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Doocey Matt: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDoocey Matt: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8331. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri): I rise to speak on the third reading of the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill. I must say that in the last few weeks I feel like I have risen more to speak about the development of Christchurch and Canterbury so it is great to rise and speak around the development of another great city Auckland.When I look at this bill three things stick out for me. They are around efficiency effectiveness and economics: reducing the quorum from three to two increasing the hearings panel from seven to 10 members and making the panel able to report back their recommendations in stages. Overall this is a great bill and I commend it to the House.
Borrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8329. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Jan Logie—a 5-minute call.
Foster-Bell Paul: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFoster-Bell Paul: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8329. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PAUL FOSTER-BELL (National): E Te Mana Whakawā Tuarua tēnā koe. I feel it is my duty to assist “Major Mark” with some of the points that he brought up so I will address those in my comments.This Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill is very very simple and it does a couple of things that actually have direct comparisons we can make in this House. In reducing the quorum from three to two for the hearings it balances very successfully in my view taking a pragmatic and practical approach that will allow the Auckland Council to complete unitary plan hearings by the middle of next year with the need to be democratic transparent and accountable to Auckland ratepayers.There is a very similar thing we do. In fact the Education and Science Committee on which I sit has a reduced quorum and a subcommittee now so that we can hear the many hundreds of people who want to come to submit on the inquiry into special needs and education. They are the parents of disabled children who are going through the educational system in New Zealand. I think it is disgraceful that the Labour Party denied leave for that subcommittee to sit during the period of urgency thus inconveniencing the families of hundreds of New Zealand children in the educational system who suffer from disabilities and have special educational needs and learning differences. Those members should hang their heads in shame for that. We have a reduced quorum for that meeting and there is a very simple reason: it is to balance practicality and pragmatism versus the need to be democratic and as transparent and accountable as possible.Secondly on the need for urgency I think this is also very clear. It is laid out in the bill. There is a statutory deadline of 22 July 2016. Hearings must begin in January next year to successfully complete them by that statutory deadline.It is a practical and pragmatic bill and I think it successfully achieves what we need to do to make sure the Auckland Unitary Plan is completed on time. I commend it to the House.
Borrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8329. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am sorry to interrupt the member but his time has expired.
Muller Todd: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMuller Todd: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty): I rise to take just a short call in the final reading of the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill.It is always such a joy to take over from Phil Twyford. I would have to say he is one of the most negative people in this House is he not? It is incredible. It is always raining—it is always raining in Phil Twyford’s world. I mean fundamentally Labour supports this bill. It supports it. It says: “It’s vital for reforming Auckland’s planning laws. The Auckland Council supports it so we support it too.” but he bemoans it every step of the way. He has got his black suit and black tie and frown on and his arms are folded. Every bit of it he finds frustrating to talk to. But—Dr Shane Reti: Half empty.TODD MULLER: Exactly—glass half empty. As I say it is raining every day in Phil Twyford’s world.Scott Simpson: He’s worried about Simon Lusk.TODD MULLER: I suspect you are right.One thing I do agree with Mr Twyford on is that this is a very critical bill for Auckland. It absolutely underpins enabling it to get its draft unitary plan completed by the end of July. Clearly that absolutely has to be met and so we find ourselves with 5000 submissions still yet to be heard and a Government saying: “Right we need to have some pragmatic solutions to enable that to happen.” Three solutions we have put on the table three we have got nearly everybody’s support on.Firstly we are reducing the quorum which is a totally sensible thing to do. Secondly we are appointing some more hearings panellists to enable the 5000 to be heard in an effective and efficient way and finally we are ensuring that as the sections are completed they can be reported on instead of waiting until every single one of those sections is done. It is common sense. It is a Government that saw that we needed to act. We have done. We have done it under urgency and I know the people of Auckland will thank us for it. I commend this bill to the House.
