eb197f8a8fb9c62b58b5e0147442e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Carry on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f33a4a1f5b060c71c755668cfe0b7b54\u0022\u003ECELIA WADE-BROWN\u003C/span\u003E: I think we\u2019ve rattled the chains quite enough! While you start off by opposing the sale of the asset and then you change your mind\u2014despite this, we had a fantastic citizens\u2019 jury\u2014some of us are going to Helmut Modlik\u2019s really interesting Re:shape conference on Saturday, which is talking about how we can hand over some decision making to the public\u2014but we ignored collectively, at our peril, that very sensible citizens\u2019 jury.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EFinally, I would like to give a shout-out to the Community Energy Network, of which Trust Horizon is a member. The aim is to put healthy homes and community energy in the public spotlight to get community organisations talking and to inspire citizens\u2019 engagement in our renewable transition\u2014electrify Aotearoa, indeed. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022443f23de4cbd464f91833e6c466c98c0\u0022 data-id=\u0022e26cd6c4dcb46253bc0fa14d81d32ab1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022443f23de4cbd464f91833e6c466c98c0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e26cd6c4dcb46253bc0fa14d81d32ab1\u0022\u003ETODD STEPHENSON (ACT) (20:44)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of ACT to speak in support of the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill. I want to again add our congratulations to Dana Kirkpatrick for getting this bill through the House. As we\u2019ve already heard, it makes a change to the trust deed to allow these broader charitable purposes for the trust in the Eastern Bay of Plenty while retaining the existing energy-focused charitable purposes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI want to thank the Social Services and Community Committee for their work on this. Any concerns that ACT had, we got on the record through Simon Court at the committee of the whole House, and I commend the bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022 data-id=\u00221e0ca2889e41abbdc5a9a5d5257d6848\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221e0ca2889e41abbdc5a9a5d5257d6848\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER (NZ First) (20:45)\u003C/span\u003E: New Zealand First believes in community ownership, and I think that this debate demonstrates the value of assets remaining in community ownership. The bit that Celia Wade-Brown forgot is in the first part of selling Capital Power; council also sold the controlling management control, and that basically meant that what you had left was simply shares and not control of things. So I think she neglected that minor thing. But the Greens have never been able to adapt to any change. They just keep on doing the same thing that they always ideologically do. That\u2019s the Greens for you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill is common sense. All of those issues that have been filibustered about for ages here have been dealt with through the select committee. It brings Trust Horizon in line with the other energy trusts. It allows greater benefits across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFinally, I\u2019m just conscious that the next bill is the one that we really need to get through tonight. If we\u2019re going to save the lives of New Zealanders this summer, we need to get the next bill through, so can we please get this one through as quick as possible? I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221e02d8c1404a971ce44ee579b845c6a9\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=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022 data-id=\u002200ecbbe7691be7046a82aaf78d42dc59\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dca7b20260b94cda81a3187e58a1d7c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002200ecbbe7691be7046a82aaf78d42dc59\u0022\u003EMIKE DAVIDSON (Green) (20:46)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of the Green Party, and, as I sit, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022 data-id=\u00227745b36771455f56419262945246d6f7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f0d31505882949b1a768aad60863fba9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227745b36771455f56419262945246d6f7\u0022\u003EJOSEPH MOONEY (National\u2014Southland) (20:46)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I rise to commend this bill to the House. I\u2019m very pleased I\u2019ve had it go through the Social Services and Community Committee, which I chair. I thank everyone for all their hard work. It\u2019s a brilliant bill. I congratulate Dana Kirkpatrick and everyone in her community. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cc5df856d19845fdaba4418087cd3bba\u0022 data-id=\u0022745871e188f143898ceef16f187a8c10\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc5df856d19845fdaba4418087cd3bba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022745871e188f143898ceef16f187a8c10\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI (Labour) (20:47)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I too would like to rise to congratulate the member Dana Kirkpatrick in bringing this bill to the House and shepherding it through and getting it to a point that across the House there is agreement in this. But I will say that the actual committee of the whole House stage\u2014and it\u2019s not often that we have a member in the chair that doesn\u2019t understand or hasn\u2019t done the work on that bill, but answers so clearly in the answers in that committee stage. I\u2019d have to say that that was very, very well done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI found that stage actually very enlightening, because, as the member Megan Woods said in her contribution at the third reading, this is not easy to get your head around. This is a very complex system that we have within this country, and this bill has highlighted the complexities that are involved here. While Labour has supported this bill\u2014and I think I\u2019ve spoken on just about every reading of this bill\u2014that does not mean that we accept that energy-related opportunities are exhausted in our regions. I think that that is really, really important. I think that, as the nature of energy supply is changing throughout the country and technology is changing, we see that there are more and more opportunities that come in this area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat we do agree with is that this excellent, outstanding trust has had its scope limited by legislation up until this point, and the legislation that we are passing through the third reading here this evening is a signal that the trust can go further in their scope, and that has to be a good thing. It has been pointed out tonight a number of times in a number of the contributions around the other trust areas across the country. Trust Horizon is probably the most limited up until this point of what they can achieve, so it is good to see that what we are doing here in Parliament this evening is taking that a step further and putting some purchase back into the hands of those local trust members, meaning that this particular trust will be able to make a bigger difference for their local community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI remember saying in the first reading, when you go on to the website of Trust Horizon, how impressive this trust is. I look forward to seeing what they can do now, once this piece of legislation has passed. They already\u2014and we heard that from the member tonight in his third reading speech\u2014have done some incredible work in their local communities. It is good to see the many variations of people in their district, and demographics, that they have been able to support. Well, now we\u2019re giving them the opportunity to take this one step further, and to look at different ways they can help, but making certain that energy is still at the heart of many of their decisions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs I said, I look forward to seeing where the trust takes this with their new direction that they\u2019ve got from this piece of legislation tonight. Along with the majority of people in this House, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022200839810eb94155be7306bf21d350dd\u0022 data-id=\u002247a83c75b3d202da7a4d35abb47e35a3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022200839810eb94155be7306bf21d350dd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002247a83c75b3d202da7a4d35abb47e35a3\u0022\u003ESAM UFFINDELL (National\u2014Tauranga) (20:51)\u003C/span\u003E: I want to commend this bill to the House, and say thank you to Dana Kirkpatrick\u2014who can\u2019t be with us in the House today\u2014for shepherding this through. This is obviously very close to me in Tauranga, and I know this is going to have a very positive impact in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, an area of high deprivation. They have a trust there, Horizon, with significant resources and a narrow scope. That will open up, and it\u2019s going to benefit sports clubs, marae, many other social and community programmes. This is a very good day for the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Well done, Dana Kirkpatrick. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228bd3e48e3726a25873990f03f1291a74\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Dan Rosewarne. I knew where to look this time!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002282ab0ea3cc1948dabe8e5cc6838658d0\u0022 data-id=\u0022896c8303362929fa9b1541d97abe4ef9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002282ab0ea3cc1948dabe8e5cc6838658d0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022896c8303362929fa9b1541d97abe4ef9\u0022\u003EDAN ROSEWARNE (Labour) (20:52)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. Yes, absolutely. Labour is pleased to support the third reading of the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill. This is a practical bill. It\u2019s driven by the community it serves, and it\u2019s been improved through the select committee process, as other contributors have mentioned tonight. The purpose of this bill is pretty straightforward. It gives the Trust Horizon more flexibility to support the people and the communities of Eastern Bay of Plenty, by widening its remit beyond purely energy-related purposes, while retaining its original focus on energy. That balance is important, and it\u2019s one of the reasons that Labour supports the changes recommended by the Social Services and Community Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Trust Horizon has a unique history. It was established through the electricity sector reforms of the 1990s, and today owns the Horizon Energy Group, including the lines company that supplies electricity throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Over many years, it has built up significant assets on behalf of the community. The challenge the trust faces is that its trust deed limits how those assets can be used, even when there are clear community needs sitting right in front of it. The district it serves includes communities facing real challenges. There are schools, community groups, marae, charities, and local organisations doing great work with limited resources. The trustees have looked at their roles and asked a simple question: if they have the ability to help more people, why shouldn\u2019t they?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMore than 80 percent of respondents in the community poll that they did supported widening and clarifying the charitable purposes of the trust. When you look at what the trust has already funded, you can understand why there is confidence in that organisation. We\u2019re not talking about a trust that\u2019s been sitting on the sidelines; we\u2019re talking about a trust that has funded insulation and heat pumps, supported schools with energy projects\u2014as has been mentioned\u2014and provided assistance for community transport. There have been environmental initiatives, as well, and helping community organisations with power costs. That track record is very important. It tells us that the trustees understand their communities and understand how to invest back into them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also want to acknowledge the work that the select committee has done around this bill, and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022 data-id=\u0022c8cb9a02913912e494ca6e0544a9fe88\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c8cb9a02913912e494ca6e0544a9fe88\u0022\u003EDAVID MacLEOD (National\u2014New Plymouth) (20:54)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. I am very pleased to take a call on this member\u2019s bill. Congratulations to Dana Kirkpatrick, like everybody else has mentioned. I think it\u2019s really important that the trust does ensure that it meets its core purpose of energy-related initiatives, but of course, this bill provides their ability to go out for wider community needs. In the communities of K\u0101ingaroa, Kawerau, \u014Cp\u014Dtiki, and Whakat\u0101ne, 80 percent voted for this to be changed, and so I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022 data-id=\u00228a3d68cc5b48e7ab2b1dffe5e3bc4516\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e641dc4bf8aa41b0bd8a29676c8ba9a6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228a3d68cc5b48e7ab2b1dffe5e3bc4516\u0022\u003EREUBEN DAVIDSON (Labour\u2014Christchurch East) (20:55)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s a real pleasure to stand and take a call on the Trust Horizon (Trust Variation) Bill this evening. We\u2019ve heard some great contributions, and, at committee stage, too, the exploration of some of the complexities around both the context of the energy market in New Zealand but also the process of changing trust deeds like this one. The Trust Horizon charitable trust was established through the energy sector reforms under the Energy Companies Act 1992.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe thing that I really wanted to acknowledge in my contribution this evening is some of the amazing work that Trust Horizon does for local communities\u2014some of the amazing initiatives that it supports, and the importance and the impact that this can have on the local communities. As we\u2019ve heard, a lot of these communities are like so many in our country: communities that really are struggling with the cost of living and the challenges to be able to afford the basics at the moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe first one I wanted to single out here was really looking at the economic development impacts happening around the support of the Kawerau Enterprise Agency (KEA) Centre in Kawerau, which was established over 40 years ago, with the goal of stimulating new business in Kawerau, and just ensuring that the KEA Centre could be funded to be warmer, drier, and a healthier space for people to work and to get on with doing the important work that happens when businesses start up, when businesses can work closely together, share experiences, challenges, and what\u2019s getting in the way of them being able to succeed. It\u2019s great to see that Trust Horizon are able to support the KEA Centre to be an environment that\u2019s going to be good and healthy and safe for people to be in, to get those businesses up and started.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe other thing that I wanted to look at here was\u2014well, two others really. One was on this page here, which was the support of the Kiwi Trust\u2014the trapping that they use in the Kiwi Trust to make sure that they\u2019ve got predators under control. That\u2019s by supporting New Zealand AutoTraps, which is a great innovative New Zealand company that creates fantastic traps that reset themselves. It\u2019s an absolute game-changer, and it\u2019s fantastic to see just the broad spectrum\u2014or the full horizon, if you will\u2014of support that the trust can provide to that community. It\u2019s great to see that that been able to be progressed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOne that I really wanted to single out, because I think it\u2019s so important\u2014and we often find that, particularly in communities that don\u2019t have access either to the funds or to the resources by virtue of not being in the major centres, often our rangatahi, our young people, miss out on the opportunities for taking those first steps into careers in our science and technology sector. There\u2019s the STEMM support that we\u2019re seeing that\u2019s going into the Eastern Bay STEMM Capability Project with a grant from the Horizon Trust. All of these fantastic initiatives are supported by the trust, and, really, as others have, I wanted to single out and acknowledge the work of the local member Dana Kirkpatrick in bringing this bill into the House this evening, and, ultimately, in getting cross-party support to be able to support it, not only at this third and final reading this evening, but also to ensure that it was supported, and really robustly examined by a number of parties at committee stage. So I\u2019m very happy to support this bill to the House this evening. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022 data-id=\u00222257f91b991305203c7ccbd88334fcc9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222257f91b991305203c7ccbd88334fcc9\u0022\u003EKATIE NIMON (National\u2014Napier) (20:59)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m really excited to see what Trust Horizon can do when this bill gets passed, so with that, I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ab32b09663ea48b199aa59e4d88f77e4\u0022 data-id=\u002229b40ad40e261ba5b79d7a1a1496481f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ab32b09663ea48b199aa59e4d88f77e4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002229b40ad40e261ba5b79d7a1a1496481f\u0022\u003ETIM COSTLEY (National\u2014\u014Ctaki) (20:59)\u003C/span\u003E: I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022173be675bfbf9bf0e1d2f6023ee3edf4\u0022\u003EMaritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e75f46dfb4c8ed873094846cfd3183aa\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022673069789fe74d02ac517109c173ccbd\u0022 data-id=\u002278af0cc3550c69763cd5c651de70fd53\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022673069789fe74d02ac517109c173ccbd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002278af0cc3550c69763cd5c651de70fd53\u0022\u003EHon Dr SHANE RETI (National\u2014Whang\u0101rei) (21:00)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill be now read a third time\u003C/span\u003E. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI have abbreviated my commentary here, just now, to accommodate the outcome I believe we are all hopeful of, and so I will be brief. Media have reported that this bill represents the biggest drowning prevention opportunity in a generation. It is also reported that New Zealand is on track for the deadliest year in the water in almost 25 years; Water Safety New Zealand is predicting more than 100 deaths in 2026, with 57 down and already counting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis, then, is the problem to solve and the opportunity we have tonight to solve a part of that problem. If we could, we would want to look back at the tenfold increase in the chances of survival for 10-year-old Ryder Ferregel and his mother Gemma who, in 2022, were not wearing life jackets when their boat capsized in the Manakau Harbour. We would wish that what we look to do tonight had been in place. Two years ago, the coroner to that inquiry called for a single, nationally-consistent rule for people to wear life jackets in small boats. However, over those two years, many without life jackets have continued to drown, such as the 42-year-old man on 14 March, just this year, who fell overboard without a life jacket and drowned in Lake Manap\u014Duri.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Transport and Infrastructure Committee heard that 15 percent of all drownings last year were on small recreational craft without life jackets. This bill is looking to save an average of 10 lives per year, with a 60 percent reduction in small recreational craft drownings through wearing life jackets\u2014not just carrying them, not at skipper discretion, and not varied across regional councils.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EShould this bill be agreed tonight, I want to start by thanking the Transport and Infrastructure Committee and all parties for progressing this bill. This bill benefited from the select committee having members who are kayakers and previous local government leaders. Tangi Utikere commented in the second reading on the collaboration as he and I studied images he had hand drawn around water length versus boat length, and I want to thank the member. His effort was not wasted; I understand the Tate gallery are interested in his drawings! I also want to acknowledge the history of this bill, which actually starts with Sam Lotu-Iiga on 26 September 2013. I connected with Sam today and thanked him, and he was ecstatic. From then to now is 4,724 days. If we progress well tonight, this will be the seventh member\u2019s bill in this Parliament to complete a third reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe know what we do today aligns with international best practice. We want the same benefits that Tasmania had when they introduced exactly this policy 25 years ago, which had an immediate 50 percent reduction in small craft fatalities in just the first year. Progress tonight formally gives organisations the ability to align with educational opportunities at our upcoming summer events, including Water Safety Week in late October, and summer boat shows.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe all understand the somewhat self-evident international experience that education is the first and most important activity to get under way for life jacket wearing, and the progress of this bill finally enables that. At the same time, a formal infringement regime will need to be developed. Officials tell me that they will look to have this operationally in place during 2027.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn conclusion, I want to thank all the submitters, as well as Maritime New Zealand, Water Safety New Zealand, Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, harbourmasters, and water sport and safety organisations. There is a poignancy for me personally as I speak here tonight at the last members\u2019 day of this 54\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E  Parliament. At the very last members\u2019 day of the 53\u003Csup\u003Erd\u003C/sup\u003E Parliament\u2014in the very last part of that members\u2019 day\u2014I was progressing the first reading of my member\u2019s bill to increase the breast cancer screening age and save lives. Here we are today\u2014the very last members\u2019 day of this Parliament\u2014also progressing a member\u2019s bill in my name to save lives. There\u2019s probably a theme there somewhere.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI thank, again, all parties for their contribution to this bill, and I wish New Zealanders a water safe future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220febbd7f284721b7f7657aafce23e238\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=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022 data-id=\u0022ddf6bc5c04f9e1c7c5024f0066de916e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eb80a9df83044b88a00c174ea7a61925\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ddf6bc5c04f9e1c7c5024f0066de916e\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE (Labour\u2014Palmerston North) (21:04)\u003C/span\u003E: Kia orana. Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure on behalf of the Labour Party to rise in support of this very important bill. Can I acknowledge, firstly, all of the members who have been involved in shepherding this bill through to this point in the Parliament. In particular, can I acknowledge the Hon Dr Shane Reti for being the person who has worked up this bill into the position that it is today. I know that he can take much satisfaction and credit for a bill that will absolutely save lives, as we head into the summer season. Can I also just acknowledge his apt appreciation for my artistic sketching skills, as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is a bill that we have supported at first reading, at second reading, through the committee stage, and now at the third reading. This is a bill that has come back to the Parliament with a changed title, and that\u2019s not something that often happens in this House. There are usually changes in other parts of the bill, but the fact that this is a bill that has a brand new title is an absolute reflection of the significance of change that this bill underwent through the select committee process. I want to acknowledge Dr Reti for his leadership in that space, but also fellow members of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, who took time and did so on the basis of understanding the feedback from submitters.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI actually think, when we look back at the life of this particular Parliament, this is a particular bill that could be seen as an exemplar in terms of how the select committee process ideally could and should work. It was a bill that went out, it heard from submitters, and submitters overwhelmingly indicated that, actually, this is not an issue that should just be for children and young people. This is an issue that the stats themselves indicate is actually far different from children and young people who die as a result of incidents in water and not having a life jacket or a personal flotation device. The select committee worked extremely hard and collegially and had a unanimous report back, to the point where we have this bill that\u2019s in front of us today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also want to acknowledge all of those submitters, all of those organisations, who worked alongside the committee to get this bill into a position where it is going to no doubt make a huge difference. It\u2019s interesting that Dr Reti talked about those who are on the committee and some do have local government experience. I think that in some way also acknowledges the workability aspects of this particular bill, to ensure that, actually, when it goes back to councils, regional councils, and territorial authorities, you don\u2019t have to go through a whole kind of suite of hoops in order to initiate the change or to reflect the position that this bill will effectively deliver on. I want to acknowledge colleagues on the committee that we\u2019re able to help in that particular space.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill is one that is driven by evidence. The evidence basically indicates that there have been 161 fatalities of people who are aged over 15 and that the average age of someone who dies in a recreational boating accident is 50 years of age. This is a bill that, while it has taken some time to work through the Parliament, I think is a good move, because we\u2019ve got it into a position where it is effectively going to save lives. Yes, we can talk about the changes around\u2014the length has stayed the same, as 6 metres, but whether it\u2019s the overall sort of length, which my sketch alluded to, or whether it\u2019s the waterline length, when we stand back and have a look at what this bill will seek to achieve and what I believe it will achieve, it is going to be something that I think all members of this House, in supporting this, can be very, very proud of indeed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ECan I also acknowledge the officials who supported the select committee, who allowed for a little bit of\u2014I wouldn\u2019t call them props\u2014hands-on experience as to what some of these devices look like and how they can effectively be operational on a recreational craft, and that has been extremely helpful. We have supported this bill; we will continue to support it. This law will change lives. It is going to be a small move but will make a huge, lasting impact and difference. I think, in particular, the committee and parliamentarians have been keen to ensure that this is a bill that is in place for summer, and the intention of our side is that that happens this evening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a3c726454ddf947c014fbacb5a89231\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Can I just say that this is the first bill I\u2019ve presided over that\u2019s had a name change, despite some of the rubbish titles that I\u2019ve heard when I\u2019ve sat in the committee chair in this term of Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022 data-id=\u0022f1c44fb8c0cc64524adc0012ba3afb37\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e66329e431ea47019b41524c6ef2954a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f1c44fb8c0cc64524adc0012ba3afb37\u0022\u003ECELIA WADE-BROWN (Green) (21:09)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also rise to support the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill. First of all, I\u2019d just like to acknowledge not just all of those who have drowned in our seas, rivers, and lakes, but also the very brave men and women who go out and rescue people\u2014sometimes too late. We heard from people who had been quite traumatised by the number of drownings that they had had to attend.  I really thank them for bringing their experience into the select committee room.