edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Andersen Ginny; Hipkins ChrisGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South): Thank you very much Mr Chair. I appreciate time is of the essence so I'll get to the point. First of all I'd just like to acknowledge all of the essential workers who have been working across New Zealand under level 4 and also ongoing in level 2 as well acknowledging everything they do and continue to do to keep us safe. We know that Delta is a game-changer and the events of the last few days have once again confirmed the value of going hard and going early. While our approach has allowed us more freedoms I just want to state very briefly that in no way do we underestimate the impact that COVID restrictions have had on people and also on businesses across New Zealand. My question to the Minister for COVID-19 Response is in relation to a comment made by the Director-General of Health yesterday. He stated that increased surveillance testing in healthcare border quarantine and essential workers would have to be a key focus to help stamp out Delta in Auckland. What sorts of changes I'm interested to know will the Minister and also Cabinet be considering in the coming days in order to understand and give confidence that it is safe for Auckland to start moving down levels?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): One of the things that we'll be considering is the testing guidance provided around who should get a COVID-19 test. That is important across Auckland. We are seeing a lower rate of testing within the wider Auckland community than the one that I would like to see to give assurance that COVID-19's not out there. So anything that we can do in the next week or so to boost the overall rate of community testing particularly in light of some of the things that we're finding in our current cases around symptoms—then yes we're looking at that. We are looking at the frequency of testing of our most at-risk workers. Most of them are on a weekly testing cycle. With saliva testing that is already happening more frequently for those who are opting into that system—a couple of times a week for them. As we get that system up and running—and yes it has taken too long to get that system up and running—that will increase the options that we have there to significantly increase the frequency of testing of the most at-risk workers. But at this point I would say that that's a workforce that's fairly frequently tested already and in terms of our alert level decisions seeing an increase in the overall rate of community testing in Auckland is something that I absolutely would hope to see in the next few days. It would certainly give us all more confidence.
Bishop Chris; Hipkins ChrisCHRIS BISHOP (National): Thank you Mr Chair. In reflecting on that I just urge the Government to adopt a least-cost approach when it comes to boosters. If the evidence is mixed there at least is mixed evidence and a least-regrets approach means you order now and if you don't need them we can give them away and that's part of our contribution to the Pacific.But I want to ask about vaccine mandates—two particular questions. Firstly is the Government giving consideration in this next Estimates period to mandating a wider group of workers or staff that are not currently covered by the vaccination orders through the public health orders? So in particular early childhood education staff and aged-care workers. So has the Government given consideration to that and if not why not?And then secondly is the Government giving consideration to publicising the legal position for private sector employers who may wish to impose vaccine requirements on people who enter their property or enter their business? I'm thinking in particular of a bar for example that wants to set a rule that only people who have been doubly vaccinated with proof are allowed to enter the bar. That is something that is happening overseas. I don't have a fixed view either way on it but it is something that I think we're going to confront in New Zealand sooner rather than later and there is going to be clarity required from Government because it is a very gnarly—I was going to say nasty but it's more gnarly—problem of human rights intersecting or multiple rights conflicting and of course the public health of the community interlinking with that as well.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): In answer to that last part of the question the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety is leading that particular debate for the Government on exactly how persons conducting a business or undertaking under health and safety legislation can keep their workforces and their customers safe and where vaccination might play a role in all of that. We have not made decisions on that at this point.In terms of the issue around additional workforces that we are considering a mandatory vaccination requirement for we've not considered that for any of our education workforce at this point. We are looking or I am looking closely at the requirements that apply to our health workforce around vaccination and whether that should be expanded.