Upston Louise: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeUpston Louise: Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Associate Minister of Local Government) on behalf of theMinister for the Environment: I move That the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Amendment Bill be now read a third time. Once again we recap that the purpose of this bill is to provide more flexibility to the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel to help ensure that it can deliver its recommendations on the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan to the Auckland Council by the statutory deadline of 22 July 2016.The Auckland Unitary Plan is the largest and most complex plan in the country and it is appropriate that we make sure we do everything in our powers to ensure it is delivered on time. In order to achieve this the bill has three main components. Firstly the bill reduces the quorum required for hearing sessions from three members to two members; secondly it will allow an increase in the possible number of appointed hearings panel members from seven to 10 excluding the chairperson; and thirdly the bill will enable the hearings panel to make its recommendations on the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan in stages after hearings are completed on a particular topic rather than in one final report.As previously mentioned in earlier hearings this bill represents an important opportunity to enable the hearings panel to continue its good progress and make its recommendations to the Auckland Council by the statutory deadline of 22 July 2016. It is also of unprecedented importance in our country’s plan making and it has the potential to set a high bar for future plan making.I am grateful for the efforts of all those who have contributed towards the successful package of this bill to date. My thanks go to the officials who have worked on the policy development of this proposal in the bill and to the drafters who worked on the detail of the legislation. I also want to acknowledge the work of the independent hearings panel in Auckland. Finally I would like to thank all of you who worked with me in this House to enable this bill to have its third reading here today. I proudly commend this bill to the House.
Davidson Marama: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDavidson Marama: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARAMA DAVIDSON (Green): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This question was originally set down for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I seek leave—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. That is actually creating disorder. The same tactic was used yesterday and I referred the member then to Speaker’s ruling 169/5 and I asked that member upon the completion of question time to read that carefully. And I do not anticipate such a tactic being used again by the Opposition. It is creating disorder. Does the member want to proceed with her question?
Hudson Brett: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHudson Brett: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister for Communications: What is the current status of the build programme for Ultra-Fast Broadband and the Rural Broadband Initiative?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice): Today I am releasing updated build statistics that show that we are now almost 56 percent through the ultra-fast broadband programme stage 1 with 13 New Zealand towns and cities complete and also show that uptake has increased by 26 percent over the last quarter. The Rural Broadband Initiative is on track to completion in the middle of next year the cell tower programme is 82.5 percent complete and copper network upgrades are 98 percent complete. We have also finished the build programme to rural hospitals and are at 97 percent of the school build programme.Brett Hudson: How does the increase in speeds available to New Zealanders compare with when this Government first came into office?Hon AMY ADAMS: Internet speeds across New Zealand have tripled in the 7 years we have been in Government and look on track to double again by the end of the current build programme. In particular I am pleased to report that nearly half of rural New Zealanders will see their available broadband speeds increase twentyfold with the upgrade to rural broadband through the Rural Broadband Initiative.
Seymour David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSeymour David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT) to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: Does he stand by all his statements?Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations): Yes.David Seymour: Does he stand by his statement of July last year in respect of Auckland’s volcanic cones that there “would be no change to public access”?Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Yes.David Seymour: How does the Minister reconcile his two previous answers with the knowledge that from the end of this year people will no longer be able to drive to the tihi of Maungawhau/Mount Eden?Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Quite easily because there will be unrestricted public access but there are limitations on vehicles going up there for the safety of the environment and the safety of those going up the mountain. So there were some restrictions put in place some years ago in relation to buses and more recently as the member has noted in his question there will be some restrictions on vehicles unless people are physically impaired in some way.David Seymour: Is the Minister prepared to explain to the disabled the elderly and those with small children that it is acceptable for them to be required to drive up to a gate call a council staffer and explain their disabilities and if it satisfies that council staffer they will be given a gate code to enter—is that what he thinks is acceptable? And has he consulted—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Just one supplementary question allowed.Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Well yes I am very happy to explain it to those people. These are of course decisions for the authority; they are not matters of ministerial responsibility. If anyone is upset about the proposed changes they could write to the maunga authority which is made up of equal numbers of iwi representatives and Auckland Council reps and I would suggest also cc it to Mr Goff.David Seymour: How can the public have confidence in the Minister when he first states there will be no changes and then attempts to litigate the extent of the changes he has just denied were taking place?Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: This makes me nostalgic for Hilary Calvert. Quite easily actually. These are perfectly acceptable changes and as I said they are not matters of ministerial responsibility. If anyone is upset about it they could—I cannot of course give legal advice—seek judicial review.
