edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Bayly AndrewANDREW BAYLY (National—Hunua): It is a pleasure to be able to take this opportunity talk to the third reading of this wonderful bill the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill put forward by the Hon Nicky Wagner. First of all I would like to say that I had a very good friend who was on the board of the Blind Foundation and was I believe one of the supporters of this. I think this is a very good bill in terms of repositioning the foundation more appropriately to its future vision. I just want to acknowledge that last year the foundation celebrated 125 years of excellent service and of course this bill is about repealing the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act to recognise the foundation's status as an incorporated society which as many of us know is a much more appropriate structure for voluntary organisations.The main provision—as I think we are all aware but just to recap—is that it repeals the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act 2002. It also replaces the foundation's name in the Copyright (General Matters) Regulations 1995 with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Incorporated" which of course is a very good name and an appropriate name.I think the key thing about this bill is it seeks to deal with the statutory inconsistency that we have at the present which is that the foundation is no longer a statutory body. By moving to an incorporated society what this bill does is reinforce that independence. On that basis I commend this bill to the House.Bill read a third time."
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill — Third Reading
Reti ShaneDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei): It is a pleasure to speak to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill. The purpose of this bill is to enable the Blind Foundation to modernise its structure. Others have commented very fully on the history so I will not go into that any further but I do want to highlight a few points of the foundation's function.The foundation has a presence in Whangarei along Kamo Road and earlier this year I had the privilege of attending its annual general meeting. I would like to highlight one of the activities that it undertakes. The foundation in Whangarei operates a newsreader service from the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). The recording device itself is housed at the YWCA and locals volunteer as newsreaders to read local news headlines and components of the articles into the recording device. People with impaired vision are then able to dial in every day and hear the news headlines. This is particularly well received by people with impaired vision across Whangarei and in Northland. So amongst other things I would like to thank the YWCA the newsreaders and the foundation staff who organise the roster.I would also like to note Health Informatics New Zealand's (HINZ) Clinicians' Challenge from 2015. The winner of the active project/development category was Dr Hong Sheng Chiong and his team with their contribution to the visual impairment domain. The HINZ challenge is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Health and Health Informatics New Zealand. Dr Hong and his team developed an attachment that clips on to a smartphone and that gives the user a 40-degree view of the retina—the back of the eye. That view can then be imaged it can be stored it can be monitored or it can be transferred to other professionals. Normally equipment of this sort is worth tens of thousands of dollars—a slit lamp is what you are talking about—but Dr Hong's team has been able to go into production mode with this attachment for several hundred dollars.At the recent 2016 Talent Unleashed Awards Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak singled out this device and awarded it the Best Start Up - Social Impact award. Devices like this make it much more likely that the greatest cause of blindness in New Zealand macular degeneration will be detected earlier. Of everyone in this House over the age of 50 one in seven will get macular degeneration. This then is a vote of thanks to the Blind Foundation thanks to volunteers and thanks to those using their skills and time to advance and improve the quality of life for those with impaired vision. I commend this bill to the House.
Hague KevinKEVIN HAGUE (Green): In previous contributions on this bill I have spoken of my admiration for the foundation and its considerable good works. My father-in-law is a regular consumer of the services of the foundation. With the blind dogs talking books computer-based services and a variety of others his globe—the way he actually perceives the world—is largely through the services that the foundation provides.But in this contribution I want to talk specifically about the central idea that is in the bill that is before us. That is around essentially the evolution or the conception of what the foundation is and its legal status. Other speakers in this debate have talked about that history—of moving from an initially kind of 19th century idea of charity from a time when we had a small State and the role of the State was not constructed in a way that actually saw these services as being part of the State. We moved from that charity model to a more paternalistic model of the role of the State. This change to the status of the foundation that is in the bill before us is effectively sealing into law that next stage of the foundation's devolution towards an empowerment model.Others have spoken about the importance of that but I want to speak about the importance of that from my own experience. As members will know I used to be the executive director of the AIDS Foundation. In the 1980s when the HIV epidemic was first striking these shores the Government of the day—indeed the Parliament of the day—faced a very difficult choice about how to respond to that pressing and urgent problem. What it chose to do—actually showing some foresight—was not to centralise the response to the epidemic in the ministry on the Treasury benches but rather to empower those groups that were most affected. That is the parallel that I see between the response to that epidemic and what we are doing with this bill because the courage shown by the Government at that time was to say: OK we don't know how best to work with gay men injecting drug users and sex workers so what we're going to do is actually empower groups from those communities to work with people from those communities." That response was something that was completely alien to the way we had gone about responding to that sort of problem previously but it worked. Our country Aotearoa has one of the best records of achievement in responding to that epidemic. Injecting drug use—we have had virtually no infections amongst injecting drug users for many years now. The best way to respond to the needs of people who are blind or have low vision is to say: "You know best how to work with your own community and as a Parliament and as a State we will do what we can to empower you to respond to the needs of your community." That is the way that those needs will be best met. I am really pleased that in this bill that is precisely what we are achieving today. I commend the bill to the House."
