edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Andersen GinnyVIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour): Thank you very much Madam Chair for the opportunity to speak to this bill. I acknowledge my colleagues from the Governance and Administration Committee who listened to the seven quite detailed submissions that we received on this bill.As has already been acknowledged new section 117(2AA) in clause 4—the new provision in this bill—was the part that caused the most rigorous discussion at select committee. That is the provision that When considering the terms and conditions of a chief executive the State Services Commissioner must have regard to the following"—and we have five criteria listed below. But I'd like to point out that there are words after that that haven't been mentioned yet. It's those five areas that are listed in the bill which you are able to read. It also states "(among any other relevant factors):". So it's important that while we've heard that the National members within the committee felt that this bill didn't go quite far enough the Government members felt that the right balance was struck. It's always difficult to get that getting that right balance between enabling a person with the appropriate skills and experiences to lead those significant organisations which are a wide variety of Crown entities and the fact that we want to make sure that we have a consistent approach right across the public sector—trying to get that balance. It's not the private sector; we do not have the same free rein and the same mentality that goes there. So trying to get that balance right is important.One of the points that remains there that really sticks with me is that for those skilled and experienced people who choose to be chief executives within Crown entities financial remuneration is not the only motivation to take that role; there are many other motivations that put people into those positions and one of them is delivering good-quality public services to New Zealanders. So I think it's important that we take note that in that subsection 117(2AA) from the advice we received from the officials who briefed the select committee and the Government members we felt that that balance was about right: that there was a good clear description in those five criteria within (2AA) and there was also that ability for the State Services Commissioner to have regard to any other relevant factors. So there's a good amount of flexibility there. And also the words "must have regard to"—so there's a requirement that those things must be taken into play.So I'd be interested to hear from the Minister the views on that because the Government members of the committee certainly felt that that balance was about right in terms of how we would be looking at the appointment of chief executives of Crown entities going forward. Thank you Madam Chair."
Mallard Trevor; Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghWEDNESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.PRAYERSSPEAKER: In recognition of the fact that it's Hindi Language Week I've asked Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi to say the prayer in Hindi.KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Hey Parmatma hum aapke aashirvaadon ke liye aapka koti koti dhanyavaad karte hain.Sabhi prakaar ke niji swarthon ko swayam se door karke hum aadarniya maharani ke shaasan ko swikaar karte hue ye nivedan karte hain ki woh hamaare charcha karne ko disha-nirdesh dein taaki hum iss sansad ka maamle ka sanchalan samajhdaari insaaf karuna aur vidhi se New Zealand ke kalyan tatha yahan ki shanti banaaye rakhne ke liye kar sakei. Amen.
Macindoe Tim; Rurawhe AdrianHon TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West): Kia ora e Te Kaiwhakahaere and thank you for that opportunity. I have to say that was a very fine contribution by one of the newest members of the National Party caucus Nicola Willis. I was a little slow in rising to my feet at that point because I thought that the Minister of Education would take a call. Ms Willis has highlighted a very significant point. The consequential amendments that are the feature of Part 2 of this bill are very significant.This time last year I had the great privilege of being an Associate Minister of Education and I can confirm that no one raised with me this particular need to change the name of the council or in fact to change the actual structure of the council. So when we look at these consequential amendments it surely is at least incumbent on the Minister to take a couple of calls to explain not only to the teachers of this country but to the public at large—many of whom I know are still watching this debate because some have been texting me seeking a little bit of clarification as to what's going on.Hon Chris Hipkins: Ha ha!Hon TIM MACINDOE: I call on the Minister who's clearly enjoying this contribution—and I'm delighted at that because to be able to make anyone laugh at 7 minutes to 10 is quite an achievement and I thank him for that. But more importantly I hope that I will provoke him to stand up and explain to all who are listening and to all who will be affected by the consequential amendments in Part 2 of this bill why they are necessary. The call that he took a short time ago was I think 27 seconds—as I timed it on the clock—and all he did was suggest to the excellent chair of the Education and Workforce Committee Dr Parmjeet Parmar that her contribution had been irrelevant. Well I want to say to Dr Parmar that I have never heard anything other than a well-reasoned intelligent contribution from her. She's doing a fine job chairing this committee. She has steered this bill through the select committee stage.Hon Nikki Kaye: And these consequential amendments.Hon TIM MACINDOE: And these consequential amendments as the former Minister the very fine member for Auckland Central is noting. The very least that Dr Parmar deserves and could rightly expect would be to hear an engaged and intelligent response to the point she was making not just a glib dismissal of her contribution as being of no consequence because—CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Sorry to interrupt the member. Engari kua tae mai te wā kia tuku atu te ripoata ki Te Māngai o Te Whare.[However the time has arrived to submit the report to the Speaker.]House resumed.Progress reported.Report adopted.Sitting suspended from 9.56 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Wednesday)
Hipkins ChrisHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): The debate on Part 2 is a very technical part of the debate. I listened very carefully to the member Parmjeet Parmar's contribution regarding the cost of changing the name. But of course the cost of changing the name was canvassed thoroughly in Part 1—that is where the committee made the decision to change the name. Nothing in the member's contribution actually related to the consequential amendments in Part 2 and as a result there is nothing to respond to.