Foster-Bell Paul: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFoster-Bell Paul: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.PAUL FOSTER-BELL (National) to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made regarding property investment in schools?Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): I was pleased to visit Wellington East Girls’ College this morning and announce that this Government will be investing $39 million in redeveloping infrastructure at the school. This is on top of the $9 million already spent on enabling works over the last couple of years. The redevelopment will retain the block’s striking facade but a completely new building will be built behind containing 28 teaching spaces. In addition a second separate two-storey building will be built to house the school offices and another three learning spaces. Today’s announcement follows recent announcements of major developments at Balmoral School Takapuna Grammar School Western Springs College and Aotea College totalling $149 million.Paul Foster-Bell: How will this investment benefit students at Wellington East Girls’ College?Hon HEKIA PARATA: This is an exciting development. Once the work is complete almost half of the school’s teaching space will have been upgraded and transformed into flexible open and light spaces that can be changed to meet learning and teaching needs. The redevelopment will increase the school’s maximum capacity to 1250 students. It will also include new spaces for the special education unit and improve access across the site. The modern teaching and learning spaces will ensure students are well supported to thrive in the future.Grant Robertson: Will she commit today to stage 2 of the Wellington East Girls’ College rebuild as she and her ministry officials promised the school prior to the last election?Hon HEKIA PARATA: I am not sure what the stages and phases are that the member is speaking about but what I can say is that just under $50 million in the school is a matter for celebration—other than for the unhappy face of that member.Paul Foster-Bell: How does this announcement reflect the Government’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure investment in education?Hon HEKIA PARATA: This Government commits $450 million of capital funding to supporting the annual maintenance development and modernisation of New Zealand’s 2100 State schools. On top of this we have already committed over a billion dollars in capital funding to rebuilding and repairing schools in Greater Christchurch. In Budget 2015 we committed a total of $373.9 million to improving schools’ infrastructure over the next 4 years. Most notably seven new schools and kura kaupapa are being built around the country and four existing schools are being expanded at a cost of $332 million. They will together provide space for about 4600 students. Today’s announcement is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that New Zealand students have the best possible learning environments.
Dowie Sarah: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDowie Sarah: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]2.SARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that the Government is focused “on reinforcing the business confidence needed to invest create more jobs and increase incomes”?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): Yes it was an insightful and coherent statement. The Government does not create jobs; businesses do. What the Government can do is create an environment where businesses have the confidence to invest another dollar and employ another person—for instance since 2008 there have been 152000 more jobs in the economy and the average annual wage is up around $10000 per year. We would expect this kind of progress to continue over the next 4 or 5 years.Sarah Dowie: How does New Zealand’s employment rate—the proportion of the population in a job—compare with other developed countries?Hon BILL ENGLISH: First can I say that the unemployment rate is higher than we would like it but part of the reason is that the proportion of the population participating in the labour force is near record levels and among the highest in the developed world—our employment rate is very high at 65 percent which is the sixth-highest employment rate in the OECD. By comparison in Australia the employment rate is 61 percent in the UK it is 60 percent and the OECD average is 56 percent compared with New Zealand’s employment rate of 65 percent. That means that compared with the average for developed countries New Zealand has an additional 9 percent of the population in employment.Sarah Dowie: How do recent wage increases compare with the changes in the cost of living for New Zealand families?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Inflation for the last year was 0.4 percent which is a record low—very low—and we would expect it to be rising somewhat. Just to keep it in perspective it means that an average $100 spent at the supermarket last year can now be expected to cost 40c more over $100 of spending. Over the same period the average wage has increased by 3.1 percent considerably faster than the increase in the cost of living.Sarah Dowie: What specific steps is the Government taking to reinforce business confidence to invest another dollar and employ another person?Hon BILL ENGLISH: There are a number of steps we have already taken which I have referred to in the House before around 90-day trial periods changing our income tax system and of course there is more under way. We are reducing ACC levies with further cuts on the way. Over the next 10 years with local government we will spend $110 billion on infrastructure including extending ultra-fast broadband and building effective links between education and employment so that young New Zealanders can see clear pathways into a productive workforce.
Brownlee Gerry: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBrownlee Gerry: Business Statement[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): Next week the House is in a 1-week adjournment when members will be catching up on select committee work and matters in their constituencies prior to Christmas. When the House resumes on Tuesday 1 December the Government intends to make progress on the Support for Children in Hardship Bill the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill and other bills in Committee on the Order Paper. Wednesday will be a members’ day.
Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBusiness Statement[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8325. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Thursday 19 November 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Business StatementHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): Next week the House is in a 1-week adjournment when members will be catching up on select committee work and matters in their constituencies prior to Christmas. When the House resumes on Tuesday 1 December the Government intends to make progress on the Support for Children in Hardship Bill the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill and other bills in Committee on the Order Paper. Wednesday will be a members’ day.
Pugh Maureen: New Zealand Business Number Bill — Second ReadingText is subject to correctionPugh Maureen: New Zealand Business Number Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9415. Text is subject to correction.]MAUREEN PUGH (National): It is a privilege for me to stand here in support of the New Zealand Business Number Bill in its second reading. This bill is sponsored by the Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce and he has done a fantastic job in initiating this and getting it to this point. If there is one thing that business in this country looks forward to it is an ease of dealing with Government departments.Between 50 and 60 percent of business details are replicated on over 250 Government forms. For business that is a huge commitment in time and cost. So I believe that those in the business community will welcome this new Business Number bill and the implications it has for them in providing better service for their companies and for small business trusts and trustees.This bill is part of the Government’s Better Public Services agenda and it takes us one step closer to providing better services across this country. There are eight key Government agencies that collectively provide over 700 different services to New Zealand businesses and around 30 million interactions occur between public sector agencies and small to medium sized business enterprises every year. If there is anything that we can do for these businesses it is to streamline the processes they have in dealing with central government.It is my pleasure to commend this bill to the House.
Mallard Trevor: New Zealand Business Number Bill — Second ReadingText is subject to correctionMallard Trevor: New Zealand Business Number Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9415. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! The member’s time has expired.
Tisch Lindsay: Employment Standards Legislation Bill — Second ReadingText is subject to correctionTisch Lindsay: Employment Standards Legislation Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9405. Text is subject to correction.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call between National and the Māori Party. Dr Parmjeet Parmar—5 minutes.
Simpson Scott: Radiation Safety Bill — Third ReadingText is subject to correctionSimpson Scott: Radiation Safety Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9391. Text is subject to correction.]SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel): Before making some very brief comments on this third reading of this bill I seek the indulgence of the House just to make a passing comment on the sad death today of Martin Crowe one of New Zealand’s truly great sportspeople—a man who has contributed enormously to this country on the sporting field and off it. I had the good fortune to attend Auckland Grammar School at the same time as Martin Crowe and his obvious talent even as a young member of the cricketing first XI during those years was immediately obvious to all. Not only was his skill obvious to all but so too was his natural joy and love for the game. He epitomised true sportsmanship and our country is the sadder for his loss. Condolences to his family his friends and his teammates. Per angusta ad augusta.The Radiation Safety Bill is a technical bill. It has received a lot of acknowledgment in debates across the Chamber from parties across the House and I think we are all in agreement that it is a necessary bill. It brings up to date legislation that was passed in the 1960s that is now completely out of date and it is needed to bring us into line with international best practice. The Health Committee members all I think learnt lots as we went through this process and I want to join with others who have already acknowledged the very good and effective work of the officials who were advising us for making what was quite technical and dry information meaningful relevant and understandable to us as mere committee members.This bill replaces an existing piece of legislation that as I said dates back to the 1960s. It is appropriate that we pass it and I am delighted and pleased that across the House there seems to be unanimity on it. I commend it to the House.
O'Connor Damien: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionO'Connor Damien: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9380. Text is subject to correction.]12.Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Labour—West Coast - Tasman) to the Minister for Primary Industries: Does he have confidence in his Associate Minister for Primary Industries?Hon JO GOODHEW (Associate Minister for Primary Industries) on behalf of theMinister for Primary Industries: Yes.Hon Damien O’Connor: How could the Associate Minister yesterday claim progress in the forestry sector when since 2008 there has been no effective growth in the export of sawn timber there has been no growth in the export of value-added products but there has been 400 percent growth in the export of logs from this country eliminating job opportunities for thousands of provincial New Zealanders?Hon JO GOODHEW: If I recall correctly the Associate Minister yesterday noted that domestic processing of logs has been increasing—therefore more jobs. In 2014 the share of the total harvest was 49 percent. Now it is 51.2 percent. The member is simply incorrect.Hon Damien O’Connor: Is the Minister for Primary Industries satisfied with the way the Associate Minister has handled the situation whereby foreign forest owners are refusing to guarantee logs to domestic saw millers even though these saw millers are prepared to pay export-equivalent log prices?Hon JO GOODHEW: What I do understand is that this is a business arrangement between the owners of the product—Hon Damien O’Connor: What about Kiwis?Hon JO GOODHEW: Although it may pain the member that this is not working out for New Zealand businesses this Government does not get in the middle of commercial arrangements.Hon Damien O’Connor: Is it not the truth that Minister Goodhew does not understand what is going on in her own portfolio more logs are going offshore than ever before and her Government does not care about job losses in the provinces?Hon JO GOODHEW: What the Minister has been told by Minister Goodhew is that there are many good examples of progress in this space and I will use one in particular. When Minister Goodhew became the Associate Minister she told the Minister that Carter Holt Harvey was concerned that it was not getting enough access to local product for its pulp. Now with Lumbercube’s new cube approach it is getting access to plenty of product. That has happened under this Government and Minister Goodhew has certainly made theMinister aware of it.
