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Ardern Shane: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeArdern Shane: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 18 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16733. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.SHANE ARDERN (National—Taranaki—King Country)to the Minister for Primary Industries: What progress can he report on innovation investment through the sustainable farming fund?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries):The Sustainable Farming Fund which invests in grassroots innovation projects in the primary sector has now received $122.8 million in Government funding across 906 projects. An independent evaluation has shown that this programme has been a success leading to innovative approaches to environmental challenges while maintaining optimal production. The evaluation also shows that this programme has led to significant co-investment from industry and the development of new technology and environmentally sustainable practices. Overall it has contributed to protecting and growing the economic value of our important primary industries.Shane Ardern: What other progress has the Government made in increasing innovation investment in the primary sector?Hon NATHAN GUY: This Government has taken a long-term approach to innovation in the sector. That is why we have also introduced the Primary Growth Partnership. This initiative invests in large-scale game-changing innovative projects and has so far committed over $700 million of new spending by industry and Government across 17 projects. The Sustainable Farming Fund and the Primary Growth Partnership are just two programmes the Government is using to significantly boost innovation providing success across our primary industries.Shane Ardern: Why is the Government investing in primary sector innovation?Hon NATHAN GUY: The primary sector is the backbone of this economy and this Government has a goal of doubling primary sector exports by the year 2025. To do this we simply cannot continue with business as usual. We need to encourage more innovation and encourage the private sector to lift its innovation investment. This is why the Government is co-investing alongside industry to increase research and development get new products and markets and manage the impact of production on the environment.
Twyford Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTwyford Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 18 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16732. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū)to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by all his statements on housing?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Associate Minister of Housing)on behalf of theMinister of Housing: Yes.Phil Twyford: What impact has his use of a fake figure of a 26 percent rise in Auckland house prices under his Government had on the credibility of the Real Estate Institute and its statistical series when the real figure is 40 percent and will he apologise to the institute for embarrassing it and to the media and the public for misleading them by feeding out fake figures in a desperate attempt to cover up a failed housing policy?Hon PAULA BENNETT: No—in fact absolutely not. The reality is to put it quite simply for the member that what the Minister has done is he has actually taken the median price over a year. What the Labour Party has done is it has taken a point in time in a particular year. Anyone would say that our calculation of a median price over a 12-month period is far more honest. What I will say though and what the member is actually missing is that under Labour house prices went up significantly more no matter which median price you take than they did under National as did electricity prices.Phil Twyford: Why did he choose 2 random months out of a 5-year period in order to find the 26 percent answer and why did he feel the need to pass off such a poorly prepared table from his office as the work of the Real Estate Institute a table which on top of his errors in calculating the percentage change made such basic mistakes as getting the date wrong reporting an average as a median and putting in the wrong figure for Canterbury-Westland and is it because his track record on housing is so appalling and he is so desperate to cover it up?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Quite simply the member did not listen to the answer. What they did is they took the average median house price for 2000 2008 2009 and 2013 for the whole calendar year and worked out the percentage difference. That is how it was calculated. The member is saying a particular month was chosen. That is not correct.Phil Twyford: When he said that the Government was spending $2.7 billion over the next 3 years to improve State housing stock did he include the Christchurch insurance payout in that figure and can he confirm that no new additional money beyond that already in the Budget is included; if so how can he be sure that his numbers are correct after the Real Estate Institute fiasco or is it just another example of him playing fast and loose with the numbers?Hon PAULA BENNETT: To the second part of that question which I choose to answer quite frankly the member is incorrect. He has not listened to the original answers. There is no factual misconception of what those previous numbers were and he is just choosing to pick his own numbers throughout it.
Hutchison Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHutchison Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 18 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16730. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua)to the Minister of Health: What announcements has the Government made to further improve maternity services?Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health):I think there are a couple of noteworthy announcements. Firstly the Government has allocated $1.5 million to assist communities to better integrate local maternity services. Three district health boards will work together as demonstrations with their local providers to evaluate the effectiveness of current services and to take steps to further integrate them. The second announcement is that I am sure the House would want to congratulate Simon and Natalie Bridges on the birth of their second child at Tauranga Hospital this morning. There was a suggestion that the baby would be called “J K” Bridges but I am advised that both baby Harry and mother are doing well.Dr Paul Hutchison: What is the purpose of today’s announcement?Hon TONY RYALL: The Government is keen to build on a more integrated maternity system that brings pregnant women into the system much earlier as recommended by the Health Committee report. This is about demonstrating at a local level some ways to do this. One great example is the new maternity drop-in centre in Tūrangi. The centre provides a range of assistance for mums and families including maternity child health and social support services such as Well Child / Tāmariki Ora and Family Start.
