Wednesday, 9 December 2020

WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2020

WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2020

The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.

Prayers.

WHAKAARI / WHITE ISLAND ERUPTION

Anniversary

Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, wāhi e rua ko Whakaari, rū ana te whenua e. He ahi poua ki te umurangi e tū iho nei. He parekura ki te whenua e takoto nei. He tāngata ka riro e. Ka māturuturu ngā roimata ka hiamo ake te hunga mate ki te rangi. Haere ki a Ranginui, haere ki a Rangiora, haere ki a Rangiwhetūrau. Huri tua atu ngā mihi ki a tātou te hunga ora. Tēnā tātou katoa.

[Thunder cracks and lightning flashes, Whakaari has burst and the ground quakes. Fire and smoke soar towards the red sky. As catastrophe descends on the earth. People’s lives are snuffed out. Tears fall as they are taken up to heaven. Fare thee well to the Great Heaven, to the Living Heaven, to the Heaven of Many Stars. Let me turn now to us, to the living. Greetings to you all.]

I move, That the House remember those who passed away, those who were injured, their whānau, and everyone affected by the Whakaari White Island eruption a year ago today.

A year has passed since this dark day and we continue to share aroha with all those impacted. Just after 2 p.m. on 9 December 2019—one year ago—Whakaari / White Island erupted. In the hours and days that followed, the enormity of the tragedy became apparent. Forty-seven people were on the island when it erupted, 22 lives were lost, and survivors were severely injured.

The impacts of this eruption were felt far beyond our shores. Many of those on the islands were visitors from Australia, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, and Malaysia. Today we send our aroha, our love, our manaakitanga, our support to the survivors overseas, their families, and those who lost loved ones. We also remember Tipene Maangi and Hayden Marshall-Inman, and stand together with all New Zealanders impacted by this terrible event.

I want to acknowledge all those involved in the response and recovery efforts, including first responders, health professionals, central and local government, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, private businesses, district health boards, the Defence Force, and scientists. This was an extraordinarily challenging event. You worked tirelessly to provide support to those affected. Our thoughts are with you also, as I ask this House to stand together with all New Zealanders impacted by this terrible event.

Kotahi te roimata e heke mai nā i runga i a Whakaari i tēnei wā. E rere tonu ana ō mātou nei whakaaro. Pai mārire.

[A tear is shed for Whakaari at this time. Our thoughts are still with them. Amen.]

SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Leader of the Opposition): The National Party supports the Government in this. When 47 people took the trip to Whakaari / White Island one year ago, they had no idea of what would come next when, at 2.11 p.m., the volcano blew its top, it covered the island with a thick cloud of ash, covering people in burns and having them breathe in toxic chemicals. Twenty-two people lost their lives as a result of the events of that day. Children were told their parents weren’t coming home. Brothers, sisters, parents, and grandparents were left to grieve for loved ones taken from them too soon. Dozens of others had massive injuries; burns on up to 95 percent of their bodies. The physical and mental scars of this disaster will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Just as we saw tragedy that day, we also saw incredible bravery—a boatie attempting to outrun an ash cloud sailed an inflatable straight back into it to rescue 23 people; Defence Force pilots, explosive ordnance disposal teams, and paramedics selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to save others. To the victims, their families, and rescuers, today we pay tribute to them.

And that means we need to find out more of what’s happened. We support a royal commission of inquiry into the Whakaari / White Island disaster. No one who visited the island that day knew that this was going to happen or that it was likely to. While we cannot bring back those who were lost, nor can we always heal the scars of those who were injured, we owe it to them all to provide answers.

Hon EUGENIE SAGE (Green): On behalf of the Green Party, I extend our aroha and thoughts to the families and friends of those who passed and to those who every day are courageously grappling with burns and other injuries. He kokonga whare e kitea, he kokonga ngākau e kore e kitea.

[The corners of a room may be seen, not so the recesses of the heart.]

Can I read the name of those we remember today: from the United States, Barbara Jean Hollander, Berend Lawrence Hollander, Matthew Robert Hollander, Pratap “Paul” Singh, Mayuri “Maya” Singh; from Germany, Horst Westenfelder; from Australia, Richard Aaron Elzer, Martin Berend Hollander, Julie Richards, Jessica Richards, Krystal Eve Browitt, Paul Browitt, Zoe Ella Hosking, Gavin Brian Dallow, Karla Michelle Mathews, Jason David Giffiths, Kristine Elizabeth Langford, Anthony James Langford, Winona Jane Langford, Chris Cozad; and from Aotearoa New Zealand, Tipene Maangi and Hayden Bryan Marshall-Inman. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.

[We will remember them.]

DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): On behalf of ACT, we would also like to join with the Government in support of its motion to acknowledge this terrible tragedy. Those lost, and those that they left behind—our thoughts are with you today. Our land, and our geology—one of our greatest taonga that people come from so far and wide to see—is nevertheless always fearsome and dangerous.

I want to acknowledge, in particular, some of the brave heroics that were undertaken on that day: people who risked their own lives, and often broke the rules and guidelines generally intended to keep people safe, in order to actually make people safe, in real terms, in real time. Those heroes deserve our admiration, and those institutions which so frequently enforce rules of safety on New Zealanders as they go about their daily lives should be cautious to ensure that they don’t punish those who did the right thing, that they don’t punish those when, in actual fact, it was their responsibility to be upholding the safety and the rules, using the powers that they have. A better way forward is to acknowledge the true heroism, and to always keep the memory of those lost and those that they left behind, so that we can learn and do better from this tragedy.

DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori): Kia ora e te Māngai. E tangi tonu ana te ngākau ki te hunga i whāriki te parekura nui ki runga o Whakaari i tēnei rangi, kotahi tau ki muri. Hoatu rā koutou ki tua o te ārai ki te hunga o te Kahurangi, kia okioki ai. Waiho mātou ki muri nei, tangi hotuhotu ai. E rere haere ana ngā mihi ki ngā whānau e noho tonu ana ki te ao mārama, e tangi tonu ana mō ō rātou whanaunga kua hinga.

[The heart continues to weep for those who suffered in the disaster on Whakaari a year ago today. Farewell on your journey to beyond the veil to join those who await you, where you may rest in peace. You leave us behind in deep anguish. I extend heartfelt condolences to the families who are left broken-hearted that their loved ones have been taken.]

It is with sadness that I rise on behalf of Te Paati Māori to mark the one-year anniversary of the W’akaari / White Island tragedy and to send our condolences to the w’ānau. My co-leader and MP for Waiariki is today in Tauranga Moana to represent us at the official commemorations. E mihi ana i a Te Waiariki i tēnei wā.

[Let me now acknowledge Waiariki.]

I turn to Ngāti Awa. Ko Ngāti Awa te toki tē tangatanga i te ra, tē ngohengohe i te wai.

[Ngāti Awa of whom it is said you are the adze whose fastenings are neither loosened by the sun, nor softened by water.]

Ngāti Awa is the adze whose bindings cannot be loosened by the sun or softened by the rain. It is through their leadership that our iwi will find strength. It is through their direction we will collect. I remember when Ngāti Awa hosted us as Ngāti Ruanui and shared their kōrero about their w’aea tupuna W’akaari and their aspirations. My heart feels for our w’anaunga, and I know the strength of your w’akapapa will lead all through healing.

I cannot begin to understand the pain and suffering that w’ānau have endured such big loss of their loved ones today, and who are recovering. I stand in acknowledgment of all brave rescuers, first responders, health workers, volunteers, and community kaitautoko. Our full whakaaro and aroha are with you now and always.

Nō reira, tēnā tātou katoa.

Motion agreed to.

SPEAKER: Members, it approaches 2.11. I ask all members to stand for a minute’s silence in commemoration.

Members stood as a mark of respect.

Petitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills

Petitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills

SPEAKER: No petitions or select committee reports have been delivered and no bills introduced. Ministers have delivered papers.

CLERK:

Annual reports for 2020 for:

the Government Superannuation Fund Authority

Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation

Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust

Sport New Zealand

Pharmac

the Ministry of Social Development

Pike River Recovery Agency

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and

the National Land Transport Fund

statements of performance expectations for 2020/21 for:

the Government Superannuation Fund Authority

Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation

Sport New Zealand, and

NZ Health Partnerships

statements of intent for the Government Superannuation Fund Authority for 2020 to 2024 and Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation for 2020 to 2025

Vote Social Development non-departmental appropriations report for 2019/20; and

Government response to the report of the Officers of Parliament Committee on the petition of Martin Thomas Harold Matthews.

SPEAKER: I present the report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment entitled A review of the funding and prioritisation of environmental research in New Zealand. Those papers are published under the authority of the House.

Interventions

Rt Hon Trevor Mallard—Media Statement

CHRIS BISHOP (National): Point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I don’t want to delay the House, but I do want to ask you, sir, if you were intending to make a statement to Parliament about reports in the media that you have apologised to someone for comments made by you as Speaker last year.

SPEAKER: The answer to that is no, and the second part of the answer is that part of the agreement is that I make no further comment.

David Seymour: Speaking to the point of order.

SPEAKER: There’s not a point of order here at the moment.

David Seymour: Well, I raise a fresh point of order.

SPEAKER: As long as the member will refer to the Standing Order that he is raising it under.

David Seymour: Mr Speaker, you never normally make that requirement.

SPEAKER: No, and it’s getting to the point with a number of members where they raise spurious points of order on matters which are not matters of my responsibility as the Speaker, as opposed to the chair of the Parliamentary Service Commission. They are quite different roles, and the member knows that.

DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Well, I can assure you that this is in relation to your responsibility. I think the House would like an explanation, and I urge you to reconsider, because there are a range of matters that people would like to understand. You hold yourself out as a Speaker who campaigns against bullying and harassment. There are serious concerns raised in the media. I think you owe it to the House—regardless of any private agreement you may have in any capacity—to give an explanation of why you chose to release this information while the country was embroiled in digesting the royal commission of inquiry, of whether—

SPEAKER: No, no. The member will resume his seat—the member will resume his seat. There was a matter which reached finalisation. On the first sitting day, which was yesterday, I released the statement as agreed. I will take no further discussion. The matter was agreed on Thursday or Friday last week, and I released it as soon as was practicable. There will be—

Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga): Point of order, Mr Speaker. I had understood that the code of conduct all members of Parliament signed included provision that we were no longer to do non-disclosure clauses—is that not the case?

SPEAKER: No.

Hon Gerry Brownlee: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

SPEAKER: If it’s to do with the last matter, I’m not going to hear any further on it.

Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National): Point of order, Mr Speaker. Regardless of what you might want to say, there is a question as to what did “no” mean? Did it mean: “No, it’s no longer in the code of conduct.” or “No, I’m not obliging the code of conduct.”?

SPEAKER: Yes, well, what “no” means goes right to the core of this matter, as the member is aware. I don’t know if he’s playing with words. I want to make absolutely clear that the detail, as outlined by Mr Bridges, is not in the code of conduct.

Oral Questions

Questions to Ministers

Question No. 1—Health

1. Dr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Health: What progress has been made towards reducing the number of district health boards, and which district health boards will be cut?

Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): The Health and Disability System Review recommends combining some DHBs into larger, stronger entities. The review also recommends eight to 12 organisations responsible for providing health services to their populations. That’s why the Labour Government has accepted the case for reform and the direction of travel outlined in the Health and Disability System Review—specifically, changes that will reduce fragmentation, strengthen leadership and accountability, and improve equity of access and outcomes for all New Zealanders.

Dr Shane Reti: Which DHBs will be combined?

Hon ANDREW LITTLE: As I think I indicated in my previous answer, the Government has so far accepted the case for reform and the general direction of travel indicated in the report. No decisions have been taken on any structures, institutions, or entities at this point.

Dr Shane Reti: Does he stand by his answer to written questions that he has seen no business case for a reduction in the number of DHBs?

Hon ANDREW LITTLE: To the extent that that member is conflating the Health and Disability System Review report, which is a public document which makes recommendations about the numbers of DHBs, and any other advice I have received, it’s been pretty clear—and I’ve indicated—the Government will make detailed decisions following further consideration in the early part of next year. No decisions have been taken on the number of DHBs or any other legal entity in the health system.

Dr Shane Reti: Point of order, Mr Speaker. My question was: does he stand by his answer to written questions that he had seen no business case?

SPEAKER: Well, I think that was addressed.

Dr Shane Reti: Does he stand by his answer to written questions that he has seen no risk analysis for a reduction in the number of DHBs?

Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Yes.

Dr Shane Reti: Where will proposed cost savings come from, if any, in combining DHBs?

Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Well, I’ll just reiterate to the member what I’ve already said. No decisions have been taken—or specific decisions—have been taken on any change to any legal entities, any structures, or any organisation within the health system. Those are matters or detailed decisions which will take place in the early part of next year.

Dr Shane Reti: What will be the impact of combining DHBs, if any, on lower-paid Māori workers?

Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The objective of the health reforms is to ensure greater equity of access. We know that there are gaps in health service provision. That member well knows that, because of the area in which he lives, and we have to change that and that’s what the Health and Disability System Review was set up to have a look at. In terms of workforce issues, the Health and Disability System Review report makes it very clear we have a long way to go in terms of workforce development and fairness and parity amongst the health workforce if we are going to improve what we achieve.

Question No. 2—Finance

2. GREG O’CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received about questions to him about reports he has received about the state of the New Zealand economy?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I have received a report this morning from the Parliamentary Library about questions to me about reports I have seen on the New Zealand economy. Such is the insatiable appetite for reports on the reports that I have received that this report states that I have answered 103 questions about the reports I have seen on the New Zealand economy in my time as finance Minister. I am told that all of the answers to these questions were excellent, timely, informative, and mostly concise.

SPEAKER: I’m sure the Parliamentary Library didn’t tell you that.

Greg O’Connor: What else does the report on his reports say?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well, I thank the member for that excellent question. I can inform the House that of the 103 times I have answered questions about what reports I have seen on the New Zealand economy, the member asking the question has already asked me this nine times. The member comes sixth in the list of people who have asked me that question, but the most report-obsessed colleague I have is Deborah Russell, who takes out first place, having asked me about reports on the economy 26 times.

Greg O’Connor: There’s plenty of time. Does he expect a report on the report he has received about questions to him about reports he has received about the state of the New Zealand economy?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Firstly, I congratulate the member on getting through that supplementary question. I expect that members of the press gallery will be falling over themselves to report on my report about the reports I have received. For now, though, and in response to my 104th question about reports on the New Zealand economy, I would like to inform members that they can go into the summer break knowing that the economy is in good hands and recovering well.

Question No. 3—Police

3. BROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Minister of Police: What advice, if any, has she requested on the decision by police not to pursue extradition proceedings against South Korean diplomat Hongkon Kim in relation to alleged sexual assault offences?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): I’ve received a briefing from police regarding their decision not to pursue extradition proceedings against Hongkon Kim. Raising allegations of sexual assault is incredibly difficult and I acknowledge this will have been very difficult for the victim. I know they are deeply disappointed and my thoughts are with them. Ultimately, decisions on extradition and criminal prosecutions are matters for the police. It is not for me as Minister to interfere with police prosecution decisions.

Brooke van Velden: Is she concerned that the threshold for extradition is too high, given that the police in this case have determined sexual assault does not reach the threshold for extradition?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As I’ve already said, ultimately decisions on extradition and criminal prosecutions are matters for the police. It is not for me to interfere with those. I am confident that police followed appropriate process and sought appropriate legal advice.

Brooke van Velden: Is she satisfied with a regulatory regime that allows police to decide a person should be charged with an offence but not to proceed with extradition proceedings?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As I’ve already said, I am confident in the police’s process and that they had sought proper advice. It is not appropriate for me as Minister to interfere with police decisions.

Brooke van Velden: When was she first aware of the police’s decision to not initiate extradition proceedings?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I can’t speak to when I was actually made aware of it, but I have sought briefings from the police, and I am happy to look that information up should the member put that in writing to me.

Brooke van Velden: What message does she think this sends to those victims who continue to suffer psychological trauma from sexual assault, who feel let down by our justice system?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I do have to say that anyone who raises a matter of sexual assault is incredibly brave and my heart goes out to the victim and their whānau.

Question No. 4—Housing

4. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of Housing: What progress has been made on the Government’s public housing build programme?

Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Housing): I’m proud to say that this Government has initiated the largest public housing build programme in decades. We have been getting to work to rebuild the State housing stock and are on track to deliver more than 18,000 new public and transitional housing places by 2024 for Kiwis in housing need. We have already delivered over 6,000 new warm, dry, secure homes since we came into office, meaning thousands of New Zealanders and their families are able to enjoy Christmas in a new place that they can call home. I am proud to be part of a Government that has put the needs of New Zealanders first.

Shanan Halbert: What is the expected economic impact of this public housing build programme?

Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Besides the well-known health, wellbeing, and economic impact of living in a warm, dry, and safe house, the expected economic impacts of the Government’s multibillion-dollar build programme are wide reaching. The build programme will support around 4,000 skilled jobs in the field of construction, and that includes 145 first-year apprentices directly through the Kāinga Ora apprenticeship programme. Every dollar invested in the construction industry generates around $2.80 of wider economic activity, meaning investing in construction is one of our most impactful decisions the Government could make to boost our recovery from COVID-19.

Shanan Halbert: What are the next steps for the Government’s public housing build programme?

Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Of the 2,506 State houses currently under construction, over 1,000 will be completed in the next six months. The remaining public and transitional housing places from the 18,350 we have already committed to and funded are actively being planned for right now. I expect to make announcements early in the new year relating to the public housing plan for the next four years, which will outline the distribution of those houses around New Zealand.

Question No. 5—Finance

5. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Finance: Do any of the options being considered by the Government to resolve the land dispute at Ihumātao involve the expenditure of taxpayer funds?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): No decisions on a potential solution have been taken to date. As I have said before in the House, we are committed to working with all parties to reach a solution. As that process is not yet complete, it would not be in the public interest for me to comment on further details at this time.

Hon Michael Woodhouse: Will he rule out taxpayer funds being used to settle the dispute?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said in my primary answer, no decisions have been taken yet. It would not be in the public interest for me to comment on matters that involve both a complex commercial discussion and also discussions with local mana whenua.

Hon Michael Woodhouse: What are the options the Government is considering that don’t involve taxpayer funds?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I have said in this House before, there are a number of parties involved here. There is Fletcher’s, who are the owners of the land; there are the mana whenua groups; there is the Auckland Council; and there is the Government, on behalf of the people of New Zealand. To this point, no decisions have finally been made, and any speculation about them would not be in the public interest.

Hon Michael Woodhouse: What advice has he received on the precedential effect that using taxpayer funds on Ihumātao may have on other disputes, such as at Shelly Bay?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What we have done, and what I have said in the past in the House before, is that any solution that we do come to about this particular dispute is one where we will ensure that we protect the very important Treaty settlement process that we have.

Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does the Government still hope to have a resolution by the end of the year; and, if so, when will the taxpayer have details of that settlement?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I remain optimistic about progress.

Hon Michael Woodhouse: OK. Has he received any advice on any increase in the land value of Ihumātao and any potential settlement costs in light of a circa 20 percent increase in property prices in New Zealand?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said earlier, I don’t want to get into the details of matters that would not be in the public interest.

