Tremain Chris: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Text is subject to correction 
Tremain Chris: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 01 August 2012. Volume:682;Page:4182. Text is subject to correction.] 
Hon CHRIS TREMAIN (Associate Minister of Tourism) 
: 
 It is a real privilege to stand on behalf of the Government to shape up our debate in this wonderful estimates debate. It has taken us half an hour to get to some substantive debate in this. Up until now it has been about playboys pies and conspiracy theories from Mr Mallard on the other side of the Chamber.  
But I want to shake up the debate on how our team will be approaching this going forward because there are four key priorities for this Government in this estimates debate—four key priorities. The first is to responsibly manage the Government’s finances the second is to rebuild Christchurch the third is to deliver better public services and the fourth is to build a more competitive and productive economy. Just on each of those issues—before I get into the substantive part of the tourism debate—if we think about responsibly managing the Government’s finances well if there is a Government that is right for the moment it is this National Party and its coalition parties. We have set an agenda to get us back to surplus by 2014-15 and to keep our debt under 40 percent of GDP. On any measure that is putting us amongst leaders in the globe.  
On a second point in terms of rebuilding Christchurch you saw the Prime Minister and Gerry Brownlee present that wonderful plan down in Christchurch to take it forward. At the moment I hear the Opposition members not saying too much about that because they support that plan too. They do not want to get out there and talk too much about it but they support that plan. In terms of delivering better public services across the Public Service we are seeing a commitment a real focus to taking public services forward whether it be in health or in police. They are doing a fantastic job and I congratulate them on that. The 10 result areas that we have rolled out will back up that and provide key targets as we try to improve the statistics going forward.  
The key area that I want to focus on—which many of my colleagues will also join me on—is in building a competitive and productive economy. If there is a part of the economy that is important in that it is our second-biggest export earner tourism. The direct contribution to GDP for the year ending March 2011 was some $6.9 billion. This industry is a fantastic industry in the country. I had the pleasure this morning of opening the international events management conference down at the Wharewaka and talking about the priorities of our Government in that tourism space. What could the Opposition say about that? Mr Tirikatene-Sullivan stood up and talked about it being a low-budget movie set. I am not sure how $84 million is low budget Mr Tirikatene-Sullivan. And what does that party do to support the promotion of our country?  
The Hobbit 
 set of movies—the trilogy of movies—has the opportunity to promote this country like never before and what did that party do? 
Chris Auchinvole 
: What did they do? 
Hon CHRIS TREMAIN 
: It voted against  
The Hobbit 
. These are the Hobbit haters over that side of the Chamber. Will Labour members be lining up at the premiere for their tickets? Do you think David Shearer will be there? Do you think Clayton Cosgrove will be lining up for his premiere tickets? They will be there. They want to be at those  
Hobbit  
premieres. That set of movies will promote this country like never before.  
We have a business growth agenda that will drive that productive economy. Within that business growth agenda tourism is a huge player and there are a number of initiatives that I want to talk about today. Firstly in terms of the $84 million that goes to Tourism New Zealand we have seen a new strategy that will roll-out focusing on the markets that are growing particularly China. We have seen a 20 percent growth—a 20 percent growth—from the Chinese market. It is somewhat low value at this point in time so we are looking at how we can increase the value out of that market away from the shopping tours and improve the fit independent traveller market. It is a fantastic initiative and a wonderful opportunity. We continue to see growth from Australia coming across here. They love our tourism opportunities—absolutely fantastic.  
I know that Mr Cosgrove is waiting and dying for me to talk about the wonderful New Zealand Cycle Trail. Nineteen trails including the Otago Central Rail Trail have been rolled out. The Otago Central Rail Trail was launched in 2000. By 2003-04 there were 6000 riders; after 10 years there will be 12000 riders. A huge number of jobs are attached to the Otago Central Rail Trail. It is an absolutely sensational opportunity in terms of tourism. We are rolling out 18 other rides as part of our initiative. People around this country love the cycle trails. 
Vote agreed to.