edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Carter KahurangiKAHURANGI CARTER (Green): I rise today in support of the McLean Institute (Trust Variation) Bill and its amendments provided by the select committee stage. This bill represents a crucial step forward in updating and in refining the terms of the McLean Institute trust deed ensuring its continued effectiveness in serving our community's most vulnerable members.Our Christchurch our Ōtautahi community—my community—knows how to care for each other and give back for the betterment of our people. The people of Ōtautahi have been through so much. Like the phoenix that rises from the ashes Christchurch and its people are creating a resilient and connected community. It's why I choose to raise my children in Christchurch so that they can grow up in a community that leads with generosity and manaaki. There are many reasons why there are structurally disadvantaged people in Christchurch who need support. This bill allows the spirit of manaaki and generosity to lead and brings the trust deed into current times.Established in 1909 by Allan McLean the McLean Institute holds a venerable legacy of providing financial assistance to women and their children. However times have changed so the language must change and come into the scope of its charitable objectives. The current trust deed while notable in intent has become outdated and restrictive hindering the institute's ability to adapt to modern societal norms and to adequately serve those in need.I commend the work of the Social Services and Community Committee and the member. The amendments proposed in this bill seek to address these limitations by broadening the purpose of the trust. By allowing for this application of trust assets to a wider range of good causes we ensure that the McLean Institute remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the community. This is not merely a matter of legal technicality but it is a moral imperative to ensure that the institute can continue on its mission and to bring it into the 21st century.The legal commentary provided on this bill as well as the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee underscore the importance of these amendments. From ensuring the accuracy of the trust's status to clarifying jurisdictional matters these amendments are essential to the bill's success in achieving its objectives. The Greens are happy to see this progress. By doing so we reaffirm our dedication to supporting our community fulfilling Allan McLean's original intentions and ensuring that the McLean Institute can continue its legacy of manaaki based in the beautiful community of Ōtautahi. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Tuesday 26 March 2024 (continued on Wednesday 27 March 2024) - Volume 774
Taxation (Annual Rates 2023-24 Multinational Tax and Remedial Matters) Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023-24 Multinational Tax and Remedial Matters) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 68New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.Noes 55New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te Pāti Māori 6.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.The House adjourned at 12.11 p.m. (Wednesday)
MacLeod DavidDAVID MacLEOD (National—New Plymouth): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm pleased to take this the last call of this third reading. There's been many questions there's been much debate over the last couple of days and of course this follows an extensive select committee process prior to that.I've heard many emotive speeches particularly from the other side of the House on this third reading debate. One such speech that I want to talk to is around the fact that they believe this is the demise of first-home buyers. I am very clear that in my mind the housing crisis that our country currently faces is absolutely affected by housing affordability and housing availability. That will soon be helped by other bills that this coalition Government is soon to introduce to this House.This taxation bill is sensible it's pragmatic it's fair and reasonable and it will help our country get back on track. I'm happy to commend this bill to the House.
Brewer CameronCAMERON BREWER (National—Upper Harbour): Deductibility is back—deductibility is back. Labour tried to phase it out—they'd begun their phase-out period—and what happened? They failed and failed badly and renters were the loser. Rents have gone up. Rents went up under the last Labour Government $170 a week. That's nearly $9000 a year that every rented house had to find under Labour. So phasing in interest deductibility for residential investment properties will encourage rental—Dr Hamish Campbell: Oh shocking. Renters like me.CAMERON BREWER: —supply and provide Dr Campbell provide downward pressure on rents. This is a huge issue for mum and dad landlords. It's a huge issue.One of the members over here says There's no data on who the landlords are and how many there are." Well we know as Nancy Lu said that 80 percent of landlords own just one property. The worst thing is that the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment statistic based on bond lodgments came out in 2021 but they started the phase out regardless. So they were hitting the very people that they purport to represent those middle of the road mum and dad landlords—80 percent of them. They have been screaming out and we all saw it and Labour would have seen it on the doorstep: bring back deductibility. Some of their deductibility costs had gone up tens of thousands a year and that was all just falling back on renters.So this is long overdue. This is great news for rents. This puts the downward pressure on rents that we've all been looking for and asking for. They tried for six years; they failed. Rents went up $170 a week. We are putting some measures in place to reverse that to put some downward pressure. They won't be going up at that rate. The costs are less; the supply will be more. I commend this bill."
