edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Verrall AyeshaHon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister of Health): Madam Chair thank you for the opportunity to address the committee today and I want to thank the work of the Health Committee for their diligent work in the review. And I note in future the process that the select committee is part of—that of the democratic governance of our health system—should be hugely simplified by the reduced number of agencies that report to them and clearer performance monitoring that has been outlined by the chair of the committee.The year referred to under review is the financial year 2021 to 2022. If I reflect on that period having lived through it I'd say that must be one of the biggest years for our health system in so many ways. The year started with the Delta outbreak in Auckland. It was followed by the biggest ever health mobilisation in the form of the vaccine campaign—the vaccination roll-out. It included the widespread transmission of the novel infectious agent Omicron in February and going into winter. All of these were sources of disruption for our health system and as the committee will be aware some of the consequences of that are still in our health system. However despite it all the amazing people that work in our health system managed to achieve the lowest death rate of any country coming out of COVID restrictions that had similar processes to us. So yes it was at many times in many ways a tough year but also the achievements are ones to be proud of.It was also as has been noted the first year of transition to the new health structures and the new entities were stood up. But of course as all members of this House will be aware the process of setting up the transition to a new health system is not complete just with the legal existence of the entities and the passage of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill. And that work is work that is ongoing from July 2022 to today and beyond. It was the year we took the historic step of recognising Te Tiriti in our health system structures. It was a year of phenomenal service-level innovation as has been pointed out by the chair of the Health Committee in terms of much more by Māori for Māori in the context of an emergency health response and by Pacific for Pacific services as well—all achievements that we want to continue to build on.The new health entities enable us to tackle some of the long-term challenges that our health system faces as well as tackle some of the consequences of the pandemic response. I'll leave my remarks there and welcome questions from colleagues.
SpeechCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): Members our time with the Minister of Justice has ended. Thank you. The Minister of Health is now available for one hour to respond to members' questions.
Annual Review Debate — Justice
McKee NicoleNICOLE McKEE (ACT): Thank you Mr Chair. Minister Allan just in response to one statement that you've made there in answer to Mr Goldsmith's question. You referred to the highest incarceration rate of juniors or youth is held by New Zealand amongst the world and I just wonder please if you could explain that to me because we don't incarcerate our youth; we put them into youth justice facilities. My understanding is that the majority of the youth are walking out the back door while police are still trying to sign over the paperwork at the front door. So if you could just explain that for me please.My second question Minister is around the strangulation fund". In the last Budget allocation 2022/23 financial year $3.2 million has been allocated to a "strangulation fund" for supporting the victims of strangulation. But as at 5 April this year only $369697 of that $3.2 million fund has been spent. Could you please explain why there is such a shortfall? Thank you.Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): Thank you Mr Chair. With respect to that first question from the honourable member Nicole McKee first let me be clear: look I don't mean to make any insinuations about global or world data so I'm not drawing a corollary or a comparison there. What I am though stating is that right now we have children and young people who are remanded in custody. The statistics that we have is that currently in New Zealand there's 1101. That's up 37.8 percent.Hon Paul Goldsmith: Less than 18 years old?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: Children and young people so yes that'd be 17 years and younger."
O'Connor GregANNUAL REVIEW DEBATEIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 3 May on the Appropriation (2021/22 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): Members the House is in committee on the Appropriation (2021/22 Confirmation and Validation) Bill. This is the debate on the financial position of the Government and the annual reviews of departments Offices of Parliament Crown entities public organisations and State enterprises as reported on by select committees. There are three hours 45 minutes remaining for this debate.Standing Orders 356(2) and (3) have been set aside so there will be no sector-specific debates. Instead specific Ministers will be available each day to respond to specific portfolios. The Government has indicated that the Minister of Justice the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education will be available today to respond to members' questions.Time for this debate has been allocated to parties on a proportional basis. Each debate will be led off by the chairperson or another member of the committee that considered annual reviews most closely related to the Minister's portfolios. The Minister of Justice is now available for one hour to respond to members' questions.
Rurawhe AdrianURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDSevere Weather Event—Northern Aotearoa New ZealandSPEAKER: Members I have received a letter from Chlöe Swarbrick seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the severe weather event currently unfolding in northern parts of Aotearoa. The weather is not a matter for which there is ministerial responsibility. The application is declined. I would remind members of Speakers' ruling 198/6 made by successive Speakers going back to 1984 that every statement as an urgent debate application must be authenticated. Applications received without authentication are declined on that ground.I declare the House in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2021/22 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.
