edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Willis ScottSCOTT WILLIS (Green): Kia ora Mr Speaker and thank you. I stand in support of this motion and support the words of our Prime Minister and the Hon Peeni Henare. We would like today to congratulate our wonderful New Zealand Olympic Games team for their outstanding performance at the Paris Olympics. It was a historic achievement for us with Aotearoa's athletes securing 20 medals as we've heard—10 gold seven silver and three bronze. But what makes this all the more special is that 14 of these 20 medals were won by our extraordinary women athletes and women's teams. They've not only inspired us but they've set a powerful example for future generations of New Zealanders.This success comes down to preparation. In October 2018 the then New Zealand Government launched a strategy to address the inequities women and girls experience in sport and recreation the women and girls in sport initiative. As we can see the results of this initiative have been massive and not only in the Olympics. Women's rugby is now thriving for example and I hear Grant Robertson is very pleased down in Ōtepoti Dunedin.So we've heard the congratulations for Lisa Carrington Lydia Ko and all of our athletes that have done so so well. I also want to think about tae kwon do because tae kwon do is my sport. I wanted to see our athletes and I was sad to see the muck-up that denied Eisa Mozhdeh and Jemesa Landers a chance to compete but I think it's really really important that we recognise that our athletes their support staff their families all experience the blood sweat and tears of preparation—years of preparation. Everyone who pushes themselves deserves to be congratulated. We know that competing is a costly exercise so special mention has to go to rower Robbie Manson who took to posing on an OnlyFans website to raise funds. For those who don't know OnlyFans is a subscription-based service used for publishing adult-themed content so there are ways and there are creative ways to get to the Olympics.The success of our athletes in Paris goes far beyond medals and records however. As we heard as Rahui Papa highlighted in a speech at Koreneihana yesterday the culturality that team New Zealand brought to Paris was seen and felt by all. Our athletes didn't just compete they carried the identity and spirit of Aotearoa with them showcasing our unique cultural identity on the world stage. This cultural knowledge cultural acceptance has been a cornerstone of their success and we need to continue the celebration of our unique identity here based on Te Tiriti here at home. Our athletes demonstrated kaupapa Māori in their victories and we in the Greens join in acknowledging and celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of team New Zealand in Paris. They went over there with determination and grit they demonstrated indomitable spirit and they came back as world champions making us incredibly proud.So I should say congratulations team New Zealand or possibly félicitations and bravo pour les bons efforts and I hope our House will support the Paralympics just as thoroughly as they have supported the Olympics. Kia ora.
8. Question No. 8—Prime MinisterDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Pāti Māori) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 8—Prime Minister8. DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Pāti Māori) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does he agree with the mounting evidence that his Government's policies and actions are worsening race relations in Aotearoa?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: No.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does he believe that his Government's actions and policies are changing the constitution of this country?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: No.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does our constitution allow for three Prime Ministers at the same time?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: No.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does Parliament's constitution grant supremacy to a coalition agreement over Te Tiriti o Waitangi?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We have a very clear coalition agreement. We honour our coalition agreements.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Can the Prime Minister describe the distribution of constitutional power created by the agreement of te iwi Māori to Te Tiriti o Waitangi?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: As I've said before the Treaty of Waitangi is a foundational document of New Zealand. It protects both Crown and Māori interests.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Has the Prime Minister given total control of his Government to ACT and New Zealand First or is he using the coalition agreement as an excuse to pursue his own anti-Māori agenda?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Look I'm really proud of this coalition Government because we are united on the things that New Zealanders—Māori or non-Māori—care about. And I would just say to that member: I hope she cares as deeply about Māori achievement and education Māori health outcomes Māori housing outcomes Māori economic outcomes. Those are the things that this Government is fixated on fixing.Hon David Seymour: Will the Prime Minister be pleased to learn that amongst the 78 initial applicants to run kura hourua charter schools are a large contingent of kura kaupapa Māori operators and that there is going to be an Iwi Leaders appointee on the authorisation board that chooses those schools because the Iwi Leaders Group has written to me strongly supporting charter schools kura hourua?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I just want to say thank you to that member for bringing charter schools together in such a comprehensive way. It's going to be a fantastic feature of the education system of New Zealand. And I also have heard from iwi leaders saying how much they appreciate the charter schools initiative.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Which recommendations if any will he adopt from the Waitangi Tribunal report on his Government's Treaty principles bill and Treaty clause review policies which included abandoning the Treaty principles bill policy before it's introduced into the House as well as working with Māori to reverse the damage his Government's actions have caused to Māori? Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I will continue to engage with the Waitangi Tribunal in good faith but there is no Treaty principles bill that is before this House at this time.