Foster-Bell Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFoster-Bell Paul: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 18 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16726. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.PAUL FOSTER-BELL (National)to the Minister for Courts: What progress can he report on the Government’s efforts to modernise and speed up the court system?Hon CHESTER BORROWS (Minister for Courts):I will put a focus on the courts turning round rising court wait-times because we simply accepted it takes a long time to get through the courts and we have done that for far too long. I am pleased to report that we are starting to see good results. Last year the courts managed to bring down the average age of cases before the District Court by 8.9 percent or 16 days. For criminal cases they are now 18.3 percent or 23 days younger than previously. Jury trial cases which by their nature are longer and more complex are finally being disposed of faster with the average age falling by 4 percent or 15 days last year. And the average age of Family Court cases is down by nearly 5 percent or 12 days. This is just a first small but positive step to deliver on our commitment to a faster and more effective court system.Paul Foster-Bell: What programmes and changes have created these positive results?Hon CHESTER BORROWS: These results have taken focused efforts from court staff as well as new policy settings. This Government has rolled out new technology into courts such as video links to allow prisoners to appear in court without leaving the prison gate which saves time and increases community safety. We have passed and successfully implemented the largest reforms in 50 years of the way our criminal courts work to simply speed up processes. Court staff are now focused on delivering quick customer-focused justice ensuring that their processes eliminate any unnecessary delays. The Ministry of Justice has set an ambitious target of a 50 percent reduction in court wait-times by 2017—a target it is well on the way to reaching.Paul Foster-Bell: How have others who play a role in the courts such as police lawyers and judges contributed to these results?Hon CHESTER BORROWS: The entire justice system is working together on this. Police who prosecute most people placed before our courts have embraced the new criminal procedure reforms. The legal community has also constructively engaged with these changes recognising that delayed justice benefits no one. The judiciary has lent its considerable authority and mana to this effort working with our court staff to prioritise older cases and prevent unnecessary delays. I want to acknowledge and thank all the other participants in the justice sector for joining in the team effort to deliver faster justice.
Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 18 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16725. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central)to the Minister of Justice: Does she stand by all her statements?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Justice):Yes but I have acknowledged that some of my earlier answers could have been broader for which I have apologised.Grant Robertson: When she said that she “popped into Oravida to have a cup of tea on the way to the airport” was she referring to Shanghai Pudong airport?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I did not know there was more than one airport.Grant Robertson: Is she aware that Oravida’s headquarters are 30 kilometres in the opposite direction from her hotel and from where her business meetings were held and not on the way to Pudong airport at all?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: No I have never been to Shanghai before except the transit lounge at the airport. So I had no idea where I was.Grant Robertson: Will she now advise the Prime Minister who repeated her claim that she had popped into Oravida on the way to the airport that she has once again misled him given that the visit required an 80-kilometre round trip starting in the opposite direction from the airport?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I can only tell the Prime Minister what I know. I was being driven around and I was assured by the ambassador that we could pop into Oravida on the way to the airport or else I could have gone to the airport and I could have sat in the lounge for an extra long time.Grant Robertson: Who paid for her dinner when she dined with Oravida executives and a Chinese border control official in Beijing?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Neither Margaret Malcolm my senior adviser; the taxpayer; nor me but I do not know the answer.Grant Robertson: Is the reason that she will not identify who paid for the dinner that the official who was at the dinner was a very senior border control official who would have had some say in the entry of Oravida’s products into China meaning that this was a business dinner?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: No.
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 11 to MinisterText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAmended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 11 to Minister[Sitting date: 18 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16776. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Amended Answers to Oral QuestionsQuestion No. 11 to MinisterHon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Minister of Pacific Island Affairs):I seek leave to make a personal explanation to correct an answer to question No. 11 today.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there anyone opposed to that course of action? It appears not. Leave is granted.Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: Thank you Mr Deputy Speaker. In response to a supplementary question to question No. 11 today I stated to the House that there were 10000 more Pacific people working in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with the fourth quarter of 2009. In checking my figures again the correct answer should have been “compared with the second quarter of 2009”. Thank you.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The record will stand corrected.