Urgent Debates Declined — Severe Weather Event—Northern Areas of Aotearoa New Zealand
Rurawhe AdrianPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation. No papers have been delivered for presentation. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation. CLERK: Report of the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee on the Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Billreport of the Education and Workforce Committee on the Health and Safety at Work (Health and Safety Representatives and Committees) Amendment Billreports of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee on the: petition of Democracy For Myanmar Working Group New Zealand and thepetition of Niranjan Herath. SPEAKER: The bills are set down for second reading. No bills have been introduced.
McAnulty KieranHon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister for Emergency Management): The Government has absolute confidence in Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Time and time again they have responded at very short notice to assist their communities and again I reiterate the commitment that this Government has to adequately resource and support our fire and emergency personnel. Any operational decisions and specifics around that is a question for them but we continue to support them in the best way we can.SPEAKER: OK and the Minister has two more minutes to respond if he wishes to. Hon KIERAN McANULTY: No. SPEAKER: Thank you.
Ministerial Statements — Emergency Management—Flooding in Auckland 9 May 2023
Swarbrick Chlöe; Rurawhe AdrianCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): Mr Speaker respectfully that wasn't my question. My question was about how those resources filter down to the front lines. So my question to the Minister: does the Minister feel confident with how those resources that are being granted to that organisation Fire and Emergency New Zealand are filtering into the equipment and the front-line staff necessary to respond to these emergencies? SPEAKER: Yeah I will give a little bit of leeway. This is not question time or a supplementary question and I note the member's time has concluded but did the Minister want to respond in any way?
McAnulty KieranHon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister for Emergency Management): Before I was elected to Parliament I was a volunteer firefighter myself and so I have seen significant improvement in the resourcing in that service since this Government came in. I'd like to reiterate the commitment I just made—that that support for the essential services will continue under this Government.
Swarbrick ChlöeCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): As a follow-up—if I may Mr Speaker—just to that point around greater resourcing deployed to Fire and Emergency New Zealand in particular the Minister may have heard some concerns particularly from those on the front lines as echoed throughout the industrial action at the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union over the past few years about how that may potentially be filtering down to the front lines. I wonder if the Minister has any of those concerns himself; if so how it may be that we as a House can go about addressing those potential concerns.
McAnulty KieranHon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister for Emergency Management): Thank you Mr Speaker. The Government has increased the funding to Fire and Emergency New Zealand significantly over the last five years. We do know that particularly after the merger between urban and rural some deficiencies in utilities and equipment were identified and that has been steadily addressed and we will continue to do that.
Swarbrick ChlöeCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): Mr Speaker if I may the second question to the Minister was with regard to the resourcing for front-line equipment as well and whether that is adequate to respond to these crises.
McAnulty KieranHon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister for Emergency Management): Thank you very much Mr Speaker and thank you to those members who contributed to that. It's one of the many examples that don't often get broadcast where the House comes together in full support of our emergency services and those that are working hard on the ground through civil defence and in their own communities. I'll do my best to address the points that were raised.I share Mr Penk's concern about the wellbeing of those that are affected by this. But of course we know that mental health consequences from such events don't always happen immediately and can occur over a long period of time. I want to encourage those that are struggling with this—or indeed the previous events—who may find themselves in hardship moving forward to first of all contact their GP and seek of course the wellbeing support website—Need to talk? 1737 is the place to call for that—and of course we will do what we can to support those services to assist those that need it.In regards to the query about Fire and Emergency the member knows that that is a matter for the Minister of Internal Affairs who has oversight responsibility of Fire and Emergency New Zealand. However I do know that the Minister was in touch with the national commander and that they have assured us that as is always case whenever urban search and rescue capacity is required it will be dispatched. There may be a difference of opinion around when the appropriate time is or if indeed it is required but we do continue to have confidence in Fire and Emergency New Zealand. It's not just the paid staff but the volunteers who step up and serve their community quite often when they themselves have been affected.
