edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
4. Women Employment—Gender Pay GapJACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyWomen Employment—Gender Pay Gap4. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What recent announcements has the Government made in relation to pay equity?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): The Government recently announced that it has accepted all of the recommendations of the Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles. That group was made up of union employer and Government representatives. The recommendations set out principles for raising and resolving pay equity claims through bargaining including a process for employers and employees to follow to address pay equity—including a bargaining process based on the Employment Relations Act framework—and principles to guide employers and employees in identifying assessing and resolving pay equity claims.Jacqui Dean: What prompted the Government to establish the joint working group?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Following the considered judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case known as the Terranova case the Government became concerned that the only way to establish a case for pay equity was to file a claim in the Employment Court and the Equal Pay Act had little to guide the courts and parties on the establishment of a remedy. The Government believes bargaining should not generally require the courts or the Government to be involved so it set up the joint working group to advise on both the process and a set of principles to guide bargaining. I think it has done an excellent job and I want to thank the members of that working group for their efforts.Jacqui Dean: What else is the Government doing to close the gender pay gap?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Good question. Well the joint working group recognised that although pay equity is very important it is not the sole contributing factor to the gender pay gap. It acknowledged that issues such as equal opportunity in employment and advancement transparency of the remuneration process and the effect of caring responsibilities all contribute to the gender pay gap. So I want to commend the very hard-working Minister for Women who has the responsibility for doing all of those other things and I note the work and progress being made to provide a flexible workplace and provide better information and transparency strengthen the leadership pipeline lead a diversity and inclusion network and only today in her press release Breaking down barriers for working women" identify the very good progress being made by the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women to strengthen its focus on breaking down those barriers."
2. Immigration Policy—Parent Category ImmigrationRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of ImmigrationImmigration Policy—Parent Category Immigration2. RON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by his statement that commitments that are made around sponsorship that haven't been met" regarding his review of the parent category immigration rules?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration): Yes in the context in which those comments were made.Ron Mark: Why are newly arrived migrants with New Zealand residency not paying for their parents to live here after they brought them into the country at a cost to New Zealand taxpayers of tens of millions of dollars as he stated?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Broadly because the sponsorship requirements do not require them to pay for their parents to be here. That is not part of the residence programme. But there are a number of sponsorship obligations that anecdotal and older statistical information suggest are not being complied with by the sponsors and that is why we are going to conduct a review.Ron Mark: Can he explain how Immigration New Zealand will enforce the new 10-year sponsorship period for migrant parents given that Immigration New Zealand failed to enforce the current 5-year sponsorship period for parents?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I do not necessarily agree with or disagree with actually the second part of that question. But I would say that Immigration New Zealand will continue to monitor the sponsorship arrangements as they currently are regardless of the extension of time on them which incidentally was a decision made some time ago. The review will then inform whether or not a better response is required by Immigration New Zealand in the future.Ron Mark: Why did he not cap the parent category sooner when he knew that almost half of the parent migrants coming here had received welfare benefits after 5 years at the expense of the New Zealand taxpayer?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Largely because there was a legacy cohort of applicants who needed to be considered and then processed. That process was completed in about the middle of this year which was an opportune time to actually review and make small reductions in the category.Ron Mark: Why is the Minister not insisting when migrants leave New Zealand to live elsewhere that they take their parents with them rather than abandoning them to the care of the New Zealand taxpayer?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Well because that would be neither necessary nor appropriate and I would be surprised if in fact Kiwis—New Zealand - born New Zealand citizens—were leaving New Zealand in greater numbers than non - New Zealand - born New Zealand residents were and I do not expect them to take their parents with them either.Ron Mark: Why did the Government disregard the concerns of New Zealand taxpayers and vote against New Zealand First's affordable healthcare bill last year which required parent migrants to buy healthcare insurance for the first 10 years of their residency? Why did you vote against it?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I have no ministerial responsibility for that decision."
