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Ngarewa-Packer DebbieDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori): Tēnā koe e te Pīka. First of all I want to commend the Government for moving towards making some of the steps that they have and there are some policies that actually we do support and are grateful that you adopted them. There are some things also as you know that we have been very vocal on and that is the fact that you have lacked ambition. In our mind as tangata whenua there are some things that we would like to seek clarity on and in fact critique.You say in enabling equitable transition for Māori led by Māori—which I think we say by Māori for Māori"—the plan includes Māori and Government working together. That is Te Tiriti. That is what Te Tiriti articles 2 and 3 already propose; so that's not new. Develop a Māori climate strategy and action plan: that again is in Te Tiriti in articles 2 and 3 our rights and interests. Ensure the right funding and resourcing for community action kaupapa Māori tangata Māori actions and solution: it's really great but we've consistently called to this Government to fund the support to transition to regenerative agriculture but nowhere in this have we seen this. In fact what you've done is gone far beyond giving a free pass to agriculture who now they are subsidising their inaction on methane to the tune of $710 million. Crazy.So let's get on with this and understand why we need a new research centre. To knowledge we actually have one. We know that works. Price methane immediately. Phase out nitrogen fertilisers. Cut herd sizes. I know it all sounds very radical but we could just get on with this.Under this Government's plan farmers won't pay anything into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) but will take hundreds of millions of dollars out of the ETS subsidising their continued pollution. This is exactly what an unjust unequal and ineffective transition looks like. Absolute shame.There is so much that you could have done that we haven't seen. I think one of the other things is that nowhere in the area does the plan have the level of ambition in clearing this in transport with Government failing to prioritise free and accessible public transport. Where is the detail for grassroots low-income whānau to be able to support and transition into electric vehicles? Nowhere. In fact we saw this last week with the same with forestry. There is nothing here that takes into consideration the state of tangata whenua the cost of living and the strain that our people are enduring because of this Government's inaction to address poverty and to address equities in the climate space. Disappointing.However—and we were really interested to see that Greenpeace were supporting the same call as Te Paati Māori; I guess this is the bonus of being tangata whenua active kaitiaki. So I really do want to ask that we have something a little bit more ambitious something that targets something that's really into action now and not into action further down the line and actually impress that this Government be more bold in what it is that it's saying it's going to do and stop placating the medium voters. Kia ora koutou katoa."
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK:Petition of Hannah Blumhardt requesting that the House call on the Government to ban single-use disposable food and drink serviceware and use waste legislation and targeted investment to require and support the implementation of accessible reusable alternative systems insteadpetition of Sunday Blessings requesting that the House implement legislative and policy reforms to recognise that adequate food supply is a fundamental human right.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. A paper has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Ministry for the Environment response to the Climate Change Commission's advice on setting emissions budgets.SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House. Select Committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK:Reports of the Health Committee on the petition of Angela Meyer and the petition of Renate Schuttereport of the Justice Committee on the Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Billreports of the Petitions Committee on the petitions of Alexandra Johnston Annalice Rayner and Meridy Boyd-Clarkreport of the Regulations Review Committee on the Complaint about Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008.SPEAKER: The bill is set down for second reading. The report of the Regulations Review Committee is set down for consideration.
McKelvie IanTUESDAY 17 MAY 2022The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSIAN McKELVIE (Assistant Speaker): Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen 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.
Thursday 12 May 2022 - Volume 759
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the amendments recommended by the Finance and Expenditure Committee by majority be agreed to.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 42New Zealand National 32; ACT New Zealand 10.Amendments agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 42New Zealand National 32; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.SPEAKER: The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. Tuesday 17 May 2022. Have a good weekend everybody.The House adjourned at 4.58 p.m.
Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 42New Zealand National 32; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
8. Question No. 8—TransportNAISI CHEN (Labour) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 8—Transport8. NAISI CHEN (Labour) to the Minister of Transport: What recent reports has he seen on the impact of the Government's half-price public transport scheme?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): In March the Government moved swiftly to announce a reduction in fuel excise duty and road-user charges in response to rapidly escalating fuel prices brought about as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As a part of that package we also funded half-price public transport fares across New Zealand to provide more options for commuters to get around. The response from Kiwis has been extremely positive. Auckland public transport use last week was 29 percent higher than the day before the fare reduction came into effect reaching its highest levels since before the August lockdown last year. Wellington bus use is up 24 percent over the same period and Christchurch is up by 21 percent. While there are likely to be a number of factors driving this recovery in public transport patronage the early evidence is that half-price fares are supporting more people to give public transport a go helping to reduce congestion and emissions.Naisi Chen: What recent reports has he seen on the impact of the scheme on inter-regional rail services?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Inter-regional rail has seen strong increases over the last two months since the fare reductions were announced. Demand for the Capital Connection has increased 90 percent in April compared to March 2022. And everyone's favourite inter-regional rail service Te Huia saw services over April nearly triple in demand with the highest average number of weekday passengers on Te Huia—Andrew Bayly: Three people to nine.Hon MICHAEL WOOD: —ever.SPEAKER: Well that does come pretty close to misleading the House; just a bit of a warning to the member. Naisi Chen: What if any are the benefits of half-price public transport fares?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Not only does the reduction in fares promote public—[Member cheers]SPEAKER: Order! Order! I don't know why Mr Bayly is joining the rest of the B"s in their noisiness. Can he just settle down please.Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Not only does the reduction in fares promote public transport as a more viable option for Kiwi families it also takes cars off the road leading to fewer cars on the road cleaner air and less noise and air pollution. Ahead of the emissions reduction plan released next week it is more important than ever to have effective reliable and accessible public transport services in place. Our Government is committed to ensuring that public transport is supported is funded and is promoted to give Kiwis real transport choices."
6. Question No. 6—ImmigrationIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of ImmigrationQuestion No. 6—Immigration6. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of Immigration: What recent announcements has he made about the Immigration Rebalance plan?Hon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Immigration): Noa'ia Mr Speaker yesterday the Government announced alongside the full opening of the border two months ahead of schedule a rebalance of our immigration settings. These settings will provide significantly simplified processes and support a higher-wage higher-productivity economy. The accredited employer work visa will reduce the number of visa categories from six to one resulting in a simplified system for both employers and workers. The Green List will provide a new streamlined pathway to residency for those globally hard-to-fill roles as well as a clear work-to-residence pathway incentivising and attracting high-skilled migrants to New Zealand and giving more certainty to our businesses and migrants. More broadly the rebalance will make it easier to attract higher-skilled migrants while supporting some sectors to transition away from their reliance on lower-paid migrant workers which we know has become unsustainable.Ibrahim Omer: How will the immigration rebalance provide support to New Zealand's economic recovery?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: By making it easier to attract higher-skilled migrants and supporting some sectors to transition away from their reliance on lower-paid migrant workers New Zealand is better supported on a path to economic recovery. New Zealand cannot return to the pre-pandemic trends that saw us overly reliant on growing numbers of lower-paid workers and resulted in the increased exploitation of migrants. COVID-19 has showed us that that is not a sustainable model. For the past decade our immigration settings haven't encouraged businesses to invest in people and technology because it has been cheaper and easier for many businesses to hire low-paid migrants. The immigration rebalance will help lift working conditions for everyone improve career pathways for New Zealanders and encourage businesses to focus on increasing productivity and resilience as part of our plans for economic recovery from the pandemic.Ibrahim Omer: What transitional supports will be made available to employers?Hon KRIS FAAFOI: Well we acknowledge that these changes cannot happen overnight. There are some industries that have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic which is why the Government has agreed to temporarily exempt tourism and hospitality businesses from paying the median wage to recruit migrants on an accredited employer work visa into most roles. Additionally new sector agreements provide access for specified sectors to lower-paid migrant workers which is in addition to those employers being able to continue to access working holiday-makers at any wage. Finally around 20000 visa holders with visas expiring before the end of 2023 are being granted either a six-month extension or a new two-year visa with open work conditions so they and their employers won't be affected by these changes and we can keep the skills that we need within the country.
