edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Graham KennedyMOTIONSNuclear Disarmament—United Nations Resolution for Prohibition of Nuclear WeaponsDr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green): I seek leave to move a motion without notice or debate that the House welcome the recent United Nations resolution calling for negotiations on a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM: I move That this House welcome the landmark United Nations First Committee resolution on 27 October calling for negotiations to commence on a legally binding instrument that will prohibit nuclear weapons leading to their elimination. It calls upon all nuclear-weapon States to participate constructively in the negotiations which are expected to commence in March 2017.Motion agreed to.
Carter DavidTUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.OBITUARIESReginald George BoormanMr SPEAKER: I regret to inform the House of the death on 30 October 2016 of Reginald George Boorman who represented the Wairarapa electorate from 1984 to 1988. I desire on behalf of this House to express our sense of the loss we have sustained and our sympathy with the relatives of the late former member. I now ask members to stand with me and observe a period of silence as a mark of respect for his memory.Honourable members stood as a mark of respect.
Thursday 17 November 2016 - Volume 718
11. Land Information New Zealand—Earthquake Recovery Support and Data AvailabilityJOANNE HAYES (National) to the Minister for Land InformationLand Information New Zealand—Earthquake Recovery Support and Data Availability11. JOANNE HAYES (National) to the Minister for Land Information: What is Land Information New Zealand doing to support the ongoing earthquake recovery efforts?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Land Information): Land Information New Zealand or LINZ is supporting and enabling the response and recovery by working in partnership across central and local government and the private sector. It has deployed surveying experts to work alongside GNS Science and others to best understand how the earthquake has affected the land. In particular LINZ is utilising elevation data to understand how land may have shifted not just horizontally but vertically. LINZ's hydrographic team is focusing on the safety of navigation at sea following the earthquakes and working with both Maritime New Zealand and the harbourmaster. This work will help to inform the medium-term response and recovery programme. In addition my colleagues Minister Brownlee and Minister Tolley have just announced activation to assist people needing financial and other support following the 14 November earthquake. The 0800 779997 number will operate 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. until further notice.Joanne Hayes: How important are geospatial information and aerial imagery in the surveying work? Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Geospatial information and data allows both central and local government agencies and industry to better understand changes in land. Arterial imagery and elevation or lidar data taken from planes and satellites are feeding into the impact assessment to help with the recovery. This work is fundamental in informing better decision-making.Joanne Hayes: How is LINZ making data more available to support agencies and businesses to make informed decisions? Hon LOUISE UPSTON: The Government has made a real push towards making all of its data across agencies more open and accessible including through the LINZ data service and data.govt.nz. LINZ is a lead agency in this work and it is clear that there is a real thirst for geospatial information highlighted by the 44 percent increase in the LINZ data service users from the previous year. Events over the last few days reinforce the importance of accurate open data to assist in smarter safer and speedier decision-making. This can also be applied to a range of other uses including hazard control pest control greater utilisation of land and innovation by businesses that are growing our exports.
5. Earthquake Kaikōura—Magnitude and Government ResponseMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of Civil DefenceEarthquake Kaikōura—Magnitude and Government Response5. MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of Civil Defence: What are the implications of the Kaikōura earthquake being upgraded from a magnitude 7.5 to a 7.8?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Acting Minister of Civil Defence): GNS Science informed my office yesterday afternoon of a revised magnitude after reassessing data from stations across the country. It said that because it took over a minute for the fault to rupture during the event the standard method normally used to calculate energy released during an earthquake was insufficient. The revised magnitude tells us what everyone knew: that it was a big earthquake. GNS Science has published the earthquake's decay curve which represents the daily forecast of the number of magnitude 5 or greater earthquakes as a result of the initial magnitude 7.8 earthquake. As is expected with larger earthquakes the revised magnitude does have an effect on the probability of forecasting aftershocks meaning it is forecast that aftershocks may be larger in magnitude for a longer period of time. The decay curve shows the likelihood of earthquakes greater than magnitude 5 decreasing over time as was seen in Christchurch. I would like to assure the House that it does not change what happened or how central government and local authorities have responded; it simply provides us with more knowledge about how significant this earthquake was.Matt Doocey: What update can he provide about the Government's response to the earthquake in the Kaikōura and Hurunui communities?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE: There have been regular updates. Today in fact the local member of Parliament for Kaikōura Stuart Smith is undertaking as much as is possible—a door to door investigation into the circumstances in the lower part of the electorate. I am pleased to report to the House that we have completed the successful evacuation of over 800 people who have registered from Kaikōura together with local civil defence groups and other Government agencies. Our priority continues to be ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected. Essential supplies are continuing to be delivered into Kaikōura. Good progress is being made with opening a roadway although for some time it will be a difficult traverse. In the lower part of Canterbury there has been minor damage but places like Hanmer Springs Cheviot Parnassus and Rotherham have some claims through the Earthquake Commission which will be dealt with. No homes have been red-stickered. Power sewerage and water are all working through but the notice is still in place for boiling water in Parnassus and Rotherham—it is a natural precaution. Over time the issues that have emerged in all of those communities will be dealt with.