Genter Julie Anne; Hipkins ChrisHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): I just have another question about managed isolation and quarantine facilities. I accept that the Minister said it's not just an issue of actual space and physical facilities as it is staff. There has appeared to be a reduction in the number of spaces available from earlier this year to now in part due to policy decisions that are really smart to keep people safe around cohorting. I'm just wondering if there is an ability or any plan on the part of the Government to try to increase those spaces back up to what they were and if so does that have implications for needing more staff or is it just about physical spaces?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Ultimately the issue that the member refers to—there are two. One is cohorting and the other is a better understanding of the physical spaces that we have on offer. There are some facilities where we're not able to us every room that they have because of our understanding of how the ventilation systems work for example. It's a small number. We're not talking hundreds of rooms but there are some rooms that we're not using because of the ventilation concerns that exist around them. But ultimately cohorting is the thing that has the biggest inefficiency. In an ideal world we would have an equal number of facilities of exactly the same size and we would have exactly the same number of people coming into the country every day. Then we could manage the system very efficiently. That of course is not how international travel works. So we try and align the release of managed isolation and quarantine vouchers with international flight schedules to make the system as efficient as we can but when we fill up a facility over 72 hours at the end of 72 hours if it's not full it gets closed off and there's some inefficiency there. But the upside of that is that the risk of people towards the end of their stay coming into contact with people at the beginning of their stay is of course more or less completely removed from that. So from the public health viewpoint it is worth that change.Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): Just a follow-up—I do understand that from the public health point of view that is desirable. The question I guess is at a period of really high demand for people to come back to New Zealand through managed isolation and quarantine does the Government have any plan to try and increase the number of spaces available back up to what it was earlier this year?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Yes we are aiming to increase our overall capacity. Any members who wish to come with me to Rotorua in due course and have conversations with the community leaders there are most welcome to join me.
Mallard Trevor; Hipkins ChrisCHAIRPERSON (Rt Hon Trevor Mallard): Chris Bishop. Sorry I might just explain to people—I'm keeping a rough sort of idea of the balance between the sides of the House as to this debate so far this afternoon with two Ministers involved in two areas. So far I think it's fair to say that the Labour Party has had a bigger share of the speaking time than the rest of people put together. Therefore I'm going to tend to take people from my left rather than my right other than the Minister in reply.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): A quick point of order Mr Chair. I just think by way of constructive suggestion one of the reasons for that is that when members ask very short but very open questions the answer's going to tend to be longer. If members could in keeping with committee stage ask a number of questions at once the answers could often be much more concise.CHAIRPERSON (Rt Hon Trevor Mallard): I'm just going to rule that if that's the way the member thinks maths works he's got it wrong. If the member has a short specific question he should try and answer it in a short specific way. If he had four of them I think he suggested he wouldn't take four times as long to answer different questions and that's probably not right. Chris Bishop.
Genter Julie Anne; Hipkins ChrisHon JULIE ANNE GENTER (Green): I thank the Minister for his answer. Based on what the Minister said about the changes with Delta I'm just wondering if he could comment on if the view to opening the border has changed not just given Delta but also the other potential mutations the breakthrough infections in countries that have reasonable vaccination rates and in particular given that young children are not able to be vaccinated here in New Zealand—I'm just wondering if he could comment on whether he thinks it's likely we can wait until vaccinations are available to everyone including children aged two before we see a real loosening of the border.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): What I can say around vaccines is that the current expectation is that we will see a discussion in New Zealand before the end of the year about the five-plus age cohort based on the international evidence that's emerging based on the fact that many other countries are already into that age bracket at the moment. So we will have good evidence to make a good informed decision about that. I do want to say just on that I am very mindful that as one of my colleagues put it we're writing a prescription for the nation's children when we're talking about that and so we're very careful in making sure that we are getting the science right and that's a very very robust decision before we went into that. But I'm optimistic there. In terms of the paediatric vaccination space whether it's the current vaccine or whether there's a specialist paediatric vaccine that is a still a live question and I don't have answer at that point on that.In terms of what all of this means for our border it is still too early to tell. Yes new variants of the virus have an impact. They have an impact on our elimination strategy overall and so the border can't be seen in isolation to the wider conversation that we need to have around vaccination around the elimination strategy around what the future of that is. So the border is only one segment of that conversation.