Edmonds BarbaraBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) (remote): Thank you Mr Speaker. Look I just want to be able to finish the end of the parliamentary week with a really short call.This bill is all about improving the conduct of banks and insurance companies. The submissions that were heard in the previous term were all about asking banks and insurers to treat consumers fairly. They wanted us to improve the trust and confidence in the financial market and one of the small changes that the select committee made which I think should provide some assurance to the House—because this is a new regime; however it was a regime that had to fill a gap because there is no fair conduct across the board for all banks and for all insurers—and that's the statutory review of this regime.I have to applaud the Finance and Expenditure Committee who've now recommended in clause 9 to insert a statutory review within five years and to be completed within seven years.So on that point I'd like to commend this bill to the House and wish everybody a good Friday.
Roberts AngelaANGELA ROBERTS (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. It is my pleasure to take a short call on this bill and remind people in this House unsurprisingly given that it is a Labour Government that this might look like it's about money and finances but actually it's about people.This bill is about people; this is about making sure that we have better support to improve conduct and culture for our banks and insurers. This is about making sure that the people who work in those institutions are supported to do the best that they can for their customers and about looking after those customers.When I was a kid my dad worked at the ANZ bank in Molesworth Street—yes back when we had little branches all over the city—and I remember his pride at being able to bring his expertise to his clients when they were discussing their potential mortgage or other financial contracts that they were considering entering into and really supporting those people to make the best decisions possible. Because the implications if you get it wrong can be incredibly difficult for those involved.I'm really pleased to see this bill that brings some humanity back to the sector. I commend the bill to the House.
Bennett DavidHon DAVID BENNETT (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. The National Party will oppose this bill. It does have some aspects of it which the Minister is making out to be in the best interests of New Zealand consumers but we just don't think it's needed at this time. And really if the Labour Party actually wanted to do something for consumers it would do something to support their interests and their ability for business to get on and actually rebuild this country after the COVID experience. This bill as we see here follows reviews that have been into the conduct and culture and it's a small change compared with what's actually going on in the community today. And if we look at the Government's announcement around immigration today really saying they're open for business but at the same time restricting the ability of New Zealand businesses to get staff in—[Interruption]. I know Mr Speaker that you're raising my attention to the bill but what I'm saying is that the bill in its context is only small fry when we've actually got businesses that are falling over and really need help and we need an economy that's growing. SPEAKER: The member's had his introductory comments. He will now talk on the bill.Hon DAVID BENNETT: Yeah and so what I'm saying is that's why the National Party will be opposing this bill: because we think there are more structural things that the time of this House should be used on in making better decisions for New Zealand going forward. So we do oppose this bill.
White HelenHELEN WHITE (Labour): I'm pleased to rise in support of this bill. I think if we just take a very simple example I might be able to add to the debate.I remember a time when people were being charged for insurance for something that ACC covered. So they were paying money they didn't need to pay for something they were going to get in another way. It felt like trickery because it was trickery and it wasn't helped by things like incentive payments which made that absolutely tempting for people within the industry. I'm glad to see principles like this come into our law and be expected of our people because these things hurt real people.I'm glad that the National Party and ACT seem to be enthusiastic about extending this legislation to others because that's actually what we do need to do—work on a greater and greater expectation of reasonable things for people and reasonable conduct. This bill does that and I'm proud to support it.