Brownlee GerryINTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: There's nothing like goodwill—we'll see how long it lasts. No bills have been introduced.
Motions — New Zealand Olympic Team—Congratulations (continued)
Ferris Tākuta; Brownlee GerryMOTIONSNew Zealand Olympic Team—CongratulationsTĀKUTA FERRIS (Te Pāti Māori —Te Tai Tonga): [Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.][Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]So Te Pāti Māori would like to add our congratulations and thank you for your grace e te Speaker. Mihi to our athletes who went and represented our country so well and as has been said Kahurangi Lisa Carrington Dame Lisa Carrington the descendant—proud descendant I might add—of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki of Te Whakatōhea and the famous iwi of Ngāti Kahungunu Ngāti Rongomaiwahine. And who could forget—and I bet you no one missed—Portia Woodman's highlight reels that spun around the world for a good two weeks.[Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.][Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]who is not only awesome on the field but is an awesome speaker of te reo Māori. So kia kaha ra kia tatou. Reflecting on the work that [Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.][Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.] So to acknowledge also the mahi of Sir Derek Lardelli in his efforts to sustain and uphold a solid cultural platform for our athletes as they travelled across the world. And whilst we invest a lot of money into achieving great things in sporting success it's often the 1 percent that gets you across the line in first place. And the way you feel—so the values the passion and of course the culture that they went with. So [Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.][Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]And lastly I'd like to pay tribute to the Minister Chris Bishop who in his interview with Te Karere from Pou Tangata was very—you know send the mihi to the world and acknowledge the importance of te ao Māori te iwi Māori and the Māori culture. To the performance of our athletes on the international stage I thought that was marvellous by our friend over there. And lastly[Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.][Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]SPEAKER: Well we've already voted on the motion but since we are in a general agreement that the Olympic team have done so well and should be congratulated I'll ask everyone to stand and give them a round of applause.[Applause]
3. Question No. 3—FinanceSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy?Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance): Over the past few years New Zealand has endured a cost of living crisis with rampant inflation eating away at New Zealander's incomes and savings. In response interest rates were lifted very sharply imposing additional costs on Kiwi households and businesses. I was delighted to see that last week marked a significant turning point with the Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee deciding to cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 5.25 percent. What's more the bank set out a forecast track for the official cash rate which shows a steady decline over the next few years back down to 3 percent in 2027.Stuart Smith: What does an official cash rate cut mean for New Zealand families and businesses?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Lowering the official cash rate will lead to lower interest rates across the economy; in fact this process has already started. It means Kiwis will pay less interest on their mortgages and on their personal loans easing the cost of living for families. It also improves the conditions for businesses making it easier for them to borrow to expand hire people and grow. Lower interest rates will be a breath of fresh air for the economy. Coupled with the tax relief package we introduced on 31 July this is an important milestone in beating the cost of living crisis.Stuart Smith: What is the Reserve Bank's forecast for inflation?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: During the cost of living crisis annual Consumers Price Index inflation got to 7.3 percent and was over 7 percent for most of 2022. The Reserve Bank's latest forecast is for inflation in this quarter—that is the September quarter of 2024—to be well within the target band at 2.3 percent. That is a very considerable drop. The Reserve Bank clearly has confidence that inflation is under control and that the age of extreme price increases is over after four years where the only way for interest rates was up.Stuart Smith: What has been the contribution of fiscal policy?Hon NICOLA WILLIS: Fiscal policy can either get in the way of monetary policy as we saw with big spending over the last few years or it can be helpful. This Government has been helpful as the Budget demonstrates. New Zealanders benefited from long overdue tax relief and this tax relief was delivered in a way that was fiscally neutral and did not add to inflationary pressure with every single dollar accounted for. More importantly Government spending as a proportion of the economy is forecast to fall over the next few years as the Monetary Policy Statement shows. As the Treasury said in the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update The decisions taken through Budget 2024 will on balance reduce the contribution fiscal policy is making to inflation pressure.""
