edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
11. Question No. 11—HealthSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Associate Minister of HealthQuestion No. 11—Health11. SARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Associate Minister of Health: How will the Smokefree 2025 Action Plan help achieve the goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa New Zealand?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Associate Minister of Health): This morning I was thrilled to release the Smokefree 2025 Action Plan which sets out bold measures to further reduce smoking rates and save thousands of lives in New Zealand. We know the majority of smokers want to quit but they can struggle to do so on their own. This plan builds on the good work of quit programmes by drastically reducing the availability of cigarettes by making them less addictive and by introducing a smoke-free generation which will mean that no one aged older than 14 at the time the planned legislation comes into force will ever be able to legally purchase cigarettes. These are world-leading measures which will put us on track to achieve New Zealand's longstanding goal of being smoke-free by 2025.Sarah Pallett: Why is it important to reduce the retail availability of cigarettes?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on earth. So having cigarettes to buy in just about every supermarket petrol station and convenience store makes it even harder for people trying to quit. Currently it's estimated there are up to 8000 retailers selling cigarettes around the country. The smoke-free action plan will see that number reduced to around 500 outlets by 2024. This will give businesses time to plan for their transition away from tobacco. But ultimately it means that people who have decided to quit won't be passing half a dozen chances to buy a packet of cigarettes every time they walk to their local shops.Sarah Pallett: How can cigarettes be made less addictive?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: Clinical studies have shown that dramatically reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes makes it far easier for people to quit. So the action plan will see New Zealand transition to low-nicotine cigarettes. This is a major change but it is based on clinical research and it is realistic because with vapes widely available there is a far less harmful option available for smokers who are addicted to nicotine. Smoking does incredible damage in our communities particularly in Māori communities. In fact on our current course it will be decades before Māori smoking rates drop below 5 percent. This action plan backed by targeted support through quit programmes and community engagement can turn the tide and make sure that smoking is not part of our future.
9. Question No. 9—TransportNAISI CHEN (Labour) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 9—Transport9. NAISI CHEN (Labour) to the Minister of Transport: What reports has he seen on coastal shipping?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Of interest to the House—and particularly especially to the shadow Leader of the House—I have seen an excellent report recently on coastal shipping. It's called the Coastal Shipping Investment Approach Report 1 – State-of-Play and it's an important step towards a more sustainable coastal shipping sector. This Government is committed to strengthening our domestic supply chain by making the blue highway a more viable alternative for moving freight within New Zealand. We are still experiencing the serious consequence of COVID-19 on global supply chains with unprecedented delays to freight. So it's essential that we increase our resilience against future disruptions of this scale and coastal shipping has an important role to play.Naisi Chen: What are the recommendations of the report?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: The insights provided in this initial report by independent consultants from Pacific Marine Management commissioned by Waka Kotahi will help to decide how best to invest the $30 million of funding that has been earmarked for coastal shipping in the 2021 to 2024 National Land Transport Programme. The key recommendations include enhancing domestic shipping services with new services increased frequencies and additional ships for new or existing container and bulk services; reducing shipping emissions through testing emerging technologies; improving efficiency with upgrades to rail or road links to and from ports; and finally upgrading maritime infrastructure including shore power connections at ports small new regional ports and expanding existing ports.Naisi Chen: What reaction has he seen to the report?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: There has been widespread interest and support for this development. I note that Doug Paulin the Sealord CEO welcomed the report as has the Maritime Union of New Zealand. The Maritime Union of New Zealand Secretary Craig Harrison said it is good to see core issues being identified including the need for practical measures to build the coastal shipping mode up to its potential.
