edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:670;Page:16730] 
10. 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: Does he stand by his statement to the Finance and Expenditure Committee that the State-owned energy companies’ returns have been excessive? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Yes. The member needs only look at trends in power prices during the 9 years that Labour was in office to see that retail electricity prices jumped by 72 percent and that State-owned energy companies benefited from this enormous lift in power prices under the previous Government which pocketed large dividends from them. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: How does he reconcile his comments to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on Wednesday 9 February with the letter sent by Simon Power Minister for State Owned Enterprises in December 2008 where the Government demanded higher returns from all State-owned enterprises? 
Hon Member 
: Don’t confuse price with performance. 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: That is exactly the point—not to confuse price with performance. The Government in its role as a regulator under the leadership of the Minister of Energy and Resources decided that the electricity market was not sufficiently competitive. Over the last couple of years he has engineered a range of complex changes to make the electricity market more competitive. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Has the Minister seen reports from energy specialist Molly Melhuish that Contact Energy and TrustPower have both raised their retail charges consistently faster than the three State-owned power providers and does he have any evidence to suggest that the State-owned energy companies will not also increase prices at a faster rate once he has partially privatised them? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: The fact is that complaints from the Labour Party about power prices lack credibility because at a time when Labour had total control of the State-owned energy companies retail power prices went up by 72 percent. This Government is trying to undo that momentum through better regulation and clearer definition of the roles of ownership and performance. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Given the returns being made by State-owned power companies why is he in favour of partially selling the State-owned energy companies a policy that will transfer profits to the private sector—profits that could instead be used to fund essential public services for New Zealanders like schools hospitals and infrastructure? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Use of the mixed-ownership model is just following the example set by the previous Labour Government which through its mixed ownership of Air New Zealand was able to free up capital for other uses which is what we want to do; make investment in good New Zealand companies available to New Zealanders which is what we want to do; and get better performance out of the companies which is what we want to do. We are just following the lead of Air New Zealand.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Australia—Select Committee on Tourism in Tasmania Tasmania Legislative Council 
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Australia—Select Committee on Tourism in Tasmania Tasmania Legislative Council 
[Volume:670;Page:16719] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that the Select Committee on Tourism in Tasmania from the Legislative Council of Tasmania led by the Hon Don Wing MLC is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Foss Craig: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Foss Craig: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:670;Page:16722] 
3. 
CRAIG FOSS (National—Tukituki) 
 to the  
Minister of Finance 
: What reports has he received on the recent performance of New Zealand’s export sector? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 Statistics New Zealand data show that month on month the value of New Zealand’s exports has increased by about 15 percent in the past year. This is largely due to record-high commodity prices which have risen by about 16 percent over the last year. The challenge now is to increase the volume of our exports to take advantage of these high prices. That is why the Government is focused on policies that shift resources from the less-productive non-tradable sector into the high-productivity tradable sector. 
Craig Foss 
: How have New Zealand’s domestic and internationally competitive sectors performed respectively over the past decade? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: There are different ways of measuring that but between 2003 and 2009 the non-tradable sector which includes housing and retailing—the domestic part of the economy—grew by about 20 percent mainly fuelled by borrowing. In the same period the export sector shrank by 6.3 percent because of poor Government policy settings rising interest rates and a fairly high dollar. That means that our internationally competitive industries went into recession from about 2005. 
Craig Foss 
: How has the respective performance of the tradable and non-tradable sectors been reflected in jobs? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: From 2003 to 2009 non-tradable jobs grew by 270000 so we had strong job growth in the domestic part of the economy but that was fuelled by unsustainable borrowing and unsustainable Government spending. By contrast the export sector lost 55000 jobs over the same period. So this Government has the task of crafting an economy that produces new jobs and job growth from the export sector because the domestic part of the economy is not growing very fast. 
Craig Foss 
: What signs of progress has he seen in new jobs in the tradable sector since 2009? 
Hon BILL ENGLISH 
: Fortunately job growth is starting to look more balanced and positive. In contrast to the period up to 2009 export sector jobs are now growing—in fact they have increased by 25000 in the last year and a quarter or by about 6 percent. Of those new jobs 17000 are in the manufacturing sector which has been doing reasonably well because Australia is in good shape and it is our biggest market for manufactured products. Job growth in the non-tradable economy is pretty flat and it will probably remain so because the housing market is flat the Government is not growing nearly as fast as it was and people are being careful with their retail spending.