Special Debates — Pacific Parliamentary Forum—Debate on Pacific Issues
Mallard TrevorThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Can I on behalf of the presiding officers also wish delegates well for their next day and for you to remember that our House is your House too. The House stands adjourned for our purposes until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 29 November but for better purposes until tomorrow.The House adjourned at 5.46 p.m.
Appointments — Controller and Auditor-General
Voting — Correction—Children Young Persons and Their Families (Advocacy Workforce and Age Settings) Amendment Bill
Points of Order — Beehive Civil Defence Bunker—Flooding
Paraone PitaPITA PARAONE (NZ First): Ā tēnā koe Mr Speaker tēnā hoki tātou i roto i Te Whare nei. [Thank you Mr Speaker and greetings to us also in this House.]New Zealand First supports the appointment of Mr Martin Matthews as the Controller and Auditor-General. Mr Matthews has had a distinguished career in the Public Service and my personal knowledge of him goes back to when he was the chief executive officer of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. I particularly want to acknowledge his efforts in being responsible for the lead Government agency in the Year 2000 celebrations and particularly the celebrations in Waitangi. It was in that capacity that I knew him and given the to-ing and fro-ing of what happens in Waitangi in ordinary years 2000 was a special one and I just want to acknowledge his efforts in that regard. But I want to point out just one particular role that the Controller and Auditor-General has and that is being independent of executive government and Parliament in discharging the functions of the statutory office". I want to highlight that the Auditor-General provides independent assurance that public entities are operating and accounting for their performance in keeping with Parliament's intentions. I want to emphasise the word "independent". I am sure that Mr Matthews is aware of that and will discharge his duties in such a manner. We in New Zealand First have no doubts that he will carry out his duties without fear or favour and we wish him all the best in his new role.In conclusion we also want to acknowledge Mr Matthews' immediate predecessor Lyn Provost who has held the position since 2009 for her service and particular exercising in regard to the independent nature of the position. Nā reira e Lyn haere haere i runga i te rangimārie. Mr Speaker tātou mā tēnā koutou kia ora mai anō tātou. [So I bid you farewell Lyn go peacefully. Mr Speaker my acknowledgments and appreciation once again to us all.]"
Coates BarryBARRY COATES (Green): We welcome the appointment of Martin Matthews as Controller and Auditor-General. We note that he is well qualified for the role having served almost 2 decades in the Audit Office previously including 8 years as Assistant Auditor-General. He then served a decade in the chief executive role for the Ministry for Culture and Heritage followed by 8 years as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Transport. We noted in this role his statement as a self-confessed petrolhead that it would not make sense to own a car in 30 years' time. We agree although we think it may happen far sooner than that. This is also an appropriate opportunity to offer thanks to the previous Auditor-General Lyn Provost for her work. She was the first woman Auditor-General and we thank her for her exemplary service particularly most recently her report into the Saudi sheep deal. We note the challenges facing Martin Matthews as incoming Auditor-General into this crucial role at this important time: a recent fall in New Zealand's standing in the Corruptions Perception Index highlighted by the report from Amnesty International New Zealand. It talked about a lack of transparency and the rising public concern over issues of probity of public finance. So we think this is an important role at an important time. We welcome Martin Matthews into this role and wish him well in his tenure. Thank you.