Hon Michael Woodhouse: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I wasn’t asking for details; I was asking for whether there was any advice. I just want to clarify whether he’s refusing to answer that in the public interest.

SPEAKER: Well, I think the Minister made it clear that answering the question was not in the public interest, and he has an absolute right to do that.

Question No. 6—COVID-19 Response

6. Dr TRACEY McLELLAN (Labour—Banks Peninsula) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What action has the Government taken to enhance contact tracing as part of the Government’s elimination response to COVID-19?

Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Today the Government announced that Bluetooth will be added to the tracing technology, in the NZ COVID Tracer app. That will start from tomorrow morning as part of the latest roll-out of the update to the app. When activated by its users, it will allow app users to receive an alert if they’ve been near another app user who’s activated Bluetooth and who subsequently tests positive to COVID-19. This is another tool in the toolkit that supports our internationally recognised approach to contact tracing.

Dr Tracey McLellan: Does the Bluetooth update to the app change the way that users will now use New Zealand’s COVID tracer app to record a diary of their movements?

Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No. It’s important that people continue to scan the QR codes using the COVID tracer app. Businesses and services and other public transport providers still need to keep displaying the QR posters at all alert levels. It’s important to note that the Bluetooth technology does not record a person’s location, whereas a QR code does. So the combination of the two sets of data will significantly help the contact tracing process.

Dr Tracey McLellan: Will the user’s data be shared after they activate Bluetooth on their app?

Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No, and this has been one of the biggest areas of concern amongst people who are reluctant to take up the app—they think that their data will be somehow gathered and held by the Government. The data remains on a person’s phone, and it only gets shared with those managing contact tracing if the person chooses to do so. It’s important that we protect their privacy, and I’m very pleased to say that the overall approach, and this latest update, has been endorsed by the Privacy Commissioner.

Dr Tracey McLellan: What other measures have supported New Zealand’s contact tracing response?

Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: New Zealand has done exceptionally well. Obviously, using the COVID tracer app has helped, but it’s still important to remember that our contact tracing system will continue to be, and will continue to rely on, a manual process. People keeping good records of their movements, whether it’s using QR codes, Bluetooth technology, or even just writing down a list of the places that they have been, will absolutely have an impact on our ability to be able to contact trace quickly. I want to take a moment, this being the last day of the House, to thank all of those involved in this process. Some of them will be on duty over the summer holiday period, helping to ensure that there are no outbreaks of COVID-19 in New Zealand. It’s been a pretty tough year for all of them, they’ve worked exceptionally hard, done a very good job, and I want to thank them for their efforts.

Question No. 7—Housing (Public Housing)

7. NICOLA WILLIS (National) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): Does she agree with the Salvation Army’s social housing director that housing will continue to get worse for at least the next 12 to 18 months and that the social housing waiting list will grow longer still?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)): I agree with the Salvation Army that we’ve seen increases in the waiting list, because the Government has placed a strong emphasis on people coming forward and telling us that they need housing support, and we’re doing everything we can to get a roof over their heads. This may continue in the short term; however, our Government is exceeding its targets to increase public housing supply, and we’re on track to fund and deliver over 18,000 new public and transitional housing places by 2024.

Nicola Willis: Can she confirm that in the past month the Government built 150 public houses, while in that same period the State house waiting list grew by 1,030, and does she think it’s acceptable that people on the social housing waiting list will now wait an average of 240 days to be housed?

SPEAKER: The member can answer any one of those three supplementary questions.

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. What I can confirm is that we would love to move people off the waiting list as fast as we can, and if the previous Government had built houses at the rate that we have, the waiting list would be much shorter.

Nicola Willis: Can she confirm that in the past quarter, the Government spent more than a million dollars a day on putting people up in motels, and how many houses could be built for that money?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Can I just say two things: firstly, emergency housing is not within my delegation, and emergency housing started under the National Party.

Nicola Willis: Can she confirm that the social housing waiting list is now more than three times as large as when Labour came into Government?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: This Government is investing billions in building public housing as well as infrastructure to encourage more housing developments. We’re on track to fund and deliver 18,000 new public and transitional housing places by 2024—

Hon Kris Faafoi: Who sold the houses?

SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! The member will resume her seat. I think there’s a slight tendency to try and yell over the top of this Minister, but I want to say to Kris Faafoi it’s not helped by him winding up people opposite.

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I say that when we came into office three years ago, National had decimated the State housing stock. This Government has already delivered 6,000 additional public houses since we came into office, and we’re investing in 18,000 more homes by 2024.

Nicola Willis: Point of order, Mr Speaker. My question was very specific, and I put to you that the Minister did not address it.

SPEAKER: Well, I have no idea whether the Minister addressed it, and it was caused by her colleagues yelling.

Hon Chris Hipkins: Has this Government purged thousands of people off the State housing waiting list by deleting entire categories on the waiting list, as the previous Government did?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: No, we have not.

Nicola Willis: What does she say to the more than 20,000 New Zealanders and their families who will spend this Christmas on the social housing waiting list, unable to afford a home, and with urgent unmet housing—

SPEAKER: Order! The member’s completed her question.

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: What I can say to those families is that we are working at pace to build thousands and thousands of public houses, and we will do so.

Nicola Willis: If the Government’s policy is not to sell State houses, then why does the Kāinga Ora website state that in order to help fund its work, it “makes sense that we look to sell some properties” and “Properties may be sold for a variety of reasons”?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Can I say that National sold—

Chris Bishop: Good question.

SPEAKER: Order!

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: —6,000 State houses. I am advised—

Chris Bishop: Why does the website say that?

SPEAKER: Order! Order! I just want to ask that member to stop shouting down members on the front bench opposite.

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I say that National sold 6,000 State houses, and I am advised that we have sold 181; 40 percent of those to tenants.

Hon Michael Woodhouse: A point of order, Mr Speaker. I understand that the answers are being heard against a very loud background, but it’s not helped the order of the House when the Minister continues successive answers to questions that refer to the National Party. Now, I can’t find the relevant Speaker’s ruling, but it does sound repetitive and unconnected with the question.

Hon Chris Hipkins: Speaking to the point of order, Mr Speaker. If you look at the nature of the questions that are being asked, they are often very broad questions that themselves don’t comply with the Standing Orders.

SPEAKER: Well, thank you for the criticism from both sides. At least I may be slightly even-handed in my allowing too much to occur, and I am being too kind. I will say, however, that an answer that there’s not enough houses because they were sold is in order.

Question No. 8—Finance

SPEAKER: Question No. 8, the Hon Julie Anne Genter. [Interruption] Order!

Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance—

SPEAKER: Last warning, Mr Bishop, for the day.

8. Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green) to the Minister of Finance: What advice, if any, has he received from the Treasury about the economic impact of home ownership hitting a 70-year low and rents continuing to rise faster than incomes in Auckland and Wellington?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): With respect to the Statistics New Zealand report that contained the statistic in the first part of the question, that was only released yesterday morning, so, no, I have not received advice on that from Treasury. More generally, the Government has a wide-ranging housing programme on which Treasury provides advice and, as I have stated in the House, we have recently asked Treasury for further advice on the existing settings and measures to address the demand side of housing, and Minister Woods, through her portfolio, is continuing work on the supply side.

Hon Julie Anne Genter: Has he received any advice from Treasury since the election on tax-based interventions in the housing market, especially those targeted at residential property investors?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I just said in the primary answer, that material is coming through from Treasury. As I’ve stated publicly, the Government will consider that and make announcements and decisions on what we do early in the new year.

Hon Julie Anne Genter: Will his Government now reconsider options for broadening our tax base through a capital gains tax or an asset tax, as has been previously recommended by the International Monetary Fund, the OECD, Treasury—

SPEAKER: Order!

Hon Julie Anne Genter: —previously, itself, and the last Government’s own Tax Working Group?

SPEAKER: Order! The member’s now given up five questions.

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No—no, as has already been ruled out by the Prime Minister.

Hon Julie Anne Genter: Is the fact that 75 percent of New Zealanders—as reported last night—now want the Government to take action to lower house prices a reason to reconsider policies that have been recommended by experts and ruled out in the past?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said in answer to earlier questions, we are asking Treasury to look at what is possible in terms of areas around demand side management. We are not comfortable with 15 and 20 percent house price escalation, and that is why we’ve asked for that work.

Hon Julie Anne Genter: Does he agree with the 75 percent of New Zealanders who want the Government to take action to lower house prices?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I’ve said, the very reason the Government has asked for the work is because we are not comfortable with that level of unsustainable house price escalation.

Andrew Bayly: Does he also agree with other policies—particularly from the Reserve Bank Governor—that fiscal policies, which are in his control, are the key lever to increasing the supply of houses and reducing the cost for rents over time?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well, on this side of the House, we have indeed used fiscal policy to do that. In fact, we were just traversing that matter in the last question, where, on this side of the House, we’re very proud of the 6,000-odd State houses we’ve built and the 8,000 that we’re about to build, which stands in contrast with the thousand sold by that member’s party.

Andrew Bayly: So why does the Reserve Bank Governor still continue to say that?

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Reserve Bank Governor is reflecting that both fiscal and monetary policy have a role to play. On this side of the House, we understand that, and we’ve used it. It’s a pity that the member’s Government didn’t do the same thing.

Question No. 9—Police

9. SIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement, “we need to support our officers so we can continue to support our communities”; if so, is she confident police have all the tools necessary to stop increasing gang violence?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): Yes. That’s why this Government has invested $450 million in police since we came to office. One of the things we heard most from police is that they needed more back-up on the beat. This Government has delivered by deploying 2,500 new constables, 1,300 new full-time equivalents, 700 alone focused on organised crime. We have deployed new specialist teams to disrupt gangs’ drug-distribution networks, which led to record meth seizures in 2019. This Government delivers for police.