O'Rourke DenisDENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First): I am going to make only a very short contribution to this debate on this very short but nevertheless very necessary bill. It is good to see it coming now to its final stage. The Blind Foundation does do wonderful work throughout New Zealand in many and various ways and has widespread community support. So I just want to say that we in New Zealand First wish it well for its future. In 2012 it became an independent incorporated society under the Incorporated Societies Act so its original legislation the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act 2002 is therefore redundant and it is necessary to repeal it. New Zealand First will have pleasure in adding our votes in favour of the bill at this last reading.
Dean JacquiJACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki): It is very good to see the Blind Foundation so forward-looking and the fact that this House is universally endorsing the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill which is a member's bill in the name of Nicky Wagner is the final step for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind to really launch itself on that forward-looking journey and leave the constraints of this piece of legislation behind it. I want to pay tribute particularly to those Blind Foundation volunteers in all our communities but perhaps in particular in my community because I know them a little better. They do reach out into the community. They do provide professional services not only for people with vision issues but also for other members of the community with a view to the integration into our society of people with vision impairment. So it is interesting to know that the Blind Foundation now supports over 11000—in fact nearly 12000—New Zealanders who are blind or who have low vision which is many of us in this House. Actually I could not do a single thing without my glasses so the issues to do with vision impairment are wide reaching throughout our society. The Blind Foundation recognises that and it is reaching out into society and I commend it for bringing this bill to the House.
Logie JanJAN LOGIE (Green): I also would like to give a relatively short speech on behalf of the Green Party in support of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill at this the third reading. The Green Party along with every other single member in this House is supporting this bill because it makes sense. It is not a complicated piece of legislation. What it does as has already been mentioned is remove a piece of legislation off our statute book because it is no longer needed. When the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind changed its name in 2002 from the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind in the new Act was a provision that if it established itself as an incorporated society it would be able to take the Act off the statute book. It has come time and the foundation has chosen to do that for two key reasons. One is to emphasise the foundation's status as completely independent from Parliament and also just to avoid any confusion that might arise from the statute remaining on the book. It is a very sensible thing. We in the Green Party absolutely want to acknowledge the work of the Blind Foundation its very very long history and its leadership of people across disability communities. We are also acknowledging again the reflection of the change in social values that happened with that changing of the name from for the blind" to "of the blind" which really clarified its status as an organisation controlled mainly by and for people who are blind or vision-impaired. That reflects a shift away from seeing people with disabilities as objects of charity to being people with inherent capacity the same as anybody else—able to act for themselves when provided with the right supports by society like any of us. That is a philosophy that we certainly buy into and it is nice to see that rounded off in this piece of legislation. Thank you."
Hipkins ChrisCHRIS HIPKINS (Labour—Rimutaka): I rise in support of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill. This is a relatively common-sense bill. It removes a law from the statute book that is no longer required. I do not see any need to prolong the debate unnecessarily so I simply lend the Labour Party's full support to the bill.