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESome of those submitters had to come in twice, because, as previous speakers have mentioned, we changed the age range, but we also made some other modest changes as well. Those of us who are kayakers and have\u2014and this is like one of those Venn diagrams: who\u2019s in local government, and who\u2019s also a kayaker? Well, I think there\u2019s at least two of us in this Chamber tonight. I would like to acknowledge the chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee\u2014and be more positive about this than in the last bill\u2014who was actually very constructive and enabled us to really tease out all those definitions: is it a ship? Is it a vessel? Is it a boat? What\u2019s the right way to describe it? Is it a personal flotation device? Is it a lifejacket? What are the different names that we ought to be using here? Most of all, what is going to be clear to the general public, because it\u2019s the passage of this bill in a comprehensible form that will form the basis of safety and education going forward?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThanks to Water Safety, the regional harbour masters, the water safety organisations, coastguards, and individuals who came and sometimes challenged a detail of it. We had a big discussion about what \u201Cunderway\u201D might mean, and I still have visions of certain members of that committee jumping overboard from yachts and whether they should wear lifejackets or not. I really think we probably needed a site visit to elucidate what that might look like, but we didn\u2019t have one. But we did really consider what \u201Cunderway\u201D did or didn\u2019t mean, whether having an electronic anchor would mean that you weren\u2019t \u201Cunderway\u201D, but we decided that because it\u2019s keeping you in the same spot but potentially against quite a strong current, that was potentially a risky situation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI just wish there were more members\u2019 bills that had got through. There are a lot of bills on different things that we actually agree on across the House, and sometimes you spend more time throwing shade than we do in actually serving the public with things that just ought to be updated. We\u2019ve got some mechanisms by which we can do that that are just not being taken advantage of in this term. Thank you to my colleagues. I look forward to KayakSafe events around the country and also just to people taking the educational steps that this bill enables. Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022 data-id=\u0022002ade2702a249e21dce4ae85d68ed32\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220838e5f9bac748d2a59aea595e5226a0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022002ade2702a249e21dce4ae85d68ed32\u0022\u003ESIMON COURT (ACT) (21:13)\u003C/span\u003E: ACT will be supporting this bill, because we\u2019re a party that responds to evidence. The evidence that we heard is that a lot more adults die from drowning when not wearing lifejackets than children, so we support the name change to the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Act 2025. I just want to point a few things out to the House and to those listening and watching and to those who might come after people who might be responsible for enforcement like harbour masters. Harbour masters and regional councils already had the power to do this, the select committee heard. Regulations could have been made and promulgated through an Order in Council to deliver exactly this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHowever, here we are. One or two small concessions were obtained from the member in charge, such as occupants of a small boat using the bathroom, towelling themselves dry, or sunbathing\u2014it could be anticipated they\u2019re not wearing a life jacket at that time. In the preamble, it says, \u201CIn situations like this we would expect harbourmasters\u201D\u2014yes, I\u2019m talking to you\u2014\u201Cto maintain a degree of reasonableness in their enforcement.\u201D The member sitting next to me, Cameron Luxton from P\u0101p\u0101moa, also pointed out that sometimes, when you go out on a boat, you might want to jump off and have a swim. At that point in time, you won\u2019t be wearing a lifejacket.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EACT supports this bill\u2014at times reluctantly\u2014but we do appreciate that evidence was provided that people\u2019s lives will be saved. We must trust that the hassle and all of the niggle of having to require people to wear lifejackets at all times on these small craft is worth the sauce.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022 data-id=\u00225703634e0318626bcd8fdb69b599e60b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225703634e0318626bcd8fdb69b599e60b\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER (NZ First) (21:15)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First and also as chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, which considered this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227f456bdad87aed5e7a0ddd15cdd097b1\u0022\u003EHon Chris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: What a committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248ce26e54d83406399b875df20400dec\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022802a7a10bc42c27443a3d65c8f8ea3ec\u0022\u003EANDY FOSTER\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s a very good committee, a very collegial committee, and I was going to say thankyou to all the members of the committee for the work they did. This bill started as being life jackets for under-15s on those small vessels under 6 metres in length. We got really, really strong feedback from the water safety community, coastguards, harbour masters, and so on, saying, \u201CActually, the problem is, as you\u2019ve already heard, not just the young people; the problem is everybody, all ages.\u201D As you\u2019ve already heard, the average age of people drowning unfortunately is 50 years of age.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat we did, which is quite unusual, is we said to the Business Committee, \u201CCan we go out and get submissions again?\u201D We didn\u2019t think it was appropriate for us just to change the scope. We wanted it to be a good democratic process. We did that. We got those submissions in again, which said, \u201CGo for it.\u201D Just to pick up the thing that Simon Court mentioned, saying, \u201CThis could have been done by Order in Council.\u201D Yes, it could have been done by Order in Council, but at the stage that we got that advice, we\u2019d have had to then say, \u201CMinister, you go out and do that if it\u2019s a priority for you, and then you\u2019ll have to get submissions again from the same people who have already submitted to us twice.\u201D We didn\u2019t think that was a very good idea. We wanted to proceed with the bill, and that\u2019s where we\u2019ve got to today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat we\u2019ve done is we extended the scope of the bill. We changed the title of the bill, as has been said. We think it\u2019s a sensible title. We did this because we heard heart-rending stories of young people, of children, who were wearing lifejackets, the boat turns over, they survive, but their parents, who weren\u2019t wearing lifejackets, drowned in front of their eyes. That is what we don\u2019t want to do. This bill is about, as the Hon Shane Reti said in introducing it, saving lives. What needs to be done now is to get it through today so that we can then have the education and the enforcement prepared for the most risky time of year, which is summer. This bill, we expect, will save about 10 lives a year, and I think it\u2019s really important we do. I just want to commend Shane Reti for the work he\u2019s done, Cam Brewer before him for the work he had done, and all the other people who were party to this bill coming through the Transport and Infrastructure Committee for listening carefully and being collegial and collaborative in this process. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022 data-id=\u00226aef08000a47d99e6a0d035e15492f35\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226710095aa1204b3793448571c208ccd4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226aef08000a47d99e6a0d035e15492f35\u0022\u003EHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green\u2014Rongotai) (21:17)\u003C/span\u003E: T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Chair. This is one of the best outcomes I\u2019ve seen this entire term from this Parliament, and I just want to congratulate everyone who was involved. There has been a really big campaign for a more sensible evidence-based national approach to rules around lifejackets for quite a long time, but it rarely got political priority because it\u2019s such a risk when it\u2019s so easy to attack something that\u2019s perceived to be an annoying rule, even if it is going to save lives. I don\u2019t know that we would have got this awesome outcome if it weren\u2019t for the chair, Andy Foster, being really, really open minded and for the whole select committee and the Minister being quite open minded to change the scope of the bill and to get a really fantastic outcome. I would love to see Parliament do more of this. If only we could come together more and do something sensible and evidence based that would save lives, let\u2019s do that. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225459b3c0726d42c1b6d3cc94ec303baa\u0022 data-id=\u00228a510001ce2587de8ef8bf97674988d7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225459b3c0726d42c1b6d3cc94ec303baa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228a510001ce2587de8ef8bf97674988d7\u0022\u003EHon JAMES MEAGER (Associate Minister of Transport) (21:18)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It gives me a lot of pleasure, actually, to stand as the Minister responsible for this area of law, maritime law, which looks after water safety, and to stand in full support of a bill which will save lives and reduce harm. This bill, when passed into law this summer, will save New Zealanders\u2019 lives. It will reduce harm, and it will give many more New Zealanders the peace of mind to know that when their loved ones are out there on the boat, there is a much higher chance of them returning home safely and soundly. I know that anyone who sat through submissions or heard of stories of people who have lost loved ones in tragedies on the water will know how terrible\u2014terrible\u2014a situation it is. I really commend all members of the House for coming together and for passing a piece of legislation which will save lives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI know some have said that this could be done through regulation and it could be done through an Order in Council, and that is correct, but I think subsequent Governments of all colours have seen that it\u2019s quite difficult to make that change for a range of reasons. I\u2019m so glad that this has been able to happen through a member\u2019s bill, a process which provides individual members the opportunity to put forward an idea and have it come to fruition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to commend Dr Reti for picking up this bill. What a fine way to sign off a career, first of all, built on saving lives, and finishing in Parliament with a bill which will save lives as well. I want commend Dr Reti for taking this on, for his diligent stewardship of it, for the numerous phone calls keeping me updated on its progress and the changes that were being recommended, and making sure that everyone was on board.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor those of you out there on the water this summer, the change that will be made is very, very simple. This summer in New Zealand, across the country, no matter where you are, if you are on a small boat, you must wear a life jacket at all times while under way\u2014that\u2019s it. While you\u2019re under way on a small boat under six metres, you must wear a life jacket. It happens in some parts around the country. It doesn\u2019t happen universally. This is a change to make sure that no matter where you are, that will happen. The agency responsible for carrying this out in terms of education will be Maritime New Zealand. They will embark on a countrywide campaign to make sure people know about the changes that are being made. They are going to take a positive, proactive education first approach so that everyone gets used to these changes. They are going to do their best to be light-handed in terms of those who don\u2019t quite get it right. The main thing we want to know and that we want to see change is a cultural change in this country so that all New Zealanders growing up take the responsibility upon themselves to wear a life jacket and to keep themselves safe. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIf you are out on the water this summer, wear a life jacket, carry two forms of reliable communication, and always, always check the weather forecast. That\u2019s all we ask so that you can come home safely to your loved ones. This bill will save lives, it will reduce harm, I\u2019m very proud to support it, and I\u2019m very proud to commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002201f738f244724e5b8da066dba7a6a526\u0022 data-id=\u0022cfc2bf0fb6757e7b7182102462c4877b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002201f738f244724e5b8da066dba7a6a526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cfc2bf0fb6757e7b7182102462c4877b\u0022\u003EDr TRACEY McLELLAN (Labour) (21:21)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Labour also supports the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill, and I would also like to echo many of the sentiments that the previous contributor has just made and the fact that he was able to somewhat, quite fittingly, turn this into a little bit of a public service announcement, because that is essentially where the work starts now. As has been said, the proof in the pudding will be in the education space. It\u2019s not to be punitive, it is to actually save lives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to also acknowledge the Hon Dr Shane Reti and echo the sentiments of the Hon James Meager when he said it\u2019s possibly not by accident that someone whose whole career has been focused on saving lives and improving lives would be drawn to such a bill when he was able to take it over from, I should also acknowledge, the previous sponsor the Hon Cameron Brewer. It\u2019s possibly no coincidence that he was drawn to this bill because it\u2019s very much on brand and it will save lives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is ultimately a very simple piece of legislation, and I agree that it could have been done differently, but it wasn\u2019t and here we are. It was a valuable process for us to go through to take a bill that, as introduced, was somewhat different, to listen to the evidence, and for us to be here tonight at third reading. If you are out on a small recreational craft, wearing a life jacket dramatically improves your chances of coming home, and that\u2019s just a fact. All of the statistics bear that out. It\u2019s a fact that we\u2019ve been aware of for a very long period of time, and the impetus to make this change, for whatever reason, hasn\u2019t got across the line, and tonight it will. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen we think about recreational boating and what that actually looks like in New Zealand, whether it\u2019s families out on fishing trips, whether it\u2019s being out in the dingy, small runabouts, people heading across the harbour, a beautiful harbour like Whakaraup\u014D in Lyttleton, or any harbour, most people don\u2019t leave shore expecting anything to go wrong. They\u2019re out there having a good time, enjoying the coast, the river, the lake, and the expectation that something could go wrong isn\u2019t necessarily at the forefront of people\u2019s minds, particularly before it does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI agree with the Hon Julie Anne Genter, this is a good example of Parliament actually doing a really good job by starting with a proposition, and the starting proposition was different\u2014it was about children\u2019s safety\u2014listening to the evidence, and having to jump a couple of hurdles to do so, but being prepared in a bipartisan way to actually make the requisite change. As introduced, it required, as I said, people under 15 who are on a recreational craft, six metres or less, to wear life jackets. But the evidence before us during that select committee process, it just simply told a very different story. We know that, since 2015, eight recreational boating fatalities were children under 15, each one incredibly tragic, but there were also 161 people who were over 15, and the average age of people who die in recreational boating incidents in New Zealand is 50. The Transport and Infrastructure Committee, therefore, went through a process of seeking permission to go beyond the scope of the original bill and to, really importantly, we should note, go back to public consultation. It wasn\u2019t like we stretched the bill quietly behind the scenes. We got that requisite permission at the Transport and Infrastructure Committee and went back and opened that consultation process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere was a very understandable instinct behind the original bill and that was to protect children, but once the statistics and all of the evidence from\u2014and I should also acknowledge not only the officials but the excellent submitters that we had through this process, many of whom have dedicated their whole lives to water safety and to recreational boating. They are experts, and it is disconcerting when, summer after summer in particular, they are faced with that reality of knowing that something simple could actually make a huge difference and avert many of the tragedies that some of them had the unenviable position of bearing witness to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe bill now requires a person in charge of a recreational craft, six metres or less, to ensure that everybody on board is wearing an appropriately sized life jacket while the craft is under way. That\u2019s a critical distinction. It\u2019s about wearing the life jacket, not simply having one on board somewhere. We know that, even as recently as 2024, 94 percent of craft-related drownings were people who weren\u2019t wearing a life jacket. That\u2019s pretty daunting. That\u2019s pretty sobering. A life jacket sitting under a bench or in a locker somewhere is of absolutely no use if it\u2019s tucked away and it\u2019s not available to you when you unexpectedly need it. When we think about the nature of accidents that happen on the water, they are generally through capsize, through some sort of sudden change in the weather, being in particularly cold weather, a collision\u2014the very moment that you discover that you might need a life jacket is probably not the moment at all that you have time to find it and put it on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere were also several technical changes around making sure that there was some national sort of simplicity. People really shouldn\u2019t have to worry about what the relevant bylaw is, or what the regional bylaw is that applies in different parts of the country. All of those things happened through this process, which was good. Passing this legislation, though, just to finish off, is probably the first part, and other people have mentioned that the objective has to be with an educational focus, particularly in that first summer. We want behavioural change here, and for things to be enduring and for things to work well, it has to be because of behavioural change. There\u2019s not many of us that think twice about putting on a seat belt. It\u2019s become human nature. It\u2019s become part of what we do, an unquestioned thing that we do, so we really do want this to be unquestioned as well. Having said that, Maritime New Zealand, councils, harbour masters, those people need to have those resources available to them to make sure that they are able to explain the bill and to not have to resort to an overly punitive sort of situation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill will not prevent every tragedy that occurs on the water, and it\u2019s not the whole answer to our drowning problem, and we do have a drowning problem. We still need to ensure that we\u2019ve got adequate swimming education and other sorts of water safety programmes, along with those strong organisations, like Coastguard and Surf Lifesaving, who are such an important part of not only our water safety but also our community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThey also need to be well resourced and well supported to do the job that they do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019d like to acknowledge everybody who did submit, particularly those who brought really quite harrowing personal experience of loss and water safety to the committee. It\u2019s an example of the select committee process working well. It\u2019s an example of us being able to utilise the tools that we do have at our disposal to make a good positive change, and Labour is very pleased to support this bill in its first reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022 data-id=\u0022f4ab5991ace400d1f78b1a957e864aa4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f4ab5991ace400d1f78b1a957e864aa4\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS (National\u2014Northcote) (21:30)\u003C/span\u003E: There are not many bills in this House that you can say are consequential, but this is one of those bills. It really does save lives, and I just want to acknowledge the significance of this day. It\u2019s been a pleasure to be a part of the process and to see this bill get to this stage today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI certainly acknowledge the history, and the member in charge of the bill, Dr Shane Reti, and those who have come before us and have advocated for change: Sam Lotu-Iiga, Alfred Ngaro, Cameron Brewer, and now Dr Shane Reti. So I really appreciate their advocacy in bringing this to the House\u2019s attention.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve learnt a lot as part of this process, like the simple definition of \u201Clife jacket.\u201D There are many different life jackets out there\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b111696b9f040d3b1d5339eead7439f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022076017a331815a3aa7ab81ad72341d18\u0022\u003EHon Chris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: What is it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002296b3ecda28c19491b2a39cb36d84ea7c\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019s quite a complex definition but it is in law. For those of you who are tuning in at home, we learnt that there are a lot of different types of life jackets out there\u2014personal flotation devices. They are not the old big thick life jackets that you remember from back in the day. A lot of them are quite thin and stylish. Now they have little belts, so if you\u2019re in a kayak and you\u2019re worried about fashion you don\u2019t actually need to have this big yellow jacket.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002215d4ace883a8934240759f7fb11e0a28\u0022\u003EHon Members: \u003C/span\u003EExactly!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248dd93322e8ba07aba85d2fcb0d979fd\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, you just need a little belt. For those who are in the Waitemat\u0101 Harbour and worried about their style, there are a lot of different ranges of life jackets out there, so we have applied a pretty liberal definition to personal flotation devices. So to reassure those out there in the public, if you\u2019re on a kayak or a stand-up paddle board, there is a range of options that exist for you in order to comply with the regulations and the laws.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve also learnt a lot about the definition of size\u2014six metres; what is six metres? [\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsTerm\u0022 style=\u0022font-style: italic\u0022\u003EInterruption\u003C/span\u003E] Exactly; let\u2019s not go there. Six metres is really a good length that covers a broad range, and we heard from Maritime New Zealand about the number of vessels out there that are going to be covered within this definition. So the committee was satisfied with the length of vessel that we determined.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe also had a discussion, and Celia Wade-Brown led that, of course, on the question: what is a vessel; what is a ship? We\u2019ve simplified that in the law, so that no one is left wondering.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223de6e6d6d57d40b483b9b558769ce301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022152fbb6b2e3c1468fa522164e6396309\u0022\u003EArena Williams\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t leave them without a life jacket.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b7cff05e64f346e68983b2fdbfba3ad8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b44593ab81ca22eb07ae31ac6d5e57d\u0022\u003EDAN BIDOIS\u003C/span\u003E: Don\u2019t leave them without a life jacket, says Arena Williams\u2014that\u2019s right. The select committee process has been well traversed. Thank you to my select committee colleagues. The committee was ably chaired by the New Zealand First member, Andy Foster. Thank you very much for your chairing. It has been a really good example of how the select committee process is supposed to work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe all have our political colours, but we\u2019re there to act in the best interests of New Zealand, and we did a really good job of recognising that there was a wider scope that is required. We took it to the Business Committee. The Business Committee gave us approval to widen the scope and put it out for submissions and hear those submissions. I do want to acknowledge those who made submissions on the bill as part of the process. Some made submissions twice as part of the new, revamped scope of the bill. So I appreciate their contribution. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe officials from Maritime New Zealand led us through this and gave us a lot of advice throughout the process, and I wish to thank them, as well as, of course, members from across this House who were on the select committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn terms of next steps, this summer is, of course, coming up. Today is the second day of spring. We all excited to be getting out there and feeling that warmer weather. It is going to be, I think, a slow ramp-up for Maritime New Zealand, so for those of you at home, just rest assured\u2014this really is about culture change. The authorities are not going to be actively trying to just get revenue through fining people who aren\u2019t complying. It really is about a culture change, and that starts with education, and we\u2019ve been assured that Maritime New Zealand will have a big education drive to help ramp up and make people aware of the new laws in the bill we\u2019re about to pass today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAgain, I wish to thank everybody who\u2019s been a part of this process. It is a good piece of legislation. It\u2019s one that we on this side are happy to support. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002231a84ea6ee320df7cb9de428098899d4\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, every day in this House you learn something, and today\u2019s lesson was about stylish life jackets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002242067e22c7a349218b3b868f58eda79d\u0022 data-id=\u0022a73ad505b5efa87df70a0edc4a35b114\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002242067e22c7a349218b3b868f58eda79d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a73ad505b5efa87df70a0edc4a35b114\u0022\u003ERACHEL BOYACK (Labour\u2014Nelson) (21:36)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to take a call on the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill. As one of a number of members in this House, I represent an electorate that is surrounded by quite a large chunk of water, and a significant number of people in my community spend a lot of time on the water for enjoyment purposes, for recreational purposes, and also for their work. Many people are out there fishing regularly and undertaking other activity on the water. So it\u2019s a huge part of the world that we live in in Nelson.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI wanted to make a few comments around the changes that have gone through with this bill, because this bill is one of those examples where it\u2019s gone into the tin and come back here to the House in a much better state. It makes a significant change for safety for people who operate on the water, and that is a good thing. The bill has gone through a very robust process to get to that point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EEarlier on in that process, when discussions were happening about the possibility of changing the scope of the bill, I had a conversation with one of our harbourmasters about his views and what he thought would be helpful. At that point the bill still had a focus on children, on those aged 15 and under. The comment he made to me that is quite pertinent to my region, and to other parts of the country, was that having inconsistent bylaws between regions where people would often be operating a vessel, a craft of some kind, and potentially at multiple times during the day, made life difficult in terms of education and enforcement. So it\u2019s a good example. You\u2019ll get people who may enter the water in their vessel in Motueka, which sits under the Tasman district bylaw, and then carry on through the harbour and then come through to Nelson port and Nelson marina. At that point they\u2019ve entered the Nelson area and there were slightly different rules around life jacket use between the two regions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat Stuart said to me was that the most useful thing that the Parliament could do was to have some consistency across the country, particularly when you have regions that are so close and connected but have different rules. It makes it incredibly difficult to teach people what the rules are if they enter the water under one rule and go through another part of the water with a different rule and then come out the other part with another rule.