Urgent Debates Declined — Schools—Performance-based FundingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUrgent Debates Declined — Schools—Performance-based Funding[Sitting date: 18 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16735. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Urgent Debates DeclinedSchools—Performance-based FundingMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I have received a letter from Chris Hipkins seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 an announcement of a plan to move toward performance-based funding in schools. For there to be an urgent debate the matter raised must be a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. Although school decile ratings will be recalculated by the Ministry of Education following the census claims that the Government is looking to fund schools according to student performance appear to be media speculation and have been rejected by the Minister of Education. Media speculation can never give rise to an urgent debate. The urgent debate procedure is a means of debating matters that have occurred. It is not a means of debating matters that might or might not happen in the future. The fact that a Minister may have indicated “we need to be looking for something else.” is not on its own sufficient to constitute a case of recent occurrence. The application is therefore declined.
Vote: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16704. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party votewas called for on the questionThat the Education Amendment Bill (No 2) be now read a first time.Ayes63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes56New Zealand Labour 33; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 7; Mana 1; Independent: Horan.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Education and Science Committee.
Upston Louise: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUpston Louise: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16719. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō):I proudly commend the Health and Safety Reform Bill to the House.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.
Robertson H V Ross: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson H V Ross: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16718. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): I recognise the honourable member Raymond Huo. Ni hao ma Mr Huo.
O'Connor Simon: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16717. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki):I want to just briefly respond to the last speaker Iain Lees-Galloway. This Government is committed to health and safety. That is why we are putting these reforms through. Like my colleagues I want to acknowledge Minister Bridges for the work that he is doing and continues to do in this space in bringing this legislation the Health and Safety Reform Bill to the House. As a member of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee I am very much looking forward to having it in front of us. I think—if it is not being presumptuous of me to speak for my colleagues—that is the reason we are speaking briefly on this bill. We want this to go to the select committee as quickly as possible and pass into law. So I commend this bill to the House.
Calder Cam: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCalder Cam: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16715. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr CAM CALDER (National):When the circus of question time is viewed across the nation it is quite wonderful to have an opportunity like this to note that the House is in agreement with a piece of legislation. There is actually a lot of cooperation behind the scenes and this Health and Safety Reform Bill is a very worthy indication of that collegiality and cooperation. National is committed to delivering Better Public Services and this Government’s reform package namely the Working Safer package is part of that body of work. We have a firm target of reducing injuries and fatalities in the workplace by 25 percent by 2020 and this new law will play a major role in achieving that target. We value the cooperation of the other parties. I commend this bill to the House.
Auchinvole Chris: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeAuchinvole Chris: Health and Safety Reform Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16714. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National):The Health and Safety Reform Bill is about New Zealand workplace health and safety. I like others would like to congratulate the Minister of Labour the Hon Simon Bridges on bringing it forward. This is a very important bill and our voices in speaking to it echo back in time to reflect the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy. Specifically a 25 percent reduction in workplace fatalities and serious injuries by 2020 is called for in this bill. And it will not end there for New Zealand is competing internationally not just for workers and not just for markets but at a time when ethical resource management is noted by potential purchasers; at a time when workplace safety is a concern not just for those working but also for trading partners for corporates for potential customers and for the population at large; and at a time when workplace fatalities and serious injuries are not just distressing for family members and communities but also impact on Brand New Zealand and our international standing.This bill builds on the important work already done in establishing WorkSafe New Zealand as the new independent workplace health and safety regulator which was called for in the Pike River implementation plan. In New Zealand families want to send their family members their relations into workplaces where they can do work that is challenging difficult rewarding and enjoyable sure in the knowledge that they will use the best of Kiwi values—resilience adaptability problem-solving curiosity generosity and reliability—matched with a safety-conscious environment. That is why this bill is about improving workplace health and safety—so we can get on with living the good life so we can all expect to achieve the full span of our natural lives without people being lost to industrial accidents injuries and avoidable fatalities. I look forward to working on this bill with my parliamentary colleagues. Thank you.
Parata Hekia: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParata Hekia: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16704. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education):I move That the Education Amendment Bill (No 2) be reported back to the House by 21 July 2014.Motion agreed to.
Ross Jami-Lee: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16704. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany):I commend the Education Amendment Bill (No 2) to the House.