Simeon Brown: What specific actions is she taking to address the recent gang-related shooting at Dr Rudi’s in Auckland over the weekend; and does she expect that it is only a matter of time before members of the public will be caught up in increasing gang violence?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: What I can say is that we are doing something about gun violence, unlike National. We’ve banned military-style semi-automatic weapons, magazines, and parts—[Interruption] Merry Christmas. We’ve taken 62,000 prohibited firearms out of circulation and passed the Arms Legislation Bill.

Simeon Brown: Does she stand by her statement, “I don’t expect criminals to do anything lawful”; and, if so, is it her expectation that gang violence will continue to increase in light of the 34 percent increase in gang membership since the Labour Government took office?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: No one on either side of the House wants gang violence to increase.

Simeon Brown: Has she responded to Auckland Mayor Phil Goff’s concerns about the spate of shootings and the toxic impact of gangs in Auckland, and, if so, what was her response?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: While I can’t speak to that particular question, what I can say is—

SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member’s finished her answer.

Simeon Brown: Is it Government policy to introduce firearms prohibition orders during the 53rd Parliament; and, if not, why not?

Hon POTO WILLIAMS: We are not considering National’s firearms prohibitions orders.

Question No. 10—Social Development and Employment

10. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent reports has she seen on fruit pickers this summer?

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Yesterday, the Minister of Immigration and I travelled to Alexandra to talk with orchard owners, fruit pickers, and agencies specialising in recruiting seasonal workers and local Ministry of Social Development (MSD) staff. New orchard staff who had previously been receiving the jobseeker benefit, some of whom had moved to take up seasonal work, reported that they were enjoying their new roles and looked forward to ongoing work. Despite having the labour force required now, the orchard owners and recruitment agencies still expressed concerns for the month ahead. We reiterated this Government’s commitment to continue to listen to and work with the industry to successfully address workforce challenges during these unprecedented times.

Marja Lubeck: What other reports has she seen on the uptake of seasonal work since the incentives were announced on 27 November?

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The Otago Daily Times reported last Friday that Summerfruit New Zealand chief executive, Richard Palmer, described the level of interest in fruit-picking roles as overwhelming. Alan Pollard, chief executive of New Zealand Apples & Pears, said on Nine to Noon the previous week that the Government has been very generous and innovative with the MSD support for job seekers to move to the regions and get into fruit picking. It’s encouraging to see positive feedback like this from the industry bodies, but I also acknowledge there is more to do.

Marja Lubeck: What support is MSD offering to help with the overwhelming interest in fruit pickers?

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The Ministry of Social Development has appointed a regional coordinator to support the processing of applications. We are aware of the crunch points in the months ahead and will continue our concerted effort to provide the workforce needed. Mr Speaker, in the spirit of this being the last day, and in line with your request to keep my answers short, I will end it there.

SPEAKER: Well, that’s sort of almost misleading, isn’t it, really?

Question No. 11—Environment

11. SIMON COURT (ACT) to the Minister for the Environment: What advice has he received on when the aluminium dross and ouvea premix will be removed from its current storage in Mataura?

Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): The aluminium dross has been stored in the Mataura warehouse since about 2011. In July 2019, a contract was entered into between central government, local government, the landlord, and the smelter for its removal. Since then, 2,065 tonnes have been removed and under that contract removal is due to be complete by August 2022. In addition, there are attempts to have the dross moved more quickly. That matter is currently before the Environment Court in a case primarily between the Environmental Defence Society and New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter Ltd, although the Crown is a party. Environment Court Judge Newhook has been attempting to mediate a solution. For the benefit of the member, I draw his attention to the most recent minute of Judge Newhook, which was dated 12 November and said—I quote, “The aim remains to [remove] it by Christmas (possibly weather-dependent), subject to the remaining issues being finalised”. I can advise the member that I am under some restrictions as to what I can say, but it’s obvious that those issues have not yet been finalised and that it’s unlikely that the remaining dross will be removed by Christmas.

Simon Court: What actions has the Minister taken beyond the letter he wrote to New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter in March?

Hon DAVID PARKER: Well, actually, many. The legal situation in respect of legal responsibility for the dross is complex—in part, because some dross in some parts of Southland, no matter what the original underlying legal issues were, some of those issues were compromised by earlier Governments in negotiations relating to the smelter to keep it open. In respect of the dross in the Mataura smelter, it’s further complicated by the fact that the corporate entity that had responsibility for its removal went into liquidation. The liquidator disclaimed responsibility for it and everyone including the smelter denies legal responsibility for it. I have been reluctant to cause the Crown to pick up the bill for all of it. That said, in an effort to spend money on its removal rather than on legal proceedings, the Crown has so far committed about $1 million to its removal in addition to process costs. The smelter has promised to stump up with slightly more than that, and, of course, there is the court proceeding to which I have earlier referred.

Simon Court: So what actions will the Minister now be taking to ensure the safety of the residents of Mataura who are living next to this toxic waste site, before Christmas?

Hon DAVID PARKER: Well, before Christmas it’s unlikely that anything further will be able to be resolved. It is a toxic site that has potential risks, but I would also note so that we don’t cause undue alarm—although concern is legitimate—there has been the highest flood on record, the highest flood in more than 100 years, and it didn’t enter the warehouse. There was a fire onsite and water did not get into the dross. So whilst the situation is of cause for concern, I wouldn’t want to unduly alarm people.

Question No. 12—Workplace Relations and Safety

12. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What progress has he made on protecting security guards’ terms and conditions?

Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Our Government recognises that we need to support security guards, given their important work, including being on the front lines of keeping our managed isolation facilities secure. We’re delivering on a commitment to better protect their pay and conditions by adding them to Schedule 1A of the Employment Relations Act—giving them extra protections in a precarious industry.

Ibrahim Omer: What effects will this have on the industry?

Hon MICHAEL WOOD: With these new protections, the 7,800 security guards nationwide will be able to keep their jobs and retain their pay rates and conditions when a business is sold or restructured. This will help stop the race to the bottom, where companies are under-cutting each other, leading to an industry that competes on service quality which helps the companies already offering good conditions.

Ibrahim Omer: What response has he seen to this announcement?

Hon MICHAEL WOOD: This was welcomed by Jayson Ormsby, a security guard that I met on Monday night. He said that restructures and contract changes were common and the law changes were a big relief. The Security Association chief executive, Gary Morrison, said that he was not against the changes and that “there are a lot of good employers out there, [but] there are a few ratbags [in the] industry.” And finally, the members opposite’s favourite, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions president, Richard Wagstaff, said, “This law change means that security guards will be better protected at work,” and “It is great to see the Government acting swiftly on this election promise.”

Kieran McAnulty: What has enabled this progress to occur?

Hon MICHAEL WOOD: This progress is able to be made because in 2018 the Government amended the Employment Relations Act to allow new categories of employees to be added to the protections of Schedule 1A; reversing the changes made in 2014 by the previous National Government which closed off access to that category for vulnerable workers.

Address in Reply

Address in Reply

Debate resumed from 8 December.

Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I move, That this debate be now adjourned.

Motion agreed to.

SPEAKER: This debate is adjourned and set down for resumption next sitting day.

Adjournment

Sittings of the House

Sittings of the House

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Leader of the House: I move, That the House adjourn until 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 9 February 2021, and that the sitting programme for 2021 be:

February 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25;

March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25;

April 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15;

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20;

June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 29, and 30;

July 1, 6, 7, and 8;

August 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26, and 31;

September 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30;

October 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28;

November 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25;

December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16.

I want to begin, as is the tradition in this debate, with a round of thanks. Firstly to you, Mr Speaker, for your role in leading us in the House as our referee—you’ve landed somewhere between Wayne Barnes and Nigel Owens in that regard.

SPEAKER: That’s quite a range, thank you very much.

Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Hopefully, more towards Mr Owens’ end than Mr Barnes’ end. I want to thank the Clerk of the House and all of the staff who look after us both here in the Chamber and in the other work that we do. I particularly want to acknowledge all Parliamentary Service staff: our security, the messengers, our select committee staff, the cleaners, our Hansard staff, and the Parliamentary Library, who counted my questions today. I want to give a special thanks—a personal thanks—to the staff of Bellamy’s and ICON and hope not to see them as often in the coming months. I want to pay tribute today, particularly, to those who guide the school groups around our Parliament. This is something that is a really special moment for many young people to come here, and they do the most tremendous job of opening up the mysteries of this place, and so I thank all of them and our tour guides as well, and all of the staff in the offices here in Parliament, ministerial and parliamentary offices, and especially our staff in our outside-of-Parliament offices, who do the most incredible job for all members across the House in terms of supporting the people in our community.

I want to pay a special tribute to the VIP drivers who those of us who are Ministers rely on so much to get us from A to B and look after us along the way. I want to acknowledge the press gallery. Have a break! Seriously, take as long as you want. I want to acknowledge the friends and family—that means I’m still coming this evening, though, so yeah. I want to acknowledge the friends and family of members. We’ve heard so much in the recent maiden speeches about the importance of family and the sacrifices that they make. It keeps making me and the Prime Minister cry whenever members do that, but I think what that shows is just how important it is for us to acknowledge the role that our families play. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

At this time of the year, it is also hard for those who have lost family, and my mind turns today to those who have lost their nearest and dearest, in particular the 25 New Zealanders who died from COVID-19 and those who passed in the mosque terrorist attacks and at Whakaari / White Island. With respect to the last two, the report of the royal commission and the first anniversary, respectively, will be drawing huge emotion forward. I want to reaffirm our desire to wrap our aroha around all of those who have been affected by these tragedies and attacks and work together to live up to New Zealand’s reputation of inclusion and support, but make sure that we make that real.