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn Nelson, for example, there are bylaws that require adults to wear life jackets. The bill won\u2019t necessarily change the actual rules for Nelson. What it will mean is that we\u2019ve got consistency of rules across all of Aotearoa in terms of life jacket use, and that is a good thing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs colleagues have mentioned, this is actually about culture change, and we can see from the statistics that while the  bill was very well intentioned around protecting young people\u2014something that I think all members of this House believe is important, or should believe is important\u2014what the evidence and statistics showed was that this issue affects older people. It\u2019s people who probably have a bit of that Kiwi, \u201CShe\u2019ll be right\u201D attitude\u2014\u201CI\u2019m a strong swimmer. I\u2019ve been operating a vessel for a very long period of time. I know what I\u2019m doing. I know how to use the weather reports.\u201D Unfortunately, a lot of the people who pass away, we hear stories about how experienced they were on the water, about how much they understood it, how much they knew it, how much time they spent on the water. Yet, the decision to not wear a lifejacket has actually been a large contributing factor to the fact that they didn\u2019t survive some type of incident. We have that Kiwi \u201Cshe\u2019ll be right\u201D attitude; we talk about it, we kind of joke about it, but this is one of those instances where, actually, it\u2019s not funny. You know, people lose their lives on the water; they don\u2019t go home to their families. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI do just want to finish by acknowledging Nelson Coastguard, who do a remarkable job rescuing people\u2014have won awards for rescuing people. In Nelson, we have an annual blessing of the fleet and a seafarers memorial. The reason we do that is, actually, to acknowledge those who have been lost on the water. We lay wreaths and we put flowers into the water every year. It\u2019s one of the most significant events that occurs in Nelson every year. And we remember all those people who were lost. We often get to speak to their families and see the grief from people who have been lost at sea. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a serious matter. It\u2019s an excellent bill. I congratulate the member on getting it to this point tonight\u2014well done. And on that note, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b618b847a57b4afb94b76eaea9e042a5\u0022 data-id=\u0022b11bdb1d362064a90a9cb477f9d4c44d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b618b847a57b4afb94b76eaea9e042a5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b11bdb1d362064a90a9cb477f9d4c44d\u0022\u003EDr CARLOS CHEUNG (National\u2014Mt Roskill) (21:41)\u003C/span\u003E: This is my third contribution to this legislation, and before I start my contribution, Cameron Brewer actually ensured that I acknowledge him about bringing this bill to the House\u2014so he can take some credit for it. I think that\u2019s really important. I also acknowledge the hard work of Dr Shane Reti on this bill as well. To pick up in the middle of the progress\u2014he did a lot of the contribution. I wish him well on the next chapter of his life as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBack to this bill. I think this bill is about one thing: saving lives. Lifejackets seem like a simple piece of equipment, but in an emergency, it can be the difference between life and death. I think it\u2019s been mentioned by a lot of different members of Parliament here. They\u2019ve already mentioned how important is it, so I just want to twist it a little bit to the other direction. I just want to thank all the water safety advocates. I want to acknowledge their work\u2014many organisations and individuals across New Zealand who have been advocating for better water safety. Those are the people who have been having this conversation for years. To all those organisations and advocates, I want to say thank you\u2014your work has made a difference. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo let\u2019s change the culture. Don\u2019t wait for the emergency, put it on before you need it. The goal is very simple: enjoy the water, protect your loved ones, and make sure everyone gets home safely. One life saved is worth every effort. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI actually prepared a few pages of my speech, but I realised nothing is more important than passing this bill to save lives. So I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cc5df856d19845fdaba4418087cd3bba\u0022 data-id=\u00228f4989d991f87972d05431f5e2167e79\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001397\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cc5df856d19845fdaba4418087cd3bba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228f4989d991f87972d05431f5e2167e79\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI (Labour) (21:43)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to start my contribution by also congratulating the member, the Hon Dr Shane Reti, and the work that you have done. I think it sort of hit me when members of your own side were talking about what an amazing way to sign off\u2014it really is. It\u2019s part of that long career that you\u2019ve had of saving lives. So congratulations for taking this through this evening. It really will make a difference\u2014it will make a huge difference. In fact, as I\u2019ve been sitting here listening to the contributions, it amazes me, that it\u2019s taken New Zealand this long to actually pass this bill tonight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI was hearing people talking about members of the public who came into the select committee and told their stories\u2014the heart breaking stories that we\u2019ve heard. I sat there thinking, \u201CHow many lives did it have to take for us to get to this point, that we\u2019re actually passing this tonight?\u201D I also listened to the contributions from people saying, \u201CIsn\u2019t this when Parliament is at its best?\u201D And I have to say, it is, completely, when Parliament is at its best\u2014when there is an issue and we come together. I think the Transport and Infrastructure Committee has done something even more extraordinary here. They\u2019ve seen just how big the issue is, that it was bigger than what their scope was, they\u2019ve come up with a solution, and everybody has been on side with that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI get quite emotional. I have a story, and it\u2019s a story, unfortunately, that did not have a happy ending. I sit here tonight and I think of the person in my story and the difference that it could have made to a family that was torn apart by tragedy. My story goes back a number of years, where we had a young man at our school who had special learning needs, and he went out fishing one night with his dad in the Tauranga Harbour. Those of you who know the Tauranga Harbour know that it\u2019s not an exceptionally deep harbour, but just like anywhere in this country, tragedy can hit in a heartbeat. He wore a lifejacket, just like we\u2019ve heard here this evening\u2014that many young people are often put in the lifejacket\u2014but his father didn\u2019t. The wind hit that boat, that little tinny, really quickly and upended it. The young man saw his dad die before his eyes. We never saw that young man back at school again because his whole family had been upended; tragedy had struck. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat we\u2019re doing here this evening, taking all the joviality aside, that we\u2019ve had a lot of fun as we\u2019ve been talking about it, as we hear about saving lives, and that\u2019s the difference that we are making as a Parliament this evening. I often wonder about that young man. Often wonder what happened to him, because his life might have been saved, but, hell, what a thing to go through; to see your father die before your eyes like that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo the Transport and Infrastructure Committee: you have done an amazing job of changing this. To all of the people that have been in charge of this bill, of bringing it to this stage\u2014what an exceptional difference you are making in so many lives. I feel really proud to stand here this evening and proud to be part of a Parliament that is making such a difference to people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe have heard, here, this evening, about this will be a culture change. Yes, it will be a culture change, and we have to work, and the authorities will have to work, to make sure that people understand what that culture change means. But in time, it will be just like those seat belts that I can remember as a kid. You know, you didn\u2019t \u201Cmake them click\u201D back then, but I can, now, think, \u201CWell, look at the change that\u2019s happened in a relatively short space of time; that, now, we don\u2019t get in cars without making it click.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWell, from tonight, the change is going to happen. We will see people getting in boats and going for the lifejackets and wearing them and putting them on. We will see families not torn apart. We will see young people not lose their parents because of a decision that was made because they didn\u2019t have the lifejackets or it wasn\u2019t part of the culture of wearing a lifejacket. This is Parliament at its best. This is why I\u2019m proud to be a parliamentarian. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThank you so much to everybody involved in getting it to this stage and thank you to all of those people that have submitted and told their stories. We are making a huge difference in this country, here, this evening. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022 data-id=\u00221274960d563fac6c3c8720b7a4370452\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002288978fb9592a4911a8e47eae04d164f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221274960d563fac6c3c8720b7a4370452\u0022\u003EDr VANESSA WEENINK (National\u2014Banks Peninsula) (21:48)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a great honour to take a call in this third reading of the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill. I first want to congratulate all of the members who participated in this process and who have championed it over the years; the Hon Cameron Brewer and, in particular, of course, the the Hon Dr Shane Reti; and also all of the people who took the time to submit\u2014in some cases more than once on this bill, as it\u2019s changed its scope and even changed its title\u2014to enable it to protect the people that need to be protected. Saving children\u2019s lives sounds like the most commendable thing, however, they were not the ones who were drowning at the highest rates. And so it made much more sense to extend this bill to cover everybody.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs has been well-traversed, this bill was well-discussed throughout the select committee process\u2014had a lot of submitters. I want to take the time to just thank some of the people who\u2019ve contributed and advocated for this change over the years. In particular, I want to thank, on behalf of the the Hon James Meager, who omitted them earlier, the New Zealand Safer Boating Forum and Water Safety New Zealand in particular, for their contributions, and who were particularly well-traversed and well-prepared for the committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs has been discussed, this bill is only the beginning. Really, what this requires is a massive change in culture. This bill isn\u2019t about any of us, really, in this House. It\u2019s not about convincing us across the aisle that this is needed. This is about a man who\u2019s about 60 years old, who\u2019s been heading out off the heads all his life, ever since he was a child. He knows that stretch of water better than anybody else, and he has never once needed a life jacket; he doesn\u2019t assume that anything is going to be going wrong. This is not about his experience. This is not about his personal competence, and we\u2019re not asking someone like him to not believe in himself or to, you know, not have the confidence on the water. What we\u2019re asking is that those people put it on for the other people on the vessel with them, put it on for the people who are waiting for them at home, who are waiting for them to get back at the end of the day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen it comes down to it, there\u2019s no way that this can be enforced on every vessel. There\u2019s not going to be the life jacket police running around making sure that everybody\u2019s got their life jackets on in a 6-metre vessel under way. This is about making sure that the signal is sent that this is the expectation of everybody. Knowing that this is the way it is everywhere in New Zealand makes it clear across the country so that travelling between different jurisdictions doesn\u2019t matter. As has been pointed out, even in small areas there can be a bylaw difference, which just does not make sense, especially when there are no real boundaries on the sea.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve heard about some of the terrible statistics of drowning. Over the last 25 years there have been over 400 drownings; most of those\u2014over 300 of them\u2014involved people who were not wearing a life jacket, and 80 percent of them were on small craft. So this is a very pertinent and important piece of legislation and will save lives. I\u2019m not sure which pieces of legislation the Hon Dr Shane Reti assisted in, which different pieces of policy he\u2019s guided through, will have the greatest impact on the number of lives, but this is definitely one of those where, although we know that it will have a huge difference, the success of this legislation will actually be measured in lives that are not lost, in funerals that are not attended, in chairs at tables that are not left empty. Although we may never know the names of those people who weren\u2019t lost, there are going to be hundreds of people, potentially, in the future who will still be with their families because of the work that this House has done this evening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt is wonderful to see bipartisan support and the process having worked so well. Parliament is a place where real change and deeply impactful things can happen. When I think again about those people that are not going to be lost, what will happen to them instead is that they\u2019ll simply come in on the tide, tie up the boat, and argue about who is cleaning the fish. They\u2019ll complain that the bite was better last year. That is the whole point. I commend the bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f988bc72b5e47b8856ba70e41dfbbaf\u0022 data-id=\u002272074b7291d09887fae35cf60fae166d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f988bc72b5e47b8856ba70e41dfbbaf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002272074b7291d09887fae35cf60fae166d\u0022\u003EGEORGIE DANSEY (Labour) (21:54)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand to take a call on the Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill, and I want to start by acknowledging the Hon Dr Shane Reti and your mahi in this space. It\u2019s been really lovely to listen to your valedictory speech last week and then hear the debate on this bill this evening. Well done on your work over many years, and to finish on this bill\u2014what an amazing achievement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also been really interesting to hear about the select committee process of this bill and the changes that were made and the cross-Parliament collaboration on this bill. It\u2019s great to see this positive change that can be made for all New Zealanders because Parliament is working well together. A big mihi as well to the submitters and all the very, very experienced people who submitted on this bill that led to the changes that included adults as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELike many New Zealanders, I grew up boating as a child, and I remember being told that the law was that you didn\u2019t have to have your life jacket on; you could just have it in the boat. It was insisted on that I wore a life jacket as a child, but I remember that law and I remember back then thinking about how that is absolutely bizarre, because how does a life jacket save me if it\u2019s down the front of the boat and I\u2019m at the back? You\u2019d think after years of boating I\u2019d know what the front and the back of the boat are called, but I can assure you I no longer boat as much as I used to. But it is those scenarios where the adults will put the life jackets on the kids but not put them on themselves, and I think this bill is going to make a huge difference to so many New Zealanders\u2019 lives and so many adults\u2019 lives if they are required to wear life jackets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA lot of speakers tonight have talked about that culture shift, and I think that\u2019s a very important aspect of creating legislation that can lead to a change of culture. It\u2019s such an important aspect of what I believe we can do in this House that has long-lasting effects. Other speakers have spoken to examples in previous legislation that have had those effects, and I think that can happen in this case. It needs to of course come alongside education for everybody, and water safety doesn\u2019t stop here. We need to make sure that we are teaching all our kids to swim so they can all enjoy our wonderful New Zealand summers at the beach and everybody can go home safely.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWith that, Madam Speaker, thank you, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c06aeef9c03f878b6b3341d76d8f92d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee, the House is suspended, and I will resume the Chair at 9 a.m. tomorrow for the extended setting to consider Government orders of the day. Congratulations, Dr Reti.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterItalicsCentred\u0022\u003ESitting suspended from 9.58 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Thursday)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022556da96cd4c7e2f6ae410029bc3d7188\u0022\u003EExtended Sitting\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002242aac30ef9d5ce45da7caa8cbc545bfd\u0022\u003EThursday, 3 September 2026\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f72d704f40faeace775bf2320ad23fc7\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d0076b2926c8f02dc5c03fcb68b6e65f\u0022\u003ENg\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022477bb27a76646bb77082bd1f971ebc6c\u0022\u003ELegislative Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u00222ee2267c1fb4c441a3b774a08f89a4ee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222ee2267c1fb4c441a3b774a08f89a4ee\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) (09:00)\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to present a legislative statement on Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242cecc97e61d7ffeaea8b583a79235e7\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Leave has been sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002235217e009ef76262303ea8dab74848db\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E: I present a legislative statement on Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002243a841835aa35916627ed84be63f7c7e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\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=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00222274f2afcbdbb0f223480e1085b16eb2\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u002244fbdb602646264abd837a3084c9d275\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002244fbdb602646264abd837a3084c9d275\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) (09:01)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill be now read a second time\u003C/span\u003E. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227394b8b1d40ad045b0aa43a529926dac\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for committee stage immediately. I declare the House in committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00222f92552ff7dadbc1d653d01305ceec92\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u0022626800b1f278a0896c88333f2b6eeb6a\u0022\u003EPart 1 Preliminary matters, historical account, acknowledgements and apology, and settlement of historical claims\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cff640feda556db78dff476dff34c84b\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, the House is in committee on the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill. We come first to Part 1. This is the debate on clauses 3 to 25, \u201CPreliminary matters, historical account, acknowledgements and apology, and settlement of historical claims\u201D. The question is that Part 1 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EPart 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f1d9bc56e553a2f4ad3a2efc58abd782\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00220adcb58d162cb47de0b427f08af7a685\u0022\u003EPart 2 Cultural redress\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225597f17b4c556fb9a58b60fbe001ef06\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we now come to Part 2. This is the debate on clauses 26 to 139, \u201CCultural redress\u201D, and Schedules 1 to 4. The question is that Part 2 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EPart 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002234c1806e87bdf43c9499fcdbcc6bb2ae\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00221547f99df7161d02bf373dc9a8813f79\u0022\u003EPart 3 Commercial redress\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c9e09d3ff7377b03c23a92fd13d08bb\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we now come to Part 3. This is the debate on clauses 140 to 184, \u201CCommercial redress\u201D, and Schedule 5. The question is that Part 3 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EPart 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule 4 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESchedule 5 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00226e72247437c1b8b3ac8a67456882ae5a\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00225bf9ab97cd5119fd3f75a128fb009298\u0022\u003EClauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d8327fe6e6cbcd81b0174470a0c3ce34\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we now come to our final debate: clauses 1 and 2. This is the debate on clauses 1 and 2, \u201CTitle\u201D and \u201CCommencement\u201D. The question is that clause 1 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EClause 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill to be reported without amendment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc6effcef87feb25e5d3e0b8b83c3862\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker, the committee has considered the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the report be adopted\u003C/span\u003E. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223774bebc94ef73b5d336476f0fabc0a4\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for third reading immediately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228b01df31f3d80a44f034c79bd44c1861\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u002217fe103a3ccacc3eed7c4116a1ff177a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002217fe103a3ccacc3eed7c4116a1ff177a\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) (09:05)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time\u003C/span\u003E. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002260070eb0e3219bd28b3ae29e01d002a1\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022397842028588f6c3f57d02b717272dfd\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019m pleased to speak in support of the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill. The negotiations began in 2017 officially, but, of course, Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui have sought justice from the Crown for many generations, and today marks an important milestone on the journey to settle the historical claims of the hap\u016B and iwi of Whanganui.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMany people have contributed to this third reading today, and I acknowledge those people, of course. At a time like this, our minds naturally turn to those who have been part of that process and who are now longer with us today, and I acknowledge them and their passing. To the trustees, past and present, your wisdom and leadership have been critical to negotiating this settlement, which advances reconciliation between iwi and the Crown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge my predecessors, the Hon Christopher Finlayson KC and the Hon Andrew Little, my ministerial colleagues, Crown agencies, and local authorities for their work towards this settlement, and, of course, I acknowledge the efforts of the negotiators from Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui, led by Ken Mair, and the Crown chief negotiator, the Hon Rick Barker. I do want to acknowledge the words of Ken last night, particularly his emphasis on the need for commitment, for courage, and for compassion as we forge a new relationship and work together.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFinally, I\u2019d like to acknowledge all the people of Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui who have come to Parliament today, and also those who are watching online and tuning in to this debate on their crystal sets up and down the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis settlement arises from a history of significant Crown breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. From 1840, the Crown failed consistently to act in good faith in its dealings with the hap\u016B and iwi of Whanganui, including the 89,000-acre Whanganui Block purchase in 1848. These actions undermined the relationship that Whanganui rangatira had sought from the Crown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Crown\u2019s actions also contributed to the conflict and division during the 19\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E century, when the Crown brought war to Whanganui. Many Whanganui M\u0101ori later joined the peaceful resistance movement at Parihaka and were met with unconscionable and unjust treatment by the Crown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENg\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui suffered from their loss of tikanga, including diminished ability to pass down their reo and access to their resources. Socio-economic deprivation and the impact of native land laws eroded hap\u016B foundations, with profound and enduring consequences. This settlement seeks to acknowledge and to address those historical grievances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI delivered the Crown apology to Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui at the deed of settlement\u2019s signing, and that occasion acknowledged both the deep mamae endured by generations of Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui, and the undiminished mana Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui retain. It was a wonderful day, the signing of He Rau Tukutuku, your deed of settlement, at Kaiwhaiki Marae, on the banks of Te Awa Tupua in May this year.  It was a beautiful day, and I will never forget it. I will never forget the challenge, the waiata, the wonderful kai, and the warm friendship on that day. I am honoured to be here to see this settlement through its final stages.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe gift you presented to the Crown, \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E\u201CToit\u016B te whenua\u201D,\u003C/span\u003E was centred on the Whiritaunoka, made from knotted Taunoka, which is native broom. It recalls the actions of your rangatira H\u014Dri K\u012Bngi Te Anaqua, who in 1869 knotted Taunoka as a symbol of peace and unity among hap\u016B and extended that peace to the Crown. That gift symbolises rebuilding our relationship and our shared commitment to move forward together.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe settlement lays the foundation for Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui to reestablish their connection to their rohe, strengthen their identity, and provide for future generations. The settlement redress package returns 27 sites of cultural significance as a $15.5 million cultural revitalisation fund. The relationship redress with Crown agencies and financial and commercial redress is worth $30 million, and rights to purchase commercial properties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOf course, as all Ministers say, this settlement can never fully compensate Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui for what they have suffered because of Crown actions. However, through the settlement, the Crown, on behalf of all New Zealanders living in this country today, seeks a restored and strengthened relationship with Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui, grounded in mutual trust, cooperation, and partnership. I hope this renews Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui\u2019s confidence in the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn closing, I affirm the Crown\u2019s commitment to building a positive future together in this rowdy democracy that we call New Zealand. Through He Rau Tukutuku and this bill, I look forward to a growing and enduring partnership with Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown, guided by your values and aspirations. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EToit\u016B te kupu, toit\u016B te mana, toit\u016B te whenua.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo it is with pleasure that I commend this bill to the House. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003ET\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223ebeae258dd15dfeca226b2982ec6549\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EKo te p\u0101tai kia whakaaetia te m\u014Dtini.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003E[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThe question is that the motion be agreed to\u003C/span\u003E.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022 data-id=\u00224c3a29cf49b88f6f8045847306b136f9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224c3a29cf49b88f6f8045847306b136f9\u0022\u003EHon GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) (09:12)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI rise in support of the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill in this third and final reading\u2014a huge milestone to mark today. I want to welcome all of you to Parliament and to acknowledge the long and arduous journey that it has taken to get to this point in time. I would like to acknowledge all of those who have carried this claim upon their shoulders over the year, some of whom are no longer with us now but are here today with us in spirit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere are many, many people who have enabled this piece of legislation to reach this point in time. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Ken Mair for his ongoing work, effort, commitment, and struggle to pursuing this claim. I\u2019d also like to acknowledge the Hon Rick Barker, who is here today, for helping with those negotiations and making sure that things progressed well. I know both of you have committed so much of your time, your energy, and your aroha to make this claim come to a point where the people can enjoy the benefits of what it offers future generations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill represents the culmination of many years of work, many years of advocacy, negotiation, and determination by generations of Whanganui leaders. It is important that the House considers, at this final passage of the legislation, that it\u2019s not just about the bill; it is about the people, it is about the whenua that it represents, and it is about the awa at the heart of this claim. It is about a history that cannot be changed, but Parliament has a responsibility to confront its past honestly. Historical grievances acknowledged through this settlement in the legislation on the Table here include the Crown\u2019s conduct in the past and the breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EDuring the conflicts in the 1840s and the 1860s, the failure to complete the 1848 Whanganui Block Transaction fairly and in good faith\u2014that impacted through the Native Land Court system and the alienation of land through taking land through the public works takings. These were not abstract events; they were a systematic attack on these people\u2019s rangatiratanga over the years. They had consequences for families, for hap\u016B, for iwi, and for generations yet to come. The effects of dispossession and marginalisation do not just disappear because time passes. That is why Treaty settlements matter for New Zealand, for Aotearoa. They are one part of our country\u2019s ongoing work to confront our history honestly, and acknowledge where the Crown quite clearly failed, and build a better relationship, hopefully, in our future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs I said when this bill was first debated, no settlement can ever fully restore what has been taken and what has been lost, and no apology can erase generations of hurt. But an acknowledgment by the Crown that it failed its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a good start. It matters because the alternative is to pretend these things did not happen, and we cannot build a stronger and more confident country by refusing to confront that difficult part of our past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe settlement before us includes a formal Crown apology and acknowledgments of historical Treaty breaches. It includes financial and also cultural redress\u2014financial redress of $30 million. It includes really important parts of the cultural redress, including the vesting of 27 sites of cultural significance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENo amount of money can return land that has been alienated, and no payment can undo the experience of those t\u016Bpuna who lived through war, who lived through dispossession, and the erosion of the ability to determine their own future. No legislation can erase that, but what this bill can do is formally recognise that history, it can provide redress, and, importantly, it can provide a basis for how we work better together going forward. That relationship between Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown\u2014this is an opportunity that we should focus on going forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the people who have carried on this work. I have already mentioned those people, but also to acknowledge all of those people who have worked together so well. This work has happened because iwi and hap\u016B refuse to allow their grievances and their aspirations to simply be forgotten. That perseverance deserves recognition in this House, and I want to acknowledge the members of the Whanganui community who have contributed to this process in so many different ways.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere is also a responsibility on behalf of the Crown once this bill passes. A settlement should not be regarded at all as the end of a relationship; it should be just the beginning of a brand new chapter. That point was made powerfully during the earlier debate. Once settlements have been signed, the question becomes whether the Crown will continue to support iwi and whether commitments made are honoured in practice, on going forward, in the decades to come. That is an important question, because reconciliation is not achieved simply by passing a bill in this House; it is built over time. It is built through relationships and it is built by keeping commitments, and it is built by ensuring that the lessons of history inform the way the Crown behaves going forward. For Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui, this settlement should provide a platform, a foundation, for the future\u2014for cultural revitalisation, for economic development, for stronger relationships, and for continued exercise of tino rangatiratanga. That future should be one in which the Crown listens, one in which iwi and hap\u016B are partners in decisions that affect their communities, and one in which the mistakes of the past are not repeated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is about the future today. While Treaty settlements are often about historic\u2014we talk about what\u2019s happened in the past, I think it\u2019s important that we focus today on the future and the opportunities that this settlement bill provides. It is about what we want New Zealand to be going forward. Do we want a country that is prepared to acknowledge the Crown has caused harm? And do we want a country that can look honestly at our history without being diminished by it? I believe that answer is yes. We can acknowledge the wrongs of the past while still having confidence in the future for our children and for our grandchildren. We can recognise the Crown\u2019s breaches while believing our relationships can change. And we can respect the mana of iwi and hap\u016B while building a country in which all New Zealanders have a stake.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThat is the nation-building work that Treaty settlements represent, and today, this House has an opportunity to recognise the determination of Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui. We have an opportunity to acknowledge the historical wrongs that have been committed by the Crown and an opportunity to take us forward as a people. I hope that when this legislation is passed, it is not remembered simply as the day the settlement bill became law. I hope it is remembered as a moment when the Crown and Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui turned a page together\u2014not by forgetting the past, but by finally acknowledging it; not by pretending harm can be undone, but by committing to a relationship that is stronger, more respectful, and more enduring. On behalf of \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003Ete wh\u0101nau Reipa\u003C/span\u003E, I am proud to support this bill in its third reading. I acknowledge Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui and I acknowledge those negotiators, those kaum\u0101tua, the wh\u0101nau, and the generations who have carried this kaupapa for so long. I look forward to seeing the settlement become a foundation for your future, for your tamariki, and for all of those yet to come. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EN\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, huihui mai t\u0101tou katoa\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002233a8db41ad0c4278b7eb829406824bb5\u0022 data-id=\u00223a39c999060103b6f7b9d3da110fd989\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002233a8db41ad0c4278b7eb829406824bb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223a39c999060103b6f7b9d3da110fd989\u0022\u003ESTEVE ABEL (Green) (09:22)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EKia ora koutou\u003C/span\u003E, Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui. It\u2019s good to see familiar faces again from when you so generously greeted us as the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee and with the Minister down in your rohe some weeks ago. There\u2019s nothing as profound as coming to the place, to the lands, to sit alongside the awa and to understand the context of the people for whom the settlement makes some small amends for the evils of the Crown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EReading through, again, the historical account, about the sullied hand of that infamous facilitator of original trouble through New Zealand Company actions, Edward Gibbon Wakefield, the hyper-capitalist who was convicted in Britain of abducting a young girl and then he sets out to the South Pacific to try and abduct a whole country, and with the dishonest land dealings and the backing of the Governor\u2019s military force, he wreaks havoc and mischief. Even after all that mischief-making, he gets elected as the member for Hutt South to this Parliament.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI read the accounts of the Heretaunga skirmishes and the five youths who were so brutally and summarily executed unjustly. Every time I read that story of the poisoning with arsenic of the flower, it just makes me sick to the stomach that people would do that to other people. It paints a picture of Crown breaches and injustices against Wanganui that are irreparable and for which there can be no satisfactory compensation or amends. The conflict in Wanganui and the retribution of the Crown against the legitimate resistance of your people, both passive and with force, is inexcusable, and here today this Parliament acknowledges it was the Crown that did wrong. It was the Crown that acted unjustly. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EYour settlement opens a way forward for you who have withstood. But the outstanding truth of what this does for us as a nation\u2014and I echo the sentiments of my colleague\u2014is that it is your generosity and accepting the settlement that is the act of nation building. That generosity is what makes me, as tangata Tiriti, ever profoundly humbled by the blessing of being a New Zealander among the tangata whenua of Aotearoa\u2014ever humbled. I think the finest attributes that the world recognises as New Zealand attributes are, in fact, those either directly enacted and expressed by M\u0101ori or those that we who have come from somewhere else learned from M\u0101ori. Those principles of manaakitanga and generosity and kindness and friendliness; those are things that, when I hear people speak about the New Zealand character and personality, I think that my ancestors learned that stuff from M\u0101ori. That\u2019s how I feel about it\u2014that\u2019s how I feel about it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday marks a profound and important step for you as an iwi. But I want to say that we have to do better as a country. You know that we are heading into the election time and we try to make these settlements nonpolitical, but I just want to say, I would love it\u2014I would love it\u2014that when we can stand here together in unanimity and vote, every party in this House, for a settlement such as this one, that irrespective of who wins the election on 7 November, we bind ourselves as representatives of the nation to upholding that profound and visionary basis upon which to build a country that is Te Tiriti o Waitangi. And that we actually honour it and we actually step up to it, because it is in honouring that agreement in its deepest meaning that we become a truly cohesive nation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe paradox of recognising tino rangatiratanga, the right of M\u0101ori to self-determination, is that it actually makes us in unity. It actually brings us together. Those who would advocate that somehow upholding the Treaty means different rights for different people have completely missed the actual intent and meaning of that agreement. So my bid and my wish for my fellow colleagues is that we do better for the good of the nation, and we give thanks that of all the bases on which to found a country, we founded ours with a peaceful contract between the newcomers and the sovereign indigenous people who were already here. What a fantastic foundation for a nation. Let\u2019s step up to it and live up to it. I believe settlements such as this are an expression of the best of what we are capable of, but we can do better.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhanganui, I see in the certainty that you expressed to us down in your rohe a determination to build a great and a thriving nation for your people, and I wish you the very greatest success in that. We, as Te P\u0101ti K\u0101k\u0101riki, as the Green Party, will always stand beside you in support of that ambition. Thank you for coming here today and for receiving this offering, and for your generosity in accepting it, because you help to move the Crown towards honour, because it is the Crown that has committed the dishonour. So thank you for your acceptance and for your generosity, and kia kaha. Ng\u0101 mihi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022 data-id=\u0022bf88639f8e4bb66463ea92f3a778b6ca\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bf88639f8e4bb66463ea92f3a778b6ca\u0022\u003ECAMERON LUXTON (ACT) (09:31)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI am not a member of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, unfortunately. It gets to engage so deeply with these settlement bills. But I encourage every Kiwi, every New Zealander, every person of the world who\u2019s interested in history to reach to these settlement bills, to read historical accounts, to understand the history of this country as it\u2019s laid down\u2014not just in this bill, which will become an Act and be in the legislative, but all Treaty settlements that have gone through this House and the ones that are still to come. They talk to a long-carried burden, a burden which, through the Acts of Treaty settlement legislation, is designed to be shared and carried by all New Zealanders, with this House representing the Crown\u2019s burden to carry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe history of New Zealand is a weight on the past that we all have. But these settlement bills are also designed to create a future that we can build together so that we can look each other in the eye and see the common humanity, which wasn\u2019t seen in the past, but make sure that the country that we are building goes on with forever. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EToit\u016B Nu Tireni\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d92a09db28c44070bbfdcc9f0e6f3cca\u0022 data-id=\u0022091a4748a5970d4489ef23c069f888ad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d92a09db28c44070bbfdcc9f0e6f3cca\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022091a4748a5970d4489ef23c069f888ad\u0022\u003EJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) (09:33)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll begin my contribution today on behalf of New Zealand First with sending greetings from my leader the Rt Hon Winston Peters and Matua Shane Jones to Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o te Iwi o Whanganui.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EToit\u016B te kupu, toit\u016B te mana, toit\u016B te whenua\u003C/span\u003E\u2014hold fast to the language, hold fast to the spiritual authority, hold fast to the land. This historical whakatauk\u012B was explicitly spoken by the ancestor Tinirau of Whanganui, and it serves as a regional mandate to protect the core pillars of cultural survival.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday is a significant day for those gathered in this House, gathered today for the third and final reading of Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill. I wish to acknowledge all the kaumatua and representatives\u2014Ken Mair, Rick Barker, and others who are with us today in the gallery\u2014and, of course, make mention of those who are not here because, during this time it has taken for the settlement to come through to the third and final reading, they have passed on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor generations, the mamae, the grievances, have been carried, long before this bill even arrived at Parliament. We\u2019re not just debating legislation today; what we are witnessing is the weaving together of a fragmented history. We\u2019re here to acknowledge the many strands of grievance, resilience, and hope that has brought us to this moment. Like an echo of the past, there\u2019s been a turbulence and grievance in navigating this settlement\u2014discord, dispute\u2014and, in time, with the passage of time, this bill will settle on calmer waters as it comes to rest.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs to history and contemporary times, there are turbulences always to navigate, as in the passage of this bill into law towards a full and final settlement. A depiction and symbol of Whanganui M\u0101ori history which navigated its own turbulence during the Whanganui M\u0101ori conflicts with the Crown and M\u0101ori during periods for which this settlement, in part, addresses, lies not far from New Zealand Parliament and just along the waterfront at Te Papa Tongarewa, the prominent Whanganui waka taua, Teremoe. Teremoe was a prominent waka carrying Whanganui M\u0101ori during the Whanganui River and land conflicts of 1864 and 1865, notably the battle of Moutoa Island in May 1864, which Moutoa Gardens, one of the 27 cultural sites under settlement, was named in memory of. It was later reclaimed and renamed P\u0101kaitore, resultant from the 79 days in 1995, that occupation led by Tariana Turia, Niko Tangaroa, Ken Mair, and also aided by a young legal adviser at the time, Harete Hipango.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnother battle Teremoe transported Whanganui M\u0101ori to was the battle of Ohautahi, where prominent Whanganui chief Hoani Wiremu Hipango fought in defence and protection of his mid-lower Whanganui River lands, domain, and all people from the advances of the Pai M\u0101rire, commonly known as Hauhau. Hipango was a prominent pro-Government chief who fought and died from invasion in protection of all those settled and living in the mid-lower reaches the Whanganui River.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe waka tau Teremoe was bequeathed to the Wellington Dominion Museum in 1930 by Waata, the son of Hoani and Ema Hipango, rangatira of Whanganui, and whom former parliamentary colleague of ours Harete Hipango-Brownlie is kaitiaki of. This waka has been settled and resting at New Zealand\u2019s Te Papa Tongarewa, emblematic of those turbulent times and incursions, a reminder of the Whanganui past, its turbulence and transience towards a presence and present state of resting, peace, and calm. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELet me transport us now forward to today\u2019s settlement. It\u2019s noted that this settlement, not unlike other Treaty settlements, has not been without dispute and discord. It has not been without troubled waters and turbulent currents. I turn to the advice received from officials in relation to a few of those turbulences and troubled waters in the initial briefing report on 27 May 2026, where, notably, some Whanganui hap\u016B, uri, and members sought to pause the passage of this bill to address their concerns relating to a perceived lack of hap\u016B representation and, in the main, a contested and disputed mandating process. However, the Treaty settlement process is far from perfect, and the determination from the Ministers was to agree that there was sufficient support\u2014support from the claimant community to sign the deed and approve the post-settlement governance entities for establishment. However, it is now a matter for Whanganui to resolve their internal differences amongst themselves once a full and final settlement is reached with the Crown as a result of the passage of this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s worthy to mention that of particular note is that, this being a Treaty settlement today, prominent Whanganui rangatira siblings Te \u0100naua, Te M\u0101wae, and Rere-\u014D-maki, mother of prominent M\u0101ori leader and chief Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui, and K\u0101wana Paipai all signed the Treaty of Waitangi at Putiki at the mouth of the Whanganui River on 23 May 1840, Rere-\u014D-maki being one of five or so women rangatira to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EErected at Moutoa Gardens, P\u0101kaitore, one of the 27 significant cultural sites to be vested from this settlement, are two prominent statues depicting, recalling, and memorials to Te Keepa Te Rangihiwinui, Rere-\u014D-maki\u2019s son, and his service to both the Crown and his Whanganui M\u0101ori people; and also the weeping woman statue, in the form of an angel, a personification of grief commemorating the 15 M\u0101ori fighting in defence of all people\u2014M\u0101ori and settlers of Whanganui\u2014who were killed at Moutoa Island on 14\u00A0May 1864 and described as k\u016Bpapa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese two statues have withstood the test of time and weathered the seasons as a reminder and testimony to the history and an enduring commitment and relationship sought between those prominent M\u0101ori leaders of the day with the Crown. History, though, cannot be undone, and often a concrete reminder of the past is the best depiction of how to best move forward and leave standing that which is a significant part of history which has shaped our future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis settlement, and the passage of a bill that will soon become law, will become evidence of the Crown\u2019s commitment to acknowledge, in apology and other forms as outlined in the deed and legislation, those past grievances and wrongs with what is soon to become a full and final settlement negotiated to honour the Crown\u2019s and Whanganui\u2019s commitment in so doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis settlement is a critical step toward healing, reconciliation, and the official recognition of historical Treaty claims. It unlocks vibrant cultural, social, environmental, and economic pathways for hap\u016B, marae, rangatahi, kaum\u0101tua, and future generations. It honours and aligns with the broader Whanganui settlement journey laid down by Te Awa Tupua settlement Act. This bill reflects years of dedication, dialogue, and resilience. It marks a momentous path forward for Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the wider community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs I conclude, I return to an earlier comment. This bill is the weaving together of the many strands of grievance, resilience, and hope that has brought us to this moment. It is hope that must now be the focus\u2014hope to carry the people forward. Let go the grievance of the past. Let hope guide and inspire a new generation as they navigate calmer waters. N\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022747a6a774386d0cf4f47dd0cf21a012e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224eeb694c55ab4633a7c9a1c69024072a\u0022 data-id=\u00223914636c357603f672a1d15e2470d289\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224eeb694c55ab4633a7c9a1c69024072a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223914636c357603f672a1d15e2470d289\u0022\u003EDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader\u2014Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori) (09:42)\u003C/span\u003E: T\u0113n\u0101 koe e te P\u012Bka.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday, I stand as a member of Parliament. Today, I stand as Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, but I cast this vote as an uri, proudly. I\u2019ve wondered what our t\u016Bpuna would make of today, of their mokopuna sitting inside a Parliament that once made laws over them, now casting a vote to put a settlement into the law of this whenua. At the first reading, I said that the House had been waiting for ng\u0101 hap\u016B o Whanganui. Today, w\u2019\u0101nau, we are here. Our kaum\u0101tua, our hap\u016B, our rangatahi, our mokopuna are with us, and those who did not live to see this day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday, we are allowed to celebrate. We\u2019re allowed to cry with relief. We\u2019re allowed to feel proud. We\u2019re allowed to take a moment and look around and congratulate yourself for this journey, because this moment was generations\u2014generations\u2014in the making.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELong before the Crown was ready to recognise our rights, our people knew who we were. In 1994, they articulated that through the Whanganuitanga declaration of nationhood, P\u0101kaitore, Te Awa Tupua, and, now, He Rau Tukutuku\u2014different generations asserting enduring truth despite the Crown ignoring us and dishonouring us. Our p\u0101hake and our kaum\u0101tua, our claimants and negotiators, our marae and all those who worked behind the scenes\u2014many carried this kaupapa knowing they may never see this day. Now, another generation is ready to pick it up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOne of our rangatahi, Aimee Simon, told the select committee how she began this journey as a mokopuna, listening to tribunal evidence, then as a volunteer, then today as a kaimahi supporting it. She remembered Koro Morv, Nanny Jo, Uncle Haimona Rzoska\u2014Sam\u2014and Papa Mal Rerekura. Then she spoke about her own tamariki. And there is the vision He Rau Tukutuku. She told the select committee that the true success of this settlement would not be measured by legislation, assets, or financial redress; it would be measured by whether future generations know their whakapapa, speak their reo, understand their history, remain connected to their w\u2019enua, connected to their awa, and confidently stand as uri of Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui, because passing this bill is not the destination.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOur responsibility, now, is to make sure our mokopuna do not merely survive as Whanganui but that they thrive, that the reo is alive in their homes, that marae are filled with our people, that their w\u2019enua is creating opportunity and abundance, that Te Awa Tupua is protected as w\u2019akapapa, that rangatahi are leading wherever they choose, and that mana motuhake is not simply spoken about but lived.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWith the future comes responsibility. Te Tomokanga ki Te Matapihi seeks to reset the relationship between Te Uku and Te Rino. Our rangatahi told the committee that responsibility belongs to us both, and I note that the Crown said they humbly seek, at long last, to respond with reconciliation and truly live up to the aspirations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. That is what this place has promised. The sincerity of your promise, of your apology, will not be measured by what is written into law today, not what you debate about whether it\u2019s true or not and what its intent was; it\u2019s actually whether you, tomorrow, decide to truly walk the walk. It will be measured by the relationships that you live tomorrow. I have every confidence in the mana, the integrity, and the dignity of my people, but today is about whether you will have that mana and integrity and dignity to them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe final word belongs to our people.