Watts SimonSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore): I was actually looking forward to a little bit of Christmas cheer from the other side but we obviously got cut off a little bit early. But I'll do my best to convey a little bit more of that in my short call.I'm speaking on the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill third reading and I had the pleasure to speak on this at the second reading as well. And it doesn't seem that long ago but I think we covered off a little bit of detail. So I just want to go through a little bit more of that because I think things have moved on a little bit subsequent to that. But in essence National supports this bill and that's because National understand that housing is a significant issue for this country. It is a significant issue particularly for our young people and in my home city of Auckland which many of my colleagues around here are from as well it is a massive issue there as well.In my home electorate of the North Shore—which is a beautiful electorate absolutely stunning you know surrounded by water—housing is a massive issue. The affordability of housing is a key issue that people raise and as I said particularly with those who are younger the dream and the aspiration of being able to buy their own home. But the reality is: entry price in my electorate is over a million dollars. You know that's where you start. So it is a significant burden and I think we have an obligation and a responsibility in this House to do what we can in order to make that a little bit easier.I think no one's under any illusion that this is the silver bullet that's going to solve everything in regards to this challenge but I think what we do need to reflect is actually actions speak louder than words. You know we do need to start moving in regards to some changes in this space and I think the select committee process which was very robust—I want to acknowledge Eugenie Sage who was the chair of the Environment Committee and I know that she did a very thorough and respectful process. I wasn't part of that select committee but I do acknowledge our members deputy leader Nicola Willis and the Hon Scott Simpson on our side that contributed to the select committee process.I also want to acknowledge—and I think it is important because it was a condensed process—all of those officials particularly from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development the Parliamentary Counsel Office who made a significant contribution in terms of that passing through of that bill. I think while the select committee spent many many hours in terms of their deliberations and consideration around that those officials in the background did significantly more as well and sometimes we don't acknowledge them. But because it's Christmas and because we're getting at that time of the year I think it is important that we do so.The bill as introduced at first reading had a significant number of amendments as a result of that select committee process and the select committee process is such an important aspect of our democracy. It is a process—Simon Court: It was throwing mud at the wall.SIMON WATTS: —in order to make sure that we listen to the feedback that we get from people and we got a lot of feedback—I can hear a bit of feedback somewhere in here; maybe it's just me. But plenty of feedback across that select committee and particularly for those members of my electorate. I know there was a number of people from Devonport etc. that made submissions. Auckland Council iwi and commercial entities made a number of submissions into that. And I think some of the submissions and some of the feedback has been taken into account as part of the amendments that have been proposed under the new aspects of the bill.There's four elements that relate to the changes that were made as part of that process. One is around the design standards. We heard a lot of feedback particularly as I said from Auckland Council in terms of the ideas and considerations in that space and I'm pleased to see that the bill was—Simon Court: Because urban design should be done by Parliament.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! Order! Apologies to the member. Couple of things: first of all don't be the Grinch tonight that stole Christmas. Objections should be rare and reasonable and the member will not interject while his mask is off his face. Thank you.SIMON WATTS: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. So as I was saying there were some key changes and I was referring there around the design standard changes which were significant. They referred to changes in regards to the outdoor-space elements of the bill and also in regards to landscaping and other components. An issue that was raised a lot in my electorate was around the exclusions around particularly heritage zoning. If any of you have been to the beautiful Devonport Peninsula on the North Shore it is a stunning location. I'm slightly biased but it is a lovely part of our city and I'm glad to see that a number of the considerations around special character zones—that the council will be able to ensure that those protections remain. And that's really important not only for heritage but also for environmental aspects and other risk considerations.Another aspect of feedback and critique that was given was particularly around the height-to-boundary ratio and I'm glad to see that—as a result of feedback in the select committee process—that is being reduced from six metres down to four. I think that by all accounts in terms of the feedback that we've had subsequently is sensible.And lastly there were some changes in regards to the district planning changes—and I think again just reflecting some of the feedback provided through that select committee process.There were 966 submissions presented to that select committee and I do acknowledge all the members of the select committee across the House here who were part of it. We got regular updates around that process but it was definitely—having sat in on the Health Committee which has a number of comprehensive and complex bills this one definitely sounded like it was one that definitely put the team through their challenges. I think 183 of those submissions were oral submissions as well and that reflects the importance of our democracy in terms of being able to provide that feedback. I'm confident that all members of that select committee across the House participated and contributed as part of that process. I definitely know from those that I have spoken to that that was the case and again that was really very much important.In terms of the other aspects I guess of what for those that are watching—and I'm sure there will be a large number as they come into Christmas. This will be a prime time no doubt. If I wasn't here I'd definitely be watching just for the record. The aspects of the bill—Simon Court: Well particularly if their property rights are being extinguished. They'll want to see who's got their name on that.SIMON WATTS: There's plenty of entertainment as well. You can imagine it'll be high ratings no doubt. But some of the aspects of the bill that weren't covered that I think it is important to recognise is around that affordability aspect that I referred to earlier. Infrastructure is another area that National has noted in regards to infrastructure enablement being a key element in terms of housing development in this country. National absolutely acknowledge and note that that is an area that needs to be progressed. In addition to that also the challenges around labour supply as well because it's all good to talk a big game but again in order to execute and deliver you're going to need the labour supply in order to do that. So we're looking forward to seeing additional measures. Obviously National has proposed around the $50k per house infrastructure funding package which we announced earlier on this year.Simon Court: Except that bill's been pulled from the members' ballot.SIMON WATTS: I think the member's saying how sensible that policy is and he's right it is. It's a sensible policy and it's good to have that support across the House.But the other aspect that we've also in terms of this bill is—really it's cutting red tape. And I think that's—Simon Court: Oh no it sets up a parallel consenting regime! It adds red tape.SIMON WATTS: —a good example around the bill that when we're cutting regulation—and again it's good to see that the majority of those parties in this House are wanting to cut red tape and cut regulation. There are a couple that are not but that's OK. But I think in terms of the importance of this bill and the value that we provide reducing that regulation is an important aspect.I just want to conclude in the short amount of time that I have—and if only I had twice as much time but we haven't of course—Simon Court: Well if only I had a second call; it would set the record straight.SIMON WATTS: Thank you very much member from Selwyn much appreciated. This bill isn't going to result in a free-for-all in regards to how housing is built in this country; restrictions will remain and I think that is important. What in effect it will do is allow for sensible and pragmatic development. On this side of the House we're supportive of more housing in this country we're supportive of young people being able to buy their own home and we're supportive of action not words. I commend this bill to the House.