Rurawhe AdrianPart 2 Consequential amendments to other enactmentsCHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Members we now come to the debate on Part 2 the debate on clauses 8 and 9 and schedule 4 relating to consequential amendments to other enactments.
McAnulty KieranKIERAN McANULTY (Junior Whip—Labour): Ka mea ahau kia whiua te pātai.[I move That the question be now put.]
Rurawhe AdrianCHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): I just want to repeat what I said earlier except in English. Mēnā he kōrero hou tukua mai ki te komiti nei.[If there is new material submit it to this committee.]That means that if you have any new arguments now would be the time to bring them out.
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): I move That the question be now put. [Interruption] CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Kāti rā. Mēnā he kōrero hou me tukua ki te komiti nei.[That's enough. If there is new information it must be submitted to this committee.]OK? I call Tim Macindoe.
Hipkins ChrisHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): I'll just quickly run through a few of the points that have been raised. I think Brett Hudson probably needs to consider the difference between not binding a future Government and trying to pre-empt what a future Government might try and do. Certainly one Government shouldn't bind—or try to bind—a future Government but trying to pre-empt what they might do isn't the most desirable thing for them to do either. He seemed to then go on and argue that 100 percent of the members should be elected. I'm not sure that's consistent with what his colleagues have been arguing. He did question why an early childhood teacher might be voting for a secondary teacher representative and I simply draw him to the provisions of the bill that specify—new section 380(1)(b)(i) in clause 5 for example states 1 teacher representing the early childhood education sector elected by teachers from that sector;". If you run through all of them they all require the teachers who are electing those representatives to be from that sector. So I think that clearly addresses his concern. I commend to members on that side of the Chamber the virtue of reading the bill before speaking on it.With regard to David Seymour's comment—he claims that this is the first legislative Act in education by this Government. We either have a numeracy problem or a comprehension one. In fact we've had other education bills passed by this Government during this term of Parliament. He raised a legitimate question regarding the three months between the election being declared and the Minister having to make the appointments. That is deliberate and it is to ensure that the Minister has an opportunity to ensure that the right balance of representative people is on that council so that is deliberately by design—bearing in mind that the Minister is still only appointing the minority side on the council. The majority are elected and therefore the Minister can look at that and say "Well we're short on a particular perspective on the council." and therefore fill that perspective. They couldn't as David Seymour was claiming jack up the council because they're only appointing the minority of the members. Nicola Willis raised much the same argument she raised earlier which I've already referred to arguing that the case for democracy hasn't been made. Well I would say that the case for democracy is inherent in itself—that low turnout is a reason for not having democracy—and I don't agree with her. She then argues that there shouldn't be outside influences on an election process. I'd be interested to see how that would apply in a general election. For example there would be no political parties in a general election if people weren't allowed to have any other affiliations. I don't think that that case has been made but I've addressed all of those points earlier as I have already indicated."
