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Bayly Andrew; Robertson GrantANDREW BAYLY (National—Port Waikato): This is a very technical bill and I don't propose that we're going to spend a lot of time discussing it. But I think there's some elements of it that would be useful to just make sure that everyone is aware of what this bill is about.My first question to the Minister—and I do acknowledge that he's in the chair and thank you for coming down this afternoon—I suppose the first question relates to the role of the Reserve Bank and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) as a regulator for financial market infrastructures (FMIs) and there's–both organisations have a role in it and that's quite a fundamental sort of question. I know there's been a lot of debate about it. I was just particularly interested in the Minister's view on what the roles of the Reserve Bank and FMA are and how that's going to work and how they're going to resolve differences over time.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I thank the member for his question and it is one that's been raised throughout the debate. Part of it relates to the way New Zealand organises itself so obviously when we're dealing with prudential matters that is primarily the responsibility of the Reserve Bank; when we're dealing with matters of conduct that tends to be the responsibility of the Financial Markets Authority—although when it comes to banks in their banking role that distinction is not quite as clear. But for the purposes of FMIs what we're talking about here are two distinct parts of the regime.When we're dealing for example with risk management issues around any FMI whether it's got adequate financial resources to undertake the work that it's meant to undertake that is primarily a prudential matter and would then be the responsibility of the Reserve Bank. If we're thinking about conduct such as effective disclosure whether or not the right rules are in place whether they're fair and transparent that is properly part of the FMA's role.The way that we deal with this generally where there might be any overlaps is through the Council of Financial Regulators—CoFR" as it's known; it's actually an entity—CoFR—that I have been encouraging the regulators to use more often where there might be areas of disputed territorial ground. In fact we've been looking at through the Reserve Bank amendment process giving some more statutory recognition to the Council of Financial Regulators—which includes also the Commerce Commission along with the FMA and the Reserve Bank—because there will be from time to time issues of territorial responsibility. However in the case of this particular bill I think that the responsibilities are well outlined and both the Reserve Bank and the FMA are aware of where they are. It will be obviously for those who operate FMIs to be able to be aware of that—all of those people already interact with both the Reserve Bank and the FMA so I don't think there'll be a major problem there. But the member is alluding to an interesting wider issue around the different roles of regulators in our financial system and I'll more than happily engage with him on that in the future because I think there is something in that."
Robertson Grant; Salesa JennyHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one debate.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none. The question is that Parts 1 to 6 Schedules 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 stand part.
Salesa JennyFINANCIAL MARKET INFRASTRUCTURES BILLIn CommitteeParts 1 to 6 Schedules 1 and 2 clauses 1 and 2CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): The House is in committee on the Financial Market Infrastructures Bill. Members we come first to the debate on Part 1. This is the debate on clauses 3 to 13 and Schedule 1 relating to the preliminary provisions and the regulations. The question is that Part 1 stand part.
Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill — Third Reading
Court SimonSIMON COURT (ACT): Tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa. To Ngāti Hinerangi: on this day the ACT Party supports this claims settlement bill and we commend it to the House. That's because the ACT Party supports the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process. The Treaty of Waitangi is a great document. It's an example of independent people practical people and problem-solving people coming together to agree on what the future of New Zealand should look like. What happened afterwards was not good and that's why a settlement bill like this can only go some way to address the loss of land and the resulting social cultural and economic marginalisation of your people. There were a number of breaches but what's interesting to note and what gives me hope and I hope gives you hope is that through your actions and your patience you have shown us how you can build a coalition of people with a common interest—not always aligned but over time you've built a coalition to identify what's important enough to seek a settlement and what things you might leave to the storytelling and to the what might have been" because the settlement is clearly for a greater good that you aspire to. So the ACT Party supports this process you've been through and we will acknowledge that it is not easy—because the Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's first constitutional document which ensures the rights of all New Zealanders and that those rights are protected equally by the law. It establishes a private property right which is the foundation of all investment and development and prosperity and wealth—those rights which give people the confidence to invest in their land which then makes the land productive and sustains the land for future generations. Now the Treaty of Waitangi also places significant responsibilities on the Crown to act in good faith so where that duty of good faith is breached ACT supports a process for redress. For that reason the ACT Party commends this bill to the House."