Omer IbrahimIBRAHIM OMER (Labour): Mr Speaker thank you. It's a pleasure to rise to take the last call on the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill. This bill underpins the Government's view that ongoing sustainable and responsible pastoral farming is the best way for this land to be managed. This bill also recognises the place of pastoral farming as a legitimate use of the land while protecting the unique importance and the value of our high country to New Zealand and all New Zealanders. This bill is part of measures this Government is taking to keep Aotearoa New Zealand clean and green. While this list is big I'd like to highlight some of these measures. Our Jobs for Nature fund which is helping to drive our economic recovery to revitalise our regions and restore our environments—the package is set to create thousands of jobs in our regions while improving fresh water and enhancing biodiversity on public and private land. We are making sure future generations can enjoy our native species and scenery by taking action to protect endangered species such as Māui dolphins and Hector's dolphins. We also do this by combatting kauri dieback disease expanding predator control to make Aotearoa predator-free by 2050 and cleaning up our rivers and lakes. We have banned single-use plastic bags and are committed to phasing out more single-use plastics. The list goes on but these are exciting measures being taken to preserve the beauty of our country and make it liveable for future generations.We are a farming nation. Opposite to what the Opposition claims we actually do care about our farmers and we highly value them accordingly. They are the backbone of our economy and our nation—hence we are making sure that climate change is a priority. Actually I want to remind the House that not acting on the environment and climate change is not—I just want to give them an example. For example in East Africa climate change was never a priority. Now we've got drought for the last three years with very limited rain and as a result millions of livestock have died and the people are suffering and entirely depending on aid. So not acting is not a solution. But luckily on this side of the House we are responsible we are sensible and we are working to futureproof our pastoral land. Simply we are putting our environment at the centre of our thinking—it's the asset that underpins our wellbeing identity livestock and livelihoods. Our farmers and our land—New Zealand—deserve better and I commend this bill to the House.
Simmonds Penny; Mallard TrevorPENNY SIMMONDS (National—Invercargill): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to speak in opposition to the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill in this its third reading. This spectacular part of our country—1.2 million hectares of our land—is 5 percent of New Zealand's total land area. Under Crown ownership we know that historically this land was neglected and eroded. It's only been under permanent tenures on the land that our high country farmers have been able to repair it and tend to it over generations. Contrary to what this Government promotes about farming farmers are conservationists farmers are environmentalists and farmers are genuine in their concern for animal welfare but this Government does not trust farmers. When we started looking at this legislation as my colleague Nicola Grigg said many of us went to visit several high country farms. One area that I've been familiar with for many years is around Tekapō. I spent a lot of time there when I was in the territorial army and so I was pleased go back and visit the station around there. This is magnificent land and we were there on a magnificent day with the big blue sky and the bright sunshine and the crisp air. We were shown the wonderful vista of the stations along this high country area and as we were looking my eye was drawn to the left of the vista and I thought Oh my goodness here's one of our high country farmers letting us down badly." Here was land covered in wilding pines with gorse and broom next to this pristine farmed and well-managed pastoral land. I asked "Whose station is that to our left?" The answer was "That's DOC land." and the contrast could not have been more stark. The boundary was where it went from being well-managed sensibly stocked carefully managed farming pastoral land to land that was being left to wilding pines to gorse and to broom and it was an absolute eyesore.This bill is about an ideology of whether the Crown knows best how to look after this important part of our country or whether it's experienced intergenerational farmers who have looked after this country and I can tell you that as I stood there the answer was clear. These precious parts of our country are by far better being looking after by farmers who understand the nature of how to look after these pastoral areas.The Crown is repaying farmers for their hard work and their caretaking of this precious land by eroding the property rights of their pastoral leases. They will not improve environmental outcomes and they will not enhance pastoral farming through this legislation but as I listened to our Green Party MP speak about this I don't think she mentioned farming. She mentioned tourism and she mentioned water and so ideologically it is very clear that she does not see a future for farming on this land. That is a sad day for New Zealand because anyone who has driven through our central South Island will know how—SPEAKER: Order! The member's time has expired."