Patterson Mark; Tolley AnneMARK PATTERSON (NZ First): Thank you Madam Chair. I rise to take a very brief call just to register New Zealand First's support for this Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand) Amendment Bill the first part in particular which we are covering at the moment.What an outrageous state of affairs that teachers would want their own elected representatives on their own professional body! I cannot believe we're actually having this debate. My sister who's a teacher of 30 years her husband also a 30-year plus veteran—why should they not have the ability to vote for the people that represent them on their elected council? I would have thought that was perfectly obvious. And there are the checks and balances. In answer to the previous member's contribution—those six independent appointees—there is still the opportunity to look at where there may be a skills gap that we need to identify and the Minister can make those appointments.Also in one of the previous contributions from the Hon Nikki Kaye she did allude to—I think my colleague Jamie Strange suggested—almost a conspiracy theory where there was a press release apparently that if you went to a link on a website there was some dastardly power that the Minister was going to invoke. Well actually those seven teachers—those seven elected teachers—are the bulwark against that very sort of behaviour. They are independent; they are not appointed by the Minister. They do not owe the Minister their fees their directors' fees; they have earned it because they've had support from their fellow teachers. If it was 13 percent I agree that would not be a particularly high number but 13 percent is 13 percent. The other teachers had the ability to vote too. That is a right as well. They may have indicated that there was some degree of comfort with the way that council had been going but at least they had the right.Do we want to take democracy away from this country if the voting drops below 75 percent because maybe people aren't interested or something like that? That's a Draconian statement and we need to push back about that in any way shape or form. So we in New Zealand First absolutely support this bill especially Part 1 of this bill as we are debating now. Teachers need their own representatives elected on their own professional body. It is the right thing to do and we are totally behind that. Thank you.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley): I call Tim Macindoe.Hon Christopher Finlayson: Honourable.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley): Hon Tim Macindoe.
Sittings of the House — Business for Extended Sitting
Hipkins ChrisBUSINESS OF THE HOUSEHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I seek leave for the motion agreed earlier today on the business for tomorrow's extended sitting to be amended so that the business to be considered is as follows: the second reading of the State Sector and Crown Entities Reform Bill the interrupted first reading of the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill the first reading of the Building Amendment Bill and the cognated first readings of the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill the Regulatory Systems (Housing) Amendment Bill and the Regulatory Systems (Workforce) Amendment Bill.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be not. That motion is accepted.
Hipkins ChrisHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): I move That the committee report progress and sit again presently.House resumed.Progress reported.Report adopted.
Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand) Amendment Bill — In Committee
Salesa JennyHon JENNY SALESA (Associate Minister of Education): Kia ora koutou katoa i Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Kia kaha Te Reo.[Greetings to you all during this Māori Language Week. May the language be strong.]This legislation that we are putting through on behalf of Minister of Education is not just about changing the name. It is absolutely not just about changing EDUCANZ" and inserting "Teaching". To the question posed by the member of Parliament Simeon Brown: the council's name should reflect the central role that our teachers have in their own council. It should also ensure that they have the power to elect their own members. This is about democracy ensuring that our teachers can elect their own members to govern them.Several of the questions posed earlier on were: what about the voices of partnership schools what about the voices of State integrated schools what about the voices of parents? Well this legislation provides that the Minister will be able to appoint six of the 13 members. Seven of the members are elected and six are going to be appointed by the Minister. The bill provides that in appointing those members the Minister will have regard to their collective skills their experience and their knowledge in making the overall composition of the Teaching Council. It could include all of those other areas that I had questions on earlier in terms of representation and parents being included.In terms of the question posed about the costs the question was: do we have any advice on how much it will cost to change the name? As far as I'm informed the Education Council has estimated that changing the name would cost about $220000. The question was also posed: is this a good investment of money? We are doing a whole lot in this space. We have as you know according to the Hon Nikki Kaye 13 different working groups including Tomorrow's Schools and NCEA. All of that work comes to Cabinet at the end of this year and this is but one of the things that the Ministry of Education and the Minister of Education the Hon Chris Hipkins are working on. One of the things that we knew while in Opposition as well as during the submission process and what teachers have told us many many times over is that they would like to have a say. They would like to elect their own people.When we look at other professions be they doctors or lawyers or nurses they have a say in who gets elected and then who governs them. We are giving teachers the respect that they deserve so that they can elect their own to govern their own. Thank you very much Madam Chair."