Mallard TrevorHon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South): First before I speak directly to the motion I want to place on record the thanks of the House to Lyn Provost for the work she has done as Auditor-General—and before that as the first civilian and first woman Deputy Commissioner of Police—and for her work with a number of the members of the House at the State Services Commission. Her public service has been brilliant and I hope that although she clearly cannot take a normal Public Service role now her talents are well used.The Leader of the House has outlined the background of Martin Matthews. Again I had the advantage of working with Mr Matthews when he was chief executive in that case of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and before that when he was the Assistant Auditor-General. I say to the Leader of the House that Mr Matthews has a very good understanding of not only being a good public servant when the responsibility is to Ministers but also the role of the Auditor-General and working in that role which has quite a different responsibility—a responsibility to this House and more broadly to the country. I think it would not be fair for this appointment to proceed through the House without referring to what might be described as an elephant in the room and that is a case that I will not refer to in any detail but it involved Mr Matthews' previous ministry. All I want to say is that members of the committee looked into this very very carefully were well briefed on the issue and came to the conclusion that Mr Matthews' handling of the matter was described to us as having been exemplary. That meant that something that might otherwise have been seen as a disadvantage was in fact seen in the end to reinforce the decision that the committee previously made subject to this matter being dealt with to appoint Mr Matthews. I am sure he will be a fine Auditor-General and I wish him well in the role over the next 7 years much of which time I hope he will be reporting to a committee that I chair.
Brownlee GerryAPPOINTMENTSController and Auditor-GeneralHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I move That pursuant to section 7(2) and clause 1 of schedule 3 of the Public Audit Act 2001 the House recommend to the Governor-General that Martin Thomas Harold Matthews of Wellington be appointed as Controller and Auditor-General for a term not exceeding 7 years commencing on 1 February 2017. The process for choosing a nominee for a position like this which is an Officer of Parliament is exhaustively undertaken under your chairmanship Mr Speaker with the assistance of other parties' representatives to the Officers of Parliament Committee. I know that there were a number of applicants who would have met the bill but the committee has decided to support Martin Matthews. My own experience of Martin Matthews is working alongside him for 3 years as the Minister of Transport when he was running the transport ministry. What I can assure the House is that he is a first-class public servant. His career in the Public Service started in the Audit Office and I think the broad experience that he has had since his early days as an auditor through to being chief executive of a very large Government department will serve him well in the role of Auditor-General. We therefore unreservedly support his appointment.
Carter DavidVOTINGCorrection—Children Young Persons and Their Families (Advocacy Workforce and Age Settings) Amendment BillMr SPEAKER: On 16 November when the House was considering the Children Young Persons and Their Families (Advocacy Workforce and Age Settings) Amendment Bill the result of the votes on Jacinda Ardern's amendment to clause 4 was incorrectly recorded as Ayes 43 Noes 75. The correct result is Ayes 44 Noes 75. The record will be corrected accordingly.
Paraone Pita; Carter DavidPOINTS OF ORDERParliamentary Precinct—Civil Defence Bunker FloodingPITA PARAONE (NZ First): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. We are seeking your guidance on this matter. We have had some concerning reports that there has been potentially as much as a couple of hundred litres of ground water flooding into the Civil Defence bunker below the Beehive. We would just like confirmation from you—when you can—whether this has in fact happened because as you would be aware this is a very important national asset particularly at this time.Mr SPEAKER: I can assure the member that at this stage I am not aware of that potential emergency. I will make inquiries and if necessary come back to the House as quickly as possible.