1. Question No. 1—Prime MinisterCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime MinisterORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Prime Minister1. CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Prime Minister): Yes and especially this Government's action to improve road safety by going after drugged and drunk drivers. Our Government is absolutely committed to building great roads and Kiwis deserve to be safe when they drive on them and alcohol and drugs are the number one cause of fatal crashes on New Zealand roads. In fact around 30 percent of deaths on our roads involve drug-drivers. So our Government is taking action with more funding for roadside tests as part of a package of $1.3 billion for road policing in the next three years. But we know funding isn't enough which is why we're setting targets for alcohol and drug tests so we see better results for where the money is spent.Chlöe Swarbrick: Does he stand by his statement Part of the history of modern New Zealand has been our struggle to understand the intentions and expectations of those who signed the Treaty. … That work is still happening and will keep going." and if so can he set out his understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi by telling the House whether he believes that Māori ceded sovereignty?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: In answer the first part of the question: yes.Chlöe Swarbrick: Does the Prime Minister believe that Māori ceded sovereignty?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Our position is the Crown is sovereign.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is it a fact that 102 years ago in a major thesis Sir Āpirana Ngata set out the very circumstances of the Treaty and he said that Māori ceded sovereignty—far closer to the action he was as were other Māori leaders of that time?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well as I said our position is that the Crown is sovereign and also importantly the Treaty of Waitangi has protections in there for both Crown and Māori interests.Chlöe Swarbrick: Are we to take from that answer that the Prime Minister believes that Māori ceded sovereignty?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I don't know how I can be clearer in answer to the first question.Chlöe Swarbrick: When did Māori cede sovereignty?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: I just say to the member: we have a Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand. In there is protection for both Crown and Māori interests. But as I said to you the position is very clear: Māori ceded sovereignty to the Crown.Chlöe Swarbrick: Does his Government's Treaty principles bill consider the Waitangi Tribunal's finding from 10 years ago that "The rangatira who signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in February 1840 did not cede [their] sovereignty to Britain" or does he continue or intend to continue to sideline the Waitangi Tribunal?Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: We haven't seen a Treaty principles bill yet."
Petitions Papers and Select Committee Reports
Brownlee GerryPETITIONS PAPERS AND SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTSSPEAKER: Petitions have been presented to the Clerk. CLERK: Petition of Seiji Tonouchi requesting that the House allocate funding to allow epilepsy patients to choose any anti-epileptic medication without conditionsPetition of Bob McCoskrie on behalf of Family First requesting that the House define woman" as "an adult human female" in all New Zealand laws public policies and regulationsPetition of John Hellstrom requesting that the House not repeal the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2022Petition of Stop Institutional Racism requesting that the House urge the Government to re-establish Te Aka Whai Ora. SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers. CLERK: Government responses to the petitions of Kristin Davis and Peter James CullinaneClimate Change Commission Progress report: National Adaptation Plan (August 2024)Reserve Bank of New Zealand Monetary Policy Statement August 2024.SPEAKER: I present the report of the Controller and Auditor-General entitled Insights into local government: 2023 and the annual review into the Parliamentary Service Commission for the year ended 30 June 2024. Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation. CLERK: Report of the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee on the 2024/25 Estimates for Vote Business Science and Innovation (excluding appropriations related to the Retail Crime Subsidy the Health Research Fund and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise;Reports of the Education and Workforce Committee on the 2024/25 Estimates for Vote Education and Vote Education Review Office (excluding the appropriation related to the Independent Children's Monitor)2024/25 Estimates for Vote Labour Market (excluding the appropriation related to border support services)2024/25 Estimates for Vote Tertiary Education;Report of the Health Committee on the 2024/25 Estimates for Vote Health and appropriations within Vote Labour Market (border support) and Vote Business Science and Innovation (Health Research Fund);Reports of the Primary Production Committee on the 2024/25 Estimates for Vote Agriculture Biosecurity Fisheries and Food Safety2024/25 Estimates for Vote Forestry2024/25 Estimates for Vote Lands;Report of the Regulations Review Committee on the Briefing on retrospective change of limitation periods and the truncating of appeal rights in secondary legislation in response to an emergency event. SPEAKER: The briefing is set down for consideration."