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour): Thank you Madam Chair. It's a pleasure to stand and take a call this evening. I wanted to disparage a couple of things that members opposite have said this evening one being the Hon Nikki Kaye where she talked about the fact that this is just a bill that changes a name. Well it does a lot more than change a name to the teachers in the teaching profession. It sends a clear message to the teachers that they matter that they count and that we trust them to be in charge of their own council not like when the last changes were made and that was stripped from them. This is about democracy and having an election of elected members to a council. And I just want to also talk about the fact that IHC also reiterates what I just said in their submission where they said IHC welcomes and fully supports this Bill which aims to give back to the teaching profession ownership of and trust and confidence in their professional body. This Body is charged with raising the status of the teaching profession and ensuring quality teaching and learning for all children and young people." And there it is: it is in raising the status of the teaching profession.The Hon Nikki Kaye also mentioned the fact that parents weren't going to be consulted didn't have the opportunity to be consulted on this particular bill. If you look at the information around the bill it does say here that actually the Minister is going to appoint six members of this council. It does say here at least one of these members would be appointed after consultation with representatives of parents and community interest groups in the early childhood and schooling sectors. So I'm sorry but it states quite clearly that these groups are going to be consulted with and have the opportunity to contribute. Now I just want to talk a little bit about the composition of the teaching council. It talks about seven elected members. And there it is: elected members democratically elected by people from the teaching profession.I also really want to talk particularly about the teacher representation from the early childhood sector. I'm really really excited about that because I feel personally that for too long early childhood has not been given the same status as primary or secondary teachers—we've been considered the poor cousin—and this bill will raise the status not just of early childhood teachers but all teachers in the teaching profession."
Dowie SarahSARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill): Thank you very much Madam Chair for an opportunity to join the chorus of opposition to this amendment bill which quite frankly is amendment for amendment's sake based on an ideology that does not work. It's on the back of several years of review undertaken by the previous Government in 2010 the Education Workforce Advisory Group report which looked into the failings of the previous council. It was found that the profession was not being held in high esteem and certainly on the back of some criminal activity that screening of teachers was not at a place that it should be given that teachers are responsible for some of our most vulnerable and impressionable in our community.With that I refer to Part 1 and in particular clause 5 which looks to replace section 380. That goes to the composition of the Teaching Council. It refers to there being six members appointed by the Minister and then in new section 380(1)(b) goes on to describe in a very prescriptive manner the make-up of the seven elected members. Now what I know from my time on the committee—I'm no longer part of the Education and Workforce Committee but certainly what I know from my time on that committee from the submitters and from my own work as an electorate MP is that when I go to visit teachers the most common issue is that they want to be recognised for their expertise they want their profession to be held in high esteem and they want to be recognised for the work that they do in shaping the hearts and young minds of our future. To do that through the workforce review we wanted to lift the bar and the way to do that is to make sure that any representative body has the excellence represented on it that we have the skills and the expertise available to drive the profession forward. We're not talking about looking at deficits; we're talking about driving the profession forward to innovate and make sure that we obtain excellence in our teaching.Now in new section 380(1)(b) in an ideal world if we could get excellence throughout all of that prescription that would be fantastic but the reality is that we will not. We need to have a level of oversight over the expertise and competencies that come on to the council so as to get the best results for teaching moving forward. It's like in this Parliament: we want diversity because diversity brings about the best decision making. So what we need to do is make sure that we have those core competencies represented on the council—not a prescription of people that hold certain positions but an emphasis on core competencies.Again back to the issue about creating robust systems that mean that any criminal behaviour or screening of teachers is completed in a fair but very decisive manner to make sure that nobody of ill character gets through to end up teaching and being in control of our children moving forward—this bill won't achieve that. It won't achieve excellence in the sector and it's certainly taking us backwards to where we were prior to the 2010 review.
Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill — Second Reading
Mitchell MarkFAMILY AND WHĀNAU VIOLENCE LEGISLATION BILLSecond ReadingHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney): I'm very happy to take a call on this the Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill. I note that—DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Someone does actually have to move a second reading normally from the Government.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I seek leave for the House to progress to the next item on the Order Paper while arrangements are made for that motion to be moved.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Well you can seek leave of course.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I sought leave.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yeah that's right. You sought leave. I'm putting the leave. Is—sorry the leave is denied.
America's Cup Road Stopping Bill — Third Reading
Sio Hon Aupito WilliamThird ReadingHon AUPITO WILLIAM SIO (Minister for Pacific Peoples) on behalf of the Minister for Economic Development: I move That the America's Cup Road Stopping Bill be now read a third time. Bill read a third time.