Lu Nancy; Pugh MaureenNANCY LU (National): Madam Speaker I stand before you with my full support for the third reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023-24 Multinational Tax and Remedial Matters) Bill. The main provisions for this bill cover several areas of New Zealand's tax legislation and there are 10 main provisions—all common sense and based on what New Zealand needs right now in our current environment. A National-led Government is delivering positive changes in a timely manner.There are two areas that I want to highlight in my speech today. The bill proposes to introduce the GloBE rules in New Zealand limit the race to the bottom and it strengthens New Zealand's tax legislation by improving fairness and equity generating tax revenue for our country and increasing global cooperation and transparency.This bill also proposes the reduction of the brightline test from property sales from 10 years to two years. This is actually offering several benefits including increased market liquidity to make it easier for buyers and sellers to enter and exit the property market. This is actually a back to normal" brightline test requirement that brings greater flexibility for property owners and according to Stuff in 2021 the latest Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment data shows nearly 80 percent of residential landowners in New Zealand own just one rental property each—80 percent. While the popular perception is that landlords own multiple rental properties and get big capital gains as a result the bond data in New Zealand actually suggests this is not true because although there are some large landlords they were not the majority of landlords in New Zealand. Most investors in New Zealand are ordinary Kiwis who just want to build a better long-term future for their retirement.So with the proposed amendments to bring the brightline test back to normal back to two years property owners including most of those who only own one rental property can adjust their investment strategies more frequently such as by buying selling renovating without being subjected to extended tax obligations. The prospect of the shorter-term gains will stimulate economic activity in New Zealand and increase property transactions which will lead to higher demand for related goods and services: construction renovation real estate agency services repairs and maintenance and everything that goes with maintaining a rental property.So with all of the above we are proud of the measures included in this bill to improve our tax system in New Zealand so I strongly commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Maureen Pugh): This call is a split call. I call the Hon David Parker."
Wedd CatherineCATHERINE WEDD (National—Tukituki): Well thank you for the opportunity to speak on the third reading of this bill which I support because on this side of the House we are absolutely laser focused on strengthening this economy and ensuring that hard-working New Zealanders can keep more of what they earn.Now during this debate we have heard a lot about the areas where this bill will support a fairer more equitable tax system. But there's a couple of areas that I just want to quickly touch on because I'm the MP for Tukituki where we have been impacted heavily by a cyclone. And this bill will benefit hundreds of people who have lost their homes and their properties. It's about taking practical steps to ensuring that we are supporting the victims of the cyclone with tax relief ensuring that they are not having more stress added to their lives at the moment. Also adjusting the brightline test will provide relief for flood victims.But just another area where we are going to improve things is with interest deductibility which will put downward pressures on rents and not keep adding costs to landlords which are then passed on to renters. We need to put downward pressure on rents. We're also going to reduce the brightline test to two years. This is going to create a more equitable tax system and therefore I commend this bill to the House.
Unkovich TanyaTANYA UNKOVICH (NZ First): Madam Speaker thank you. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First in support of this bill. New Zealand First is committed to ensuring that our tax policies are equitable and transparent and supportive of economic growth and social wellbeing. Our principles continue to prioritise for fairness with taxpayers especially those who are affected by the natural disasters that we've previously seen. And we seek to minimise compliance burdens while maximising revenue for essential services which is why New Zealand First will commend this bill to the House. It aligns with our principles with its potential to improve the fairness and the efficiency of our current tax system. Thank you.
Stephenson ToddTODD STEPHENSON (ACT): Thank you very much. I rise to speak in support of this bill. I want to thank Chlöe Swarbrick for her contribution. She is right: we are making choices. And our Government is making some different choices.I also just want to reflect briefly on some of the comments by the Hon Barbara Edmonds. It seems now that the Labour Party has finally woken up after six years and are in favour of supporting lots of groups that they decided to not fund properly in their time in Government. So we're left to clean up the programmes many of which she mentioned that were underfunded or not funded at all: taxpayer school lunches Pharmac disability care. This bill seeks to make sure that we have the taxes to make sure those people are looked after. ACT will be working as part of this coalition Government to actually ensure that the taxes we collect from New Zealanders are spent appropriately and are actually delivering the services they want. The Government doesn't magically just come up with a bunch of money. It is taken off ordinary working Kiwis every day and we have a responsibility to carefully spend that money and that's what we'll be doing.We are very pleased to see interest deductibility restored. It was a bad public policy to remove this from this type of investment class and the previous Government was warned that this would lead to upward pressure on rents and that is what occurred. ACT campaigned for this change around interest deductibility and we're delighted to be able to deliver this for landlords and renters alike. So thank you for the opportunity to speak on this bill and I commend it to the House.