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): It is a pleasure to take a call on this bill. I totally support the work of the Blind Foundation. It was really fitting that today as the emails came through earlier on this afternoon an email about Blind Week was asking for volunteers to go out with their buckets and help with the collection week. It is certainly something well worth doing. I noticed on the letter that came today that it was actually talking about giving people the gift of freedom. It is about going to school with confidence. It is about being able to cook and to make a cup of tea. It is about being able to use new technology and equipment. All of this stuff actually goes into the fantastic work that the people at the Blind Foundation do. It is great to be able to see the foundation being separated from where it was in the past around a piece of legislation. It is quite capable of doing what it needs to do in the interests of its people.I just also wanted to make mention while I am here and while we are talking about disability groups and those who work for people with impairments that just recently I also visited where they actually train hearing dogs for the Deaf. Again it is about giving the people freedom. If you ever want to go into a place where you are going to be made to feel totally welcome go to Taranaki and visit the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand. The dogs will lick you to bits when you walk in but they are the ears for the people. They hear the phone ring. They hear the doorbell ring. They know when somebody is around. I have always been intrigued by the guide dogs and going and visiting the hearing dogs gave me a whole new experience.I do want to make mention here also of Dr Hugh Blair. I remember back late in 1999 when Dr Hugh Blair from Massey University came to our farm. It was part of judging in a farming competition and he saw a picture of a guide dog sitting on the mantelpiece there and he happened to make comment about the guide dogs. Although I had done a whole lot of work around genetics in dairy animals Dr Hugh Blair was one of the people who actually did a lot of work around genetics in guide dogs and so there are certain traits within guide dogs that actually make them better guide dogs.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): As I did with the previous speaker I am going to interrupt and say that it is really interesting but it is not relevant. I will ask the member either to become relevant or to stop.BARBARA KURIGER: OK thank you. Really yes you are right—thank you for that Mr Assistant Speaker. All I really wanted to say today is that it is a pleasure to be supporting this bill. I do support the great work of the foundation. I do encourage people to get out and collect for them. I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
Pugh MaureenMAUREEN PUGH (National): Being from a rural electorate I understand full well how vital it is that the Government continues to invest in the provinces. Although this Government is managing its finances extremely well the investments still continue into the infrastructure that is needed to make sure that rural New Zealand thrives and can operate effectively in the 21st century. It is only by focusing on building a very strong economy that we have the privilege of being able to enjoy that investment into our infrastructure. We are investing hugely in our young people in this country through our social and education polices we are investing in the health sector in record numbers and we are investing in infrastructure.I know too well the importance of connectivity being based in one of the largest geographic electorates in New Zealand. Access to the internet is absolutely vital and it is no longer a luxury in this day and age; it is actually essential for our rural businesses and our schools. As an MP I rely on technology myself to communicate with my constituents across such a vast electorate. The roll-out of ultra-fast broadband (UFB) will have 98 percent of us connected to high-speed internet by 2019—Hon Member: How many?MAUREEN PUGH: Ninety-eight percent—and I am thrilled that the UFB build in Greymouth nears completion this year. Although this is welcome news the Rural Broadband Initiative is actually the big one for me. For places like Motueka Lake Brunner Camerons Dobson Blackball Tākaka Kūmara Kaniere Gladstone Barrytown Tapawera—they have all benefited from new cell towers. Even two of our most isolated schools on the West Coast in South Westland Haast and Jacobs River have new remote wireless broadband and I am very happy to report that there will be four new towers proposed for Wakefield Pōhara Tasman District and even Hector. So this means that 100 percent of State and State integrated schools now have access to fibre and the exciting spin-off that I am seeing in these communities is the innovation from businesses leveraging off that infrastructure and extending that infrastructure across their communities.We heard today from His Excellency Lieutenant General Mateparae that his theme for 2016 is science and innovation. He understands how important it is and this theme is strongly supported through this Government's investment into education. As we heard earlier from the Hon Hekia Parata digital fluency is essential in a 21st century world. Not only does investment in infrastructure help us adapt to growing demand from a growing economy but it gives people confidence and it gives them hope. New Zealanders have confidence and they have hope and that is evidenced by the ever-increasing numbers of Kiwis coming home. This is a great country enjoying great leadership.The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.
Tuesday 23 August 2016 (continued on Wednesday 24 August 2016) - Volume 716
Smoke-Free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Packaging) Amendment Bill — In Committee
VoteJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.Motion agreed to.Part 1 agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That Part 2 be agreed to.Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 13New Zealand First 12; ACT New Zealand 1.Part 2 agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 199 in the name of Barbara Stewart to the schedule be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendments be agreed to.Ayes 12New Zealand First 12.Noes 109New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendments not agreed to.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): I now want to clarify the ACT Party vote on Part 2. Was the ACT Party voting for or against?Joanne Hayes: Against.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): It was voting against?Joanne Hayes: Yes.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Right thank you. We have got it right.A party vote was called for on the question That the schedule be agreed to.Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 13New Zealand First 12; ACT New Zealand 1.Schedule agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 1 be agreed to.Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 13New Zealand First 12; ACT New Zealand 1.Clause 1 agreed to.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 198 in the name of Barbara Stewart to clause 2 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 12New Zealand First 12.Noes 109New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 2 be agreed to.Ayes 108New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; Māori Party 2; United Future 1.Noes 13New Zealand First 12; ACT New Zealand 1.Clause 2 agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment presently.