Brownlee Gerry; Hipkins ChrisTHURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.BUSINESS STATEMENTHon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): When the House resumes on Tuesday 29 November the Government will look to complete the third readings of the Children Young Persons and Their Families (Advocacy Workforce and Age Settings) Amendment Bill the Wildlife (Powers) Amendment Bill and a number of other bills on the Order Paper. Wednesday 30 November will be a members' day.CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour): Can the Leader of the House advise whether the Government intends to take urgency at any point during the next session to enact any emergency legislation as I think was foreshadowed by some of the Ministers' comments earlier in the week; if so when might consultation on that legislation and on the urgency around it begin?Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): Along with that indication that came from Ministers came also the suggestion that we would engage with other parties. At the moment you have got a whole range of things being considered and more and more people are becoming familiar with the challenges that exist for the area that is affected. When that translates into how you go forward—and then the tools that you need to take it forward—it will be possible to put a bill together.In the meantime there is a proposal that the Civil Defence Emergency Management Amendment Act that was passed on Thursday before the earthquakes has its commencement date brought forward. That is a relatively simple Act and that will be circulated as soon as it is ready. We could have looked at doing that today but the reality is that the current arrangements can continue until the House comes back and we felt it unnecessary to interrupt the Pacific debate today.CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour): Further to the Leader of the House I wonder whether he could give an assurance that once that bill is ready it will be circulated to members of the House before it is circulated to members of the media as I understand has already happened.Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I would like to give the member an ironclad guarantee that if that has happened it has not happened out of my office. I think that is extremely disrespectful and I will make efforts to find out who is disrespecting Parliament in that fashion.
Wednesday 16 November 2016 - Volume 718
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Amendment Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 107New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 13; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 12New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.The House adjourned at 10 p.m.
Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Amendment Bill — Third Reading
VoteThe CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Members I propose to group some of the clauses for votes to leave the opportunity for people to vote the way that they want to where there is division but not to take all night putting the votes.Clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 248 in the name of Jacinda Ardern to clause 4 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 44New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 13.Noes 75New Zealand National 59; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendment not agreed to.The result corrected after originally been announced as Ayes 43 Noes 75. Clause 4 agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 5 be agreed to.Ayes 106New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 31; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 13Green Party 13.Clause 5 agreed to.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 248 in the name of Jacinda Ardern to clause 6 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 44New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 13.Noes 75New Zealand National 59; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clause 6 be agreed to.Ayes 106New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 31; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 13Green Party 13.Clause 6 agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question that clauses 7 to 11 and schedules 1 to 3 be agreed to.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Sorry. I apologise. I have made an error in my grouping of the clauses. So I am going to go back and put Jacinda Ardern's amendment the effect of which is to delete clause 7.The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 248 in the name of Jacinda Ardern to clause 7 be agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That the amendment be agreed to.Ayes 44New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 13.Noes 75New Zealand National 59; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Amendment not agreed to.A party vote was called for on the question That clauses 7 to 11 and schedules 1 to 3 be agreed to.Ayes 75New Zealand National 59; New Zealand First 12; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 44New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 13.Clauses 7 to 11 and schedules 1 to 3 agreed to.House resumed.Bill reported without amendment.Report adopted.
Children Young Persons and Their Families (Advocacy Workforce and Age Settings) Amendment Bill — In Committee
12. Earthquake Kaikōura—Primary SectorIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesEarthquake Kaikōura—Primary Sector12. IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What recent reports has he received on the impact of the recent earthquakes on the primary sector?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): The earthquakes and following disruption have had a major impact on the wider primary sector around North Canterbury and the top of the South Island. My sympathies go to everyone who has been affected. There has been widespread and extensive damage to farmland and buildings. In some cases stock has been isolated and water supplies damaged. Many farmers are still busy assessing the damage on their own individual farms to get a full picture but the big challenge ahead will be repairing infrastructure. All dairy cows in the affected areas are now being milked; however some dairy farms cannot get their milk collected due to road closures and are having to spread milk back on pasture in a controlled way.Ian McKelvie: What other primary sector industries have been affected?Hon NATHAN GUY: The Ministry for Primary Industries is working closely with the Kaikōura community to analyse the impact of the earthquake in particular on local fisheries. The seabed has lifted several metres out of the water in places along the coastline exposing pāua and crayfish habitats. As a result there may need to be some areas closed to fishing in the short term once this has been discussed with local groups. Some wineries in Marlborough have suffered damage to storage tanks and lost some wine. Engineers are checking the damage and early indications are that this has been a more significant impact than the 2013 earthquake. Overall this is a real blow to North Canterbury given it is an area that has been suffering through a drought for nearly 3 years; however there is a whole-of-Government response under way and the community is pulling together.Richard Prosser: Can he assure farmers and other primary producers that undertaking necessary emergency remedial actions due to circumstances beyond their control will not lead to an unreasonable response from some authorities as has happened on occasion during and after natural disasters in the past?Hon NATHAN GUY: My understanding in particular is that Environment Canterbury is taking a very pragmatic response in dealing with local farmers and that it understands the issues that they are facing.