Mooney JosephJOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland): Thank you Mr Speaker. Tēnā koutou Ngāti Hinerangi. Nau mai haere mai. It's an honour to rise to speak on the third reading of the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill today and to acknowledge all of you here. I know that this is a long process that goes back to 1840 and the injustices that were experienced particularly during the 19th century. The settlement process is one that was begun under the Hon Chris Finlayson and it is being completed by the Hon Andrew Little and I wish to acknowledge them both. I wish to acknowledge all of you who have come here today. I know it's a long way from the Matamata and Tauranga rohe. It's a big and special day. I also wish to acknowledge all of the kaumātua the trustees the negotiators and Te Arawhiti staff and I see some young people are here today. I just wanted to make special mention of the fact that this is ultimately about taking care of the rangitahi and of the mokopuna and providing for the economic revitalisation and the recognition of your mana. The intention of the Crown through this settlement is to restore the honour and alleviate the justified sense of grievance felt by generations of Ngāti Hinerangi and to build a meaningful relationship with your iwi going forwards. The Crown has also unreservedly apologised to the hapū and whānau for failing to uphold its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Ngāti Hinerangi settlement will forge a new relationship between the Crown and Ngāti Hinerangi and it should be a real catalyst for positive change. It includes a total financial redress of $8.1 million plus interest the cultural revitalisation payment of $200000 a co-governance arrangement over the upper Waihou and Piako river catchments and the vesting of 14 cultural redress properties which includes part of Wairere Falls which is a secret awa to Ngāti Hinerangi. I don't wish to go into more detail that has been traversed before in this House and that was spoken to before by the Hon Andrew Little. But I wish to commend this bill to the House recognising your mana as a people and I acknowledge and thank you for coming here today. I hope that this will be a strong part of your story going forwards. Nō reira tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa.
Rurawhe Adrian; Little AndrewNGĀTI HINERANGI CLAIMS SETTLEMENT BILLIn CommitteeParts 1 to 3 Schedules 1 to 4 and clauses 1 and 2CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Tēnā rā tātou katoa e te Whare. Members the House is in committee on the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill. Members we come first to the debate on Part 1. This is the debate that addresses Preliminary matters acknowledgements and apology and settlement of historical claims". The question is that Part 1 stand part.Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations): I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one debate.CHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none. Therefore the question now is that Parts 1 to 3 Schedules 1 to 4 and clauses 1 and 2 stand part.Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations): Mr Chairman thank you. For members of the House and for those looking on just to explain: our good friends from Ngāti Hinerangi are expecting the third reading of their bill and that will be coming very shortly. What has happened since the last time that this House considered the Ngāti Hinerangi bill is that other laws have changed that have implications for this piece of legislation. So laws such as the Legislation Act 2019 the Trusts Act 2019 the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Urban Development Act 2020 have all changed the legal landscape that means that this legislation has to be brought into line with that. So one of those for example is the new Trusts Act changes the rule against perpetuities. That has to be incorporated into the Ngāti Hinerangi legislation.So the purpose of this stage of the proceeding is to make sure all those changes are put in place in this bill because we know that nothing less than perfection is what Ngāti Hinerangi deserves when it comes to their very important piece of legislation. So this is now about making Ngāti Hinerangi's legislation perfect."
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER: I declare the House in committee for the consideration of the Ngāti Hinerangi Claims Settlement Bill.
Mallard TrevorURGENT DEBATES DECLINEDOffice of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services—Annual ReportSPEAKER: I have received—[Interruption] I'm about to deal Mr Bishop with an urgent debate from one of his colleagues—or was it a member behind him who's looking guilty? Whoever it was if it was a marginal case wouldn't be helping.I've received a letter from Matt Doocey seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the delay in the release of the 2018-19 annual report of the Office of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the data in the report. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The late release of an annual report and its contents do not meet the threshold for setting aside the business of the House today. It is a matter that could be raised in the annual review debate scheduled to commence next week. The application is therefore declined.Several recent applications for urgent debates have asserted that they meet the criteria in Standing Order 399(2) without explaining how. I would remind members of the rulings by Speakers Smith and Hunt that it is for members to make out a case for an urgent debate not for the Speaker to discover one—Speaker's ruling 199/5.Applications should explain how the matter they wish to debate meets the criteria for an urgent debate rather than simply asserting that they do.
