Paraone Pita: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParaone Pita: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2658. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.PITA PARAONE (NZ First) to the Minister of Education: What reports has she received if any about why the Māori Education Trust is selling its 320ha Kahutara dairy farm the late Edward Holmes’ farm that was gifted to the Trust to educate Wairarapa Māori?Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would ask you to have a very good look at this primary question today. The first point I would make is that the question itself has a whole lot of information in it that tends to be there simply to justify the question whereas in fact a simple question asking what reports she has received into the sale of the trust’s assets should cover the question. I think it is inappropriate that parties use primary questions and have them accepted by the Office of the Clerk when in fact they are loaded political questions. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: No I will deal with this matter. The question is in order but marginally so. It is certainly not the only question today that is loaded with political statements. It has been accepted. The Minister certainly has a responsibility for answering in regard to whether she has seen any reports on this matter. We will then look to further supplementary questions but the member is going to have to be very tight with his supplementary questions and ensure that they do relate to ministerial responsibility for an organisation that now operates as a charitable trust.Hon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. I have received a report from the Ministry of Education on the Māori Education Trust Board and the Mapuna Atea farm. The report makes it clear that the ministry’s interest in the trust is limited to the administration of those scholarships subsidised by Crown funding provided through the ministry. The ministry understands that the farm’s sale is needed to retire debt improve the liquidity of the trust and provide a more suitable income stream for future scholarships. As an independent charitable trust this is a decision it is entitled to make.Pita Paraone: When did a Government Minister last make an appointment to the Māori Education Trust Board and which Minister made that appointment?Mr SPEAKER: The Hon Hekia Parata if the Minister has ever made such an appointment or if she is aware of whether any appointments have been made to the trust.Hon HEKIA PARATA: I cannot answer that question because it is not actually generated by the primary question. I could not say whether a Minister of Education has made appointments. What I can say is that the deed document itself sets out which organisations may appoint members to it and those organisations are so doing.Pita Paraone: Did the Māori Education Trust Board guarantee a debt facility of $11.1 million and how much was actually drawn down?Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister has absolutely no responsibility for the trust.Pita Paraone: Has the Minister had any discussions with any of her ministerial colleagues over the perilous financial state of the trust and its business operations which has seen debt-laden assets sold; if so when and what were the outcomes of those discussions?Hon HEKIA PARATA: No.Pita Paraone: Can the Minister name the advisers and consultants instructed by the Māori Education Trust Board to form its commercial arm—Mr SPEAKER: Order! No the Minister has got no responsibility for this trust.Ron Mark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Relating to the second answer about discussions with other Ministers could I ask you to ask the Minister to reflect on that answer?Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order.Ron Mark: Well it is—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member cannot do that at all. The question was asked; the question was answered.Pita Paraone: Given that there has clearly been poor management of this trust poor governance and even worse oversight by the—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am waiting with patience to see whether there is any responsibility. Can the member please just ask the question in relation to a responsibility of the Minister.Pita Paraone: Before I proceed—Mr SPEAKER: Is the member seeking a point of order?Pita Paraone: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This trust receives funding from Government—Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order. I am very aware of that; I have done my homework. Does the member have a further supplementary question he wishes to ask that is related to a ministerial responsibility? Otherwise I intend to move on.Pita Paraone: I just have a point of order Mr Speaker. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! A point of order will be heard in silence.Pita Paraone: I seek leave to table a report named Commonwealth Education Partnerships where the Minister of Education makes reference to the education trust.Mr SPEAKER: Order! Leave is sought to table that particular report Commonwealth Education Partnerships. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There is objection.