McAnulty KieranMINISTERIAL STATEMENTSEmergency Management—Flooding in AucklandHon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister for Emergency Management): I wish to make a ministerial statement on flooding in Auckland today. The upper North Island is experiencing flooding caused by severe and concentrated rainfall. In Auckland a state of local emergency has been declared by the mayor. A red severe thunderstorm warning is in place for Northland and Auckland. A line of thunderstorms is tracking across these regions and these are likely to be accompanied by torrential rain. An emergency mobile alert has been sent to the whole of the Auckland region advising people of potential impacts and suggesting they plan travel accordingly. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for some regions signalling significant rainfall for some areas over the next few days.We know that following the severe weather in January and Cyclone Gabrielle many communities will be concerned worried or just completely over it so we continue to stand alongside them. Whilst the response is being led by local civil defence emergency management (CDEM) groups the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also activated the National Coordination Centre. This means NEMA is working closely with CDEM groups and partner agencies coordinating requests for information and resources at a national level in support of the locally led response.I wish to remind everyone listening that this is a potentially dangerous event. Please stay safe and don't take risks. Heavy rain can cause flooding coastal inundation and landslides especially where the ground is saturated from recent rainfall. Follow the instructions of emergency services and local CDEM groups and if you feel unsafe at any time please evacuate to higher ground. Check Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency's website for road closures before you travel and drive to the conditions. Please never walk or drive through floodwater and don't let children play in it. Keep up to date with MetService's watches and warnings follow your local CDEM group on their social media accounts and stay safe out there.I know that members across this House will join me in expressing our support for the affected communities and thanking everyone involved in the response as this situation unfolds.
Personal Explanations — Hon Meka Whaitiri
Shaw JamesHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): On behalf of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand I would like to extend Charles Camilla and their respective families all the very best.
Personal Explanations — Leave Not Put
Rurawhe AdrianPERSONAL EXPLANATIONSLeave Not PutHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Ikaroa-Rāwhiti): Point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to make a personal explanation.SPEAKER: We're in the middle of a debate. The best time to do that is at the end of the debate.
Motions — His Majesty King Charles III—Coronation
Amended Answers to Oral Questions — Question No. 2 to the Prime Minister 8 March
Speaker's Statements — Dr Elizabeth Kerekere
Ngarewa-Packer Debbie; Rurawhe AdrianDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori): Point of order. Kia ora—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Members I was informed this morning that all parties had agreed to that by Te Paati Māori. I was subsequently informed by a number of parties that that was not the case. Given that it happened anyway I have limited ability to address it except Rawiri Waititi will leave the Chamber. Rawiri Waititi withdrew from the Chamber. SPEAKER: And Debbie Ngarewa-Packer will leave the Chamber as well. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer withdrew from the Chamber.
Hipkins ChrisMOTIONSHis Majesty King Charles III—CoronationRt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Prime Minister): A further point of order Mr Speaker. Following a Business Committee discussion I seek leave to move a motion without notice congratulating His Majesty following his recent coronation. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none. Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I move That this House congratulate His Majesty the King on the occasion of his coronation. On 6 May I was privileged to attend the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey. It was a rare and special event. The previous coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place 70 years ago in 1953. The world is a very different place now to what it was in 1953 and the coronation provided an opportunity to reflect on history as well as to look ahead to the future. King Charles automatically became the King of New Zealand on 8 September last year following the death of the late Queen. The coronation was a celebration of his accession to the throne not just of the United Kingdom but as head of State of 15 nations around the world including our own. Those nations span across three different continents. It was a great source of pride to see New Zealand's Defence Force personnel marching in the procession and to have New Zealand represented among the guests. Attending in London and being able to meet personally with the King reinforced to me his genuine interest in our people and his awareness of our place in the world. The King and other members of the royal family have been closely following our recovery from the recent Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle and King Charles' passion around environmental issues including climate change was clearly very evident in our discussions. King Charles has visited New Zealand 10 times and he has a strong personal commitment to Aotearoa. The themes he selected for his coronation were youth diversity and sustainability—themes which also resonate strongly with New Zealanders. While not everyone in our nation or even in this House shares similar views on the role of the monarchy in a modern society—and public debate will undoubtedly continue on that topic—I'm sure that everyone will join with me in congratulating His Majesty on this significant milestone. The coronation was a moment where the King publicly took oaths of service and duty. I know that he takes those oaths seriously and deeply personally. I wish King Charles well in his role and I send the warmest wishes and congratulations to His Majesty and to the Queen for the lives of service that they have committed to on behalf of all New Zealanders. SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Hipkins ChrisAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 2 to the Prime Minister 8 MarchRt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Prime Minister): I seek leave to correct an answer to a supplementary question that I gave on Wednesday 8 March in answer to question No. 2.SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none. Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: In one of my answers to a supplementary question I said that the number of ram raids had fallen by three-quarters or 75 percent. Data to the end of February 2023 showed that the number of ram raids had fallen from their peak in August 2022 by two-thirds or 66 percent. During that same period the number of individuals committing ram raids fell by 83 percent.