Visitors — Australia—Select Committee on Tourism in Tasmania Tasmania Legislative Council 
Visitors — Australia—Select Committee on Tourism in Tasmania Tasmania Legislative Council 
[Volume:670;Page:16719] 
Tuesday 15 February 2011 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Visitors 
Australia—Select Committee on Tourism in Tasmania Tasmania Legislative Council 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that the Select Committee on Tourism in Tasmania from the Legislative Council of Tasmania led by the Hon Don Wing MLC is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Appropriation (2009/10 Financial Review) Bill — Second Reading 
Appropriation (2009/10 Financial Review) Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:670;Page:16738] 
Appropriation (2009/10 Financial Review) Bill 
Second Reading 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) 
: 
 I move  
That the Appropriation (2009/10 Financial Review) Bill be now read a second time 
. 
A party vote was called for on the question  
That the Appropriation (2009/10 Financial Review) Bill be now read a second time. 
Ayes 67 
New Zealand National 57; ACT New Zealand 5; Maori Party 4; United Future 1. 
Noes 52 
New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 9; Progressive 1. 
Bill read a second time.
Quinn Paul: Legal Services Bill — Second Reading 
Quinn Paul: Legal Services Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:670;Page:16760] 
PAUL QUINN (National) 
: 
 I will take only a brief call in this second reading of the Legal Services Bill given the fact that I think members on all sides of the House agree with this bill. As the Minister said in his address to the House this bill really is about reframing the legal aid system—a system that this Government absolutely believes is essential to the exercise of a fair justice system within New Zealand society but that is in need of reframing for the 21st century we are now in. So it is appropriate at the beginning of the century as the Minister said that we take stock and ensure that the issues that have arisen are addressed. 
A number of amendments were proposed to the bill itself coming back from the Justice and Electoral Committee and I will not cover those now as no doubt we will have plenty of time in the Committee stage to go through them. I just say that one of the issues that came up and that I was pleased to hear about when we heard from Justice Hansen concerned the practice that has let down the current system. It is the fact that—dare I say it—the lawyers who rely on the legal aid system currently for the basis if you like of their income have got lazy and there has been no process that has required them to undertake continual upskilling and education. As a consequence that has led in some cases to a rorting of the system and of course at the time that the report came out there was a lot of focus on the Manukau District Court. 
There are a number of issues that this bill addresses and that the new system will address and I have alluded to just one. I also acknowledge the work of the Justice and Electoral Committee. It was undertaken in a very harmonious and cordial way—as of course it always is in that select committee—under the excellent chairmanship of its chairman Mr Chester Borrows. There were equally excellent contributions from members on all sides of the committee. We were able I guess to be guided by the experience of Mr Parker who in a very humble way informed us that he was one of the architects of the very first community law centre which I think he established in Dunedin. So we had his expertise in that area and exposure to that as part of the process. With those few words I tell the House that it gives me great pleasure to support this second reading.
Finlayson Christopher: Adjournment 
Finlayson Christopher: Adjournment 
[Volume:670;Page:16949] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
on behalf of the  
Leader of the House 
: I seek leave to move an adjournment motion without debate. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave has been sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: I move  
That the House do now adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 8 March 2011 
. 
Motion agreed to.
Finlayson Christopher: Business of the House 
Finlayson Christopher: Business of the House 
[Volume:670;Page:16948] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
 on behalf of the  
Leader of the House 
: I seek leave for members from the Canterbury region to be considered as attending to official business and therefore to be regarded as being present for the casting of party votes until the end of the sitting on 24 March 2011. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.
Carter John: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake Christchurch—State of National Emergency 
Carter John: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake Christchurch—State of National Emergency 
[Volume:670;Page:16948] 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister of Civil Defence) 
: 
 I wish to make a ministerial statement under Standing Order 347 in relation to the declaration of a state of national emergency. On the advice of the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management and in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Christchurch at 10.30 a.m. I declared a state of national emergency for Christchurch City under section 66 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. That step was taken as a result of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that occurred in Christchurch yesterday at 12.51 p.m. and the continuing aftershocks. 