8. Question No. 8—COVID-19 ResponseCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 8—COVID-19 Response8. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What regions were listed in the preliminary view submitted to the Director-General of Health as being able to enter the COVID-19 Protection Framework at green and was this preliminary view ever shared with his office?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): The preliminary view of the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Protection Framework assessment committee considered whether the South Island the Wellington region district health boards (DHBs) and the Hawke's Bay and MidCentral DHBs could enter the COVID-19 Protection Framework at green. However the assessment committee had specific concerns about the number of areas with lower vaccination status particularly for Māori and also active cases in several DHBs outside of Auckland so it advised the director-general that all regions should enter at orange except for Auckland and Northland. In answer to the second part of the question the advice was provided to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) for incorporation into the final Cabinet paper for consideration by Ministers. I'm advised that it was copied to my office as part of that process.Chris Bishop: In relation to what he just said about the information being copied to his office was he made aware by his office of that preliminary view?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: My understanding is that the advice was provided to the director-general on the 24th by the public health officials. It was provided to DPMC and copied to my office on the 25th which was a Thursday. The first that I can recall having seen that advice was when I received the draft Cabinet paper over that weekend to review and approve for lodging to Cabinet. I do not recall having seen the specific memo that the Ministry of Health provided to DPMC.Chris Bishop: Was the preliminary view that was submitted to the Director-General of Health included in the draft Cabinet paper that he's just referenced and did it make it to the final version of the Cabinet paper he submitted to Cabinet on the 29th?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Reference to the memorandum concerned was in the Cabinet paper including essentially the content that I mentioned in my primary answer.Chris Bishop: Did public health officials arrive at the final recommendation that no region should enter at green without any consultation with him or his office?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I during the period of time in question was in regular contact with the Director-General of Health as I regularly am including that he would've kept me informed of the advice that he was receiving as I indicated in the House yesterday.
5. Question No. 5—Treaty of Waitangi NegotiationsSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi NegotiationsQuestion No. 5—Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations5. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations: What progress has been made on historical Treaty of Waitangi settlements in 2021?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations): While the remaining historical settlements are some of the most complex that we've had to contend with I'm pleased to report good progress has been made this year in acknowledging the Crown's historical breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. This year deeds of settlement have been signed with Ngāti Paoa Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua Te Ākitai Waiōhua Ngāti Maru and Maniapoto. We progressed legislation in this House for settlements with Moriori Ahuriri Ngāti Rangitihi and Ngāti Hinerangi. I want to acknowledge the many iwi and hapū and their representatives who along with the Crown have had to accept many adaptations to the way they engage because of COVID-19 including changing kanohi-ki-te-kanohi engagements to digital Zui" but have none the less continued this important work while supporting their communities. I'd also like to mihi to the Māori Affairs Committee for their mahi in this area.Shanan Halbert: What mechanisms have been put in place to support negotiations with Ngā hapū o Ngāpuhi?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: At Waitangi this year I announced Tupu Tonu their $150 million Ngāpuhi investment fund. Tupu Tonu was set up to acquire land and assets in the rohe that can be offered by the Crown in negotiations with Ngāpuhi. Tupu Tonu has worked to build relationships in Te Tai Tokerau developing this kaupapa and its investment strategy throughout the year. Tupu Tonu is only one of a number of measures the Government is taking to restore the relationship between the Crown and Ngā hapū o Ngāpuhi.Shanan Halbert: What progress has been made in land banking for future Treaty of Waitangi settlements?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The Treaty settlements land bank allows for the Crown to purchase land which is surplus to requirements by Government departments. The purchased land can be used for cultural or commercial redress in future settlements. A feature of the land banking mechanism is that claimant groups can identify culturally significant sites for the Crown to consider purchasing. It's particularly important in areas where there's little Crown-owned land remaining. This year the Government agreed to purchase a property in Taipā Bay for the land bank and I was happy to meet with local members of hapū up there to discuss that last week. But a number of other proposals to add to the land bank are currently being considered."
4. Question No. 4—FinanceHon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 4—Finance4. Hon SIMON BRIDGES (National—Tauranga) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions on inflation?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes in the context in which they were made and undertaken. Hon Simon Bridges: Is he concerned that with inflation at 4.9 percent currently and wage growth at 2.4 percent Kiwis' real wages are going backwards making it tougher for them this Christmas? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I'm always concerned to make sure that we see New Zealand's wages increase and I look forward to the member's support for our minimum wage increase. Hon Simon Bridges: Does he accept that on average Kiwis will have less money in their back pockets going into Christmas not more as he promised in his Budget speech earlier this year? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As we've covered already in question time this week those comments were made on the basis of the Treasury's forecast at the time. What I do know is that New Zealanders are going into Christmas with unemployment at 3.4 percent—historically low—and with job growth happening even in the midst of the restrictions that we've had. Hon Simon Bridges: Does he take some responsibility for the very high inflation in New Zealand currently given as but one example the view of ANZ economists just yesterday that more Government spending now may achieve little else than higher inflation and interest rates than otherwise"? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Those same ANZ economists talked about the importance of balance in what we did and talked about the importance of making sure that we continue to provide targeted support. This Government stands by our economic record that has seen New Zealand come through a pandemic in much better shape than many other countries. Hon Simon Bridges: Does he take some responsibility for the ongoing interest rate rises we're seeing given that the 40 percent increase in Government spending since 2017 is having an inflationary effect which in turn moves interest rates higher? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The increase in Government expenditure that we've seen since 2017 was a direct response to the under-investment of the Government that that member was part of. If you don't invest in health if you don't invest in education and if you don't invest in building houses someone has to make up for it. Hon Simon Bridges: Can he name one policy of this Government that will help reduce inflationary pressures? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well one of the things will be building some houses which that previous Government failed completely to do."