Ross Jami-LeeJAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany): It seems I have 40 seconds. I am not a lawyer and I have not done this before but I am going to bush lawyer it. It appears to me as though this bill effectively says that the double actionability rule is out the door. We are going to have some general rules. The general rules basically are if it is damage to property—[Interruption] Mr Speaker this is good stuff do not interrupt me. Come on! All right I will let you go Mr Speaker.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Reti ShaneDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei): It is a pleasure to take the final call on this bill. I too would like to acknowledge the sponsor my colleague Chris Bishop for his tenacity and hard work on this bill. I would also like to acknowledge the Health Committee for its excellent guidance which gets it here today through to its third reading. For this contribution I want to specifically acknowledge the pioneers in the transplant space who gave us the ability to undertake the functions that this bill seeks to encourage.Prior to 1954 and through the 1900s live organ transplants were being explored. They were usually kidney transplants. However recipients only lived for a day or maybe several weeks because we did not understand the immune system. We did not understand graft-host rejection. We have to remember that it was 1953 that Watson and Crick discovered the double helix so it was all very new. On 23 December 1954 at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston the first successful live organ donor operation occurred. Peter Bent Brigham Hospital was established in 1913 and through various mergers and amalgamations with Harvard-affiliated hospitals it became what it is today: Brigham and Women's Hospital. For 7 years my clinical appointment was just across the road at a place called Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre. Many many times I have had the privilege of being in Brigham and Women's Hospital. On 22 December 1954 23-year-old Richard Herrick was lying in his hospital bed at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and he was dying. He was dying of kidney failure; he needed a kidney. In the room next door was his brother Ronald Herrick. Ronald was going to donate his kidney the next day. Ronald was not just an ordinary brother—if you could have just an ordinary brother; Ronald was his identical twin. What they figured at that stage was that there was something about sameness something about being similar and something about similar immune systems that seemed to make a difference. They had actually tested this hypothesis. They fingerprinted both Richard and Ronald to make sure they were identical twins and then prior to the procedure—several months before—they had actually taken skin grafts off both of the brothers swapped them around and the skin grafts took. So they had every indication that maybe the surgery would take as well. On 23 December 1954 in operation room No. 2 at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital a kidney from Ronald Herrick was given to his failing brother Richard Herrick. Remember I said that at that point in time people with kidney transplants were living for maybe days—days to weeks—because of graft-host rejection. Well Richard got 8 more years of life and his brother Ronald lived through to age 89. Dr Joseph Murray who undertook the procedure that day got a Nobel Prize for his work. As well as acknowledging my colleagues here today I also want to say thank you. Thank you to the pioneers of history who gave us this opportunity to bring forward this bill which gives life to others. I commend this action to New Zealanders and it is a pleasure to commend this bill to the House.Bill read a third time.
Compensation for Live Organ Donors Bill — Third Reading
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): It is nice to be back speaking in this honourable House on a bill that I think everybody agrees on. It is a great tribute to the member behind it Chris Bishop. I think one of the most extraordinary things about living in 2016 is that it is possible for one living person to have an organ collected from their body and have that organ transplanted into another person in greater need and actually function within that person allowing them to live either a better life or in some cases to live at all beyond a certain point. I think that is one of the most extraordinary things—to live in a time when people are willing first of all to be prepared to gift an organ and second of all when it is medically possible to actually make such a gift work and make that organ function within another person's body from the one it originally grew in.Another thing about 2016 is that our Government collects taxes and does a lot of things that could be described as running a series of insurance schemes. We run insurance against accidents for example. We have insurance against bad health. Even the State funding of education might be conceived of as insurance against having parents who for one reason or another will not fund you an education—a kind of insurance policy that unborn children would be smart to take out. So if we are committed to a State that insures people against different risks that they face then why would the State's insurance not include insuring people against the need for an organ and in the case of this bill against the need for a person to gift that organ but who may be encumbered by the lack of income during the time it takes for the organ to be collected and for them to recover from that collection.So there is really not a huge amount more to say other than that this bill brings together one of the most beautiful things that people can do for another person. It includes the technology that we are lucky enough to have at this particular time in history which makes it possible to do any of this—and is that not fantastic as well? It brings together the public policy of a State that is there to insure people against genuine unanticipated misfortune and it is all brought together by a very excellent member who I think has a very large future in politics and who had the nous and the initiative to bring a member's bill to the House that would genuinely assist and help with the lives of a great many New Zealanders. So without further ado on behalf of the ACT Party I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
Points of Order — Speaker's Announcement—Construction of New Building for Parliament
Mark RonRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! A fresh point of order will be asked. I just need to warn the member that if he is in any way attempting to relitigate either the decision I made yesterday or my comment to Mr O'Rourke I will take that very seriously. RON MARK: Thank you and this is a serious point of order. I just seek for our edification how appropriations are not a matter for the business—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member is now trifling with the Chair and with the House. I invite the member if he needs a lesson on how the financial procedures of this Parliament work to come and see me immediately after—Ron Mark: Sarcasm doesn't become you sir.Mr SPEAKER: Order!Ron Mark: Sarcasm doesn't work.Mr SPEAKER: Mr Ron Mark will leave the House immediately. Ron Mark withdrew from the Chamber.