Rurawhe AdrianPARLIAMENTARY MEMBERSHIPGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand—Dr Elizabeth KerekereSPEAKER: Members—Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order.SPEAKER: —under Standing Order 36(1)(c)—Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: I'm on my feet. Members under Standing Order 36(1)(c) I have been advised by the Green Party that their parliamentary membership has changed and that Dr Elizabeth Kerekere is no longer a member of the Green Party for parliamentary purposes. Accordingly under Standing Order 35(5) Dr Kerekere is from 8 May 2023 regarded as an independent member for parliamentary purposes.
Rurawhe Adrian; Leary IngridTUESDAY 9 MAY 2023The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSSPEAKER: Members in recognition of Rotuman Language Week I've asked Ingrid Leary to say the prayer today in Rotuman.INGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri): Gagaj 'Ḁitu 'ḁmis 'uḁ'uḁ'ḁkia 'äe 'e reko ḁlalum 'atakoa ne 'ḁmis pō 'e 'otomis mḁuri. 'Ḁmis 'uḁ'uḁ'ḁkia 'äe 'e reko måür 'on Sḁu Fā ta Jiare ma far la 'äe la muḁ'ḁkia 'otomis hḁifäegaga 'e terḁni te 'i. La pō la 'ḁmis la a'sokoa 'amnåk tūtū ne Rī Tḁunå' te'is 'e 'ou poto ma 'inea 'e hḁiäf'ḁkiga hḁihanisiga ma huḁg vḁivḁi se 'on lelei ne hanue te'is Niu Sirḁgi. 'Emen.[Lord God we thank you because of all the blessings that we receive in our lives. We thank you for the life of King Charles and ask that you guide our discussions today so that we may carry out the purposes of this House of meeting through your wisdom and knowledge in mutual respect mutual care and humility for the betterment of this nation New Zealand. Amen.]
Thursday 4 May 2023 - Volume 767
Counter-Terrorism Acts (Designations and Control Orders) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Counter-Terrorism Acts (Designations and Control Orders) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 102New Zealand Labour 62; New Zealand National 30; ACT New Zealand 10.Noes 10Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 9 May 2023. Have a good weekend everyone.The House adjourned at 4.58 p.m.
11. Question No. 11—CorrectionsTONI SEVERIN (ACT) to the Minister of CorrectionsQuestion No. 11—Corrections11. TONI SEVERIN (ACT) to the Minister of Corrections: Can he confirm that of the 4605 sentenced prisoners in Corrections facilities as at 31 March 2023 over 90 percent did not attend a rehabilitation programme during that month and what implications does failing to rehabilitate prisoners have for the safety of New Zealanders?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Corrections): As at 31 March 2023 419 sentenced prisoners attended rehabilitation programmes alongside prisoners taking part in a wide range of other activities including education employment cultural and reintegration activities. I note for wider context that as a proportion of the overall sentenced population this is in fact a slightly higher proportion than attended a rehabilitation programme in the corresponding month of March 2017 under the previous Government. It is important to note that the member's question refers to one fixed point in time which does not provide a complete picture of a prisoner's rehabilitative journey—for example prisoners may have recently completed a rehabilitation programme and not yet commenced another programme. In regards to the second part of her question public safety is a top priority for myself and the Department of Corrections and rehabilitation is part of that.Nicole McKee: Point of order Mr Speaker. The question asked whether or not the Minister could confirm that 4605 sentenced prisoners in Corrections had not attended their rehabilitation programmes and we got told that 419 had.SPEAKER: It's definitely been addressed.Toni Severin: Why was it that as of March this year 37 percent of prisoners eligible to attend an intensive numeracy programme and 65 percent of prisoners eligible to attend an intensive literacy programme were not enrolled in any such programme?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: It's a well-known fact that due to the shortage of staffing in prisons it's been difficult to provide full rehabilitation programmes but this is a temporary thing. It's also a well-known fact that there has been quite a substantial recruitment campaign that is seeing quite some success and we hope to see that situation turn around.Toni Severin: Is it acceptable that 92 percent of sentenced prisoners did not receive even one of their weekly private visits in March 2023?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I refer the member to the answer I just gave.