This is the first time in New Zealand’s history that a state of national emergency has been declared as a result of a civil defence emergency event. I took this step because I considered the emergency to be of such a degree that the required civil defence emergency management would be beyond the capacity of local civil defence emergency people to respond to on their own. Under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act this declaration means that the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management may control the exercise and performance of the functions duties and powers of the civil defence emergency management groups and group controllers. There is no other difference between the powers under a state of local emergency and a state of national emergency. The declaration of a state of national emergency will ensure the maximum possible coordination and cooperation between central and local resources and international assistance. It also demonstrates the Government’s commitment to help people in Canterbury to respond to this disaster. 
Like the Deputy Prime Minister I wish to pay tribute to those personnel who work in civil defence in Canterbury and in all the agencies that are working with them. As has already been said often they are working to help other people while they are dealing with personal issues in relation to their own circumstances. I also pay tribute to the Australian search and rescue parties who are already on the ground in Christchurch. Teams from the United States Singapore the United Kingdom Japan and Taiwan will be deployed as soon as they get here. Offers of earthquake and rescue specialists have also been received from Belgium Israel the European Union Greece Malaysia Argentina and France. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has offered assistance and International Search and Rescue Advisory Group teams have been mobilised. An offer of assistance has been received from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 
As we consider this statement our thoughts are with the people in Canterbury particularly with those who have lost loved ones and with loved ones still missing.
English Bill: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
English Bill: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16947] 
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) 
: 
 I acknowledge other party leaders for their comments and for their contribution to Parliament’s expression of support for the people of Christchurch. The Government will endeavour to keep MPs as closely informed as is possible not only about the rescue effort but also about the developing processes for restarting the recovery effort in Christchurch. As it happens because of all the work that went in after the first earthquake there is probably a clearer path forward even if the task of recovery is now much greater than it was earlier. 
I re-emphasise the support of Parliament for those families who have lost loved ones or will discover in the next week or so that they have lost loved ones. I pay tribute on behalf of Parliament to those people who have led the rescue effort in Christchurch at a time when they often have not known what has happened with their own families. Many people in Government agencies who have been leading the rescue effort have put the collective will ahead of finding out what has happened in their own situation and they deserve special acknowledgment. 
Part of the task of Parliament and of politicians in our role as community leaders while Christchurch is dealing with the shattering effect of this devastating event will be—for those of us who are less directly affected by it—to move pretty quickly to think about the future and about the rebuilding effort that the Prime Minister talked about in his comments today.
Hide Rodney: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Hide Rodney: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16946] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) 
: 
 Tragically this is the darkest and grimmest time of our lives for our country. The images on our television sets the radio reports and the newspaper reports will be burnt into our minds forever and will never be forgotten. We look back to 4 September and the thing that strikes us is that the images were all about buildings; the images this time are all about people. We are reminded in New Zealand of how close-knit we are because there is not a New Zealander here or overseas who is not affected by a loved one by a family member by a friend or by a colleague missing or tragically killed. 
It is important that the people of Christchurch know that they are not alone. We know that their neighbours are looking out for them complete strangers in the street are looking out for them and doing their utmost and the authorities and the emergency crews are doing everything in their power. But the people of Christchurch are also not alone because all of New Zealand has stopped in its tracks and our thoughts and our prayers are with them. 
Here in the House of Representatives in the people’s place the Speaker in an unprecedented way has put the people of Christchurch into the prayer of Parliament. There is now no political divide in our Parliament as all political parties support the Government in this hour of need and support the people of Christchurch. 
 It is not the case that just all of New Zealand is behind the people of Christchurch; now all of the world is behind the people of New Zealand in this truly tragic hour. We are seeing New Zealanders now at their best as we dig deep for the sake of our loved ones for the sake of our community and for the sake of our country remembering always that it is people who matter and how trifling are so many of the things that concern us day to day; now those things just do not matter. Thank you.
Adjournment 
Adjournment 
[Volume:670;Page:16949] 
Adjournment 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
on behalf of the  
Leader of the House 
: I seek leave to move an adjournment motion without debate. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave has been sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: I move  
That the House do now adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 8 March 2011 
. 
