Robertson Grant: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Robertson Grant: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:672;Page:18838] 
GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) 
: 
 I welcome back colleagues to the Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill. 
Chris Tremain 
: We’ve been waiting all night for this. 
GRANT ROBERTSON 
: Absolutely. It is the highlight of Mr Tremain’s evening—and perhaps life—to be here for this. 
When I was last speaking I was working my way through the memorandum of understanding between the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Council for the Humanities because it lies at the heart of this purpose clause. Essentially the memorandum of understanding is bringing together the Council for the Humanities and the Royal Society in a way in which both organisations will be able to work closely together and to ensure that the kaupapa the philosophy and values of the organisations are kept. I think I had come to the point of saying that the term “humanities” will be included in all places within the Royal Society’s mandate and on its website. We will be doing that as we work through the bill that is before us. Also in making its representations to the Government and agencies the Royal Society will be including humanities wherever it is relevant and particular representations will be made about humanities. Obviously in collaboration with the Council for the Humanities which will become the Humanities Committee of the Royal Society there will be a particular focus on promotion and celebration of the humanities. 
I thought it was important to put on the record what the memorandum of understanding between the Royal Society and the Council for the Humanities means in terms of this purpose clause. I think it is a very good document that gives a solid foundation to the way in which the two organisations will now work together and it will allow the purpose clause to be enacted. I think this is a very important document. It shows that the level of collaboration between the Council for the Humanities and the Royal Society has been high for some time. They are committed to bringing this together. In fact they have largely incorporated most of the work required to bring it together and this legislation is merely the legal requirement on top of that. 
In one last point on this memorandum of understanding as I said in the last intervention one aspect of the memorandum of understanding is the statement that within 5 years the Royal Society will use its best endeavours to have its Act reflect the inclusion of the humanities. We are well ahead of time because this was negotiated in February 2010 so we have until February 2015 to pass this legislation. As I said the other day it might take that long. 
Hon Pete Hodgson 
: It won’t take that long. 
GRANT ROBERTSON 
: I say to Mr Hodgson that it probably will not but we certainly want to give it a thorough consideration this evening as we work our way through the clauses. At the end of this call I will seek the leave of the Committee to table this memorandum of understanding because I believe that it is an important part of the debate. I seek the leave of the Committee to table the memorandum of understanding between the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Council for the Humanities. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is anyone opposed to that course of action? It appears not. Leave is granted. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.