Bishop Chris; Hipkins ChrisCHRIS BISHOP (National): Thank you. That is a really interesting answer and a very informative answer so thank you. I suppose the question that follows from that is at what point will the Government outline its thinking around—reconnecting to the world" is the term normally used so I suppose we'll use that. When will the Government outline its thinking around that in light of Delta? Because I suppose the unfortunate series of events that we had literally contemporaneously with the Prime Minister outlining for the public at the forum a pathway forward which you know was a good pathway—we were a bit critical of some of the lack of detail around the numbers but at least in principle a good pathway forward. The Minister's now indicating to the House that that thinking has changed. I wonder if he could perhaps elucidate a little bit more about how the thinking's changed—I think everyone acknowledges that Delta has fundamentally changed the game but what are the consequences of that in terms of the pathway and when we might be privy as a Parliament to what the Government's intentions are in terms of reconnecting to the world because I think everyone wants that to happen.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): I think it'd be fair to say it's not necessarily that the thinking has changed but the thinking is changing and evolving and it is an evolving situation that we're dealing with. I think that there are some things that we should put on the table and be up front about; the first of which is: do we think it's viable for a prolonged period of time to continue to restrict movement at the border to the sort of 4500 rooms' worth of people in any given fortnight? I think the reality is it is not going to be viable to sustain that beyond the sort of immediate global response phase of COVID-19 which is obviously—the pandemic is still raging. So we are going to have to think about alternatives to that. Things like self-isolation are part of the question. Things like the elimination strategy itself and how the elimination strategy evolves first of all in New Zealand that has a high rate of vaccination which of course is what we're all pitching towards but also in a world that will increasingly become more highly vaccinated over the next year 18 months to two years. Now we can look at some of the countries in the OECD and see high rates of vaccination there. Actually they're not the ones that I worry about in terms of the spread of the virus. The virus is spreading and mutating in countries that have low vaccination rates. And actually they are going to have quite a big impact on what happens at our border those countries where the virus continues to spread because what the epidemiologists and the virologists and all of the other scientists will tell us is that breakthrough infections—when it comes to vaccination—are more likely while the virus continues to spread rampantly. When we can turn that volume down globally that is the point at which everybody becomes safer."
Bishop Chris; Hipkins ChrisCHRIS BISHOP (National): Thank you for that answer—to the Minister. I suppose I put the view out there that—my view certainly is the reality is we are going to need some form of quarantine facilities and they should probably be purpose-built. Can the Minister on behalf of the Government envisage a scenario in which high-risk passengers from countries where COVID is quite prevalent automatically go into purpose-built quarantine facilities for a period of time but low-risk passengers either quarantine or isolate I should say at home for a period of time? And perhaps there's a middle-ground option for medium risk countries where the hotels continue to be used or at least used for the short term and phased out in the medium term. Is the Government considering a stratification system for isolation and quarantine along those lines? Because I certainly think that is something that there would be a great deal of interest in from the public. And perhaps I'll ask him to comment on that and I've got some questions around other issues not related to managed isolation. Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Mr Chair we set out some thinking—some early thinking—not long before this current lockdown around what a future reopening might look like and how we might transition from a position where the border is not quite hermetically sealed but certainly very very restricted compared to what it would normally be to something where we might get a greater degree of movement across the border. We did that at the time and we set out at the time some thinking around a risk-profiling exercise for different countries. It would be fair to say that Delta has actually changed some of the thinking about that even in the last few weeks. We were looking at a situation where you could stratify countries based on risk and I think in the Delta environment we actually have to consider whether in fact that's an appropriate thing to do recognising that all countries all people coming into the country at this point have a degree of risk associated with them and some of the risk protection measures that we've had in place previously like pre-departure testing potentially three days before travel in a Delta environment where someone can be picking it up and being infectious within 24 hours—some of those things actually do need to be looked at again. Now that all plays into a question mark about what our medium to longer-term border settings will be. We haven't set out any new thinking on that. Obviously at the moment the focus is on responding to the current outbreak but I think we will have to look again at some of that thinking around particularly the country risk-profiling because I think Delta has changed the game.
Mallard TrevorCOVID-19 ResponseCHAIRPERSON (Rt Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! Order! We've now come to the time which the Business Committee agreed—or parties agreed—would be the conclusion of this debate.We now move on to the debate on the COVID-19 response portfolio. I can't see anyone here who's—oh—Chris Bishop: Normally it's the chair isn't it?CHAIRPERSON (Rt Hon Trevor Mallard): No well I don't think we've got a chair here or a deputy—so anyone can take it.
