Parata Hekia: Unit Titles Bill — First Reading 
Parata Hekia: Unit Titles Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:652;Page:1727] 
HEKIA PARATA (National) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker Barker. I am delighted to rise and support the Unit Titles Bill because it resonates with many of the values that characterise this very fresh new National-led Government. 
First of all the bill is characterised by action. This bill has been 5 years in development and has languished since August on the Order Paper but this National-led Government has gripped its responsibilities. It has charged into the commitments that we made to clarify people’s rights to introduce simplicity and to streamline regulations so that New Zealanders are able to get on and live their lives without undue interference by overweening Government. Action is one of the first hallmarks of this new National-led Government. The bill is the result of nearly 5 years of review and consultation processes and it overhauls legislation from 1972. As my younger colleague Nikki Kaye mentioned she was not born in 1972; I only just made it myself. But I am able to stand and talk about how times have changed since the time when one or two units were built to the time now when we experience multilevel ones. 
Another hallmark of this fresh new National-led Government is our interest in clarity: people understanding clearly what their rights are and the processes by which they may exercise those rights and having the opportunity to protect those rights. We are interested in streamlining and simplifying regulations. This bill recognises that. It has widespread support from both the Opposition and the industry because all parties recognise that the opportunity to clarify regulations so that each participant in this process can conduct his or her particular level of business without undue ambiguity is a great plus of the bill. 
The bill clarifies property rights: where they lie—with whom they lie—and which level of protection relates to each of those property rights. That is yet another hallmark of this fresh new National-led Government. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Introduced in May 2008. 
HEKIA PARATA 
: I say to Mr Mallard that it protects value so that people who have invested in this kind of property understand what kind of value accrues to the investment they have made and that over time that value will be protected. In this bill there are of course provisions for long-term future-focused plans to ensure that owners developers bodies corporate and managers of bodies corporate are very clear about what their responsibilities are over time. The provisions also ensure that the capital value is protected over time and does not disappear because there has been insufficient provision for the future. The legislation is inclusive: it involves all participants in the process and it has included people who have an interest over time. Everyone who needed to be involved has been involved and has had the opportunity to contribute to this new legislation. 
The bill reflects realism which is yet another hallmark of this fresh new National-led Government. We understand that it is almost impossible—as anyone living in a family of more than one will know—to achieve 100 percent agreement all of the time on all issues. So this bill provides a 75 percent threshold which in itself is still a relatively high threshold as those of us who have ever had the experience of using Te Ture Whenua Maori Act will know. The 75 percent threshold is still a very high threshold but it is much more realistic in terms of what kind of consensus might be achieved in collective living arrangements. It is realistic also because this is an increasing trend of living: housing in the future particularly in intensely urban areas is likely to involve more and more multi-unit habitation. 
That leads me to yet a further characteristic in the litany of characteristics of this fresh new National-led Government and that is— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Nearly! Nearly! 
HEKIA PARATA 
: The member is hopeful. The characteristic is future focus. This bill introduces mandatory long-term maintenance plans and long-term maintenance funds—scaleable and appropriate to the size and complexity of the development—in order to support sound property development. It also recognises—as I said earlier and as my colleague the new member of Parliament for Auckland Central Nikki Kaye indicated—that changes are occurring in this regard most particularly in Auckland and it is important for us to recognise research that estimates that over half a million people will be living in apartments townhouses and high-rise buildings within the next 50 years. The list goes on. 
Hon Members 
: And on and on and on. 
HEKIA PARATA 
: I know. It is riveting is it not? Members have the opportunity to comment on the orchestral delight of the resonant values of this fresh new National-led Government. 
We are doing things differently with the emphasis on the verb “doing”. We are getting things done and we are only fresh into this new term of our Government. Our approach is to get on and do what needs to be done rather than talking about it. In the process we continue to reflect in operational practice the values that I have just rehearsed to members which are hallmarks of this fresh new National-led Government. 
I commend this bill to the House. It has taken 5 years; it has had multipartisan support which in itself is to be commended. Those people who have worked on it in the past are to be recognised respected and thanked for their contribution. We look forward to it enjoying continued support as it progresses through the House and passes into law so that people who choose to be involved in and live in this kind of investment and to enjoy a quality of life under a fresh new National-led Government will quickly and expeditiously be able to do so. Kia ora tatou.