O'Rourke Denis; Carter DavidPOINTS OF ORDERUrgent Debates—Speaker's Announcement of Construction of New Parliamentary BuildingDENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In relation to your decision yesterday to decline an urgent debate under Standing Order 389 in relation to your recent announcement of a new parliamentary building can you confirm for members that you have received formal Cabinet approval to fund it?Mr SPEAKER: That is not a matter for the order of the House at all. If the member wants to come see me later on that matter I am happy to discuss it. I ruled on the urgent debate yesterday and that matter is now closed.
Tuesday 29 November 2016 (continued on Wednesday 30 November 2016) - Volume 719
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time. Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 12New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.WaiataThe House adjourned at 1.32 p.m. (Wednesday)
Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Te Atiawa Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 12New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.Waiata
Te Atiawa Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 12New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.Waiata
Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): An act of man meant that this morning my heart was in this room; an act of mother Nature meant that I was physically required to be somewhere else. So for that I apologise. I would have loved to be here this morning but in order to restore the livelihood of the people of Kaikōura I was in another place.He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata he tangata he tangata. This is a very short call. Everything has been said over many many years. I am late to the piece not only in terms of this whole process but also in terms of this morning. I do not wish to delay this celebration any further. Marama Fox spoke of a bright dawn and I just want to finish with a quote from Te Whiti and Tohu which says: Just as night is the bringer of day so too is death and struggle the bringer of life." Kia ora."
Hayes Joanne; Borrows ChesterTARANAKI IWI CLAIMS SETTLEMENT BILLThird ReadingJOANNE HAYES (Third Whip—National): I seek leave for the House to sit past 1 p.m. to the conclusion of the third reading of the Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Bill.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is put for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Borrows ChesterMr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ā tēnā koutou e Te Iwi o Ngaruahine e ngā Iwi o Te Maunga o Taranaki tēnā koutou katoa. [Acknowledgments to you the tribe of Ngaruahine and the tribes of Taranaki Mountain. Accolades to you all.] At the first reading of the Ngāruahine Claims Settlement Bill I got up and gave a speech and said that I am not allowed to give a speech so if I am not careful I will have to boot myself out of the Chamber. As I stood I heard my cousin say: Oh God. Is he going to speak? We've gotta move on." Just to acknowledge too that everything I wanted to say Te Ururoa Flavell has just said.It was recently—30 years ago; it was 18 December 1985—when I started knocking around with you guys when I came to Pātea to be the local cop. I met up with Ngāti Ruanui and Ngā Rauru not long after that and then the rest of you all around the mountain. In that time we have become pretty good mates. We have been in and out of trouble together; sometimes on the same side and sometimes on opposing sides. Nevertheless you have inspired within me a renaissance as a citizen of this country. I believe our future is bright.I thank you for the struggle that you have had. I hope that we are soon going to see the end of that as we move towards a brighter day and these things get dealt with. Nevertheless today is a day of celebration. I look forward to being in the Chair through a big chunk of that. Although you will not hear me speak again—Kelvin Davis: He wai!Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: God bless. Tēnā koutou katoa."