Wood MichaelMICHAEL WOOD (Labour—Mt Roskill): Can I say tēnā koe initially and also in honour of Hindi Language Week this week namaskar. I just want to take a brief call on this bill. I'm primarily a land-based member. The contents of my stomach don't tend to stay in their appointed place if I get too near to the open seas and my primary sporting objective over the summer season is to watch as much test cricket as possible. But none the less I'm keen to see that this bill proceeds and that it enables us to get on with the construction of the America's Cup bases for two quite important reasons.The first is that we know that this event is a significant economic stimulus both to the Auckland region and the New Zealand economy more broadly injecting around about one billion dollars over three years—that's the estimate. The second and—to my mind more important thing as a proud and patriotic citizen of Tāmaki-makau-rau—is that this is a spur for a significant legacy investment in Auckland's downtown area. We already see that from previous America's Cup campaigns where the Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Basin areas were significantly enlivened by that investment. By getting an appropriate investment into Wynyard Point which will initially be set up to host the America's Cup bases but afterwards will revert to a range of uses including significant public open space we can have an outstanding urban regeneration outcome stemming out of this America's Cup hosting.But it's very important before we get to that point that we do have this road-stopping bill which enables the whole development to proceed. In a previous life in local government I've dealt with a matter of road stopping with a very inconsequential small road that went through a local cemetery in my part of the world. I can tell all members of the House if you go through the normal local government processes it is an extraordinarily complex and time-consuming process. So bringing it with some urgency to the House to get a resolution is absolutely the appropriate thing to do to enable construction to start next month and get on with this very important project. I once again commend the bill to the House. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker.Bill read a second time.
America's Cup Road Stopping Bill — Second Reading
Faafoi KrisHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media): As a member of the Environment Committee who took some time to scrutinise this bill can I say it has been a pleasure to be part of the process. Can I acknowledge David Parker who has shepherded this piece of legislation through the House. Can I thank members opposite for their cooperation. As Minister Sage mentioned there is a time line and some time frames in which this piece of legislation has to happen in order for the work to stop the road and for the construction of the America's Cup team bases to begin in order for the cup to take place on time. So can I thank the Opposition and Mr Brownlee for his assistance in that today by allowing the second reading the committee of the whole House and the third reading stages to happen with some speed.If people are wondering why we're even doing this—when Peter Burling crossed the line to make sure we won the America's Cup some questions started about how we were going to host it. Critically when we defended the America's Cup previously a lot of that infrastructure that was in place has now been taken over by other commercial interests. So there was a need to find a new home for the America's Cup bases and this piece of legislation will allow for those team bases to happen on Brigham Street on a part of the Auckland waterfront.So on that note can I thank Mr Brownlee for his assistance again to make sure that this happens in a speedy way because this will make sure that the defence at the 36th America's Cup regatta can get under way and we can do a good job of it. Thank you Mr Brownlee.
Mitchell ClaytonCLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Briefly.CLAYTON MITCHELL: —ha ha as long as I feel necessary to speak on this very important but well-supported bill around the House. We'd also like to take the time to acknowledge the work that's expedited this bill through the House and the support that continues to go on. The America's Cup has become quite a feature in New Zealand internationally and it's put New Zealand on the map in many respects certainly for those yachting enthusiasts and it has actually helped shape the current design and layout of Auckland as we see it now.In fact in 1995 when we won the America's Cup then right through to 2000 when we started the second round racing in the Hauraki Gulf we had the viaduct set up and bars and restaurants were created for it. That has obviously expanded. A huge amount of construction's gone in and hotels accommodation to look after these visitors and guests bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into our economy. And here we are again talking about the growth and expansion and opportunity that is before us but trying to think about practical outcomes to least affect people of Auckland and the city of Auckland and enable it to get on with its life as well as providing a haven and location for a world-class event such as the 36th America's Cup.Look I've got a diagram here of the very small stretch of area on the waterfront and the cameras can see that for the people back home that aren't 100 percent sure where Brigham Street is—through there. But it is a third of a rugby field in size. When people talk in hundreds or thousands of square metres you can get a better perspective in a long narrow—one-third the length of the size of a rugby field puts that into perspective. New Zealand First sees this as important and to be expedited speedily through the House. They want to start construction on this in November this year which is fast coming up and of course the America's Cup will be happening in 2021 where we hope to retain that America's Cup and hear those famous words again. It is still the America's Cup as we remember all those years ago.I'm not going to go into any great detail. I had some other notes of the history of the America's Cup but I think with tongue in cheek people back home are just pleased that we're getting on with our job. I'm sure the gallery is filled with media that will be writing front page reports on this collegial approach to politics. Of course they won't because we all agree and it's great to see some collegiality from time to time in this House where we can hold hands in Kumbaya" and get on with the show. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. We commend this bill to the House."
