Salesa Jenny: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSalesa Jenny: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3182. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JENNY SALESA (Labour—Manukau East): Kia orana. Fakalofa lahi atu. Taloha ni. It is my pleasure to rise and speak on behalf of the Labour Party in support of the Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill. However before I address the contents of this bill I would like to first off acknowledge and honour the thousands of New Zealanders and Māori who were joined by 500 Cook Island soldiers over 100 Niuean soldiers and a number of Tokelauan soldiers Samoan soldiers and Tongan soldiers during World War I. They committed themselves to the service of Aotearoa New Zealand and for so many of these soldiers there would be no return. They gave all that there was to give: their lives. No sacrifice could be greater. It is especially fitting to honour and remember them at this time because so many of these people who will benefit from the changes proposed by this bill or their ancestors have fought for New Zealand leaving behind their loved ones in the Pacific Islands.We support this bill because it is the right thing to do. It is indeed a step in the right direction towards equal treatment of New Zealand citizens throughout the Realm. However we should ensure that those who reside in the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau are not disadvantaged by the requirement that they need to be resident in New Zealand for 5 years between the age of 50 and the qualification age of 65 or disadvantaged when they are forced to leave their families and work commitments in order to receive New Zealand’s superannuation. A number of countries are already exempt from this 5 years over 50 years of age rule—for instance the UK the Netherlands and Australia. It is only fair and equitable to allow New Zealand citizens from the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau to have this same privilege.As you know the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau are Realm countries and we have a long shared history with them. We value the relationship that we have with these countries. The arrangements in this bill would make it easier for them to access superannuation and the veterans pension. It is a very important step that recognises the special relationship that we have with them. In addition to the people who have been recruited by New Zealand to fight in our Defence Force many Pacific people including residents from the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau migrated to New Zealand during the economic boom and they have worked really hard in this country.Labour shares the concerns that were raised by many submitters to the Social Services Committee about the eligibility criteria requiring people to be resident in New Zealand for 5 years between the ages of 50 and 65 in order to qualify. We believe that New Zealanders should be treated equally and equitably regardless of where they are based—whether they are based here in Aotearoa based in the Cook Islands based in Niue or based in Tokelau. We in Labour support the removal of the 5-year resident and present status.From a health point of view of course it is definitely much warmer in the Pacific which means it is less likely that pensioners and retirees will be in hospital for asthma or respiratory reasons as often as they might be if they were here in Aotearoa New Zealand particularly during the winter months.Labour supports strengthening the relationship with our Pacific Realm countries. This bill will support the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau. All of them are currently facing depopulation. By allowing residents in their senior years to return home and invest their time skill expertise and experience we would be helping the local economies. Let us do the honourable thing for the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau. Our Pacific neighbours gave wholeheartedly during both World War I and World War II and also during the time that New Zealand needed them when they came here and helped to serve.I hear so many stories in my electorate of Manukau East from Pacific people who want to return home to retire. Despite the many achievements they have gained as well as making New Zealand their home for many decades there is usually still that conversation about returning home to retire. The frequent visits that they make to the islands are an indication of how important their lands their culture and their roots are to them. Labour supports this bill because it is about people. Hard-working and deserving New Zealanders should not be denied their right to draw a pension whether they are here or in the Cook Islands Niue or Tokelau. Thank you so much.