10. Question No. 10—DefenceIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of DefenceQuestion No. 10—Defence10. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of Defence: What recent announcement has the Government made about New Zealand's support for Ukraine?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Defence): Yesterday the Government announced that we are significantly extending our defence commitments as well as humanitarian legal and economic support for Ukraine as part of the ongoing international response to Russia's illegal war of aggression. Since February last year New Zealand has taken significant and unprecedented actions to support Ukraine including the deployment of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) troops into Europe passing the Russia Sanctions Act that has enabled us to impose targeted sanctions for the first time outside of the UN framework and introducing the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa. This Government continues to condemn Russia's egregious and illegal actions.Ibrahim Omer: What defence support has been provided to support Ukraine?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The New Zealand Defence Force has had personnel in Europe for over a year now and New Zealand's deployments have been highly valued by Ukraine and our key partners. So far 440 NZDF personnel have been deployed to support Ukraine with 279 directly involved in the artillery and infantry training being delivered in the UK. We are extending the deployment for one year of 95 New Zealand defence personnel who will continue to train and support Ukrainian armed forces through to 30 June 2024. The extension of this deployment demonstrates both our ongoing commitment to the defence of their country against an unprovoked and unlawful invasion and to uphold the international rule of law. In addition to the infantry training the NZDF has been invited by the United States to support training of Ukrainian personnel and Western-led space operations and increase the interoperability with like-minded partners. This work may also include the training of Polish armed forces personnel.Ibrahim Omer: What humanitarian support has been provided to Ukraine?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: This Government has already committed almost $13 million in humanitarian assistance to address the humanitarian consequences of Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine. This package shows our resolve has not waned and our ongoing support for Ukraine and the international response has not diminished. The increase in humanitarian support for Ukraine announced yesterday includes $2 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund to support the provision of healthcare food assistance clean water and shelter; $1.5 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees providing humanitarian support to Ukrainian refugees; and $500000 towards a New Zealand disaster response partnership with New Zealand NGOs on the regional refugee response. I might add that in addition to this humanitarian assistance we've also expanded the sanctions imposed on Russian and Iranian entities and individuals.
4. Question No. 4—EducationSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 4—Education4. SARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Minister of Education: What milestones have recently been met in the Government's period products in schools programme?Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Education): Today I had the pleasure of visiting Naenae College to announce that more than 1 million period products packs had been delivered to schools. A total of 2126 schools have opted into the initiative and over 213000 students have access to free period products. This Government can be very proud of what we have achieved.Sarah Pallett: How is this programme supporting attendance and engagement?Hon JAN TINETTI: This morning I heard how the programme is benefiting students' attendance and engagement and their ability to participate in school activities. Every school day is a big day and young people should not be missing out on time learning in the classroom or other events and opportunities because they aren't comfortable going to school while on their period. Some students don't come to school during their period because they don't have access to or can't afford period products. Providing them for free at school means students are more comfortable and more likely to want to be there.Sarah Pallett: How is the period products in schools programme helping to reduce stigma?Hon JAN TINETTI: Even today periods aren't discussed openly and can make young people in particular feel stressed and insecure. The programme has an educational element to help young people to understand and embrace their bodies and show them that they're not alone in going through it. The Ministry of Education is also developing a series of resources to support young people to learn about menstruation and to assist whānau teachers and other adults with conversations with young people about periods. The first resource from the series is a comic called It's all good!" that can be read by pre- and early menstruating students. It is now available online in te reo Māori and English through the Ministry of Education website and schools can order printed copies. Sarah Pallett: How does this programme support the Government's wider work to reduce barriers to education? Hon JAN TINETTI: This programme goes some way to reducing costs on families because we know that right now every little bit counts. By supplying period products and healthy school lunches and scrapping the school donation scheme this Government is tearing down some of the barriers that keep our kids away from school. We've very proud of this work and what it does for student learning outcomes and also student wellbeing."