Points of Order — New Zealand Olympic Team—Congratulations
Ngarewa-Packer Debbie; Brownlee GerryPOINTS OF ORDERNew Zealand Olympic Team—CongratulationsDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Pāti Māori): Point of order. I seek leave please. Our huge apologies we didn't realise that the other party wasn't taking a call and we would welcome the opportunity to take the call particularly for the Olympics. My apologies.SPEAKER: Well we can't generally go back. Are you seeking leave for a call?Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Yes. I said I was seeking leave. Sorry.SPEAKER: Yep. Leave is sought for an additional call recognising the Olympic team. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Henare PeeniHon PEENI HENARE (Labour): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. Tēnā koutou katoa. I stand in support of the motion and endorse the words of the Prime Minister in congratulating all of our athletes who did an absolutely stellar job at the Olympics in Paris. I'm reminded of the cheering that comes from the hallways of this House. I'm reminded of the many conversations that are had in this House and outside of this House about how proud we are as we cheered on our athletes in their sports. Can I also endorse the words of thanks to their coaches the administration of sports right across New Zealand and in particular the families many who made the trip and many who did not who stayed home and cheered on their loved ones as they competed at the highest level. With all those thanks I'm also reminded of just how important Māori culture is on the international stage. We saw our athletes not only partake in the haka but also speak te reo Māori marking our difference as we competed on the world stage with athletes from around the world. Athletes like Eliza McCartney who can deliver a full speech in te reo Māori in thanking the support that she received from fellow athletes and also those administrators and whānau who made it there to support her. I'm proud of the way that New Zealand stands on the world stage. That will no doubt continues as our Paralympians make their way to the Games to compete on the biggest stage in the world and I look forward to making sure that this House supports our Paralympians as we get behind them and they compete against others from around the world to once again hoist the New Zealand flag high above everybody else.I heard what the Prime Minister said about our track and field gold and I do want to acknowledge as was mentioned to me by one of my colleagues Dame Yvette Williams who was one of our famed Olympians a gold medallist in long jump if I recall correctly in 1952 I think it was in Helsinki who did us all extremely proud. When I think of the legacy of the likes of Dame Yvette Williams and so many others we know that the record-breaking attempts and efforts of our athletes in Paris in the most recent Games will continue into the future. We now put Paris behind us and we look forward to supporting our Paralympians and of course as we have a view towards the next big sporting commitment for our Olympians which is in four years' time.On behalf of the Labour Party I stand in support of this motion. I thank all of our athletes their whānau and administrators and I say to our Paralympians All the very best.""
Thursday 7 March 2024 - Volume 774
Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 123New Zealand National 49; New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8; Te Pāti Māori 6.Noes 0Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is That the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill be considered by the Justice Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Justice Committee.Instruction to Justice CommitteeHon NICOLE McKEE (Minister for Courts): I move That the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 31 July 2024.A party vote was called for on the question That the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 31 July 2024.Ayes 68New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.Noes 55New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te Pāti Māori 6.Motion agreed to.
VoteInstruction to Justice CommitteeHon SIMON WATTS (Minister of Revenue) on behalf of the Minister of Justice: I move That the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 8 July 2024.A party vote was called for on the question That the motion be agreed to.Ayes 68New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.Noes 55New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te Pāti Māori 6.Motion agreed to.
Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill — Instruction to Justice Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 102New Zealand National 49; New Zealand Labour 34; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.Noes 21Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te Pāti Māori 6.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is That the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill be considered by the Justice Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Justice Committee.
Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill — First Reading
Fast-track Approvals Bill — First Reading (continued)
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Fast Track Approvals Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 68New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8. Noes 55New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te Pāti Māori 6.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Teanau Tuiono): The question is That the Fast Track Approvals Bill be considered by the Environment Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Environment Committee.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That urgency be accorded.Ayes 68New Zealand National 49; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.Noes 55New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 15; Te Pāti Māori 6.Motion agreed to.
