Beaumont Carol: Te Ra o Matariki Bill/Matariki Day Bill — First Reading 
Beaumont Carol: Te Ra o Matariki Bill/Matariki Day Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:656;Page:5706] 
CAROL BEAUMONT (Labour) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Speaker. Tena koutou katoa e te Whare. In speaking on this Te Ra o Matariki Bill/Matariki Day Bill I start by acknowledging Rahui Katene for this great idea and for presenting it to the House. Certainly we will be supporting the bill going through to a select committee and we acknowledge the idea of proposing a truly indigenous holiday for our country. We think its time has certainly come and it is something we should be discussing as a country. 
Matariki has traditionally as others have said been a time for planting planning valuing the past and preparing for the future. An increasing number of Matariki celebrations are held throughout New Zealand for a period of a month or so as the previous speaker said. Matariki really does come across as an example of the strength and vitality of the Maori people. But Matariki is also something that is unique to this country. As I have already said we certainly support the bill going to a select committee. A whole number of issues could be discussed in a select committee if of course the Government chooses to let that happen. But it would seem from all of the speakers so far that it will not happen and that the Government is not willing to allow the concept of having a Matariki Day to be discussed. 
The bill is about more than just saying there should be another holiday. Other speakers have talked about the possibility that Matariki Day should be instead of a current public holiday. Let us discuss all of those points. Let us discuss the issue that Mr Henare raised about a month of celebration of Matariki. Let us use the bill as an opportunity to let the idea go to a select committee and to hear what people think. I think the bill is very very important. 
The bill itself proposes a new public holiday to celebrate Matariki on the day of the next new moon after the Matariki constellation has risen. That will vary from year to year but it is generally in May or June. Matariki is really important as part of our identity of Aotearoa New Zealand. Labour certainly supports building a strong identity for Aotearoa New Zealand. Many things already define us as a country. 
Labour has been very very proud of many things over the years such as our independent foreign policy our support for New Zealand’s creative sector and establishing our own judicial system and honours system. But a number of members will recognise that some of those things have already been undermined. Our identity is being undermined by the current Government. 
Holidays are important. Holidays benefit all New Zealanders not just a privileged few who are prioritised by the current Government—all New Zealanders. The current Government is prioritising the rich. I ask members to look at things like tax cuts and funding of private schools. We like the idea of having another public holiday. It would benefit all New Zealanders. Our record in the area of holidays is one that no one can deny. I ask members to look at Labour’s track record. Having 3 weeks of annual leave was brought in under a Labour Government. 
Grant Robertson 
: Norman Kirk. 
CAROL BEAUMONT 
: That is right—the Kirk Government. Annual leave increased in 2007 to 4 weeks. Workers being paid time and a half for working on a public holiday was done under a Labour Government. In fact as I understand it—and I could be corrected—the last public holiday that was added was initially called New Zealand Day and became Waitangi Day in 1974. So in fact we have not had a new public holiday for a very very long time. 
Public holidays and annual leave are very important for rest and recreation but public holidays are particularly important as celebrations. They are celebrations of particular events but also they are celebrations that enable communities to get together whether that is for family reunions sporting tournaments or cultural events. Those are all important things for all New Zealanders. Holidays are a time to rest and to spend time with family. 
We have a culture of long working hours. We have had increased participation in the paid workforce although we are under increasing risk of unemployment at the moment. All of those things are important and the fact that a winter public holiday is being proposed is worthy of consideration. It is a long haul from Anzac Day to Labour Day without a public holiday except Queen’s Birthday. 
My final point is that holidays can be good for business. Some members say that another public holiday would hurt businesses. But holidays can actually be good for businesses because they provide an opportunity for rest and refreshment for workers.