Wong Pansy: Christchurch City Council (Robert McDougall Gallery) Land Vesting Bill — Procedure Second Reading 
Wong Pansy: Christchurch City Council (Robert McDougall Gallery) Land Vesting Bill — Procedure Second Reading 
[Volume:611;Page:8786] 
PANSY WONG (NZ National) 
: 
 I acknowledge the honourable member Ken Shirley who has just resumed his seat but I took a slightly different position from his. A few weeks back in the House we debated and were in cooperation to pass the Auckland War Memorial Museum Site Empowering Bill which happened to be a local bill as well. My contention is art galleries and museums are not just entirely a local issue as such. I think that museums and galleries in each city have a national and to an extent international importance as well. Most museums including art galleries whether in Auckland Wellington or Christchurch are not just the pride of the local people. They also provide quite a major attraction to international visitors and in fact they are always within the itinerary the first port of call in order for international visitors to understand New Zealanders then further each region’s differences. 
 I follow on from the compliments paid to the McDougall family by a few colleagues who have just spoken. Indeed the McDougall art gallery has for 70 years provided a very very enjoyable experience for the many people who have visited it. My participation in the opening of the new Christchurch art gallery reminded me of how all these treasures valuable paintings and art have been hidden away from the public for so long because they had long outgrown the old McDougall gallery. As well as receiving the generosity of the McDougall family the new Christchurch art gallery also received generous support from local people. I would like to mention for example Ms Ros Burdon who contributed as part of the fundraising committee of the new art gallery. Also I am very privileged to be married to Sammy my husband who has also served on the fundraising committee and has seen quite a few Asian community members in Christchurch donating generously to the Christchurch art gallery. This demonstrates that whatever the background of the members from Christchurch they all share the same pride and generosity towards the new art gallery which will provide much enjoyment and pride to this very fine city that I have been living in for 27 years. 
The reason we are here to debate this bill is due to the advantage of having the new Christchurch art gallery situated on Worcester Boulevard which led to the McDougall gallery now being available to be leased by the Christchurch City Council as it sees fit. But the submitters rightly pointed out that they want to make sure the future use of the McDougall art gallery will also still be for public enjoyment. I am very pleased that the Christchurch City Council has already indicated that the art gallery will be leased to the Canterbury Museum. Like the Auckland War Memorial Museum collections the art treasures and collections of the Canterbury Museum also deserve a lot more space. I have a particularly soft spot for the Canterbury Museum. About 10 years ago the Canterbury Museum curator approached the Chinese community and asked whether they were interested in assisting the Canterbury Museum to develop a dedicated Asian display gallery. It was with a lot of pride and joy that we cooperated with fundraising and providing cultural input. The Canterbury Museum now has a permanent display area to show the fine collection of Chinese Korean and Japanese artefacts. The other interesting thing is that the existence of the permanent display gallery continues to attract generous donations from the Asian community. Every time there are international visitors or visitors from Auckland and Wellington the museum is one of the places to which the Asian community proudly invites those visitors. 
I think I mentioned in the House a few weeks ago that I hope that one day the Auckland War Memorial Museum will also see fit to have a space dedicated to the growing Asian population up there. I certainly would like to see Te Papa the national museum acknowledge that New Zealand is now a multicultural society. The people of Christchurch can see the collections of the Canterbury Museum or any other future special exhibitions that can be brought to Christchurch and I think that is a fantastic addition for Christchurch people. I remember that for quite a number of years the Canterbury Museum and the McDougall gallery cooperated to bring special exhibitions to the area. Now with this extended space I can imagine the Canterbury Museum not only expanding its existing display space but also negotiating with a lot more flexibility with international museums to bring special exhibitions to Christchurch. I always think it is a very good commercial venture when one brings in special exhibitions that will help to pay for the cost of exhibiting those shows and at the same time generate revenue that will help to reduce the operating expenses of the museum. 
It was quite interesting to see some of the anxieties shown by the submitters with regard to making sure that public purpose statements are introduced to this bill. They are concerned that maybe local government or whoever may want to use the McDougall gallery for purposes other than public access. Although I can understand their anxiety there is nowadays a more consultative way for central and local government to conduct their business so the public certainly should have more confidence that this consultation process will be respected. I can remember that in Christchurch for a long time people always told me that if any mayor or elected people dared to touch a corner of Hagley Park they could guarantee they would never be elected to any public office. I am quite sure that the Christchurch public can rest in peace as no public body would imagine that a very valued part of the Botanic Gardens which has a fantastic building in the form and shape of the McDougall gallery would not continue to remain in public hands. 
It is indeed a pleasure and an honour to be associated with the debate on the Christchurch City Council (Robert McDougall Gallery) Land Vesting Bill. [ 
Interruption 
] I thought the Labour members might have had something useful to say but as usual they are full of hot air and do not have much to contribute. Unlike Labour members I certainly have New Zealand’s interests at heart—not petty politics about regionalisation and criticism from members who cannot respect and support the initiative in cities like Christchurch Wellington or Auckland. I can assure members that I will support good projects and roading issues whenever they are necessary.