Eagle PaulPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to be talking on this the third reading of the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill. Whilst some might think there's not too much farmland in the Rongotai electorate there's plenty for my Barbour gumboots on the Chatham Islands and so it's good to just be taking a short call on this and I've been listening closely. I want to thank the Environment Committee and those who have done the consultation with the farmers and those families impacted. There are a couple of points that I wanted to just pull out and that was this review carried out by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) in 2018 which attributed much of the concerns to—and look I'll just read it out: unclear system outcomes a lack of transparency and accountability and a limited understanding about the cumulative impacts of the Commissioner's decision-making over time." So look I think these are a valid concerns and 2018—that's some years ago. The heart of this has been the concerns about the process of tenure review—and that's been talked about—which has resulted in much of the former Crown pastoral land being freehold and then often subject to more intensive farming.So I wanted to pick some of this up because I thought OK what does this bill do in terms of then clarifying things like LINZ's responsibility to ensure that the goals are met and to make explicit those responsibilities in terms of recognising the relationship between ourselves as the Crown and tangata whenua for example and the need to provide for that in the relationship picking up those transparency and accountability issues and then ensuring that decision making alongside increased public participation. So there's been a review or there's been some issues that have been identified five years ago now. This process has come in and picked up some of those things so that process has therefore pulled together this resulting bill.I've talked to members on the select committee who said that these are small in numbers but those families who are impacted have been there for a very very long time—"intergenerational" is the term that has been used. But I know that this Government's firmly held belief is that that ongoing and sustainable and responsible pastoral farming is the best way for Crown pastoral land to be managed and I've picked this up from the reading and from what others have told me in terms of talking to it. So I don't think this is just any piece of legislation as has been said but it does seek to protect our whenua for those future generations. It's doing things differently but recognising and enabling the need for ongoing pastoral farming.I'm going to just say that there seems to be some legitimacy here. It's been pulled through a process. Not everyone will always be happy but I think the outcome based on what this Government's beliefs are is commendable and I commend this bill to the House."
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No bills have been introduced. A petition has been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Sina Yazdanshenas Shad requesting that the House urge the Government to entirely ban hunting in Aotearoa New Zealand.SPEAKER: That petition stands referred to the Petitions Committee.Ministers have delivered papers.CLERK: Te Ariki Trust audit reports for 2017 to 2020Government response to the report of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee on the international treaty examination of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure.SPEAKER: Those papers are published under the authority of the House.A select committee report has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Regulations Review Committee on the examination of COVID-19 orders presented between 19 and 22 April 2022.SPEAKER: The report is set down for consideration.
Brownlee GerryHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National): Point of order. Now Mr Speaker could I ask that you have a look at that question 13171 given the answer that the Deputy Leader of the House gave today? It does pose a problem that if a question is asked in English and then replied to in te reo there is a whole process that someone who is not proficient in te reo would need to go to to get that answer. That would seem to me a little bit of an impediment to the House seeking the information that it's able to under the Standing Orders. So I wonder if you could have a look at that issue of whether or not there should be a dual answer provided.SPEAKER: Well I'm happy to look at it but if I was the member I wouldn't get my hopes up. There are available a number of interpreters in the building if members feel that it's necessary to avail themselves of it—in either direction.
Shaw James; Wood MichaelHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): Thank you Mr Speaker. I wonder if the Deputy Leader of the House has had a chance to glance meaningfully across the room at the Minister for primary industries to see about progress on the Organic Products Bill. Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House): Naturally after the member raised that issue with me the last time I did in fact have cause to raise this issue with the Minister for primary industry and he reports to me that good progress has been made in bringing that piece of legislation back to the House. I strongly encourage Mr O'Connor and Mr Shaw to sit together over a trim organic llama milk and chia seed flat white to discuss this matter in more detail so that Mr O'Connor can impart more detail to that member.
Wood Michael; Brownlee GerryBUSINESS STATEMENTHon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House): Next Thursday is Budget day. The Minister of Finance will deliver the Budget statement followed by party leaders opening the Budget debate. Urgency will then be moved. Earlier in the week the House will consider a motion to approve orders made under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. Legislation to be considered will include the third reading of the Maritime Powers Bill and the second readings of the Electricity Industry Amendment Bill and the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill. Wednesday will be a members' day.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National): Noticing that the current Order Paper is somewhat light on legislation can be expect that Budget legislation passed under urgency will only go through its first stage and therefore be referred to a select committee? That's my first question. My second question for the Deputy Leader of the House is about the fact that we have received written question No. 13171 which is not yet public. It's got five days before it gets published. That's been returned written entirely in te reo which is perfectly reasonable—it's a language of New Zealand. Is it the Government's intention to provide an interpretation in English alongside the te reo answer?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House): In respect of the first part of the inquiry from Mr Brownlee any perceived lack of quantity in terms of Government legislation will more than be made up for in the coming period and the Government will provide further information next week about the precise nature of Budget night legislation. In respect of information that is provided in te reo as the member notes it's an official language of New Zealand and it wouldn't be our expectation that we would need to provide a translation.