SpeechHARETE HIPANGO (National): Aroha mai my glasses are fogged up with this mask on and it's coming towards the end of the week for everybody. So cognisant of time I think that this bill is worthy of a little bit more time than the previous speaker Emily Henderson gave it bearing in mind that that's probably indicative too of how the principal Act got rushed through at haste and with a sense of responsibility really. My colleagues Penny Simmonds and Simon Watts have addressed the House this afternoon reiterating that very fact.This Education and Training Amendment Bill is an amendment bill to the principal Act the Education and Training Act of 2020 which was rushed through in haste. I do recall being in the House at the time that my National Party colleagues were vehemently and robustly debating this and saying to the Government Let's do this properly." Here we are a fix-it-up job from the hatch-it-up job that was done in the first instance. So the National Party yes we do support this bill going through because it ought to have been done properly in the first instance and here we are making amends for the fact that the Government botched it.When I was speaking to the second reading of this bill before the House I remember making an analogy to a TV ad of two little boys playing in the sandpit. It was an analogy to a fix-it-up Mitre 10 ad. This time my analogy is to just remind the Government: withdraw the subscription from your botched TV programme reality TV. Let's make sure that these bills that come before the House are dealt with appropriately properly for the benefit of our New Zealand public. The explanatory note to this bill is that this amendment bill is about fixing up what wasn't done properly in terms of the establishment and regulation of the education system under the Education and Training Act 2020.My colleague Penny Simmonds who comes from a very extensive background of practice as an educationalist in the education and training sector as a former chief executive of the Southland institute of technology—23 years' experience. We have a woman in Parliament who is a member of the National Party who when it comes to educational issues I invite the Government to listen in to tune in—tune out of the botched TV reality series programme; tune in to the reality and lived life experience of those members on this side of the House who know what we're speaking about. The contributions that we make are legitimate and valid contributions not for the politics of what goes on but for making sure that we get things done properly for New Zealanders. The education of our children is important and it's in a critical crisis situation at the moment and here we are fixing up a botched-up job.My colleague has addressed the details of the bill. I am not going to add any further because I defer to Penny Simmonds the member of Parliament for Invercargill who knows this area of education. I invite members of the House when my colleague speaks and addresses this House on such matters: take heed listen up tune in and get it right. I commend the bill to the House.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time."
Henderson Emily; Rurawhe AdrianDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei): Kia ora e te Māngai o te Whare. Let's get on with this. I commend this bill to the House.DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is a split call.Harete Hipango: Madam Speaker—oh Mr Speaker!DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ha ha! I call Harete Hipango—five minutes.
Leary IngridINGRID LEARY (Labour—Taieri): It's a pleasure to rise in support of this bill. It's the second time today that I've had the opportunity to speak in the House about education as earlier today I was able to ask a question about Taieri College in the Minister's announcement this morning about three new classrooms. I raise that because the Opposition would have people believe that we are not committed to education but I am so thrilled at that announcement which is delivering on our commitment to $100 million in Budget 2021 and 100000 additional spaces for students by the year 2030.The Opposition have also raised the question of a truncated select committee process but this bill doesn't actually do any significant policy change. This is an inevitable omnibus bill that occurs after a major legislative piece of work as we have heard and it cleans up some small technical elements that inevitably come out after major reform. Colleagues of mine have referred to those including around schedules which better belong in primary legislation rather than in regulation around the physical restraint provisions which are really important. And of course we need to get this sorted by 22 January next year and given that there are no major policy changes—in fact these are small but urgent technical changes—there is no reason to drag this out any longer. I commend this bill to the House.
