Harawira Hone: Mixed Ownership Model Bill — First Reading 
Harawira Hone: Mixed Ownership Model Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:678;Page:1011] 
HONE HARAWIRA (Leader—Mana) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker Tisch. This morning I sent an open letter to overseas investors via all of the biggest newspapers in the G20 countries where most interest is likely to come from for the purchase of shares in the assets that this National Government is trying to flog off. It reads like this: “Tena koutou katoa … The New Zealand government is proposing to sell shares in five State Owned Enterprises … to repay overseas debt. That proposal is opposed by an overwhelming majority of New Zealanders who believe that: Assets built up through the hard work of generations of New Zealanders should not be sold to investors whose primary objective is not the public good but private profit; … Electricity assets in particular should be held by the government on behalf of all New Zealanders for the benefit of all New Zealanders”—and hopefully—“at a price we can [all] afford; … As the indigenous people of Aotearoa Maori have been even stronger in their opposition.  
The Maori view is that no asset sales should proceed until Maori interests in those assets have been properly addressed. Maori have already made application to the Waitangi Tribunal to block the legislation. A separate case is [being prepared to go to] the High Court. Steps are being taken to take the case to the United Nations (under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and Maori groups have pledged to take action against sales to overseas interests which impact on our sovereignty. In a related case following months of public protest the High Court has called on the NZ government to reconsider a decision to approve the sale of farm land to overseas interests.  
So today I think it only proper to send a warning to overseas investors—steer clear of any share offer in the above [New Zealand] SOE’s. The purchase of these shares is likely to see you caught up in legal battles and direct action from citizens determined to protect their own interests both of which will be lengthy and costly and have an adverse impact on the value of your investment.  
As the leader of the MANA Movement and Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives” for the electorate of Tai Tokerau “I wish to advise that MANA is opposed to the privatisation of state assets and will strongly argue for any shares sold to overseas investors to be returned to New Zealand hands.” Overseas investors “you have been warned …”  
Mana opposes this bill because it is a fraud. When the Government says these companies will have improved public scrutiny it is lying. The Mixed Ownership Model Bill specifically states— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Order! The member cannot say that the Government is lying so I would ask the member to withdraw that comment. I also remind the member of the Standing Orders. In the review of the Standing Orders one is not allowed to read their speech straight off a script or in this case off a machine. According to page 28 of the review of the Standing Orders which were accepted by this House late last year you may refer to your notes but you cannot just read them verbatim. I just remind the member of that.  
Metiria Turei 
: Point of order Mr Speaker. 
Hon Tariana Turia 
: Point of order Mr Speaker. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I have two points of order. I will take Metiria Turei first I am sorry. 
Metiria Turei 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Just in reference to clarify this new rule about reading speeches my understanding from the review of the Standing Orders and from the Standing Orders Committee discussions on the issue is that it was reaffirmed that it is a convention that MPs preferably not speak directly from written notes but that it is not a rule. The Speaker may use his or her discretion but members are entitled to use their notes as a guide. It is not a rule according to the Standing Orders Committee that MPs do not read their speeches. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Thank you. Well as you rightly said they can use them to refer to and that is exactly why I mentioned to the honourable member about reading a speech verbatim. The Standing Orders and I refer to the report that was adopted by this House—it is on page 28—sets it out clearly there under “Reading of speeches”. So I have mentioned that to the member. He has 2 minutes remaining of his speech. 
Hon Tariana Turia 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I want to follow up on the matter that Metiria Turei has raised in the House. My understanding is that the wording is “where possible members should not read speeches” and it depends on the technicality of the speeches. So my understanding is that for some speeches it is perfectly possible for you to read your notes. I want to be clear about that because we have some Treaty speeches being made in the House tonight many of them of a technical nature and I do not want to see interruption. To be frank with you Mr Assistant Speaker you were sitting in the Chair when I was interrupted by the Labour Party in a speech that I was making and you allowed the interruption. It is very clear that only the Speaker can interrupt a member who is speaking. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: The member is correct. Can I just refer members to page 28 of the review. The member is correct. The last couple of sentences pick up on the point the member made and relate to where a member can read their speech: “Such circumstances may relate to the technical nature of the material under discussion or the relative experience of the member concerned. There will however be occasions when it is not inappropriate for speeches to be read.” So that picks up on the point and later on in the debates as the member mentioned when we move on to the Treaty settlements it could well be appropriate. Hone Harawira has 2 minutes remaining. 
HONE HARAWIRA 
: Speaking to the point of order— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: No I have already ruled. The member will continue his speech. 
HONE HARAWIRA 
: When the Government says these companies will have improved public scrutiny I would like to point out that the legislation specifically states that these newly established companies will no longer be subject to the Official Information Act or the Ombudsmen Act. When the Government tells you that it has Maori support for these proposals I would like to point out that not one Maori—not one—who attended the 10 consultation hui all around the country supported the proposal to open up the sale of State-owned assets to overseas investors.  
When the Government says that mom and pop investors will be at the front of the queue I would like to point out that there are no provisions in the legislation to guarantee that New Zealanders will get preferential treatment or even a dedicated percentage of the shares. When the Government tells you that it is not possible to bind non-Crown groups to Treaty provisions I would like to point out that the Government already imposes constraints on third parties through Treaty memorials over State-owned enterprise properties.  
Mana opposes this bill because it is an act of treason against the very people whom we are supposed to represent. Because it is deceitful to Maori and an insult to our founding— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Order! The member cannot accuse anyone of treason. I ask the member to withdraw and apologise for that comment. 
HONE HARAWIRA 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did not accuse anyone of treason. Would you like me to repeat the words? I might have to refer to my notes!  
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: That is trifling with the Chair. I will ask the member to continue his speech. If I was in error in the interpretation then I was in error. I will just ask the member with a minute remaining to finish his speech and along the lines that I mentioned before. It should be a speech. This is a debating chamber; it is not a speech contest. I ask the member to keep that in mind. 
HONE HARAWIRA 
: Mana opposes this bill because it is deceitful to Maori and an insult to our founding document the Treaty of Waitangi and because it ignores the reality that once those shares are sold investors will demand an ever-increasing return which will come about courtesy of more and more price rises. We already know the horror stories of families who cannot afford to pay their power bills—no heating no lights often no refrigeration. We know only too well the cost to society of the massive costs associated with poor people suffering from the effects of cold and damp housing. This bill will simply increase that poverty.  
Finally I call on all Mana members to take whatever action is necessary to expose the greed behind these plans— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. His time has expired.