Mallard TrevorESTIMATES DEBATEIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 11 August 2021 on the Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill.CHAIRPERSON (Rt Hon Trevor Mallard): I declare the House in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill. The House is in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill. There are seven hours and 36 minutes remaining in the debate. All Votes are available for debate but only the Minister of Finance and for Infrastructure the Minister for COVID-19 Response and the Minister of Education will be available today to speak to the indicated portfolios only. The first call in each debate will be offered to the chairperson or a member of the committee that considered the Estimates most closely related to the Minister's portfolio. The Estimates debate should be relevant to the Government's current spending plans as contained in the Estimates of Appropriations and I'll remind members that under the relatively recent rules we have the ability to be interactive to go back and forth to share times and to have interrogations. The question is that the Votes contained in the Estimates of Appropriations for 2021-22 stand part of the schedules.
Urgent Debates — Terrorist Attack—New Lynn Supermarket
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATESTerrorist Attack—New Lynn SupermarketSPEAKER: I have received a letter from the Hon Judith Collins seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the terrorist attack on shoppers in a New Lynn supermarket and Government actions leading up to the attack. This is a particular case of recent occurrence and there is ministerial responsibility for the actions of Government in relation to the terrorist. Under the Policing Act 2008 the Police Commissioner acts independently of the Government in enforcement of the law in relation to any individual and the investigation and the prosecution of offences. These are not matters for which Ministers can answer to the House. Members have had the opportunity to question a Minister on this matter following the ministerial statement. Legislation to address the counter-terrorism aspects of this case will be debated in the House in the near future. However there are many more elements to this matter including issues relating to our security services Immigration Corrections and Justice and it is likely that more than one member from the main Opposition party will want to raise questions across those portfolio areas. The ministerial statement today did not provide adequate scope for such a broad and important debate. Therefore I call on the Hon Judith Collins to move that the House take note of a matter of urgent public importance.
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No papers have been presented. No bills have been introduced. A petition has been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK:Petition of Qiao Liu requesting that the House urge the Government to take immediate steps to make Brigham Creek Road safer for all road users.SPEAKER: That petition stands referred to the Petitions Committee. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK:Report of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Legislation BillReport of the Health Committee on petition of Nicole MoanaReport of the Petitions Committee on the petition of Lisa ErReport of the Regulations Review Committee on the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 10) 2021.SPEAKER: The bill is set down for second reading. The COVID-19 order is set down for consideration.
Ministerial Statements — LynnMall Terror Attack
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: Order! Before I call the Hon Judith Collins members will have worked out that that statement was significantly longer than the five minutes' limit and as a result of that—I think it was nine minutes long—I will make up to that time available for other party leaders.
Mallard TrevorTUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSSPEAKER: Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom justice mercy and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
Thursday 2 September 2021 - Volume 754
3. Question No. 3—FinanceHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister of Finance: How does the new requirement to reapply for the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy every fortnight help businesses and employees?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): As we announced in December our move to a two-weekly cycle this is designed to ensure as part of the new way that the wage subsidy scheme is delivered to give certainty that when we are at alert levels 3 or 4 the wage subsidy scheme will be available. It will help businesses by ensuring that there is a sustainable scheme and one that has integrity.Hon Louise Upston: Have new requirements like having to reapply every fortnight been imposed because the Government only set aside $500 million to cover a wage subsidy reactivation scheme in the current imprest supply and if not what is the reason?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In answer to the first part of the question absolutely not and the member completely misunderstands what the imprest supply bill is. The reason the change has been made is to ensure that we have a sustainable scheme and indeed the member might like to recall the words of her current leader who said in the first round of the wage subsidy scheme that it needed to be more carefully put in place. The Government has made changes to ensure that's happening.Hon Louise Upston: How do these new requirements help those experiencing delays receiving the first subsidy payment such as one business owner who said Eleven days and waiting to receive my business subsidy for my 20-plus staff. Three phone calls to MSD and told each time 'it's in processing'. Not very helpful."?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The experience of the vast bulk of people who have applied for the wage subsidy scheme has been one where they have been mightily impressed by the speed in which applications have been processed. And on that note I thank the member's colleague Chris Bishop who went out of his way on his Facebook page to seek people who were having problems and was inundated with comments from people who said "No issues at all always been fast for us" "Applied for Wage Subsidy at 2.20 last Wednesday received—SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member's being repetitive.Hon Louise Upston: How many employees will miss out on wages for this level 4 lockdown because businesses missed the application deadline for the first fortnightly period?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Businesses are aware of the application deadline; there is no way of quantifying what the member is putting forward. What I do know is that the scheme is supporting once again hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders to stay attached to their job. It has been a very successful scheme that has contributed well to making sure not only that New Zealanders stay in work but that the economy recovers. Hon Louise Upston: Does he accept new wage subsidy requirements that hurt businesses increase the risk that more New Zealanders will lose their jobs?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No because I simply don't accept the premise of the member's question."