Sage EugenieHon EUGENIE SAGE (Green): E Te Māngai o Te Whare tēnā koe. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. The Green Party is very pleased to support the America's Cup Road Stopping Bill. Like the previous speaker the Hon Gerry Brownlee I don't think there is need for a lot of debate on this. There were only three submissions on it. It stops about 230 metres of Brigham Street and the bill was needed because the processes under the Local Government Act would have taken too long wouldn't have allowed construction to start in November and if the processes under the Public Works Act to stop the road had been followed that would have required an esplanade reserve to have been set off around the water margin. Of course that would have been really difficult in terms of providing for public access given the construction machinery and the cranes which would be working in the area.So we know Wynyard Point and the tank farms there. This bill and the work that it will enable on the construction of the bases for the America's Cup in 2021 will then enable a much more attractive public amenity area and recreational space to be developed. We've seen with the Viaduct Basin and the work that has been done there for the previous America's Cup challenge how the public really value and enjoy that area. So this was a bill that was needed because the processes under existing legislation didn't deliver. I understand that construction will start in November which is why it is really useful that the House debates both stages today.I commend the Minister for Economic Development the Hon David Parker and the negotiations that he had with Auckland Council and Emirates Team New Zealand and the way in which that resulted in a much smaller footprint of some 6600 square metres instead of what originally I think was over 20000 square metres intruding into the harbour. That means there is less visual interruption. It means that more of the public sea space is still available for recreational and other use and this stopping of the road can proceed expeditiously so that construction can start so that Auckland is in a position in 2020 to start hosting the preliminaries to the America's Cup in 2021.Like other members of the House I was intrigued by the foiling in the previous America's Cup and look forward to seeing the monohulls and the way in which yachts can suddenly fly. Tēnā koe Madam Deputy Speaker. Thank you.
Brownlee GerryHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): The National Party is supporting this bill and indeed has agreed to its facilitation through to the third reading this afternoon. Let's just for a moment set aside all of the proposals that might have been around the provision of the infrastructure around Wynyard Point that might have facilitated some better outcomes for those who are participating in the event itself but also left a great legacy for the city of Auckland which clearly does take a lot of its identity from these sorts of events. Indeed it's named the City of Sails.This is a pragmatic way of going about getting some degree of certainty about the ability to construct on time. That will be very very comforting to the organisers of this event who put a lot at stake. It shouldn't be at a time like this inappropriate to recognise the value that that engagement has had for New Zealand over a large number of years and will continue to have beyond the event itself in 2020. It is one that has certainly put New Zealand's technology right to the fore in a range of different parts of industrial activity. It's simply not confined to what might make a race boat go faster but in fact allows the sort of innovation that is contributing to that speed to be applied in other parts of the economy. For New Zealand the benefits of that are quite large and in fact very tangible. The other point of course is that New Zealand is a country now that is very very dependent upon its tourism industry and it's events like this that allow so many other parts of the world to see what's on offer here and for people to consider just what they might be able to experience should they choose to come this far south to the bottom of the Pacific.So it is a proper way to go about getting some haste in the build process. As the Minister has said there was a select committee process that allowed public input into this bill. That input was all favourable and the committee itself made some other changes that were outlined by the Minister that will make the bill more effective. The idea that the power used under the bill will endure beyond the life of the legislation itself is also I think a smart way to go about providing an opportunity for the construction to proceed. We support that—I hope the whole House will—and would express a view that there would seem to be not a huge need for any extensive debate on this this afternoon.
Lees-Galloway IainSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Deputy Leader of the House): I move That the sitting of the House today be extended into tomorrow morning for further consideration in committee of the Education (Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand) Amendment Bill the second reading of the Education Amendment Bill the second reading of the State Sector and Crown Entities Reform Bill the interrupted first reading of the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill and the first reading of the Building Amendment Bill.
Urgent Debates Declined — Ministerial Resignation — Hon Clare Curran
Mallard Trevor; Brownlee GerryURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDHon Clare Curran—Ministerial ResignationSPEAKER: I have received a letter from the Hon Simon Bridges seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the resignation of the Hon Clare Curran as Minister. This is a case of recent occurrence and it does involve ministerial responsibility. Last week the House debated Ms Curran's removal from Cabinet. I allowed that debate because a Minister had been removed from Cabinet for conduct involving questions from this House and because of the public interest in ministerial probity. Ms Curran announced her resignation on Friday. Given that the substantive issues have recently been debated I'm not convinced of the need to set aside the business of the House to debate this matter again today. It could be raised again in the general debate tomorrow and I do not think that waiting an additional day to address it is likely to diminish the nature of the debate. Therefore the application is declined.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Do we take it from your ruling that in fact the resignation of a Minister is of less interest to the House and consequently the public than the simple reassignment of a Minister by the Prime Minister?SPEAKER: No I think all one takes into account is that the issues had been debated in the House and between Tuesday and when I received the letter there was not enough that occurred for a further debate.