9. Question No. 9—TransportCARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 9—Transport9. CARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about transport investment in New Zealand?Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Transport): Earlier this week the Prime Minister and I released the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport announcing that we are focused on investing in new roads of national significance better public transport and a well-maintained roading network enabling Kiwis to get where they want to go quickly and safely. Kiwis around the country voted for our focused transport plan and now we are delivering.Rima Nakhle: What does the Government policy statement mean for Auckland?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well 57.8 percent of Aucklanders voted for the coalition Government at the last election and our draft Government policy statement prioritises the projects that we campaigned on: Mill Road a project that that member of Parliament campaigned on very very hard. The East-West Link and the north-western Alternative State Highway are listed as new roads of national significance. While Auckland's infrastructure deficit has worsened in recent years due to project cancellations and non-delivery by the prior Government our Government is focused on delivery.Cameron Brewer: Supplementary: what does the Government—SPEAKER: Wait on you're not called yet.Cameron Brewer: —policy statement mean—SPEAKER: Wait you're not called yet. Now you stand up please—Cameron Brewer.Cameron Brewer: What does the Government policy statement mean for the public transport users in north-west Auckland?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Very good news. It's great news: the Government is investing up to $4.4 billion on public transport infrastructure and services. We're focused on starting work on the north-west rapid transit corridor to unlock housing and economic growth in Auckland's North-West. We have a strong track record of delivering better public transport in Auckland the City Rail Link a case in point and we will continue this legacy.Paulo Garcia: What progress has been made on the Government's 100-day plan commitment to axe the Auckland regional fuel tax?Hon SIMEON BROWN: Well very good news: last night the Government passed legislation to axe the 11.5c per litre fuel tax for Aucklanders. We're not a Government that will continue to tax Aucklanders to fund cycle lanes expensive speed bumps and blanket speed limit reductions. This tax is gone on 1 July.Stuart Smith: What does the Government policy statement mean for the top of the South?Hon SIMEON BROWN: In addition to the Woodend bypass a second Ashburton bridge and investment in critically important bridges in the South Island we've listed the Hope Bypass in the South Island as a new road of national significance. This project paired with the new $500 million Pothole Prevention Fund will allow motorists at the top of the South get where they need to go quickly and safely.
7. Question No. 7—Prime MinisterDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Pāti Māori ) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 7—Prime Minister7. DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Pāti Māori ) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his Government's policies and actions?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What implications will the exclusion of a Treaty clause from fast-tracking legislation have on Māori fundamental rights and interests in resource consents especially for hapū and iwi who have not settled yet? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: The fact is that that exclusion will have a very positive outcome for Māori because now things will be based on merit and not just elitism and racism which ordinary Māori never asked for in the first place. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What qualifies a project as having significant regional or national benefits and how are these economic benefits weighted against environmental costs? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: All aspects for consideration will be very jealously guarded in terms of the research on them—they'll go through a serious process of examination—but we are a country that needs to get our mojo back and real fast and not have certain elitists stopping every project that we should be developing. We've got the resources we've got the people; we just need—and now have got—the leadership. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: How much money will be set aside to mitigate risks of failed fast-tracked projects such as we saw with Tamarind Taranaki oil projects which cost the Government hundreds of millions of dollars in bailout? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Certain expenditure is always warranted but none of it will amount to the $1.2 billion that vanished on three waters.
6. Question No. 6—Housing (Social Housing)RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH (Green) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing)Question No. 6—Housing (Social Housing)6. RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH (Green) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing): Can he guarantee that the increased scrutiny on emergency housing eligibility he announced yesterday won't lead to more people becoming homeless?Hon TAMA POTAKA (Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing)):E oati ana au ki tēnei Whare rangatira nei e ngana ana te kāwanatanga Haumi me au nei ao pō pō ao kia puta ngā tāngata me ngā whānau me ngā tamariki e noho ana ki roto i ngā whare ohotata ki ō rātou kāinga ake. E mihi ana.[I swear to this noble House that the coalition Government and myself are endeavouring by night and by day to get the people the families and the children that reside in emergency housing into their own homes. Thank you.]Ricardo Menéndez March: What is the purpose of asking someone living below the poverty line who can't afford a private rental to look for unaffordable housing while waiting for secure affordable public housing?Hon TAMA POTAKA: As mentioned earlier today we need bold and radical solutions for our housing crisis and we are absolutely committed to ending the large-scale use of emergency housing and to help whānau and tamariki in particular get into homes faster.Ricardo Menéndez March: If he can't guarantee that his policies won't leave more people in the street and without safe shelter why is he going ahead with them?Hon TAMA POTAKA: As mentioned earlier we're absolutely focused on ending the large-scale use of emergency housing and there will be some engaging and tough decisions and considerations for officials to make. However we intend to end large-scale emergency housing which has been absolutely exacerbated by the previous Government.Ricardo Menéndez March: Is he not able to guarantee that his policies will lead to more people being homeless because the policies will actually create more reasons for front-line Ministry of Social Development (MSD) staff to deny special needs grants to enable people to be in emergency housing?Hon TAMA POTAKA: What I can guarantee is that this Government and myself—SPEAKER: Sorry rephrase that. That's not a question; that's a statement of opinion and we've had a discussion about that already this week. Ask a question.Ricardo Menéndez March: Can he guarantee the public that there will be no increase—or incidence—of people becoming homeless as a direct result of the increased ability of front-line MSD staff to deny people special needs grants for them to access emergency housing?Hon TAMA POTAKA: I can guarantee that this Government is committed to getting New Zealanders—tamariki and whānau—out of emergency housing and into homes faster. And I can also guarantee that our officials will work hard to ensure that whānau do not end up in emergency housing and end up in alternative housing before they get there.