Belich CamillaCAMILLA BELICH (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker It's a pleasure to take a call on this bill. Despite being the deputy chair of the Education and Workforce Committee this is the first time I've been able to take a call on this bill: the first reading I was on maternity leave and the second reading I was locked down in Auckland so it's lovely to get the chance to speak on this bill. Despite not being able to take a call on this bill previously I was part of the deliberations on this bill and just wanting to clarify from what the member who's just resumed her seat was saying: in this particular bill that we're debating we only received four submissions and only one of those submissions was on matters actually contained within the bill and was supportive of this bill so in fact we had 100 percent support at select committee for this bill going forward—and I understand now across the House as well so unanimous support across the House as well.As the Minister has said it follows on from the substantive reforms to the education system that were brought about in the last term of Parliament and brought about the Education and Training Act 2020. The principal Act was enacted in August 2020 and repealed the former education and training legislation and provided a simpler legislative framework. As the Minister has said that is a huge undertaking bringing early learning schooling and tertiary education into the same statute. This bill makes a number of small non-controversial but relatively urgent amendments to the principal Act and I will just cover a few of those in the short time I have available.The one change that I think is significant is that it clarifies that education workers who meet the definition of a children's worker in the Children's Act must be safety checked under the Act rather than police vetted under the principal Act and that all other early childhood centre or school employees must meet the relevant police and vetting requirements under this principal Act. That's the main change which I think we can all agree is important to bring to the House.So in conclusion this is a pragmatic bill. It is good lawmaking to ensure any issues—in a substantive reform—that are introduced are remedied quickly and efficiently and I commend this bill to the House.
Voting — Correction—COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 Continuation
Kerekere ElizabethCorrection—COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 ContinuationDr ELIZABETH KEREKERE (Deputy Musterer—Green): Point of order. I would like to—aroha mai I realised I made a mistake. We were given proxies for Te Paati Māori to vote on the motion and I could not find it in time but I have found it.DEPUTY SPEAKER: So if you seek leave for the record to be adjusted I'll put that leave.Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE: I would like to seek leave for the record to be adjusted to record Te Paati Māori's votes.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none.CLERK: Te Paati Māori?Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE: Two votes opposed.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The new amended vote is Ayes 75 Noes 45 and the motion is agreed to.
Mooney Joseph; Rurawhe AdrianVOTINGCOVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 Continuation—Party VoteJOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland): Point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave for the House to conduct a party vote on the Government motion to continue the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act that was agreed this morning.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.
Utikere TangiTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. It's a privilege to rise and take the final call on the third reading and can I just acknowledge my parliamentary neighbour Ian McKelvie who has just resumed his seat for his role with the Governance and Administration Committee and other colleagues on that particular committee who have done an outstanding job in terms of progressing this through the process to bring back to the Parliament. Can I also acknowledge the leadership and the conscience of Minister Tinetti. Many speakers have acknowledged the fact that this perhaps has not been an easy ride initially but to have a bill which seems at this stage to have the unanimous support of the Parliament—we'll find out in a moment—is something outstanding.This bill certainly does address some of those bland issues as the Minister has earlier indicated because it seeks to address plenty of important milestones in life: births deaths marriages and civil unions. But I want to focus my brief comments on what has changed as a result of Supplementary Order Paper 59 because this will allow for an administrative change that will actually not have any impact whatsoever for most but it allows for an administrative change that will make a huge difference to many. For many in our takatāpui transgender gender diverse and wider rainbow community this will allow them themselves to identify how they wish to be identified on a document a birth certificate—a Government-issued document that carries with it administrative authority—because being able to identify however a person wishes should be an easier process than it currently is. This change will remove the barriers—the medical the administrative burdens that actually aren't expected of others—simply to allow members of our rainbow community to identify as they wish.The Minister started by thanking the petitioner who initiated this particular change back in 2017 and I want to conclude my contribution by doing the same. So thank you to Allyson Hamblett for engaging in the democratic process to bring about this change. It's actually proof that the act of petitioning the Parliament does make a difference even if it can take some time to get there. I'm delighted to commend this bill to the House—something that will mean so much to so many people.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.