Woods MeganAMENDED ANSWERS TO ORAL QUESTIONSQuestion No. 10 to Minister 25 MarchHon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Housing): I seek leave to make a personal statement to correct an answer to oral question No. 10 on 25 March. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: In answer to supplementary questions on 25 March I stated that all the documents sitting behind the Government's Housing Acceleration Fund announced on 23 March had been proactively released. I should have said that the relevant Cabinet papers and the other key documents are being prepared for release including consultation across agencies and will be available in the coming weeks.
Rurawhe AdrianTUESDAY 6 APRIL 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSDEPUTY SPEAKER: E te Atua kaha rawa ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kuīni me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga kia mōhio ai kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei mō te oranga te maungārongo me te aroha o Aotearoa. Amene.[Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility for the welfare peace and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]
Tuesday 9 February 2021 - Volume 749
Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill — Referral to Select Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 15 February 2021 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during an evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House despite Standing Orders 193 and 196(1)(b) and (c).Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 41New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 8.Motion agreed to.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the motion be amended by replacing 15 February 2021" with "15 May 2021".Ayes 41New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 8.Noes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Amendment not agreed to."
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 41New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 8.Motion agreed to.The result corrected after originally being announced as Ayes 75 Noes 43.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10;Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 41New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 8.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.A party vote was called for on the question That the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill be considered by the Māori Affairs Committee.Ayes 77New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10;Te Paati Māori 2.Noes 41New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 8.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.
Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill — First Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That urgency be accorded.Ayes 75New Zealand Labour 65; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10.Noes 41New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 8.Motion agreed to.
11. Question No. 11—Building and ConstructionPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionQuestion No. 11—Building and Construction11. PAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai) to the Minister for Building and Construction: What recent reports has she seen regarding building consents?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for Building and Construction): I have seen a report from Statistics New Zealand that shows a new record quarterly high in the number of building consents being granted. These figures show 11291 new homes were consented in the December 2020 quarter—the highest quarterly number ever; beating the previous record from the December 1973 quarter when 10713 new homes were consented. For the year ended December 2020 the number of new homes consented was 39420. The figures show that despite uncertainty caused by COVID-19 there is a lot of residential activity in the pipeline especially for townhouses flats and units.Paul Eagle: How is the Government supporting the building and construction sector to build on this growth in consents?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As a Government we are committed to supporting the sector through continued investment in trades training and apprenticeships our building legislative reform programme and improvement to our planning system by repealing and replacing the Resource Management Act. We want this strong and sustained growth in the building sector to continue and to deliver on this record high in the number of consents.Paul Eagle: How is the building sector responding to this record number of consents?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: We are already seeing the building and construction sector respond as Statistics New Zealand data has shown strong growth in the sector despite COVID-19. The household labour force survey shows an annual increase of 21000 people employed in the construction industry to meet this new demand. It's also encouraging to note that 5800 of this increase are women.