Mitchell Mark: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionMitchell Mark: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9380. Text is subject to correction.]11.MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of Trade: What consultation has the Government undertaken throughout the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and what further consultation will occur?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) on behalf of theMinister of Trade: The consultation process for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been amongst the most extensive that a New Zealand Government has undertaken for any trade negotiation with hundreds of meetings taking place across the negotiating process as well as public submissions. The Government has made available a large amount of documentation including the full text of the agreement detailed fact sheets and the national interest analysis. For all of this year the TPP will receive extensive parliamentary and public scrutiny. The legislation will be considered by the select committee for the full 6 months allowing a significant amount of time for the public to have their say on the TPP. Only when these steps have been completed and other countries have completed their own domestic approval procedures will the TPP be able to enter into force.Mark Mitchell: What opportunities will businesses and the wider public have in order to seek information on the TPP?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Starting next Monday the Government is running a series of nationwide roadshows on the TPP. The roadshows are for interested members of the public to learn more about this important trade agreement and to assist businesses to identify and plan for the new export opportunities when the TPP comes into force. Roadshows are being held in Auckland Christchurch Dunedin Wellington Hamilton Napier Nelson New Plymouth Palmerston North Tauranga and Whangarei. There will also be a number of hui to discuss with iwi and Māori businesses the outcome of the TPP negotiations as well as the huge opportunities for Māori to benefit from the TPP.Mark Mitchell: How will the TPP create significant new trade opportunities for New Zealand companies?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: The TPP is New Zealand’s biggest-ever trade deal providing access to our exporters to more than 800 million consumers across 11 countries. These countries account for 36 percent of the global economy and include the largest and the third-largest economies in the world: the United States and Japan. Tariffs will be eliminated on 95 percent of New Zealand’s trade with its new free-trade agreement partners once the TPP is fully phased in. In total the TPP will ultimately represent $274 million a year in tariff savings which is around twice the savings initially forecast for the China free-trade agreement. The TPP supports our exporters to grow and create new jobs and to diversify their business overseas. Not being in the TPP would put the New Zealand economy and our businesses at a competitor’s disadvantage.
Scott Alastair: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionScott Alastair: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9378. Text is subject to correction.]9.ALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What recent reports has he received on competition in the electricity market?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Energy and Resources): The Electricity Authority’s Electricity Market Performance 2015 report released this week—a year in review of all parts of the electricity market—shows clearly that the Government’s focus on competition in the market is really benefiting consumers. There were nearly 419000 consumer switches in 2015—the highest level ever seen in New Zealand—with consumers saving on average $162 per switch. There have been more than 1.8 million consumer switches since 2011 with total estimated savings valued at $207 million. This Government believes that competition is the best way to keep downward pressure on power prices and strong retail market competition successfully constrained price increases in 2015.Alastair Scott: What other indications of a competitive electricity market were apparent in the Electricity Authority’s review of 2015?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The rapid growth of small and medium retailers continued in 2015 with new entrants successfully entering the market and expanding their customer base. Consumers are benefiting from a record high number of retailers—more than 20—and retail brands more than 30. Competition is also enabling and encouraging innovation giving consumers greater choices to meet their energy needs and use energy more efficiently. For example 1.3 million smart meters are now deployed representing 66 percent of all meters in New Zealand and retailers continue to jostle in the competitive market with increasingly innovative offerings and services.
