Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
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LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Labour—Mana) 
: 
 Kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. Mr Speaker I wish you and all my parliamentary colleagues a very happy New Year. I hope you all had a good holiday. 
In early January Cyclone Heta struck Niue with devastating force. On the international hurricane scale of 1 to 5 Cyclone Heta was a 5. On Tuesday 13 January I accompanied the Hon Phil Goff the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade on a visit to Niue to assess the damage meet Niuean Cabinet representatives and the private sector and support the community. The devastation to Niue particularly to the capital Alofi has to be seen to be believed. On board the RNZAF plane that carried relief supplies equipment and experts to deal with the problem of asbestos contamination was Wellington Niuean community leader Folo Pahetogia and two Niuean electricians Ikiharry Pahetogia and Tuki Tutaki who have stayed on in Niue to assist with the clean-up and the rebuilding. A large part of the New Zealand - based Niuean community live in the Mana electorate. They were very upset by the effect of the cyclone on their Niue-based families and were keen to help out. It is not a wealthy community but its members raised money and they have sent their tradesmen to help out. 
The people on Niue are still traumatised by the cyclone and will take time to come to terms with the aftermath. The immediate humanitarian needs have been addressed and plans have been developed for the long-term sustainable development of Niue. New Zealand responded quickly to the disaster in Niue and we can be proud of the governmental and community responses. One very touching response came from Ngati Porou. Members will remember that the people of Niue contributed some $40000 to assist in the clean-up after Cyclone Bola hit the East Coast some years ago. Ngati Porou responded when it was Niue’s time of need and made a generous donation of more than $50000. Kia ora Ngati Porou. I have been most heartened by the responses of all New Zealanders to assist Niue; Maori Pakeha Pacific Island people men and women—all New Zealanders—have pitched in. I even had a 73-year-old Pakeha retired electrician from Titahi Bay volunteer his services. 
I have talked at some length about what has happened following the disaster on Niue because there are some important lessons to learn. The disaster of Cyclone Heta brought out the real Kiwi spirit of helping neighbours in their time of need. There was unity of purpose. People pitched in and contributed what they could. So it was with sadness that a few days later I listened to the seeds of disunity being sown at Orewa. The events of the last few weeks have brought into sharp relief the choices that we have as a nation. In her statement to Parliament the Prime Minister the Rt Hon Helen Clark said: “We set out to be a Government with a clear direction and vision for the future supported by the broad mainstream of New Zealanders. Our aim is to have the people come with us knowing that despite an uncertain world beyond our shores this Government provides the stability on which New Zealand families communities and businesses can plan their lives.” This Labour Government stands firmly for a pluralistic society where diversity is honoured and unity is treasured. 
Strong independent communities contribute to the social and economic development of a strong independent nation. A nation divided by populist rhetoric will weaken and fail. In my maiden speech I said: “Our nation needs a new politics of honesty hope and healing; a politics that brings our communities and nation together so that all New Zealanders can fully participate and live a life of dignity.” The Labour-led Government of the last 4 years has given New Zealanders greater dignity and hope for the future. 
Porirua City in the Mana electorate is a good example of a strong growing community where citizens can live in dignity. Mana is the future face of New Zealand. Around 20 percent is Maori 21 percent is Pacific Island there are increasing Asian and other ethnic communities and over 50 percent is Pakeha. That proportion is roughly New Zealand’s demographic in 40 to 50 years. 
Our diverse community is going well. The local economy is booming and that is proven by Porirua’s retail sales figures which shot up 14.9 percent last year compared with 6 percent nationally. Business growth is up and that means more jobs. Unemployment is at a 16-year low. Porirua City is replete with examples of successful manufacturing and high-tech industries. Official crime statistics for 2002-03 released in August showed declining rates of robbery and serious assault in the Kapiti-Mana area which includes Porirua. Robbery offences dropped by 15.2 percent and the resolution rate for robbery in the area rose to 42.9 percent which is well above the national average of 36.4 percent. Not only that; serious assaults continue to decline from the previous year with 332 offences recorded down from 401—a drop of 17.2 percent. 
Economic development is racing ahead in Porirua City and up the Kapiti Coast. Business confidence is strong. Retail sales are booming. Unemployment is falling. The upgrade of Kenepuru Hospital and Kapiti Coast health facilities is under way. The new public health organisations are now providing many of our families with affordable access to basic health services. The $20 million upgrade of State housing in the Porirua basin is progressing and when completed it will make a big difference to the quality of life for many of our families. Of course we like any other area still have problems and challenges in our community but we are working on them together as a community. 
At 6 a.m. on Waitangi Day I attended a welcome at the Maraeroa Marae in Waitangirua. In sharp contrast to events at the first Waitangi at the second Waitangi—Waitangirua—there was a celebration of difference and diversity with Maori Cook Islanders Samoans Croatians Germans Swiss and Kiwis peacefully sharing and telling their stories and listening to each other with respect. The Festival of Elements in Te Rauparaha Park in Porirua continued the theme of unity and diversity throughout the day and into the evening. 
Later that day I went to a service at Rangiatea Church in Otaki where the Governor-General spoke of the rebuilding of the church and of the 110 women of all faiths and races who had each embroidered kneelers for the church. For me that service was a wonderful metaphor of the diverse unified nation that New Zealand can be should be and at times is. We stand at the crossroads. Do we take the path of division or will we continue to travel the road mapped out by our Prime Minister of a strong confident nation proud of our many cultures proud of our achievements proud of our economic success and determined to see it widely shared among us and not kept in the hands of a few?