Motion agreed to.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—United Kingdom Branch 
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—United Kingdom Branch 
[Volume:670;Page:16943] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that a parliamentary delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association branch of the United Kingdom led by the Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Smith Lockwood:  
Smith Lockwood:  
[Volume:670;Page:16943] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Almighty God humbly acknowledging our need for Thy guidance in all things and laying aside all private and personal interests we beseech Thee to grant that we may conduct the affairs of this House and of our country to the glory of Thy holy name the maintenance of true religion and justice the honour of the Queen and the public welfare and well-being of those still missing and suffering such trauma in Canterbury today through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Business of Select Committees — Reporting Dates 
Business of Select Committees — Reporting Dates 
[Volume:670;Page:16948] 
Business of Select Committees 
Reporting Dates 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
 on behalf of the  
Leader of the House 
: I seek leave for the time by which the Commerce Committee must report on the Financial Markets (Regulators and KiwiSaver) Bill to be extended from 28 February 2011 to 14 March 2011. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave has been sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.
Visitors — Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—United Kingdom Branch 
Visitors — Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—United Kingdom Branch 
[Volume:670;Page:16943] 
Wednesday 23 February 2011 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Visitors 
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—United Kingdom Branch 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have much pleasure in informing the House that a parliamentary delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association branch of the United Kingdom led by the Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed.
Business of the House 
Business of the House 
[Volume:670;Page:16948] 
Business of the House 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
 on behalf of the  
Leader of the House 
: I seek leave for members from the Canterbury region to be considered as attending to official business and therefore to be regarded as being present for the casting of party votes until the end of the sitting on 24 March 2011. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.
Ministerial Statements — Earthquake Christchurch—State of National Emergency 
Ministerial Statements — Earthquake Christchurch—State of National Emergency 
[Volume:670;Page:16948] 
Ministerial Statements 
Earthquake Christchurch—State of National Emergency 
Hon JOHN CARTER (Minister of Civil Defence) 
: 
 I wish to make a ministerial statement under Standing Order 347 in relation to the declaration of a state of national emergency. On the advice of the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management and in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Christchurch at 10.30 a.m. I declared a state of national emergency for Christchurch City under section 66 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. That step was taken as a result of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that occurred in Christchurch yesterday at 12.51 p.m. and the continuing aftershocks. 
This is the first time in New Zealand’s history that a state of national emergency has been declared as a result of a civil defence emergency event. I took this step because I considered the emergency to be of such a degree that the required civil defence emergency management would be beyond the capacity of local civil defence emergency people to respond to on their own. Under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act this declaration means that the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management may control the exercise and performance of the functions duties and powers of the civil defence emergency management groups and group controllers. There is no other difference between the powers under a state of local emergency and a state of national emergency. The declaration of a state of national emergency will ensure the maximum possible coordination and cooperation between central and local resources and international assistance. It also demonstrates the Government’s commitment to help people in Canterbury to respond to this disaster. 
Like the Deputy Prime Minister I wish to pay tribute to those personnel who work in civil defence in Canterbury and in all the agencies that are working with them. As has already been said often they are working to help other people while they are dealing with personal issues in relation to their own circumstances. I also pay tribute to the Australian search and rescue parties who are already on the ground in Christchurch. Teams from the United States Singapore the United Kingdom Japan and Taiwan will be deployed as soon as they get here. Offers of earthquake and rescue specialists have also been received from Belgium Israel the European Union Greece Malaysia Argentina and France. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has offered assistance and International Search and Rescue Advisory Group teams have been mobilised. An offer of assistance has been received from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 
As we consider this statement our thoughts are with the people in Canterbury particularly with those who have lost loved ones and with loved ones still missing.
Turei Metiria: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Turei Metiria: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16945] 
METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) 
: 
 Let me first acknowledge the deaths that we have seen in Christchurch. The Green Party of Aotearoa / New Zealand sends its deepest sympathy and love to all of the families and friends of those loved ones who have been lost. No doubt there will be more such families and friends and grief and no New Zealander will be spared an association with someone they know or care for who has been so badly affected. 
I want to acknowledge the Prime Minister and the Government Ministers for their efforts in keeping members of Parliament briefed on what is happening in Canterbury and the ways that members of Parliament and our staff can support those who need support in Canterbury. This is important not only so that MPs know how we can assist but so that those on the ground know that they have access to all of us and that we will all be able to assist in one way or another. 