Speaker's Ruling — Status of New Zealand Sign Language Interpreters
SpeechSPEAKER'S RULINGSNew Zealand Sign Language Interpreters—Status in the HouseSPEAKER: Before we begin oral questions I would remind members about the status of the New Zealand Sign Language interpreters. The interpreters are contracted by the Clerk to interpret at question time and at some other times. They are not participants in the proceedings of the House and should not be brought into proceedings or involved in subsequent discussion of proceedings by members.
Mallard Trevor; Korako NukTUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIASPEAKER: I've asked Nuk Korako to say the prayer today.NUK KORAKO (National): Konei rā te karakia pāremata mō tēnei rā i roto i Te Reo Māori. Kia inoi tātou. E te Atua kaha rawa ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou hanga whaiaro katoa ki te taha ka mihi mātou ki te Kuini me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga kia mōhio ai kia whakaiti ai a Ihu Karaiti tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o Te Whare nei mō te oranga te maungārongo me te aroha o Aotearoa. Āmine.[This is the parliamentary prayer for today in the Māori language. Let us pray. Almighty God we give thanks for the prayers that have been bequeathed upon us. We leave our personal constructs to the side and acknowledge the Queen and pray for leadership in the direction of our intentions so that Jesus Christ will know and be humbled by our management of the issues before this House for well-being peace and love in New Zealand. Amen.]
Allan Kiritapu; Rurawhe AdrianSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEKIRITAPU ALLAN (Assistant Whip—Labour): Given the fantastic progress that we've made in the House this afternoon sir I seek leave for the House to now adjourn.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.The House adjourned at 5.56 p.m.
Radhakrishnan PriyancaPRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Labour): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. I rise to take a very short call on this bill. Much has already been said by members from both sides of the House about how this bill the PACER-Plus agreement will benefit countries across the Pacific region including New Zealand. I just want to make two quick points.One is that members here in this House have emphasised the development aspect of this agreement because New Zealand will only benefit from PACER-Plus if the Pacific benefits from it and that's why we've made a big deal about the fact that this is not just a trade agreement but it has a development focus as well. A safer secure Pacific is beneficial to us all.The second point I'll make is that PACER-Plus contributes also to this Government's Trade for All Agenda which is actually out for consultation now. If anyone watching is interested to make their viewpoint heard it will be open till 14 October. It is exciting because it's about making trade inclusive to women to Māori to small to medium sized enterprises in New Zealand and it's about a focus on improving our environmental standards labour standards and gender equality through trade.So it's with pleasure that I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.
Strange JamieJAMIE STRANGE (Labour): Mr Assistant Speaker thank you for the opportunity to take a brief but passionate call on this bill. Hopefully some of the members opposite will wake up and focus. Global protectionism is rising and this is a concern. There's been a 30 percent increase in tariffs over the past two years which is the sharpest increase since 1995. Now we have talked a lot about challenges taking place around the US but also the EU and other developed countries are moving a little bit more towards protectionism. That's why it's so important that we take a lead as a country around open free markets.New Zealand is reliant on trade and a number of speakers have touched on that before. It's the lifeblood of our economy and it's absolutely important that we continue to trade in a free and open way. That's why I am very passionate about this bill the Tariff (PACER Plus) Amendment Bill. I'd like to acknowledge the Ministers: Todd McClay who's worked on this in the past and the Hon David Parker who has picked it up and followed it through to its completion.New Zealand provides leadership for the Pacific nations and a trade agreement like this works to lift incomes right across that region to lift the wealth of all Pacific peoples. It's about investing in our neighbours. It's about—as the Beatles once said Come Together". That's absolutely what it is. It's about coming together and it's about—Hon Tim Macindoe: "Let It Be" Jamie.JAMIE STRANGE: Ha ha! That member opposite just said "Let It Be". Well done. Look it's about businesses. It's about businesses in the small Island nations who find it challenging to achieve the economies of scale needed to compete in an international market and it's about us working with them showing leadership as a country. So I'm very excited to commend this bill to the House."
