Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Sitting date: 20 February 2013. Volume:687;Page:8013. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
5. 
KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) 
 to the  
Minister for Economic Development 
: What economic opportunities will a new convention centre bring for Auckland? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 It is estimated that the proposed Auckland convention centre would generate very significant economic benefits including a $90 million annual injection into the Auckland economy an estimated 1000 jobs during construction and 800 jobs once it is up and running. Of course the overall economic benefits of the proposal will be assessed before the Government will proceed and of course we want a good deal for taxpayers. But there is no question that an international-size convention centre is essential for New Zealand if we are to tap into the growing market of valuable business visitors that we are currently missing out on. 
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi 
: What support has he seen for the proposed new convention centre in Auckland? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: I have seen very widespread support. For example I have seen a report from Martin Snedden who heads the Tourism Industry Association who said: “Development of a world-class convention centre will not only create a major new market for our tourism industry it will contribute significantly to New Zealand’s economic recovery”. I have seen a report from the Holiday Parks Association of New Zealand that said: “A world-class convention centre will provide a real boost for holiday parks New Zealand’s tourism industry and the country’s economy”. Michael Barnett from the Auckland chamber of commerce said: “the SkyCity proposal to fund and build a purpose built national convention centre in central Auckland is a game changer.” And of course there is the backing that one Helen Clark gave to a similar deal to this current Skycity convention centre proposal. That deal involved far less investment than is being proposed now in return for an additional 230 pokie machines. 
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi 
: Is he aware of any opposition to the proposed new convention centre in Auckland? 
Hon STEVEN JOYCE 
: I have seen some opposition to the proposal just as I have seen opposition to a number of the hands-on decisions made by this Government to encourage jobs in the New Zealand economy which is at the very least a little ironic. Some organisations have consistently opposed new convention centres but others have a more confusing history. For example the leader of one organisation said in 2004 in relation to a similar project: “Here in New Zealand it has been pleasing to see continuing investment in the quality of our tourism infrastructure. In Auckland Sky City has pumped $140 million into its new Convention Centre”. Yet the current leader of the same organisation today supposedly vehemently opposed this proposal. That organisation is of course the very confused New Zealand Labour Party.