Births Deaths Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill — Third Reading
Bennett GlenGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Kia ora Mr Speaker. Nelson Mandela said Our freedom cannot be complete while others in the world are not yet free" and today this reading is about another step towards freedom for people in our society: freedom to be who you are. I had the privilege of being part of the Governance and Administration Committee at different times and heard submissions and we've heard this whole mention of freedom of speech and free speech and that's OK when you have the power as the majority. That's OK when those around you are voiceless. But we do want to ensure that the freedoms of our takatāpui transgender non-binary and intersex community are free indeed.I want to thank this Parliament a place that often is a place that has been around oppression but today it is another step to liberation for many of our people. I want to thank the select committee I want to thank the submitters and I want to thank our Minister the Hon Jan Tinetti but most of all I want to thank our takatāpui transgender non-binary and intersex community who had to sit who had to listen who have been voiceless and whose freedoms have been ignored for so long. I want to thank you for walking with us for bearing with us and for putting up with us and hopefully this step today is one more step in your freedoms and in our freedoms as a society. I commend this bill to the House."
Belich CamillaCAMILLA BELICH (Labour): Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to rise and take a short call on this very important piece of legislation. I wasn't part of the Governance and Administration Committee that considered this bill but I want to thank the members of the select committee from across the House for the hard work that they did and the tough work that they did. From all reports I heard that the way that they did that was with dignity and with respect so thank you very much to those members of the committee. Now the reason I wanted to take a call on this bill is before I was elected into Parliament I was asked about my position on this bill and how I responded to that was that I have someone very dear to me who is transgender and is a very young boy. When I was asked whether I would support this bill or not I said to the person who was asking me that question that I would do whatever I could to make that child's life easier. I think that's a lot of the reason why we are in Parliament: it's to make the lives of children as easy as happy and as free as possible. So I responded that I would do whatever I could to help that child have the same easy and free life that we want for all of our tamariki in Aotearoa. So I'm very very pleased to be here while this bill gets passed into law and to think of that child and to think of all of our tamariki in Aotearoa and know that their lives no matter who they are and how they're born will be a little bit easier because of this important piece of legislation. I commend it to the House.
McDowall JamesDr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. As others have stated and we've well covered this has been a long time coming this bill. It's been through a lot of changes. I'd like to thank the submitters and the select committees for the work that they've done. It's obviously very technical and thorough and I think ultimately this bill is about advancing liberalism and actually reducing Government interference in people's lives by enabling choice and by making things just a bit simpler for those that need it. There is also the ancillary stuff. It modernises systems and practices and people have spoken about the digital access being improved which is desperately needed. I think this shows compassion the kind of compassion we want in a liberal democracy to show and present on the world stage especially for those that have been struggling under the current law. It is very meaningful for those that benefit while for those that don't agree with this law change it really has no effect on them whatsoever so people just need to appreciate the role of Government in their lives and how it affects them versus how it affects others and the benefits that that can provide.So in any case I'm not going to hold this up any more than it needs to—after all I'm in favour of less Government interference in people's lives. I congratulate the Minister for her work and I commend the bill to the House. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Chen NaisiNAISI CHEN (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm grateful to be able to take a call on this bill in this House and you'll see this a theme throughout my whole entire speech today is thankyous. First of all just thank you to all of the submitters but especially those who have lived experience as a trans person or their family member. Like my colleague Rachel Boyack mentioned the ones that stick most permanently in our minds are the ones regarding children: the parents who have bravely made submissions and have conveyed their heartfelt stories to us about their children and the journey that they had to go on watching their children get hurt by our community sometimes because of these laws. Those are the stories that stick in our minds.Can I also please thank all of our officials who like my colleague also mentioned have gone back and forth and who have done most of the legwork in terms of trying to find solutions for the migrant community and that's probably where I'd like to make the most of my contribution. It is the refugees the asylum seekers and the migrants to our community who unfortunately will not benefit from this bill but as the Minister has committed to we are here to listen and we will commit to finding a solution. It might not be perfect but we will endeavour to make your life a little bit easier here in New Zealand in the near future. I thank especially organisations like Rainbow Path for engaging with us on this issue for being able to say over and over again through excruciating detail to help us understand the journey that you and the people that you represent have gone on so that we can get a better picture. I'll be very honest: I'm actually delivering this speech knowing far more about the trans community especially in the migrant and refugee space than I did coming into this bill.So on that note I'd also love to thank all of my rainbow caucus colleagues from the Labour Party who have subbed in—it was during Auckland's lockdown; it was long hours sitting in front of the computer—but also our colleague from the Green Party: Dr Elizabeth Kerekere. Thank you so much all of you for being able to impart your own lived experiences and your own experience of working with the trans community and the non-binary community with us. So on that note I commend this bill to the House.