Annual Review Debate — Social Development
Upston LouiseHon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Thank you Madam Chair. I wanted to address the questions that were posed to me at the end of the last session because I know the member put quite a lot of time and energy into asking that. So these were questions from the Hon Willie Jackson who was asking about He Poutama Rangatahi in the year 2022/23. I want to correct a statement he made in saying that it was a National Party initiative that was put on hold around 2017. That's not correct; it was launched in 2017. It is of course fantastic to see that He Poutama Rangatahi has—although it's moved from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment to the Ministry of Social Development—continued in the year in review to deliver to a number of young people. For the year in review there were 35 new programmes. This is of course an initiative that's focused on young people aged 15 to 24 who are not in employment education or training. It also addresses one of the other questions that the Hon Willie Jackson posed around whether or not the Government had an intention to continue programmes that were community-centric. I'm sure he realises that He Poutama Rangatahi is co-designed with the community provider which is what in many ways makes it successful because it is locally led and locally delivered.The other thing that I want to say is that of course we will continue to collect data and evidence about the programmes that are funded and whether they are working or not. In the 2022/23 year 2710 young people participated in the programmes which I think is a great result.
Kuriger BarbaraSocial Development and EmploymentCHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): So members our time with the Minister for Media and Communications has ended. The Minister for Social Development and Employment is now available for a further 10 minutes to respond to members' questions. As this portfolio was previously debated on 1 May 2024 the chairperson has already led off this debate. We will therefore move straight to members' questions and I just want to note that we do have time for disability issues later so this is not about disability; this is about social development issues—10 minutes.
Garcia Paulo; Goldsmith PaulPAULO GARCIA (National—New Lynn): Just quickly can the Minister comment on the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband and I ask how he has seen the uptake of it has been the number of homes and businesses that this is projected to affect and how that looks for New Zealand going forward.Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Media and Communications): Just a 10-second answer to that question: it was one of the greatest investments in infrastructure in our recent history so that 87 percent of the country now has access to ultra-fast broadband and New Zealanders as a whole are very well equipped to engage in the modern world of media and communications.
Annual Review Debate — Media and Communications
Goldsmith PaulHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister for Media and Communications): Well I'm very happy to answer one question. The Hon Willie Jackson asked about the reported Cabinet paper in relation to Government plans for the media. The only thing I'd say on that is I'm not going to talk about what are the Cabinet's considerations and what papers may or may not have been before Cabinet. That is certainly we continue to consider a wide range of matters and if I need to take some papers to Cabinet in relation to this portfolio I will. Then in the fullness of time I'll announce that.In terms of the programme in terms of the public interest fund well yes some jobs were created and that was a useful purpose—that progress has come to an end. In terms of numbers and investment one set of numbers I do have available to me here is the total cost for the Strong Public Media programme that he was responsible for. Because I've heard a lot of comment from the other side about the state of things. Of course they were in Government for six years and they did manage to spend $19604000 on a programme to merge Radio New Zealand and TVNZ which was nixed—nixed—by the previous Prime Minister Mr Hipkins I think on 8 February. So they managed to spend $6.1 million on a business case.Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Point of order Madam Chair.Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Well this is an annual review—Hon Dr Duncan Webb: I know I know but there is a point of order and it is this: I appreciate the Minister wasn't at the Business Committee but the National Party has been given an additional 30 minutes across the rest of the annual reviews which will go into next Wednesday. It's important in the spirit of which that 30 minutes was extended that that's spread relatively evenly across the portfolios which remain. So I appreciate this isn't a Standing Orders point of order but it is one where it was quite clear that the idea was that all of the upcoming Ministers would have an opportunity to give concise replies to the questions that were raised not for Mr Goldsmith to have long speeches on broadcasting.CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): Look thank you for that point of order and that was raised clearly at the start of the session so Minister Goldsmith is aware of that. Actually that point of order has reduced Mr Goldsmith's time because he's due to leave at 3.45 p.m. He tells me he's completed so if somebody's got a 30-second question we have time or we'll—Paulo Garcia.