SpeechPEENI HENARE (Labour—Tāmaki Makaurau): Ā kia ora anō tātau: ko te amorangi ki mua ko te hāpai ō ki muri". Kua tonoa mai māku nei tō tātou karakia i te ata nei kia īnoi tātou let us pray. E Te Atua tēnei mātau āu pononga e tuku whakawhetai e tuku īnoi atu nei ki a Koe i tēnei wā kia toro mai tō ringa manaaki to ringa atawhai ki runga i a mātau e koropiko atu nei kia tau tonu mai tō wairua ki roto i ngā mahi kei mua i te aroaro o Te Whare Pāremata. E Pā tiakina mai mātau e tutuki ana i ngā mahi ki tāu hiahia ki runga i te mata o te whenua kia toro mai tō wairua kia toro mai tō mana tō kaha ki roto i ngā mahi kei mua i te aroaro kia tiakina anō e Koe te hunga kei te kāinga i tēnei wā. Ka whai whakaaro mātau tēnei Whare i a rātau e noho pani ana e noho rawakore ana e noho herehere ana i tēnei wā. E īnoi atu nei ki a Koe kia hōmai i tō kaha me tō māramatanga ki runga i a mātau katoa e īnoi atu nei. Ko ēnei īnoi katoa ka tāpae atu ki a koe i runga i te ingoa ō tāu Tama tō mātau Kaiwhakaora a Ihu Karaiti āmine. [And so acknowledgments to us once again: "the leader is in the fore and the worker is at the back". The request has come for me to conduct this service of ours this morning so let us pray. Here we are oh Lord your servants offering thanks and prayers to you at this moment in time. Extend your protective and caring hand upon us as we bow before you so that your spirit alights upon the work that is before Parliament. Protect us oh Father as we fulfil tasks according to Your wishes upon the face of the earth so that Your spirit influence and strength extends into the tasks before us and so that You also take care of the ones back home at this time. We of this House think about the bereaved the impoverished and the ones in prisons at this moment. We pray that You give us Your strength and enlightenment upon us all praying here. We place these prayers before You in the name of Thy Son our Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.]"
Flavell Te Ururoa; Tisch LindsayTUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2016(continued on Wednesday 30 November 2016)KARAKIAHon TE URUROA FLAVELL (Co-Leader—Māori Party): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker tēnā tātau katoa. I ngā rā pēnei i tēnei i ngā marama i ngā tau kua hipa kua puta te whakaaro i te mea kua tae mai ngā Māori o Te Motu ngā iwi o Te Motu ki runga o Te Whare Pāremata kua puta te tikanga kia tīmata tō tātou rā i roto i te āhuatanga o te karakia. I tēnei wā kai te īnoi atu ki Te Whare kia whakaae atu tātau ki tērā āhuatanga te tikanga ia kia waiho ake mā tēnei o tātau mā Peeni Henare tērā e tuku tētahi kupu kōrero ēngari he īnoi anō hoki kia whakatakoto i tēnei momo tikanga i mua i te aroaro o Te Business Committee hei tikanga mō ake nei kia kore ai tātau e hoki mai ki te whaiwhai haere i tēnei tikanga ā te wā nō reira i tēnei wā mō tēnei ata he īnoi ki Te Whare kia waiho ake mā Peeni Henare tō tātau karakia e tuku kia whakatau i te āhuatanga o te nohotahi ki roto i tō tātau Whare.[Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker and acknowledgments to us all. In days like this one in past months and years a view has emerged when Māori when Māori tribes of the land descend upon Parliament and the practice has emerged that our day should commence with a prayer. At this point I seek the leave of the House that we agree for that to take place essentially that we allow Peeni Henare this member amongst us to perform and utter that prayer or words on our behalf. Furthermore I seek leave also that this kind of protocol be placed before the Business Committee as a procedure to be adopted as part of the Standing Orders so that we would not have to seek leave in future but at this time and for this morning I seek leave of the House to allow Peeni Henare to give our prayer to put us at ease as we sit as one in our House.] The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Yes that is fine—Peeni Henare.
Tuesday 29 November 2016 - Volume 719
12. Wine Industry—ExportsIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsWine Industry—Exports12. IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What announcements has he made recently that support the continued growth of the New Zealand wine export market?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): I was pleased to see the near-unanimous support from this House for the successful passage of the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Amendment Bill. The bill will enable New Zealand wine and spirits makers to register the geographical origins of their products. Registration of geographical indications (GIs) will facilitate the development and protection of regional reputations for wine and spirits products within New Zealand and overseas. We have an industry that has been phenomenally successful these past few years. It was in 1998 that the industry cracked $100 million in exports. Today that figure is $1.6 billion and rising fast. We know that the country's wines already attract a premium in foreign markets. The geographical indications bill provides another tool to help the industry to preserve and build on that premium.Ian McKelvie: What will the geographical indications bill do when it comes into force?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: That is a very good question. Once the Act enters into force New Zealand wine producers will be able to apply to register their geographical indications in New Zealand. A geographical indication is a name—usually a regional name—that is used to identify the origins of goods where a certain quality reputation or other characteristic of the goods is related in an essential way to the geographical origin. Having the New Zealand GI will also make it possible for New Zealand producers to apply to register in certain key markets. If a New Zealand GI is registered in another country New Zealand wine producers will be able to take action against producers misusing it. This will help the producers to protect the premium position of New Zealand wines in overseas markets.Ian McKelvie: What has the response been from stakeholders? [Interruption]Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: I know it is sometimes painful to hear good news but New Zealand Winegrowers an organisation that has approximately 850 grower members and 700 winery members has welcomed the world-class registration system established by this Act noting that it will provide a solid platform for New Zealand wine producers to promote our wines and regions—and in international markets. This is just another step that we can take as a country to grow our export markets and to deliver jobs and opportunities for all New Zealanders.
