Davis Kelvin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Davis Kelvin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:672;Page:18475] 
8. 
KELVIN DAVIS (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Tourism 
: Does he stand by his statement that “New Zealand has some big competitive advantages” in tourism including “our unique Maori culture and its stories”? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Minister of Tourism) 
: 
 Yes. 
Kelvin Davis 
: How is the Minister demonstrating the competitive advantages of our unique Maori culture and its stories if Maori are barely represented in an event as significant as the REAL New Zealand Showcase? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Because the Government is spending $4.5 million on the development of the Maori tourism action plan. The Government is spending $2 million on the pavilion actually which I know that members on the other side are deeply opposed to. But also occurring during the Rugby World Cup is a huge number of events around New Zealand where Maori are participating and if the member wants me to then I am more than happy to table that enormous list of events. Just to give him a flavour for some that are occurring there is a Maori arts market in Porirua and a tribal rugby festival in Rotorua. There is just a whole bunch of them; I am more than happy to table that document. 
Kelvin Davis 
: Why aside from a few brown-faced waiters and a bit of music did Maori and Maori tourism have no significant presence at the launch of the REAL New Zealand Showcase? 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I noticed that you were straining to hear. I think we were straining to hear as well and we are not very far away from the member. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I will invite the member to repeat his question and although members may not have liked it the question must be heard as long as it is in order. 
Kelvin Davis 
: Why aside from a few brown-faced waiters and a bit of music did Maori and Maori tourism have no significant presence at the launch of the REAL New Zealand Showcase? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: I will repeat what I said earlier that during the Rugby World Cup 2011 festival there will be many events. The REAL New Zealand Showcase is by sector and Maori are an important part of each of those sectors and play a part in them. If the member wants to have a chance on what is obviously his attempt to get his profile up before the by-election he should ask better questions. 
Kelvin Davis 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did not receive an answer to the question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: There will be no comment. The member should reflect on the question he asked. I invite him to do that and to think about the question he asked. I could have perhaps even ruled it out but I allowed the Minister to answer it and perhaps the answer the member received was reasonably mild considering the question. 
Kelvin Davis 
: What percentage of Government funding does Maori tourism receive in comparison with mainstream tourism? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: I do not have that exact number to hand. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: You’re the Minister! 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: Well I do not have every number to hand. What I do know is I would know when a boat would leave if I was going out on one on a reality TV show—I would know that—but I do not know every single one of those numbers. I do know that we are spending $4.5 million on Maori development in the tourism action plan I do know that a lot of work is done with the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign to use the imagery of Maori and I know that they are deeply involved in many of the sectors of the REAL New Zealand Showcase Rugby World Cup programme. 
Kelvin Davis 
: Why should Maori believe this Government values our contribution to New Zealand when financial support for Maori ventures such as Maori tourism in comparison with mainstream tourism is almost non-existent? 
Rt Hon JOHN KEY 
: First because that statement is not true and secondly because when this Government stood up and said we would have a pavilion to promote Maori in a prime position at the Viaduct Basin during the Rugby World Cup all Labour members could do was make some cheap shots—so Maori know who supports them when it comes to tourism and it sure as hang is not Labour.