Urgent Questions — Urgent Question to Minister—Declined
Mallard TrevorURGENT QUESTIONSUrgent Question to Minister—DeclinedSPEAKER: Members I have received from Chris Bishop an application for an urgent question and because of our unusual circumstances I haven't been able to communicate in the way that I normally would as to whether it is accepted or not.I have decided to decline the question and I'm giving reasons notwithstanding the rulings that generally Speakers shouldn't because I haven't been able to do that in the current circumstances. I will refer the member to Speakers' rulings 197/5-6 and 198/1 which essentially indicate that an urgent question is important if something is ongoing and needs the immediate attention of the House. In this particular question which is about a COVID-positive person who had escaped from a facility if that person was still in the community then I think it would be appropriate for the question to be asked. Now the second leg of the question goes to the investigation and that is I think a question which could be asked at some stage in the future and doesn't have to be asked today.In accordance with the determination of the Business Committee the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 7 September 2021.The House adjourned at 2.44 p.m.
Hipkins ChrisBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): In answer to the member's question regarding extended sitting and urgency certainly I think it would be wise to expect that there'll be at least some extended sittings in the latter part of the year depending on where we're at with various alert levels and when we can get back to a point where Parliament can transact business more normally. I think we will absolutely be looking to make up for lost time given that there'll be quite a lot of business being built up over this period. I will endeavour to provide as much notice of that as we possibly can. I'd also note that it's not just Government business that will have been accumulating during that time; we won't have had members' days—we've already lost one and potentially could lose more. Therefore I look forward to some constructive discussions about how all of the business before the House that needs to be given attention to before Christmas can be progressed.
Estimates Debate — Procedure
Woodhouse Michael; Mallard TrevorESTIMATES DEBATEProcedureHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National): I thank the Leader of the House for that update and also for the constructive discussions that are going on about the programme for next week. A couple of matters: firstly recognising that there has been quite a bit of lost time can I encourage him as I'm sure he will to signal early to the Business Committee if it will be necessary for the House to take urgency or extended hours in the fourth quarter of this year.Secondly Mr Speaker I seek a point of order. I seek leave for the Speaker to chair the committee of the whole House on the Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill and that while the Speaker chairs the committee no motion to report to obtain the Speaker's ruling on a matter of procedure can be accepted despite Standing Orders 173 and 179.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action? There appears to be none.
Hipkins ChrisBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Thank you Mr Speaker. Next week the House will continue to meet in a manner that's appropriate to the alert levels we are in at the time. On Thursday 7 September the Estimates debate will resume. Ministers to appear have yet to be finalised but are likely to include the Ministers of Finance COVID-19 Response and Immigration. Further discussion is taking place over whether any other Ministers should appear. As agreed by the Business Committee the Appropriation (2021/22 Estimates) Bill will then be set down for third reading. As happens every year the third reading will be taken with the second Imprest Supply Bill of the current financial year. There will be oral questions each day and a general debate on Wednesday. Of course in these rapidly evolving times if there are any further changes to that in the coming days I will be sure to inform the other parties.