1. Question No. 1—FinanceJOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Finance1. JOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the New Zealand economy?Hon NICOLA WILLIS (Minister of Finance): Last week ANZ released its business outlook report and its consumer confidence report both of which come out monthly. These show that consumer confidence continues to rise albeit off a very low base and business confidence is on a strong upward trend despite levelling out in February. Joseph Mooney: How does consumer and business confidence compare to previous years? Hon NICOLA WILLIS: In 2022 and 2023 consumer confidence fell to the lowest level ever reported in this survey—lower than the global financial crisis and lower than during the COVID lockdowns—and strike me down business confidence was also the lowest it has ever been in 2022 and 2023. Again it was lower than in the global financial crisis and lower than during the COVID lockdowns. So it is very heartening indeed that consumer and business confidence is rising off the all-time lows recorded under the previous Government. Joseph Mooney: What do the results say about people's own expectations? Hon NICOLA WILLIS: The consumer confidence survey shows that in net terms people expect that they and their family will be better off financially in a year's time. At present people are wary about purchasing major household items but this measure is on an upward trend and is considerably better than it was last year. Joseph Mooney: What do the results say about business expectations? Hon NICOLA WILLIS: The Business Outlook survey saw lifts in most forward-looking indicators such as businesses' own activity investment intentions employment intentions and profit expectations. Together with the consumer results this reinforces that New Zealanders are more optimistic about their future under this coalition Government.
Brownlee GerryMAIDEN STATEMENTSSPEAKER: Members in accordance with the determination of the Business Committee we now have maiden statements. Following the maiden statements the House will adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 19 March 2024. I now call to make his maiden statement to the House Reuben Davidson.
Brewer CameronCAMERON BREWER (National—Upper Harbour): I also stand in support of the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill. Why don't we just dial it back a bit? It certainly seems to have been engaging a few of the Labour Party here but let's have a look at the purpose of this bill. I might have to dial it back. The bill makes targeted legislative changes designed to boost remote participation in court proceedings including the ability for victims to observe a criminal trial and sentencing remotely. Hon Grant Robertson: If only this member was remotely participating.CAMERON BREWER: Reducing court delays is a key priority for this Government Mr Robertson—it's a key priority. As our justice Minister Goldie—colloquially known as the Hon Paul Goldsmith—says justice delayed is justice denied. As Derek Cheng from the New Zealand Herald said not so long ago in an interview: 500 days for a jury trial 18 months for victims of serious crime before they get their day in court.So this Government is very very focused on addressing the court delays. It's one of the priorities for our justice Minister. This sits amongst six law and order priorities in the 100-day plan. The Hon Dr Duncan Webb asked How many points do you have in your 100-day plan?" Well there are six law and order points. And I know that you're always keen for me to keep focusing back to the bill so as well as the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill this Government has introduced legislation to ban gang patches as one of its law and order priorities. As well as the bill we're discussing now we've introduced legislation to give police greater powers to search gang members for firearms. As well as this bill we're stopping taxpayer funding for section 27 reports. Hon Andrew Bayly: This is a great speech.CAMERON BREWER: We're extending the eligibility for remand prisoners to access rehabilitation Mr Bayly. We're introducing legislation to crack down on serious youth offending and we are now introducing legislation to enable more digital participation remote participation in court proceedings. I commend this bill to the House."
