Bennett PaulaHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Prime Minister): Merry Christmas New Zealand. On behalf of the New Zealand National Party and this Bill English - National-led Government I wish you a safe and happy Christmas. It has been quite a year—some shocks and rocks—but as per usual New Zealanders have just got on with it and that is why we are the fourth-fastest growing economy in the OECD. Wages have gone up—average wages have gone up. Unemployment is down—4.9 percent. More young people are achieving at school staying longer and doing better. When we came in we had what 66 percent—Hon Hekia Parata: Yep.Hon PAULA BENNETT: —Minister Parata—who were achieving National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 2. It is now 83 percent colleagues—83 percent—and that is just simply outstanding. More operations—50000 more operations in the last 7 years. And the path forward shows increasing surpluses and a Government that has got debt falling below 20 percent. This Bill English - led Government will be positive forward-looking and will build on the incredible success New Zealand is already seeing. Since this is a look-forward Government I am particularly looking forward to next year. New Zealanders will hear from Angry Andrew" who will continue to tell them how badly they are doing and how little Little believes in them. "Whiny Winnie" will pull his dog whistle out and beat the anti-immigration drum again. He will continue that weird fascination with David Seymour who seriously is young enough to be his great-grandson. Actually "Winnie" has not come up with a new idea since the late 1980s when—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Oh no he has. He changes his caucus every 3 years.Hon PAULA BENNETT: Oh he does he does. He does. Those members may actually get an opinion of their own Mr Brownlee. He does not like that so he thinks he had better do that. But he has not really come up with a new idea since the late 1980s when Madonna said "Just like a dream you're not what you seem" but as the Prime Minister started us on Taylor Swift I am going to continue. So let us "Shake it off" and this Bill English Government is going to shake it up. We will believe in New Zealanders and back their potential we will remain hugely ambitious for all New Zealanders and we will back New Zealand businesses as they create the jobs that give independence and opportunities for individuals and their families in this amazing country of ours. As the Opposition members quake in their boots as they look forward to 2017—and it is well in sight—I am telling you that we cannot wait New Zealand. We cannot wait. We will concentrate on the things that matter to New Zealand. We will concentrate on our children and young people and their families. If we can get to 83 percent finishing NCEA level 2—85 percent is around the corner and 90 percent is on the way. We believe in those young people and their abilities and with the right backing from our teachers our schools and a Government that believes and invests in them we can see those sorts of opportunities for them. We will continue to see waiting times in our emergency departments drop more operations that mean something very real and an increase in jobs. I have just heard that 150000 jobs are coming on board in just the next few years. Wages will continue to grow. Government debt is coming down. That gives us real choices on where we invest and how we invest in New Zealanders as we look forward. I cannot help but say "climate change". We have done that first big step which is to look internationally and actually make a call there to make sure that we are actually getting in line with the world to reduce emissions and look after this beautiful country of ours better and I reckon we can look ahead at that. I am really excited to be in a supporting role to Bill English. I reckon this Government is ready for his kind of leadership with his experience his wisdom and most certainly his passion for New Zealanders and what they can achieve. I end with thanks—how could I not? I thank you Mr Speaker. I think you have got the patience of a saint with all of the MPs—and I include my side—who are not always as well behaved as you would like them to be. To all those people around here who just honestly do such a fantastic job in looking after us I know that every MP in this House really does thank you for all that you do and I have run out of time to name them all. Can I just wish as I say every other member and most certainly New Zealand a really happy safe and prosperous 2017. Thank you."