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Cameron MarkMARK CAMERON (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of the ACT Party for the first reading of the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill. This is a way to provide and allocate aquaculture claims settlement to iwi in the event of a dispute resolution process; the primary bill had been unable to resolve a dispute between iwi on transfer and allocation. There are two significant areas of change primarily the empowering trust to allocate and transfer assets. After a period of 12 months there have been no recognised iwi aquaculture organisations and 24 months since the settlement assets were transferred to the trustee. Secondly limitations on transfer under the new process—the transferred assets cannot be sold until they have been registered as allocation entitlements. The assets must be transferred in whole part to an iwi aquaculture organisation that becomes entitled to any portion of the said assets. Mr Nash the previous Minister of Fisheries said at the time—and I quote—The proposed Bill will improve the allocation and transfer of Māori commercial aquaculture settlement assets to iwi." Some aspects of the 2004 original Act the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004 have prevented some iwi from accessing and developing aquaculture assets such as marine farming space. Aquaculture contributes significantly to regional development. This is deeply important in our post-COVID recovery. It can grow sustainably an illustration of which was in 2018 as the previous members in the House have referred to when it generated some $600 million in revenue and employed upwards of 3000 people in the regions. Because of this reality and the potential of fiscal and further growth and certainty that this bill will bring the ACT Party will support this third reading. On behalf of the ACT Party I commend this bill to the House."
Kerekere ElizabethDr ELIZABETH KEREKERE (Green): Tēnā koe e te Māngai mema kaimahi hou i roto i te Whare. My maiden speech is actually not until February and I thought I'd got away with not speaking in the House this side of Christmas but it's lovely to be here with you. We wish to commend this bill firstly because the principle of appropriate decision-making is very important to the Greens which is that the decisions that affect our people are made at that level. So the fact that Te Ohu Kaimoana has done such extensive consultation and iwi are in support of this bill—for that reason alone we would want to support it. The other thing though that we would like to raise is that iwi have suffered throughout the Treaty settlement process by this concept of natural groupings which has impacted me in particular from Tai Rāwhiti my iwi of Ngāti Oneone and Whānau a Kai where we're expected to get on with and negotiate instead of directly with the Crown and its agencies but with each other. And so I feel that this untangles some of that so it means that the iwi who are ready to go can access the resource they need to get on with developing their business and working for their people.So with those brief words we would commend this bill and give our support. Kia ora.
Williams ArenaARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa): Congratulations to you Madam Speaker and warm South Auckland greetings. It's a real honour and a privilege to be speaking with you in the Chair today and I want to say to all South Aucklanders who may be watching that it is a real privilege to have someone with so much integrity and leadership based in South Auckland representing us. This bill supports the increase over time of Māori interests in aquaculture and though the member opposite in his contribution was at pains to point out that this was a small change it is a very significant change to the people in his area. It supports iwi to maximise opportunities from settlement and helps generate meaningful work for young and rural Māori people at a time when those jobs are much needed. For those iwi who are experiencing delays because of these powers which are not available yet to Te Ohu Kaimoana it will be a big change and one which will be very welcome. I just want to touch on one important point that this bill will change. It promotes the ability for the Crown to act flexibly and to be able to act in good faith in its relations with iwi partners who are trying to support their people through the development of aquaculture in their regions. Whānau hapū and Māori are possibly at a disadvantage if Te Ohu Kaimoana does not have the flexibility to assist in situations of deadlock where iwi within a region cannot agree. That is why I'm proud to stand and commend this bill to the House. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Tirikatene RinoRINO TIRIKATENE (Labour—Te Tai Tonga): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. I'm delighted to speak in my first contribution in this 53rd Parliament and I want to take the opportunity to congratulate you ma'am on your appointment as a presiding officer. Likewise I want to acknowledge the good people of Te Tai Tonga the largest electorate in the country from the great southern and distant islands to the capital city for returning me as their member of Parliament. Of course across Te Tai Tonga there are significant aquaculture areas particularly in the top of the South Island and there's no greater pleasure for me to speak in this 53rd Parliament at the outset on a bill which is moving Māori forward in our regional economic development and improving the processes with this Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill.I'd like to acknowledge Mr van de Molen for taking us very carefully through the details of this bill but in essence it's a very simple bill. It's about rectifying an issue that has come up in terms of ultimately getting assets into the hands of iwi and that's what these settlements are all about: making sure that we can get the assets to iwi. In certain instances in regions iwi aren't able to come to 100 percent unanimity on how that is to go about and so thanks to Te Ohu Kaimoana the trustee they have come up with a proposal which has the agreement of all iwi and has been widely consulted to ensure that they have a limited discretion to make an allocation and transfer it to those iwi that are undisputed and that are ready to receive their assets so they aren't prejudiced they aren't held up indefinitely and they can get on with the business. Ultimately that's what this bill aims to achieve.Māori are at the forefront of the aquaculture industry. We've heard about our aquaculture strategy and the potential that it has to grow economic development in the regions in our COVID recovery and I look forward to the passage of the bill. I acknowledge our new Minister for Oceans and Fisheries the Hon David Parker; the Hon Stuart Nash his predecessor; and I'm delighted to be the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries. I'm looking forward to adding my bit to assist the Minister in his big task over this term.So with that I commend this bill and I also wish the newly formed Māori Affairs Committee all the best in their consideration of this bill. Thank you Madam Speaker. Kia ora tātou.