Tisch Lindsay: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16702. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I understand that the next call is a split call.
O'Connor Simon: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16701. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki):Well it is interesting; you have to be very careful with the facts coming from the other side. One of my colleagues was pointing out I think that five of the last six graphics the Labour Party has put up on its Twitter feed and Facebook have been wrong. You know details have to be right and precise. Let us talk about a quick example—a quick example to give context. I was at a school recently talking to a teacher. She came up to me and said: “Simon I vote Labour. I’m a union person. I always vote Labour. I can’t bring myself to vote for National in education.” But she said: “You know what? Actually National is doing the right thing in education. The $350 million - plus you are putting in to support teachers and the other elements you’re putting in to support young people are incredibly important.” That was from a person who is an avowed voter for the left. She knew that this Government is doing the right thing.The Education Amendment Bill (No 2) looking at the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand is doing the right thing. It is doing the right thing. [Interruption] Here we go. Members on the other side are saying we are making it up again—a lack of details they will not provide. There you go. They do not like it when you point out that their very own people are in agreeance with a lot of these changes. I am very keen to get this bill before the Education and Science Committee. I commend it to the House.
King Colin: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKing Colin: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16699. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]COLIN KING (National—Kaikōura):It is a pleasure to take a call on the first reading of the Education Amendment Bill (No 2). I intend to take only a brief call because I look forward to the opportunity of receiving submissions from the parties who are interested.This bill certainly fits in with the Better Public Services targets that this Government has set out. It proposes to establish a new professional body for the education profession. It also intends to support the tertiary education institutions with a better governance structure. It will also codify a better pastoral care model for international education. And it will also reinforce the New Zealand Qualifications Authority side of appraising the delivery of quality assurance of tertiary institutions. So I look forward to receiving those submissions.Tracey Martin: Will it make a difference? Will it matter?COLIN KING: I would also say just as a point of conclusion that what we are hearing from the other side totally ignores the underperformance of a lot of our institutions in the way that they have delivered outcomes and qualifications to our students. When we reflect on the way that the taxpayer dollar is spent we should be very very careful that we deliver quality for that taxpayer dollar. I have great pleasure in supporting this bill.
Robertson H V Ross: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson H V Ross: Education Amendment Bill (No 2) — First Reading[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16686. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (H V Ross Robertson): I call the honourable member Christopher Hipkins.
Sabin Mike: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSabin Mike: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16682. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.MIKE SABIN (National—Northland)to the Minister of Transport: What reports has he received on the importance of freight movement to New Zealand?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Transport):I have received and today released the National Freight Demands Study 2014—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the Minister start again please.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: I have received and today released the National Freight Demands Study 2014. The study shows that each year 236 million tonnes of freight is moved around the country. For each member of our population that is the equivalent of 50 tonnes of freight moved on their behalf. It is a big undertaking and the freight demands study confirms that the Government’s commitment to rail roading and coastal shipping is a good approach.Mike Sabin: What else does the National Freight Demands Study show?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: Well I believe it shows that the Government has been right to invest in transport infrastructure. It has been right to push the KiwiRail Turnaround Plan. It has been right to invest in the roads of national significance. The Government has spent the last 5 years bringing our transport infrastructure up to standard—[Interruption] Sorry?Mr SPEAKER: Does the Minister want to finish his answer?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: I cannot. I am being harassed here by these people—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I think the Minister is big enough to handle the harassment. The Hon Gerry Brownlee is to complete the answer please.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: It is the end of the week and that Darien is pretty fearsome. This Government has spent the last 5 years bringing our transport infrastructure up to standard so it can cope with the increased demand for freight movement and move that freight and consumers safely and efficiently.