Tisch LindsayThe CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry to interrupt the honourable Minister. The time has come for me to report progress.House resumed.The Chairperson reported the Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Packaging) Amendment Bill without amendment and progress on the Judicature Modernisation Bill.Report adopted.The House adjourned at 11.26 a.m. (Wednesday)
Adams AmyHon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice): I apologise to the Hon David Parker. I just want to take a very quick call to—I thought it might assist the Committee if I indicate that the Government will be supporting Supplementary Order Paper 62 in the name of Jacinda Ardern. It saves the Committee time debating the point just to make it very clear at this early stage that we accept a lot of what Ms Ardern said in her comments. We do believe the place for it is in the Constitution Act but none the less we are persuaded that there is certainly no harm in maintaining it in the interim—but I certainly welcome the record in Hansard showing that when the appropriate time presents itself we would like to see it removed from this legislation and placed in its appropriate place. I thought it might assist the House just to clarify that point and I apologise to Mr Parker.
Mallard TrevorThe CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): I will call the Hon Amy Adams but I do recognise the fact that the member is mid-flight and I will recommend to my successor that we come back to you.
Ross Jami-Lee; Mallard TrevorJUDICATURE MODERNISATION BILLIn CommitteeJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I seek leave for the Judicature Modernisation Bill to be debated as one question with all votes taken separately at the end.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Is there any objection to that process? There appears to be none.
Rurawhe AdrianADRIAN RURAWHE (Labour—Te Tai Hauāuru): I want to speak to clauses 5 and 6 in Part 1. I want to start off in reference to clause 5 and the purpose of the bill. We have all heard that our aim is to have a smoke-free New Zealand by 2025 and I want to point out the real reasons why we need to make that date. Today 13 people on average will die from smoking-related issues. That is 5000 people this year and by 2025 that is 45000 people. We need to do this. We need to acknowledge the purpose of this bill and clause 5(1)(b)(i) says discouraging people from taking up smoking or using tobacco products;". That is why we need to do this. There are 45000 people who will die by 2025. We must not as a Committee delay this legislation any further. We must not put up and accept Supplementary Order Papers that delay this date. We have to acknowledge as the Committee of the whole House that too many New Zealanders will die by 2025—the same population as where I live just south of Whanganui wiped out of New Zealand. That is why I am standing up here to support this bill.I want to acknowledge the Health Committee and the changes that it has made to this bill. It has changed the language and I point to clause 5(1)(b)(ii). The words "encouraging people to give up smoking" have been changed to "encouraging people to quit smoking". I think that language is a lot more robust and it is the language that is being used as part of the initiatives to help people to stop smoking—indeed to quit smoking.In clause 6(a)(ii) there has been a change to section 21 with the addition of the words "and cultural" so it changes to "further reduce any social and cultural acceptance and approval of smoking and tobacco products;". I support that wholeheartedly.I listened very carefully to the Minister's last contribution. I think that having the word "cultural" in there to me means things like the design of that standardised packaging. There is scope in there for a cultural dimension and I think that in the communities that I represent in Te Tai Hauāuru there are different cultural aspects or signs that could be put on that packaging to indicate that it is not good for you—and they are not necessarily words and they are not necessarily images of people who are suffering from smoking-related diseases. In the Māori culture in a number of iwi around the country there are certain symbols that we like to avoid. Some of those symbols represent messages. For example in some iwi there are particular birds that are regarded as messengers of bad luck or impending death in some instances. So I think there is a whole scope around just including those two words in the changes to this bill that gives the opportunity to have that reflected in that plain packaging. I wanted to speak about that as well.I want to acknowledge the good work of the Health Committee but also that of past select committees including the Māori Affairs Committee which in its inquiry really pushed the boundaries around this area."
Ross Jami-Lee; Mallard TrevorJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Adrian Rurawhe has been trying for a long time to get a call so we will give him a shot. It is pretty much a warning here that we are coming to the end of the debate—it is losing steam and relevance.