9. Housing Auckland—Construction ProjectsALFRED NGARO (National) to the Minister for Building and HousingHousing Auckland—Construction Projects9. ALFRED NGARO (National) to the Minister for Building and Housing: What additional Auckland housing projects did he announce during last week's recess and what are the latest reports on the growth in construction across Auckland showing?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Building and Housing): Last week I announced two additions to the Crown-land programme. The first is a 120-apartment complex at Great North Road on former New Zealand Transport Agency and Housing New Zealand Corporation land all of which will be for social housing with the first house to be completed late next year and the development to be completed in 2019. I also announced a second development with local MP Alfred Ngaro on Te Atatū Peninsula where we have secured a site for an additional 60 apartments. These projects are part of the record residential building activity in Auckland that has seen growth of 32 percent over the past year on top of 4 years of 25 percent compound growth. I am doubtful of any alternative policy that claims you can grow a complex sector like building any faster than this.Alfred Ngaro: What independent measures are there to support the Government figures for the construction boom in Auckland?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: There are numerous measures such as GDP employment and consenting activity which all show Auckland is at record levels of construction. A very practical measure is the Crane Index from international firm Rider Levett Bucknall which tracks crane activity in different cities across the world. The Auckland Crane Index is at an all-time record of 64 up from 33 a year ago. This number compares with 28 in New York 40 in LA and 24 in San Francisco reinforcing that Auckland's construction boom is globally significant.Phil Twyford: Can he confirm that his own officials say that new housing supply in Auckland is currently running 8000 dwellings per year behind demand and that the shortfall of housing in Auckland is now expected to persist beyond 2030?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: No. Over the last 4 years we have had 25 percent compound growth. That is 25 percent more every year in a row for 4 years and in the last year it has grown by 32 percent. I would simply say to the member opposite that growing a sector that is as large and complex as building at those sorts of rates is actually phenomenal and shows that there is more residential building activity in Auckland right now than ever in the city's history.
7. Earthquake Recovery—Support for Primary IndustriesSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesEarthquake Recovery—Support for Primary Industries7. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What recent announcements has he made regarding support for earthquake-affected primary sectors?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): I have seen first-hand the major impact that the earthquakes have had on farmers fishers and the wine industry. For the land-based primary sector the Government has announced funding of least $5 million including a $4 million mayoral disaster relief fund to help with damage to non-insurable items such as tracks on farm bridges and water infrastructure. That will open on 1 December—this week. There is extra funding to create rural recovery coordinators support the rural support trust and mobilise skilled workers for farm recovery work and also there are rural assistance payments available through Work and Income. For the fisheries the Government has announced a temporary closure of shellfish harvesting along the earthquake-affected area and a $2 million package to investigate the impact of the earthquakes on these fisheries.Stuart Smith: How will these measures help those affected primary sectors get back on their feet?Hon NATHAN GUY: They will assist farmers and growers with critical access to isolated parts of their farms and they will help with issues like damaged water supply for their livestock. For the fisheries the temporary closures and research will help assess the extent of the losses of the affected stocks and help inform any future management decisions that need to be made. Can I take this opportunity to thank the local member for his hard work and dedication in supporting his community.
