Robertson GrantGENERAL DEBATEHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister): I move That the House take note of miscellaneous business. Last weekend was a weekend of contrast. Here in New Zealand we celebrated as a country for the first time Matariki—Mānawatia a Matariki. This was a tremendous occasion one where it was so much more than a public holiday. It was a celebration of who we are as a nation and who we would like to be as a nation. Its timing was impeccable after a tough couple of years for New Zealanders and facing as we are a cost of living crisis and pressures across the economy this was an opportunity for New Zealanders to take stock.I note the words of Sir Pou Temara when he said Today is a moment in time. Today we have chosen to thread the principles and values of Matariki into who we are as a people. Yes let us celebrate our individuality and uniqueness our diversity and variety and the wonderful colours and flavours who make us who we are. But let us also come together to rise as one people one nation as one cluster to collectively darn another historical stitch into the fabric of our national identity."I am immensely proud to be part of a Government that recognises the importance of Te Ao Māori and our national identity in building our nation. For me this sits alongside the introduction of New Zealand histories into our school curriculum the fact that we have apologised for and are working on reconciliation around the Dawn Raids the fact that as a country we are making sure that we address the needs of people right across New Zealand and on Friday we have—perhaps for the first time in the world—a ministry of disabled people that will open as well. These things matter because they're about every New Zealander finding their place in this country of Aotearoa New Zealand.As a Government it is our job to make sure we look after New Zealanders in the here and now and support them with the rising costs they see in supermarkets and in petrol prices as the global inflation pressures strike in New Zealand. It is to make sure we support them through COVID-19 and it is to invest in our future so that we have high-wage jobs in a low-carbon economy. We must do all of that but a Government must also make sure that every person who lives here feels included feels valued and feels respected. I know that it is the values that Jacinda Ardern holds as Prime Minister—the values of inclusion of support of manaakitanga of making sure that every single New Zealander finds a place for themselves in our country—and Matariki is a great example of the way that we can do that and I think New Zealanders have welcomed it.But the contrast last weekend was the release of the Roe v Wade decision in the United States of America and the distress that that caused for women across the world as fundamental reproductive rights were stripped away after 50 years of what had been thought to be settled and consensus law. It was absolutely no surprise that women and people across Aotearoa New Zealand were concerned and distressed about this and again the Prime Minister spoke for those values.Five days on I couldn't tell you what Christopher Luxon thinks about these issues. I couldn't tell you what values Christopher Luxon would bring to being the leader of New Zealand. I couldn't tell you that because today I don't know whether the National Party will vote for a member's bill when it comes to issue of abortion. What I do know is that Christopher Luxon has decided that fundamental reproductive rights for women are a distraction—that's what he's decided. He's also given a list today of the issues that concern women. So stand down ladies Christopher Luxon's got it covered for you! He knows the issues are for woman; he doesn't need to hear from anybody else! Simon O'Connor has had a lot to say this week as well about these issues. I want to quote from something that he said in this House: "one of the things that [annoys me] as a student of philosophy and as a parliamentarian is inconsistency. [If at] any time the public can see inconsistency they know something wrong is happening." I couldn't agree—for once in my life—more with Simon O'Connor. This is about consistency. On this side of the House we have a Government that consistently upholds the values of inclusion and of support and of making sure that every New Zealander can achieve their potential. On the other side of the House we have a group of people who are committed once again to dividing and looking after the most wealthy in our society. This has been a weekend of celebration for New Zealand with Matariki. We are on a path to celebrating our national identity and including and supporting every citizen. I'm immensely proud of the Government that has led that."