Boyack Rachel; Salesa JennyRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. It is incredibly humbling actually to take a call on the third reading of the Births Deaths Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill. As the Minister pointed out this bill began as a straightforward administrative bill and the previous Parliament's Governance and Administration Committee referred it back recommending changes to the self-identification process of a person's registered sex on their birth certificate. It was an unusual process to refer it back to select committee for a further inquiry and—speaking as a member of the committee—we received around 6900 written submissions and heard around 279 oral submissions. I want to pay tribute to the brave members of the transgender and gender-diverse community who told their stories in a public forum. They were moving and powerful. There was one particular submitter who really stuck with me: the parent of a young woman who has significant business acumen and was wanting to set up her own business. When she went to start a bank account in order to do this she was not able to do it under her preferred gender and the heartbreak that that caused that young woman.Some submitters raised concerns about the impact of this bill on women and women's spaces. It was heartening to hear from officials that the bill will have no impact on women's spaces and who can access them. As a woman who has the correct gender on their birth certificate this bill will have no impact on me.Some of the submissions from people in opposition to this bill I just want to note cause significant hurt to members of our transgender and gender diverse community particularly our rangatahi. As the Minister pointed out it was disappointing for the committee that we were unable to reach a solution around people who were being born overseas. I just want to put on the public record that everyone who participated in the committee was committed—absolutely 100 percent committed—to seeking a solution to that particular issue and we will work tirelessly to do that over the next few months.I really want to thank the officials who went back and back and back again answering our questions as we tried to find solutions for some of the gnarly issues that we faced. They worked incredibly hard. I also want to particularly thank our Green Party member who joined our committee Elizabeth Kerekere for her expertise that she brought to the table.In finishing I want to acknowledge some amazing young people from my electorate of Nelson. People who are part of Q-Youth Nelson Pride and in particular two young people who sat in the gallery during my maiden speech and who I have watched grow since before they were at school. I used to call them my adopted nieces and no longer can do that. I just want to acknowledge today Xander and TK—I love you and I am very very proud of you. The message from this Parliament is that for all of our rangatahi who are transgender and gender-diverse we see you. We acknowledge who you are and this one's for you. Kia ora. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Kia ora.
Hipkins ChrisSUBORDINATE LEGISLATION CONFIRMATION BILLSecond ReadingHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): I present a legislative statement on the Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Bill. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Order! Please leave quietly. Keep going.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: You have a bit that you have to do Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: Oh sorry—they were so loud I missed it. If the member said he presented a statement I will tell him that it's published under the authority of the House and can be found on the parliamentary website.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I move That the Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Bill be now read a second time.It's almost Christmas and therefore the annual fixture of the Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Bill rolls around on the parliamentary calendar. This is an annual event in the House. The purpose—Chris Bishop: Yeah a great day—a banner day.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: —exactly—is to confirm by an Act of Parliament regulations that would otherwise lapse at a particular date and we do that under the Legislation Act of 2019. The second reading debate that we're doing now is the only opportunity that the House as a whole has to scrutinise and debate the provisions of the Subordinate Legislation Confirmation Bill. The first reading is done without debate; it then goes to a select committee. The second reading debate happens after the select committee and then straight after this we will do the third reading which is also taken without debate. The House does need to pass this bill as it always does before we adjourn for the Christmas holidays. Any levies and duties that have been paid under any of the regulations that we are confirming that are not confirmed by the due date would potentially have to be returned to those who had paid them.The regulations that are confirmed by the bill were created under eight different Acts of Parliament this year. They cover subjects ranging from the levies on foodstuffs to support New Zealand's biosecurity adjustments to the alcohol and tobacco duties and increases to benefits. The range of secondary legislation covered by this year's bill is similar in line with those in previous confirmation bills. The details of each of them are set out in the legislative statement that I just presented to the House.So finally I want to acknowledge the very important work of the Regulations Review Committee who once again have done a very thorough job of scrutinising this bill. I commend the bill to the House.SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK:Petition of Raymond Hellyer requesting that the House investigate the Tasman District Council's Unreasonable Complainant Policypetition of E tū Union requesting that the House pass legislation to require minimum staffing levels in aged residential care facilitiespetition of Ricardo Menéndez March MP requesting that the House urge the Minister of Immigration to expand the 2021 Resident Visa to include all migrants currently in New Zealand and visa holders stuck offshore.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee.A paper has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Remuneration Authority Annual Report 2021.SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House.Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Education and Workforce Committee on the 2019/20 Annual Review of Te Pūkenga—New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technologyreports of the Governance and Administration Committee on the:briefing on the funding arrangements for the Office of the Clerk and the Parliamentary Service and petition of Grant Dixonreports of the Regulations Review Committee on the: COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 12) Amendment Order (No 15) 2021 andCOVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) Amendment Order (No 13) 2021.SPEAKER: The Regulations Review Committee reports are set down for consideration.The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill.CLERK: Gambling (Reinstating COVID-19 Modification) Amendment Bill introduction.SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading.