It is important to acknowledge and thank all of those who are engaged in such minute-by-minute heroic acts in Canterbury and Christchurch at the moment who are making such amazing efforts to rescue people and who are caring for people who so badly need it—the firefighters the police the rescue teams all of the various forms of health workers the volunteers the community organisations marae and everyone who is in Christchurch at the moment providing support to those who need it the most. 
On behalf of the Green Party I want to pledge ourselves to help in whatever way we can from all the different ways that it is possible to help. Our Christchurch-based MP Kennedy Graham is in Christchurch now and is also available to assist those in Canterbury and those who are working so hard to rescue people. 
Finally I acknowledge again that our thoughts and our hearts are with all those who are in grief with all those who are in pain today and with all those in New Zealand who as we have seen are offering their best wishes to those in Canterbury. We want to tell the people of Canterbury that they are not alone. Kia ora.
Finlayson Christopher: Business of Select Committees — Reporting Dates 
Finlayson Christopher: Business of Select Committees — Reporting Dates 
[Volume:670;Page:16948] 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
 on behalf of the  
Leader of the House 
: I seek leave for the time by which the Commerce Committee must report on the Financial Markets (Regulators and KiwiSaver) Bill to be extended from 28 February 2011 to 14 March 2011. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave has been sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.
Power Simon: Sittings of the House 
Power Simon: Sittings of the House 
[Volume:670;Page:16941] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for the House to now adjourn as a mark of respect for the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury area. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Key John: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Key John: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16941] 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 I start by thanking the other leaders of the parties in the House for their support and I give them my assurance that we will keep them up to date with all the information we have as soon as it comes to hand. I am fearful that there have been fatalities in Christchurch. I am not in a position to confirm those absolutely and it would be irresponsible for me to do so but I am pretty fearful that we have lost people in Canterbury. 
I want Cantabrians and New Zealanders to know that we will be doing everything we possibly can to help them in their moment of need. A significant urban search and rescue effort will be required. It would be my expectation that the army and others will now be engaged very rapidly in Canterbury and as I said earlier Cabinet will meet in a moment to look at all the options. But it is important that the people of Canterbury know that we will be there to give them every support that we possibly can. 
I am sure everyone will appreciate that it is an extremely fluid situation at the moment. We do not have the best information available to us but it is very clear that the earthquake because of its shallow nature and the time that it took place has wreaked significant havoc on Canterbury and is likely to have cost lives.
Dunne Peter: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Dunne Peter: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16940] 
Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future) 
: 
 As some members will know I am part of the Cantabrian diaspora. Although that is fun at times of rivalry between provinces and competition it is an occasion like this that brings home to us what our roots mean to us when we know—and I take the point that Mr Anderton made—of family who are somewhere in the central city at the moment whom we cannot contact and when we see the scenes of devastation. 
Christchurch Cathedral was an icon and to see the spire crumble is something that I never thought imaginable. I have seen the photographs of what happened in the 1886 earthquake when it did crumble and I take some comfort from the fact that the rebuilding of Christchurch Cathedral and the restoration of it to its original grandeur became a symbol then for the recovery of the province from the devastation of the earthquake and I believe that in its own way it will serve that purpose now. 
When the big quake struck in September everyone said: “Weren’t we lucky it was at that hour of the morning when we were all asleep. Imagine if it had it been 2 hours later or perish the thought in the middle of a working day. Imagine what would have happened.” That reality now strikes home. Over the next little while I think New Zealand is going to be in for a very tragic and torrid time as the consequences in human terms in physical terms and in terms of the natural environment become obvious for Christchurch. 
In the longer term this is about how our country pulls together to help the people of Christchurch and Canterbury recover. This is a time when all the political differences and all the other differences we have somehow seem utterly irrelevant and pointless. We are focused on a tragedy; we are focused on recovery. I know that everyone would wish the authorities from central government local government and civil defence well as they commence that task. 
Can I simply say in conclusion that I understand that the Inland Revenue Department building in Christchurch has suffered some significant damage and I simply want to say to the staff of that department that we will work with them to help the restoration. I know they had a tough time during the first quake and I hope they are not too shattered or devastated by these events. But their story will be like the story of so many and it is a story we are going to hear repeatedly over the days ahead. Our challenge is to work with people to come to grips with that and enable them to pick up the threads of daily life as quickly as possible.