Obituary — Hon Dr Richard Worth
Mallard TrevorOBITUARIESHon Dr Richard WorthSPEAKER: I regret to inform the House of the death on 10 May 2022 of the Hon Dr Richard Westwood Worth VRD who represented the Epsom electorate from 1999 to 2005 and continued to serve as a list member until 2009. During his membership of this House he chaired the Regulations Review Committee and served as Minister of Internal Affairs Minister for Land Information Minister responsible for Archives New Zealand and Minister responsible for the National Library.I desire on behalf of the House to express our sense of loss we have sustained and our sympathy with the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect to his memory.Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.
Salesa JennyTHURSDAY 12 MAY 2022The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSHon JENNY SALESA (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kuīni me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga kia mōhio ai kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei mō te oranga te maungārongo me te aroha o Aotearoa. Amene.[Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility for the welfare peace and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]
Wednesday 11 May 2022 - Volume 759
Animal Welfare Amendment Bill — Second Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 42New Zealand National 32; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Retail Payment System Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 109New Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 32; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): I declare the House in committee for further consideration of the Maritime Powers Bill.
Retail Payment System Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua Claims Settlement Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 109New Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 32; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Abstentions 10Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua Claims Settlement Bill be considered by the Māori Affairs Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.WaiataASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): This debate is interrupted. I shall be on the chair after dinner at 7 p.m.Sitting suspended from 5.55 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua Claims Settlement Bill — First Reading
8. Question No. 8—Housing (Māori Housing)SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)Question No. 8—Housing (Māori Housing)8. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing): How is the Government partnering with iwi Māori to deliver new homes for whānau?Hon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)): Alongside my colleagues Ministers Jackson Allan Whaitiri and Davidson I announced a new investment partnership between Government and iwi collective Toitū Tairāwhiti to build up to 150 new homes for whānau who need them the most. This partnership will deliver affordable rent-to-buy homes across the wider Tai Rāwhiti region and the Ōpōtiki district getting whānau into secure warm and dry homes quickly. The partnership represents an innovative new approach to unlocking and enabling by Māori for Māori housing solutions and is funded from Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga the Government's record $730 million commitment to accelerate Māori-led housing solutions. We know that innovative initiatives like this are critical for getting a lot more new housing built where it is needed the most and they will also help stimulate regional economies in our construction sector to help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19.Shanan Halbert: How does this partnership reflect the Government's wider strategy for Māori housing?Hon PEENI HENARE: Today's announcement follows on from our partnership with Ka Uruora that we announced late last month and both projects exemplify the promises we made when we launched Maihi Ka Ora our National Māori Housing Strategy and Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga. We said we will do things differently and work in partnership with Māori to deliver a better Māori housing future for our whānau. Above all we promise action to change the status quo. The partnership we announced today is just such action with $55 million in investment to enable Toitū Tairāwhiti to get whānau into homes quickly while reconnecting them with their whenua.Shanan Halbert: What reaction has he seen from Toitū Tairāwhiti about the announcement?Hon PEENI HENARE: As I said this morning with this announcement we are making good progress to turn around the status quo for Māori housing. I've seen the comment from Mr Willie Te Aho managing director of Toitū Tairāwhiti Housing who said and I quote The next 150 kāinga will start to deal with high housing deprivation across Tai Rāwhiti. Thank you to the Minister and officials that visited. You came and spoke to our whānau. You came into our decrepit homes. You opened new builds. But most importantly you heard our cries of anguish. You listened to our united front. We have lots of work ahead of us but together we will get there." We know there is more mahi to be done but our by Māori for Māori solutions are delivering for whānau in Te Tai Rāwhiti."