10. Question No. 10—COVID-19 ResponseCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 10—COVID-19 Response10. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: On what date will New Zealand receive its first shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and what reports if any has he seen on how many other countries have started COVID-19 vaccinations?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): The first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2021. The Government will be making further announcements when we're absolutely certain of when the vaccine will arrive. I receive a regular science briefing of international developments regarding the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in other countries where emergency approvals have been used to quickly roll out vaccines but I've not received a running list of those countries.Chris Bishop: Why has he repeatedly stated that New Zealand is at the front of the queue for the COVID-19 vaccine when at least 50 other countries have already started their vaccine roll-out and we haven't?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The member clearly hasn't been listening to what I've been saying over the last month or so. We're not using emergency approvals to roll out our vaccine campaign in New Zealand. We do not have the public health grounds to do so.Chris Bishop: Why has he applied to the COVAX vaccine facility for the Pfizer vaccine when that facility is designed for the equitable distribution to low and middle income countries—precisely the countries that he says need to be in the front of the queue ahead of us?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No I reject the premise of the member's question. He's wrong in what the COVAX vaccine facility is designed to achieve.Chris Bishop: Why did the Government not contract with Pfizer to deliver the vaccine before now when countries like Singapore—which has also done a very good job in dealing with COVID—were clearly able to do so?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I indicated in my earlier question Singapore is among the countries that are using an emergency vaccine approval process which we have not used here in New Zealand.Chris Bishop: Was the Government given the option of an earlier delivery time in exchange for paying more for the COVID-19 vaccine provided by Pfizer?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No.Kieran McAnulty: Is the Minister aware of statements from Anne Harris managing director for Australia and New Zealand at Pfizer that New Zealand wasn't slow at ordering the COVID-19 vaccine and that they will meet their contractual obligations?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I want to acknowledge the enormous international pressure that the vaccine manufacturers are under around the globe and the lengths that they are going to in order to satisfy the contractual arrangements that they have entered into.
9. Question No. 9—Social Development and EmploymentTERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 9—Social Development and Employment9. TERISA NGOBI (Labour—Ōtaki) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent announcements has she made about supporting businesses and employees in their response to COVID-19?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Yesterday along with Minister Wood I announced a new Short-Term Absence Payment. This initiative means that from today businesses whose workers need to stay at home while they await a COVID-19 test result can contact the Ministry of Social Development and apply for a one-off $350 payment to help pay that staff member if that are unable to work from home. Testing for COVID-19 remains a critical ongoing element in our elimination strategy. This payment is designed to reduce the financial pressure on businesses and encourage them to continue their valuable role in keeping COVID-19 in check. Terisa Ngobi: Which workers does the payment apply to?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The Short-Term Absence Payment can be applied for by employers for workers who cannot work from home and are in accordance with public health guidance or requirements staying home while waiting for their COVID-19 test results have a dependant who is staying at home while waiting for a test result or are a household member or secondary contact of someone who is a close contact of a person with COVID-19 who has been advised by a doctor or a health official to stay at home while waiting for the close contact's test result.Terisa Ngobi: Why is this an important part of the Government's COVID-19 response?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The aim of this payment is to better support business and workers to comply with public health advice by alleviating some of the barriers to getting a COVID-19 test. This payment will also take some of the financial pressure off businesses whose workers await the results of a COVID-19 test which can usually take between 24 and 48 hours. This initiative builds on the back of the successful wage subsidy and leave support scheme. It is part of our ongoing commitment to softening the blow of COVID-19 to both employers and workers.
7. Question No. 7—EducationTĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 7—Education7. TĀMATI COFFEY (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What progress is the Government making in ensuring that students in New Zealand schools are able to learn and understand our own histories?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): What Kiwi students learn about New Zealand's history at school is now out for public discussion and it's great to see New Zealanders engaging in the debate already. Public engagement on the draft curriculum content for Aotearoa New Zealand's histories that are going to be taught in our schools began last Wednesday and it will run through until the end of March. We want all New Zealanders to have the opportunity to have their say on the draft content and we're hoping to hear from as many people as possible. I urge all New Zealanders who are interested in our history and our kura to provide feedback.Tāmati Coffey: Will these changes mean that students have to learn exactly the same thing wherever they live?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There will be some parts of our national history that we want all children to learn about but we also want young New Zealanders to be able to explore the stories that are unique and relevant to them. For example if you're in the Waikato you may learn about the invasion of the Waikato led by Governor George Grey. In Otago you might delve deeper into the region's Māori and Chinese heritage. In Porirua you may explore the stories of Pacific migration to the area. Across the country we all have elements of history that are unique to our areas and we do want young New Zealanders to be learning about that.Tāmati Coffey: How has the draft curriculum content been produced?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Over the last year the Ministry of Education's been working with teachers and school leaders school sector representatives academics representatives from our communities—particularly our Māori Pacific migrant and disabled communities—to develop the draft curriculum content. It was then tested with a small number of schools and kura in term 4 last year and it is the content that's emerged from that the Ministry of Education is now out consulting with the public about.
