Allan KiritapuKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour): Listening to the contributions in the House this afternoon I've been reflecting on the fact that the role of Government is very multifaceted and as we find ourselves in some trying times and relatively uncertain times as a consequence of COVID-19 I guess it reaffirms why it is so important to ensure that we prepare for stormy times when the times are good. To that extent I want to start by my contribution this afternoon by acknowledging the role of the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance has ensured during the course of his tenure at the helm of the Treasury benches that we have maintained a strong economy. GDP is currently sitting at 2.4 percent comparatively across all other OECD nations and the USA—outstanding. Our economy is growing faster than each of those and that's no mean feat. Our unemployment is down to 4 percent and we have debt down to 21 percent. Now those types of things in and of themselves could be just numbers but practically what does that look like when it comes to the trying times that we now have to face as a nation as a part of a global world that is having to find its feet in light of COVID-19? Well I was with the Hon Phil Twyford and the Hon Meka Whaitiri up in Te Tai Rāwhiti yesterday alongside workers that are being impacted in the forestry region in Te Tai Rāwhiti. We're at a period where 300 people currently have been laid off work or have had their hours severely disrupted and there's uncertainty as to how long that will go on. But the Prime Minister said that we should be known by our deeds and when she said that I was thinking about the real-life implications—particularly when we're in a time of strife—for a region like ours. We have fat in the Budget as a consequence of that careful management to be able to ensure that we can have regional economic responses to regions like ours as we weather the storms in terms of things like COVID-19. I step back a little bit and then I look at well what has our Government done for families for parents for kids. Immeasurable work. In Te Tai Rāwhiti alone—a simple thing. It was a catchcry for so many for so long: Feed the kids." Well we're running a trial throughout our region where every single kid in the schools that are participating in those trials they're being fed. When you look at the times—and we're in a bit of a strife at the moment—also 40 percent of our schools up there are decile 1 schools and we can take the burden off and feed those kids because this Government has seen it as a priority to invest in our kids and their future. That takes an immeasurable burden off parents off families. I've been to schools in Kawerau and I've been to schools in Gisborne and what those teachers and what those principals are saying is there has been in just the short period of time since that trial has been running out a dramatic shift in the way that kids are learning contributing and showing up to schools. I look at it again. Well this Government as our Prime Minister said is a Government of infrastructure. We're building those regions that have been neglected for so long. For nine years our region sat in the darkness; for nine years funding was pulled out. Well last week a $79.4 million cash injection went into Ōpōtiki for our harbour rebuild. That was a project that sat and almost got a dust ball. But the commitment by this side—New Zealand First Labour the Green Party—to our regions has been to build roads and build communities and of that major investment in 1800 jobs 700 jobs of those are for locals 200 jobs almost instantly. This is a Government that is focused on people. This is a Government that is focused on building communities. Look we've made good progress but what we do know is that there is a lot more work that needs to be done and we're under no grey veil about that. But we are working hard as a Government to ensure that New Zealand is the best place in the world to live and for a child to grow and breathe and that's why on this side of the House we don't waste our time with silly politics like that lot. We're just getting on and doing the job."