Mallard TrevorTHURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSSPEAKER: Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom justice mercy and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
Tuesday 10 August 2021 - Volume 754
Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 87New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 33New Zealand National 33.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Fair Trading Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 45New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill — Third Reading
12. Question No. 12—ConservationJO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata) to the Minister of ConservationQuestion No. 12—Conservation12. JO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata) to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has she made regarding Jobs for Nature projects in Canterbury?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Conservation): As part of a Government that is absolutely committed to regional New Zealand it was my privilege to attend a visit in Rangitata alongside the member of Parliament for that region Jo-Anne Luxton to announce a Jobs for Nature investment of $16 million. This was to protect and enhance the unique and significant Rangitata River. We went down to the lower part of the Rangitata River and were met by the people of Te Rūnunga o Arowhenua who are currently employing in excess of 10 young people and they have received $8.7 million for a project focusing on that lower region. We also met with farmers and others from the upper Rangitata River who had been spearheading a project in the upper Rangitata region and they were awarded $7.3 million to work alongside farmers and others to preserve the biodiversity values of the upper region.Jo Luxton: What role will farmers and landowners play in these projects?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: Well as a Government again that is committed to rural and provincial New Zealand farmers and landowners the upper Rangitata project in particular will see farmers and landowners partnering with the Department of Conservation to fence off stock restore wetlands trap pests and plant eco-sourced natives in a joint move to improve water quality and enhance biodiversity values alongside the riverbank. The Upper Rangitata Gorge Landcare Group and high-country farmers have been doing conservation work in the upper river for nearly 30 years and I want to commend them for their dedication to the community and to the river.Jo Luxton: What recent reactions to Jobs for Nature funding has she seen from Federated Farmers including in Canterbury?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: It was absolutely no surprise that I saw that Federated Farmers had come out swinging on behalf of the announcement that our Government has made because on 4 August I saw a press release from Federated Farmers titled Feds Heartened By QEII Funding Boost". Local Cantabrian and Federated Farmers environment spokesperson Chris Allen—good lad—described the funding as "very welcome and a sound investment and partnership by the Government". This was in response to an announcement that—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I think it's fair to say that the question has been answered."
10. Question No. 10—TransportMARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. MARJA LUBECK (Labour) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcement has he made about improving public transport for West Aucklanders?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): I am pleased to report that construction on the Northwestern Bus Improvements has started. It includes connecting the bus lanes down State Highway 16 between Westgate and Newton Road new bus stops crossings and footpaths on Te Atatū and Lincoln Road and a major new bus station at Westgate. It'll make a real difference for commuters with around 25 minutes shaved off a bus trip from Westgate into the city and I do want to acknowledge the local member and former Minister Phil Twyford for his work in getting this project under way.Marja Lubeck: How is the project supporting West Auckland's economic recovery?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Not only will the Northwestern Bus Improvement project mean better public transport for West Auckland it's going to support the economic recovery by creating around 300 jobs. It was one of four Auckland Transport projects funded through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to support 1000 jobs and it freed up $98 million in the Auckland Council's emergency budget to be reinvested in other important infrastructure projects.Marja Lubeck: When will the project deliver better public transport for the West?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Construction of most parts of the project will be completed by late next year when express bus services will begin. Construction of the Westgate bus station is expected to begin in 2023 with detailed design and consenting starting next year. By delivering faster and more frequent bus services we'll be making public transport a real option for more people reducing congestion and our carbon emissions.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is the Government still committed to building light rail to north-west Auckland as it announced on 9 May 2018 and if so when can the people of north-west Auckland hear progress from the Government about it?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The Government has signalled that as part of its long-term plans for mass rapid transit in Auckland it will be important to look at light rail options at a range of locations around Auckland. The key thing is to make sure that those West Aucklanders do have access to adequate public transport which is what this project is delivering. It's important to note that the previous Government when it widened the Northwestern Motorway did not include any provision for public transport and we're having to come back and fix up that omission.