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOur t\u016Bpuna knew who they were carrying the kaupapa for. Now, we must carry it for those who we know exist tomorrow. That is the thread from t\u016Bpuna, through us, to mokopuna. Today, as uri with enormous pride and gratitude, I add my vote to that weaving.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223bb897ab8d624eca84bc4356dec862f4\u0022 data-id=\u002291418359be11baef3c87539e9a093602\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223bb897ab8d624eca84bc4356dec862f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002291418359be11baef3c87539e9a093602\u0022\u003EH\u016AHANA LYNDON (Green) (09:47)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELast night, at Pipitea, it was beautiful to see our wh\u0101nau whakaeke on to the marae and to see our mokopuna alongside, because, far too often, our mokopuna don\u2019t get a chance to be exposed to these opportunities. To bring them into the marae and into te Whare P\u0101remata to see this historic moment \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to reflect on what Matua Ken shared quietly in our p\u014Dwhiri last night. He gave a little bit of a kauwhau, and in his kauwhau, I wrote it down because it\u2019s challenging\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAnd if you watch Whakaata M\u0101ori, you see the show \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThe Negotiators\u003C/span\u003E, and so Matua Ken shared, \u201CIf you\u2019re going to bring change, you\u2019d better be committed to see it through.\u201D It requires a total commitment and to be courageous, but he also noted, with this, compassion\u2014that we need to be compassionate\u2014because, in its most difficult times, that is when we need to be most compassionate. Treaty settlements\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014and diverse voices and challenges within ourselves as we work through the Crown-driven process\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001560\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001561\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003Ethe red book that they use on us is not something that is agreed to. It is their rautaki, it is their kaupapa here, and we are merely the people who have to respond to it. I acknowledge the raru, because how do we protect our whanaungatanga when there is so much at stake? So, to get here to this point where we are in the final reading is a tribute to compassion, to yourselves, to your uri, but also\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001562\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003Eand that is the tribute to you as people, but also the grace once again you have given to the dishonourable K\u0101wanatanga. May I remind this House: when we sign these agreements and these settlements, don\u2019t breach them the next day\u2014don\u2019t breach them the next day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001565\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022 data-id=\u00221330ca630808e1db7c499539e3df72c9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221330ca630808e1db7c499539e3df72c9\u0022\u003EDAVID MacLEOD (National\u2014New Plymouth) (09:52)\u003C/span\u003E: T\u0113n\u0101 koe e te M\u0101ngai, kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI always feel very privileged to be able to speak at these readings for Treaty settlements, because it\u2019s a part of history, and although we heard last night that this has been a long journey, and I think approximately 40 years was mentioned by Ken Mair, I know that this has been far longer than that. I look at Treaty settlements through the eyes of the historical account, and we\u2019re now approaching about 100 settlements that the Crown has enacted with iwi across the motu, and I say that you are not an educated New Zealander until you actually read the historical accounts of each and every one of those Treaty settlements, because that there truly tells us not just of our history but of our recent history. The people that were of those times are close to today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI read of this particular settlement. The Treaty was signed in, I think it was, May of 1840, one of the many signatory documents that went around at that time for the Treaty settlement, and quickly after that, as H\u016Bhana has just said, the wrongdoings began. Unfortunately, this is repeated across the motu for iwi katoa all over our country, and it\u2019s not proud for me to stand here and to recognise that that was the case.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI look through the historical account and there\u2019s chapter after chapter of wrongdoings. It is a repetitiveness that happened decade after decade, and unfortunately, this is just one of many across the motu. That is what we\u2019re trying to move forward from. Appropriately, we\u2019ve had the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, the Hon Paul Goldsmith, stand and apologise today for what has happened well in the past, and that is appropriate because we do need to have a new beginning. That\u2019s what this process is about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese processes are quite long and drawn out. I\u2019ve been fortunate to be part of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee to play our small part in it when we received the bill after the first reading. One of the great opportunities we have as a select committee is to come out on to the whenua. We came to you, to your marae at Pipitea, and it was wonderful for us to be able to do that, to be on your whenua, to hear from you, and to gain even greater understanding of what this arduous journey has been for you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got a lot of the members here from my, should I say, M\u0101ori Affairs Committee: we\u2019ve got Oriini Kaipara, we\u2019ve got Steve Abel, we have Georgie Dansey, we\u2019ve got the Hon Willie Jackson, Greg Fleming here, and we\u2019ve also got Rima Nakhle, a Lebanese member, and we\u2019ve also got Paulo Garcia, a Filipino member, as well. We\u2019re having our work at the select committee looked at through all sorts of lenses, and the lenses of those who have come to our country to make this their home are similarly extremely disappointed at what this journey has been.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s appropriate to thank all those that have actually been a part of the recent journey of this year. We\u2019ve mentioned you, Ken, and your mahi. We\u2019ve got Rick Kingi, we\u2019ve got Rawiri Tinirau, and there\u2019s many others. There\u2019s lots. Also, on the Crown side, the Hon Rick Barker, who\u2019s here seated before us, and all the mahi that you\u2019ve put into this, Rick, and also accompanied by others such as Tracy Waitokia and Amy Simon. These are the people that are the beginning of, I hope, what is the new relationship. They have represented the Crown with regards to negotiation, but every new beginning starts somewhere. I believe it\u2019s those people that have started this journey.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis occasion here is just but a milestone, of us apologising, conveying to the world what this settlement includes, and the Crown is gracious in the fact that you, the many iwi that have settled and the iwi that are too settle, accept what these settlements are, understanding it is but a pittance of what has been lost. We understand that, but it is my true, humble wish that this is the opportunity for the new relationship that is so important between the Crown and iwi moving forward, but also the wish that I have for you as a people to use what this is as a new beginning as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThroughout all of the select committee processes I\u2019ve been involved with, with regards to the submissions, there is always opposition that comes forward. There\u2019s usually opposition to mandating, there\u2019s sometimes opposition to what the bill includes, doesn\u2019t include, and all that sort of stuff, and we never move forward without a strong mandate from those that are negotiating, and you have achieved that, obviously, to get it to this point. I wish you well with this new beginning. This is, as has been spoken to by many others, something that we the Crown\u2014and by the way, we in this House are here for but a moment in time. We\u2019re kaitiaki of what we\u2019re doing here at the moment. We\u2019re not going to be here for ever; in fact, not for long.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002274a30629c918cd9293c4ed2f599ce716\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, we will.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002292f41e7d3f180bba82b09f6dd08e1dbc\u0022\u003EDAVID MacLEOD\u003C/span\u003E:\u2014is the way that it actually is. Oh, Goldie might say that we will, but my point is that it is the Crown, the entity, that needs to be sure that we\u2019re actually meeting what we\u2019re saying in the new beginning of what this is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EWithout further delay\u2014and, Ken Mair, I know that you\u2019re wanting to have this done this term; we\u2019re achieving that for you, and I\u2019m pleased that we\u2019ve been able to have consensus. Every party around the House on the committee was absolutely in agreement with achieving that goal. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EN\u014D reira, Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022 data-id=\u0022566134e58a6268c7a7d47aa95d279fd9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022566134e58a6268c7a7d47aa95d279fd9\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Labour) (10:01)\u003C/span\u003E: Kia ora, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a wonderful day, isn\u2019t it? We\u2019re a bit solemner in this House today. It\u2019s beautiful to see you all. Congratulations, Whanganui. Congratulations. Give yourselves a clap. There\u2019s so much to celebrate, and I\u2019ve heard some beautiful k\u014Drero today. When I think of this area, I just think of some of the wonderful people and personalities who\u2019ve come out of Whanganui\u2014you can be so proud. I\u2019ve been close to a few of them\u2014one or two of them probably won\u2019t want to admit that\u2014but I think about the personalities in your area who dreamed about this day. I think about my old mate Nick Tangaroa. I was a young union official, and Nick had to keep me and Ken Mair in line\u2014very hard to keep Ken Mair in line. He talked about this sort of stuff to us, as young people, and he was a M\u0101ori activist in the union movement\u2014very rare. There was only a few of us. Most of us got kicked out in the end, but I think about Nick Tangaroa. What a personality of the area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI think about Tari and when we first heard \u201CKo au te awa, ko te awa ko au.\u201D, we thought, \u201CWow! That\u2019s just fabulous. What\u2019s that mean, Tari? She said, \u201CThat means we\u2019re all at one. When the river is affected, we\u2019re affected.\u201D It was the most beautiful k\u014Drero you could hear\u2014Tariana Turia. She was with the Labour Party\u2014I don\u2019t know if we quite fitted her tikanga. She was the last on the list, if you remember. Even she couldn\u2019t work out how she got in. She certainly got out a few years later, but Tari brought the tikanga. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe always said, \u201CDon\u2019t worry about it, Tari.\u201D She goes, \u201COh, I\u2019m a bit whakam\u0101.\u201D \u201CWe\u2019re all whakam\u0101. Don\u2019t worry about it, Tari, because you carry the tikanga. You carry your people of Whanganui.\u201D What a wonderful person in terms of advocating for her people. When you come out with \u201CKo au te awa, ko te awa ko au.\u201D, and people think, \u201CWhat\u2019s that mean?\u201D\u2014I am the river, and the river is me. It\u2019s just magnificent. These are the personalities of your area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen, I\u2019ve got my old mate Adrian Rurawhe. God, who would have thought someone from a back block, blinking, M\u0101ori, blimmin, broken-down town would go\u2014oh, sorry R\u0101tana; sorry, Deb Ngarewa-Packer; aroha mai\u2014on to become Speaker of the House. Who would believe it? Magnificent\u2014magnificent. See, we\u2019re more than just Treaty settlements\u2014we\u2019re more than just Treaty settlements. We\u2019re able to do things here, there, and everywhere. Adrian was a wonderful example of that\u2014always calm, always keeping some of the radical M\u0101oris like Peeni Henare and Cushla Tangaere-Manuel in place, and I would say myself, of course. Adrian was the epitome of calmness and made me so proud. He was always talking R\u0101tana, always talking Whanganui, and always talking settlements and was at our hui, eh, Ken, in terms of advocating for this kaupapa, supporting\u2014sadly\u2014Minister Goldsmith and the National Party and advocating\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003Ebecause we had complainants there, as we do through Treaty settlements.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI think about these people and the effect they\u2019ve had on our lives, all from this Wanganui or Whanganui. I think about Ruka Broughton, my old mate Ruka Broughton, who, sadly, has lost his brother in the last week or two. Ruka\u2019s been a mate of mine for many, many years. Do you get many experts like that in terms of reo and tikanga? He\u2019s such an expert that he\u2019s selling hangis. I said, \u201CWhat are you doing, brother? What are you doing?\u201D He said, \u201CI\u2019m sick of those bloody M\u0101oris and my bloody relations. I\u2019m going to sell hangis.\u201D A lot of people in this House won\u2019t know this man. He\u2019s a tohunga\u2014an expert\u2014as good as anyone in the country, as our people know, in our language, in our culture. He\u2019d had enough selling hangis, but the major redeeming feature for me, with Ruka, is he\u2019s a big supporter of the Labour Party. Wonderful. What a wonderful personality for this rohe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThen, of course, we come to\u2014he\u2019s still around\u2014Mr Ken there, and I was listening to Steve Abel talking about villains. Ken was a villain. Oh, he was a villain. I know we\u2019re all like, \u201COh, we love you, Ken. You\u2019re just a great leader.\u201D The \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EReader\u2019s Digest\u003C/span\u003E have the most hated people in New Zealand\u2014no, no, this is true; Ken knows this\u2014he used to lead the list\u2014him, Hone Harawira, and Tariana Turia. Now, he\u2019s a very revered negotiator, and he\u2019s the leader of the tribe. No one was worse than Ken\u2014well, there were a few worse than Ken Mair. I had reminded Cushla, but I\u2019ll tell Minister Goldsmith\u2014it was Ken Mair who stopped the news, Goldie. He stopped the news nationwide. They rushed on to the news set and stopped the news because reo M\u0101ori was not getting a fair crack. So I mihi to my mate up there. We\u2019ve been mates for 40 years\u2014plenty of fights, arguments; I think we had one about two weeks ago. Sorry I didn\u2019t come last night. Ken is an example of people, and I mihi to him, seriously, for the way he\u2019s advocated for our people. In his younger days, at ground level, stopping the M\u0101ori news on television, P\u0101kaitore with Tari\u2014we were involved in the setup of Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, believe it or not\u2014I don\u2019t say that too much in the Labour Party. We were all involved\u2014Ken and Amokura and myself\u2014and from there to here, brother, you can hold your head up high because, as you\u2019ve reached the age of 80, you\u2019ve needed to be more tikanga-based and respectful, and you have led your people well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re so proud of the settlement, and you\u2019ve been at the forefront there on the phone, ringing our select committee chair, who I want to mihi to for his great work, and it\u2019s been a really neat M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, and we\u2019ve worked together to get the settlement through. You\u2019ve rung David, you\u2019ve rung the committee, and we\u2019ve got through\u2014and we got through because we knew, as a committee, this was good for not just you but for this nation. So I mihi to you, brother, for your wonderful work. I just want to say, today, don\u2019t get too comfortable. I used to love the old Ken. We\u2019ve got an election in 10 weeks, brother, so maybe after you do all the mihis, get back and try and help this Labour coalition get into Government, because it is political. This is not a time where we want to be too political, because we want to thank Rick Barker, who\u2019s a former Labour Minister of course, and Ken. I will remind you this is all political\u2014this is all political\u2014and the beauty of Parliament is how we come together on days like this. The beauty of Parliament is when we move on to our marae together, and we just whakakotahi for the kaupapa with our chair, our select committee, and our local MP. Seriously, in a tikanga situation, we don\u2019t do the National M\u0101ori thing. I\u2019ll move with Minister Goldsmith\u2014he\u2019s terrible to me every week on TV, but I will move, because the kaupapa is the priority, and we have to remember that. This election is incredibly important, and the kaupapa must be about getting rid of our friends on the other side. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003ET\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. Kia ora t\u0101tou\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022 data-id=\u00220f16944e4d2cb56eafaf4aabfd3a69a8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290f442a79aea4ce0aeae083763135935\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220f16944e4d2cb56eafaf4aabfd3a69a8\u0022\u003ECARL BATES (National\u2014Whanganui) (10:10)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI think one of the few things I agree with Willie Jackson about in this House is the fact great people come from Whanganui. When I spoke at the first reading of this bill, I reflected on standing at Kaiwhaiki Marae and witnessing the signing of He Rau Tukutuku. I spoke about the generations represented in that moment and about the people whose hard work over the decades helped bring the settlement to this House today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESince then, I\u2019ve had another opportunity to listen. Along with members of this House, I participated in the select committee hearings in Whanganui in the new Aotea Wharekai at P\u016Btiki. It was fantastic that we were all welcomed there, because that is the Whanganui way. People are welcomed, heard, and treated with respect, even when different views are expressed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhat struck me most was the depth of feeling not only about the history that has brought us here but about what comes next. During those hearings, Whanganui councillorGeoff Hipango\u2014I can see him there in the gallery\u2014offered a perspective that stayed with me. He said that Parliament should not be consumed by relitigating the settlement but should focus on its execution and its implementation. Geoff reminded us that a low turnout in a ratification process is not a vote against a settlement. He said that Parliament should respect the decision reached through that process that has transpired, and that after the settlement, there must be accountability. I think that is an important challenge for all of us, because settlements such as this are not simply about acknowledging the past; they are also about keeping our word in the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill records significant breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the impact that those breaches have had on generations of Whanganui iwi. It establishes a foundation for cultural revitalisation, economic development, and a renewed relationship between Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui and the Crown. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELegislation alone, however, does not deliver outcomes. Outcomes come from implementation. Outcomes come from working together. Outcomes come from commitments being honoured. That idea is captured in one of the values that sits at the heart of the settlement: toit\u016B te kupu, toit\u016B te mana, toit\u016B te whenua\u2014let the word endure, let mana endure, let the whenua endure. Those words are a reminder that this House has obligations that extend beyond today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EJust before the last election, as National\u2019s candidate for the Whanganui electorate, I hosted the then Leader of the Opposition, Christopher Luxon, in Whanganui. During that visit, we met with local iwi and heard directly about your aspirations, your concerns, and the desire to see this long-running settlement matter brought to a conclusion in this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAt the end those discussions, Ken Mair wanted to pop around the corner and show Christopher the Te Puna Hapori project. Christopher got the Diplomatic Protection Squad a little bit worried when they saw him hop in Ken\u2019s car and drive off. They thought he was running away with the Leader of the Opposition. But I digress.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThree years later\u2014a drop in the timeline of this process for you\u2014the settlement has been delivered. It did not happen by accident. It happened because generations of iwi leaders, negotiators, kaum\u0101tua, trustees, and wh\u0101nau remained committed to the kaupapa. It happened because people were willing to sit around tables, work through differences, and keep moving forward. I acknowledge all of those who have contributed to that effort today\u2014the negotiators and the representatives, those with us today and those who are no longer here to witness this moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFinally, one observation I took away from the hearings at P\u016Btiki is that few people see this settlement as an end point; instead, they see it as the beginning of a new chapter. That is why I shared Geoff\u2019s words in this House today and see them as so important. The debate now shifts from settlement to responsibility, from negotiation to delivery, from historical grievance to future opportunity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday, Parliament completes its role in this process. Tomorrow, the focus turns to ensuring that the promises contained in the settlement are honoured, that relationships continue to strengthen, and that future generations are able to build upon the foundations that we lay here today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui, I acknowledge your perseverance, your leadership, and your commitment to your people. May the words endure, may mana endure, may the whenua endure. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EToit\u016B te kupu, toit\u016B te mana, toit\u016B te whenua. N\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa\u003C/span\u003E. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d52c571cdb246f6abf50a39de1a66f7\u0022 data-id=\u0022a6104ab14cba2f258dc0d7fa51c150df\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d52c571cdb246f6abf50a39de1a66f7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a6104ab14cba2f258dc0d7fa51c150df\u0022\u003EGLEN BENNETT (Labour) (10:17)\u003C/span\u003E: Kia ora, Mr Speaker. As I rise in support and look around the gallery, I think of a love story. As much as, obviously, history shows the pain, the hurt, the loss from my ancestors, I also consider the love story.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI am from Taranaki, and we know the story of the great fight of Taranaki and Tongariro, and the forging of the Whanganui River as Taranaki, I guess, abandoned and moved out, with a broken heart. But it\u2019s a love story. It\u2019s also a story of connection not only of the land but of whakapapa, of history, and of wh\u0101nau.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs I\u2019ve been listening to some of the contributions this morning and reflecting on your Treaty settlement, I think of bell hooks, who was a First Nations woman. She has passed away now. There is a quote that sits with me and reminds me of what is going on here today, and what has gone on not only for the past decade to get us here but for more than a century in terms of the fight to reclaim land, to reclaim resources, and to reclaim mana. That is, as bell hooks said, \u201CLove is profoundly political, and our deepest revolution will come when we understand this truth.\u201D I think of the activists who are in the gallery. I think of those who have gone before you, who have fought the fight, who have stood up and been activists, and they have fought against the colonial Government, the Government of the day. It\u2019s from a place of love that we come back to the story of Taranaki and Tongariro and their love for P\u012Bhanga. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe stand in this debating chamber today in support of working to slightly reconcile the past, but, actually, it\u2019s about forging a future, as that Whanganui River was formed and Taranaki moved away.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe look at what we can forge from here in terms of the future for your mokopuna, for your ancestors to come\u2014that they\u2019ll look back on this day and see this as a moment in time. This isn\u2019t the great fix\u2014this isn\u2019t magically making everything better\u2014but this is a moment in time where there is that stake in the ground that says we\u2019re forging a path to prosperity, to the revitalisation of all things that are mana enhancing in terms of your iwi, your people, but also for myself and for the children in my life and for my children who are to come\u2014that we can walk and forge this path in true partnership, that we can show radical love and stand up for what is right so that we can move forward together, as was the vague hope of the 19\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E century.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMay I say today that I acknowledge again the nation in New Zealand and my P\u0101keh\u0101 ancestors that built schools, who built hospitals, who built roads, and many of those resources came from your whenua, to not benefit you but to benefit others. But today we say we are forging a path forward as we acknowledge the past. This is only another step, but hopefully this is a step in showing that love is great\u2014it is painful, it forges retreat, but it can also forge a way forward\u2014that love is profoundly political, and I thank you for being political, standing up for love, for your ancestors, but also for those who are to come.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227ef423fda7b143b890e93f8018529ebe\u0022 data-id=\u0022d8a9595ad94de3a9a8e280a3c67a7dd4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ef423fda7b143b890e93f8018529ebe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d8a9595ad94de3a9a8e280a3c67a7dd4\u0022\u003EGREG FLEMING (National\u2014Maungakiekie) (10:22)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001618\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f988bc72b5e47b8856ba70e41dfbbaf\u0022 data-id=\u0022e04b605ac8758f27982eb30c08b0294a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001619\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f988bc72b5e47b8856ba70e41dfbbaf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e04b605ac8758f27982eb30c08b0294a\u0022\u003EGEORGIE DANSEY (Labour) (10:26)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003ET\u0113n\u0101 koe e te M\u0101ngai o te Whare. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai ki P\u0101remata.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001620\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI rise to speak in support of the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill. I want to start by just acknowledging the iwi, hap\u016B, and wh\u0101nau who have made the journey to the House today for our mihi whakatau yesterday and the third reading in the House today, and want to commend you on your mahi in getting the settlement to this point. I\u2019d like to acknowledge all the negotiators and the kaimahi who have worked on these bills over many years. I wish you all the very best for your future once the settlement is concluded, and I hope that your wh\u0101nau and your hap\u016B will flourish and that this settlement gives real opportunity to your iwi to move forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001621\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI am lucky enough to sit on the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee. It\u2019s been a real honour and a privilege to see this process through, to visit your whenua and stand and speak to the third reading in the House today. I\u2019d like to acknowledge our chairperson, David MacLeod, and also the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, because I know that there were extensive conversations and k\u014Drero around ensuring that we were able to pass the settlement before the House rises. I know that David MacLeod did a lot of work in this space, while you were doing your mahi outside of this space, to ensure that we could have this read today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001622\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s really a big mihi to the mahi that\u2019s been done to get here today. It\u2019s a busy time, but this is important, and during my time in P\u0101remata, being able to follow the process and contribute in a very small way to iwi settlements has been the most rewarding kaupapa that I have had the privilege of being involved in. Every settlement that passes through this House is significant and a significant milestone in Aotearoa\u2019s journey in recognising Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and we do here in this House just a very, very small part in that journey. It is the iwi, the hap\u016B, and the wh\u0101nau who do the real mahi, working with the Crown to get this bill into legislation, accepting a settlement and then working to ensure that the settlement provides opportunity for your wh\u0101nau while protecting your whenua for generations to come.