Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Appropriation (2003/04 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading Imprest Supply Debate 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Appropriation (2003/04 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading Imprest Supply Debate 
[Volume:610;Page:7699] 
LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (NZ Labour—Mana) 
: 
 Kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. As a proud member of this Labour-led Government I have much pleasure in standing to participate in this debate. The strong foundations for long-term sustainable social and economic development have been laid in the last three Budgets. This bill continues that good work. The fine leadership and economic stewardship of our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Michael Cullen is to be applauded. He continues to be a safe pair of hands and our country can feel reassured by his leadership and commitment. 
I want to give the House some examples of Labour’s ongoing commitments in the Mana electorate with a strong focus on achievement and positive outcomes. I will talk about progress and jobs in the economy and progress in education health law and order conservation and environment and social development. 
Economic growth in the Wellington region has improved. As of July 2003 Porirua City currently enjoys an economic growth rate of 5 percent and the Kapiti Coast district a respectable 3.1 percent. Unemployment continues at its lowest levels and that is complemented by the significant reduction of unemployment in the Mana electorate. Porirua out-performed the region with an unemployment level of 4.6 percent. There are now 16200 more people in paid work since Labour formed the Government in 1999. The partnership of the various stakeholders including Positively Wellington Business—formerly the Wellington Regional Economic Development Trust—Business Porirua the Porirua City Council and the Kapiti Coast District Council together with central government agencies is a good working model of partnership collaboration and consultation. It ensures that resources are utilised for good planning so that we can maximise the outcomes and benefits for the people of the Mana electorate and of course for the people of New Zealand. We all know that we need dollars to make it happen. Innovation Greenhouse Porirua has been awarded a business incubator grant of $80000. Innovation Greenhouse Porirua will be assisting start-up businesses in the area to grow without making some of the mistakes that businesses normally make within the first 3 years. 
We are committing an extra $23.6 million to expand the Gateway programme which is currently being piloted in 63 schools to reach all decile 1 to 5 secondary schools by 2007. Mana College in Porirua is a current Gateway school. In our electorate there are an estimated 12 extra teaching positions in 2003 and there will be a further 15 extra positions in 2004. Schools in that area will also get an extra $298000 for operations funding in 2004. 
With the boost from the number of businesses and workers involved in industry training we will get an extra 7000 trainees in the Wellington region including those in the Modern Apprenticeships scheme. The Government has also given the go-ahead for a major redevelopment of health services in the Wellington region including the construction of our new regional hospital in Newtown the remodernisation of Kenepuru Hospital and the provision of more health facilities for Kapiti. Primary health organisations were set up to target populations with the greatest health needs. In our area these include the Porirua Plus primary health organisation which enrolled 11768 people Tumai mo te tangata which enrolled 48497 people and the Kapiti PHO which enrolled 33189 people. 
In February this year we were involved in the opening of the new Kapiti police station which has become a striking addition to buildings on the Kapiti Coast. Senior Sergeant Mike Coleman who heads the 38 sworn police officers and four civilian staff based at the Kapiti police station says that his staff members are delighted with the new building. There has been a significant drop in reported crime in Mana which parallels the drop in unemployment and shows the clear link between the improved economic situation and social indicators such as crime statistics. 
Mana Island and Kapiti Island are two beautiful jewels of the Kapiti Coast. The Department of Conservation manages those two major assets of New Zealand’s conservation estate. I have visited both of those islands and have seen at first hand the tremendous work of the Department of Conservation. Native birds plants and other aspects of New Zealand’s heritage have been preserved and restored to those islands. In relation to some of the money that has gone into projects for example $26000 has gone to the Pauatahanui Inlet Community Trust to guide rural landowners on restoring biodiversity. It is important that this Government continues to manage sustainably both the conservation estate and the financial resources of New Zealand in order to provide for future generations. 
The Labour Government has also achieved a good balance between prudent financial management and sound social development. Partners Porirua is to run one of two new pilot programmes focusing on improving employment prospects for 15 to 24-year-olds funded by the Ministry of Economic Development. The pilots to be run in Porirua and Waitakere are a part of a whole-of-Government drive to improve the transition of young people from school into quality employment. 
In Mana State-house tenants are receiving income-related rents with average weekly savings of $30 per week which is $1560 per year. Porirua is also one of the pilot areas for our Government’s new Stronger Community Action Funds which help local communities to meet local needs. 
In conclusion I say that this bill continues to build on the strong foundation established by this Government’s prudent financial management. I have listed some of the fine outcomes achieved in the Mana electorate. These outcomes have been repeated throughout New Zealand. The Labour-led Government is committed to managing New Zealand’s economic performance so that we can all provide a good quality of life for all of our citizens. Most Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. I spend time at the Porirua market. Many people have come to me over the last few weeks and told me how well this Government is managing the economy. The word from the grassroots is that things are going well.