3. Question No. 3—Disability IssuesTERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Disability IssuesQuestion No. 3—Disability Issues3. TERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Disability Issues: What recent announcements has she made on New Zealand Sign Language?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Disability Issues): On Monday I launched New Zealand Sign Language Week. As part of this I was pleased to highlight that the new Ministry for Disabled People will be New Zealand's first ministry with a New Zealand Sign Language name. This year's theme New Zealand Sign Language is Essential" recognises the prominence and importance of our second official language and draws a spotlight on essential workers who are deaf. I'm proud of the status we have given to New Zealand Sign Language both in Aotearoa New Zealand and on an international stage. We are recognised as a world leader for our commitment to maintaining and furthering the use of sign language.Terisa Ngobi: Why is New Zealand Sign Language Week important?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: New Zealand Sign Language is an official language but it is endangered. The maintenance and promotion of New Zealand Sign Language is vital to deaf New Zealanders' community participation inclusion and access to services wellbeing and Deaf culture. It is about deaf New Zealanders including our tangata turi community having a good life in Aotearoa like all other New Zealanders. While this week is New Zealand Sign Language Week every week we must take steps towards improving accessibility raising awareness and building inclusivity for the deaf community.Terisa Ngobi: What progress has been made to support New Zealand Sign Language?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: This year marks 16 years since New Zealand Sign Language became the second official language of New Zealand championed by the former Minister for Disability Issues the Hon Ruth Dyson. I'm pleased to continue the work of the former Minister and I'm pleased at the progress we're making. We've increased funding to the New Zealand Sign Language Board. For the first time a practical guide has been developed to support Government agencies to implement the principles of the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006. During COVID-19 New Zealand Sign Language interpreters were provided for Government briefings. An all-of-Government accessible communications group was established to make COVID-19 information available in New Zealand Sign Language as well as other alternative formats. And we've invested in inclusive and accessible spaces for the deaf community through our Creatives in Schools programme for example."
1. Question No. 1—FinanceBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The latest Xero Small Business Index has shown that businesses have remained resilient despite Omicron affecting staffing. Sales grew 3.7 percent year on year while jobs grew 2.7 percent. Wage growth was above 4 percent in all regions. Overall the index jumped 20 points to 134 the highest level since the series began in 2017. This was largely driven by a significant fall in the time small businesses waited to be paid to 21.3 days which is the lowest result since the series started.Barbara Edmonds: What announcements has he seen on alleviating skills shortages for the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Today the Prime Minister announced changes to immigration settings to accelerate growth and help address long-term challenges. The rebalance will simplify our immigration systems reduce the number of categories make it more accessible online and streamline application processes for businesses. The cornerstone of the rebalance is the new green list which will provide a streamlined and prioritised pathway to residence incentivising high-skilled healthcare engineers trade and ICT workers to relocate to New Zealand long term. The list features 85 hard-to-fill roles including construction engineering trades health workers and tech. Through the accredited employer work visa employers won't need to provide as much information and can use their own recruitment processes to prove that no New Zealanders are available for work and Immigration New Zealand will endeavour to have these visas processed within 40 days. This overall reset will help businesses access the skills they need while ensuring wages and working conditions are improved for everyone.Barbara Edmonds: What other reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Statistics New Zealand yesterday reported that retail spending using debit and credit cards rose a higher than expected 7 percent in April compared with the previous month. Core retail sales saw a strong increase of 7.4 percent in April with gains in spending consumables durables hospitality and apparel. Westpac's economists said they expected further increases in spending over the next few months given the continued easing in health restrictions including the opening of the international border helping to support a recovery in the hospitality sector. However we know that New Zealanders are doing it tough as global factors push up the cost of living and we're continuing to support low and middle income earners through reductions in their fuel bills and income increases.