Prime Willow-Jean; Salesa JennyWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland): Tēnā koe e te Māngai o te Whare. It is my absolute pleasure to take the final call on the first reading of the Water Services Bill. As a former Far North District councillor and now the MP for Northland water is a huge issue for us in Northland. We are heading into summer; already the drought warnings are out the signs are up at the supermarket to conserve our water in places like Paihia. I know that throughout the last couple of months as information has been out about this bill there is some concern and trepidation amongst our local authorities up north. However I am pleased that all the local authorities have signed up to the memorandum of understanding and are at least looking into the options for it.We expect as New Zealanders to all be able to turn on the tap and drink the water knowing that it is safe that we can swim in our rivers and lakes or gather kaimoana at the beach without fear of becoming ill. As has been referred to in the speeches today with the Havelock North inquiry following the deaths of several people and those falling ill to poor quality drinking water we know that this isn't consistent across the country and that something needs to be done. I want to acknowledge the Minister of Local Government for taking the leadership on this issue and bringing it to the House the support of all those that have spoken on it this morning and I wish the select committee well. I look forward to reading the submissions coming from my area in particular as I am sure they will raise matters for the consideration of the select committee. With that I commend the bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is That the Water Services Bill be considered by the Health Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Health Committee.
Water Services Bill — First Reading
Kanongata'a-Suisuiki AnahilaANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour): Kia ora e te Mana Whakawā. This is a historical moment in this House where a Tongan-speaking New Zealander is addressing Madam Speaker who is also a Tongan-speaking New Zealander. I want to congratulate you 'Eiki Sea in your role as joining the Speaker's team and it is definitely an honour and privilege for a Tongan New Zealander.I want to take a short call on the first reading of the Water Services Bill. I want to acknowledge the leadership of the Minister the Hon Nanaia Mahuta. What I want to bring to this contribution is in her legislative statement. There's a sentence there that talks about Te Mana o te Wai". I will quote the Minister because I think it's important that it's repeated in this House—that it is more than just naming things in te reo Māori but actually being part of governance. And I quote: "The bill requires all persons who perform or exercise functions powers and duties under the legislation to give effect to te Mana o te Wai. As part of its governance arrangements Taumata Arowai will have a Māori Advisory Group that is charged with advising on how to interpret and give effect to te Mana o te Wai; on how to enable mātauranga Māori tikanga Māori and kaitiakitanga to be exercised."I totally support this bill. Ka tautoko ahau i tēnei pire ki te Whare. Kia ora."
Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I'd like to take a brief call in order to speak to this bill. Water is a critical part of our lives and perhaps it has taken something as sad as the incident in Havelock North for us to fully realise and take value of the value of water. It was only when I travelled overseas for a number of years in the OE that all Kiwis used to be able to do that you fully comprehend the value of being able to walk over to your kitchen sink and fill up a glass of water and drink from it.The importance of this bill is that it continues the theme that this Government has set in place to put first people's wellbeing and to put first the health of New Zealanders and it's important that we continue to invest in this space to make up for the deficit that has been left. It is true that we have had years of inaction on drinking water and that the infrastructure that we have existing right now is broken in many areas. So this bill strikes a strong balance between incentivising drinking-water suppliers to take responsibility for their supplies and also giving Taumata Arowai a modern regulatory tool kit to promote good-practice compliance and enforcement.All drinking-water suppliers will be required to consistently provide safe drinking water to consumers through this legislation and meet drinking-water standards. They will be required to have drinking-water safety plans in place and these are core elements of international best practice. I wish to commend this bill to the House and I look forward to the submissions we receive in such a critical areas for New Zealanders' wellbeing.
Strange JamieJAMIE STRANGE (Labour—Hamilton East): Thank you Madam Speaker and also I'd like to echo the comments that have been said this morning to congratulate you around your recent appointment—congratulations. I'm delighted to take a brief call on the Water Services Bill and I'd like to begin by acknowledging the work the Hon Nanaia Mahuta has done in this space over many years. This bill is the first step in a suite of policies in order to futureproof our water supply over the coming years. This bill as we've heard basically sets up a new water service regulator. Our current system is very fragmented. If I look at the Waikato region where I'm a member of Parliament we've got around 15 councils each with their own sort of rules and regulations many of them with their own water supply infrastructure and the reality is this fragmented system is not serving our communities or our economy well.I would like to highlight the point the previous speaker Simon Court spoke to in terms of hard questions around infrastructure. I agree with what the member was saying there and we need to have these conversations. As central government working in with local councils and potentially various private providers these conversations need to take place and we need to ask the hard questions because as our economy continues to grow and develop providing opportunities for people water will play a key role. It will be front and centre in that economic development.So this is an excellent piece of work. I'm pleased we've got support right across the House. It's certainly something that needed to happen and I'm very pleased that it is happening. I wish the Minister all the very best following this bill through to completion. I commend the bill to the House. Thank you.
Chen NaisiNAISI CHEN (Labour): Madam Speaker congratulations on your election to the Speaker's role and all of your colleagues. I want to start my speech today in the House just to acknowledge all those who lost their lives in the Havelock North incident a couple of years ago because I do think as Government and as Parliament we do have to pay responsibility in terms of regulating our water. That's why I'm very proud to stand in support of this bill in this House today. A word that keeps reoccurring in my head is kaitiakitanga which is our guardianship of the resources that we have on this land while we are here. I think this bill shows a great guardianship that we will have over the water resource which is so dear to our country. I came here as a migrant when I was five years old. I think one of the favourite things that I got to do was drink water straight from the tap. That's something that I'm not able to do in a lot of countries. In fact when I go overseas the first thing I do is turn up at a convenience store and buy litres and litres of water to take back to my hotel room. So I think this is something that really needs to be preserved in this country and I think really this bill will actually build the infrastructure and the oversight needed to keep New Zealand this way. Throughout the whole entire bill that I've been reading one particular phrase keeps coming up and that phrase is environmental performance". I just really want to not only commend all that have worked on it but also just say to the Health Committee as well that this is a really really important part of this bill to actually make sure that we do monitor the environmental performance of our whole entire water system to make sure the footprint and the damage that we do to our precious land is kept at a minimal. So on that note I commend this bill to the House."
Utikere TangiTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's my pleasure to rise to take a call on the Water Services Bill and in doing so can I acknowledge you and congratulate you on your appointment. I certainly support the sentiment of my colleague Mr Webb in saying that your experience perhaps will serve you well and I'd like to think that as a fellow alumni of Freyberg High School that is a quality that you have as well.My experience in local government certainly tells me that this will be a welcome piece of legislation. Can I acknowledge the leadership of my colleague the Hon Nanaia Mahuta in terms of the work that she's doing in this space. I know that with local government with iwi partners this will be very very welcome and it will be welcome because the three waters component is really important to communities up and down New Zealand. This piece of legislation is around providing an ability to regulate drinking water and to do so safely. It provides some confidence but also some certainty for communities that drinking water and the provision of that will be safe and that the source from which that water comes will also be safe as well. The Minister in her speech touched on the management of the other two waters that complete the treble and that is the waste water aspects and stormwater. They are key responsibilities of any local council but also it's important that Taumata Arowai will be able to collect information as it sees fit as well. We only need to look to the Havelock North inquiry to provide some basis for that.This bill in essence will ensure that the supply of safe drinking-water to communities also meets water standards and that is in line with best international practice as well. So I'm looking forward to this piece of legislation working through the process going next step to select committee and on that basis I'm happy to commend the bill to the House.