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001623\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI know that this has been a very long process. The Crown formally recognised the mandate to negotiate these claims in 2017, an agreement in principle was reached in 2019, and the deed of settlement was signed on 2 May this year. Nine years of negotiation is a very long time, but, of course, these claims are not just nine years old. In fact, they go back for generations and from decisions that the Crown made that had significant consequences for Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui that have continued across generations. I think it\u2019s really important that we spell out what those harms were, because there\u2019s something significant about having that written into our legislation, around the harm\u2014acknowledging that having the harms written into legislation is nowhere near the full story and nowhere near compensates the harm caused. But it does one small thing, which I think is significant: to have it in the legislation, spelled out, exactly the wrongs that the Crown did against your iwi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001624\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019m going to skip forward a bit because I\u2019ve got a bit more to go, but let\u2019s jump to visiting your whenua, which was a huge highlight for me at P\u016Btiki Marae. I want to tautoko to all of you and the manaakitanga that you shared with us on the day that we were able to visit you next to the beautiful awa. The kai, the k\u014Drero\u2014it was lovely. It was a particularly special experience for me, because I got to see my friend the Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe. Some of you in the Chamber may remember how he spoke about settlements. He brings such a unique perspective because he has that perspective of being part of the iwi in the settlement but also of sitting in this House, sitting on the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee previous to retiring\u2014so really seeing a number of different sides. I think his k\u014Drero was really powerful because he spoke to the importance of the settlement, the celebration that a settlement should bring for iwi, but also the fact that it\u2019s not a done deal, there is so much more mahi to do, and it is just such a small part of the journey.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt was also an honour to attend the mihi whakatau yesterday. I want to reflect a little bit on the k\u014Drero of Ken Mair, who\u2019s been mentioned many times in contributions today\u2014so mihi to Ken. Ken acknowledged all of those on the journey and reflected that it was a surreal moment to get to this point, after 35 to 40 years working in this space. He spoke to the dynamic amongst the community, and often\u2014and this settlement is no different\u2014there are differing opinions, and a robust k\u014Drero and a robust negotiation is an important part of the mahi that we do here. He spoke to a sense of conclusion of this part of the journey, and particularly the commitment, courage, and compassion at the most challenging times. I think those three words\u2014commitment, courage, and compassion\u2014are words that we should hold tightly with us in every aspect of life. What I\u2019ve seen from the iwi, from your wh\u0101nau, through this process is that those three words\u2014commitment, courage, and compassion\u2014have shone through in your commitment to this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EKen spoke about how, if you\u2019re going to bring change, you\u2019d better be committed to it. Isn\u2019t that the truth? After so many years working on this, you, to me, show an iwi who was completely committed. And, of course\u2014of course\u2014you are. He spoke to a committed team, a courageous team. If you don\u2019t have the ability to remain strong, you won\u2019t get there. I tautoko to your strength through this process. We know that the journey continues for your iwi beyond this point, and the development and journey to enhance your tikanga, your reo, and the m\u0101tauranga of your mokopuna and rangatahi moving forward. I hope that this settlement brings some of that as we move forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001627\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI want to talk a little bit about the historical accounts, because I think that\u2019s a really important aspect. The Crown cannot undo what has happened in the past, it cannot undo the economic opportunities that were lost, and it cannot erase the impact that the Crown\u2019s actions had on families and communities. This settlement acknowledges what occurred and it can put that acknowledgment into law.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001628\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s really, as I mentioned, an honour to stand in support of this bill. I\u2019ll finish by congratulating you again for getting this point and wishing you all the best for the future. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EN\u014D reira, nei r\u0101 te mihi ki a koutou katoa. Kia \u016B, kia m\u0101ia, kia manawanui. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022694c3cef004e40d78a26712dce80070d\u0022 data-id=\u00220c6edb46ebae478f9de4c8656f1e3058\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001629\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022694c3cef004e40d78a26712dce80070d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220c6edb46ebae478f9de4c8656f1e3058\u0022\u003ESUZE REDMAYNE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei) (10:36)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003ET\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. Haere mai ki te Whare P\u0101remata.\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s an honour and a privilege to speak to the third reading of the Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill\u2014He Rau Tukutuku.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen I say it\u2019s an honour and a privilege, I truly mean that. My first foray into Treaty settlements was when Rich, Sam, Ruby, and I were invited down Turakina Beach Road, a few hundred metres from our house, and we stood as tangata whenua at the Tini Waitara Marae and welcomed the Crown on for the signing of the Deed of Settlement in 2007. It was a truly special day for us and our family. To be honest, when I became the MP for Rangit\u012Bkei, I didn\u2019t really think much more about the Treaty settlement process, but I knew that one of our core values in the National Party was that the Treaty of Waitangi was the founding document of New Zealand. I knew that we had a proud history with people like Doug Graham and, today,  Paul Goldsmith and Tama Potaka. It was Rick Barker who was with us at Tini Waitara that day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001631\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI must say that the opportunity to speak on these bills, meeting the people, learning the history, understanding the Crown apology, and taking it upon myself to make sure that I share that with others who sometimes question this process\u2014that has been, truly, one of the most humbling, enlightening, rewarding, and enriching experiences of being a member of Parliament. It\u2019s meeting people like Aiden and Elijah during the Te Korowai o Wainui\u0101rua process; Graham \u201CTinka\u201D Bell, Louise, Lois, Kuru and Aiden from Ng\u0101ti H\u0101ua. And today, being here with familiar faces: Nicole and Kemp Dryden, Uncle John, Ken Mair, chair of the Whanganui Land Settlement Trust, and Moana\u2014it seems like yesterday that we were sidelined on the hockey field cheering the girls on; and Ng\u0101ti Tau\u2014so good to see you here today and to talk to you last night. You are the generation that Ken spoke of at the p\u014Dwhiri at Pipitea Marae last night\u2014you and baby Whetu Marama in her mother\u2019s arms, the young women who were in their school uniforms. He said: your t\u016Bpuna, those gone before, those here today, have played their part; they\u2019ve opened the door for you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001632\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is a foundation. It\u2019s a platform from which Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o Te Iwi o Whanganui can continue to grow on your terms, in line with your aspirations, and grounded in your tikanga. May you go forward with the mantra your hap\u016B and iwi have embraced through this process; the mantra that Ken so clearly articulated last night. Your words stayed with me long after you spoke last night, Ken, and, clearly, with my colleagues H\u016Bhana Lyndon and Georgie Dansey too: if you\u2019re going to bring change, you\u2019d better be committed to it; you\u2019ve got to be courageous; if you don\u2019t show courage, you won\u2019t get there; remember to show compassion even at the most difficult times, the most challenging times; and remember your values\u2014they are critical. In the negotiations, they were always at the heart, and they will remain at the heart.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001633\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo Ng\u0101 Hap\u016B o te Iwi o Whanganui, the mana you have shown through this process is a reflection of your people past, present, and future, and the values at the heart of He Rau Tukutuku. My final words are yours, too, Ken. From us as members of this House, Te Whare P\u0101remata\u2014today, your House. To our t\u016Bpuna, we remember you. To our people, we honour you. To our mokopuna, we commit ourselves to you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001634\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001635\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001636\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014tomorrow is a new day, and a new day will bring clarity. Our legacy, our aspirations, our future. It is a privilege to speak for you today. Go well. Haere r\u0101 ng\u0101 hoa. T\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001637\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228541c86d1d978f728e7ae0e85022c5ac\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EKo te p\u0101tai kia whakaaetia te m\u014Dtini.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001638\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThe question is that the motion be agreed to\u003C/span\u003E.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001639\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001640\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001641\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce6fe42650a1cefc25dd4cdda4fad023\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001642\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001643\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001644\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EWaiata\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002293a7f8f913d96036ccf0dd765f68bb2e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001646\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001647\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001648\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe are now going to transition out; our whanau from Ng\u0101ti Ruapani are going to make their way into the gallery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001649\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EKia ora. I just wanted to check upstairs that we have everyone, if not almost everyone, in the gallery? OK, ka pai.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001650\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c5fa0e502d08a3c4005515d3ea27b9cb\u0022\u003ENg\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00226b030d131fe0d8c46b8ca761623ab37c\u0022\u003ELegislative Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u00222104219489feec2e1637135bdbf6f5ee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001652\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222104219489feec2e1637135bdbf6f5ee\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) (10:53)\u003C/span\u003E: I present a legislative statement on the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022330fad8d3d6f017916b8cef3a413ef05\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\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=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001654\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002212385e3e00d03be302bb3712d0a79c4e\u0022\u003ESecond Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u00220ef0689876f3321c9630fa9acbed9e9c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001655\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220ef0689876f3321c9630fa9acbed9e9c\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) (10:54)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill be now read a second time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001656\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223df480aec5d7a02499f5ba83d404d080\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001657\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001658\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a second time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001659\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f10b672e5d36e9c69e03fe700c39a5e\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with the determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for committee stage immediately. I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001660\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00228b1814b1d0b6eade6d10079ff903d09d\u0022\u003ECommittee of the whole House\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001661\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsClauseHeading\u0022 id=\u00223a29e1074500fa22f637d90ce5c476b0\u0022\u003EParts 1 to 4, Schedules 1 to 3, and clauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001662\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d49d61bdbcaa56b6f228e4d9bc21e26\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, the House is in committee on the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill. We come first to Part 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022 data-id=\u00229fd8fbd98c3e2a1a31675e475ef30a5e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001663\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229fd8fbd98c3e2a1a31675e475ef30a5e\u0022\u003EDAVID MacLEOD (National\u2014New Plymouth) (10:56)\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to have all parts taken as one question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001664\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f49c2ba4e2c0b639bd22c9e2b6ef054\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001665\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe question is that Parts 1 to 4, Schedules 1 to 3, and clauses 1 and 2 stand part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001666\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe question is that the Minister\u2019s amendments set out on Amendment Papers 756 and 759 be agreed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001667\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001668\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EParts 1 to 4, Schedules 1 to 3, and clauses 1 and 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001669\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill to be reported with amendment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001670\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001671\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022acc819bccd4fd1b63f178a404e665aa7\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, the committee has considered the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill and reports it with amendment. I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the report be adopted\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001672\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001673\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001674\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cdfceb3207b43e8a21b346f9376ddc7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ece7ca042a8460c8510022192f28d13\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono)\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with the determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for third reading immediately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001675\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00222c2a801644b051898ec8ecc42c5f1f02\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022 data-id=\u002228986d8f2514f48da5433dfd59506acb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002291c0e777ce3d4711ace36a15c7e22ffe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002228986d8f2514f48da5433dfd59506acb\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) (10:58)\u003C/span\u003E: I move, \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EThat the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001677\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001679\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is a special day as we reach the third reading of the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill, and I acknowledge the culmination of many years of commitment, perseverance, and effort. This morning, we had the wonderful opportunity and privilege to welcome members of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani here at Parliament, and thank you very much for coming all this way to enjoy what is a special occasion. I also want to extend my greetings to those who couldn\u2019t make the journey here to Parliament and who may be watching or listening in at home to this final debate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001680\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is the final milestone in the settlement that lays the foundation for an enduring relationship between Ng\u0101ti Ruapani and the Crown. It reflects the commitment, the resilience, and the determination shown over many years to reach this point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001681\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI acknowledge the tireless and demanding work that has gone into achieving this outcome, and, in particular, I thank those who have led the negotiations on behalf of both Ng\u0101ti Ruapani and also the Crown. I take this time to acknowledge those who have been part of that journey and are no longer here with us, and I acknowledge, at this time, their passing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001682\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Ng\u0101ti Ruapani deed of settlement is built on a foundation of acknowledgement of responsibility. The settlement legislation gives effect to commitments made through the deed. The redress provided through the bill includes the unencumbered return of cultural properties, such as Turi-o Kahu and Kaitawa, recognising Ng\u0101ti Ruapani\u2019s enduring connection. Throughout negotiations, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani made it clear they wished for their uri to come home. In relation to that aspiration, the Crown has agreed to a financial and commercial redress package of $24\u00A0million. I hope this will enable future generations of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani to return home and enjoy economic prosperity while living according to the values of Waikaremoana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001683\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENg\u0101ti Ruapani also emphasised, during the select committee process, the duty and honour they hold as kaitiaki, and the bill provides for the inclusion of approximately 12,000 hectares of land into the legal personhood of Te Urewera to be cared for in common with T\u016Bhoe and in recognition of their shared whakapapa. Although the Crown could never extinguish the mana whenua or kaitiakitanga of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, Te Urewera has remained a place of deep significance, treasured by Ng\u0101ti Ruapani and valued by New Zealanders from across the country. The redress addressed recognises the responsibilities that arise from being tangata whenua to care for the whenua and to uphold the wellbeing of all those who walk within Te Urewera.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001684\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI do want to acknowledge those who Ng\u0101ti Ruapani selected to represent their values and aspirations through Te Whare Taupoki, trustees Neuton Lambert, Nicky Kirikiri, Wesley Turipa, Tumanako Waiwai, Lorna Taylor, and Kara Puketapu-Dentice. We heard the speeches this morning, and I certainly recognised the message from Kara about the resilience and endurance and the fact that Ng\u0101ti Ruapani were here long before Parliament and will remain long after we\u2019re all gone. I recognise the hard work, and not many New Zealanders, I do think, appreciate just the amount of work that has been put into this process. I also want to acknowledge the Crown negotiators and the team, the workers at Te Tari Whakatau, my former ministerial colleagues, Andrew Little, in particular, and many others who made important contributions to this settlement\u2014T\u0101mati Kruger, Kirsty Luke, Maea Rurehe, Waireti Amai, Te Iwa Rangihau, and Paygan Johns.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001685\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe day is also a reflection of the vision and determination of those who are no longer with us. It was kaum\u0101tua from Ng\u0101ti Ruapani who lodged this claim first in 1989, so we remember those who were part of that process. Those kaum\u0101tua understood that an achievement of this significance can only be achieved through collective effort, and in the spirit, I pay my respects to the late trustee H\u0113mi Waiwai. His legacy is woven through this settlement and endures in the work that\u2019s brought to us today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001686\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese settlements, as I said this morning, are one of the very few things that we share in unanimity across the House, across all the parties, and are part of a project that we\u2019ve been working together on as a nation for at least four decades. It\u2019s hard work. None of it is easy, but it is this generation of people here today who have taken this final step in the settlement process and then launch off into a new era based on recognition of the misdeeds of the past and the breaches of the Treaty, recognising some recompense for that and return of whenua, but also recognising that grace is required, but looking forward with hope and aspirations for the future. On that basis, I commend this bill to the House. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EN\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001687\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242d70b983dbcb6ae419758035c23bc43\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\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=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022 data-id=\u00229ec8c0f14069f8d4b168ef3617ff87a5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001688\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220750364c2c1444d0ae00bced720f964e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229ec8c0f14069f8d4b168ef3617ff87a5\u0022\u003EHon GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour) (11:05)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001689\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001690\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001691\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt is a privilege to stand in this House for this third and final reading of the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill. It is an important day that\u2019s marked a very long journey, a long road, indeed. It is an important day for Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana. The settlement represents determination, advocacy, negotiation, and work by people who have carried the aspirations of so many of their wh\u0101nau and their hap\u016B for generations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001692\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBefore anything else, I want to acknowledge Ng\u0101ti Ruapani. I want to acknowledge all of those people who have contributed along the way\u2014many who may not be able to be here today and many who are no longer with us in person but are here today with us in spirit. I\u2019d like to acknowledge H\u0113mi Waiwai for his effort in bringing this claim as far as today. There are many others involved along the way: Kirsty Luke, T\u0101mati Kruger, Kara Puketapu-Dentice and the trustees who have put in so much work to enable this claim to reach a third and final reading. I congratulate you all on being here today in reaching this point in time. I acknowledge those kaum\u0101tua and kuia who have carried the stories of the past, and I acknowledge those negotiators who have done the difficult work of bringing those stories and claims to the Crown. I would also like to acknowledge those mokopuna, those wh\u0101nau, whose future is at the heart of Treaty settlements such as this one.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001693\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETreaty settlements require us to do something that is not always easy as a country. They require us to look directly back at our history, some of the most ugly parts of our history, and confront those\u2014and confront not the version where difficult events just become footnotes but the real history of what actually happened between Crown and M\u0101ori and the consequences of the actions on the people, on land, on culture, and on communities. For Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, that history includes significant Crown breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and injustices that cannot be undone. A settlement cannot return every acre that was taken or restore every opportunity that has been denied, and it cannot erase the experiences of generations who lived through those consequences. But the Crown can acknowledge what happened, and that is part of what is happening today. It can apologise, and that is part of what is enshrined within this legislation. It can provide redress that gives iwi a stronger foundation to go forward into the future, and that is what is within this bill through having a financial redress of $24\u00A0million, including commercial interests and also a share in Patunamu Forest and cultural and commercial properties. Importantly, it also provides 12,000 hectares of land to be added to Te Urewera\u2014central to the purpose of this settlement today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001694\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese are significant commitments, but I want to emphasise that the most important part of any settlement is not simply what is written on the balance sheet; it is in fact the relationship that follows after today. A Treaty settlement should create a relationship that is different between M\u0101ori and the Crown\u2014one that is built on greater trust, respect, and recognition. That responsibility comes with the passing of this legislation today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001695\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWaikaremoana is a beautiful place, a place of enormous significance. For Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, the connection to this whenua is not something that can simply be drawn on a boundary map. It is a relationship grounded in whakapapa, history, identity, and ahi k\u0101. That relationship has endured, and will continue to do so, and the inclusion of land into Urewera is therefore an important part of the redress being provided through this settlement today. It also creates an opportunity for the future stewardship of this extraordinary and most beautiful place in Aotearoa. We should want settlements to strengthen the connection between people and whenua. We should want them to support the ability of an iwi to care for the places that have sustained their community for generations so that can continue for generations to come. We should want generations to inherit not just the land, but also the knowledge\u2014the stories, the tikanga\u2014and the responsibilities that come with it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001696\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere have been difficult questions raised around overlapping interests with some of the whenua connected to this settlement. Those issues remind us that the relationship between iwi and hap\u016B can be complex. Whakapapa does not always come with modern administrative boundaries, and that is some of the challenge with this Treaty settlement process; we know that. It forces P\u0101keh\u0101 structures into what are not P\u0101keh\u0101 things. Whakapapa does not always fit, and the different communities have longstanding connections to the same whenua. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001697\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThose connections deserve respect, and the Crown has a clear responsibility to approach these situations not just with care, but with fairness and genuine willingness to listen. Recognising complexity should not diminish the significance of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani\u2019s settlement, nor diminish any right, but the goal of settlements must, ultimately, be to resolve historical grievances and build relationships in the future. That requires all of us to approach these issues with respect for one another, and with an understanding that the future cannot simply be built by repeating the same mistakes and the same divisions of the past.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001698\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also want to acknowledge the importance of the legislative process that has brought us here. The M\u0101ori Affairs Committee considered this legislation and recommended that it be passed with amendments. That scrutiny matters, and that part of Parliament being involved in this process is also important. It ensures legislation accurately reflects the settlement that has been reached, and that the necessary technical and practical matters are properly addressed and enshrined in the books within this House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday is about more than that, about more than the legislative process. It is about recognition. It is about acknowledging you, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, and your role, your history, and acknowledging that the Crown caused harm. We acknowledge that those harms endured across generations, and this legislation has recognised your right to move forward with certainty. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001700\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere is an important lesson to be learned here for the Crown. A settlement is not the end of responsibility; it is just the start. The Crown has to honour the commitments that are written on that document on the Table, and it has to ensure that the lessons from these historical grievances now inform how Government engages with you in the future. Reconciliation is not achieved through just one piece of legislation; it is achieved through actions over time. It is achieved when commitments are kept, it is achieved when M\u0101ori voices are heard before decisions are made, not simply after them. It is achieved when the Crown treats the relationship created by Te Tiriti o Waitangi as something living and ongoing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001701\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI believe that Treaty settlements are one of the most important nation-building projects undertaken in modern New Zealand. They allow us to confront our past honestly, while still having confidence in our future. We do not have to choose between acknowledging historical injustice and building a shared future; we have to do both. A country does not become weaker by admitting where it got things wrong. It becomes stronger. It demonstrates that its institutions can learn and can be better. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt also gives future generations the opportunity to inherit something better than came before. Today, I want to pause and congratulate you for being here and reaching this point in time. I know the perseverance of those who have carried this kaupapa. I acknowledge the wh\u0101nau who have waited for this day, and I acknowledge the responsibility that now sits with the Crown to ensure the commitments being made are honoured. This settlement cannot rewrite the past, but it can help shape a future\u2014a future where Ng\u0101ti Ruapani can continue to strengthen cultural identity, exercise aspirations, care for the whenua, and provide opportunities for generations to come. That is what this House should be supporting today. I\u2019m proud, as part of te wh\u0101nau Reipa, to support Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill at this third and final reading. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001703\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001704\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002233a8db41ad0c4278b7eb829406824bb5\u0022 data-id=\u002220eaa54654d8c36124f1d013ca9093c0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001705\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002233a8db41ad0c4278b7eb829406824bb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002220eaa54654d8c36124f1d013ca9093c0\u0022\u003ESTEVE ABEL (Green) (11:15)\u003C/span\u003E: Kia ora koutou, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana. It is good to have you back in this Parliament for the third reading, and it\u2019s a fine reconciliation of a challenging process, and thank you for being here. Your presence gives credence to what is possible, where we make amends for the harms done in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001706\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIn the first and second readings I reflected on the historic account of the evils that the Crown committed against your people, and the scorched earth tactics, and the repeated breaches of human decency and Te Tiriti. When we came as a M\u0101ori Affairs Committee and you welcomed us to your spectacular part of the world, it was a wonderful day that we spent there. You showed us around maunga and marae in your rohe, and up to Waikaremoana, where the surface of the lake moved like ocean waves\u2014an indomitable spirit, an undefeatable spirit. That is what I interpret in the hearts and the souls of you as a people: undefeated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001707\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese settlements are often a challenge, because there are those who are not happy with them. I wanted to acknowledge that on that day, we heard from those people in the hearing. As well as those who were there to support it, there were those who were concerned about it\u2014from Kahungunu and others. Every settlement is unique, but there are some patterns of the division that are sown in the process of the Crown seeking to make amends for the harms it has caused.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001708\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EEven in the settlements, the clumsiness of the Crown can cause other harms and divisions. This is not a reflection on Te Tari Whakatau\u2014all those negotiating, all those in good faith, seeking to make amends. It is a problem of the structure of how we approach settlement. It\u2019s a big challenge. As my colleague H\u016Bhana always says, \u201Cthe Red Book\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001709\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe did ask a lot of questions of the officials around issues that were raised, and they presented a thorough account of the process that led to the settlement. They satisfied us as a committee that we should support it, and we, indeed, unanimously did support it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe fact is there are overlaying interests in M\u0101ori land with neighbouring iwi, and while this is a means to amends for harms and thefts caused by the Crown, it still functions in an atomised view of the world. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001711\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI reflect on the desiccation of collective ownership structures by the M\u0101ori Land Court that imposed the individualist property right ideology on your people, and this happened throughout the country. That is another mentality of the Crown. What we see in the drawing of lines on a map wherein one is given possession and another is dispossessed, so the mentality of individual property rights still persists and prevails in our country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001712\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut I want to say that the Crown is like a three-year-old child. Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, you are ancient and perennial and indomitable. I agree with the Minister when he says we come and go, but the iwi remain. You persist and your truths and values will, I hope, help to make good on those relationships with your neighbours. Remember, always, that it is the Crown that caused the first harm, and any harm caused by this process is also to be on the Crown\u2019s head. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001713\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWhen we go and visit a rohe, as happened to us, we always hear other stories and accounts, and sometimes the most grievous parts of the historical account land in a way that\u2019s incomprehensible. But other simpler stories we hear really strike us with the injustice. One of them was that it was recognised that the iwi had authority over the bed of the lake, and yet the Government came and lowered the lake level to build the dam and destroyed the natural outflow from Waikaremoana to put in place the hydroelectric scheme. It impacted the fishery. Yet another example of one of the consequences of colonisation was destruction of the ecology, the traditional relationship the iwi had to their place and their land and their taonga lakes and forests.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001714\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOne story that struck me was that one of the promises that was made was that, at the very least, a tiny fraction of the electricity generated by the dam would go towards powering the marae with free electricity. How long do you think that lasted? A year or two, and yet another promise broken. Herein lies the part that always strikes me: the generosity of an iwi to forgive these injustices and slights and failures and repeated dishonesties\u2014to be honest, that\u2019s what they are\u2014and to come and turn up here and accept this settlement as a fraction of what you lost. There\u2019s no recompense for the incomparable harms caused, but in your generosity and your dignity, you come to this Parliament, and you say, \u201CWe accept this offering.\u201D Thank you for that\u2014thank you for that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001715\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is the bit that means you are paving the way for what our nation can be, always showing the way for what our nation can be, and always the Crown playing catch-up. Here today we stand in unanimity as a Parliament and show the best of what is possible. Surely, when we stand together, we are our strongest as a country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001716\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe Green Party is happy to commend this bill to the House, and we wish you, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, a great and prosperous and good future. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022 data-id=\u0022698b3af32555d32ef32741b6ecaed7bb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001717\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022440a125e85954bae9f5d470b7551e4f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022698b3af32555d32ef32741b6ecaed7bb\u0022\u003ECAMERON LUXTON (ACT) (11:25)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001718\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001719\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001720\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI am unfortunate not to be on the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, as I must remind the House whenever I speak on a settlement bill. But I\u2019ve been listening to members who are on the committee about their travels up to the beautiful part of the world that you inhabit, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana. I do have some experience in that beautiful part of the world. In fact, three weeks ago, for my birthday, I chose to spend it in Te Urewera. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI always pay a lot of attention to whose whenua I\u2019m on and where I\u2019m being privileged to spend my time. The historical account in this settlement bill lays out what other members of the select committee and speakers today have said of the overlapping of whakapapa, whenua, and the complications therein. One of the ones that I\u2019m looking forward to getting some more clarity on is the titles at Ng\u0101putahi, up on the\u2014I think that\u2019s Ng\u0101putahi up on the Okahu, yeah? I was quite surprised that, going from my t\u016Brangawaewae of the other side of the Ikawhenua Range, in Kuhawaea and P\u0101p\u0101moa\u2014to hear that Ng\u0101putahi was part of your rohe as well was interesting, and also what happened at Te Whaiti being part of your history. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001722\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe historical account\u2014which provides clarity to a lot of people, but more questions for me\u2014and the breaches of the Treaty that are clear and apparent and have been recognised and apologised for by the Crown, and by this House on behalf of the Crown, are laid out in this bill. I hope very well that you all can take what little is in this settlement and build a bright and prosperous future so that your iwi can thrive in the future\u2014so that we can all thrive in the future. New Zealand is going to be here for a long time; onwards for New Zealand\u2014toitu Niu T\u012Breni. Thank you, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022d92a09db28c44070bbfdcc9f0e6f3cca\u0022 data-id=\u002253ebb9aacade80c69122e24787bee251\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001723\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022d92a09db28c44070bbfdcc9f0e6f3cca\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002253ebb9aacade80c69122e24787bee251\u0022\u003EJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First) (11:28)\u003C/span\u003E: T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Speaker. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001724\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001725\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI am pleased and honoured to be speaking on behalf of New Zealand First to the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill today, now in its third reading. I bring to Ng\u0101ti Ruapani greetings from my leader, the Rt Hon Winston Peters, as well as Deputy Leader, Matua Shane Jones. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001726\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ETo the kaum\u0101tua and kuia who began the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani settlement\u2014that journey that began 40 years ago\u2014today marks a milestone in the passing of this legislation. My greetings to you to all of those who have been part of that journey, those who are here in the gallery today or watching at home, and also to those who aren\u2019t with us and who may have passed. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001727\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELake Waikaremoana is an incredibly stunning natural treasure of New Zealand. We heard from Steve Abel, our colleague, that he appears to have had some magical, majestical moment as part of the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, on the hearings up in the area. That\u2019s actually how my nieces and nephews\u2014Marianna, Moana, Michael, Lydia, and Tamatea Winiana, who whakapapa to Ng\u0101ti Ruapani through Mauruuru Pango. When they visit\u2014regularly they have wh\u0101nau visits there\u2014they talk about the wairua of the area and how important it is for them, living away from that area, to go there and reconnect with their whenua, and the place is so majestical, so magical, and so serene. It is the most beautiful part of the world. It\u2019s a region in Godzone that is unrivalled in its mystery, in its majesty, and in its serenity. However, a long shadow was cast, over a century ago, up and down the Long White Cloud, and that long shadow fell over the area where Ng\u0101ti Ruapani are, but today, that long shadow, we hope, will begin to dissolve and dissipate as this Treaty settlement process comes to a close. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001728\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor more than 150 years, dating back to 1866, the wh\u0101nau carried the heavy weight of historical Treaty breaches. They carried the grief of land loss, of displaced wh\u0101nau, and of systemic erosion of their place as mana whenua around Lake Waikaremoana, but today marks a threshold with the passing of this bill\u2014a commitment between Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana and the Crown. There have been generations of memories, some not so good\u2014many not so good\u2014but we have seen strength and endurance, which has led to this day. This settlement is a step towards justice, and it has been a collective effort to get to this point.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001729\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe settlement includes $24\u00A0million in financial redress, an undivided half-share of Patunamu Forestry Ltd, commercial and cultural properties, and the return of roughly 12,000 hectares into Te Urewera. This represents a long-overdue acknowledgment of what was taken and what is owed. Today, Parliament takes this vital step in acknowledging a dark chapter in our history, seeking to repair a relationship severely fractured by the actions and omissions of the Crown.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001730\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EFor generations, the people of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani experienced the full, devastating weight of Crown actions, and we acknowledge the severe military attacks on Te K\u014Dpani and Onepoto in 1866, followed by repeated incursions into the Waikaremoana area between 1869 and 1871. We remember, also, the unwarranted treatment of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani as rebels, a designation that brought scorched earth tactics\u2014the destruction of k\u0101inga, crops, and livestock\u2014leaving wh\u0101nau to endure starvation, exposure, and loss of life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001731\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis tragic history stripped Ng\u0101ti Ruapani of their ancestral lands, leaving them virtually landless and causing enduring damage to their cultural identity, economic standing, and social wellbeing. No sum of money, no transfer of property, and no statutory acknowledgment can ever fully erase the suffering or undo the past, but what this legislation can do, and what it must do, is provide a foundation for justice and restoration, and a platform for the future. This bill represents an act of atonement, but, more than that, it also represents\u2014and what I\u2019ve heard Ng\u0101ti Ruapani say\u2014a bridge to the future. It honours their ancestors who suffered, it supports the wh\u0101nau who fought for decades to be heard, and it lays the groundwork for future generations of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani to thrive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001732\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThere was overwhelming support demonstrated during the ratification process, with 85\u00A0percent voting in favour of the deed. It\u2019s a testament to the community\u2019s desire to move forward into a new era. When the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana negotiating group brought their aspirations to the Crown, they centred their vision on three foundational values: m\u0101riri\u2014to heal and put past difference aside; kaha\u2014to stand strong, independent, and prosperous; and ritenga\u2014to return to customary ways, caring for the environment and for each other. This legislation is built on those values.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001733\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI would like to acknowledge and also honour the resilience of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani. That has never been in doubt. Today, that resilience becomes a foundation for growth, for opportunity, and for prosperity. We can leave the past behind. We can draw a line in the sand and look toward the future. As Ng\u0101ti Ruapani looks towards your future, which define for yourselves, and as that shadow of the past begins to lift, as it begins to dissolve, I hope that blessings come to all of Ng\u0101ti Ruapani wh\u0101nau. Thank you, Madam Speaker. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EN\u014D reira, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001734\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002235984f61527b4059ae9284acf3c4076b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022af887a7e63d90a0fadc8e644994ba4b2\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh)\u003C/span\u003E: This is a split call.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223b11bafcf5b5427480393ffeef4fe6e8\u0022 data-id=\u0022ece9a2e0c46518a3a2d5fa1682401037\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001735\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223b11bafcf5b5427480393ffeef4fe6e8\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ece9a2e0c46518a3a2d5fa1682401037\u0022\u003EORIINI KAIPARA (Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori\u2014T\u0101maki Makaurau) (11:36)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001736\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001737\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223bb897ab8d624eca84bc4356dec862f4\u0022 data-id=\u00221c1d7f0be0ebaccf9f8e4644fde16120\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001738\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223bb897ab8d624eca84bc4356dec862f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221c1d7f0be0ebaccf9f8e4644fde16120\u0022\u003EH\u016AHANA LYNDON (Green) (11:41)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001739\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001740\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001741\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs members of Parliament, I want to labour the point. It was great to hear both Cameron and Steve speak to the immense loss of the people of Waikaremoana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001742\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001743\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001744\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe didn\u2019t experience scorched earth, but when you read the way that the Crown treated your people, \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001745\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001746\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001747\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBecause you\u2019ve overcome so much. And in the settlement, it reads on page 10, \u201CDespite this deprivation and disconnection, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana have endured. They are resolute and tenacious in their connections to Waikaremoana.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001748\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001749\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001750\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe just had Whanganui iwi here. I cautioned the House, because I\u2019ve only got five minutes. I cautioned the House:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001751\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001752\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001753\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EDon\u2019t we dare breach it tomorrow. Once we sign, these are binding. Our people are so gracious in accepting one to two cents in the dollar and the management agreements, all of that. Iwi M\u0101ori are so gracious that it is upon us as members of Parliament not to breach these Treaty claims, not to breach the Treaty settlements, and to honour what we sign\u2014honour what we sign. So my mihi is to you for being enduring. You are here tomorrow, you\u2019re here today. We\u2019re going to come and go, but\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001754\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001755\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001756\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENow is the time more than ever to defend what is important to you so your mokopuna can see a brighter future \u0101p\u014Dp\u014D. Kia ora t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022 data-id=\u0022a5a0134e9cc99a081d9b9a22745a1df9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001757\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b27d8609c612411686d517d0f9b09b28\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a5a0134e9cc99a081d9b9a22745a1df9\u0022\u003EDAVID MacLEOD (National\u2014New Plymouth) (11:46)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001758\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001759\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001760\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAs I said this morning, it is indeed a privilege to speak at any stage within a Treaty claims settlement. This being the third reading, the final step before it puts in the bill and enacts it and pays attention to the deed that was signed some time ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001761\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s mindful of me to think of the wrongdoings of the past. We as politicians sit in this debating chamber with the responsibility in some ways of representing what our predecessors did in similar roles so long ago. It deeply hurts me, really, to read the historical account and think that I have to answer for that, because I look at the historical account and once again it is an absolute terrible history of this country. We\u2019ve done this on numerous occasions. If you\u2019re not aware, this is close to being nearly number 100 of these iwi settlements we\u2019ve done as a Parliament, as a Crown, and there are more to come. But every settlement has similar stories, similar facts\u2014not stories\u2014of our past that I can\u2019t see anybody of today being proud of. It is an absolute horror to read what has occurred.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EEvery iwi that has signed the deed and then it\u2019s been enacted through a bill such as this, I\u2019m always mindful that you have agreed to accept recompense that is so small, so minimalistic in context with what you\u2019ve lost. You have made that choice. I suppose, New Zealand, we thank you for making that choice, because we indeed want to be able to start again. We want to move forward. We want to restart relationships that failed to exist all that time ago.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001763\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis is what I believe these occasions are about\u2014the signing, the enactment of settlements\u2014a point of time for us to begin again, to correct the wrongs, to restart the relationships that are so important and that were actually signed up to with Te Tiriti, that understanding your iwi didn\u2019t actually sign, but we know that the founding document of our country is about how we operate as a country. Let\u2019s make sure that Te Tiriti actually has some standing of today. So thank you. Thank you, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani, for making the choice to accept this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001764\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve had the privilege of being part of the select committee\u2014the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee\u2014that plays a small part in the journey of this process. We had the wonderful opportunity to visit, to come up to Tuai. We had a little bit of a h\u012Bkoi afterwards, and thank you to Neuton and Maea and all those that drove us to some of the beautiful parts of your rohe, your whenua. We went up to your beautiful marae on the puke, up on the hill there, of Waimako, I think it was\u2014Waimako. We went up past the numerous lakes. You\u2019ve got the beautiful lake there out in front of the lodge, where we actually had our hearing, of Whakamarino; but you\u2019ve got Kaitawa, Wherowhero, and, of course, the beautiful Waikaremoana. I\u2019m almost ashamed to say that was my very first visit to Waikaremoana. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001765\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe went to Onepoto Bay. Steve spoke about the fact that mankind has made its adjustments to the lake, and that has an impact, as any man does have, on our taiao. He spoke of agreements that we heard of with regards to the supply of electricity to your marae, which, for whatever reason, has been reneged on over time. These are the wrongs that I think we need to acknowledge, and I just hope that there\u2019s some rights that are before us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001766\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt was a privilege to be part of the mihi whakatau this morning. Neuton, our kaik\u014Drero\u2014thank you very much for your words, the dignity and compassion that you showed. I also want to talk to Kara, as well. Kara, your words were very meaningful to me, and I went straight up to Kara\u2014unfortunately, I had to leave to other parliamentary business of select committee; I couldn\u2019t stay for the h\u0101kari. But I asked Kara if I was allowed to use his words to put into the \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EHansard\u003C/span\u003E of this Parliament, to record them in the Parliament and record them for life. If you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019m going to read those and do just that right now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001767\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u201COur wh\u0101nau have travelled from Waikaremoana to here, from the lake to this House. Our t\u016Bpuna made this journey many times. They came with petitions, they came with claims, they came with the same message we carry today. They went home without any answer. Today, we do not.