6. Question No. 6—TourismRACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of TourismQuestion No. 6—Tourism6. RACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of Tourism: How is the Government supporting tourism infrastructure projects?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Tourism): It is a priority to support tourism jobs and businesses as we keep up the momentum of economic recovery. The visitor economy in five South Island regions in particular has been seriously impacted by COVID-19. As the member knows the South Island is home to many of the jewels in the crown of our tourism industry. Our fiords mountains glaciers—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I'd just like the member to get on with answering the question rather than giving a geography lesson.Hon STUART NASH: The latest round of the investment from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund is focused on these five regions. Tourism projects in these South Island regions will receive $10 million from a total pool of $18 million in this round. This enables the tourism industry to once again make a strong contribution to our economic recovery and the wellbeing of workers and businesses in the affected regions.Rachel Brooking: What feedback has the Minister received from these beautiful South Island regions about the tourism support?Hon STUART NASH: The five regions are Mackenzie district the Queenstown Lakes Fiordland South Westland and Kaikōura. I've travelled to all five of these regions and spoken to the mayors and other leaders about what is needed to help the communities adjust. Mayors include Jim Boult Bruce Smith Gary Tong Graham Smith and Craig Mackle. They have responded enthusiastically to the infrastructure support. Mayor Tong said that he was thrilled" with the support for Fiordland and Stewart Island tourism projects. Deputy Southland Mayor Ebel Kremer said he is "stoked" because "it means a lot to our communities." Mayor Boult said that he was delighted for Queenstown and Mackenzie's Graham Smith said—I quote—"now is the time to put the infrastructure in place" as our iconic tourism destinations plan for the future. Tourism Industry Aotearoa has highlighted that the new facilities will benefit locals as well as visitors.Rachel Brooking: What sort of assets are being built for the benefit of both visitors and local communities?Hon STUART NASH: These five South Island communities share the challenge of dealing with infrastructure that has run down over many years. They also face the twin hurdle of funding projects from a very small rater base. Locals and visitors in Queenstown Wānaka and Glenorchy will benefit from new lake-front infrastructure like boat ramps. In Mackenzie district the owner of the Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park said new assets will make a real difference to locals who have been unable to go boating in the lake because of sewage contamination. Domestic tourism is experiencing a boom as Kiwi travellers—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I think we've had more than enough. [Interruption] I don't really need your support Mr Doocey."
3. Question No. 3—HealthWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 3—Health3. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made on the redevelopment of Bay of Islands Hospital?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): Recently the Prime Minister and I attended a ceremony to bless the site and workers for phase two of the redevelopment of the Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa. The new building will house out-patients and primary care facilities. The Government has invested $14 million in this project to help the Northland District Health Board address inequitable health outcomes for Māori by making services easier to access for communities. These new facilities are an indicator of the future with a range of services available in a primary setting and will mean people can get the care they need close to home and close to whānau rather than having to travel to Whangārei or Auckland.Willow-Jean Prime: What facilities are included in the redevelopment?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: This is the second phase of redevelopment following the completion of a two-storey building accommodating the new accident and medical centre and a 20-bed in-patient ward in 2018. This phase—the latest one—includes an integrated family health centre to accommodate primary health and out-patient services an expanded renal dialysis unit and the introduction of new oncology and haematology services. The new facilities are expected to be operational in 2023. This redevelopment reflects this Government's commitment to laying the foundations for a better future for all New Zealanders as well as the wider changes we wanted to achieve through the health reforms.Willow-Jean Prime: What other investments has the Government made to improve the health and wellbeing of Northlanders?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The new facilities are just one part of the Government's investment to improve the health and wellbeing of Northland residents. Other projects recently announced in the area include remediation work at Kaitāia Hospital a linear accelerator at Whangarei Hospital to provide better cancer treatment and buses to provide mobile surgical and lithotripsy services for kidney and gallbladder issues. A cardiac catheter laboratory and operating theatres were recently opened at Whangarei Hospital and expanded youth mental health and addiction services are planned across Northland Auckland and Waitematā.