O'Connor Greg; Dean JacquiGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu): It gives me great pleasure to be the final speaker on the first reading of this bill. Sometimes a lot happens in this House and those of us who come and go we might pick up a bill we might hear a debate going on but every so often something happens that happened to me today. I came into the House not expecting to speak. I looked at this bill picked it up and saw what a fine piece of legislation it is and then I sat and listened to the speakers that have come before me. I heard the universal agreement on the bill and some very moving stories. I missed the name of the ACT speaker but it was the first time that I've sat here and a lump came to my throat because that was somebody who was obviously speaking from experience.Having come to this House as a police officer—we all come from different ways but one of the things that's common with the people I've dealt with is an alienation from mainstream society. That alienation measures itself out manifests itself in so many different ways. We talk about the gangs. We talk about all sorts of societal failures. But it starts with the small things. So many of these young people that end up—the people we talk about in derisory terms have been alienated from the start. And little things like the people that have looked after them where they were in foster care—just no money for the small things that manifested the big things.So just looking through the provisions of this bill and the fact that we've had so much agreement on it gives me absolutely no hesitation in giving this bill my full support and commending this bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): The question is That the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill be considered by the Social Services and Community Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Social Services and Community Committee.
Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Reti ShaneDr SHANE RETI (Deputy Leader—National): Thank you Madam Speaker. Look it's a pleasure to support this bill which you've heard our previous speakers talk to. Several points to it: if we look at the key actions of this bill the first action is to improve or make better sense of what was previously a 12-month eligibility rule whereby those carers who were looking after orphans—and I agree that maybe there's a better word but orphans—and unsupported children were ineligible for this sort of benefit if they didn't commit to undertaking care for longer than 12 months. This is a significant number of people. We can see in the regulatory impact statement that the orphans benefit is paid to 300 caregivers—roughly 400 children—and the unsupported child benefit to 11000 caregivers or around 17000 children and young people. I want to echo my thanks to all of those caregivers who step outside to help the families glue together in times of unexpected and undesired challenges. Thank you very much for what you do and this bill partly reflects that. If we look at the financial components to this the birthday and Christmas allowance it's actually calculated on the foster care allowance through Oranga Tamariki. Roughly the benefits we're talking about here are about $200 a week and the Christmas and birthday allowance is half of a weekly allowance so it may be around $100 for those events and in total its fiscal impact is $16.931 million. If we look at the increase in eligibility—not requiring 12 months' commitment from a caregiver—the fiscal impact of that is $46.668 million which certainly—these are still numbers to take into account. We need accountability. But in the overall context of those social services it would seem not quite so much. We're in support of this. I want to echo the work of Tracey Martin who brought this forward. It just seemed like an inconsistency that didn't make sense. Tracey led this out well which brings it here to its first reading. I think it's worthy clearly of going to select committee. It's not clear to me why the foster care allowance isn't mentioned in parts of this yet it appears in the regulatory impact statement and yet there's no fiscals to that and it's not talked to otherwise in the bill. So we just need some understanding of that. Of course that's the benefit of the select committee process. We can do a deeper dive on that—have a bit of understanding why there are parts of the regulatory impact assessment that were not thought worthy of scrutiny. They thought that Oranga Tamariki the internal quality assurance processes of Oranga Tamariki would suffice. We know they're struggling at the moment anyway. Again this is an area that the select committee can delve into. So I think most of what's been said is traversing the key points of this bill and it's with pleasure that the National Party will be supporting it through to select committee. Thank you.
Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland): Kia ora Madam Speaker. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to take a short call on the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill. I sat through the debate last night and I want to commend the Minister for introducing this first piece of legislation in his new role as the Minister for Children. As I was listening to him presenting the speech from the Minister for the first reading I really heard the genuine care of a pāpā in his speech particularly when he talked about acknowledging those who are caring for children whose own whānau or their parents are not able to do so and in particular when he referred to the payments for birthdays and Christmas. As today is our last sitting day and we are heading into that period I think it was just really relevant to the feeling that we all have at this time of the year. I think it's absolutely acknowledged that that is something that we want for all of our tamariki.I want to also acknowledge all of those who have spoken in this debate and given their personal experiences of it from across the House. I think it's been a really genuine debate on this first reading. I look forward to the select committee process and the submissions that we will receive and I commend this bill to the House.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Kia ora. Thank you Madam Speaker and congratulations on your role here. You've graduated in more ways than one. I'm sure you'll be a fine fine Assistant Speaker. And thank you Mr Doocey for that traversal of all kinds of things other than the bill before the House.This is an excellent bill that really does iron out some inconsistencies and it's something that this Government is committed to doing: looking at the welfare system and not only improving it for all New Zealanders but getting rid of some of those inconsistencies which see people who are in fundamentally the same position dealt with in a different way. So this is a good bill: it's pretty straightforward it's pretty common-sense and there's no more really that need be said. I absolutely commend it to the House.
Ngobi TerisaTERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. First of all I just want to tautoko the speeches from last night and also Karen's heartfelt speech around the great work that our caregivers do in quite often challenging situations.It's a real honour and a privilege to take a call on this bill which amends to remove disparities in the current legislation to make it equitable for all caregivers and therefore the tamariki in their care. Extending the eligibility for the orphans benefit and the unsupported child benefit for which I would also like to see a name change to caregivers with tamariki outside of State care means all caregivers will be able to support tamariki to celebrate their milestones by accessing birthday allowance and the Christmas allowance. Removing the current 12-month eligibility rule will make it just that little bit easier for our wonderful caregivers and the tamariki that they care for. I have a grandmother who was raising her grandchild in my electorate who said that at times she really struggles to save anything extra after paying for school fees and school uniforms. So this amendment bill will ensure that this grandmother and her moko can now make sure they have something to celebrate his birthday with and something to open on Christmas Day. Without it they would really struggle.I know this bill will make a real difference to our fantastic caregivers and our tamariki. Therefore I'm honoured to tautoko and commend this bill to the House.
Chhour KarenTUESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2020(continued on Wednesday 9 December 2020)SOCIAL SECURITY (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAREGIVERS) AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingDebate resumed.KAREN CHHOUR (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. ACT has always supported helping people in genuine need and providing support to children who through no fault of their own find themselves in need of care. In saying that I listened yesterday to speeches and lots of good points were made. To the average person or even to the politician sitting in the House today this bill seems pretty simple—no big deal a few small changes here and there—to the point where there wasn't much to say so the nit-picking began on things that were completely irrelevant to this bill. I can tell you as a child in care the name of the benefit I was on was not my major concern; it was whether I had food and a roof over my head. No words can describe how big of a deal this bill really is. Sometimes the simple things make the most changes. We have talked about how the disparity exists between the different benefits. As a child I lived through that and saw the sacrifices that my caregivers made to provide me with the necessities of life in a time where I needed it the most. Until you have been in care and seen what these amazing people do you can never truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices they make to provide for the children in their care. I saw how hard they worked to provide not only for me but for the many children that came into their home some for a few days and others for a little longer. Please hear me when I say from the bottom of my heart thank you to every caregiver and foster parent that has given their blood sweat and tears to make a difference in a child's life. We believe that this bill takes a small and positive step towards improving the support that is provided to those in genuine need and we will therefore be supporting the first reading of the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill. This bill recognises the need to increase financial assistance for children outside of State care but it also highlights the importance of the caregivers and the service that they provide. So in saying that I commend this bill to the House and ACT will support the first reading.
Tuesday 8 December 2020 - Volume 749
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 84New Zealand Labour 64; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Noes 35New Zealand National 33; Te Paati Māori 2.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is That the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill be considered by the Finance and Expenditure Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill — First Reading
Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Bill (No 5) — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Bill (No 5) be now read a third time.Ayes 109New Zealand Labour 64; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 10ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 — Extension
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 is continued.Ayes 84New Zealand Labour 64; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; ACT New Zealand 10.Noes 35New Zealand National 33; Te Paati Māori 2.Motion agreed to.