Jackson WillieHon WILLIE JACKSON (Labour): Thank you Madam Chair. Can I congratulate the Minister first of all for the new position—Hon Paul Goldsmith: Very kind.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: —well done—and agree with the member previously who talked about testing and challenging times for the media. It most certainly is. It most certainly is and it's a tough time for whoever the Minister is. That's certainly what we would concede on this side of the House.Looking forward the Minister certainly has some challenges in front of him particularly with the industry looking for a plan at the moment. So we have a number of questions today around that given that the previous Minister had talked about a plan that was apparently presented at Cabinet—or wasn't presented at Cabinet. What I'd like to find out from the Minister to start off with is what has happened to the Cabinet paper that the previous Minister proposed and when will it be released? I think that a lot of people are really looking to see what this coalition Government is going to do in this area what are they proposing.Jenny Marcroft: Point of order. Just a couple of points of order Madam Chair. I'm just wondering how a question about a Cabinet paper fits into an annual review. Could you clarify?CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): In terms of the debate we are looking at what happened in the previous six months and the current six months but I would say it's up to the Minister. If he feels that that is not an appropriate question to answer that is up to the Minister to state that.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Thank you Madam Chair. I'm sure the Minister will be able to handle that question Madam Chair. Also the industry is looking for a plan at the moment. It's one of the big big questions that the industry is asking.I just have one or two more questions before maybe the Minister answers. We prioritised as a Government—$117 million was reprioritised over four years to Radio New Zealand and New Zealand On Air to address priority challenges. I wouldn't mind just finding out if the Minister has any update on how those funds have addressed some of the challenges the current challenges in front of us.And just one other question before I sit down. The Public Interest Journalism Fund provided an interim report in August 2023. Can the Minister answer us or respond in terms of how many roles were created from the Public Interest Journalism Fund and how many will be maintained? Thank you Madam Chair.
Xu-Nan LawrenceDr LAWRENCE XU-NAN (Green): Madam Chair thank you so much. As the chair of the select committee mentioned before it has been a challenging year for broadcasting and media but I think in this case more so for Māori and Pasifika media. So in the annual reports of TVNZ and also for RNZ—it is good to see in these reports that TVNZ's annual report states that TVNZ is committed to reflecting and advancing te āo [Māori] and te reo Māori." For RNZ there's been a 12 percent increase in the number of broadcasting hours of Māori content compared to the previous year. However Minister we know that there is still inequality and inequity in the media industry. Non-Māori media receives $70 per hour for broadcasted media whereas Māori media receives only $30 an hour for equivalent content. In addition to that we also see that advertisers in this particular case also view Māori media as niche and serving only a limited audience despite the enormous audience they now do present for both Māori and non-Māori alike. So my question to the Ministers is: how would the Minister address this gap in the cost and in the funding between non-Māori media and Māori media."
Garcia PauloMedia and CommunicationsPAULO GARCIA (Deputy Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee): We in New Zealand face a very rapidly changing media landscape and with the rapidly changing landscape traditional media has found that they are challenged to meet the costs that they incur in creating or preparing their media presentations and reporting as against what the country and the world is already undergoing which is a switch to the online availability of news and the availability of news 24/7.It is a point in time where traditional media are facing the pressure to innovate and ramp up or think of strategies in order to be able to continue their traditional way of providing their reporting. Advertising revenue has fallen quite considerably and is dropping dramatically. We are seeing that print ads and traditional ads on traditional media are getting harder and harder in terms of competition by online platforms that the current market has started to quickly turn on to and get used to having the opportunity to look at advertising 24/7 on their phones at any time on demand. This has been a great challenge to the traditional media outlets.We have seen that while this is happening of course traditional media has received the brunt of that change and are struggling with their current means of getting to the public. So I actually would like to ask the Minister to comment particularly on how he sees this changing landscape and how he sees that things will continue to evolve on to online media and away from traditional media. It's rapidly changing. I also find myself just resorting to my phone constantly in terms of trying to find things and trying to access information and access news. In the House we are all aware that there is news media on our TVs 24/7 all into the night and in the early morning hours so I think I want to start this session with a request for the Minister to make comments on this rapidly changing landscape.
