Korako Nuk: Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeKorako Nuk: Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 22 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7522. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]NUK KORAKO (National): Tēnā koe e te Mana Whakawā. It gives me great pleasure to be able to stand here and talk about the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill in its first reading. If we go back over 4 years ago Rūaumoko visited the city of Christchurch and we were ripped apart. Iconic buildings were destroyed and the face of our beautiful city was changed forever but far more important were the 185 people who lost their lives. Even when we look to the future it is also important that in the next phase of the regeneration of Christchurch we remember them.We saw months and years afterwards that disaster brought out the best in Christchurch people. Students rallied together to help their city neighbours helped neighbours and search and rescue police fire defence and other services went well beyond the call of duty. The Government also stepped in and stepped up. In the week following the quake the Government acted quickly to establish the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority or CERA as we all know it and it was at that time that we needed those powers. Since then the Government has gone into two elections with rebuilding the city of Christchurch as a top priority and committed over $16 billion to the rebuild effort. The Government’s response received the greatest endorsement possible and the fact of that is the approval of Christchurch voters in two elections.The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority structure put in place in 2011 has served our city very well. The ability to plan the rebuild centrally and the powers given to the authority have allowed a relatively quick rebuild and excellent progress continues to be made. But it is now time for transition—transition from recovery to regeneration to a new phase. Although there is plenty of building still going on this change is about putting the focus on regeneration of our city and not just fixing what was broken. It is also important as part of that process that we bring local authorities back into the role of shaping our city and our region.So this bill replaces the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority with a new entity: Regenerate Christchurch. This will be jointly controlled by the Crown and the Christchurch City Council until 30 June 2021 when it will become a council-controlled organisation. I think this is the essence here: that word “transitional” and the fact that at the end in 2021 it will go back to full authority under the council. Regenerate Christchurch will be governed by a board of seven members. Three will be appointed by the Christchurch City Council three by the Minister—and this one here I think is very important particularly when we talk about partnerships and we talk about stakeholders because there is a further appointment by the Minister after the consultation with Te Rūnunga o Ngāi Tahu.This bill repeals the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 that established the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and consequently many of the powers that that Act gave the authority will cease to exist but there will continue to be a number of powers that will support the regeneration of greater Christchurch. These include powers for the Minister such as the power to suspend amend or revoke Resource Management Act documents council plans or other documents and the power to amalgamate any land acquired under the bill or previously under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act. It also gives important powers to the chief executive officer of Regenerate Christchurch such as the power to carry out or commission demolition of buildings to restrict access to buildings and roads and also to dispose of land. These powers are needed to support the regeneration of our city but just as important they are limited. They must be exercised within the purposes of this bill. They must actually be necessary to achieve the purpose of the bill and that is the regeneration of Christchurch.Another important aspect of this bill is the way in which it acknowledges the key leadership role that Te Rūnunga o Ngāi Tahu played in the emergency the recovery and the rebuild and the role it will continue to play in the regeneration of Christchurch. After the earthquake I was part of Te Awheawhe Rū Whenua which was a special committee put together by Te Rūnunga o Ngāi Tahu set up during the emergency to ensure that Ngāi Tahu was responding to the needs of our people and assisting all of the other mandated entities involved in the emergency response and recovery. Ngāi Tahu’s role is recognised through the requirement for the Minister to consult with Ngāi Tahu before the appointment of one of the board members. So I think that is a very important part of this—that acknowledgment of the fact that Ngāi Tahu did stand up Ngāi Tahu did understand that very important thing about partnership or kotahitaka.As part of the transition from recovery to regeneration this bill introduces regeneration plans that set out the direction and details for regeneration in a particular area. These plans are intended to ensure that regeneration happens in a timely and collaborative way. It is really reassuring to hear the speakers on the other side of the House Dr Megan Woods and also the Hon Ruth Dyson. The fact is that they do indeed have a job of opposition in this House but I can feel as we all do I believe on this side of the House that there is a desire for kotahitaka—to work together for the benefit of the regeneration of Christchurch so we can then continue through to try to really come together with our people around the aspirations that they have for their city and also their region.Collaboration and cooperation: local authorities central government and Ngāi Tahu all have something to contribute. Cooperation between all of us will ensure that we get the best structure for Christchurch. There are also many others—the opportunity for not just those major stakeholders but many other voices to be heard. There are community groups there are businesses and there are individuals throughout Christchurch with something to contribute. This bill ensures that they are heard by requiring the provision of opportunities for public comment before the Minister makes a decision on regeneration plans.Christchurch is ready for its next phase. Although rebuilding work continues now is the time for us to shift our focus to regeneration to look ahead to what we want our city to be and look like in the future. This bill takes us on a waka on a journey from recovery to regeneration and I commend this bill to the House. Kia ora.