5. Question No. 5—HousingANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of HousingQuestion No. 5—Housing5. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of Housing: What plans for public housing has the Government announced?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Housing): I recently announced the Government's Public Housing Plan 2021-2024 which outlines the intention of where 8000 additional public and transitional housing places announced in last year's Budget will be built. The plan confirms we are on track to deliver over 18000 extra places by 2024 and gives local councils iwi community housing providers and the construction sector more certainty about where those houses will be built and at what scale. We're continuing to build public and transitional housing at rates not seen in two decades and as a Government we are proud to help more of our most vulnerable members of our communities move into warm dry public housing.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: How does this plan support regions with the highest demand for public housing?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: We know the public housing build in previous years has not kept pace with population growth leading to rent rises housing shortages and deprivation. While public housing will continue to be delivered across the country there is a particular focus on Northland Hamilton Bay of Plenty Gisborne Napier Hastings Palmerston North and Whanganui. These new houses will make a big difference in those communities that are seeing significant housing needs.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: How does the public housing plan complement existing Government housing support programmes?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: The public housing plan is one part of a range of housing initiatives to address the housing crisis. These include the Housing First programme for people experiencing chronic homelessness Progressive Home Ownership to help families buy their own homes support for first-home buyers and our homelessness action plan. There is no silver bullet to fix the housing crisis that we face and we recognise there is much more to do. But each of these programmes are an important part of our work to ensure every New Zealander is able to live in a warm dry healthy home whether they own it or rent it.Jan Logie: How many of these houses will be accessible knowing that there are just a small handful of accessible rentals on the private market?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I'm pleased to inform the member that Kāinga Ora has recently put in place a policy to ensure that at least 15 percent of all new builds are built to accessible universal standards.
3. Question No. 3—FinanceDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 3—Finance3. Dr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central) to the Minister of Finance: What are the priorities for Budget 2021?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Today I had the pleasure of releasing the Budget Policy Statement for 2021. Budget 2021 will be guided by the Government's overarching objectives for this term which are: continuing to keep New Zealanders safe from COVID-19 accelerating the recovery and the rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19 and laying the foundations for the future including addressing issues such as our climate change response housing affordability and child poverty. We've set out five wellbeing objectives to guide this investment in Budget 2021. They are: securing a just transition to a low-emissions economy; lifting productivity and enabling all New Zealanders to benefit from the Future of Work; lifting Māori and Pacific incomes skills and opportunities; reducing child poverty and improving child wellbeing; supporting physical and mental wellbeing for all New Zealanders; and keeping COVID19 out of our communities.Dr Duncan Webb: What are the projections for Government debt in the Budget Policy Statement?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: With the onset of the economic consequences of COVID-19 the Government took the necessary steps to support the economy and protect New Zealanders' jobs. Doing so required us to take on substantial levels of debt to deal with this one-in-100-year shock. Projections at the time of the pre-election fiscal update in September showed net debt falling from a peak of about 56 percent of GDP in 2024 to 48 percent of GDP in 2034. New projections using the Treasury fiscal strategy model today show net debt now at 36.5 percent of GDP in 2034-35 representing about $60 billion less debt at the end of the projection period than was projected at the pre-election update.Dr Duncan Webb: How will issues like housing be addressed through Budget 2021?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: A focus on housing will be a critical part of Budget 2021. Across the wellbeing objectives that I mentioned it has a critical role to play. For example Māori and Pacific households have disproportionately been affected by lower rates of homeownership and therefore have enjoyed fewer opportunities for safe secure and affordable places to live. Equally child wellbeing is affected dramatically by housing including issues of dampness in some of our lower-quality housing stock and insecure tenancies. The housing crisis did not begin under this Government but we are addressing it. Doing so will require tough decisions and that is what New Zealanders will see through a rolling series of measures that we will be announcing beginning with demand-side measures later this month.Dr Duncan Webb: How much did this gorgeous photo on the cover of the Budget Policy Statement cost?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As the member's raised it this photo here on the Budget cost the taxpayer zero dollars as the photographer was the modest Mr G Robertson.