Tuiono TeanauANNUAL REVIEW DEBATEIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 7 May on the Appropriation (2022/23 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): The House is in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2022/23 Confirmation and Validation) Bill. This is the debate on the financial position of the Government and the annual reviews of departments Officers of Parliament Crown entities public organisations and State enterprises as reported on by select committees. The Business Committee has determined that the time for the debate be extended by 30 minutes. There are therefore two hours and 56 minutes remaining in this debate. The Business Committee has determined that Ministers may use this additional 30 minutes to answer questions. In addition New Zealand National has been gifted 10 minutes by ACT New Zealand and five minutes by New Zealand First for National select committee chairs to deliver their reports. Therefore New Zealand National has 45 minutes remaining New Zealand Labour has one hour and 19 minutes remaining the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand has 20 minutes remaining ACT New Zealand has 29 minutes remaining New Zealand First has nine minutes remaining and Te Pāti Māori has 20 minutes remaining.The Government has indicated that the Minister for Media and Communications the Minister for Social Development and Employment and the Minister for Disability Issues will be available today to respond to member's questions. Each debate will be led off by the chairperson or another member of the committee that considered annual reviews most closely related to the Minister's portfolios though these speeches should be a non-political report-back to the committee from the select committee. The Minister for Media and Communications is here for 45 minutes to respond to members' questions.
Motions—Myanmar — Condemnation of Military Regime
Peters WinstonMOTIONSMyanmar—Condemnation of Military RegimeRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister): I seek leave to move Government notice of motion No. 1 in my name without debate.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I move That this House: Strongly condemn the Myanmar military regime's ongoing atrocities and human rights violations and abuses and calls for the restoration of democracy; Call for an immediate end to the ongoing violence and the release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners; Call for respect for human rights and international humanitarian law and safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all displaced persons and those in need throughout Myanmar; Support the UN's further engagement in the crisis including through the newly appointed UN Special Envoy on Myanmar and urges implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2669 (2022); Continue to support the fundamental role of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in resolving the crisis by implementation of its Five-Point Consensus including through the efforts of the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair; Urge New Zealand and other governments to provide all possible support to the people of Myanmar; Continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for sustainable inclusive and genuine representative democracy in their country.Motion agreed to.
Brownlee GerryPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTIONOF BILLSSPEAKER: Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk. CLERK: Petition of Reality Check Radio requesting that the House urge the Government to accept terms for an expanded royal commission of inquiry into COVID-19petition of Social Justice Aotearoa requesting that the House urge the Government to establish a royal commission of inquiry into the wrongful conviction of Alan Hall. SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. No papers have been presented. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation. CLERK: Report of the Environment Committee on the inquiry into climate adaptationreport of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Budget Policy Statement 2024report of the Health Committee on the report of the Controller and Auditor-General Meeting the mental health needs of young New Zealanders. SPEAKER: Those reports are set down for consideration. No bills have been introduced.
Brown SimeonBUSINESS STATEMENTHon SIMEON BROWN (Deputy Leader of the House): Today the House will adjourn until Tuesday 21 May. In that week the House will consider the second reading of the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Bill the committee stage of the Māori Fisheries Amendment Bill and complete the annual review debate. On Thursday there will be a special debate on long-term issues informed by select committees' reports on Long-term Insights Briefings and Francisco Hernandez will deliver his maiden statement.
Brownlee GerryTHURSDAY 9 MAY 2024The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSSPEAKER: Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom justice mercy and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
Kapa-Kingi MariamenoMARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI (Te Pāti Māori —Te Tai Tokerau): Kia ora tātou. So I've got maybe three questions and I guess I'll just talk through my notes and land on the questions in each one of them. Thank you. The context of this if I can is that of the reports that Minister Potaka was referring to—I built 16 of those homes in Aupōuri and we did a few good things ourselves as iwi—I'm very familiar with Pouahi and very familiar with the home repairs so yeah that's doing good with what we've got at that time so I'm just really hoping that it gets even better.So 2018: only 31 percent of Māori were in a position of home ownership compared to 57.9 percent of Pākehā countrywide. What strategies will the Minister put in place to reduce these inequities for Māori? I'll keep moving should I or—Hon Chris Bishop: Over to you.MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI: Happy to. All right. Thank you. A report on Māori housing and wellbeing conducted in 2021 found that there were direct links between frequent moves between homes and poor health and wellbeing outcomes. Māori report higher moving rates between homes at 8.7 percent compared to 5 percent for Pākehā. The reality of this is Māori having moved five or more times within five years. How can the Minister assure Māori tenants that the proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will promote longevity of residency and thereby better health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori?Proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act encourage landlords mostly Pākehā back into the rental property market. What assurance can the Minister provide for Māori who are perversely tenants on their own whenua that the Government will protect their rights against the greed of landlords?Māori housing deprivation is six times the rate of Pākehā—you can see the method I'm using in this description. Can the Minister provide current examples of what the Government is doing to improve housing outcomes for Māori?Housing First in their last quarterly findings reported that of all people who access their services 59 percent were Māori based on the primary applicant from the participating household. Can the Minister provide evidence that the Government is reducing the need for Māori social housing?And my final—there are quite a few there aren't there? How will the Minister ensure forced eviction of unruly tenants utilising Kāinga Ora services is not a measure used to disguise racist attacks and removal of whānau and tamariki from their kāinga? Thank you Madam Chair.
