Ogilvy Bernie: Auckland War Memorial Museum Site Empowering Bill — First Reading 
Ogilvy Bernie: Auckland War Memorial Museum Site Empowering Bill — First Reading 
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BERNIE OGILVY (United Future) 
: 
 I rise as an Auckland list MP to support this bill. As the last speaker was saying Auckland War Memorial Museum is an icon in the city. Not only are New Zealanders sufficiently satisfied with it—and Aucklanders in particular—but many overseas people take home with them both the view and the interest they have gained from that place. This bill as we have been told allows the Auckland War Memorial Museum to lease land from the Auckland Domain. The land has been ceded to the museum by the Auckland City Council as if that has always been the case since 1920. We support that transaction and I think the extension to the museum will be greatly used by future generations. It is there to create opportunities for more people to see what the museum can offer and that can only be a good thing in my understanding. 
In terms of visitor numbers I am told that the Auckland War Memorial Museum is the second-largest museum in the country. The museum has a very large collection but as my family and I have known in the past it has struggled to have sufficient space to display the material. If I am right there will be about a 60 percent increase in display space and that alone will interest my grandchildren if not my great-grandchildren immensely. They love being in that place. The museum holds items of national significance as we all know and it challenges the notion dare I say it from Auckland that Te Papa is our only national museum. I believe we need to recognise that some of the collections in Auckland are of national importance and value to the whole nation. 
Having said that the Auckland War Memorial Museum has not been without its controversies. The Minister will remember that a certain Mr Harry Corrin a veteran from World War II has for several years fought to stop the plans to build a restaurant on top of the museum claiming that that would commercialise the institution when in his mind—and in many minds—the whole thing is a war memorial. So it must be remembered that this is not just another museum since it has very special connections for those who have served the country in the armed forces in many clashes over the years beginning I am told from World War I. That means that major decisions relating to the museum must be handled with a degree of sensitivity towards those who also see it as a monument to the fallen. My uncle’s name is there as a result of his falling in the Second World War. I have been there many many times for Anzac Day parades in the morning—and I wish they would change Anzac Day to a nice warm day rather than having it in winter when it always rains. I take my children and my grandchildren there to benefit from some hot soup afterwards. I am sure the Minister and others are aware that as the generations pass on the museum becomes even more important for remembering the sacrifices of those who have gone before us. 
Clearly this bill needs to be taken seriously and passed quickly because of the time lines. We in United Future look to the select committee to identify any potential difficulties that its enactment may create.