1. Question No. 1—FinanceBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. BARBARA EDMONDS (Labour—Mana) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): New Zealanders continue to show confidence in the economy. Statistics New Zealand reported today that card transactions rose 0.9 percent in July compared with the previous month. Retail card spending which makes up three-quarters of total card transactions rose 0.6 percent as New Zealanders spent more on groceries alcohol and specialised food. Kiwis also spent more on clothing shoes jewellery and watches. In their commentary Westpac's economists had expected to see a small decline due to the suspension of travel with Australia. However it turns out to quote them that New Zealand households are hitting the town and spending up." The report also shows a dampening in spending in the hospitality sector which Westpac attributes to a lack of international tourists indicating as we have noted several times in this House the economic environment remains uneven for some sectors and regions.Barbara Edmonds: What other reports has he seen on consumer confidence?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index shows sentiment remains in positive territory. The index did edge down one point to 113 in July just below its historical average. The proportion of people who believe it is a good time to buy a major household item which is a key indicator of confidence rose two points to 24. A net 23 percent of those surveyed expect to be better off this time next year—up one. ANZ's confidence composite gauge which is a GDP growth indicator by combining lag business expectations and intentions with consumer sentiment is now well above pre-COVID levels. The survey does show however that consumers remain cautious about the future and the economic environment continues to be volatile as countries such as Australia struggle to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19.Barbara Edmonds: What other reports has he seen on the economy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The primary sector is continuing to support and secure the recovery. The ANZ Commodity Price Index was released last week and while it eased back from its record high declining by 1.4 percent in July it is still very strong. Looking at the sectors there were gains for meat and fibre which rose 0.6 percent due to higher lamb and wool prices while beef prices eased back. Horticulture also rose by 0.6 percent. Forestry did slip back from record highs as demand from China eased while dairy prices also eased although ANZ said that relatively tight global milk supplies should limit further downward movements in dairy prices. When returns to producers are converted back to New Zealand dollars the overall index rose by 0.1 percent. Our producers are operating in a volatile market reflecting the ongoing impact of the pandemic but continue to do well to support the New Zealand economy."
Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Halbert Shanan; Salesa JennySHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote): I commend this bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a second time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow.The House adjourned at 9.59 p.m.
Mitchell MarkHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa): I commend this bill to the House.
Eagle PaulPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai): This is a fantastic moment and I commend this bill to the House.
Bennett GlenGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Brilliant outstanding wonderful bill. I commend this bill to the House.
Luxon ChristopherCHRISTOPHER LUXON (National—Botany): This is an outstanding bill. We fully support what the Government is doing. We commend this bill to the House.
Williams Arena; Salesa JennyARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa): I commend this bill to the House. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The next call is a split call.
Cameron MarkMARK CAMERON (ACT): Well thank you Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of the ACT Party to take a short call on this Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill. This bill can only be considered to be a clear concise and transparent piece of legislation with full cross-party support of all the members of this House. Its premise is to give certainty to assets for those that own them in the commercial aquacultural industry. The bill seeks to allocate assets in aquaculture in the event that a dispute process is unable to be resolved. The bill has broad support of the respective iwi that were involved in the consultation process. As the member Mr van de Molen previously noted—and I quote—potentially 600 million could be several billion with 3000-odd people employed in the industry." What was noteworthy recently in select committee in several conversations with New Zealand fisheries it was suggested that the aquacultural industry could grow substantially. This bill seeks to streamline that process where discretionary powers are given to the trustee Te Ohu Kaimoana to allocate settlement assets to iwi. This ultimately allows for greater industry certainty.The largest sum of the bill is found under clause 7 in replacement section 49 noteworthy of which new section 49B(2) states "a transfer of settlement assets … must be made in proportion to the length of coastline … relevant [to a particular] iwi who agree on a partial allocation and that the trustee is satisfied [and] is unlikely to be disputed."The overarching premise of this bill seeks to add clarity to assets and owners and gives certainty to iwi settlement claims to minimise disputes. Previously the member Dr Kerekere noted in the first reading that Te Ohu Kaimoana and iwi had extensive consultation in support of this bill.Obviously this bill meets consensus across the House and gives further weight to supporting the bill in its entirety. The ACT Party therefore supports this bill and I commend this bill to the House."
Coffey Tamati; Salesa JennyTAMATI COFFEY (Labour): Madam Speaker thank you for the opportunity to talk on this. The iwi that presented to us in the submissions are looking forward to this passing quickly. They have been waiting for a very long time to be able to realise their aspirations when it comes to aquaculture and I want to thank for that Chris Insley who led the charge from Te Arawa Fisheries; Dickie Farrar from Te Whakatōhea; and Rikirangi Gage from Te Whānau-a-Apanui. They are passionate about aquaculture because they believe that actually we can do some really cool really innovative stuff: offshore rainbow trout offshore kingfish for premium seafood offshore seaweed offshore greenshell mussels for high value nutraceuticals offshore scallops for premium seafood. All of these things are possible but they haven't been given the opportunity to be. This bill frees them up to be able to realise those aspirations and for that reason I commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): I call on Dr Liz Kerekere.Hon Member: Mōrena!