Ross Jami-Lee; Borrows ChesterTUESDAY 23 AUGUST 2016(continued on Wednesday 24 August 2016)SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENTS (TOBACCO STANDARDISED PACKAGING) AMENDMENT BILLIn CommitteeJAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I seek leave for the Smoke-Free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Packaging) Amendment Bill to be debated as one question and voted on separately.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): Leave is put for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Thursday 18 August 2016 - Volume 716
New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill — First Reading (continued)
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 106New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 32; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1.Noes 15Green Party 14; United Future 1.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee.
Oral Questions — Urgent Questions to Ministers
1. Drinking-water Supplies—Contamination Havelock NorthHon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Minister of HealthURGENT QUESTIONSDrinking-water Supplies—Contamination Havelock North1. Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Minister of Health: Will he now declare a drinking-water emergency under the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007 in light of reports that E. coli has been discovered in a water tanker from a Hastings water supply parked at a school in Havelock North?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Acting Minister of Health): No. I am advised that the local council is taking action and that the water supplies for Hastings and Flaxmere are now being chlorinated. The daily tests for those supplies have been clear. I can also advise that the Minister Jonathan Coleman has confirmed there will be a Government-initiated independent inquiry into the Havelock North water contamination issue. This will be a wide-ranging inquiry to ensure that all New Zealanders can feel confident about the quality of drinking-water supplies.Hon Annette King: So what would it take for the Minister of Health to declare a drinking-water emergency given that over 3200 people have now been affected by gastric illness and that the Mayor Lawrence Yule is saying that this latest result is a significant development we cannot explain."?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: I continue to be disgusted by the attitude of that member who is playing politics with this issue—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I apologise for interrupting the Minister. I need to deal with a point of order.Hon Annette King: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was a straight question. The Minister started his answer by being disgusted by the fact that I have raised this issue in this House when he did not.Mr SPEAKER: We will now allow the Minister to complete his answer.Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: I am still disgusted because this member plays politics when what is at issue here is the health and safety of those people in Havelock North and Hawke's Bay. I visited Hawke's Bay yesterday and what the local people told me was that they wanted their health services provided and they wanted accountability. That is what this Government is offering through this inquiry and the support that we are giving the local district council."
12. Broadcasting Minister—Statements About Captioning of Summer Olympics 2016POTO WILLIAMS (Labour—Christchurch East) to the Minister for Disability IssuesBroadcasting Minister—Statements About Captioning of Summer Olympics 201612. POTO WILLIAMS (Labour—Christchurch East) to the Minister for Disability Issues: Did she or her office contact the Minister of Broadcasting or her office to correct their joint press release of 9 August 2016 regarding captioning of televised coverage of the Olympics as requested by the National Foundation for the Deaf; if not why not?Hon NICKY WAGNER (Minister for Disability Issues): Last week's joint press release was about recognising and celebrating the fact that captioning on parliamentary television will mean that more New Zealanders can access democracy. Minister Adams and I reviewed the press release and agreed that it was factually correct. We reject that there is any suggestion that the Government is taking credit for the foundation's work. I am very happy to acknowledge that the National Foundation for the Deaf has underwritten captioning for the Rio Olympics for $200000.Poto Williams: How much funding did her Government give to fund captioning at the Olympics?Hon NICKY WAGNER: The Olympics funding is going to be done by the National Foundation for the Deaf. Attitude Pictures is doing captioning for the Paralympics. Poto Williams: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: The best way forward is if the member could just repeat that question.Poto Williams: How much funding did her Government give to fund captioning at the Olympics?Hon NICKY WAGNER: As I have already said it will be covered by private organisations but New Zealand On Air funds captioning services of up to $2.8 million a year. That is 265 hours each week and 35 hours of audio description. One hundred percent of prime time content on Television New Zealand channels is now captioned and the addition of captioning of Prime Television in November 2015 shows that more captioning is available for all New Zealanders.Poto Williams: Can she confirm that the National Foundation for the Deaf paid $200000 to provide captioning for the Olympics?Hon NICKY WAGNER: Yes. I appreciate what it has done and I salute it.Poto Williams: Did the National Foundation for the Deaf ask her to correct her claim about Government funding of captioning at the Olympics?Hon NICKY WAGNER: Yes but I stand by my original statement that the press release is factually correct. We reject the suggestion that the Government is taking credit for the foundation's work. We are always pleased to support more captioning options.Poto Williams: Will she now apologise to the National Foundation for the Deaf after being caught taking credit for its funding?Hon NICKY WAGNER: I stand by my original statement that the press release is factually correct. It is unfortunate that the quote by Minister Adams has been misinterpreted. We are very supportive of all efforts to enhance captioning accessibility. That is why we put the press release out last week to congratulate the Office of the Clerk on increasing captioning.
