Pugh MaureenMAUREEN PUGH (National): Earlier today my colleague Melissa Lee referred to New Zealand's world-leading financial performance and just earlier my other colleague—my learned colleague—Paul Foster-Bell also mentioned a world-leading performance by New Zealand from the Legatum Institute. I would like to just explain what that means for New Zealand. What it means is that we as New Zealanders are receiving the biggest bang for our buck. We have been independently assessed as getting the best in our society for our taxpayers out of every tax dollar spent and that means in social services healthcare education social housing and emergency accommodation for our most vulnerable. That is an independent assessment of this Government's performance. As many of you know I am based in the most beautiful part of the world in the West Coast - Tasman region. Sometimes we have had a few challenges with job losses. These were in the coalmining sector held across generations. Some of our grandfathers sons and grandsons had a traditional rite of passage into jobs in the mining sector. We had losses in jobs in Westport-based cement works the dairy sector also took quite a hit on the West Coast and still other jobs were lost in other industries. But rather than just sitting back and feeling sorry for themselves under the leadership of Mayor Gary Howard from the Buller District they picked themselves up and looked to find solutions. That drive creativity hard work and determination are basic prerequisites of success whether it be individuals a community or a country and this Government has that drive. It is creating new models. It is working hard and is determined that we all succeed. Earlier this year a partnership was formed between the Buller District Council and Government through the Ministry of Social Development and the local economic development trust Development West Coast. The outcome to date is an employment initiative that has seen the creation of 22 new positions. Six people have come off Work and Income benefits seven apprenticeships have been created and not only has this partnership created new jobs—and real jobs—it has given the community hope for the future and a belief that it is well-supported to achieve. But probably the most significant partnership that has been formed is between this Government and the whole West Coast region in the form of the Tai Poutini regional development study. In my view this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for communities across the Coast in business iwi and local government service groups to work together with Government—and a willing Government—to identify the potential growth and investment areas and then make progress on delivering on them. This study has identified a multitude of low medium and highly achievable opportunities some of which are gathering momentum as we speak. I look forward to February of next year when the implementation plan will be delivered. This regional growth study has provided an opportunity for our most capable people to lead this study provide input and steer our own future direction. It is another exciting example of forming a great working relationship with this Government enabling the Coast to benefit hugely from ongoing investment and support. This study complements the Government's Business Growth Agenda. It is supporting business growth creating jobs and improving the standard of living for our people across the Coast. It will look at initiatives in a multitude of areas including tourism minerals ICT—some of the smartest people I have ever met work out of EPIC in Westport—forestry and wood processing horticulture food and beverage education and fishing and aquaculture as well as transport communications and energy. This Government has backed up its support of the regions and we have benefited from the Government's Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative the West Coast Wilderness Trail the Old Ghost Road Trail and various other investments. As Henry Ford once said coming together is a beginning keeping together is progress working together is success. This Government is willing and open to working with our partners in the region to continue our work on building a strong economy. It is a hand up not a hand out and it works. Thank you.The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.