Jackson WillieHon WILLIE JACKSON (Labour): Thank you Madam Chair. Just to the Minister or Ministers—and the questions are around the Māori housing area Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga programme. Can I ask the Ministers first of all will the support for the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga programme continue? That's my first question and there are just a couple of others that I'll add now.With the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle what update has the Minister—and it may be Minister Potaka—have in relation to Toitu Tairawhiti and the programme delivery partnership agreement for the delivery of 150 rent-to-buy homes in the last 12 months?Can I ask also how many whānau have benefited from having their home repaired over the past year through the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga programme?Lastly can I ask what is the total number of homes approved and contracted for delivery in Te Tai Tokerau Tāmaki-makau-rau Waikato Tainui Ikaroa-Rāwhiti Te Tai Hauāuru and Te Wai Pounamu in the last 12 months?But if we could have some response particularly in terms of the continual support of this programme Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga we'll be very pleased to hear the Government's response. Thank you Madam Chair.
Pugh MaureenANNUAL REVIEW DEBATEIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 2 May on the Appropriation (2022/23 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.CHAIRPERSON (Maureen Pugh): Members the House is in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2022/23 Confirmation and Validation) Bill. This is the debate on the financial position of the Government and the annual reviews of departments Officers of Parliament Crown entities public organisations and State enterprises as reported on by select committees.There are four hours and 46 minutes remaining in this debate. New Zealand National has one hour and 12 minutes remaining. New Zealand Labour has one hour and 41 minutes remaining. The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand has 36 minutes remaining. ACT New Zealand has 37 minutes remaining. New Zealand First has 28 minutes remaining. Te Pāti Māori has 27 minutes remaining.The Government has indicated that the Minister of Housing the Minister of Police the Minister of Local Government and the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries will be available today to respond to members' questions. Each debate will be led off by the chairman or another member of the committee that considered annual reviews most closely related to the Minister's portfolios. These speeches should be a non-political report back to the committee from the select committee. The Minister of Housing is here for 45 minutes to respond to members' questions.
Bishop Chris; Brownlee GerryOFFICES OF PARLIAMENTAddress to Governor-GeneralHon CHRIS BISHOP (Leader of the House): I move That a respectful Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor-General commending to Her Excellency the alterations to the appropriations for the 2023/24 financial year in respect of Vote Audit and the estimates of expenses and capital injection for the 2024/25 financial year in respect of Vote Audit Vote Ombudsmen and Vote Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.Motion agreed to and Address agreed to.SPEAKER: I declare the House in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2022/23 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.
Wednesday 1 May 2024 - Volume 775
Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
12. Question No. 12—CorrectionsDAVID MacLEOD (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of CorrectionsQuestion No. 12—Corrections12. DAVID MacLEOD (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Corrections: What reports has he seen about the recent announcement of a $1.9 billion investment in Corrections?Hon MARK MITCHELL (Minister of Corrections): Many. The one I was most proud to see was one titled Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces $1.9 billion plan to make … [New Zealand] safer." That plan includes financing to deliver 810 new beds at Waikeria taking its total capacity to over 1860. It meets the funding shortfalls Corrections is currently grappling with gives the system extra capacity and staff to provide real consequences for crime provides rehabilitation and moves money from the back office to the front line of Corrections. The Government is working hard to restore law and order and get New Zealand back on track.David MacLeod: What changes is the Government making to rehabilitation?Hon MARK MITCHELL: As part of our investment in Corrections there will be additional finding for the department to deliver on our 100-day plan commitment to provide access to rehabilitation for remand prisoners which has the potential to benefit 1400 prisoners at any given time.David MacLeod: How much is the Government investing in delivering rehabilitation to prisoners on remand?Hon MARK MITCHELL: As part of our $1.9 billion announcement $78 million has been set aside to ensure that the remand population has access to and is provided the critical rehabilitation programmes that they need. This is to ensure that the time remand prisoners spend in the corrections system gives them the best chance of rejoining society in a positive way.David MacLeod: Last supplementary: what programmes will remand prisoners have access to?Hon MARK MITCHELL: Thanks to this investment alongside our recent 100-day plan remand accused prisoners will be provided access to non-offence - based programmes. Remand convicted prisoners can expect to be provided the full suite of rehabilitative programmes.Hon Nicole McKee: Has the Minister seen any reports of children being sent to prison?Hon MARK MITCHELL: Well this morning I saw the comments from the Leader of the Opposition that children can "take comfort from the fact that if things go wrong for them there's an 810-bed prison waiting for them and they can get a free hot healthy lunch when they go to prison". Not only is this deeply reductive I find it highly offensive to consign our children to prison in this way especially given that this Government has had to top the school lunches programme up after the previous Government left a fiscal cliff. Hon Nicole McKee: Is the Government investing in any remand capacity in the Chatham Islands?Hon MARK MITCHELL: That question would be better directed to the MP for the Chatham Islands."