3. Question No. 3—EducationCHRIS BAILLIE (ACT) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 3—Education3. CHRIS BAILLIE (ACT) to the Minister of Education: How many teaching days were lost to industrial action by teacher unions in term 1 2023 and how many teaching days does she expect to be lost in term 2 2023?Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Education): I am advised that due to the nature of the industrial action and the education system the Ministry of Education does not hold information on the number of teaching days that are lost due to industrial action. When industrial actions occur schools are required to remain open for instruction if they are able to. Schools are not required to report if they are closed to the Ministry of Education. The number of schools that have voluntarily reported that they were closed for instruction closed for supervision or fully closed due to the 16 March strike by Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) and New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) members was 982. Due to the 29 March PPTA strike 52 schools reported being closed for instruction. I expect that negotiations under way between the Ministry of Education and the PPTA and NZEI education unions for the various collective agreements will move forward and progress towards new agreements being finalised.Chris Baillie: With the likely disruption to students because of ongoing industrial action including strikes refusal to relieve for absent teachers' classes and sending children home on parent-teacher interview days can she tell parents today what she is doing to end this dispute?Hon JAN TINETTI: I am unable to discuss the specifics of bargaining as this is undertaken by the Ministry of Education. However I expect that the negotiations with the PPTA for secondary teachers which are under way this week and being facilitated by the Employment Relations Authority will make real progress. Similarly I expect that negotiations under way today for the area school teachers' agreement between the NZEI and the PPTA will move forward and progress towards a new agreement being finalised.Chris Baillie: Does she consider that student attendance is a priority for her ministry of 4000 staff when they don't know how many days kids are losing from school because of teacher absences?Hon JAN TINETTI: To the first part of that question yes.Chris Baillie: Does she believe that the $1 million spent on her Every School Day is a Big Day" attendance and engagement campaign was good value for money considering that ongoing industrial action is exacerbating the truancy crisis?Hon JAN TINETTI: Yes."
2. Question No. 2—Education (Māori Education)SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Associate Minister of Education (Māori Education)Question No. 2—Education (Māori Education)2. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Associate Minister of Education (Māori Education): What recent announcements has he made regarding pay for kaiako and kaiāwhina working in kōhanga reo?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Associate Minister of Education (Māori Education)): Yesterday I announced the introduction of new pay rates for kōhanga reo kaiako and kaiāwhina which will give them a historic earning boost and pay them in line with roles outside of kōhanga reo. An additional $76 million over five years will be allocated for this pay improvement which represents one of the most significant boosts for kōhanga reo since the movement began in 1982.Shanan Halbert: How much more will kaiako and kaiāwhina earn under the new rates?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Once their kōhanga reo has signed up for the new pay framework which is being administered by Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust kaiako will receive an average pay increase of around 35 percent. To be more specific under the previous system the average pay for a kaiako at a kōhanga reo was $44000 per year. Under the new rates a full-time kaiako will start on $59358 per year. The introduction of these new pay rates could see an experienced kaiako earn just under $100000 per year. This increase will change lives and aligns firmly with the value that this Government places on workers and our focus on helping Kiwis cope with the cost of living pressures they are facing.Shanan Halbert: How many kaiako and kaiāwhina are expected to benefit?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: About 2000 kaiako kaiāwhina and kaiwhakarite around the country are expected to benefit from this change as more kōhanga reo join the pay scheme. At the moment about one-third of all kōhanga reo operating are already in the scheme with the majority expected to be participating later in the year.Shanan Halbert: How is this announcement significant for tamariki as well as kaiako?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: We know that Māori children do better in Māori-medium and kaupapa Māori education which is why it is essential for our tamariki that we attract fluent te reo speakers into becoming kaiako and make it an attractive career option. Those working in kōhanga reo have been paid poorly for too long and the Government is committed to correcting that.