Dean Jacqui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDean Jacqui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16680. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki)to the Minister of Conservation: What progress is the Government making in implementing its “Bluegreen” plan for New Zealand?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Conservation):We are making excellent progress in improving New Zealand’s management of our natural environment while building a stronger economy. We have launched the Battle for our Birds a record pest control programme covering over 1 million hectares—the largest ever—which will save millions of our native birds although I admit it is not focused on “mollyhawks”. We have enhanced conservation of private land by expanding covenants to over 50000 hectares and making native planting tax deductible. We have toughened penalties for wildlife conservation and biosecurity offending and we have reformed the Department of Conservation to make it more outward looking to enable it to partner with business and communities in protecting New Zealand’s treasured wildlife and places.Jacqui Dean: How has National improved the management and protection of our oceans?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The very first big step was the new exclusive economic zone legislation which for the first time requires consents and assessments of environmental effects in that huge area of New Zealand’s oceans. Secondly we have expanded New Zealand’s number of marine reserves—most recently with the subantarctics but we will also be making a further announcement this weekend in this space.Phil Twyford: More window dressing.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Our ambition is to achieve a record number and area of new marine reserves. Unlike the Opposition we do not see marine reserves as window dressing. We have also expanded the protection of Māui’s dolphin by over 2000 square kilometres we have banned shark finning and we have launched a new threat management plan for the New Zealand sea lion.Jacqui Dean: What specific actions has this Government taken to improve our outdoor recreation?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The national network of New Zealand cycleways as initiated by the Prime Minister has been a stunning success. Opening up the Heaphy Track to mountain biking has also had economic benefits for communities like those in Collingwood and Karamea. We have also in partnership with United Future given hunters a real voice in their recreation with the establishment of the Game Animal Council. The Government has also helped surfers by recognising the importance of surf breaks in the national coastal plan that Cabinet approved which gives formal protection to 19 surf breaks across our country. We have also invested in new and upgraded Department of Conservation huts tracks and camping facilities to enable more Kiwis to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.
Carter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16679. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! That has been adequately described. Leave is also sought to table that information from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. Is there any objection? There is none. It will be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Smith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSmith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16679. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister of Housing):I seek leave to table the advice of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand showing that house prices in Auckland have in fact gone up by 26 percent in the advice that has been provided—
Carter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16679. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Order! On the basis that it was a substantive argument earlier leave is sought to table that particular research from the Parliamentary Library. Is there any objection? There is no objection.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
Norman Russel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNorman Russel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16679. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr RUSSEL NORMAN (Co-Leader—Green):I seek leave to table a document prepared by the Parliamentary Library that shows that Auckland house prices have gone up by 54 percent since November 2008—
O'Connor Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16672. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki)to the Minister of Education: What recent announcement has she made about opportunities to share education best practice with international counterparts?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education):This morning I announced that nearly 20 Ministers of education from the top-performing education systems around the world together with heads of teacher unions and teacher leaders as well as our Pacific regional neighbours are coming to New Zealand for the fourth International Summit on the Teaching Profession. We expect to share successes and challenges and to learn from each other. Among the confirmed Ministers is the United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan who first initiated the summit in 2011 bringing together the OECD Education International and the top 25 performing education systems. This Government has an unrelenting focus on giving all our young people a better education.Simon O’Connor: What is the focus of the summit?Hon HEKIA PARATA: The summit theme is “Excellence Equity and Inclusiveness—High quality teaching for all”. This theme reflects the longstanding challenge our system—along with others across the world—has of raising even higher the achievement of our best and brightest students while also lifting those who are being left behind. This Government is committed to success for five out of five of our children and young people.Simon O’Connor: What other steps is the Government taking to strengthen the teaching profession and raise student achievement? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! There were quite a significant number of complaints about the amount of noise through question time yesterday. I do not intend to have a repeat of that level of barracking today.Hon HEKIA PARATA: Hosting the summit is part of our Government’s comprehensive quality teaching agenda. It includes proposing the new independent professional body the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand the cornerstone of our quality teaching agenda; the $359 million investment in professional career pathways; the inaugural Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards in June; the education festivals in Auckland Wellington and Christchurch this month; and the new postgraduate qualifications in initial teacher education. The teaching profession makes a powerful contribution to lifting student achievement. This Government is backing our profession to win—in law in policy in practice and in funding.