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001768\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe will not speak of their pain. That is theirs. They carry it, they endure it, and they brought us here. What I speak to today is who stands in this House\u2014not a bill, a people. The hap\u016B of Waikaremoana have stood together through distance, through absence, through time, bound by whakapapa and by that whenua. Some who began this journey with us are not here today: kaum\u0101tua, kuia, wh\u0101nau who sat at the table and wh\u0101nau who sat at the back. They saw key moments, but they did not see this day. But they are here, in every one of us who stand. I acknowledge those whose work is rarely seen but always felt; those who drafted, those who drove, those who kept the marae open while the rest of us were in Wellington. You do not stand in the front, but you are the reason we stand here at all.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001769\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EToday, this House passes a law. That law records what was done. It records what the Crown now acknowledges. We receive that acknowledgment with dignity. But the law does not make us. We were here before the House, and we will be here after it. This bill does not define us. It affirms what has always been true: that Te Urewera remains; that Waikaremoana remains; that hap\u016B who call this place home remain; that Ng\u0101ti Ruapani remain. When we leave this House, our wh\u0101nau will return to the lake. It will not have noticed we were gone. It has outlived every generation that stood beside it. It will outlive us, too. We do not shape it. It shapes us, and it has shaped a people who do not disappear. We were never lost; we were always here. Come to Waikaremoana, stand beside the lake. Then, you will understand what you have passed today.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001770\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EKia ora, Kara. T\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227f988bc72b5e47b8856ba70e41dfbbaf\u0022 data-id=\u0022b7dccb43ef1281a86d8485424990da82\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001771\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227f988bc72b5e47b8856ba70e41dfbbaf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b7dccb43ef1281a86d8485424990da82\u0022\u003EGEORGIE DANSEY (Labour) (11:55)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EKia ora koutou. To Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, nau mai, haere mai ki P\u0101remata\u003C/span\u003E. It\u2019s an honour to rise to speak to the Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana Claims Settlement Bill, and I want to start by acknowledging the hap\u016B and iwi who have gathered here today after many, many years of hard work to get to this point. It\u2019s been a real honour to stand alongside you for some of that journey, but I know that it goes back for generations. Congratulations on getting to this point. It\u2019s been a challenging road but, no doubt, one today that ends one phase of your journey, and I commend you on your mahi getting this bill to its third reading,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EKia ora koutou\u003C/span\u003Eto the rangatira, the rangatahi, the tamariki and the mokopuna\u2014the generations in the room today. I\u2019ve had the privilege of knowing some members of your wh\u0101nau for a long time, and they said I wasn\u2019t allowed to speak about them today, so I won\u2019t, but they know who they are and I want to just acknowledge those wh\u0101nau members and the impact this journey has had on me because of that connection that I have to your hap\u016B.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001773\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis bill records the acknowledgment and apology made to Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana when the deed was signed, and gives effect to redress in the deed that requires legislation. The journey to get to the place we are now, receiving this bill for its third reading, has been a long one for Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EWai t\u016Branga, rongo a te tangata, toit\u016B te whenua\u003C/span\u003E\u2014as people disappear from sight, the land endures. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001774\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s been a long journey for the hap\u016B: six years of negotiation to reach a long-awaited agreement. I hope this bill acknowledges the past and looks to a stronger future. The journey from 2008 speaks to the challenging relationship that we can have with the Crown and also speaks the persistence of iwi, hap\u016B, and wh\u0101nau to right the wrongs of the past. I commend the show of unity and determination from Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana in working with the Crown to get to this point. Nothing can right the wrongs of the past and the harm inflicted on your people. Nothing is enough to apologise for the actions of the Crown, which began for Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana in 1866, but I hope that this bill can bring some closure to the people, and I commend the iwi for working with the Crown to work towards some redress for the harm caused. We know that that harm caused continued over successive generations, as is highlighted in this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001775\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt was a real honour\u2014as a member who sits on the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, I was able to come to your whenua to hear your submissions on the bill, and I want to acknowledge our chairperson, David MacLeod, for his mahi in this space. I know that David MacLeod worked very closely with you to ensure that this bill could be passed before Parliament wraps up for the year. I want to mihi to the mahi that was done, because I know that this settlement and getting it done in this parliamentary term is important to you, and I\u2019m very pleased that we\u2019re able to do that. I also mihi to Minister Paul Goldsmith for his mahi in moving things around so that we can get this done before Parliament rises. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001776\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EIt was so wonderful to come to your whenua for the manaakitanga that you showed to us. We went on a beautiful tour up to the lake, and it was just mind-blowing and lovely to be there. I had visited before in a personal capacity, but being able to be there and hear directly from the wh\u0101nau on the history of that place was really special. Thank you for hosting us, for the beautiful kai, and for your k\u014Drero while we were there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001777\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI also was honoured to attend the mihi whakatau this morning. Thank you all so very much for that. Other speakers have spoken about the very moving k\u014Drero that we had this morning, and I wanted to mention a few words that Kara Puketapu-Dentice mentioned in his k\u014Drero. He spoke about t\u016Bpuna making the journey to P\u0101remata many times, with the same message that you\u2019ve carried here today, and every other time going home without an answer, except for today. He talked about people standing together through distance, absence, and time, bound by whakapapa. He acknowledged\u2014and I would like to acknowledge, as well\u2014the many wh\u0101nau who are not here today, the kuia and kaum\u0101tua who have done so much mahi in this space and who are not with us today in person, who saw key moments on this journey. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001778\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EHe also acknowledged those who work behind the scenes and the incredibly important work that they do, and I think it\u2019s so important. Thank you, Kara, for those words, because it makes such a huge difference. Everybody involved in Treaty settlements\u2014and especially those within the hap\u016B\u2014contributes so much, and it\u2019s not always those behind the scenes who are praised. I think it\u2019s important that we do that in all aspects of life, and so this is a personal shout-out to my friend, who I can\u2019t mention, who was in the kitchen preparing the kai when we were up at Waikaremoana. Beautiful\u2014thank you very much for that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001779\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe other point I wanted to mention from Kara\u2019s k\u014Drero was the invite from Waikaremoana to this Whare. Thank you for the invite, and the essence of it was that if P\u0101remata\u2014members of this Whare, and of the Crown\u2014can visit Waikaremoana, then they can truly see what has been passed today, which is that this is not the end, but the beginning. Waikaremoana remains and the hap\u016B remains, and I think it\u2019s an important message that we can talk about this in the context of it being one part of the journey today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001780\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe know that the Crown can never right those wrongs of the past, and while we celebrate today, there is also a feeling that the work is not done. There is so much more to do. I wish the hap\u016B so many good wishes for your journey forward, and for your mokopuna to return to their whenua, know their tikanga, and learn their reo and understand, like your ancestors have done. I hope that this settlement contributes to a small part of that journey today. With that, on behalf of Te R\u014Dp\u016B Reipa, I commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022 data-id=\u0022eec01df2d2da88ea2ecb17cf5b05b609\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001781\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c96149a439844ecfa86967f9caf5f50d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eec01df2d2da88ea2ecb17cf5b05b609\u0022\u003EKATIE NIMON (National\u2014Napier) (12:04)\u003C/span\u003E: \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003ET\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou, t\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa.\u003C/span\u003E To Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, wherever you have travelled from, I acknowledge you all for being here this morning. Most might assume that everybody has come down from Waikaremoana or T\u016Bai, but, in fact, I had a conversation at breakfast with visitors from K\u0101piti and Lower Hutt. That just goes to show that your whenua remains, but your people are everywhere, and Lake Waikaremoana and the surrounding lakes are what bring you all back together.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001782\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI have a number of acknowledgments to make, and I just want to share a few things from the perspective that I bring. Can I just thank you, Minister Goldsmith, for bringing this bill to its third and final reading, and I acknowledge that you have mentioned\u2014as many have\u2014the number of people who were part of this process. Of course, it does need to be signed, sealed, and delivered at some point, and so we\u2019re grateful for that being here, with us, today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001783\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI acknowledge the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, led by David MacLeod. When the select committee went and visited T\u016Bai and heard from the community and other participants in T\u016Bai, I wasn\u2019t able to join it. I was meant to and I was hoping to, but just on seeing some of the p\u0113pi in the gallery, I have to say that at the time, my baby was about eight or nine months old, and so it was a little bit difficult for me to get up at sort of 5 in the morning to travel up and join you, as I\u2019m sure most people can understand. But I was really heartened by the conversations that were had, the experience of the journey, and everything else that was involved, as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001784\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI got to speak in the first reading of the bill, and I know that so many of you in the gallery were here for that, as well, and I\u2019m not expecting that any of you remember what I said, as part of a small speck on the history of this experience. But rather than to reiterate it, I want to just share the things that I\u2019ve learnt and understood since then. Everything that we do in this House is an experience for us to understand better. None of us will really understand what it is that your iwi, hap\u016B, and marae have gone through on this journey, and I\u2019m just acknowledging the generations that have gone before, the generations that are to come, and the stories and history that you will share and that they will understand, going forward. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001785\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESince the first reading, I\u2019ve been able to meet with a number of people from all sides of this experience, and I know that so many of our speakers beforehand, across all sides of the House\u2014and I think it\u2019s been mentioned a number of times\u2014have said how we feel about Treaty settlements, in particular. We are all aware of the challenges and complexities, but in this particular case, whakapapa makes a difference, and that\u2019s been acknowledged by a number of people. I talked in my first reading speech about the journey for Ruapani down from Tair\u0101whiti, from Gisborne, and from settlements at Waikaremoana; the discovery of the lake or the sea; and the journey that Ruapani took to then bring together the people of T\u016Bhoe and the people of Kahungunu. There are the intricacies and the complexities that that whakapapa brings to this story, and I know that this has been said by many up to this point, but it is never easy. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001786\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA settlement is never easy, but this settlement, with Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, is and that has to be acknowledged. But Te Urewera is a place for people to enjoy, to be, and to exist. The invitation has been mentioned many times to come to Waikaremoana in order to understand the place and what that means to the people, and I think that that prevails. I really hope from what has been shared about Te Urewera and Waikaremoana being a place for people to be in order to experience the specialness of that place is something that will live on beyond this settlement, as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001787\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ECan I acknowledge you, Kara Puketapu-Dentice and Neuton Lambert, this morning for your speeches and your address to us, as members of Parliament, but also to the broader House, for the picture that we have. Thank you for everything that you\u2019ve shared, and beyond your words this morning, as well, Kara, thank you for the things that you\u2019ve said about this settlement. Whether it\u2019s in the media or to communities, those words prevail and they really mean something, and I think it captures the sentiment of the importance of the settlement to the people and to Wairoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001788\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EOf course, as the member of Parliament for Napier, I acknowledge that the general electorate boundary and the M\u0101ori electorate boundary intersect in such a way\u2014and I\u2019m just acknowledging Cushla Tangaere-Manuel but also Rawiri Waititi\u2014that Lake Waikaremoana and T\u016Bai are part of the Napier electorate. But, actually, Waikaremoana and T\u016Bai are part of the Waiariki seat, and then, of course, Wairoa and most of Kahungunu are part of the Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti seat. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001789\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThese boundaries, to us, are lines on a piece of paper, but to the people that experience the geography, the place, what makes it special for you, your whenua, those boundaries really don\u2019t mean anything other than a box on a piece of paper. So we need to acknowledge the wairua that prevails over all of this. I think that is the most important thing to acknowledge. We always try to find a box for things to fit in, and it just doesn\u2019t work that way.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001790\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI know and note the many people that are part of this story, but today, Ng\u0101ti Ruapani mai Waikaremoana, is your day. This is your settlement; this is your story. I just want to say to the range of generations in the gallery, and the gorgeous little p\u0113pi that was up in front of me before, to think about how the future that this is and what it holds for you is really, really special because it\u2019s the start, as David MacLeod mentioned, of a new relationship. We lead by our actions, and to see the way that we work going forward and the benefit to everybody of these settlements I think just is a testament to the process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001791\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m grateful to be able to be a part of it, the role that I have played in the last few months, listening and understanding and learning, and I really hope that everybody that experiences what the settlement brings going forward will see and understand that from that perspective as well. So \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003Eng\u0101 mihi ki a koutou. \u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much everyone for being here, for participating in this really long process that so many people will see as one third and final reading but not understand the decades and centuries that have gone in behind it and what this represents for you. So, again, thank you\u2014thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001792\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002220e82e4dc3d5592af586846dddb7e748\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=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022 data-id=\u0022f410b0394ee9e622c51381f08bae8513\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001793\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e968c1334f0a40bfbd05d661e979ba38\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f410b0394ee9e622c51381f08bae8513\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Labour) (12:12)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001794\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001795\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001796\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ELovely to have you all here today. I was listening to the k\u014Drero and thinking about settlements. This has been, if we\u2019re being honest, one of the harder settlements in terms of te ao M\u0101ori, and I think we all know that in the House. It\u2019s been tough for the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee; it\u2019s been tough for yourselves coming here, and it makes us all wonder in terms of: have we got the process right? I don\u2019t think we have, but I don\u2019t think we\u2019re far off.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001797\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EI was thinking back through the years, and with the overlapping claims, it can be a nightmare for some people, particularly when you have whanaunga against whanaunga and friends against friends. I thought back to the Tainui settlement, for instance. You\u2019ll recall, people\u2014some of the elder lot in the gallery\u2014that Eva Rickard opposed the Tainui settlement, and that was major given that she was a matriarch and a warrior for our people, you know. Not easy\u2014not easy when you want settlement and you want to proceed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001798\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe had the Ng\u0101i Tahu settlement: Sandra Lee, who was deputy leader of the Alliance, Mana Motuhake leader, opposed the Ng\u0101i Tahu settlement, and to this day, I think, Sandra still is very sad because she missed the reading down here in Parliament because of a plane trip not working out for her. So I just want to say today that, you know, we\u2019re all still part of each other.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001799\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EWe put the Tenths kaupapa through\u2014great day here, but a guy like Paul Morgan, who\u2019s been a longtime negotiator for the people down there in the South Island, been an advocate, an old friend of mine, he wasn\u2019t even talking to me at the end because Labour didn\u2019t put through the Tenths settlement on time. To his credit, he came to the hearing, but I still don\u2019t think he supports the settlement, because it\u2019s not perfect, because it does not compensate our people how it should, even though you\u2019ve got a $400 million settlement there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001800\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThe reality, though, is our people understand what loss is. To have only 2 or 3\u00A0percent in terms of what a loss is does irk a lot of people. The Ng\u0101i Tahu settlement: in economic terms, our top economist said it was worth $15 billion; Ng\u0101i Tahu settled for $170 million. These are the things that we have to traverse as M\u0101ori, as negotiators, we have to work through. We have to decide when is the time to settle, when is the time to say, \u201COK, we\u2019ve just got to cut our losses here.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001801\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EYou know, Ranginui Walker\u2014a lot of you will remember his mahi. He was the chief negotiator for Whakat\u014Dhea. When the Treaty settlement process started, he had a few problems with the process and he put stuff up on behalf of his tribe. There was a disagreement, Whakat\u014Dhea went to the back of the line, and they had to wait 20-25 years.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001802\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ESo I just want to mihi to everyone here today, to the negotiators. To Kara: well done to Kara Puketapu up there; he\u2019s a good young man\u2014only problem is he wouldn\u2019t stand for me in the current election. He decided he was too busy advocating for you\u2014big mistake, Kara, big mistake. But he\u2019s a fine young man. But I mihi to you, because all these pressures that come on us as M\u0101ori, but we made a decision. Well done to our Minister, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; to previous Ministers\u2014Finlayson, Little. This has been going on for years and years, but we came together. But we know of the pressures. Just remember: your relations are still your relations. You know, you might not talk for a while, but you\u2019ve got to whakakotahi for the kaupapa. But it\u2019s still a good day for everyone. We got there, but there\u2019s still a lot of work to do. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003EKia ora an\u014D t\u0101tou katoa\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022739b3bbed7fe4186aa30494700144b3a\u0022 data-id=\u0022590a6a98db2e02d9cf390aebcc79f6fc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001803\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022739b3bbed7fe4186aa30494700144b3a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022590a6a98db2e02d9cf390aebcc79f6fc\u0022\u003EPAULO GARCIA (National\u2014New Lynn) (12:17)\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon, everyone. \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003ET\u0113n\u0101 koutou katoa\u003C/span\u003E. I am a new entrant into the M\u0101ori Affairs Committee, but happy that I\u2019ve had the opportunity to be in that first trip to T\u016Bai and Waikaremoana. I have experienced your community and the love that you bring into your community and into each other, and I have seen the leadership and the relationships, and I thank you. This is a day of thanksgiving\u2014thanksgiving for all of you, for your forbearance, for your determination, and for your openness to move forward. I think that that is a self-giving that is difficult to match, because you give now by accepting to move forward, and that is an amazing, amazing self-giving. So we thank everyone who\u2019s been involved in the process, for being open to listening and to hearing. Passing this bill allows all of you, and us, an opportunity to pass from the darkness, the great darkness of the past, into the great light of the potential good that a settlement like this brings into your own hands. It is about choice, the openness, and the ability to make decisions yourselves.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001804\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003EI think that the best contribution that I can make to this process in my nothingness is to recognise the mokopuna who are here who need to go and move because they\u2019ve been here and waiting and they\u2019ve been patient, like you\u2014you have taught them well. So my best contribution is to say, now, that I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220fe7508c7b8a47378c4c88fe1ce69fcb\u0022 data-id=\u00224dfd28ef24266004d7ba07ee5b003ccf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001805\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220fe7508c7b8a47378c4c88fe1ce69fcb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224dfd28ef24266004d7ba07ee5b003ccf\u0022\u003ECUSHLA TANGAERE-MANUEL (Labour\u2014Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti) (12:19)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001806\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001807\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227ef423fda7b143b890e93f8018529ebe\u0022 data-id=\u0022c80b8616d5deb406de9ba958c0b6639c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001808\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227ef423fda7b143b890e93f8018529ebe\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c80b8616d5deb406de9ba958c0b6639c\u0022\u003EGREG FLEMING (National\u2014Maungakiekie) (12:29)\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001809\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001810\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001811\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBecause M\u0101ori would never have imagined a place like this. Why on earth would they? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001812\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001813\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001814\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u2014means recompense, to restore, to balance and put right. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001815\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001816\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001817\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EThis process is not, and Kara said it so beautifully in the words\u2014thank you, \u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003Ee te tiamana\u2014[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001818\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001819\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBut this process is not, and never was, about establishing the\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001820\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022mi\u0022\u003E[Authorised reo M\u0101ori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001821\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E[Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001822\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001823\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001824\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022df131b7abae71105f5c85098cd9cc004\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I now turn to our guests in the gallery. We would love to hear your waiata.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001825\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EWaiata\u2014K\u0101ore te p\u014D nei\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001826\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003EHaka\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsCharacterItalics\u0022\u003E\u2014K\u012B mai nei koe\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001827\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224cf6752dabf34d0eb8ae92457823e4ba\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022835a217d49d5b42493684fb526f9183b\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Kia ora. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202609021946f4d13647536db0001828\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsContinued\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022CharacterBoldCentred\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 12.36 p.m. (Thursday)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"