10. Earthquake Kaikōura—New Zealand PoliceKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of PoliceEarthquake Kaikōura—New Zealand Police10. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Police: What are New Zealand Police doing to support the Kaikōura community?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police): The New Zealand Police is working extremely closely with Civil Defence the New Zealand Defence Force fire and other emergency services community partners and iwi particularly at Takahanga Marae. Seven local Kaikōura police officers have been on the ground since the initial earthquake working to provide immediate emergency response and to support the safety and well-being of the community. I would like to acknowledge the total professionalism and commitment of these local police staff who like others in Kaikōura have suffered personally but continue to look after their community. The New Zealand Police has also sent a further 19 sworn officers and approximately 10 non-sworn staff to Kaikōura. I am advised that there are plenty of sworn police staff on the ground in Kaikōura to meet any and all needs for service. So if help is needed people are urged to make contact.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What reports has she had about the Police focus in Kaikōura today?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The Police Commissioner Mike Bush has travelled to Kaikōura today. He has advised me that the current focus of the Police is on coordinating the evacuation of approximately a thousand people from Kaikōura. I have been advised that the Police are also prioritising Community Reach Out which is essentially doorknocking with Civil Defence volunteers and Defence in and around Kaikōura today to ensure that residents are getting the support that they need. They are also reaching all areas of the community utilising air support from Defence to get to remote areas. I would like also to acknowledge and thank Sir Mark Solomon for his leadership of Ngāi Tahu who have been outstanding in their support. I know the Police is very grateful for the support of Sir Mark and Ngāi Tahu.
8. Pay Equity—Joint Working Group on Pay Equity PrinciplesJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyPay Equity—Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles8. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What is his response to yesterday's call from members of the Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles for the Government to immediately right this historic wrong and implement the JWG principles"?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): I presume the member's question refers to correspondence to the Prime Minister dated 15 November and copied to Minister Bennett and me. That correspondence was from the trade union members of the joint working group not the working group overall. Nevertheless the Government will be in a position to respond to all of the members of the joint working group in the near future. As I have said before the Government acknowledges that this is a significant issue and we are fully committed to finding a clear and workable solution for all parties involved.Jan Logie: Given that he told me 3 months ago in this House that we could expect a response in the "not too distant future" can he please be more specific on when women will know—are we talking days weeks months years?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I can confirm we are much closer to the distant future that I described in August the last time so I would call it the near future.Jan Logie: Is it acceptable that the women who 18 months ago put aside their legal claims for equal pay so that this work could be done are still waiting for a response from this Government?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: The process has been a very long one. They put aside those claims in order to seek a resolution with the Ministry of Health. I understand that work is also continuing. But I think everybody would accept that these are complex issues—indeed that is what the joint working group told me and Minister Bennett when it wrote with its recommendations to me in June. I maintain that it is important that we get it right rather than get it early and that is what we will do.Jan Logie: Is it not true that if the joint working group had not been set up the court would probably have already established the principles?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Well that is purely speculation and indeed the Government is not a party to those court processes. But if I were a betting man I would be betting on the answer to that question being "absolutely not".Jan Logie: As the Minister responsible for addressing pay equity is he satisfied that as of yesterday the average woman in this country is effectively working for nothing because women are paid 13 percent less than men and his Government is delaying the essential work to change this?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: In respect of the first part of the question I am the Minister responsible for administering the legal framework regarding employment relations and equal pay and that is what I will do diligently. In respect of the second question no I do not agree."