1. Question No. 1—FinanceNICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all his commitments on tax and has he met those commitments?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes in the context in which they were made and undertaken; and yes.Nicola Willis: Why then when Heather du Plessis-Allan asked him on Monday this week Are you going to bump up the ute tax?" did he say "No"?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said I invite the member to read the full context of that exchange with Ms du Plessis-Allan. I do note that the member has a tendency to have a word and then just add the word "tax" at the end of it no matter what the situation might be. So for example on this side of the House if we were to adopt that approach what we would do is whenever the Leader of the Opposition spoke we would describe it as a waffle tax. Nicola Willis: Why should New Zealanders trust him on tax when on Monday he told them he wouldn't be bumping up the ute tax and then the very next day that's exactly what the Government did?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Government laid out its plans on what we would do in tax at the 2020 election and we have stuck to those plans. The Prime Minister has indicated for example that in the Budget there will not be major tax changes. When it comes to making sure that we actually meet our climate change obligations I am very pleased with the way that the Clean Car Discount is operating.Nicola Willis: Did he or did he not increase the ute tax this week and did he or did he not know that he was going to do that on Monday when he said he wouldn't?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I indicated in the answer to the member's first supplementary question just because she throws around the word "tax" in association with any other thing it doesn't make it so. I do note that one of the examples of that that the member has used is the so-called app tax—the GST on online services—which the National Party vigorously opposed six months after vigorously supporting it.Nicola Willis: Will he rule out imposing a capital gains tax?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As has been indicated on numerous times the Government has indicated there will be no capital gains tax in the Budget that comes up in a month's time.Nicola Willis: Will he rule out at a later date changing the law to retrospectively impose capital gains taxes on New Zealanders' assets?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This Government is in place through till the October election. I thank the member again for her confidence that we will be re-elected but we have made it very clear that there will not be a capital gains tax in the one remaining Budget of this term.Nicola Willis: Will he rule out imposing a capital gains tax on New Zealanders' KiwiSaver nest eggs?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I have already ruled out a capital gains tax in this term. The Government of the next term will have its tax policy. I look forward to being able to lead that policy when the time comes."
Penk ChrisCHRIS PENK (National—Kaipara ki Mahurangi): I commend this bill to the House—but I also do feel as though I should say at least a little bit more. The point I think has been well made if briefly that much has been said about this bill already—obviously at previously readings and including as recently as last night—so I won't take longer than is necessary I think to draw the House's attention to a couple of points that I think are significant in what we are looking to achieve. Others have described the mechanism that is at play here and we've heard described quite movingly and importantly the reasons that it is needed in the context of a couple of terrorism incidents quite specifically. Of course when we are making law we can't make it for particular persons or entities—except in a private Act of course which is separate but certainly we don't want to do that in any negative way. So while we do very much have in mind the atrocities—or certainly the atrocity of March 15th and obviously also the deeply adverse events of the New Lynn Lynnmall terror attack—nevertheless we have to make a law that of course will be robust and reasonable across other people at other times.So I do just want to draw attention to the fact that the Attorney-General report on this matter gave thoughtful consideration to some of these big-picture issues. It talks about the fact that there are substantial limits on freedom using language like a significant limit on the freedom of movement"—and of course that language is from the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act—and the Attorney-General seemed to conclude that a 12-hour detention time would in fact not really amount to a detention per se but would be sort of more in the nature of a curfew. It talked about the pressing social objective of enabling the police to prevent acts of terrorism—so obviously that's the main public policy objective that we start with before we then start saying "Well are limits on it justified?" And obviously the House as a whole—and I accept not all parties but the House as a whole—has agreed with that position of Mr Parker. It's talked about a justified and proportionate limit on freedoms. Often we hear the discussion in New Zealand Bill of Rights Act reports about doing the minimum thing necessary to reduce rights given the aims in a policy sense. Well in this case the Attorney-General is saying quite explicitly—and quite rightly in my view—there are high public utility values which is the risk of terrorism and therefore the measures undertaken in the bill are justified for that reason.So with those reflections on how the bill operates in our more general human rights framework and acknowledging the arguments that have been made the other way nevertheless National has supported and will continue to support including in our final vote in the third reading—in just a few moments I suspect—this bill and we commend it to the House."
White HelenHELEN WHITE (Labour): I commend this bill to the House.
Luxton JoJO LUXTON (Labour—Rangitata): I commend this bill to the House.
SpeechTODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty): There is efficiency and then there's that. I get paid by the word; this is going to be longer. We often get asked—actually don't we as politicians?—particularly when you're in Opposition why don't you do stuff with the Government? Why do you always oppose them on everything? Well on this bill on this issue of national security we have done it together. We commend this bill. We commend the Government for taking the Opposition along with their thinking which was informed by tragic events and the need to balance protection of our people with civil liberties. The National Party believe it's been a robust process good thinking. We've landed in the right place and we commend the bill to the House.
