Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Television New Zealand Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Lotu-Iiga Peseta Sam: Television New Zealand Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:674;Page:20006] 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) 
: 
 Talofa lava and thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson) 
: O a mai oe? 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: I am well. It is my pleasure to speak on the third reading of the Television New Zealand Amendment Bill. I will start by congratulating the articulate and intelligent Minister Jonathan Coleman who has brought this bill to the House. Finally we are seeing come to fruition one of National’s campaign platforms on bringing change to Television New Zealand (TVNZ). I also thank the officials who assisted our progress through the Commerce Committee and the submitters. We learnt quite a bit not just about archive works but also about the purpose of this bill and what New Zealanders out there thought about what we are doing here tonight. 
This bill is about repealing the charter and freeing up TVNZ from its dual mandate. We know that that dual mandate over time has been unsustainable unworkable and undesirable to most New Zealanders. National is committed to public broadcasting through the New Zealand On Air model. Tonight we heard the previous speaker opposite Clare Curran brush over that model but let me say that it receives $81 million of funding. As well we have the Platinum Television Fund which contributes $15 million to the rich tapestry of New Zealand’s creative talent. 
We want TVNZ to be a successful commercial broadcaster operating across various platforms. We know that going forward TVNZ has to compete in a competitive market. We know that technological change is going on not just here in New Zealand but around the world. 
This bill replaces the TVNZ charter with more generic statutory requirements. What does the bill do? In essence it replaces section 12 of the current Act. The functions of TVNZ are to be a successful national television and digital media company providing a range of content and services on a choice of delivery platforms including the internet including television and including a number of platforms. 
It is about choice and the modern context under which TVNZ must operate. It is about carrying out its functions in programmes that are relevant and enjoyed by New Zealand audiences—that is right New Zealand audiences. Content is king. Content is important. It is about satisfying the needs of consumers of all New Zealanders not just the liberal elite that Miss Curran represents. This is about the public interests of opening up a pre-1989— 
Clare Curran 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I take exception to what the member opposite said about me representing an elite given that I come from one of the poorest electorates in the country and represent that electorate. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: I am sorry we were just changing presiding officers so I did not hear the comment that was made. I caution members about what they say about other members. 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: I apologise to Miss Curran if she took offence but she does represent the champagne-sipping urban elite that she professes to— 
Clare Curran 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I take great exception to being told that I represent an elite. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: These are debating points and this is a robust debate. The comments are acceptable and in order under the Standing Orders. 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: The urban elite do not wear Highlanders’ jerseys— 
Hon Rodney Hide 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. We have had this speech interrupted twice on matters that have not been a point of order. I remind you Mr Deputy Speaker that before you came into the House the member who is making the complaint accused the Minister of cronyism. I suggest that you do not allow these points of order to continue. 
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER 
: I have ruled and we will move on. 
PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: I reiterate that we are honouring our election promise to replace the current TVNZ charter. It is about all New Zealanders and not just the urban elite that she represents.