Simmonds PennyREGULATORY SYSTEMS (EDUCATION) AMENDMENT BILLThird ReadingHon PENNY SIMMONDS (Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills) on behalf of the Minister of Education: I present a legislative statement on the Regulatory Systems (Education) Amendment Bill.DEPUTY SPEAKER: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the Parliament website.Hon PENNY SIMMONDS: I move That the Regulatory Systems (Education) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.I want to start by thanking those who took the time to make submissions on the changes proposed in this bill and my fellow Education and Workforce Committee members who considered the bill of which both the Minister of Education and I had the privilege of being a member during that process.This bill was introduced back in March 2023 and makes technical changes to improve the effectiveness of education regulatory systems. The bill makes changes to two education Acts: the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Act 1945 and the Pacific Education Foundation Act 1972. There are also minor technical changes to the regulations.The bill firstly makes two changes to the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Act 1945 to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it continues the legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion into the future. The Ngarimu scholarships are an important aspect of our education system as they commemorate the heroes of the 28th Māori Battalion and recognise the importance of ensuring the continuation and prosperity of te reo Māori and of Māori history tradition and culture for future generations.For some time there has been legal confusion over who can manage the use of the Māori Battalion's name and emblems. This was previously a role of the Māori Battalion Association but that organisation was wound up in 2012. The bill clarifies that the scholarship fund board is the legal successor to the association and that its functions include administering the use of both the battalion and association's names and emblems. The bill also creates a new position on the Ngārimu board appointed by the Governor-General which can be held by a person of Māori descent who has served or is currently serving in the New Zealand Armed Forces.Right now there is one remaining soldier from the 28th Māori Battalion: Tā Robert Gillies.The creation of this new position will preserve the military legacy and provide representation for Māori soldiers who have served or who continue to serve for New Zealand.The bill also makes several changes to the Pacific Education Foundation Act 1972 which supports the functions of the Pacific Education Foundation. The foundation was established to promote and encourage strong education outcomes for Pacific peoples within New Zealand and to provide financial support for that purpose. One of these key changes is to expand the list of Pacific places included in the definition of a Pacific person who can receive some of the supports and grants which are administered by the board of the foundation. These supports and grants include the Pacific Education Foundation scholarships and the Tulī Takes Flight scholarships which reduce some of the financial barriers towards study or training. This change will better reflect the changing population of Pacific people in New Zealand and it will mean that more Pacific learners living in New Zealand will be eligible for support from the foundation. The bill enables the Governor-General to update the list of Pacific places through an Order in Council and sets out factors that the Minister of Education must take into account when making a recommendation to the Governor-General to make changes to the list.The bill also updates the Pacific Education Foundation Board's purpose and membership to enable it to function more effectively. These changes include clarifying the role the foundation has in providing information and advice to the Minister of Education the Ministry of Education and other education agencies on matters related to the educational success of Pacific people and increasing community representation on the board.The bill also amends the Pacific Education Foundation Act to recognise the unique and important relationship the Crown has with the Realm of New Zealand countries Tokelau Niue and the Cook Islands; and with Samoa through the Treaty of Friendship.Finally the bill updates the foundation's authorised expenditure for purposes not specifically identified in the Act from $500 to $10000 per year which has not been updated since 1972. This change adjusts the $500 value by inflation to reflect the value in today's terms.In addition to these changes the bill also makes technical amendments to regulations that impact the education sector. The first of these is an amendment to the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 to require a police vet and a risk assessment to be undertaken for workers at limited-attendance childcare centres before they begin work. This is consistent with other children's worker requirements. The second is to update the Children's (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children's Workers) Regulations 2015 to include a reference to the Kiwi Access Card as an acceptable form of identity reflecting the name change of the 18+ Card.I support progressing this bill through the House. It will update and modernise our education regulatory system and make changes that uphold the mana and legacy of the Ngarimu VC and 28th Māori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund and strengthen the Pacific Education Foundation so that it can support great educational outcomes for Pacific learners and families living in New Zealand. Once again I thank everyone that made submissions on this bill and my fellow Education and Workforce Committee members for their careful consideration of this bill. I commend the Regulatory Systems (Education) Amendment Bill to the House.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.