3. Earthquake Kaikōura—Government ResponseSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of Civil DefenceEarthquake Kaikōura—Government Response3. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister of Civil Defence: What update can he provide about the Government's response to the Kaikōura earthquake?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Energy and Resources) on behalf of the Minister of Civil Defence: This morning I accompanied the Prime Minister on his second visit to Kaikōura since the earthquake. I was able to see first hand the extensive damage to essential connections and basic infrastructure which has isolated Kaikōura from the north and also from the south. I can report that agencies from across Government are working together to support Kaikōura and affected areas. Essential supplies continue to be delivered to Kaikōura and teams on the ground are ensuring that all members of the affected communities are contacted to ensure their well-being. The response stepped up today with the arrival of HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Canterbury. These vessels will assist in the evacuation operations and will prepare for continued operations with the delivery of supplies. Ministry of Defence helicopters will continue to provide relief supplies to affected people. Can I personally thank everyone who has worked long hours and has helped with this effort to date. As the response continues the Government is here to support the communities of Kaikōura and affected areas.Stuart Smith: What additional support is being provided to the disaster response?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I would just like to acknowledge that the New Zealand Government has been offered help from a number of nations that are involved in the International Naval Review and the New Zealand Defence Force is assessing the best use of these ships and aircraft. The Royal New Zealand Navy has already sent HMNZS Canterbury and HMNZS Wellington to Kaikōura which arrived this morning. It will also send the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and the fleet tanker HMNZS Endeavour which are expected to arrive tomorrow morning. The ships Vancouver Sampson and Darwin are currently en route. They are expected to arrive in Kaikōura overnight and their embarked helicopters will provide I think a very significant addition to the humanitarian operation under way. Although the New Zealand Defence Force was well placed to respond to the unfolding situation in Kaikōura and surrounding districts we are very grateful for the help offered. It is heartening to see overseas partners so willing to alter their plans and to offer assistance.
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): It is a pleasure to take a short call on the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Amendment Bill. Although it is around wines in this particular situation I also as others have done want to make mention of the terrible circumstances that have hit Kaikōura and that region in the last few days because if there is a place in New Zealand that is very proud that whole area is proud of its wine. We have talked a lot about the New Zealand story and food stories tonight in the House and we have actually seen the pāua we have seen the crayfish we have seen the cows on the top of the hill we have seen some of the wineries we have seen the damage and it is a very sad story for food in New Zealand at this particular time for that electorate.I would also like to acknowledge my colleague Stuart Smith. There is nothing better than watching things go well in your electorate and it must be extremely tough for Stuart at the moment just watching everything go completely wrong. It will be really important that we all get behind him in every way we possibly can.We have talked today a lot about the story of food. That is why I am particularly disappointed with the New Zealand First stance on this. Mr Prosser knows that; we have had conversations around this. We have talked a lot about our story and then to be picky on clauses—I mean our culture and heritage are around our Māori heritage and around culture. I just think it is really disappointing to make those comparisons with a whole lot of different minority groups in terms of supporting his opposing of this bill because this is all part of our culture this is part of our story and I am really disappointed that we cannot pass this bill unanimously in the House.We are extremely proud of our wines: 97 percent of wine production is exported mostly at the moment to Australia to Europe and to North America. China and Asia are really starting to come on board with the wines from this country. It is already a $1.6 billion industry and it is hoping to head by 2020 to a $2 billion industry. I am hoping that the setbacks of the last couple of days particularly in that part of the country are not having too large an impact on that. It is a real pleasure to take a call and support this piece of legislation in the House. Thank you.
Barclay ToddTODD BARCLAY (National—Clutha-Southland): I always find myself speaking after Mr Prosser on this bill or on any bill actually. It never ceases to amaze me how the New Zealand First Party can always manage to focus on the minutiae of any particular piece of legislation and this is just another case in point—talking about separatism on a piece of legislation that is fundamental towards actually advancing the prosperity of our wine and spirits industries on a global stage.Representing an electorate that is the home of Central Otago pinot noir—well half-shared with Jacqui Dean from the Waitaki electorate—this is a welcome piece of legislation for many of my constituents because they see this as an opportunity to protect the significant amount of investment bloodshed and tears that they put into making the product the pristine premium brand that it is on the international stage. In that regard I want to acknowledge what the previous speakers have said—the tragedy that has taken place in the Kaikōura region. I would particularly like to acknowledge my colleague the MP for Kaikōura Stuart Smith who has done a phenomenal job putting his heart and soul into backing his constituents many of whom are affected by this bill actually although it is probably the last thing on their minds at this point in time.As he mentioned in his speech he has progressed with this bill through all of its stages prior to entering into Parliament. I think that the background and the knowledge and the respect that he has within the industry—seeing that shepherd this bill through in its final stages has been a real mark of respect to the work that he has done prior to coming into Parliament as the chair of the winegrowers' association and as the owner of a winery and a number of wine brands himself and also being able to translate it into his work on the Primary Production Committee. I want to acknowledge what he is doing for his constituents now.As I say this by no means puts them at rest by any extent because there has been a rather significant impact on the wine industry as a result of the earthquakes. I think what it does show is that it is one less thing that they have to worry about when normality kicks back in—hopefully in the not too distant future—that is that their brands and their businesses can be protected at least on the global stage where the brands that they have developed are competing with other brands envious brands in countries where the quality of the products are not as good as ours. It is an honour and a privilege to commend this bill. Thank you.