12. Question No. 12—EducationHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 12—Education12. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Education: What are his three top priorities as Minister of Education?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): The Government actually has five priorities as set out in the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities in the tertiary education strategy. I share these priorities. They are: putting learners at the centre; barrier-free access; quality teaching and learning; the future of learning and work; and world-class inclusive public education. I can also assure the member that I will make it a priority to ensure my numbers add up.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Point of order Mr Speaker. I didn't ask the Minister what were the five objectives in the National Education and Learning Priorities. I asked him what his three priorities are to get a sense of what he was up to.SPEAKER: Well I think if the member had listened very carefully at the beginning of the answer he would have worked out that it was in order.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Where does improving student achievement fit in amongst his priorities?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Right the way across. But of course if you're putting students at the centre of education decisions then of course that covers student achievement. Hon Paul Goldsmith: How are students likely to be at the centre if only 58 percent of them are turning up regularly to classes before disruption from COVID-19?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The member has highlighted a very important point—that student achievement is intricately linked to student attendance. Students who don't show up do not achieve as well in education and we do have a worrying trend in New Zealand—which started under the last Government—of increasing numbers of students not showing up at school regularly. Government can take some responsibility for contributing to that but of course parents have the ultimate responsibility to make sure their kids are attending school.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Does he have a target for regular attendance and if so what is it?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I want all kids to be attending school regularly and I won't accept any target that's below that. I do acknowledge that there are occasions where students can't attend school for a variety of reasons including when they're sick and we would encourage them to stay home in those circumstances. But the level of non-attendance in New Zealand schools is completely unacceptable.Jo Luxton: How have the Government's actions over the last year advanced his priorities?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I'm incredibly proud of the way the education system as a whole rose to the challenge of COVID-19 especially during the lockdown. Just to name three particular things I think we should all be proud of: we established two television channels to broadcast education-related content we increased the number of students who have access to the internet and digital devices at home and we made changes to make sure that this year's NCEA students weren't unfairly disadvantaged.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Supplementary?SPEAKER: No no. The member's party has used its supplementary questions.
11. Question No. 11—Diversity Inclusion and Ethnic CommunitiesIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Diversity Inclusion and Ethnic CommunitiesQuestion No. 11—Diversity Inclusion and Ethnic Communities11. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister for Diversity Inclusion and Ethnic Communities: What actions has the Government announced to promote social inclusion in New Zealand?Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN (Minister for Diversity Inclusion and Ethnic Communities): As part of our response to the findings of the report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques the Government has announced a suite of measures today designed to promote social inclusion. We are significantly upgrading the Office of Ethnic Communities to create a new ministry for ethnic communities. This ministry will have greater mana and standing with a better ability to support and respond to the needs of our increasingly diverse communities. Alongside this we've announced a national centre of excellence to bring together academia civil society and Government to research the prevention of radicalisation and the promotion of social cohesion. We've also announced a range of other initiatives such as the new Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme. These are designed to ensure that Government better reflects the increasingly diverse populations we serve.Ibrahim Omer: How does this announcement build on the work that the Government has done to promote social inclusion since the 15th March attacks? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN: Since the 15th March attacks the Government has undertaken significant work to promote social inclusion. The Office of Ethnic Communities has doubled in capacity the largest expansion in its history. We've also made an eightfold increase in the Ethnic Communities Development Fund from $520000 to $4.2 million—that's money that goes directly to our communities. This complements a whole-of-Government piece of work such as the Give Nothing to Racism campaign and ensuring that the education system teaches our children to value diversity and enhancing the capacity of the Human Rights Commission.Ibrahim Omer: Why has the Government undertaken these actions?Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN: I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the trauma experienced by the survivors of the March 15th mosque attacks and whānau. This Government stands with them and will work to implement the recommendations from the royal commission report to make New Zealand a safer place. New Zealand is an increasingly vibrant and diverse nation and this diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It is important though that everyone in New Zealand is able to access opportunities and to participate fully. These actions are a step in that journey.