Hipkins Chris; Bishop ChrisBUSINESS STATEMENTHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): Thank you Mr Speaker. Next week is the last sitting week for 2021. Legislation to be considered will include the first readings of the Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Bill the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Maniapoto Claims Settlement Bill and the third reading of the Resource Management Act (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. By the agreement of the Business Committee the Gambling (Reinstating COVID-19 Modification) Amendment Bill will pass through all of its stages. The special debate to replace the Estimates debate will conclude. On Wednesday 15 December after oral questions the House will consider a motion to approve COVID-19 orders followed by an adjournment debate. The House will next sit on Tuesday 8 February 2022.CHRIS BISHOP (National): Thank you to the Leader of the House for that update particularly around the end of the year. Can I ask him whether or not we can take it from the Business Statement that legislation relating to three waters will not be introduced before the end of the year?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House): That is correct.
Salesa JennyTHURSDAY 9 DECEMBER 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Ke tau lotu. 'E 'Otua māfimafi kuo mau taa'i mālie 'i ho'o 'ofá mo e ngaahi tāpuakí hono kotoa. 'Oku tuku homau lotó ka mau hū atu ke ke malu'i ange mu'a 'a e Kuiní mo tataki ange 'emau fua fatongia ki he Fale Aleá 'aki 'a e poto fakae-'Otua 'ofa moe 'ulungaanga malū koe'uhí ko e mo'ui mo e melino 'a e fonuá. 'Oku mau kole atu 'a e ngaahi me'á ni hono kotoa 'i he huafa ho 'alo pē 'e taha ko Sīsū Kalaisi ko homau fakamo'ui 'Emeni.
Thursday 25 November 2021 - Volume 756
Crown Minerals (Decommissioning and Other Matters) Amendment Bill—Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Crown Minerals (Decommissioning and Other Matters) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 43New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.Motion agreed to.Bill read a third time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Members this House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 7 December 2021. Pō mārie.The House adjourned at 4.59 p.m.
12. Question No. 12—CustomsGREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of CustomsQuestion No. 12—Customs12. GREG O'CONNOR (Labour—Ōhāriu) to the Minister of Customs: Is Customs prepared for the arrival of small craft into New Zealand this summer?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs): The small craft season has commenced and Customs is well prepared to manage the expected number of arrivals. Customs continues its role monitoring compliance with the maritime border order ensuring that breaches are reported and where necessary working with health and border partners police and port authorities to undertake enforcement action. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 comprehensive processes were put in place to update the arrivals process for travellers arriving by small craft. This entails health checks isolation of vessels or in managed isolation facilities COVID-19 testing and strict movement controls for vessels and crew. These measures successfully prevented COVID19 from entering Aotearoa through our maritime border. Greg O'Connor: What is the arrivals process for travellers arriving in Ōpua?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: Small craft arriving into New Zealand need to comply with standard border entry and quarantine requirements along with the public health requirements. This includes advanced arrival information and approval processes and monitoring by Customs and partner agencies. The port of Ōpua is the only designated port of arrival for all small craft into New Zealand. It provides the most direct place of entry for arriving small craft and has highly suitable facilities to support the control of the vessels and crew. The border at Ōpua is safely and effectively managed to prevent COVID-19 from entering New Zealand. On arrival into Ōpua travellers must meet the 10-day isolation period and are tested and assessed before being cleared by border and health agencies. These staff operate with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and health protection measures in place. Customs also provide travellers with PPE. Once travellers have met all health and isolations they can get off their boat or leave managed isolation and quarantine.Greg O'Connor: How has Customs engaged with the yachting community?Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: Customs estimate that between 80 to 90 small craft will arrive this yachting season. As of 20 November 2021 55 of these small craft have already arrived. To safely and effectively manage Ōpua operations Customs has been proactive in communicating across various channels to inform the yachting community. The purpose is not only to inform them of the entry requirements but also about the health protections in place at the maritime border to protect Aotearoa against COVID-19. This information includes isolation and quarantine requirements for those who are returning home to New Zealand from the Pacific. Customs has updated its website pages on the maritime border order and private craft and included a new frequently asked questions section. Customs also launched a Facebook advertising campaign aimed at people with yachting interests across the Pacific. SPEAKER: That concludes oral questions.