Webb DuncanFINANCIAL MARKETS (CONDUCT OF INSTITUTIONS) AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingDebate resumed from 10 June 2021.Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you Madam Speaker. I must say I thought to myself It seems such a long time ago since we considered this bill." I was looking at the select committee report and to see that we had such luminaries as the Rt Hon David Carter and Fletcher Tabuteau on the select committee at the time—so we're going back a bit.But look this is a really important part of the infrastructure around protecting consumers of banking and financial services. We've seen the Retail Payment System Bill proceed tonight and this is essentially part of that but it's much more around conduct. It's flowed on from some of the troubling matters we saw come out of the Australian inquiry into banking where services were sold to customers quite unnecessarily and some corollaries—not quite as egregious but nevertheless some deep concerns—that sales and products were being given to consumers driven much more by commissions and profits than by need.So the definition of proper financial conduct and the requirement around having procedures within a financial institution to make sure that the employees and providers of financial services understand that they need to put at the forefront of their mind the needs of consumers and not the needs of corporate banks—and to strike the right balance given the relationship of trust and the vulnerability of consumers who take these very complicated banking services and financial services—is really important.So it's good to see this proceeding a little bit further in the House today and I look forward to the day where it'll be passed into legislation and we can see another piece of the infrastructure of consumer protection in the financial services sector. I commend the bill to the House."
Lorck AnnaANNA LORCK (Labour—Tukituki) (remote): Thank you. Good evening Barbara. I am Zooming in—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! Order! When a member refers to another member they will use their full name.ANNA LORCK: Thank you Madam Speaker. Good evening Barbara Kuriger fellow member of the Primary Production Committee. I'm Zooming in from Hastings where I just attended the Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers annual meeting. And I took the opportunity to talk to farmers about the fact that I was going to be speaking on this bill tonight. And unlike the continual negativity that I have heard from the National Party talking about how the entire farming industry of the country is against this bill I have to say that several farmers that I spoke to tonight agreed.But if you needed a reason to actually realise why we are banning the live export of animals I recommend to every New Zealander to read the last submission of the 640 that we heard in the Primary Production Committee. That was made by an anonymous submitter who—and I will read just a small bit from it but I recommend you read it before you make any more comment: The following submission reflects my recent journey in the last 18 months as an experienced cattle veterinarian on board a live export ship carrying thousands of cattle to China." During this visit this experienced veterinarian speaks about the harrowing ordeal that was experienced on the ship just recently. This ship was a container vessel and these container vessels that were converted represent the most vessels that come into New Zealand. In fact actually it says here purpose-built vessels in the last two years were used 23 times and converted vessels were used 27 times. So the majority of these ships are converted container vessels. This vet talked about having to euthanise cattle this vet talked about the conditions the heat stress and several things that had to be spoken about anonymously.So I came into this select committee with an open mind. When you read submissions and you see the photos you can see those members on the National Party those members of the ACT Party you're only opposing this because—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): All right. Order! Order! The member will refrain from bringing the Speaker into the debate. And just while I'm at it the sound level of this remote call is a bit low and some of the barracking is drowning out and I'm struggling to hear the speaker. Every person in this House deserves to be heard so could we just turn the volume up or turn the volume down.ANNA LORCK: Thank you Madam Speaker. Given people haven't been able to hear my speech via Zoom because of the shouting from the National Party I will let this submission that I have just talked about—which every single New Zealander if you've ever had a doubt on why we are banning live exports should read from an experienced vet in cattle who had to speak anonymously just to get the story out there. That is why I fully support the banning of this export. Thank you Madam Speaker."
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Kia ora Madam Speaker. Thank you for that. Look I was very very lucky to sit on a portion of the submissions on this bill and the members on the other side are right—there were of course people who submitted in support of the bill. As someone who doesn't often sit on the Primary Production Committee I was surprised to hear some of the arguments in favour of the bill which were essentially that not that many cattle died in the 14 or so days that it takes to transport the cattle from New Zealand to the overseas market. Given that the animals had to be in prime health to be put on board I was surprised that any cattle mortality at all was acceptable. But what was never alluded to by those submitters was the fact that 14 days in a stall crammed into a cargo vessel through the Tropics was in and of itself traumatic. The animal welfare issues there are significant. So it was good that even prior to the tragedy that we've heard so much about how this Government was looking at this issue and it was precipitated by that horrific tragedy.So look animal welfare is important. We do want to be world-leading in that area and our farmers by and large are outstanding at looking after the welfare of their cattle and other stock. This is just an additional piece of that puzzle so that New Zealand can lead the world in its farming practices across the world. Thank you Madam Speaker.