Seymour David; Wood MichaelDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Point of order Madam Speaker. You may not be aware but the Standing Orders Committee has changed the Standing Orders so that a debate can either end five minutes early or continue for an additional five minutes so that a member does not have his speech interrupted as you've just interrupted this member's speech. The Speaker said at the end of last year that it would be helpful for all members to read the Standing Orders Committee report and I think it's really helpful if we can actually let the member finish his speech. I ask that you allow that to happen.Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Deputy Leader of the House): Speaking to the point of order if the member had have read the Standing Orders Committee's report he would have understood that those provisions do apply but they are at the discretion of the Speaker.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): That was actually the point I was about to make David Seymour that the decision is at the Speaker's discretion. So if I may the Government has indicated to me that it does not wish to continue in urgency. Therefore this debate is interrupted and is set down for resumption next sitting day. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10.01 p.m.
Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill — First Reading (continued)
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour—Christchurch Central): Thank you very much and a great analysis from the Minister of Transport on the huge strides being made in climate change. So far from the other side of the House all we've heard is that this is a great bill and perhaps it would have been nice to capture it the first time around. Well I sat on that select committee and it was one of the most complex pieces of legislation that I've had the pleasure of going through. And whilst we didn't catch it first time there is absolutely no excuse to not tidy up now so that we have an auction system which is robust and has integrity isn't open to manipulation and that the coffers of the Government are properly looked after. I commend this bill to the House.
Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill — First Reading
Wood MichaelHon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): How good is it to be part of a Government and part of a country that is grasping the nettle of climate change. Over the last year this House has actually worked together very collaboratively to set New Zealand on a path to tackle the most significant challenge of our times. Under the leadership of the Minister James Shaw who I acknowledge we've reformed the emissions trading scheme (ETS) to make sure that it does have a cap that helps us to leverage down carbon emissions. We've set up a world-leading independent climate commission which put forward its interim report—its draft report—at the beginning of this year that encompasses all sectors and gives New Zealand a road map to reduce our emissions to net zero by 2050.If I can be sector specific for just a moment we've had major reforms announced to reduce our transport emissions over the last month by bringing New Zealanders a clean car standard to clean up our fleet biofuels into the fleet and making sure that we electrify our public buses so that we bring down emissions in that sector the second most polluting sector in our country at the moment.In early March we will have the first ETS auctions stemming out of that reform work that happened last year. What I think everyone across the sector—and actually it would appear so far everyone across the House—agrees is that having a confidential reserve price is an essential part of ensuring the robustness and integrity of that system. The previous speaker the Hon Scott Simpson tried to construct something of a conspiracy theory about how we've got to where we've gotten but the reality is that everyone agrees that we need this change to make sure that that auction system works appropriately and the ETS system works appropriately.What we say in this House is that in the face of a climate emergency it's time to get on with the job. Let's pass this piece of legislation and carry on with this important work to reduce our emissions and meet our obligations to future generations. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Voting — Correction — Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill
Salesa JennyVOTINGCorrection—Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment BillASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): Members before I call the next member the result of the vote on the closure motion for the instruction to the select committee on the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill was reported as Ayes 75 Noes 43. The correct result was Ayes 75 and Noes 41. The record will be corrected.
