Peters Winston: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1768. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First)to the Minister for Building and Housing: Does he think he is competently fulfilling his ministerial responsibilities; if not why not?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Building and Housing):Yes but thankfully my responsibilities do not extend to matching the carpets and the curtains.Rt Hon Winston Peters: That is what goes for a joke over there. When he was made aware last year that tens of thousands of tonnes of cement had been imported to New Zealand that according to the import company’s own test results failed to meet recognised industry standards what if anything did he do about it?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I did note some social media reports last year about high-alkali cement. I have been assured by officials that imported cement must meet the New Zealand standard that the Drymix product referred to does in fact meet that standard and provided that it is mixed in accordance with the concrete standard the product is fit for purpose. I would also invite the member to be careful as there are competition issues in the building industry and some people would rather that imported product did not compete with other products. If we are in fact to get better value for money it is important that there is active competition in all building materials.Rt Hon Winston Peters: When he was made aware that imported cement alkali levels resulted in a condition called concrete cancer causing expansion and cracking in concrete and major structural problems what if anything did he do about it seeing as it was also brought to his attention by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: When the issue was brought to my attention I raised it with officials. They assured me that the products did meet the standard. The officials also made contact with the New Zealand concrete association and it too was satisfied in its report that the product was up to standard.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is it not a fact that this dodgy cement was used in the $40 million Manukau District Court upgrade and Fonterra’s $120 million UHT factory at Waitoa plus dozens of other buildings around the country that are now facing serious long-term adverse consequences? Why did he not in those circumstances competently carry out his ministerial responsibilities and not rely upon a trade - paid for conflict of interest report?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: My own expertise is in landslides rather than concrete. I have relied on advice—Hon Member: That is right.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: —well actually there was a bit of a landslide I noticed on 20 September last year. But I have to say that on the technical issues of the suitability of cement and concrete I rely on the expertise of people who are suitably qualified and I suggest they are more qualified in that area than the member.Rt Hon Winston Peters: When he says—[Interruption]—pardon? You want to say something junior?Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I am very keen that the member now carries on with his supplementary question.Rt Hon Winston Peters: When he says that concerns were brought to his attention why did he as a competent Minister not rely upon a biased report—which his own officials had brought to his attention—but rather order core samples to be taken from the sites mentioned for chemical analysis by an independent certified laboratory rather than turn a blind eye to what is now looking like potentially rotting buildings?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: When the matter was brought to my attention I sought advice. I was reassured that the cement meets the New Zealand standard. I challenge the member to table a technical report that shows it does not meet the standard. For the member’s information the technical issue is this: high-alkali cement is allowed under the New Zealand cement standard provided that when it is properly mixed and made into concrete the alkali content does meet the concrete standard. And I am assured that both those standards are met by this product.