Nakhle RimaRIMA NAKHLE (National—Takanini): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to speak to this bill that we're having a conversation about today the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill. It's been interesting experiencing what we have this afternoon where for one of the first times since some of us newbies have been in the House there's a kind of basic agreement across the House and it's really lovely actually. So thank you to Helen White the member just before me and thank you Tamatha Paul and Dr Duncan Webb for what you shared which was that yes you will support this bill to select committee and then we can have those deeper conversations—James Meager: Great committee—excellent committee.RIMA NAKHLE: —excellent committee with an excellent chair my mate here: James Meager—about the concerns that you rightfully raised. Dr Duncan Webb is not in the House right now but we really appreciated what you added as well.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sorry the member's not allowed to refer to somebody who's not here.RIMA NAKHLE: I'm not allowed—that's right yes. Yes thank you. I tested you—you passed the test! DEPUTY SPEAKER: I'm still listening. RIMA NAKHLE: So we really appreciated those concerns you shared and I'm looking forward to having deeper conversations about those during the select committee stage. Now what I will say—Madam Speaker I'd like to add if I may—is that as a student when I was studying law I also worked in the Magistrates Court in Sydney. I remember very distinctly what I'd observed with victims—with witnesses that just felt physically sick because they had to be there in person in court. The anxiety was real the dread was real and like I said they talk about feeling physically sick. So with victims of crime that do have to go through this process—and we want it to be a fair process—this helps to alleviate some of those feelings of anxiety that they do find themselves in when they're going through the court process.To the Hon Nicole McKee thank you very much for bringing this to the House—it's important. There's three main changes that we want to make which we're proposing and as a Government we agree about these. But as I said we will discuss them more deeply during the select committee phase. As I said it's great to stand here and find some form of consensus around the House. I commend this bill.
Garcia PauloPAULO GARCIA (National—New Lynn): I am standing in support of the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill. The bill seeks to address issues in the court process that will facilitate the process. We currently in the Justice Committee—after having multiple hearings in respect of how the process of justice begins from when an accused is brought to court through the court process and into corrections—have found that the time element that a case goes through from when an accused is brought to court is so long and protracted. There are many issues behind why the court process takes such a long time. The bill seeks to address that process and to facilitate the time involved.One of the main issues that we see is the difficulty that victims are faced with in terms of coming face to face with an offender an accused in court. Understandably there are many situations where a victim would hesitate and could be re-traumatised by having to go through that process of being there in the presence of the offender. A lot of the detail of the court process is very confronting and being face to face is understandably difficult and a huge hindrance for victims and witnesses to be ready and willing to go through the court process.The bill wishes to provide an avenue of safety to witnesses and victims so they may be present even if they're not actually face to face. That undoubtedly will facilitate more readiness and willingness to come into the court process. Doing so and allowing victims and witnesses to be present and to participate and to actually essentially be present without the face to face with the offender will facilitate the process. There will be less hesitation; there will be more willingness to do so. The effects of delay in the process are felt throughout the system. The courts are just a part of that and the whole justice system all the way to remand and corrections where the accused have to be in remand waiting for the court process to finish is itself another issue that demands the process of the courts to be facilitated and move more quickly.The bill also wishes to address the fact that the victims must be given and provided with some level of comfort to be able to face the people that they have suffered an injury or pain from. This will give them that confidence to be able to come and be there and go through the process themselves without hindering the timing of the process.This is a very worthy amendment bill. We in the Justice Committee are very pleased to see this now in the House and to go over it in due course and we commend this bill to the House.