Parker DavidHon DAVID PARKER (Minister for the Environment): Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to take a short call in favour of the Climate Change Response (Auction Price) Amendment Bill. As the statement that has been tabled by the Minister James Shaw has said this is necessary to rectify a mistake in the regulatory underpinnings of the auction process. There was always intended to be the ability to set a reserve price. That did not make it into the drafting and therefore there's a lacuna in the legislation.For member's benefit I'm sure other members will have been approached by some of the facilitators of carbon trading in New Zealand during the election period. They pointed out that there was a real danger that without a reserve price given the relatively small number of large participants in the emissions trading scheme that there could be collusion amongst them and the price of carbon could be collapsed. That would be undesirable.I think we do want to have a relative period of stability in the price of carbon and it is appropriate that there be a reserve price. I think just about anyone who ever sells another valuable asset by way of a tender or auction reserves the right to reject unduly low offers that don't reflect the vendor's view as to what the minimum should be. When you auction a house you have a reserve when you auction the house you don't tell the people that are coming up to the auction what the reserve is. They find that out by whether the auction is passed in or not because the reserve is kept confidential to the vendor and the vendor's agent. So that's essentially what is being proposed here.David Seymour: If it was that obvious why wasn't it done before?Hon DAVID PARKER: It is obvious as the member says and it was meant to have been done before. That's clearly set out in the statement that's already been tabled by the Minister for Climate Change. The bill rectifies the issue which was meant to include the possibility of a confidential reserve price. It didn't through error and this amendment fixes that so that we can proceed with auctions.Todd Muller: Can we blame Winston?Hon DAVID PARKER: That would be unfair.Debate interrupted.
Court SimonSIMON COURT (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. The ACT Party supports good lawmaking and following the democratic process because that process is important. That's how we find the flaws and kinks in proposed laws and that process takes time. I know it takes time because I spent three years working at Auckland Council and I'm proud of many of the projects that were delivered while I was there. But it does take time to engage with the communities who are affected by major changes in the democratic process and five days is not enough because communities need to have confidence that the laws that are made in this Parliament will have a wide as possible level of support and will endure. Local government has a complex and challenging role to deliver services to manage assets and to create coherent and connected communities. Their job is already extremely difficult and around New Zealand they are failing in a number of ways that are of great concern. We've seen falling participation in local government elections and a loss of trust and confidence in local government from this Minister of Local Government and from their communities. I've seen reports that trust in local government is as low as 60 percent in some communities or as high as 60 percent in Auckland. Turnouts of 30-odd percent at local government elections would give people little confidence that a proposal like this given five days' consultation will increase confidence in local government. What Parliament should do and what this Government should do is set out the case for change and let local government and their communities bring their views to select committee. They need time to engage as communities and to come back to this House. This Government might find there are better ways to achieve their goals and get more paddlers in the waka. That is what the select committee process is for. ACT asks this Government to listen to our communities because you might be surprised. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Jackson WillieHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister for Māori Development): Kia ora Madam Speaker. I move That the question be now put.
Kuriger BarbaraBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country): Thank you Madam Speaker. I stand in support of Christopher Luxon's amendment. The reason I do so is because when we talked about the timing of this bill and we talked about stage two which is supposedly going to establish a new process for decisions on whether to establish Māori wards that's better aligned with the current process for establishing general wards and constituencies this current process is putting the horse before the cart. I would ask any member of the Government who's over the other side to tell us tonight whether they can come back here in five days—and we've got members that are over there clearly getting a bit testy and nervous about the whole five days and objecting to it. But I would challenge any of those members over there to stand up and tell us that in five days they will have tested or assessed in any way to ensure the bill's provisions are workable and complete because at this stage the departmental disclosure statement says that they haven't. So I'm challenging any member over there to stand up and tell us that they can have that completed within five days—that would be wonderful. Thank you Madam Speaker.
Webb DuncanDr DUNCAN WEBB (Junior Whip—Labour): That's fine Jenny. I move That the question be now put.