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16671. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]2.Hon DAVID PARKER (Deputy Leader—Labour)to the Prime Minister:Does he have confidence in all his Ministers; if so why?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House)on behalf of thePrime Minister: Yes because they are competent and hard-working Ministers.Hon David Parker: How can he have confidence in his Minister of Finance when Auckland prices have gone up by over 40 percent in 5 years at a time of low inflation interest rates are headed for 8 percent and first-home buyers cannot get a look-in while speculators run riot?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: The Prime Minister has every confidence in the Hon Bill English who has done a great job in shepherding New Zealand’s economy through some very difficult years post a spendthrift Government that took little opportunity of the circumstances it had to advance the cases of New Zealanders. What I can say to the member is that if he thinks a prescription that is a return to the profligate ways of pre-2008 is good for New Zealand then he will find out I suspect later this year that most do not agree with him.Hon David Parker: How can he continue to have confidence in Judith Collins to act as a Minister when it is now clear she misled him misled the media misled the public and has plainly acted in a way that allowed her private interest to conflict with her public duties?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: Although the member may wish to conflate a number of things to reach a conclusion that suits him those matters have been laid on the table. They are transparent and they have been dealt with.Hon David Parker: How can the Prime Minister deny that Oravida has benefited financially from Judith Collins’ involvement?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: Ministers when they are travelling are encouraged to use their time to support New Zealand companies. New Zealand’s exports indicate that Ministers are doing a good job in that effort.Hon David Parker: Does he deny that a financial benefit to Oravida arose from Judith Collins’ promotion of its products?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: I can neither confirm nor refute that suggestion.Hon David Parker: Does he deny that a financial benefit to Oravida arose from Judith Collins’ dinner with Oravida and a Chinese Government official?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: I am not in a position to answer that question.Hon David Parker: How can he deny that Judith Collins’ involvement with Oravida is linked to a personal pecuniary advantage to Ms Collins and her family given that her husband is a director of Oravida?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: There will be many associations across this House between politicians and their spouses and partners. Whether or not they have some particular advantage is a matter for the public to determine as long as they are stated transparently and in this case it is most transparent.
Brownlee Gerry: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBrownlee Gerry: Business Statement[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16669. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House):The Government treats all its activities with a degree of urgency as will be evidenced by its great success over the last 5 years. As to the desire to keep the Opposition here for long hours trying to progress that legislation programme the time we are here will largely be in their hands.
Robertson Grant: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRobertson Grant: Business Statement[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16669. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central):Can I ask of the Leader of the House now that we know that the House plans to rise on 31 July whether he has any plans for any bouts of urgency between now and then.
Brownlee Gerry: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBrownlee Gerry: Business Statement[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16669. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House):When the House resumes on Tuesday 18 March the Government will look to progress a number of bills on the Order Paper including the Electoral Amendment Bill the Industry Training and Apprenticeships Amendment Bill and the Land Transport and Road User Charges Legislation Amendment Bill.
Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBusiness Statement[Sitting date: 13 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16669. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Thursday 13 March 2014Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Business StatementHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House):When the House resumes on Tuesday 18 March the Government will look to progress a number of bills on the Order Paper including the Electoral Amendment Bill the Industry Training and Apprenticeships Amendment Bill and the Land Transport and Road User Charges Legislation Amendment Bill.GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central):Can I ask of the Leader of the House now that we know that the House plans to rise on 31 July whether he has any plans for any bouts of urgency between now and then.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House):The Government treats all its activities with a degree of urgency as will be evidenced by its great success over the last 5 years. As to the desire to keep the Opposition here for long hours trying to progress that legislation programme the time we are here will largely be in their hands.
Hayes Joanne: Raukawa Claims Settlement Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHayes Joanne: Raukawa Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 12 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16667. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JOANNE HAYES (National):Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. E koro mā e kui mā e ngā mokopuna e rau rangatira mā o te iwi Raukawa ka nui te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa.[Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. To the elderly women and menfolk to the grandchildren and leaders of the Raukawa tribe I acknowledge you all greatly.]I feel honoured to rise in support of the final reading of the Raukawa Claims Settlement Bill. I feel honoured because I too share your tipuna Mahinarangi through my Kahungunu side. I pay my respects to the many Raukawa whānau who have worked diligently over the years on this bill. Raukawa is an iwi that was forcefully displaced from its ancestral whenua and that has come into its own from Waikato-Tainui similar to that which my Rāngitane o Wairarapa iwi from Kahungunu has done. It is an iwi for which the journey of its settlement is close to its conclusion.I acknowledge the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations the Hon Chris Finlayson for his determination to ensure that the wrongs have been righted for Raukawa. I acknowledge the hard-working Māori Affairs Committee under the chairmanship of the Hon Tau Henare and the officials who have played an integral part in this bill. I wholeheartedly commend this bill to the House.Bill read a third time.Waiata
Tisch Lindsay: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 12 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16652. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee this bill will be divided by the Clerk and the Ngāti Rangiteaorere Claims Settlement Bill the Ngāti Rangiwewehi Claims Settlement Bill and the Tapuika Claims Settlement Bill are set down for third reading on the next sitting day.