3. Economic Outlook—OECD ReportSARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill) to the Minister of FinanceEconomic Outlook—OECD Report3. SARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill) to the Minister of Finance: What international reports has he received showing New Zealand's economic growth remains robust?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): The OECD recently released its 6-month economic outlook forecasting that New Zealand will continue to grow at around 3 percent over the next 2 years. It is moved along by high net immigration rapid growth in housing construction and a flourishing tourism sector. It forecasts unemployment will drop to 4.9 percent; that wage growth is strong in construction finance and healthcare; and the OECD points out that the Government's books are in reasonable shape.Sarah Dowie: What does the OECD report say about New Zealand's fiscal position and resilience?Hon BILL ENGLISH: The OECD points to I think well-understood risks to the resilience of the New Zealand economy and those are house prices household debt and the economic prospects of our trading partners. However a number of factors maintain New Zealand's ability to deal with any external or internal economic challenges: relatively low net debt and Government surpluses. The OECD points out that New Zealand has room for further monetary policy stimulus if necessary and notes that the Reserve Bank has tightened loan-to-value ratios in the housing market.Sarah Dowie: How does New Zealand's economic and fiscal position compare with other OECD countries?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Pretty good. The OECD counts New Zealand as one of seven countries in the OECD that are on track to a fiscal surplus. Over the next 2 years New Zealand will be in the top third of OECD countries on the following measures: fiscal balance gross debt net debt GDP growth and fixed capital formation. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The level of interjection now coming from my immediate left has been continual since the start of question time. If I need to ask a member to leave to get some cooperation from my left I will certainly not hesitate to do so.Sarah Dowie: What reports has he received on the economic outlook in the United Kingdom and how does this compare with New Zealand?Hon BILL ENGLISH: We have often compared ourselves with the UK and last week it released its autumn statement. Growth in the UK has been revised down to 1.4 percent and is expected to stay below 2 percent through to 2021 while it tries to balance its budget between 2020 and 2025. Where the New Zealand Government's net debt is tracking down to 20 percent of GDP the UK net debt is now expected to peak at 90 percent of GDP in 2018.
Children Young Persons and Their Families (Advocacy Workforce and Age Settings) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Lees-Galloway Iain; Tisch LindsayIAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North): We have made very good progress today and it would seem unfair to require a member to start their contribution less than 2 minutes before the House rises so I seek leave for the House to rise at this point.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is no objection.Debate interrupted.Sitting suspended from 9.59 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Wednesday)
Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act 2016 Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Twyford PhilPHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū): Not much remains to be said in this debate so I will keep my contribution short. This bill I think has attracted a lot of agreement and support from around the House—both process and content. It is a small part of the much bigger broader response to the quake recovery and transition stage but it will allow councils in areas that have buildings that are affected by earthquakes and other disasters to require assessments of those buildings.We support this bill. There is much more beyond the scope of this bill that needs to be done in terms of determining the lessons that can be learnt about why for example in Wellington so many relatively modern buildings sustained such serious damage; real questions about the standard and the quality of compliance with the building code and the standards within the code; and interestingly in Wellington I think why such a high proportion of the affected buildings are government buildings—publicly owned or publicly tenanted buildings. That is an interesting question that I hope Dr Nick Smith's inquiry will shed some light on.Really I think it is the Wellington experience that has prompted the need for this bill: where you have got a CBD that was still working soon after the quakes but the map is peppered with buildings that were affected with serious damage emptied of tenants and cordoned off. It is vitally important that the public can have confidence that the authorities are on top of the situation and can very quickly determine whether or not buildings are safe for the people in and around them. I give credit to the Acting Minister of Civil Defence and all the parties I think for working on this bill getting it together making the necessary improvements and taking it through the House.Bill read a third time.
Doocey MattMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri): It is a pleasure to rise in support of the third reading of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act 2016 Amendment Bill. From a proud born and bred Cantabrian who for many years pronounced it as Kaikora" it was always a great trip up to Kaikōura; but alas we learn over time and I am happy to now attempt to pronounce it "Kaikōura".Hon Member: Come on.MATT DOOCEY: I am getting there. [Interruption] We Cantabrians learn slowly but we do get there. Could I just acknowledge the MP for Kaikōura Stuart Smith for the fantastic work he is doing on the ground.As a North Canterbury resident it was quite a shake in the early hours of that Monday morning. Your initial fears are for your family and then you start thinking about your local towns that you live in in my electorate Kaiapoi Rangiora Pegasus Waikuku Woodend. There were many fears based on the previous experience we have had—the earthquakes in 2010 and in 2011. Of course we lost a lot of housing in the first earthquakes in 2010 in Kaiapoi. But I must say thanks to building owners and the Waimakariri District Council where there are a lot of investments into upgrades and it has increased our capacity to cope.This bill is based on building assessments. In the first earthquakes Rangiora was still having problems with buildings that were open a year after the earthquakes so it is right that we are focusing on building assessments. It is a great bill. I commend it to the House."