Maipi-Clarke Hana-RawhitiHANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE (Te Pāti Māori—Hauraki-Waikato): Tēnā rā koe e te Pīka otirā tēnā rā tātou e te Whare. Ae e tika ana ngā kōrero a tōku tuahine i konei koinei te pire tuatahi e tautokotia ana e te Pāti Māori mō tēnei Kāwana heoi anō e mōhio ana au kei te huri te ao. Koinei tētahi āhuatanga e āhei ana ētahi o ngā tāngata ki te kuhu mai ki runga i tētahi matahiko hei akiaki i a rātou i roto i te justice system. Ēngari mēnā e tiro ana mātou ki te whakapapa o tēnei pire e mōhiotia ana e te Pāti Māori ko ā mātou wawata ko ā mātou tino maruāpō nui kia whakatūngia tētahi o ā mātou ake Māori justice system. Hei aha? Hei whakatinana i tō mātou tino rangatiratanga.[Thank you Mr Speaker and greetings also to the House. Yes what my sister here has said is correct this is the first bill by the Government that Te Pāti Māori supports. However I understand that the world is changing. This is one of the ways in which people are able to join in via technology to support them within the justice system. But if we look at the origin of this bill Te Pāti Māori understands that our aspirations and our dreams are to establish our own Māori justice system. What for? To implement our true sovereignty.]To take self-responsibility—that keeps getting directed over to this side of the House. That is what we want. So i roto i tēnei pire ae e tautoko ana Te Pāti Māori [yes this bill is supported by Te Pāti Māori] but when we look at the whakapapa of this bill I think the issue though is that yes this Government is going to need a faster system—to its victims but more so that they can lock Māori up. So I think that with the different bills with the different laws that are being particularly impacted on Māori it is so that they can do it faster. Ae e tautoko ana mātou i runga anō i te mea mō te remote participation pire. Heoi anō ki te wherawhera i tēnei o ngā kaupapa ko te wawata nui kia whakatū a Te Pāti Māori i tētahi Māori justice system. [Yes we support it because of the remote participation bill. However if we inspect this matter closely it is Te Pāti Māori's wish to establish our own Māori justice system.]Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa.
Arbuckle JamieJAMIE ARBUCKLE (NZ First): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to speak on the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill. This bill enables more virtual participation in court proceedings and it will contribute to the Government's objective of improving court performance generally. What I'd like to say is this bill will help victims and helping victims and supporting victims through the court process is something that we all should want to achieve. We all realise there are delays in our court systems at the moment and when we have delays we have costs. And those costs are something that this Government wants to be more efficient on. Allowing participation by virtual means is a way of delaying delays and it's also reducing the cost of court proceedings. It's also about giving justice to our victims. On that case New Zealand First will support this to the Justice Committee and I commend this bill to the House.
Meager JamesJAMES MEAGER (National—Rangitata): A justice hat trick—we look forward to considering this bill in the Justice Committee; I commend it to the House.
Paul TamathaTAMATHA PAUL (Green—Wellington Central): Kia ora. Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. Oh it's so nice to be able to stand up and support one of the bills going through the House this week; it's been a really long week. And it's really simple and straightforward for the fact that as the Green Party and having had the very first Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence we know that we have a justice system that often fails the needs and the rights of survivors. To me this bill goes a way to centring those rights of survivors and their safety and their experiences within the justice system. It makes complete sense that we would make the justice system more accessible for survivors and that we wouldn't contribute to re-traumatising those survivors. Just this morning at the Justice Committee we heard from survivors about how traumatising it can be going through the justice system and having to prove the harm that has already been caused to them and that contributes to that harm. This goes some way to creating some slightly more positive experiences within our justice system. I think just to wrap up this bill is good because it shows that that side of the House is capable of thinking about and implementing justice policies and laws that centre humanity and empathy. I just wish they would do it a little bit more often. So I encourage this approach and in the same way that I believe in the potential of people to change their behaviours—and you know I would encourage that we took that view for people who have committed crime and caused harm in their communities—I believe that everyone of us in this House can take humane and empathetic responses and approaches towards where harm has been created in our community. So I commend this bill to the House. Kia ora.
Nakhle RimaRIMA NAKHLE (National—Takanini): I commend this bill to the House.
Brewer CameronCAMERON BREWER (National—Upper Harbour): I commend the long-signalled long-awaited Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill to the House.
Meager JamesJAMES MEAGER (National—Rangitata): Can I acknowledge the previous speaker Rawiri Waititi. He is wrong on many counts but I do acknowledge his passion and his views on this. Can I thank the Minister of Justice who is putting people first with this package of reforms which will restore law and order in New Zealand and give the people of Rangitata a sense of security they have lost over the past few years.This is not about putting people in jail. It is absolutely about rejecting gangs and replacing what they stand for in our communities. We must reject their presence—that is what this bill does that is what my community did when it bulldozed their pads but it is only one part of the solution. We must also replace what gangs stand for. We must replace whatever it is that they offer and whatever it is that they use to entrap vulnerable young men and women in the evil and destructive gang lifestyle. It is a social investment approach that will eliminate those factors. It's an approach that this Government will take eliminating poverty abuse substance abuse welfare dependency lack of access to good education good healthcare and good jobs.I commend this bill. I look forward to it going to the Justice Committee where we will work collegially and make sure it is the best bill that we can. Thank you.