My final word of thanks today is to a group of workers whose title has been used more this year than in any year before: our essential workers. In June, when we first emerged into alert level 1, I stood on the side of the first Super Rugby Aotearoa game—notably won by the Highlanders over the Chiefs; she’s not here today—and had the job of thanking our essential workers. And as I looked at the firefighters and the ambulance officers, the checkout operators, the security guards, the police, the doctors, the nurses, and more who were assembled, I felt humbled. Our team of 5 million has been extraordinary this year, and none more so than those who kept us safe and fed and well during those uncertain times. I continue to hope that one of the legacies of COVID-19 will be a greater appreciation of the roles that these workers play, especially the lower-paid workers among them. It is why I am so proud of a Labour Government that has lifted the minimum wage, is paying the living wage to our workers and to more and more of those who contract to us, and is going to double sick leave. We will not forget how hard-working our essential service workers are.

As I prepared for this adjournment speech today, something strange, almost mystical, occurred. A gift arrived unannounced, wrapped in a kimono with a ham and cheese panini and a bowl latte on the side. I was provided with a list. My sixth sense told me it was indeed what I thought it was: newly minted real estate agent Paula Bennett’s listings for December 2020. Now, as you would expect in the portfolio of a budding real estate agent, there are a mixture of those wanting to sell and those wanting to buy. One large sale stood out: the Blue family are looking to downsize—dramatically. The blurb for the Blue family’s house says, “After having one careful owner for nine years and then a series of bad short-term tenants, the Blue family house is a renovator’s dream. Tired, with a bland colour scheme, and desperately in need of repiling and rewiring to come into the 21st century.” Paula Bennett has scribbled a note on this listing to say a recently arrived tenant has flown in saying he may want to make an offer fairly early in the new year—watch this space, Mr Speaker.

There are, of course, always other purchasers in the market. Paula’s listings include the Yellow and Pink family of 10, who are seeking a place after their bachelor pad has been outgrown. There are some very specific requirements, including 10 individual rooms, some of which have to be outfitted for people with giant chips on their shoulders. They also need a dance studio, and the house needs off-street parking for a speedboat. The Green family are also on Paula Bennett’s list. They are seeking a communal living space, also for 10. It needs to be close to public transport routes. In fact, ideally on a public transport route—literally, they want it on a cycleway. The Red, White, and Black whānau are also looking for a new whare. It requires a large walk-in wardrobe with space for a number of hats, but no tie rack is required. And then there is the Red family. Now, they are seeking a much, much bigger house after the arrival of a number of unexpected members.

I want to pay tribute to the Labour team. As you will have seen from the maiden speeches so far, those who are joining us are adding exceptional qualities to an already exceptional team. This has been a huge and difficult year, but the dedication, commitment, support, and discipline of the Labour team has been extraordinary. In a year like no other, this team has delivered, and I am so proud of them. The Labour team understands the mandate that we have been given. We are humbled by it, and we know that every day we must work hard to maintain the trust of those who have supported us and, indeed, of every New Zealander.

I am proud of what this Government has done this year, but nothing we have been able to achieve this year would have been possible if it weren’t for the team of 5 million New Zealanders. Every New Zealander, as they reflect on this tough 2020, can stand proud that they have been part of putting a country in a position so that today we stand here as one of the most open countries in the world with an economy that is recovering. That is the work of every single New Zealander, and we should all be very proud about that.

From the Government’s point of view, faced with the most dramatic health and economic crises of our lifetime, our Government has responded with speed, compassion, and pragmatism. I want to acknowledge the role of the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, in her leadership of that. Witnessing that up close, I know that the life and death decisions weighed heavily on our Prime Minister, but at every step of the way she has kept her values strong. She has listened to evidence, she has listened to science, and I believe she has led New Zealand through one of our most difficult times with extraordinary skill and talent.

As we now look towards the end of 2020—and we are all looking forward to putting a line through it—and going into 2021, this Government is clear about what our priorities are. We must continue to keep New Zealanders safe. It is the message delivered in this election that New Zealanders want continuity and stability and certainty with making sure that we keep COVID-19 out and we keep our people safe during this period of time. But we must also now continue to accelerate and build on the economic recovery that we have. The 1.7 million New Zealanders who we supported through the wage subsidy scheme, many of whom are still in work, need our support, but so do those who lost work and lost jobs, and we have to recognise that for many families this year will be difficult.

Our commitment as a Labour Government is to work alongside all of those people to create jobs, to support them and their families through this difficult time. And yes, we will also address those longstanding issues around housing, around climate change, and around child poverty. We know, on this side of the House, that New Zealanders have high expectations of us. We will take this time over summer to recharge and return in 2021 to deliver on that agenda of keeping New Zealanders safe, accelerating our recovery, and building the foundations for a future that every New Zealander is part of. Merry Christmas, Mr Speaker.

Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Leader of the Opposition): It’s very kind of the Labour Party to stand and clap as I arise to speak in this adjournment debate. Can I just say to them that my own side here were so entranced by the look of them doing that that they just want to stand back and say it was so wonderful to hear from the Hon Grant Robertson about how humble he feels. Well, when he starts talking about humility, we all start checking our pockets to wonder what’s been taken.

Can we just say that this adjournment debate is normally full of lots of laughs, and a bit of fun, but it’s a particularly difficult and sad year for the country. But it is, obviously, one of those ones I think we’re going to look back on as a country and say, “What an astonishing year.” Personally, I thought it was a pretty astonishing year—all sorts of things happened that I don’t think any of us actually expected, and some of us had long given up on. One of those things was to hear Mr Robertson refer to himself as “humble”; I never thought that was ever going to happen. I also heard him today talk about the need to address child poverty and housing. Well, the public out there—I can tell him—are not going to put up with answers that just address the question. They’re going to want real answers. I say to him: when he’s busy talking about buying a house for his big Labour group, I suggest he rents it. Just saying.

So, first off, let me thank all the people who help us to do our job well, all the wonderful people who work for us in Parliament, and in our electorate offices, so thank you to all of our staff here in Parliament. In this COVID year, social distancing has thrown us all challenges, and Parliament’s been no different. We’ve seen the emergence of hand wash floating around the place. We’ve seen us all having to be so much more careful and distance from each other. And I’d like to particularly thank the staff who clean Parliament at night—day and night—and make sure that they help keep us COVID-free. Their hard work should be recognised. I’d like to thank the police for all the work that they do around Parliament, particularly the Diplomatic Protection Squad, who were very helpful getting me around the place for the three months of the election campaign. Thank you to the library staff. You do an amazing job, and it’s amazing that there’s such an interesting question today about your work from the Government to the Government.

Can I thank the Office of the Clerk. Can I thank the Speaker, the security staff, the messengers, the catering and hospitality staff, the drivers, the guides around Parliament, who do a great job. I like to think that we all, when we can, when they’ve got a group of people, stop and say hello, and have the occasional photo. Thank you to all the parliamentary staff who’ve worked with us and who helped the National Party throughout the year, through COVID, through the election, and since. It’s no secret that National has had a tough year, a challenging year, and I’d like to acknowledge the difficulties that that placed on our staff throughout the year. As our election result saw fewer MPs, it also saw us lose very hard-working and loyal staff, and that was very sad to see.

Our National MPs, I’d like to thank you for the support that you have given me. I’d also like to thank the Hon Gerry Brownlee and Dr Shane Reti, who have been the deputies who have stood up to assist me wherever. I have to say they do have slightly different styles, and that’s appreciated too! Can I thank our families for the support that you have given us; can I thank our friends, who have been there when times are tough, and who have continued—along with our families—to give us all the support that we need to keep on doing the job we do.

It seems like a very long time ago, this time last year, but in January the world was focused on bushfires in Australia—can you remember that? Tensions between the US and Iran, such a long time ago—these are big stories. And in January, a story emerged about a virus in Wuhan, China. As we stand, now, at the end of 2020, it’s really the one story for which 2020 will be remembered. And while back in January and February no one really could predict the level of disruption that we could see, reflecting back, the National Party, I know, played our role, a key role, in highlighting the story and bringing it to the Government’s attention. I’d like to acknowledge our people who did that—thank you for doing that. It wasn’t always popular—I think you know that—but we stood up and we held the Government to account for not closing the border sooner, as we saw countries like Samoa do.

In the end, New Zealand got there, and New Zealand got through 2020, largely. But, for 2020, this was a tough year for many families who were separated, separated from loved ones—in some cases people were separated even from their work, those who were separated at times of celebration, such as weddings, or who had weddings cancelled, or actually just put on hold. People were separated at times of sickness, and separated at times of funerals. It is important to remember that it really wasn’t about us. COVID-19 was about the people of New Zealand and the people who did their very best to follow the rules and put their country first. We should acknowledge the people who felt extremely isolated during the lockdowns. We should ask and acknowledge how tough it was for many businesses—businesses who today are or have failed, for their employees, who wondered whether or not they’d have a job, who are wondering now, will they have a job post-Christmas.

It’s been a very sad year, too, for those who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19. I want to acknowledge all New Zealanders, because I think, with the exception of a couple, almost everybody played their part. They’ve sacrificed an awful lot this year. While 2020 has been, for some, one of those years, it’s been one of those years where you have seen the best of New Zealanders. Whether it was in the reaction and the acceptance of the need to behave differently during COVID-19, acceptance that we had our part to play, it was one, I believe, where most New Zealanders showed themselves yet again, and ourselves, to be people who will put our country first and our own wishes second.

As we move into summer, we will have people looking to have a holiday. Some people will take the option of a staycation, something—I think we have all learnt this word, “staycation”—that will of course assist us. I expect that many people will want to go and help the local economy—I know I already have plans to help the local economy—and I feel it is something we can consider now a patriotic duty, wherever possible, to help our local economy. I know that there are people who will find it very distressing, as they will have family in places like Australia and other countries, and they’re going to say they can’t get back for Christmas. That is going to be really hard for people. And I expect that the Government, coming into the new year, will want to look very hard as to how they can—with Parliament’s help—do the very best they can to get more people home and be able to deal with these situations of isolation and quarantine using technology, just as jurisdictions such as Taiwan have been able to do for some time.