Bennett GlenCOUNTER-TERRORISM ACTS (DESIGNATIONS AND CONTROL ORDERS) AMENDMENT BILLThird ReadingDebate resumed from 3 May.GLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Kia ora Mr Speaker. Enough has been said about this legislation. I know there is vast support and I commend it to the House.
Bennett GlenGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Kia ora Mr Speaker. I stand as the MP for New Plymouth a wonderful part of our country. Recently I was at Ōwae Marae which is a significant marae in our region in Taranaki. It's the home to Sir Māui Pōmare a member of this House and also a significant doctor in terms of championing the health of our nation of our globe of indigenous people and of Māori. I was at a dawn service just recently for the opening of the new wharekai Ko Tamawahine which with support from us as Government with support from our communities we were able to build a brand new state-of-the-art wharekai facility.This is more than just a place for eating for sharing for manaakitanga; this is also a place for civil defence. The awesome thing about it was they were able to come together and not just look at what this would mean for the marae not just at what this would mean for that community around food and hospitality but also what that means on a day like today where the rains have opened in Taranaki. There is a base there in Waitara that can support the local people all around that part of the country.I am grateful for the passion and drive of the people of Ōwae Marae and the community of Waitara for ensuring that they have a state-of-the-art facility that will host not only Prime Ministers and musicians from all around the world during World of Music Arts and Dance but will support tangi it will support kōrero and it will support our community in our region. Mr Speaker thank you.Motion agreed to.
Special Debate — Debate on Local Issues
SpeechTONI SEVERIN (ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm proud to stand for Christchurch East. It is an area that is still slowly rebuilding after the quake. We still have potholes in our areas. You drive around our local street and sometimes you may actually disappear in these potholes. We have not had these fixed for so many years. It's not an exaggeration; in some areas they are that deep. It is amazing that we have not been able to get these repairs done. We have huge numbers of people moving into our area because there's been a huge influx of building within that Christchurch East area which is great because we have a mixed-medium sort of houses. But our roads still need repair from quake. We've been spending so much money around putting 40-kilometre zones and red paint on our roads. I would like to see those roads fixed before we try to drop those speeds. We can't do that speed anyway otherwise we'll end up with flat tires or our rims stuck in those potholes.So Mr Speaker thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of my Christchurch East people that are having problems still to this day of getting around our roads within our lovely electorate of Christchurch East. Let's hope we don't have too many rains because these holes will open up even bigger during our winter months and it will be interesting to see if trucks fall into those holes.
Court SimonSIMON COURT (ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker. West Auckland has a problem: successive Governments have broken the deal that Westies like me thought they had with their Government—that is you pay your taxes you pay your rates and you get good infrastructure; homes and businesses and lives are protected from flooding and we don't have sewage on our beaches. That's the deal we thought we had. But the deal's broken. Those networks simply can't cope with the housing growth we've had over the past 20 or 30 years: 387 waste-water overflows alone in Henderson Creek and 241 in the Whau Creek in the year to July 2022. After the terrible floods and storms of January and February 2023 I imagine those numbers would be much much worse for this year. Waka ama paddlers rowers multisport clubbies water skiers and the kids swimming off the pontoon at Taipari Strand are all exposed to unacceptable health risks as a result of those waste-water overflows.I want to acknowledge the work of Alan Clist Peter Nelson and the RiverCare group which is highlighted to Auckland Council and to Watercare and is pushing to bring forward the necessary upgrades to the waste-water network to minimise the number of overflows that are currently occurring and stopping us from enjoying our awa. Around 311000 people call West Auckland home. That's 70000 more than in 2006. All of those people have an expectation that their homes and their lives will be safe from flooding. That's why I want to acknowledge the work of Lyall Carter from the West Auckland Is Flooding group. He's been advocating and the group's been advocating for people displaced by floods and storms in January and February and driving for rates relief for people and rapid action by council and by Government to give them certainty that they can either return and rebuild or that they will be able to leave those properties and receive adequate compensation.I also want to acknowledge the work that Michael Coote and Kent Xie do as part of the Friends of Harbourview bringing the community together to restore wetlands and provide habitat for the endangered fern bird which lives on Te Atatū Peninsula. It's the tireless work of these community advocates which shows what can be done and if councils and Governments held up their end of the deal imagine what we could do to support growth housing and deliver a better environment. These long-term problems can be solved with better public policy and bringing forward the funding to fix our infrastructure investments. That's what I'll be campaigning for in 2023.