Mahuta Nanaia: General Debate 
Mahuta Nanaia: General Debate 
[Volume:643;Page:13102] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Customs) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Deputy Speaker. The one thing that we would probably find some common ground on is that we do enjoy a great country. It is a place of privilege and in comparison with many other countries it is certainly a safe place. There has been a lot of debate over the last couple of days on some activities that have been conducted but can I say this: violence of any kind in any of our communities should not be tolerated. There is a place in New Zealand as a safe society for peaceful protest and we as parliamentarians know the importance and the heritage of that. But when violent activities of any kind happen whether in the home or in our communities we as parliamentarians are forced to show some kind of leadership as to where a way forward might be. 
We are all experts in hindsight. We all can say how things could have been done better. Certainly on the issues raised by Mr Locke I am absolutely sure that in terms of the activities conducted in Ruatoki there will be some reflection as to what could have been done better. That is a responsible message that should be heard near and far and it is something that should be picked up on. If the day ever comes in New Zealand—and certainly in this Parliament—where people are actively supporting tension and continued tension for a negative outcome then we should caution ourselves because that is not the kind of New Zealand that I want to be a part of. 
Constructive engagement in this area would want to see Tuhoe actively engaging in ways that mean they can continue to reach their aspirations. That means carrying on with the Treaty settlement process. That means constructive engagement from here on in with the iwi liaison officers in their areas in order to give life to their memorandum of understanding with the police. That will also ensure continued engagement of all services with those people to ensure that no opportunity is missed by them or their children. 
But let us look at the context of this debate. I think my colleague David Cunliffe really hit home what this debate is about. It is not about political pot-shots although the Opposition would like it to be. It is about understanding what differentiates us and what we value as a Government in the role we have as responsible leaders in this country. It is about ensuring that we have a really good health system; that we have a really good education system that delivers to all our kids; that we will look after our environment; that we have a strong economy; that the social well-being we invest in continues to see opportunities for all our kids; and that we support young people families with children and also our kaumatua—our old people. 
In particular I want to talk about the strategies that the Labour-led Government is taking to support kaumatua. As members know in 2001 we launched the Positive Ageing Strategy. What did that say? It said that we wanted to ensure that in Aotearoa New Zealand our kaumatua can age positively that they continue to be valued in our communities and in our society and that we will work alongside communities to ensure that kaumatua well-being can be achieved. There is a lot that can be said about this area and I really want to highlight some points. 
Members know that in this term as part of our confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First we have increased the floor for New Zealand superannuation to no less than 66 percent of the average ordinary-time weekly wage for a married couple. That is fantastic and it is significant for a number of our kaumatua. We have also increased the appropriate income thresholds to ensure that all kaumatua and veteran pensioners who receive the disability allowance and/or the community services card remain eligible following the 1 April 2007 adjustment. 
Also in July last year we removed the sharing expenses rule. In the past that rule meant that some single superannuitants were prevented from getting the living alone payment if their families were helping to pay some of their household expenses such as contributing to the power bill or something like that. We have also ensured that the rates rebate scheme where people can claim a rebate of up to a maximum of $500 travels through to far more people. In fact 300000 people will be eligible this year as opposed to the old scheme under which only about 4000 people were getting rates rebates. 
We abolished the mandatory requirement for age-based driving tests for people aged 89 years and over not to mention the gains referred to by the Minister of Health—extra hip and knee operations and more cataract operations. All this contributes to positive ageing for kaumatua and all these gains continue to support their well-being. Those are the gains under a Labour-led Government that cares about kaumatua well-being.