This is also a time for us to turn off politics and this building. It’s a time for us to remember—if we ever needed a reminder—that most people in New Zealand actually don’t watch question time. I know this is a shock to us all, but apparently some don’t. And I would say to them, congratulations! I should also mention the press gallery, but then I wonder why. The reason is, of course, they have their part to play in our liberal democracy, irritating as it sometimes can be. But they know that I have a sense of humour, even if they don’t always share it. But, anyway, I would like to say to everyone: have a lovely time, be safe, and be kind, not just to others, but we need to be kind to ourselves, because it’s been a bruising year. So congratulations, everybody. Have a wonderful Christmas break and come back renewed and joyful at the wonderful privilege it is to be a member of Parliament. Thank you.

Hon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Normally, I would start an adjournment debate speech with a series of badly written and even more poorly executed dad jokes, but with the—

Hon Member: Go on!

Hon JAMES SHAW: I’m sorry to disappoint the honourable member. But, with the mounting toll that COVID-19 is racking up around the world, with yesterday’s release of the royal commission report into the terrorist attack of March 15th, and with today’s commemoration of the tragic events of Whakaari / White Island 12 months ago, I have to say it feels out of place. So I want to start by acknowledging the families in New Zealand and around the world who are facing now a second holiday period without a loved one lost at Whakaari, and those who survived but with horrific injuries, and their families and their supporters. You are in our hearts, and we continue to share in your grief. We also close the year remembering those that we lost on 15 March 2019. I’d like to acknowledge the bravery of those families who are still grappling to understand with broken hearts how someone who is so filled with hatred could take their loved ones from them. As we all face the future, we do continue to draw inspiration from your strength and compassion.

In the coming weeks, families, friends, and loved ones around Aotearoa will gather together to celebrate, to share meals, to reflect, and to remember. That we can do this when so many around the world cannot is, in no small part, thanks to all of those who made the COVID response so successful—from our nurses, our pharmacists, and our doctors to our farmers and our suppliers and our delivery drivers, our supermarket staff, our dairy owners—thank you. These challenges should remind us of the huge job that we have in the coming years to make things better for people all across Aotearoa.

Earlier this afternoon, I met on the steps of Parliament a group representing every part of the generational spectrum. Finn, at 11 years old the youngest of the group, presented me with a letter addressed to every member of this House, to follow the advice of the Climate Change Commission and to take bold action on climate change. It also served as a reminder to me that, as we eventually emerge into the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, the climate crisis is still there and waiting for us to respond to it, and our people are watching to see whether we are up to the task.

I would like to thank the people who make this work possible, from the cleaners to the restaurant staff, to the IT teams who keep everything running, from Hansard to the Library, to the Clerk’s office, to your own office, Mr Speaker—thank you. And, finally, a thankyou to those in the Public Service, who have kept the Government going under extraordinary pressure.

I also want to give thanks to the Green Party team. Our parliamentary ministerial and party staff, our volunteers, and our supporters poured their hearts out this year to get us over the line and were rewarded for their efforts. To them, I say thank you. Now, we’ve made much of our success in recent weeks in expanding our caucus for the first time in 10 years, winning an electorate seat for the first time in 21 years, and both starting and finishing a period in Government as a support partner above the 5 percent threshold. But the election did also bring with it some losses, and so I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank on the record the extraordinary contribution of three remarkable women who served alongside me as the Green Party’s first Ministers in Government: the Hon Eugenie Sage, former Minister of Conservation, Associate Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Land Information; the Hon Julie Anne Genter, former Minister for Women and Associate Minister of Transport and of Health; and Jan Logie, former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Justice for Domestic and Sexual Violence Issues. For their incredible hard work and for the legacy that they each leave behind, all I can say is thank you.

Yesterday’s motion responding to the March 15 terrorist attack and today’s commemoration of the Whakaari disaster one year ago also brought up other memories of the last 18 or so months, from my own very close encounter with a highly disturbed member of the public on March 14 to the first of the major school strikes for the climate only an hour before the terrorist started his rampage on the 15th, to the follow-up school strikes in September that brought 170,000 citizens on to the streets around the country, demanding that we take bold action on climate change, to the shock of seeing our own skies turn orange as Australia burned over the summer. We have lived through extraordinary times. It reminded me of a passage by the former Czech poet dissident and president Václav Havel, who wrote, “I think there are good reasons for suggesting that the modern age has ended. Today many things indicate that we are going through a transitional period, when it seems that something is on the way out and something else is painfully being born. It is as if something were decaying, crumbling, and exhausting itself whilst something still indistinct were arising from the rubble.”

We have crossed the Rubicon of 2020, with all of its tragedy and hardship; 2021 brings a new hope that we can shape a future that has a place for all of us, that leaves no one behind, and that works for everyone. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of ACT in support of Parliament’s adjourning for the year. In doing so, I wish to thank all those parliamentary staff: the cleaners, the people in Buildings who have been so accommodating to ACT’s growing whānau that Grant Robertson mentioned, to those in the Library and security, the messengers, clerks, the House Office, those in Bellamy’s, Coppers, and even 3.2—not that I’d know. I’d like to thank my staff in the Epsom electorate, who have done such a good job in helping my neighbours with Government-related problems, and the staff that we have supporting our new ACT caucus here in Wellington, for your fantastic work.

I’d like to thank the press gallery. I think the role of a fourth estate, particularly with such tumultuous times this year, has been important. Now, I think there’s been varied performance at doing that, but I’d particularly like to point out the work of Michael Morrah from Newshub and Matt Shand from Stuff. I think those guys have done really, really good work—and I should add Guyon Espiner to that as well.

I’d like to thank, in the case of the parliamentary staff, the hard-working taxpayers who pay for all of this. I’d like to thank those, in particular, ACT voters—over 200,000 up and down New Zealand—who have chosen to ask ACT MPs to represent them in this House. This new ACT caucus will be speaking strongly over the next three years for free speech, for a better standard of lawmaking, to raise our productivity, to stand up for the basic rights and freedoms of New Zealanders and the belief that we can do better and demand better public policy from our institutions, to not only hold the Government accountable for what are some glaring failings but also to propose that better way forward.

We should acknowledge the year that our country has been through, and, in particular, all of those New Zealanders—the nurses, the medics, the caregivers who have been there working double shifts, those supermarket workers—who went the extra mile and showed the amount of, I guess, social capital and community that our great country has to pull together and do the right thing in difficult times. That is what has made it so seemingly easy for New Zealand to come through this crisis as well as it did.

To my new ACT caucus, I heard the Minister of Finance say that they had chips on their shoulder, and I thought, “That’s rather brave of Grant Robertson to mention chips; I wonder where all his went.” But I can tell him that we have the most extraordinary caucus of talented individuals coming to New Zealand to stand for the values of ACT, for individual freedom, and for personal responsibility in this Parliament, under the ACT banner.

I should also acknowledge, a, for me, momentous event—and, I believe, a momentous event for New Zealand. That was the confirmation by a margin of nearly two to one of the End of Life Choice Act. Now, I was humbled and proud to have my name on that particular piece of legislation, but the reality is that it was a team effort by a range of people, not least of all my then staffer, now deputy leader and MP, Brooke van Velden; by the group of members of Parliament; by Lecretia Seales; by her legal team; by Yes For Compassion; by the End-of-Life Choice Society; and, ultimately, by 1.9 million New Zealanders who voted to ratify the End of Life Choice Act so that we live in a country where in years to come thousands of New Zealanders, rather than suffering excruciating pain near the end of their life, will have choice and dignity and control under the rule of law. I think that is a tremendous achievement for our country, and one with which I am very proud to be associated.

In contrast, Mr Speaker, you may recall that this time last year I addressed you and said that while you have enormous power and privilege in that seat, one thing you can’t control is the way that people will judge your character for the choices you make and the way you behave while there. I’m afraid to say that, in my view, the choices you’ve made over the last 24 hours have diminished that character further than even I could have imagined. The simple answer is: if you feel unable to explain those events to the House, then maybe you should not take the position, or maybe your colleagues on the other side of the House should take it from you.

But so much for you. Merry Christmas, New Zealand—

SPEAKER: Order! The member’s time has expired, in more ways than one.

DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori): E te Māngai, tēnā koe. Huri rauna i te Whare, tēnā koutou. The Māori Party is back. We are humbled by the support our people gave us this year. We have built a vibrant, energised movement that is demonstrating a new way of politics: “car-koi”, filling galleries, “Poi E”, and, yes, with an attire of hats. Rawiri Waititi and I will work tirelessly to live up to the faith that has been put in us. We have started in this House as we intend to continue: hard on kaupapa, soft on tāngata, and, yes, the best dressed.

We will be strongly pushing to implement our transformative policies by both working with Government and holding them to account. Our vision is for mana motuhake, looking after our vulnerable whānau, for climate justice, for reo Māori, and for education, to name a few, but to set out a revolutionary road map to reaffirm Te Tiriti, our tino rangatiratanga as tangata whenua. But, more than that, we will also be focused on changing the way this place works and decolonising our politics while liberating the hearts and minds of our people.

Our people told us they have had enough of subjugating ourselves to fit within Pākehā systems and Pākehā institutions like Oranga Tamariki that prejudicially affect our whānau and are allowed to. We are sick and tired of being treated as second class and standing up for our rights when it’s considered acceptable by others. We want the balance to shift. It is our role as Te Paati Māori to prove to our people that we don’t have to work and live to Pākehā expectations, but we can indeed be our true selves, as our Treaty intended: unashamedly, unapologetically us. We’re back and we’re here to stay.

