Catchpole Brent: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Bill — Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee 
Catchpole Brent: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Bill — Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee 
[Volume:609;Page:6296] 
BRENT CATCHPOLE (NZ First) 
: New Zealand First supports the purpose of this bill which is to foster trade and enterprise with a focus on exports and to improve our export potential. However I am disappointed in this bill because the Government has failed to include tourism as part of the collaborative networks and partnerships. 
I refer to clause 9 “Functions” and in particular subclause (1)(a)(i) which describes one of the functions as “fostering collaborative networks and partnerships between central government local government industry trade unions regions education and research organisations potential investors and individual enterprises”. But it does not include tourism. Tourism should be included here because it is a major employer within New Zealand. It is a major industry and it is among the top three of our export earners. It should be included in this bill particularly under “collaborative networks and partnerships”. By not including tourism the Government is failing to recognise the industries that are built up around it. Tourism creates a huge industry within this country and industries are developed to attract tourism so as a combination they are—or should be—an integral part of this bill. I have spoken to a large number of people within the tourism industry and they agree that by excluding them this bill is missing out on a golden opportunity to include them in our promotion and export potential overseas. 
Hon Judith Tizard 
: They have got their own Act and there is Tourism New Zealand. 
BRENT CATCHPOLE 
: The Minister says they have their own Act but why do we not collaborate with the tourism industry? It is a major industry and a major employer within New Zealand. 
New Zealand First put in a minority report. In our view it is not sufficient in developing the statement of intent for the new organisation to restrict the input to just the integrating organisations. Tourism and the associated industries represent a significant export sector and as such should be recognised as an integral industry for the purpose of this bill. Tourism and tourism industries have expanded as a result of enterprise and conversely industries have also developed as a result of tourism. Tourism should be part of this bill. 
New Zealand First’s policy on tourism is that it is a key earner for foreign exchange. That is what this bill is trying to promote—foreign exchange and foreign export. New Zealand First recognises the opportunities for economic growth and employment throughout tourism and tourism ventures. A New Zealand First - led Government would treat our tourism industry as an export industry specifically for the application of venture capital funding research and development incentives and the technology to create much larger exports. We continue to support venture tourism marketing and stricter guidelines for accountability and encourage the development of regional tourism. 
Here we are talking about regional developments. This bill is trying to develop regional development so why do we not include tourism within its consultative and collaborative part? No this Government wants to exclude it leave it dangling out in the wind and say that tourism has its own Act. So what that it has its own Act? Tourism can also play a part in this bill and its export side is huge. 
Hon David Carter 
: Wealth creation. 
BRENT CATCHPOLE 
: It is wealth creation but more important it is job creation and enterprise creation. All tourism enterprises and industries that develop around tourism develop huge potential particularly in Auckland. We could develop much better industry within Auckland. There is huge potential for employment and industry in the tourism industry in Auckland so why do we not include tourism in this bill?