11. Māori Health—Safe Sleep ProgrammeMARAMA DAVIDSON (Green) to the Minister of HealthMāori Health—Safe Sleep Programme11. MARAMA DAVIDSON (Green) to the Minister of Health: Ka kī taurangi a ia ka noho te rautaki Māori whāia e kōkirihia ana e āna āpiha tae atu ki te whakamahinga o te wahakura harakeke hai mahi tuatahi i roto i te Hōtaka Safe Sleep o te motu? [Will he guarantee that a targeted Māori strategy including the use of flax wahakura is prioritised in the national safe sleep programme that his officials are working on?]Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Acting Minister of Health): I can confirm that the safe sleep programme is being developed by the Ministry of Health and will include strategies for Māori in the use of safe sleeping devices such as wahakura.Marama Davidson: Kei te mōhio tātau neke atu i te 60 ōrau o ngā pēpi i mate i te Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) hē Māori nā reira he aha te rahi o te pūtea taunaki mā ngā rautaki Māori whāia pērā i te wahakura harakeke?[We know that more than 60 percent of Māori babies die as a result of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI); how much funding will he commit for targeted Māori strategies like flax wahakura?]Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: Details of how this will be run and the exact funding streams are still to be worked out but what is important is that we need to ensure that there are strong and clear guidelines in place for services to assess vulnerability across the board and to ensure that any family offered a safe sleep space is also supported to use it consistently and safely.Marama Davidson: Ka kī taurangi a ia ki te tuku pūtea rauemi hoki mā ngā rautaki Māori nā te tokomaha o te iwi Māori te tokomaha rānei o ngā pēpi Māori i mate i te SUDI?[Will he commit funding and resources as well to Māori strategies because of the vast number of Māori people or the vast number of Māori babies dying as a consequence of SUDI?]Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: As I have already answered the ministry is working alongside experts such as Professor Mitchell to devise a national safe sleep programme where these wahakura will be assessed as to whether they are appropriate. I am advised that the ministry is also working alongside other Māori in particular Whakawhetū a Māori organisation connected to the University of Auckland which will provide advice.Marama Davidson: Menā ka haumarutia ngā pēpi piripoho ka taurangihia e Te Minita me noho ngā wahakura hei kōwhiringa mā ia whānau o ngā pēpi piripoho puta noa i Aotearoa nei?[If newborn babies are given the best possible start in life will the Minister guarantee that wahakura will remain an option for each family of newborn babies throughout New Zealand?]Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: As I have said the programme is being worked through with experts and with the sector. It will be developed and include strategies for Māori given the high risk for young Māori infants as well as the use of such devices as wahakura.
10. Community Leadership—Community Leadership Fund - Hapori WhakatipuMAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary SectorCommunity Leadership—Community Leadership Fund - Hapori Whakatipu10. MAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector: What recent announcements has she made regarding community leadership organisations?Hon JO GOODHEW (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): Last week I announced the results of the inaugural funding round for the Community Leadership Fund - Hapori Whakatipu. I am pleased to report to the House that the $500000 fund has been fully committed in its first year with six diverse applicants to receive grants. The successful applicants are Ara Taiohi Incorporated Hui E! Community Aotearoa Ākina Foundation the Inspiring Communities trust the Volunteer Army Foundation and Volunteering New Zealand.Maureen Pugh: What contribution will the fund make to social enterprises in New Zealand?Hon JO GOODHEW: The Ākina Foundation has been granted $85000 to continue its work as the lead organisation for the social enterprise sector. The Ākina Foundation will be able to enhance its support for emerging social enterprises throughout New Zealand enabling people with good ideas across the country to be supported in their efforts to bring about social or environmental goals through the successful running of a self-sustaining business. The first round of the community leadership fund has shown us that there is an exciting range of ways in which organisations are working to build the leadership and capability of a huge range of different groups and enterprises throughout New Zealand.