O'Connor DamienHon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. On the odd occasion the O'Connors on this side of the House agree; on the rare occasion O'Connors on both sides of the House agree and following on from Simon O'Connor I have to say that I agree almost entirely with everything he said. I'd like to acknowledge Todd McClay and the previous Government for getting PACER-Plus to a position of signing and I guess for doing the work—the Pacific reset and committing to build stronger relationships across the Pacific. So we're passing a piece of legislation here that brings this into effect.I have to say that in the signing of the agreement alongside that was the labour mobility arrangement which is probably just as important for many people in the Pacific and in New Zealand and certainly in the primary sectors with the Recognised Seasonal Employer arrangements. It's a scheme set up by the previous Labour Government continued on by National and acknowledged once again as being a core component of Pacific development. I have to say that these are not just our neighbours but in fact in some cases—of course in Rarotonga—part of New Zealand part of the realm.Passing this piece of legislation that allows freer trade and better relationships in fact offers an opportunity for us to provide better support in an area that is of more interest internationally. I have to say the Pacific was a quiet little backwater for many many years connected to New Zealand and Australia. Now it's a part of an international focus actually for a number of geopolitical reasons and so it's even more important that we build relationships with all the Pacific nations. Trading with them is a good place to start. Allowing access to New Zealand for people who want work people whose skills we require is another very very good way of developing that.So I'm not going to speak for long other than to say I applaud the efforts of my colleague David Parker as trade Minister—Hon David Parker: And his predecessors from National.Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: —and Todd McClay—I've acknowledged him and he just came in. Todd's done a great deal of work and I think that in fact across this House on almost all issues related to the Pacific we agree. There's no politics here. I think we have a passion and a commitment to support our Pacific neighbours.I acknowledge and support the passage of this legislation. It's almost seen as bilateral but it's a multilateral agreement that in fact gives dignity to Pacific neighbours allows them to trade with our country and provides opportunities for them to build their economies and indeed it's a wonderful piece of legislation. Kia ora.
Iwi and Hapū of Te Rohe o Te Wairoa Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading
Upston LouiseHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō): Tēnā koe e Te Mana Whakawā; tēnā koe e Te Whare. Tēnā koe e Te Mana Whakawā. Tēnā koe te Whare. Rau rangatira mā tēnei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te rā. Tēnā koutou ngā iwi rangatira o te rohe o Te Wairoa. Tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa. [Greetings Madam Assistant Speaker; greetings to the House. Esteemed elders and others I greet you in light of today's purpose. Greetings to the proud tribes of the region of Te Wairoa. Greetings greetings once more greetings to you all.]I'm honoured to rise and speak in this House on the third reading of your bill. This is our House and in the third reading of Treaty settlement legislation we create a new future. That's why it's always a real honour and a privilege for me to rise and speak in a third reading. Although I haven't walked the journey of your Treaty settlement as the MP for Taupō I've been enormously privileged to walk the journey from beginning to end with Ngāti Raukawa. I've also been involved with parts of the Treaty settlements with other iwi in the Taupō rohe: Ngāti Tūwharetoa Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā.I want to just reflect because I can imagine that your journey has been similar. Too often I think of the debates we have in this House and at times the words that we speak are incredibly damaging and they're damaging for so many reasons. So I think the third reading speech is a critically important time not to speak politics but instead to focus on the future. If I think back to every step of the way in the Ngāti Raukawa settlement the memories of what I witnessed will be etched for ever in my heart.I have one wish in this House and that is every New Zealander has the opportunity to experience the incredible generosity and the incredible forgiveness from iwi like yours from those past wrongs. While other speakers in this House have put your stories in the Hansard and on the record I want to reiterate my clear hope that every New Zealander has at least some understanding of the trauma of just the unimaginable—I can't even find a word that actually describes it. When I listened to the stories from Ngāti Raukawa as I say they were burnt in my memory and etched in my heart. As a New Zealander a fourth generation New Zealander I was ashamed to say I had no idea of the extent of what occurred in those days. As a proud New Zealander standing in this House of Parliament I think it is a duty and a responsibility of every New Zealander to know and attempt to understand.So I stand in this House to celebrate with you to thank you for walking the journey with the Crown and for your commitment and to celebrate this point in our collective history and more importantly our collective future. I want to honour the ancestors passed but more importantly I want to honour the children that are not yet born from your Rohe o Te Wairoa. Kia ora koutou and thank you for the opportunity to share in this very special day with you.