11. Question No. 11—HealthMARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI (Te Pāti Māori —Te Tai Tokerau) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 11—Health11. MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI (Te Pāti Māori —Te Tai Tokerau) to the Minister of Health: When he committed to providing timely access to quality healthcare for all New Zealanders" did he consider the implications of this generalisation for Māori women who suffer disproportionate rates of maternal and infant inequities compared to non-Māori women?SPEAKER: Shane Jones—sorry; Shane Reti.Hon Dr SHANE RETI (Minister of Health): Oh boy. I've so got to go to the gym. This Government is committed to providing timely access to quality healthcare for all New Zealanders including Māori women. In fact I was honoured to be asked to officially open the Te Kotuku extension last month in Whangārei. This facility will provide in-patient care for tamariki from birth until their 15th birthday. In addition the new neonatal unit will provide comprehensive care for unwell or premature babies. This Government cares about the health needs of all children and parents.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: Does the Minister agree that Māori-led health initiatives such as Ngā Wānanga o Hine Kōpū a wānanga run in Te Tai Tokerau for hapū māmā are critical for the health and wellbeing of our people and if so will he continue resourcing these types of initiatives?Hon Dr SHANE RETI: What I agree with is that the use of activities such as Hapū Wānanga which is a free kaupapa Māori antenatal service is useful to help reduce some of the uneven harms that we have in mortality for New Zealand women.Mariameno Kapa-Kingi: Does the Minister accept that racism and oppression are contributors to the fact that Māori women in pre-term labour are less likely to receive the full and necessary amount of antenatal steroids?Hon Dr SHANE RETI: What I accept is what the Health Status Report tells us which is that birth complications are more common for Māori Pacific and Indian women and that these groups are more likely to have pre-term births and require blood transfusions after delivery."
8. Question No. 8—Social Development and EmploymentRIMA NAKHLE (National—Takanini) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 8—Social Development and Employment8. RIMA NAKHLE (National—Takanini) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What proposals has the Minister announced regarding the oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Last week I announced the Government's intention to strengthen oversight of organisations that care for our most vulnerable children. These changes include restoring the single Children's Commissioner and making the Independent Children's Monitor an independent Crown entity instead of a departmental agency hosted within the Education Review Office. These changes will enhance oversight of the entire Oranga Tamariki system to deliver greater accountability improving vulnerable children's safety and welfare.Rima Nakhle: Why is the Government proposing to restore the single independent Children's Commissioner?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: We believe children deserve a fierce independent champion. In 2022 the Children's Commissioner was disestablished and replaced by a five-person board. Our view and the view of many others is that the board weakens the visibility and advocacy of the commissioner's role. For years the single independent commissioner was effective and we are restoring the single commissioner to be a strong advocate for children.Rima Nakhle: Why is the Government proposing to make the Independent Children's Monitor a Crown entity?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: The children's monitor must operate at arm's length from the Government and being based within the Education Review Office means it is not fully independent. Making the monitor a Crown entity will establish a structure to protect its independence and allow it to provide robust assessments and comments on how institutions treat vulnerable children. This fulfils a coalition agreement with the ACT Party.Rima Nakhle: Why is the Minister proposing these changes now?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Our Government wants to get on with this work because we are concerned about the safety and welfare of our children. We will also bring forward the review of the Children and Young People's Commission Act 2022 and the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022 to give everyone a say on the changes and also enable input from the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in State care.