Sage EugenieEUGENIE SAGE (Green): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. Thank you. Like the previous speaker I am not going to rehash provisions of the bill in this third reading but I would like to place on record our thanks to all of the professionals in Kaikōura North Canterbury and Marlborough who are working so hard to deal with the aftermath of the earthquakes. People like the scientist Dr Kelvin Berryman who has been on video just explaining the whole process of the uplift on the coast—helping us to understand the energy that the quakes released the damage that that has done and assisting people working to reopen the road. People like all of the professionals from the Canterbury District Health Board who are there having experienced the Canterbury earthquakes knowing how to respond and working alongside people in Kaikōura.Going down to the new council building about 10 days ago—and that is now the hub of the civil defence activity—an enormous number of people there are putting in very long hours to provide that practical support to the community working alongside a lot of volunteers in the Fire Service and elsewhere. There are all of the folk on the marae who provided such enormous hospitality and support for a lot of tourists and others and the large number of public servants here in Wellington who put in a lot of time developing and drafting this legislation. I would also like again to acknowledge the Minister and his consultation and councils such as Waimakariri which have provided staff to work alongside the very small Kaikōura District Council to share their experience of responding and the best ways of the community and the council working to pick up the pieces after the quake.Given the collaborative nature in which this bill has developed I would encourage the Government with the national emergency response—the bill that is going to come into the House later—to produce an exposure draft. That is because where there is an opportunity for all parties and stakeholders to comment on that before it goes formally into the House it develops better law we have a better and more constructive debate around the provisions and it is just generally better informed. So this process with this small but important bill has been a good one and I think with that thank you.
Hudson Brett; Tisch LindsayBRETT HUDSON (National): It is a pleasure to rise in what appears to be a speedy and successful conclusion of this very important bill. I would like to acknowledge Minister Brownlee and the other members across the House including Mr Parker who have worked together very constructively to bring us to where we are. In fact Mr Parker's position helped to make a good bill that much better. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of my colleague Stuart Smith who has responded extremely well for his local communities. He has been there to support them to listen to them and to give them a very very strong voice back into Government. I could take an opportunity to rehash the provisions of the bill but I think at this stage actually what is best is that we conclude this business so that our authorities can get on with helping people to recover from the earthquakes. I commend this bill to the House.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call. Eugenie Sage—5 minutes.
Foster-Bell PaulPAUL FOSTER-BELL (National): E Te Māngai o Te Whare pō mārie. In speaking in this third reading debate on the Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act 2016 Amendment Bill I want to join with other members from across the House in congratulating in particular the Acting Minister of Civil Defence Gerry Brownlee whose indefatigable efforts have steered us through the very worst and most dangerous aspects of this disaster situation. I do also want to pay tribute to my friend and colleague Stuart Smith the local member for Kaikōura whose tireless and monumental hard work up and down that electorate I think has been acknowledged widely by members of the public.In referring to the provisions of the bill in front of us I think it is a tribute to the Minister who drafted the initial legislation the Hon Nikki Kaye that so little in the way of change is required to cope with this situation. We are bringing forward the commencement date and there is that change that members have extensively canvassed that gives the power for regional controllers and constables to require landlords and building owners—the vast majority of whom are very responsible but for those tiny minority who are irresponsible—to undertake those engineering assessments to make sure that our apartment dwellers and the businesses that are in those buildings are safe as every Kiwi has the right to be. It is a very good bill. It is very timely. I will not take up any more time. I commend it.
Smith StuartSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura): One thing about civil defence emergencies that we can all be sure of is that we have a plan an emergency comes along and then we find a lot of shortcomings so that we have to then virtually tear up the plan and start again. That is what we are doing here with this legislation. No doubt when another emergency comes along we will find shortcomings in the legislation again and we will have to go through the whole process again.We should not be apologising for that—that is good process and it is something that we have to do. Every emergency is different and we need to react to them all slightly differently. What we really need from our legislation is enough flexibility for the officials and civil defence to act appropriately at the time and get through that emergency and we then tidy up the legislation for the next one. I would like to acknowledge as others speakers have the Hon David Parker's contribution with his amendment. It is quite right to iron out all those crinkles if we can and it is good due process. I will not take any more of the House's time. I commend this very fine bill to the House. Thank you.