It’s been a big year. I’d like to acknowledge our Prime Minister and the Government’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cautious health approach was the best approach. As Māori, our response too was cautious. Our experience is that our whānau were devastated when the flu epidemic pandemic hit Aotearoa in 1918. It was our people who put in place our own Māori pandemic response plan and exercised our mana motuhake to lead our own solutions. Right around the country, whānau, hapū, iwi, and our urban Māori organisations demonstrated exemplary leadership and stepped up to provide the Māori response, as the Crown simply had nothing in place. Māori mobilised establishing Māori communication channels to protect whakapapa; set up core hubs; assisted those who could not afford to hoard groceries, sending out kai and sanitation packs; and set up iwi community checkpoints, working with the police to discourage inter-regional travel.

I remind the House that Māori made huge sacrifices to ensure the team of 5 million were protected. We changed our tangihanga, adapted our tikanga, and closed our marae in some areas to ensure our vulnerable communities were protected. Many of our marae held back thousands of grievers, burying rangatira and tohunga like Uncle Huirangi Waikerepuru, to quietly lead by example and protect our nation, and so it is only right that we expect to be acknowledged, and respect Māori for who we are.

I want to end by acknowledging you, Mr Speaker, and members across the House from all political parties. We will not always agree, but I know that we will always find opportunities to work together for the better advancement of Aotearoa.

I also want to acknowledge and thank all the officials, the staff in the Office of the Clerk and the Parliamentary Service, and across all our kaitautoko, our security, our cleaners, and our caterers. We couldn’t do this without you, and in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen firsthand how hard you all work to ensure that this place keeps running smoothly.

I also want to mihi to our whānau, our friends, our iwi, and everyone in our dream teams who have been here to tautoko us. Yes, we are a party of great fashion, and it’s great to be back in this House, where red is clearly the new black.

My Xmas wish is to be elevated so I am not stuck here between Simon Bridges and David Seymour. I do hope the Holy Spirit—indeed, the Xmas karma—may instead have me placed maybe beside Marama Davidson. But, most of all, as a special Xmas wish seeker, I hope no ties for Rawiri will be granted by you, Mr Speaker.

So, nā reira, mai i a mātou o Te Paati Māori, tēnei te mihi aroha ki a tātou katoa i tēnei wā o te tau. Haere pai ki ō koutou hararei i runga i te aroha o tētehi ki tētehi. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

[Therefore, from us in Te Paati Māori, please accept our best wishes for this special time of the year. Go well to enjoy your holidays and take care of each other. Greetings to one and all.]

Rawiri will clap for me.

KIERAN McANULTY (Labour—Wairarapa): The previous speaker might want to be careful what she wished for. There are other MPs in this House that wanted to get rid of Simon Bridges and now they want him back. So I wouldn’t wish for that too quickly, Ms Ngarewa-Packer. But I do know that the tone for this speech is supposed to be light-hearted, given that it is the last of the year, so I wish also to start with some thankyous.

We here in this House, not just on this side but across the House, are very grateful for the support that we get across the precinct. Many of those that dedicate their working lives to supporting us would, in many instances outside this, be considered an essential worker, and for many, many years they have been on appalling pay, and I acknowledge the work that you have done, Mr Speaker, to try and address that where it is appropriate and possible. Of course, we are in a unique position in this House to make things happen for those that deserve it and make fundamental changes in people’s lives and I am proud to be a member of Parliament, a member of the Labour Party, part of this Government that is making those fundamental changes for people’s lives—people that have worked hard and for years for too long have never seen their due rewards.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank those that supported us, those that put their trust in the Labour Party, but also put their trust in Labour candidates to represent them in electorates. I’m a proud and dedicated advocate of regional New Zealand and I am absolutely delighted that voters across the country have taken the opportunity to elect a Labour member to represent them in regional seats like Northland, like the East Coast electorate, like New Plymouth, like Tukituki, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Ōtaki, and Rangitata. I also want to acknowledge those voters that elected a Labour MP in the seats of Hamilton East, Whangārei, Ilam, Hutt South, and Nelson. I also want to acknowledge the honourable member the Hon Dr Nick Smith, because he has to be one of this House’s ultimate survivors. He has seen off challenges for 30 years, and even when the good people of Nelson chose the wonderful electorate MP of Rachel Boyack, he still managed to make his way back, and I admire him for that.

Hon Dr Nick Smith: Ain’t going nowhere!

KIERAN McANULTY: Christopher Luxon just yells out, “Ain’t going—”, or sorry, that’s Dr Nick Smith, or was it Matt Doocey or was it Ian McKelvie or David Bennett; I cannot tell. But perhaps they would like to go together to the barber and get a group discount on haircuts.

But here we are, after what has been a terrible year for many—certainly a challenging year for all—and we think back to the time when COVID first hit and the lockdown first was established. We were facing predictions of 20 percent unemployment in this country. We were facing a level of uncertainty that no one alive had ever faced and yet together we got through it. We got through it to the point where we are now, in many respects, the envy of the world. We are one of the most open economies. I know that we are not supposed to get political, but I will point out that the Hon Judith Collins’ claim in her contribution to this debate, that they called for the borders to be closed earlier than they happened, was false. The day that they issued the press release calling for the borders to be closed was the day that the borders were closed. It might have been there for half an hour, an hour, beforehand—but it’s hardly screaming from the rooftops calling for the borders to be closed.

Like many members around this House, I have friends and family around the world and they have been in contact on a regular basis, and they have all said a similar thing: “We wish the leaders in our country took the same approach as the leaders in yours.” I think of my old rugby mates in Ireland who continue to face hundreds of cases a day, and yet some say that the only reason that we have achieved what we have achieved is because we are an island nation. Well, I would point those people to Ireland—similar population to us, similar population density, and yet they continue to see hundreds of cases a day. We are incredibly fortunate to be in this country. It all comes down, in addition to strong leadership, to acting hard and acting early—but it comes down to the contribution of every single New Zealander. We see what’s happened overseas: when there is a lockdown there are protests. But here, we got on with it, and now we are reaping the benefits, and I think that is something that all of us, regardless of our political party, can reflect on with pride as we head into this holiday season.

Dr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National): Thank you, Mr Speaker. It’s a pleasure to speak in the adjournment debate as we bring the parliamentary year to an end. I also want to thank staff on precinct who have been noted here already today and maybe add to that list the sign language interpreters. I say to them thank you. Thank you all for the very distinct contributions that they’ve made, and to the many other silent workers who diligently keep the Wellington infrastructure together for us all so that we do what we’re able to do. To our out-of-office staff, who are at the coalface of our electorates, we thank them for their often equally important but less visible important roles.

This year has been a rollercoaster in more than one way and will probably be defined as the coronavirus year—a challenge of biblical proportions that will sit alongside reflections of “Where were you on 9/11?”—“Where were you during coronavirus 2020?” In my view, the challenge of coronavirus, and especially the first lockdown at level 4, also substantiated the absolute privilege of being an MP. Could there be a better form of representation than directly helping people in immediate need with travel exemptions, for example, to attend funerals? The magic here was around three things: (1) a trusted representative, (2) timeliness of actions, and (3) local knowledge. My own personal observation is that in times of urgency such as a pandemic, MPs should be used more and be authorised to manage more tools, such as the ability to offer travel exemptions.

I do believe as an Opposition that we have contributed this year in a positive way to coronavirus outcomes. In my view, it was this Opposition that carried the voice of the public this year to close the border, albeit conjecturally, several days earlier than it was—

Kieran McAnulty: Not true.

Dr SHANE RETI: Very true. Personal protective equipment in the right place at the right time was harried by the Opposition and confirmed with an independent report. Contact tracing that failed to contact people in a timely manner was improved under parliamentary scrutiny and further reports. Testing that was either absent, using throat swabs instead of nasal swabs, or case definitions that were simply too high were all raised by the Opposition and improved. Across many areas, then, our constructive role as an Opposition this year has improved our collective safety. In this respect, I’m particularly proud of the work done by the Epidemic Response Committee, a committee formed in April as a construct agreed by this House for the purpose of replacing the scrutiny that was removed under lockdown. The magic here, I believe, was having the Opposition both as the majority and as the chair.

In keeping with the finance Minister’s mood of Christmas spirit that befits an adjournment debate, it’s not infrequent for an adjournment speaker to use the framework of the 12 days of Christmas to demonstrate how the opposite side mirrors a fictitious 12 items. In fact, in most adjournment debates I’ve heard something to this effect. I too considered this but thought maybe a more interesting parody might arise from this exact day in history 40 years ago and the television programming guide on 9 December 1980, and to consider how the programming that day might mirror the Government in front of us today.

I was not to be disappointed. The very first programme on 9 December 1980 at 11.35 was Play School, a fantasy programme where everyone was kind, especially to pretend people Big Ted and Jemima—

Hon Member: Jacqui Dean.

Dr SHANE RETI: As someone comments, how fortuitous: I’m sitting beside a Play School presenter here today. Amazingly, the very first line of the Play School theme song is strangely prophetic—

SPEAKER: The world goes in circles.

Dr SHANE RETI: —in describing a Government failure of today. Remember the theme song to Play School? It starts like this: “Da da da da da. Here’s a house.” No, there’s not—not in your hands. So we can see programming is giving us some insight. At 12.40 it’s Beauty and the Beast, starring agony aunt Grant Robertson as Selwyn Toogood—a show where New Zealanders’ problems are aired but rarely fixed, but a good dose of kindness is dispensed. Finally, at 3 p.m. it’s Electric Company, led by Willie Jackson as Morgan Freeman and the Labour Māori caucus as puppets entertaining children with no clear theme, strategy, benefits, or outcomes—clearly an early version of Mana in Mahi. So I think programming from 1980 is somewhat prophetic and descriptive of the previous Government.