Hipkins Chris: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionHipkins Chris: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9377. Text is subject to correction.]8.CHRIS HIPKINS (Labour—Rimutaka) to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her statement that “schools have never been more well-funded than under this Government”; if so why are some schools charging parents a fee to participate in out-of-zone ballots and income from parental donations has increased by 45 percent since 2008?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development)on behalf of theMinister of Education: The Minister stands by her statement. Under this Government overall funding for education has increased by 23 percent. The proportion of schools’ funding coming from Government since 2011 is approximately 88 percent. This is compared with 86 percent between 2005 and 2007. The proportion of funding coming from donations has remained steady at 1.8 percent throughout this time. Individual schools are responsible for managing their finances and the Ministry of Education has made it clear that charging for ballot places is not allowed under the Education Act.Chris Hipkins: How many schools are currently subject to an enrolment scheme and how many have been asking for a fee or donation in order to enter the ballot?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I do not have that information in front of me but I am sure if the member puts it down in writing the Minister can get it for him.Chris Hipkins: Has she asked the Ministry of Education to establish how many schools are asking for a fee or donation to enter an out-of-zone ballot; if not why not?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I am not sure but I do know that the Minister has asked the ministry to be in touch with those schools that are charging to explain to them that that does not comply with the requirements of the Education Act.Chris Hipkins: Has she seen reports in the New Zealand Herald over the weekend where one principal claimed schools were justified charging parents to enter their child into an enrolment ballot because of the costs involved in collecting data via testing; if so how many schools are testing prospective students before entering children into what are supposed to be random ballots?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I do not have that information. The member should actually ask the principal who made that allegation.Chris Hipkins: What action has she taken in light of revelations that schools are charging fees for entering students into an enrolment ballot to ensure that they stop doing so given that after being warned by the Ministry of Education they indicated publicly they intended to continue doing so; and why is the Government not making them comply with the law?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: As I said earlier the ministry is in touch with those schools and will continue to be in touch with those schools to make sure that they comply with the Education Act.
Graham Kennedy: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionGraham Kennedy: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9376. Text is subject to correction.]7.Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green) to the Minister of Trade: Why does he continue to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in light of the analyses in the Expert Paper Series supported by the New Zealand Law Foundation?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) on behalf of theMinister of Trade: The Government supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as it will be overwhelmingly positive for New Zealand in supporting more trade and investment jobs and incomes. The only comprehensive analysis of what the TPP means for New Zealand that I am aware of is the national interest analysis that was released publicly in January. This is the only analysis that looks at the agreement as a whole and indeed addresses issues raised in the papers that the member across the House refers to. It concludes that the overall TPP will deliver net benefits for New Zealand including an additional $2.7 billion to our economy by 2030. Not being in TPP by contrast would put the New Zealand economy and our businesses at a competitive disadvantage compared with other countries.Dr Kennedy Graham: What is his view of the conclusion in Expert Paper No. 4 of the comprehensive and independent series of analyses which asserts that the text “contains provisions that would facilitate increased emissions exacerbating climate change”?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: I do not necessarily agree with that characterisation.Dr Kennedy Graham: What is his response to the conclusion in Expert Paper No. 5 of the comprehensive and independent analyses that the TPP agreement is favourable to multinational businesses and “may exacerbate the disadvantages of New Zealand’s size and remoteness”?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: I do not agree with that characterisation either. I think that when we look at the big picture there may be some challenges for New Zealand coming out of this but overall the costs are minimal compared with the opportunities that we have in order to create jobs and growth for New Zealanders and on balance we are very much in favour of this agreement.Dr Kennedy Graham: Will the Minister assure the House that he respects the views of the New Zealand public such as those we heard in the select committee this morning and that he will give serious consideration to their submissions?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Yes.
Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9373. Text is subject to correction.]4.SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister of Tourism: What reports has he received about the contribution tourism is making to the economy?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Associate Minister of Tourism) on behalf of theMinister of Tourism: I have more good news for tourism. The latest International Visitors Survey shows that international tourist spending has increased by an outstanding 31 percent to $9.7 billion in the year to December 2015. This confirms that the tourism sector’s focus on increasing both value and volume is working. Tourism is now worth $10.6 billion—or nearly 5 percent of GDP—and is our second-largest export.Scott Simpson: How has the Government’s investment in tourism promotion helped grow the sector?Hon PAULA BENNETT: This Government’s unprecedented $700 million investment in tourism and tourism promotion is working to attract tourists from our key markets. So total spending by visitors from China is up 63 percent to $1.6 billion and from the United States is up 40 percent to $1 billion. Tourism New Zealand has put together some very innovative and highly targeted campaigns and social media campaigns. Australian model Megan Gale is the face of the new social media campaign to promote the New Zealand cycle trails in Australia our largest tourism market.Scott Simpson: What role is increased airline capacity playing in getting more visitors to come to New Zealand?Hon PAULA BENNETT: It may surprise you that that means more visitors coming to New Zealand because we have more flights—who would have thought! Just today Air New Zealand—[Interruption] Thank you. Just today Air New Zealand has announced it was resuming seasonal flights between Osaka and Auckland with Japan being our fifth-largest tourism market. This comes on top of our new routes to the US and Argentina. There are also now direct Emirates flights between Auckland and Dubai making it easier to get here from Europe. New flights between New Zealand and China Indonesia and Malaysia have also been announced this year. On the regional front of course Jetstar is making a huge difference in our domestic market. The good news around tourism both domestically and internationally is outstanding for our country and its economy.
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Vote: Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill — In CommitteeText is subject to correctionVote: Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 10 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:8900. Text is subject to correction.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.Clause 1 agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 129 in the name of the Hon Todd McClay and the following amendments in the name of the Hon Michael Woodhouse to clause 2 be agreed to:in clause 2(30) replace “ 263” with “and”; anddelete “ and 265”.Amendments agreed to.Clause 2 as amended agreed to.Bill to be reported with amendment presently.
Vote: Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill — In CommitteeText is subject to correctionVote: Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 10 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:8890. Text is subject to correction.]A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Noes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendment not agreed to.Part 4 as amended agreed to.
Vote: Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill — In CommitteeText is subject to correctionVote: Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 10 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:8889. Text is subject to correction.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14;New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 129 in the name of the Hon Todd McClay and the following tabled amendment in his name to Part 4 be agreed to:in clause 260B(2) replace “After section HH 4(7) insert:” with “Replace section HH 4(7B) and (7C) with:”.Amendments agreed to.The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Clayton Cosgrove to Part 4 be agreed to:insert the following new clause:254B New Section 60C inserted (Unit title bodies corporate)After section 60B insert:60C Unit title bodies corporateTo the extent to which a supply of goods or services made to a unit title body corporate is used in the course of making a supply under a power or duty of the unit title body corporate as set out in section 84 of the Unit Titles Act 2010 the supply is treated as made—to the persons who are owners of the units and common property administered by the body corporate; andin proportion to each unit owner’s ownership interest in the unit title body corporate.For the purposes of this section common property owner ownership interest and unit have the meanings given in section 5 of the Unit Titles Act 2010.Subsection (1) applies for supplies made on or after 1 October 2011 and before April 2016.
Borrows Chester: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is subject to correctionBorrows Chester: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 10 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:8915. Text is subject to correction.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Chester Borrows): I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member but it is time for me to report progress.Progress to be reported presently.House resumed.The Chairperson reported the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16 Research and Development and Remedial Matters) Bill with amendment progress on the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill and no progress on the Radiation Safety Bill.Report adopted.
Cunliffe David: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill — In CommitteeText is subject to correctionCunliffe David: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Amendment Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 10 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:8914. Text is subject to correction.]Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Labour—New Lynn): The clock allows us a couple of minutes. May I make a concluding call in this title and commencement part of the debate. I think this has been a good summary of the issues. I think there is a consensus around the provisions in the bill that broaden the category of cases and elongate the process by which they can still qualify for assistance.There has been extensive discussion about the lessons of history around this and they are valid and the responsibility is shared by all in this House even though different things have occurred at different times. But I do want to pick up on a comment that my colleague Phil Twyford made—that some of those lessons we have to highlight. As my colleague Megan Woods has said Minister Bennett commented that we had moved on and we certainly want to demur from that. As Phil Twyford said the current Minister for Building and Housing declared when he was in Opposition “Just write a cheque and give them the money.” and we know that that does not work.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Never said that.Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE: Well words to that effect. That does not work. This is a much knottier problem. So we want to make sure that justice is done. Sadly the number of homeowners who have been helped through this process is low relative to the total number of—