Heatley Phil: Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHeatley Phil: Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2014. Volume:699;Page:18893. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei):I rise to support the Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill in its first reading and I acknowledge the sponsor Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner for introducing it to the House. I know that this is not just something that she simply does. I know that her heart is very much in this bill just as her heart is very much in Christchurch. I congratulate her and happily support the provisions in this bill.The Arts Centre restoration programme is understood to be the largest of its kind ever to be undertaken in the world today. This bill is a key part of protecting and preserving that very Arts Centre of Christchurch for all of our futures but not least of all for the people of Christchurch and of wider Canterbury. It sets out the objects of the trust in legislation and reflects the cultural and heritage significance of the Arts Centre. In noting that it is important that the objects of the trust as set out in this legislation are clearly distinguished from the powers of the trust board to advance these objects. This is because of the local national and international heritage significance of the Arts Centre and its historic buildings. It is because of the importance of the trust’s objectives in relation to ensuring that the Arts Centre continues as a cultural centre for the people and visitors of Christchurch and it is so the heritage integrity of the Arts Centre and its historic stone buildings are preserved.The Arts Centre holds a very special place in the hearts of the people of Christchurch. It is a collection of historic buildings on a site previously occupied by the University of Canterbury and the Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery gave us a brief history lesson on that. The Arts Centre was occupied by the University of Canterbury and two of the city’s original secondary schools. In fact it represents one of the largest clusters of heritage buildings in New Zealand and is a cultural asset of local national and international significance—as I outlined before. Interestingly the Nobel Prize - winning scientist Lord Rutherford completed his undergraduate degree and carried out most of his ground-breaking research on this site.This bill also provides an opportunity for greater certainty around the original intentions of the trust deed. This is to preserve the architectural and heritage values of the site. It is very important that we keep as close as possible to what was originally intended by designers and those involved in the act of construction way back when the original build occurred. It will provide a vibrant cultural centre for the people of Christchurch and of course the bill will also ensure that the new governance structure that has been recommended by the Arts Centre’s trust board following a comprehensive review does in fact occur. This process included the commissioning of an independent report with the support of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and also involved an extensive consultation process with stakeholders over the last couple of years.The bill provides for a skills-based board appointment by an appointments committee. That is very very important. Stakeholders including the broader community will have the opportunity to nominate candidates for trustee vacancies. I see an opportunity there. This will provide trustees with the essential support of the community.Phil Twyford: A career opportunity.Hon PHIL HEATLEY: As one who is searching. Importantly prior to the drafting of this bill the trust board has undertaken wide-ranging consultation with key external stakeholders already—including the University of Canterbury the Christchurch City Council Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga the Christchurch Civic Trust and papatipu rūnanga of Canterbury—about the nature and the effect of the proposed changes. So the community as a whole is well weaved into this process and there is tremendous support for what Minister Wagner wants to achieve here for the community.These stakeholders are supportive in principle of the proposed changes including the move to a skills-based trust board. They see the sense in that. That is something that this National Government has over the last 5 or 6 years ensured—that skills on boards throughout the country are made top priority.