Upston LouiseHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm pleased to open this debate on behalf of the National Party. For those of you who have just tuned in this is the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society Empowering Bill in the first reading. It is a private bill that is very much focused on the showgrounds in Hawke's Bay and it is in the name of the Hon Meka Whaitiri. This is a piece of legislation that National will of course be supporting.I've had the fortunate opportunity to spend a reasonable amount of time in the Hawke's Bay over the last couple of years and attending actually the A & P show recently just reminds us how important these A & P societies are but also how different times are from the original legislation or the legislation that currently guides the sale and use of any proceeds because it goes back to 1908. So of course the activity of the society is very different and what we don't want to see is the proceeds of the agreed sale of the 42.8 hectares—or under agreement I should say to the Hastings District Council; that's an unconditional sale—being restricted so it can only be used for another land purchase as that doesn't make sense in this day and age. Instead the society need to have the opportunity to use those proceeds for other purposes that mean the society is able to function and function well in the modern environment.Of course part of the legislation or the agreement would protect 10 days of use of the land for the A & P society for four very significant shows—of course the annual A & P show which I was fortunate to take leader Christopher Luxon to recently and I think it's always fantastic to see that our rural communities are in very strong heart. Of course I saw parliamentary colleagues from across the House. Everybody recognises how fundamental A & P societies are and how important those major agricultural events are to our communities. Actually I look at other parts of New Zealand where they have disappeared so it is really important that we are able to do our bit through legislation to enable them and this is absolutely enabling legislation.I just want to backtrack through some of the history to make sure that those listening to this debate understand there is widespread agreement to this piece of legislation. When the Hastings District Council first proposed this arrangement ahead of the $7.5 million unconditional purchase price they did go out to the community and 93 percent of the submitters were supportive. So yes this piece of legislation will go through a full select committee process. I'd encourage anyone who has a view—for against or indifferent—to submit. That's a really important way of the community being satisfied that it is with their wishes. The member who led off the first reading on behalf of the Hon Meka Whaitiri did indicate that it would be a shorter report back but it is not a truncated process in terms of triggering certain procedures. So we are anticipating there'll be submissions but because the Hastings District Council have already done a significant amount of consultation with 93 percent in support I don't expect that there'll be much contention as it works its way through the select committee process.National members will of course be supportive of progressing this legislation just as we did with the most similar example to this in Southland back in 2006. There was a similar piece of legislation back then that was in the name of National MP Eric Roy the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association Empowering Bill. This is mirroring it very very closely. National members don't have any concerns about it. We want to make sure that the proceeds of the sale are able to be used more flexibly for the society to make sure that the advantages—and they can proceed with ensuring that the purposes and objectives of the society are met without the constraint that the proceeds have to mean purchasing land.Of course the land that is going to be transferred into the ownership of the Hastings District Council the 40 hectares will be then converted into a reserve and managed like every other council reserve under a reserves management plan. Of course the community will be consulted on that. The other party that will be involved with that will be the Waipatu Marae and they have of course written supporting letters in support of this legislation which is really important. So the letters of support that accompany this bill are from the society themselves from the Hastings District Council and from Waipatu Marae as I said.So National's very happy to support this legislation to enable the society to fulfil its purposes and functions but recognise in this day and age it doesn't need the land holding that it has currently and it can use the proceeds for other purposes. So I'm pleased to support this bill and indicate National's support in its first reading.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The question is that the motion be agreed to.