Robertson H V Ross: Manukau City Council (Control of Graffiti) Bill — In Committee 
Robertson H V Ross: Manukau City Council (Control of Graffiti) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:645;Page:14895] 
H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) 
: 
 Let me say at the outset in connection with the issue of graffiti that rather than lay blame let us accept that there are faults on all sides when it comes to the issue of dealing with graffiti. Let us also accept that we need to work together as a Parliament in order to do something about trying to eradicate it. 
I want to speak in particular to clause 3 the purpose clause which states that the purpose of the legislation is to control the sale of spray-paint and to control graffiti in Manukau City. Why do we want to do that? Tagging is not only a crime against the conscience of our nation; it is also a crime against everything that is good and wholesome in our society. It is all about a culture of indulgence where what is right and wrong is what one can get away with. There is no sense of responsibility and no thought for others. Whatever happened to the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”? 
Speaking as a longstanding member of Parliament for Manukau along with my colleague the Hon George Hawkins I acknowledge and pay tribute to Sir Barry Curtis who as Mayor of Manukau City—he is now retired—led the charge to make Manukau proud progressive and positive. When everyone else complained and did nothing he was the one who decided that enough was enough. I want to refer to recent criticism by Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast. She attacked the Government for what she considers inadequate funding arrangements to defeat the scourge of tagging. There is such a thing as “tatou tatou” or “we together”. Together we serve and together we prosper and central government and local government can certainly work together on the issue of tagging and graffiti. I say: “Well done Sir Barry. Your leadership is acknowledged this evening as we debate this bill your bill the Manukau City Council (Control of Graffiti) Bill.” 
Tagging and etching with a sharp instrument cost this country millions of dollars every year. Anguish heartache and untold misery and stress are caused to those affected by the antics of those who want to leave their mark for others to see. Of course I am reminded of dogs who do a similar thing except that they have to relieve themselves. If artistic taggers want to relieve themselves they should use their talents in other areas rather than on street furniture statutory undertakers and educational establishments. 
Sir Barry is without equal in leading the anti-graffiti campaign and maybe we should make him an ambassador to promote awareness of the ugly side of graffiti and why it should be eradicated. His immense talent in building Manukau to New Zealand’s most progressive city should see him continuing to serve our community. He has much to offer this country and he displays all the attributes needed. He is a man still willing and able to serve. He has the intellect and can get his head around the subject. He has the heart and the courage of his convictions. He has the guts to know what the reality of the situation is and he has the spiritual side of it in wanting to provide a service to our community. 
Tagging requires the strong arm of the law and the willingness to enforce it. We need to ensure that this Parliament passes legislation that will enable us to contain graffiti. Some countries have much harsher penalties than we have in New Zealand. I do not want to go into that at this stage because there other issues to debate when it comes to the whole issue of Part 1. Mr Hawkins might like to speak about the commencement of the bill because he has been a forerunner in promoting this issue in Parliament. He is to be commended for the work he has done.