Anderton Jim: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Anderton Jim: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16939] 
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Leader—Progressive) 
: 
 On behalf of my Canterbury colleagues I thank the Government for adjourning the House. We will all be trying to get home as soon as we can. I understand that the runways at the Christchurch International Airport are out the moment so I will go to Timaru or the ferries beckon. Clayton Cosgrove is obviously ahead of us there. 
After over 4000 aftershocks I guess most of us in Canterbury felt that we were over the worst and that there would be a declining level of seriousness of the shakes. But watching the television pictures this afternoon was very dispiriting and shocking for those of us who know the city well. But this time it is a bit personal. I was talking to my electorate office when the earthquake hit and there was real terror in the voice of Jeanette Lawrence who has been with me a long time. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: She doesn’t scare easily. 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: She does not scare easily. She said to me that all of the buildings across the road had just collapsed and I felt that this was a bit different. The walls of our own building seem to be in great trouble. I have not been able to get through to my electorate office since because the phones are out—both cell phones and office phones of course—and I have also been unable to contact my wife who is in the centre of the city this afternoon. It will be the same for many of us outside of Christchurch and a worrying time for all and I feel for everyone in this position. 
We were very fortunate with the original quake to be honest. At 4.30 in the morning it could not have happened at a better time really; at 1 o’clock in the afternoon it could not have happened at a worse time. So it will be a bigger miracle if we escape as lightly as we did the first time in terms of personal injuries or fatalities. There is clearly a more significant possibility of that this time and we have to face that. 
The Christchurch community and Cantabrians in general—and I say this as a former Aucklander—are pretty resilient. They are courageous and they show a lot of fortitude. But I have to say to the rest of New Zealand that if there ever was a time to feel with us and for us and to offer a hand of assistance this will almost certainly be it because all of those qualities will be tested to the maximum that they have ever been tested. I thank the House for expressions of support and I hope that we can get through this as well as we would possibly expect.
Hide Rodney: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Hide Rodney: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16938] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) 
: 
 This is a very dark and very grim day for New Zealand perhaps the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetime. We do not know the full extent of the tragedy but early accounts suggest that it is enormous and that there is considerable devastation. It comes on top of an extraordinary amount of suffering by the people of Christchurch and Canterbury as the earth has shaken and shaken continually since September last year. 
It is important to this House with representatives of all of New Zealand that the people of Canterbury know that every New Zealander has the people of Canterbury in their thoughts in their prayers and in their hearts and that this Parliament and our Government stand shoulder to shoulder with them in their darkness and in their sad tragic plight where they need assistance as they have never needed it before. 
We know too that this tragedy now will have travelled right around the world and that there will be Kiwis in the far-flung corners of the planet grieving for the people of Canterbury and Christchurch in their tragedy. We know as a Government and as a country that we are not alone and we know that our brothers and sisters in Australia will be thinking of us. The United States of America the United Kingdom and all the countries around the world will be beside us in this great hour of need. This is a time when words fail us. We hope and pray that the tragedy is not as bad as we so solemnly fear in this hour. Thank you.
Graham Kennedy: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Graham Kennedy: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16938] 
Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) 
: 
 This appears to have been an unprecedented event—certainly for Christchurch and the people of Canterbury. In this moment our immediate thoughts go out to the families of everybody who will be directly affected. As a Christchurch resident myself I plan to return on the next available flight and to assist in the recovery effort there for as long as it takes. 
This will be the ultimate test of the resilience and the fortitude of the people of Canterbury. If we thought the September earthquake was big I think it will be nothing like this. We face an even bigger challenge; therefore we shall be up to it. We shall dig deep we shall summon all our resolve we shall group together we shall unite and we shall show the country and beyond our Cantabrian spirit. Whatever lies ahead we shall not be daunted. To the people of Canterbury I say: “You are not alone—we are not alone—all of New Zealand is there to support you to support us”.
King Annette: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
King Annette: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16938] 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) 
: 
 The Labour Opposition joins with the Prime Minister in giving our thoughts and best wishes to the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury region who have just suffered two major earthquakes this morning. The earthquakes appear to have been centred about 5 kilometres from Lyttelton. As if the people have not already suffered enough—the steps of recovery the slow steps of recovery were taking place and people were getting their lives back together again—now they face another setback. 