10. Question No. 10—Commerce and Consumer AffairsJAMIE STRANGE (Labour—Hamilton East) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsQuestion No. 10—Commerce and Consumer Affairs10. JAMIE STRANGE (Labour—Hamilton East) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What announcements has he made about addressing competition concerns in the building supplies sector?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): This Government is laying the foundations for a more competitive building sector. We're following through on our promise to have the Commerce Commission complete a market study into residential building supplies and that includes the foundations the flooring the walls the roof the insulation—SPEAKER: OK. We're not going to have building tutorial.Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: It's very clearly specified in the terms of reference Mr Speaker so that we know what's out and what's in in the study. We know there have been longstanding concerns about the highly concentrated nature of the building supplies sector and we want to have a study that will determine what change might be needed.Jamie Strange: What are some of the concerns he's heard about competition in the sector?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Market concentration has indeed been raised as a concern. We know there are two concrete firms that supply about 85 percent of the sector. We know that there are three glass wall insulation firms that control about 85 percent of the sector—one plasterboard manufacturing firm that controls about 94 percent of the market. There are rebates and loyalty schemes operated by some firms and I believe it's in the public interest to have a look into these matters.Jamie Strange: What reaction has he seen to the announcement?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Monopoly Watch NZ welcomed the announcement saying the study is a chance for a long overdue industry reform with the possible long-term result of lower housing costs for consumers. John Gray the president of the Home Owners and Buyers Association says building materials in Australia can be half the price of what they are here. He's hopeful the investigation will find solutions. And Property NZ has offered to help with the study in any way it can. I'm proud to be part of a Government that remains firmly focused on the interests of New Zealanders.
6. Question No. 6—Prime MinisterDEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 6—Prime Minister6. DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements and actions?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister): On behalf of the Prime Minister yes.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: How will her Government ensure that rural Māori communities with low vaccination rates are protected over the summer break when she's intending to allow widespread interregional travel from as early as next month?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister as the Prime Minister has said repeatedly we will be working with those in communities where there are low vaccination rates; in particular the Prime Minister has mentioned the north and far north of New Zealand where we intend to work with iwi around how we will manage that. Alongside that there will be the ongoing vaccination programme and the fact that we do have the protection framework which has different levels which enable greater levels of restriction and therefore protection.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Will her Government live up to its duty as Te Tiriti partner and work with rural Māori communities and iwi as you said with low vaccination rates including through the resourcing of police and/or iwi hapū checkpoints; if not why not?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In answer to the first part of the question yes.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: What specific actions has her Government taken if any alongside Māori health leaders and experts to develop a Māori home isolation strategy?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister that has been an ongoing piece of work. It's involved consultation with a number of Māori Ministers working with the iwi leaders group among others but then also at a local level as well. The $120 million that the Government committed was half towards the vaccination programme and half towards supporting a Māori community response to COVID-19.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Will she direct officials to invest funding and resource into hapū iwi and Māori organisations for standing up saliva testing operations in the regions given that early detection and early treatment is the best way of keeping people safe from COVID-19?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister we remain committed to working with Māori health organisations and indeed all Māori and iwi organisations to support and protect their people. Testing is indeed an important part of making sure that happens.