7. Question No. 7—Mental HealthINGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri) to the Minister for Mental HealthQuestion No. 7—Mental Health7. INGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri) to the Minister for Mental Health: Does he stand by his statement that the full-time equivalent roles of the Suicide Prevention Office will increase by one full-time equivalent role to 6.5 roles; if not why not?Hon MATT DOOCEY (Minister for Mental Health): Yes and also including my other statements that the Public Service Association (PSA) union should apologise for politicising suicide and misleading New Zealanders by putting a press release out that was misleading—where they were told by the Ministry of Health that and they continued to mislead New Zealanders.Ingrid Leary: How many of the 6.5 roles he has referred to are focused entirely on preventing suicide?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Clearly we're under a change process at the moment but what I can tell the House is that the Suicide Prevention Office currently has 5.5 full-time equivalents. The structure within the Ministry of Health will take it up to 6.5 and I've recently been informed—because under the last Government the Suicide Prevention Office was shifted first to the Māori Health Authority—now it's put back into the Ministry of Health. The funding and contracting functions within Health New Zealand will even increase the full-time equivalent above 6.5.Ingrid Leary: How can it be true that a role about drug checking or another about addiction strategy and two general adviser roles are focused entirely on preventing suicide and if not does he now revise downwards his figures of how many roles at the Ministry of Health will be specifically focused on suicide prevention?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Well the problem the member has is she's basing her questions off another misleading PR that the PSA union put out on Friday that was factually incorrect and she should go back to her union mates and ask them to apologise.Ingrid Leary: Is he aware that 565 people in New Zealand died of suspected suicide to the year end 30 June 2023 and if so how does he think that cutting the number of roles focused on suicide from five roles down to two roles will help prevent suicides in New Zealand?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Well I can't be any clearer. The current Suicide Prevention Office sits at 5.5 full-time equivalents. After the proposed restructure which is still a proposal it'll go above 6.5. So if that member's worried about bereaved families of people who took their life—565 of them—tell the PSA to stop politicising suicide.Hon Nicola Willis: Can the Minister confirm that our coalition Government is committed to increasing funding for Gumboot Friday and would the Minister outline how the provision of those front-line mental health services will make a difference to New Zealanders and has the PSA put a PR out about that?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Well that's exactly the point isn't it? The fixation on the back office in what's important is about increasing access to timely suicide prevention and postvention and this is what this Government will deliver.
5. Question No. 5—Tertiary Education and SkillsHon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour) to the Minister for Tertiary Education and SkillsQuestion No. 5—Tertiary Education and Skills5 Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL (Labour) to the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills: Does she stand by all her answers to oral question No. 8 on Thursday 2 May 2024?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS (Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills): Yes. I especially stand by my answer that Te Pūkenga has left a legacy in the vocational education sector that is a disaster with student numbers falling financials getting worse staff leaving and generally industry feeling they are not being supported. I also stand by my statement that they did not have a credible pathway back to being financially viable. This Government is committed to take decisions to disestablish Te Pūkenga and consult on a proposed replacement model this quarter as outlined in the Prime Minister's action plan for New Zealand.Hon Dr Deborah Russell: At her meeting with the chair and the chief executive of Te Pūkenga on 30 November 2023 did she instruct the chair and the chief executive to cease recruitment for new management positions and extend the employment contracts of existing managers who were due to cease employment in April 2024?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: I stand by all my actions in meetings with Te Pūkenga. I cannot direct Te Pūkenga but I have a right to make my views known and to inform them about the Government's policies and the intended direction for the vocational education and training sector.Hon Dr Deborah Russell: Did the Minister suggest to the chair and the chief executive of Te Pūkenga at her meeting with them on 30 November 2023 that they should cease recruitment for new management positions and extend the employment contracts of existing managers who were due to cease employment in April 2024? Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: As I said I cannot direct Te Pūkenga to do the things that the member has suggested but I do have a right to make my views known and to inform them of decisions by the Government regarding policies on the vocational education sector. Hon Dr Deborah Russell: At that meeting did she make her expectations clear that she expected them to cease recruitment for new management positions and extend the employment contracts of existing managers who were due to cease employment in April 2024?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: I made my expectations clear that I expected Te Pūkenga to ensure they did nothing that would thwart the direction of the policy that this Government was taking with the disestablishment of Te Pūkenga.Hon Dr Deborah Russell: Is the Minister aware that expressing expectations in such a way may amount to a direct operational instruction to the chair and chief executive of the Crown entity which would be a breach of the Crown Entities Act and the Cabinet Manual?Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: I did not direct Te Pūkenga to take actions. I cannot direct Te Pukenga to take actions. I can express to them my views and the policy of this Government and I was able to follow up a letter of expectations to Te Pūkenga on 5 December confirming what my expectations were .