It appears from watching the television reports—and it is very distressing just to watch the reports let alone to be there—that the devastation is even greater than that from the first earthquake. The earthquake was felt as far away as Greymouth Timaru and Dunedin and people in this building also felt it. We know that there have been some injuries to people and we hope and pray that there have not been any fatalities. But anecdotally the earthquake was very severe. People are checking on their families and naturally they are very worried and distressed not only in Christchurch but around New Zealand as they try to find out whether their families are safe. 
This will need another big effort to be made in Christchurch and I support the Prime Minister in saying that we will do whatever we can and that this House stands together in helping the people of Christchurch. Roadways are damaged the airport is closed the power is out and the water is out so there will be a need for another big effort to be made there. I do not think that many of us will forget the sight of Christchurch Cathedral—such a touchstone such a landmark—and seeing the crumbling of that building. 
I know that local MPs are rushing to get home to be with their families and their constituents. Clayton Cosgrove is already on his way to Timaru to be there and Phil Goff gives his apologies to the House because he was actually in Christchurch and is still in Christchurch at the United States - New Zealand Partnership Forum. He offers all the support that he can to the Prime Minister in helping the people of Christchurch. 
Now is the time to focus on Christchurch and the business of this House today seems to be far less important than what we can do to assist the people down there with our thoughts our best wishes our practical help and our prayers. We stand together in this House with the people of Christchurch.
Key John: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
Key John: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch 
[Volume:670;Page:16937] 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) 
: 
 I have been informed of a major earthquake in Christchurch and the surrounding areas. Reports are coming in of damage in the city and we are in the very early stages of responding to the earthquake. At this stage we have sketchy details that suggest that significant damage to buildings and infrastructure has taken place. It may be some time until the situation on the ground becomes clearer but we do know that the people of Canterbury are once again going through a traumatic and frightening experience. My thoughts and I am sure the thoughts of this House are with the people of Canterbury. The Government stands alongside them now and for however long it takes to repair and rebuild their region. 
The Government will keep New Zealanders informed as information becomes available. I have called an emergency Cabinet meeting for 3 o’clock this afternoon. Straight after that it is my intention to fly to Christchurch conditions permitting. I want to go down there for a firsthand look and I will return quickly to Wellington to work with Ministers to ensure that everything that needs to be done is done urgently. 
The civil defence bunker in the Beehive has been activated and the Minister of Civil Defence and officials are meeting. The details that we have are extremely sketchy. Communication with Christchurch civil defence is extremely limited. There has been some communication via satellite but at this stage the details are extremely sketchy. But the worrying fear of course is that this earthquake has taken place at a time when Cantabrians were going about their business. It is a very populated time with people at work and children at school. Sadly I cannot rule out whether there have been fatalities but we are aware of significant damage to buildings that had people in them at the time. 
We are also advising Cantabrians to exit the central city where large buildings are more prevalent. We will be doing whatever we can to assist those who have been evacuated from the hospitals. Obviously where possible we are asking people to make contact with their loved ones via text or whatever is available to them to check on their welfare. By 3 o’clock this afternoon we will have more information hopefully from officials by portfolio but of course all of the provisions that rest with an emergency clarification in this area will come into play and the Government will be there to provide whatever assistance is possible. 
Can I just pass my thoughts to the Canterbury-based members of Parliament who I am sure are all very worried about their own families. I give them the assurance that we will do whatever we can to give them information as soon as we have it to hand.
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — United States of America—Congressional Delegation Norway—Standing Committee on Transport and Communications 
Smith Lockwood: Visitors — United States of America—Congressional Delegation Norway—Standing Committee on Transport and Communications 
[Volume:670;Page:16937] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: It is my further pleasure to inform the House that the Standing Committee on Transport and Communications from the Parliament of Norway led by the Chair of the Committee Mr Knut Arild Hareide is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation also be welcomed. I am sure members would also wish that that delegation be welcomed.
