Sepuloni Carmel: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSepuloni Carmel: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 16 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4442. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): I am standing to speak to Part 1 of the Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill. It is nice when we have a bill go through that every political party in the House agrees with apart from some minor changes that have been suggested which we can talk about.The purpose of this bill is to allow eligible persons who reside in the Cook Islands Niue or Tokelau to be able to apply from either of those countries or that territory for New Zealand superannuation or a veterans pension and be paid these benefits in either of those countries or that territory or other specified Pacific countries. Part 1 of the bill is really just outlining that purpose.I actually think that many New Zealanders are not even aware of the fact that we have three countries that are not New Zealand—outside of New Zealand. They are three Pacific Islands that are part of the Realm of New Zealand and therefore there is not necessarily an understanding or a knowledge of the special relationship that we have with these three countries the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau. I think that is a really important backdrop to discussing this bill because it is important to understand not only the historical ties to these three countries but also the constitutional relationships we have with them.Currently eligible New Zealanders can receive their New Zealand superannuation or their veterans pension in the Realm countries under the special portability arrangement that New Zealand has with 22 specified Pacific countries. However under the current arrangement people aged 65 years or older can only apply by being resident and present in New Zealand on the date they apply for New Zealand superannuation or a veterans pension. This bill seeks to change that so that those residents of Cook Island Niuean and Tokelauan descent can apply from those countries rather than having to be resident in New Zealand.Part of this outlines the fact that they need to have been resident in New Zealand for 10 years. What is being proposed is that at least 5 of those years need to have been spent here in New Zealand between the ages of 50 and 65. I guess one point of difference when we are discussing eligibility between us—some of the minor parties I think—and the National Government is that we think that those 10 years of residence of being present in New Zealand should not necessarily have to be between the ages of 50 and 65. Currently it is proposed that 5 of those years resident in New Zealand must be when a person is aged between 50 and 65.One of the big issues that came up not only during the submissions but it has come up during my own experience when getting out and about with our Cook Island Niuean and Tokelauan communities and also visiting the Cook Islands and Niue is the issue of depopulation and the impact that that has had on these three Island States. I think one thing that we as New Zealanders do not recognise at all or enough is the fact that the issues of depopulation that those three countries face really are due to the constitutional arrangements we have with them in that those people are given the opportunity to travel freely to New Zealand. That is seen as a positive thing but also we have depleted those three countries of their biggest resource. We have been told that by the residents there as they struggle to be economically sustainable. Their biggest resource is their people.So one of the good things about this bill is that it will allow our Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau residents to return to the Islands to be able to contribute to the economic development and sustainability of their countries. When we say that they need to have been in New Zealand resident here and present for 5 of their 10 years between the ages of 50 and 65 I think we are actually attaching what really is an unnecessary condition because 10 years should be 10 years whether it is 10 years between the ages of 20 and 30 or whether it be 10 years between the ages of 20 and 50. I cannot understand why we need to stipulate that 5 of those years must be spent here between the ages of 50 and 65. We want to as part of the good-faith relationship that we have here in New Zealand with the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau actually support our Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau people returning to invest in those Island States if that is what they wish. We see the benefits for those Island States for their communities and for their families but also the benefit to New Zealand because they are part of the Realm of New Zealand.I need to note that in Part 1 we are talking about eligibility but later on tonight during this debate we will be debating and discussing a Supplementary Order Paper that has been put up by New Zealand First that actually removes that condition for them to have spent 5 of those 10 years in New Zealand present and resident here between the ages of 50 and 65. As I said we want to support them returning.When we talk about depopulation again I do not think most New Zealanders are aware of the extent of the depopulation that has occurred in Niue the Cook Islands and Tokelau because of the right to travel freely between those islands and New Zealand. If we look at the population statistics I think the latest ones for Niue show there is a population of about 1200 Niueans in Niue whereas we have 24000 approximately Niueans in New Zealand. We have approximately 14000 Cook Islanders in the Cook Islands whereas we have 60000 Cook Islanders here in New Zealand. There are approximately 1400 Tokelauans in Tokelau whereas we have about 8000 Tokelauans in New Zealand. From the time that constitutional arrangement was formalised with New Zealand they have all made a contribution to this country. Now I think is an opportunity for New Zealand to recognise that contribution and say: “Actually we’re going to support these people—our Cook Island Tokelauan and Niuean people—to return to their own country and make an investment there.”I do want to say that we support this bill and we support the purpose of this bill but I want to outline our support for the Supplementary Order Paper that is being put forward by New Zealand First which changes the eligibility from what the National Government has outlined in the bill that we have before us tonight. I do want to make one other point and that is that we do support the Supplementary Order Paper that has been put up by New Zealand First but I do want to acknowledge my colleague Poto Williams who actually signalled very early in the minority report that was put forward to the Social Services Committeethat she was going to be putting this Supplementary Order Paper up but then one of our friends from New Zealand First—no grudges—decided that was such a good idea that they would put the Supplementary Order Paper forward themselves.So we support this bill. As I have outlined though we do support the Supplementary Order Paper that is being put up by New Zealand First later on tonight to change the eligibility slightly so that of the 10 years served the 5 years of residing and being present in New Zealand do not need to be between the ages of 50 and 65. Thank you.