8. Primary Sector—Rural Veterinary Bonding SchemeDAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesPrimary Sector—Rural Veterinary Bonding Scheme8. DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What recent reports has he received on Government support encouraging veterinary graduates to work in rural practices?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): The voluntary bonding scheme for veterinarians was launched in 2009 to encourage new vet graduates to work in hard-to-staff rural practices. The scheme provides a taxable payment of $11000 each year for 3 to 5 years for 30 eligible vet graduates a year. A recent report shows the Government has invested a total of $11.4 million in the scheme to date. This has seen a total of 226 graduates move to work in the regions over the last 7 years.David Bennett: What impact has the scheme had on our primary industries such as those in the Waikato?Hon NATHAN GUY: Good question. Around $22 billion of our exports are derived from animals per year. Vets therefore play a crucial role in the success of our primary industries and the wider New Zealand economy by maintaining and improving animal health and well-being. A total of 52 graduates have been staffed in practices in the Waikato region since this scheme began. A recent meeting with industry organisations confirmed strong appreciation and ongoing support for the scheme in our regions.
4. Tertiary Education—Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics EnrolmentsSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and EmploymentTertiary Education—Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Enrolments4. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment: What reports has he received on the growth in the number of tertiary students enrolling in engineering and ICT degrees?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Tertiary Education Skills and Employment): Recently I received a report called What are they doing? The field of study of domestic students/learners 2008-2015 which analyses the fields of study of domestic students in the tertiary system over the last 8 years. It shows that last year students enrolled in engineering and related technologies at Bachelor's level or higher reached an all-time high of over 11500—an increase of more than 3500 or 44 percent from 2008. The number of students enrolled in information technology at Bachelor's level or higher last year also grew by 33 percent since 2008 to reach just under 11500. It is very good to see so many students engaged in areas where they are likely to head into a solid well-paying career where demand is high and likely to continue to grow.STUART SMITH: How is the Government encouraging more students to study STEM subjects including engineering and ICT?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Ensuring industries have the skills that they need is a key priority of the tertiary education strategy and this has included a strong focus on boosting the number of students studying science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Initiatives under way include: rebalancing tuition subsidies to more accurately reflect the cost of provision which has encouraged universities to invest in growing places in some of these more expensive areas and also providing better and more accurate careers information is encouraging young people to choose these subjects; introducing the new ICT graduate schools which will boost the number of ICT graduates; and introducing the 'Make the World' Engineering to Employment campaign to encourage more young people into a career in engineering.Stuart Smith: Why is it important to grow the number of students studying STEM subjects such as engineering and ICT?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Graduates in STEM subjects like engineering and ICT are crucial for building a growing and high-tech 21st century economy. In particular New Zealand's ICT sector is thriving with the most recent ICT sector report showing that our services in the software industry are growing rapidly with the number of employed in the sector up around 3000 a year and exports from the sector having grown from less than half a billion dollars in 2008 to nearly a billion dollars in 2014 which is a compound annual growth rate of 14 percent. The sector needs skilled staff to maintain this growth and this growth in enrolments we are seeing at our universities will help meet this need.
3. Immigration—Returning New Zealanders and Party PoliciesTRACEY MARTIN (NZ First) to the Prime MinisterImmigration—Returning New Zealanders and Party Policies3. TRACEY MARTIN (NZ First) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes in the context in which they were made.Tracey Martin: How does he stand by his statement that the bulk of the 71000 net migration number is made up of New Zealanders returning …" when the quarterly labour market statistics show that eight out of 10 working-age migrant arrivals are not returning New Zealanders?Hon BILL ENGLISH: We would have to look in detail at the numbers the member is quoting but I think you will find that the net flow of New Zealanders has changed significantly from minus 39000—that is 4 years ago 39000 New Zealanders net left New Zealand and in the last year it was about plus 2000. That is a reversal of over 40000 Kiwis deciding to stay home or come home.Tracey Martin: Does he stand by his statement made as Prime Minister to The Migrant Times: "If migrants want to see continuation of an open diverse accepting country I think our Government is the only political party which voices that message. That is why it is important that when we have elections migrants come out and vote for us."?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Yes and I think there is some clear evidence for that from the member's party which has traditionally always advocated an opposition to migration into New Zealand and against immigrants and the Labour Party which runs political campaigns based on people's Chinese-sounding names. We have not done either of those things and that is why migrant communities are increasingly friendly and interested in our policy. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I am not going to continue to ask for less interjection from a couple of people I have got my eye on on the far right-hand side.Tracey Martin: Can he confirm that part of his Government's strategic plan for election 2017 is to import its voters?Hon BILL ENGLISH: No but New Zealand First should try it. It might get its vote up a bit."