9. Question No. 9—PoliceGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 9—Police9. GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South) to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has she seen regarding the seizure of illicit drugs by the New Zealand Police?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): I have been advised that police have recently made a major bust in Kawakawa last week resulting in the seizure of a significant quantity of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of almost $90000. In addition 50 kilograms of iodine pellets were also located which is used in the manufacturing of meth with a street value of around $125000. Police also recovered a firearm and more than $100000 in cash. Illicit drugs like meth are destructive and have no place in our communities. I thank our police for their fantastic work.Ginny Andersen: Has the Minister seen any other reports on police disrupting illicit drugs trade in New Zealand?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Yes. As part of the ongoing Operation Cincinnati police have disrupted gang operations involved in the importation distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA along with other illicit drugs throughout Auckland and Christchurch. This shows the impact of our 700 new cops focused directly on organised crime and what that's having.Ginny Andersen: How has the Government supported police in this important work?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: We've supported the police by putting more officers on the beat: 2500 new constables 1300 new FTEs 700 alone focused on organised crime. We have banned military-style semi-automatic weapons magazines and parts; taken 62000 prohibited firearms out of circulation; and passed the Arms Legislation Bill. This Government delivers for police.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is the Minister aware of any reduction in illicit drug consumption as a result of this police activity?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: What I can speak to is the fact that police are delivering for our communities and what police efforts are doing is disrupting gangs and continuing at pace. Seizures and forfeitures of assets are also continuing to increase as I've noticed in my previous answers.SPEAKER: I think the member can have a bit more of a go at the actual question. Does the member want the question repeated?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Yes please.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is the Minister aware of any reduction in illicit drug consumption as a result of the police forfeitures and otherwise which she has outlined?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: The whole point is if the drugs are off the streets they cannot be consumed.
7. Question No. 7—Research Science and InnovationDr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Research Science and InnovationQuestion No. 7—Research Science and Innovation7. Dr LIZ CRAIG (Labour) to the Minister of Research Science and Innovation: What progress has been made on the Government's Vaccine Strategy? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Research Science and Innovation): The Government has made good progress on its vaccine strategy having announced two deals with vaccine providers so far. We've recently agreed in principle to purchase an initial 750000 courses from Pfizer/BioNTech and up to 5 million courses from Janssen. The Government's COVID-19 vaccine strategy ensures that we are purchasing through a number of different avenues to access suitable vaccines as soon as safely possible. Dr Liz Craig: What recent reports has she seen on how effective some vaccine candidates are? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Early indications from clinical trials of vaccine candidates show the effectiveness is higher than had previously been expected which is promising. For example one of the candidates we have secured—Pfizer BioNTech—has been reported at 90 percent effectiveness. However safety will always be our absolute priority and we will not be rushed into accepting the first vaccine that shows promise. Vaccine candidates will be assessed through our own regulatory processes before they are distributed to the community. Dr Liz Craig: Is she confident that we will secure access to vaccines that will meet the needs of our population? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Yes. The vaccine strategy has sought to position New Zealand well to secure access to safe and effective vaccines as soon as is possible. Undertaking a portfolio approach means that we are looking at a range of different vaccine candidates and in doing so maximising flexibility and choice when it comes to what is best for the needs of our population. I am confident that our vaccine strategy has us well positioned to distribute vaccines when they are available which have met our own regulatory standards.
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): The latest ANZ Business Outlook data for November 2020 showed that general business confidence continued its improved performance since August. Headline business confidence improved by 9 percentage points from the October reading with indicators relating to investment employment and profit all higher. Services and manufacturing improved their expectations on ANZ's measures and construction was the most optimistic sector of the economy. Both residential and commercial construction expected higher activity in the future. Pleasingly and finally in this primary answer the indicator showing businesses' own activity levels rose by 4 percentage points. This measure is more closely correlated with actual economic activity. ANZ noted that the New Zealand business sector is feeling increasingly upbeat" and that "Monetary and fiscal policy have undoubtedly done their jobs this year."Barbara Edmonds: What other reports has he seen on the construction sector?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Statistics New Zealand on Friday released their estimates of the value of building work put in place for the September 2020 quarter. Like consenting data that data continued to show the resilience of the construction sector with ASB analysts noting that "Building work completed over the September quarter lifted a whopping 35 percent with residential building activity leading the charge and activities surging to above pre-COVID levels." Statistics New Zealand noted that residential work rose 4.2 percent on the same period in 2019. Barbara Edmonds: What support is the Government providing to the construction sector to continue this growth?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Mr Speaker I won't test your patience by reading out a comprehensive list but suffice to say—SPEAKER: I wouldn't count on it.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: —that I am particularly pleased about the support the Government is providing to the sector through our training programmes: $390 million was provided to support the Apprenticeship Boost programme across sectors as part of the wider $1.6 billion boost to training. The head of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation stated "For years the building and construction sector has been calling for support from the Government for those firms that train apprentices. And this is the answer we have been waiting for.""