But again, in keeping with an adjournment debate, I want to conclude by saying this side of the House is very much looking forward to recess, to time with our families, and we wish exactly the same to every single member across the House. Merry Christmas to all. Kia ora mai tātou.

WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland): Tēnā koe e te Māngai o te Whare. Tuatahi māku e mihi kau ana ki a koe—ngā mihi o te wā, o te Kirihimete, tuatahi ki a koe, otirā ki ngā kaimahi katoa i roto i tēnei Whare o tātou.

[Firstly, I offer you warm greetings—warm Christmas greetings to you, indeed to all staff here, in our House.]

Kia ora. I first want to start this contribution, what is the final contribution for the year, by first acknowledging you, Mr Speaker, and wishing you a merry Christmas. To the staff who support us here at Parliament, to the clerks, and to my favourites in the travel team, thank you so much for the way that you look after us all in here but also as we travel about the country—I am truly grateful. I also want to mention my two staff members, Helen here in Parliament and Amy out in our Kawakawa office. I look forward to growing our Northland in the new year.

My New Year’s resolution this year was for a brighter, calmer 2020. [Interruption] Yeah, exactly—and it certainly wasn’t that. By September, I saw people posting on Facebook, “Should we just put up the Christmas tree and call it a year for 2020?”, and that really resonated with me. But there have been some silver linings in what has been a really challenging year, and for me personally it was the time during lockdown that we got to spend with our whānau. As challenging as it was, the juggle is real, with tamariki, a working partner, and still being a member of Parliament with a whole lot of new questions. It was a time that we cherished as a whānau.

We’ve got new hashtags. I’m a huge supporter of Zoom, and I’m glad that we have modernised Parliament and we are able to do that, particularly when I have to travel, I think, the farthest to get here. So good use of Zoom is something that has come out of 2020, and #zui and #zinu. For those who might not have had much of that during the lockdown, maybe have a look at that for the summer break.

So the year that has been—it’s been a phenomenal year with unforeseen challenges. I’m so proud of the way that our team of 5 million worked together to get us to the position that we are in today. I want to acknowledge the leadership of Jacinda Ardern and this Government to keep New Zealanders safe, to protect lives and livelihoods.

The 53rd Parliament—so far it has been busy, and I just want to rattle off a short list of things that we have already done. So it’s been a busy start to the 53rd Parliament. We’ve sworn in 42 new MPs, the most diverse Parliament in our country’s history, including 23 new members of our strong Labour caucus. I personally have been moved by the maiden speeches. I think you, Mr Speaker, and I and many others have shed tears hearing the stories about what brought people to Parliament.

More recently we’ve had some sombre days. Yesterday we responded to the report on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques in March 2019, and today we remember the tragic Whakaari / White Island eruption a year ago. I also want to acknowledge our other mate, like Rudy Taylor, a stalwart of the Labour Party, a life member; and Shanan Halbert’s father, who passed away on election day before the result of his son. E ngā mate, haere, haere, haere, moe mai rā koutou.

[To the dearly departed, farewell, farewell, farewell, rest in peace.]

We have made progress, though, in the short time the 53rd Parliament has resumed. We’ve already declared a climate emergency; started making our tax system fairer by introducing a new top tax rate; protected drug-checking services this summer to keep young New Zealanders safe; committed to having a carbon-neutral public sector within five years; introduced legislation to double minimum sick leave to 10 days; extended our business debt hibernation scheme to keep helping New Zealand businesses affected by COVID-19; increased support for unemployed New Zealanders to take on seasonal work and to help meet labour shortages; and supported temporary visa holders stranded due to COVID-19, with access to the emergency benefit; first readings; select committees opening for submissions—I’m exhausted in the short time that the 53rd Parliament has been sitting.

I am ready for a holiday. I will be doing something new #inmyelectorate, starting with a camper van—whare wēne hararei—with my two daughters, who have been saving all year. So I encourage you all to shop local, support local, and do something new in your areas, but have a break, everybody—meri Kirihimete.

MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. It’s a pleasure to rise in the adjournment debate, and also a debate for the sitting calendar—where we debate the days that Parliament will sit, and also days that we don’t. We have this unhelpful term which we call “recess”, where the public thinks we go home for a break. Or as my wife famously once said when she was asked, “What’s the worst thing about your husband’s job?”, she said, “Recess when he comes home.”

Mr Speaker, can I acknowledge you and wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. With your indulgence, I do make a reflection. I sometimes wonder if I have missed out by being in this era of politics with you being the gamekeeper rather than being an MP in the time that you were the poacher, because that would have been interesting times. And maybe one day we might see you become the poacher again. Although, at times there—

SPEAKER: Mid-career—you never know.

MATT DOOCEY: —are signs of that, and it’s never too late to have another career.

Can I also acknowledge your right-hand man, Roland Todd, and wish him sincerely a merry Christmas and happy New Year as well. Could I also acknowledge and wish a merry Christmas and happy New Year to David Wilson and Rafael Gonzalez-Montero as well, and thank you for all your work over the year and all of your staff, and staff around the precinct as well.

I too want to continue with my good friend and colleague Poto Williams, who made a focus today of talking about the former National Government and acknowledging the former National Government, because, of course, Canterbury is just about to get a fantastic Christmas present thanks to the former National Government. In a week or so, the newly minted transport Minister, Michael Wood, will be coming down to open the long-awaited Northern Corridor motorway. It’s been on the books since the 1960s and it took a National Government to get it over the line. That’s why we’re going to call it either, well, “Gerry’s Drive” or “Brownlee Boulevard”! But I know many in Canterbury are looking forward to that, well, several-hundred-million-dollar roading infrastructure project. That is an early present for Canterbury. We’re looking forward to the Minister coming down to announce the Belfast to Pegasus motorway, including the Woodend bypass, as well, and I’m sure he’s looking forward to hearing a lot about that over the current term ahead.

There has been a lot of focus on COVID, and, dare I say it, this Government was lucky with COVID. What we forget, and the adjournment debate is about farewelling—and they’ll be pretty happy to farewell the former Government and the 52nd Parliament, because the last Government was a failed socialist experiment. KiwiBuild, fees-free, light rail—it all lined up.

Why do I know they’re moving away from it? Because I picked up their new messages now—and Mr Seymour will enjoy this. They’re now moving towards third-way politics. They’re moving away from their socialism. Of course, third-way politics—the architect was Tony Blair, the prodigy of Maggie Thatcher. The claim for third-way politics is it claims to modernise politics by rejecting leftist policies. Now, I’m looking forward to the term ahead, with the rejection of leftist policies. If that’s what they’re continuing to do—third-way politics, apparently, under Grant Robertson—this is going to be interesting. So, with a resounding victory, everyone thought Parliament was moving to the left. Let’s watch. I think, instinctually, it’s going to move to the right as we’re going to see the Labour Party leave its roots and move into the centre, and maybe a bit more to the right as well. And that’s going to come with a lot of tension in its base, and I’m looking forward to that.

A final report. Grant Robertson, he didn’t talk about the report coming out of the library: 117 hours in urgency out of 381. In 2018, there were only 14 hours in urgency; in 2019, 30 hours; this year, 117 hours in urgency. That’s the legacy of this Government ramming through legislation. Out of 66 bills prepared to go to the Governor-General, 43 of them under urgency. I’m looking forward to the year ahead.

SPEAKER: Thank you, members. We’ve had so far this year two occasions where we’ve adjourned for elections. It’s an unusual occurrence. There’s been a lot of thanks that have been made to staff in those times, and I think probably the best thing for me to do would be to endorse the thanks given by the Deputy Prime Minister and by the Leader of the Opposition and by the leader of the Green Party, who were all gracious in their thanks of staff.

David Seymour: So was I.

SPEAKER: Well, I don’t think the member was gracious.

David Seymour: I was.

SPEAKER: Well, the member might think that. Our opinions are going to differ quite often, I’m sure. I want to, though, add to that a special thanks to the transition and induction team, who I think did very well this year. I think it was a contrast to what was experienced especially by new Ministers in 2017.

There has been a year of change. There’s been a lot of focus on the new MPs, but I do want to acknowledge the fact that there have been some long-term colleagues, and some shorter-term colleagues, who have been lost from the House in this time, and with them some real expertise has gone. What is focused on less, though, is that with them, a number of staff members who have given a lot of service are also not here. It may not be appropriate to single one person out, but I will. I think that Beryl Bright’s been round here for just about as long as I have, and to lose her is a loss to the institution. I think it’s good to put that on the record.

Some of the change is the result of the implementation of decisions that we have made as to the structure of this place, and I also want to acknowledge the fact that we are going to lose a number of people, including several who I’ve played rugby with about 25 years ago, as part of the changes to the security team that are occurring over the next month or so. I want to thank them for the service that they’ve given to the Parliament.

I want to thank members and staff from all parties who are specified parties around the Chamber for the support that they have given to me, both professionally and personally, over the last few months, where I have been making a very difficult decision. I do want this place to be a safe place to work, and I want to thank members who have supported me in my endeavours to do that.

I want to place on record my thanks, again, to the Clerk, to the chief executive of the Parliamentary Service, to Andie Lindsay, who I regard as the glue that helps hold this place together. I want to thank my office—Jessie, Ainsley, and Roland, who has already been mentioned—for the work that they do, for their tolerance for my questions, which are not always predictable or possibly even reasonable. I’m, like many members, looking forward to a rest, to spend time with family and friends. I just want to give members a bit of advice: there’s a very good report called the Review of Standing Orders, and if we want to make this place a better place, have a look at it over the holidays.

Motion agreed to.

The House adjourned at 3.55 p.m.