1. Economic Outlook—Fitch Ratings Report and Employment OutlookALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSEconomic Outlook—Fitch Ratings Report and Employment Outlook1. ALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of Finance: What international reports has he received on the state of the New Zealand economy?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): Last week Fitch Ratings affirmed New Zealand's AA rating which indicates very strong capacity" for [honouring] our financial commitments" and confirmed the outlook as stable. Fitch pointed to improved growth prospects sound public finances and highlighted New Zealand's strong macroeconomic policy framework. The report is international recognition for New Zealand as a safe and stable place to do business.Alastair Scott: What else does Fitch Ratings say about the New Zealand economic outlook?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Fitch has lifted its forecasts for economic growth in New Zealand to around 2.7 percent over the next 2 years—a bit lower than recent Reserve Bank forecasts—but they all show moderate growth of 2 to 3 percent over the next 3 to 4 years which compares favourably with most economies and shows prospects for more jobs and higher incomes. Fitch says that the positive outlook for the New Zealand economy is supported by the lift in services exports—that is mainly tourism—construction activity and stronger than expected net migration flows which have offset weaker global demand and the fall in dairy production.Alastair Scott: What risks are there to this economic outlook?Hon BILL ENGLISH: All credit rating agencies refer as Fitch does to New Zealand's external finances. In that respect New Zealand is making slow but persistent progress. The current account deficit is currently at 3 percent when agencies just a year or two ago were forecasting it would be 5 or 6 percent of GDP. Our net external debt is now down from 83 percent of GDP when the Government took office to 56 percent of GDP. Fitch also points to house prices as a source of risk—something the Government is addressing along with our local councils through its comprehensive housing plan.Alastair Scott: What recent reports has he seen broadly supporting employment growth as reported in yesterday's labour market statistics report prepared by Statistics New Zealand which is of course statutorily independent?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Yesterday's labour market statistics report using a new method laid out in detail some months ago by the Government Statistician showed that 105000 jobs were added to the New Zealand economy in the last year. This has been greeted with some scepticism. Statistics New Zealand pointed to evidence broadly supporting employment growth. Today the ANZ Job Ads lifted 1.4 percent in July and they are now running 9.8 percent higher than a year ago. Job ads in the Auckland region are 12 percent up year on year. Consistent with the reporting of low unemployment in Auckland ANZ also reports strong regional growth in job advertising in Otago Manawatū Waikato and Hawke's Bay."
Points of Order — Point of Order—Correction
Brownlee GerryPERSONAL EXPLANATIONSRt Hon Winston Peters—Delivery of LetterHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I just rise to correct under the provisions of the Standing Orders a statement that I made in a point of order earlier today. I have become aware literally in the last few minutes that a letter that I said had not been received by the ninth floor from the Rt Hon Winston Peters had in fact been delivered to the ninth floor but not dealt with through a process that would have put it in front of us. That is not making any excuse for what some could take as a suggestion that process had not been followed properly by the Rt Hon Winston Peters when in fact it had. I apologise to the House for that.
New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill — First Reading
Points of Order — Oral Questions—Obligation to Answer
Speaker's Rulings — Oral Questions—Subsequent Corrections
Visitors — Kenya—Joint Parliamentary Select Committee on Delegated Legislation
Brownlee Gerry; Carter DavidHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I do not want to prolong things today obviously. The Government has got good work to do and the Opposition clearly wants answers to some questions by the sound of it. But if you are going to give that consideration I would appreciate the opportunity to give our view on that particular issue. I think there are a number of things that could be added to that consideration by yourself and not limited to the annoyance of the Opposition.Mr SPEAKER: I would be delighted to hear the view of the Hon Gerry Brownlee. He is welcome to come and see me any time he likes.
Carter DavidMr SPEAKER: I thank the member for his contribution again. I listened carefully to the question and the answer that was given. It clearly was not an inaccurate answer. The Minister chose to answer it in the way she did and I am aware of an announcement that has been made within 24 hours of that. I think the Minister's answer will be judged accordingly. I will give further consideration and may come back to the member.