Kanongata'a-Suisuiki AnahilaANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour): Kia ora e te Mana Whakawā. It's an honour and privilege to stand and give a contribution on the first reading of the Social Security (Financial Assistance for Caregivers) Amendment Bill.When I speak on a bill that has something to do with children I remind this House all the time that 32 years ago John Rangihau and the ministerial committee on a Māori perspective for the Department of Social Welfare published its landmark report Puao-Te-Ata-Tu (Day Break). In those 13 recommendations it speaks clearly that whānau who are looking after mokopuna need to be financially supported.I want to take this opportunity to thank the Minister Hon Kelvin Davis. I want to thank him for bringing this to the House today so that we can refer it to select committee so that New Zealanders can contribute to this bill. But I also want to ask whether we continue to call children unsupported child's benefit" or whether we still continue to call children "orphans benefit". I want to acknowledge kuia kaumātua who've looked after mokopuna grandparents raising grandchildren but the fact of the matter is that every child wants to be with mum and dad. Over 22000 we hear today are not with mum and dad. And in this case if the State happens to make an assessment that you are in need of care and protection and the State takes over your care then you are entitled to get a birthday allowance. You are entitled to get a Christmas allowance. But if you are cared for on another benefit called unsupported child's benefit or orphans benefit then that carer has to actually say that they're going to look after you for over a year before you can get the benefit.So I say in the spirit of Puao-Te-Ata-Tu that we waste no more time of this House and refer this to the select committee because discrimination in all its forms needs to be eliminated. And in the spirit of Puao-Te-Ata-Tu I commend this bill to the House. Mokopuna regardless of where you are need to be financially supported by everybody. Malo."
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker and I greatly appreciate your willingness to be involved in a discussion with the officials and I thank the Deputy Clerk of the House for talking to you about the ruling and for allowing me to take this call. I certainly hadn't intended to speak in this debate.I think the ACT Party member Damien Smith made a very fine speech presenting I thought actually the most thoughtful contribution in the debate and the contribution that was most tightly focused upon the content of the legislation that is before the House and it was acknowledged by other members what a good contribution Damien Smith made. However I can't say the same for the contribution by David Parker.Now we could all point to the considerable irony of the National Party talking about the many errors evils and ills of Sir Robert Muldoon's governance of the Reserve Bank and the rather unseemly transition of power that occurred shortly after I celebrated my first birthday in the later weeks of July 1984. But the way that David Parker chose to stand up and impugn Don Brash a guy who has done a lot for this country in many different fields and to attack his opponents in the National Party who sit in this House today via somebody who is no longer a member of Parliament unable to defend himself I thought was very unfair and frankly it reflected more on the character of David Parker than it does on the character of Don Brash. Thank you Mr Speaker.
White HelenHELEN WHITE (Labour): Far from being a dictatorial bill this is one that's very modernised. You can see it in many indicators in the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill one of which is of course the movement from a single person to a board. It's a very different approach which actually balances the independence of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand with the actual true and important role of the Minister. In this you have a bill that's modernised in its approach in several significant ways. The first is that it is absolutely a response to the lessons learnt by past mistakes. It will provide a board structure from a single decision maker. It will add an overarching objective that is financial stability and actually talk to values and politics and put them in the right places. It will provide a remit to the Minister as to what is required when setting and implementing a strategy to meet that objective. That is hardly dictatorial. It will support the structure by redirecting operational independence. It balances it by accountability. Thank you.