Hayes Joanne: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHayes Joanne: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 12 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16651. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JOANNE HAYES (National):Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. I take this brief call to support the second reading of the Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill. I stand humbled to acknowledge the hard work of the mandated iwi entities of Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Ngāti Rangiwewehi Ngāti Rangiteaorere and Tapuika. Each settlement provides an agreed historical account and a Crown acknowledgment and apology for iwi along with both cultural and commercial redress for each iwi. This National-led Government continues to work hard on completing final and durable Treaty of Waitangi settlements. I look forward to the next phase of this bill’s journey. I commend this bill to the House.Bill read a second time.
Mahuta Nanaia: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMahuta Nanaia: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 12 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16647. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour—Hauraki-Waikato):I rise to speak in the second reading of the Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill. I want to mihi to the three iwi Ngāti Rangiteaorere Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Tāpuika who will see the quick transition of their bill I am sure to a third reading. I do not intend to take my full 10 minutes because the Māori Affairs Committee made some I think key amendments but by and large the substance of the bill was well agreed to.This is a discrete settlement. We received 17 submissions and heard around about 12 in both Rotorua and Wellington. The bill in its totality covers around about 2500 tribal members over those three iwi so I reiterate that it is a discrete bill. It will make a huge difference to the lives of people in Te Arawa and significantly it changes the nature of relationships that each of those respective iwi have to reserves Department of Conservation land and sites of significance. It also makes provision for commercial redress.I want to draw the attention of the House to the select committee’s key recommendations and amendments to the bill to improve its interpretation. Firstly in the area of rights of first refusal we did clarify the extent to which rights of first refusal provisions work especially in relation to waivers and variations and those relevant clauses in the bill. We also clarified that the fee simple estate for Te Wētā Pā be vested in the trustees for the Tāpuika post-settlement governance entity and recommended changing clause 292 to include land within Te Pehu Pā that is currently a legal although unused road. So those were I think for clarity’s sake important changes. We also clarified that Te Mataī Forest North and Te Mataī Forest South and the Pūwhenua Forest were excluded from transfer by the Crown in clause 353 and clause 359. We recommended in relation to the Pūwhenua Forest amending subpart 1 of Part 10 so that it could be offered by the Crown as a deferred selection property.So they were very simple recommendations to improve the intent of the bill. Without taking away from the substance of a third reading speech I want to ensure that this bill gets through the Committee stage and to a third reading as quickly as possible so that those respective iwi can get on the road and implement the expectations of their settlement. Tēnā koe.
Finlayson Christopher: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFinlayson Christopher: Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 12 March 2014. Volume:697;Page:16643. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations):I move That the Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill be now read a second time. This bill represents the culmination of a huge amount of work over many years by a number of dedicated people. As with other Treaty settlements what it enables us to do is put the past behind us—not ignore it; recognise it but put it behind us—and then lay a foundation for the future that I certainly hope is going to bring very much improved relationships between the Crown Ngāti Rangiteaorere Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Tapuika.The bill was referred to the Māori Affairs Committee on 31 July 2013. Having considered the submissions received the committee reported back to the House just before Christmas and I am very grateful to those who took the time and trouble to make their submissions. Their participation as in all settlement legislation is a very important component of the parliamentary consideration of this type of work. After consideration of the bill the committee recommended that it be passed with only very minor technical amendments—so minor and technical that I am not going to take the time of the House to go through them. So I want to thank Mr Henare and his colleagues on the Māori Affairs Committee for considering this bill in such a timely fashion.Can I acknowledge the work of all those who have contributed to the progression of the bill. I particularly want to thank Patsy Reddy who was my chief Crown negotiator and who worked very well with these iwi to reach this result. One of the interesting by-products of all the consultation and the work that we had actually arose out of the negotiation with Ngāti Rangiteaorere. They came and spoke to me about various matters concerning their land and it was that discussion among others that has got the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act reform under way. So I want to thank Donna Hall and others who have contributed to that discussion.Concluding this settlement is a very important step towards settling all historical claims. I do not intend to speak for a full 10 minutes. We are dealing with three bills this morning and these iwi know it is important to progress all of them. I will have a lot more to say about this settlement at the time of the third reading so with those few words I commend the bill to the House.