Smith StuartSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura): It is almost a bitter-sweet day for the wine industry to have what is a fantastic and much-looked-forward-to bill passing through the House only a few hours really after an earthquake that has done some damage to the wine industry. My thoughts go out to the wineries concerned. I know some of them have lost stock and have had some damage done. You know we cannot do anything about that now but get into the recovery stage. We are all across the House I am sure united in sparing a thought for those people.It was a great opportunity on Saturday night to share a great night of celebration with David Shearer Jacinda Arden David Seymour and Alastair Scott at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards. It was a fantastic night—Kris Faafoi: What about Ian?STUART SMITH: —to celebrate. Oh no Ian McKelvie was not there. There was not any Rangitīkei lamb there so Ian could not turn up. But it was a fantastic night and it was about celebrating what is unique about the wine industry and that is provenance. That is what is at the heart of this bill. It is about provenance so the consumer identifies with the wine where it comes from who produces it and the variety it is and they are prepared to pay for it. If you do not have that you have a commodity and the wine industry recognises that.The reason the bill has taken to this point to be enacted has been well canvassed by others but I know I have travelled the road really with this legislation from the first bill and now the amendment bill through the stages. I think it is vital for the industry that we have a good legislative framework to operate under. Trade deals and international trade are not simple matters and it is quite important to do things right. I am confident that we have done it in the right order; we are in the right space. But I know the industry is very much looking forward to it and I know there are representatives here tonight waiting anxiously to see this bill pass through this stage. I cannot see why any thinking person would not agree that this is a wonderful piece of legislation. I really would like to just finish by going back to the wine awards on Saturday night and I must agree with David Shearer's words that the people who were at that event on Saturday night really epitomised what it is that makes a product so special. They were the people who were involved in planting the vines growing the grapes making the wine and then as one person put it to me very early on—Peter Hubscher who used to be the chief executive of Montana Wines—Stuart Nash: Great Hawke's Bay man.STUART SMITH: Yes he is a great Hawke's Bay man. That is quite right. He said that Growing the grapes and making the wine is really only half the job. Selling it is the hard bit." and that is what this bill is all about. It is about getting that assured legislative framework so that the consumer knows that when they pick up a bottle of Marlborough sauvignon blanc or Hawke's Bay cabernet sauvignon or a Central Otago pinot noir those wines are what they say they are and they come from New Zealand. So it is with great pleasure that I commend this very good bill to the House. Thank you."
Mallard TrevorThe ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Before I call the honourable David Shearer I would like to point out to the people in the gallery that they are being more than a little noisy. If they are going to continue at that volume they should take it outside.