Sittings of the House 
Sittings of the House 
[Volume:670;Page:16941] 
Sittings of the House 
Hon SIMON POWER (Deputy Leader of the House) 
: 
 I seek leave for the House to now adjourn as a mark of respect for the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury area. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Visitors — United States of America—Congressional Delegation Norway—Standing Committee on Transport and Communications 
Visitors — United States of America—Congressional Delegation Norway—Standing Committee on Transport and Communications 
[Volume:670;Page:16937] 
Tuesday 22 February 2011 
Mr Speaker 
 took the Chair at 2 p.m. 
Prayers 
. 
Visitors 
United States of America—Congressional Delegation 
Mr SPEAKER 
: It is my pleasure to inform the House that the United States Congressional Delegation led by representative Donald Manzullo is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation be welcomed. 
Norway—Standing Committee on Transport and Communications 
Mr SPEAKER 
: It is my further pleasure to inform the House that the Standing Committee on Transport and Communications from the Parliament of Norway led by the Chair of the Committee Mr Knut Arild Hareide is present in the gallery. I am sure members would wish that the delegation also be welcomed. I am sure members would also wish that that delegation be welcomed.
O'Connor Damien: Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill — In Committee 
O'Connor Damien: Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:670;Page:16923] 
Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Labour) 
: 
 Mr Chairman looks surprised that a Pakeha boy from the West Coast can stand and speak on the Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill but I have been drawn into this debate for a couple of reasons. The first is that I am here in the Chamber. The second is that through fate I was formerly the Minister of Corrections when the negotiation that led to this bill was taking place so I am familiar with some of the background to the bill. 
In the preamble there is reference to consultation with neighbouring iwi. I visited the prison with the Hon Tariana Turia on one particular occasion and it is fair to say we had to negotiate a sensible position because at that time there was a dispute about which particular iwi was tangata whenua when visiting the prison. Being conscious of that when the agreement in principle was brought to me as the then Minister of Corrections to sign over half of the land effectively fee simple to North Island Ngati Apa I was somewhat concerned about that. I was not sure what it might mean knowing full well that there had been discussion between iwi and that the Crown had a clear obligation to settle this matter with iwi. I will not go into the injustices; my colleagues know full well what has taken place. The Crown has a duty and an obligation to work through Treaty settlements right through the country. 
I think this is a sensible agreement. Kaitoke Prison is an unfortunate establishment. I do not think that any iwi wants to have a prison sited on its land and I guess there will be questions as we go forward and maybe later in the legislation here as to what happens with regard to that ground. I am sure that within Maoridom there is debate around whether Maori should be owners of land or indeed of prisons. The unfortunate fact is that 50 percent of the population of prisons is Maori. That is a disgrace for a nation and we have to work on that. 
I am speaking just on the preamble here. I acknowledge South Island Ngati Apa as an iwi in my local area. I also acknowledge that the preamble lays down the background to what has been quite a difficult if not an uneasy process at times that has led to this legislation coming to the House. All of us welcome the bill and we want to move it through the House as quickly as we can. Kia ora.
Davis Kelvin: Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill — In Committee 
Davis Kelvin: Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:670;Page:16936] 
KELVIN DAVIS (Labour) 
: 
 My colleague Grant Robertson raises a really interesting point when he talks about dialectal differences. Up north where I come from we definitely say “Fanganui”. It is definitely “Fanganui” because that is how we say things up north. Mr Robertson has said that “Whanganui” is pronounced “W’anganui” down in “Fanganui”. But it is interesting the way Pakeha missionaries interfered with our language when they first arrived here. They did not like the “f” sound in a word like “whakarongo”; they did not like the sound of the first two syllables of that word so up north they tried to get us to say “’hakarongo”. 
Hon Member 
: Really? 
KELVIN DAVIS 
: That is correct. We stopped using the “f” sound and a lot of people up there will say “’hakarongo”—meaning listen. One can come across any number of words like that up there. That is true and it is because the missionaries did not like the sound of those first two syllables. Up there quite often people will not say the “f” sound. They will use an “h” sound. It is quite common to hear people say “’Hangarei” instead of “Fangarei”. Even in the Treaty of Waitangi if one reads it carefully—and I know that everyone in the Chamber has and has absorbed everything— 
Progress reported. 
Report adopted.
Goodhew Jo: Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill — In Committee 
Goodhew Jo: Whanganui Iwi (Whanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Whanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:670;Page:16935] 
JO GOODHEW (Junior Whip—National) 
: 
 I move  
That the question be now put 
.