Brownlee GerryThird ReadingHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Acting Minister of Civil Defence): I move That the Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act 2016 Amendment Bill be now read a third time. There has been a lot of commentary made in the House over the last few hours as we have passed this bill to this point. I just want to take this time to acknowledge the officials who have worked very hard on this but also to acknowledge the civil defence officials and groups throughout the northern part of the South Island and here in Wellington who have worked so well over the last couple of weeks to try to make things a little easier for those who are most affected. I also want to acknowledge the many contractors the many engineers and the many other people involved in assessment and doing things for the work that they have done and alongside them of course the New Zealand Defence Force and some of our friends from visiting navies throughout the world who also helped at this difficult time for the people of Kaikōura Hurunui and Wellington districts as well as some parts of Marlborough.This bill passing tonight—as I am sure it will—will enable Parliament to respond to the needs of communities up and down that part of the country who are most in need. I want to thank the House for allowing this urgency motion today. It is not something that the House does lightly. Periodically the Government will determine that in our opinion something needs to go through more quickly than usual. It is seldom that you get the whole House agreeing like that and I think that indicates the goodwill that has been demonstrated here.This is a bill that enables us to now move into transition from the state of emergency. It will allow greater focus on recovery and it will ensure that particularly here in Wellington where there are concerns about buildings those concerns can be known and actions taken to ensure that people who use those buildings are in as safe a situation as possible. I commend the bill to the House.
Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act 2016 Amendment Bill — In Committee
Logie JanJAN LOGIE (Green): This will just be a short contribution. I am wanting to get some clarification from the Minister Gerry Brownlee actually just so it is on the record and so that it is clear in my head and I can be 100 percent sure that I do understand the full implications of some of the provisions in the bill. Before raising those questions I do want to say that we will be supporting the amendment in David Parker's name which clarifies the policy intent that appeals to the District Court will not stay the process of assessment until that is resolved. That is absolutely clarifying the intent as we understood it. I am just wanting to—and it kind of actually goes to the heart of it really. We have had explained to us that the provision to enable councils to request an assessment put a time frame on it and get the report back—that they do not have that power at the moment and that they need it and that at the moment the only provision we really have covering properties is residential tenancies and health and safety. I guess it was just that I wanted to be clear in terms of the original Act and in Christchurch and was wondering why we would not have had this come up as being identified as a problem in Canterbury.I understand that in the amended legislation that we are bringing forward there is a power to require information and the ability to have entry to premises and places and I wanted to know whether this bill is about putting the requirement on the building owner and for them to be covering the costs of those assessments as I would support as a running cost of having a structure or a business—that we could have that reasonable expectation of them providing that assurance of safety.But I do just want to be clear—if my understanding is right—that there is an ability with this bill for a council in either a state of an emergency or in a formal recovery stage to be able to do its own assessment and this will add the ability to require somebody to do it themselves. That is my question. Thank you Minister Brownlee.
Ross Jami-Lee; Borrows ChesterIn CommitteeJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I seek leave for all clauses in this bill to be debated as one question.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Leave is put for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act 2016 Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Bishop ChrisCHRIS BISHOP (National): This is my first opportunity in the House to pay tribute to my friend and colleague Stuart Smith. I just want to place on the record—into the Hansard—what is I think the widespread admiration of the whole House actually for the great work that Mr Smith is doing down in Kaikōura his electorate. Obviously as a Hutt Valley - based MP I say we have not been immune to the damage wrought by the earthquakes of 14 November but it is certainly true to say that the Kaikōura region Culverden and the areas listed by other speakers so far tonight have definitely been the worst affected. We have all seen the video Stuart and we have all seen the photos online. I think most people in America have seen the video and some of the photos on CNN. We really appreciate all the hard work you are doing.Other speakers have canvassed the main substantive provisions of this piece of legislation. I think it is a sensible and pragmatic response to what we are faced with. I think it is fair to say that this is Parliament really working at its best. I think I made that point in my first reading speech on this piece of legislation. It is really great that the parties have been able to come together in a collegial way in a consensus-driven way to try to come up with something that everyone can support. You really want to put party politics aside in these circumstances. I think speakers opposite throughout the course of the first and second reading debates have paid tribute to the hard work of the Government to try to shape that consensus and I think that is a good thing. The Acting Minister of Civil Defence Gerry Brownlee and his colleagues have shaped this legislation—the trio of bills that the House is considering—with that in mind. I think that is all to the good. With those brief remarks I want to commend this bill to the House at its second reading.