Bennett DavidDAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East): It is great to see so much support in this House for the Maritime Transport Amendment Bill and from that last speaker Peeni Henare as well who obviously is a member of the committee—David Shearer: How many ships do you get in the Waikato?Hon Damien O'Connor: You wouldn't know what a ship was in Hamilton.DAVID BENNETT: Is there a problem over there guys?David Shearer: How many ships do you get in the Waikato David?DAVID BENNETT: Oh how many ships do you get in the Waikato? That is typical from the Labour Party is it not? This is dealing with a serious issue where a ship could get impaled on a reef—just like a car can get impaled. And we would hate to see that happen to any members of this House but it does happen. Accidents do happen and there will be varied members of this House who would have—Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: Driver error?DAVID BENNETT: It would be yes—while driving members could have accidents like that. Well just running a ship could have similar problems. So Mr Shearer this is an important issue and we look forward to you using your vote constructively as you did with things like the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to support your whole party and not your individual interests as we have seen in the past.I would just like to take a moment to acknowledge Stuart Smith who is here from Kaikōura and the great work that he is doing getting around his people and acknowledging and helping them in their time of need. From the rest of the country you have our full support. We look forward to you carrying on that good work in your area. I know that the Minister of Transport who has just left the Chamber has had an important role too. We all see how important transport is when you look at the disaster that has happened in that region and the importance of having good transport links.I will not take too long. Everybody has explained everything.David Shearer: Excellent excellent!DAVID BENNETT: Oh here we go—Mr Shearer again. He just cannot be quiet can he? Once he has got whacked down he still comes back up. It is a shame he did not do that during the election campaign but that is the nature of it. [Interruption] Yeah it was a bit harsh actually. It is a bit harsh at this time of night. This is an important bill Mr Assistant Speaker as you will be aware and we look forward to its passing through the House. Thank you.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.
Maritime Transport Amendment Bill — First Reading
Young JonathanJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth): I am very pleased to stand in support of this bill and I say thank you to the parties that are supporting it. What this bill does is make some adjustments to legislation that enable us to have a greater ability to access compensation if occurrences happen that create some environmental impact. I think it is important to understand as much as the previous speaker Su'a William Sio spoke about all of the negative effects of the Rena grounding that we are a trading nation that he comes from a trading nation and that iwi were a trading nation even before Europeans came here. We are traders and we need to be able to take our exports our products across the oceans of the world which by the way do not cost anything. I do not know how you invest in the oceans because they are free already.We are pro-development we are pro-trade we are pro-export and we need to understand that in this day and age we are smart in technology. We are strong in regulations. What this bill does is it enables if ever there was an occasion where there was an event that impacted our environment the compensation that we can claim to be four to five times what it is right now. That is important because we know that this Government invested a huge amount in that clean up. We know that we took that task on very responsibly and we would like to hold companies to a higher level of accountability.In my very brief contribution I would like to say: Let us be realists." Let us understand that technology works for us that we need to put safeguards around it that we are people who understand that there is risk and that we mitigate that that we have in place measures that hold people to account and that we have regulations in place that demand a proper respect of the law of the land and the laws of the sea. This is what this bill is doing. I commend our fantastic transport Minister Simon Bridges who has a great task ahead of him in what he is doing down in Kaikōura. I am thankful that we can in this bill see some great progress."
Yang JianDr JIAN YANG (National): The Maritime Transport Amendment Bill addresses the risks associated with drug and alcohol use in the commercial maritime sector. Under the proposed changes commercial maritime operators will be required to have an alcohol and drug management plan including random testing for staff carrying out safety-sensitive activities.We do need to have a balance between economic activities and the environment. On the one hand you have to support commercial and economic activities; on the other hand you need to protect our environment. The natural environment is our greatest asset. This is particularly so in New Zealand. For example tourism is now our largest export sector. So it is very important for us to make sure our country and our environment remain clean and beautiful. Also we have vast coastlines and exclusive economic zones. These are very vulnerable to environmental disasters—for example oil spills. I can still remember the Rena oil spill 5 years ago in the Bay of Plenty which is regarded as one of the most disastrous maritime accidents in New Zealand. Globally it is recognised that oil spills can cause huge damage to society—environmentally socially and also economically.Maritime accidents do occur; however there are some factors that make such incidents more likely to happen. For that reason it is important for us to make sure that employers and workers are more responsible to make sure that they are more responsible not only with regard to themselves but also with regard to the environment. One simple way to prevent maritime accidents is to have a strict policy regarding drugs and alcohol. The detrimental impact or effect of drugs and alcohol on people's reactions has been well researched and documented and is well recognised: being under the influence of drugs and alcohol means a person is impaired. There are many jobs in the maritime industry that are already very dangerous. They require a quick reaction—to be alert focused and able to concentrate—to be able to react or to operate safely. For such kinds of jobs people need to be sure that they are not influenced or impaired by any particular drugs or substances. This bill will improve both safety outcomes in the maritime system and the compensation regime for maritime pollution incidents. I commend the bill to the House. Thank you.