Salesa JennyASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Luxon ChristopherCHRISTOPHER LUXON (National—Botany): I move That the motion be amended by replacing 15 February 2021" with "15 May 2021". The reason as you've heard this evening is very obvious and you've heard it from the previous speakers. We oppose this legislation because frankly it's undermining local democracy and direct democracy. Let's be clear: it is a shameful process with no consultation. It is being jammed and it's being rammed through with a truncated select committee process. It's not going to see any meaningful process. We can debate five days or two days but it's just not going to happen that we're going to have proper engagement with local government stakeholders or with the public. Frankly it's an arrogant decision by a Government with a majority. It's not democratic and I think a lot of members shouldn't be proud about the way we're going about it. It's not just us that's opposing it; it's experts advising the Government. The regulatory impact statement I remind you says "The short timeframe for developing the policy options and undertaking the impact analysis means there has been minimal consultation on the specific Stage 1 proposals." and that "meant that consultation on the proposed Stage 1 legislative changes with the general public local authorities and iwi/hapū was not possible." The departmental disclosure statement also brings that same issue. It says that it hasn't been tested or assessed in any way to ensure the bill's provisions are workable and complete. So that's the reason for why we should take the time to care about our democracy and to expand it from five days to maybe 90 days—through to 15 May—and to take the time to hear from our people who want to commit and talk about this subject with us to tap into their expertise and their perspectives and to actually make a decision that's a good one for all of us. Our democracy is precious and we've seen that in liberal democracies all around the world. We shouldn't take our institutions for granted. We're doing that here with this rapid passing of the bill. I really ask that we take a lot more time to give it due consideration. Thank you."
Mahuta Nanaia; Salesa JennyInstruction to the Māori Affairs CommitteeHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): I move That the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill be reported to the House by 15 February 2021 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during an evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House despite Standing Orders 193 and 196(1)(b) and (c). I acknowledge that it is unusual to make a change of this nature in such haste. However the bill must proceed quickly so that the changes affecting councils can apply for the 2022 local body elections. Councils and communities with Māori ward processes already under way will have certainty about what will happen expensive poll processes will soon become redundant and they do not need to be started and—to be clear—for those councils who want to reconsider whether they have Māori wards at the 2022 local elections if they decide to every council has until 21 May 2021 to create Māori wards for their communities. After that councils that have resolved to establish Māori wards will need to undertake the representation review process to make sure that their overall representation arrangements are fair and effective. The bill will address a discriminatory provision where a poll of 5 percent of electors can overturn a resolution to create Māori wards and constituencies. This provision does not apply to general wards and constituencies. That's why we are making the changes contained in the bill. Despite the urgency of the bill the Government values hearing from all New Zealanders about law reform and we encourage people to make submissions. This is why we are proposing that the select committee process does take place and in haste and I respectfully ask the Māori Affairs Committee to consider the bill thoroughly and report back to the House by 15 February. Giving the committee additional authority to meet outside the usual hours will support it to meet the time frames that I invite the House to support in this motion. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The question is that the motion be agreed to.
Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland): E te Māngai o te Whare tēnā koe otirā tēnā tātou katoa. E te Minita te māreikura tēnā koe Nanaia nāu i ārahi tēnei ture ki roto tēnei pire ki roto i tēnei whare i tēnei pō tēnei te mihi atu ki a koe.[Greetings to the Speaker and to everyone here. To the distinguished Minister Nanaia who introduced this law this bill into this House this evening I salute you.]I want to acknowledge the three councils in my electorate who have recently passed a resolution to establish Māori wards and constituencies: that's the Kaipara District Council Whāngarei District Council and the Northland Regional Council. The Far North District Council vote was tied and therefore lost. I am really pleased that we are introducing this bill which will remove the provision which only applies to the establishment of Māori wards therefore levelling the playing field. I want to quote Pita Tīpene of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine where he said many many years ago the status quo is unacceptable. I have been studying this topic of local government and Māori for the last seven years. For 20 years it has been almost impossible to establish Māori wards and constituencies throughout the 78 councils around the country. Why is that? The tyranny of the majority. We have Local Government New Zealand calling for this. We have the Human Rights Commission pointing to the fact that Māori are severely under-represented and this is one of the mechanisms in which we could achieve fairer participation and achievement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We have the United Nations special rapporteur and two reports also pointing to it the Waitangi Tribunal petitions to Parliament numerous evidence. I want to congratulate the Minister of Local Government for having the courage to bring this legislation 20 years after we have tried and tested this in our communities where councils for the first several years were too afraid to make the decision. But—bold leadership—now those decisions are being made and as has been said here tonight if the voters are unhappy with that the chance to make it right is in three years is at the election. So I commend this bill to the House.