Hide Rodney: Local Government (Auckland Reorganisation) Bill — Second Reading In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Local Government (Auckland Reorganisation) Bill — Second Reading In Committee 
[Volume:654;Page:3257] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 I have had the opportunity to go through the somewhat numerous amendments in the name of the Hon George Hawkins and I am afraid to say that this Government will not be able to support them. His first amendment is to the title of Part 1 “Preliminary provisions”. Sadly it goes against the drafting conventions that we have had in this House for some time. His numerous amendments to clause 3 essentially seek to rewrite history. I know that that is something Labour is always keen on doing but it is not something we consider to be important in this bill. In particular it beats this Government as to quite why Labour wants to add to the bill “Volcanic activity has shaped Auckland for millennia and will continue to do so”. George Hawkins wants to take up the time of the Committee to make a note about volcanic activity. I am a bit disappointed that he has not stood up on this important bill and explained why he wants to add that in. 
A further amendment is to clause 4. Those amendments are just inappropriate because if one reads clause 4 one will see that it is a descriptive clause and the member is trying to change it. I would be interested to know whether the other members of the Labour caucus support the amendments put in by George Hawkins. The next amendment is an interesting one and I would be very interested to hear Labour members speak to it. George is proposing to rename the Auckland Council the “Auckland Super Council”. We know that Labour supports having one council for Auckland so it supports the concept of an Auckland Council. Now what it is trying to do is to pass legislation that would rename it the “Auckland Super Council”. 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: That’s the Minister’s language; the Minister calls it that. 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: Darren Hughes is yelling out. No I am sorry this is the amendment in the name of the spokesperson on local government George Hawkins to rename the Auckland Council the “Auckland Super Council”. 
We have learnt two things from Labour members this morning. The first is that they support one council. The second is that they have learnt that volcanoes have shaped Auckland and they want that duly noted by Parliament. The third is that they want the Auckland Council named the “Auckland Super Council”. Why else would they move that amendment? 
Finally I am afraid the Government cannot support the amendment to clause 8 because that would repeal the Act before the restructuring occurs. Quite why George Hawkins and Labour would want to do that beats the Government. I am afraid the Government cannot support any of these amendments. They have been poorly thought through and I do not believe they actually have the support of Chris Hipkins and others because I do not believe that Chris wants to name the Auckland Council— 
Hon Gerry Brownlee 
: Simkins. 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: What is his name? 
Hon Gerry Brownlee 
: Simkins. 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: Simkins. I do not believe that the proposal to have— 
Hon Steve Chadwick 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. The member was referring to Mr Simkins. I am sure he meant Hipkins. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: The member is correct. This is the second time we have had this. Members know that there is a proper manner of address for people in the House. I have asked members previous to this to address people consistent with the Standing Orders and the respect due to this House. Members are honourable members and we treat each other with respect. 
Chris Hipkins 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. This is an interesting position. The Minister Rodney Hide did actually get my name correct and was corrected by the Leader of the House to make the pronunciation incorrect. So it was a deliberate attempt by the Leader of the House to make Rodney Hide make a mistake. I suggest that you bring him to order. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: I have dealt with the matter. 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: I apologise Mr Chairperson. I am sorry but we cannot support these amendments. I look forward to members taking the call to explain why on earth Mr Hawkins wants to name the Auckland Council the “Auckland Super Council” and why he wants Parliament to note on this particular day that volcanic activity shaped Auckland.