edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4117. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister of Conservation: How does Budget 2015 help to secure the future of the kiwi?Hon MAGGIE BARRY (Minister of Conservation): Our national bird the kiwi will receive $11.2 million in operating funding over the next 4 years and that is on top of the $4 million the Department of Conservation currently spends every year on kiwi work. Predators like rats stoats and ferrets mean that kiwi numbers are declining by 2 percent a year and there is a very real risk that our national bird will be extinct on the mainland in our grandchildren’s lifetime. My aim is to turn this 2 percent decline into a 2 percent annual increase as a matter of urgency. The Department of Conservation will work closely with the Kiwis for Kiwi trust over the next 4 years to distribute $3.5 million among community initiatives to boost breeding programmes extend predator control systems and establish a robust monitoring programme that includes acoustic recording devices and intensive tracking.Scott Simpson: How will this investment be used to boost kiwi numbers in the wild?Hon MAGGIE BARRY: The extra $11.2 million of funding announced last week means that the Department of Conservation will be able to more than double the area of public conservation land that is actively managed for kiwi. This means additional predator control of more than half a million hectares. The existing Kiwi Crèche kōhanga sanctuaries around New Zealand are very successful and we will be expanding on these collecting and raising chicks in protected sanctuaries until they are approximately 1 kilogram in weight when they are better able to survive predator attacks in the wild and can be released. There will also be a programme of research to implement new tools and techniques for kiwi protection in conjunction with New Zealand’s biological and scientific challenges. [Interruption] Although the Opposition may think it is a joke our kiwi are under threat and this Government takes it very seriously.
Barclay Todd: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBarclay Todd: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4114. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.TODD BARCLAY (National—Clutha-Southland) to the Minister of Corrections: What announcements has he made regarding the roll-out of new stab-proof vests to Corrections officers?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Minister of Corrections): Malo le soifua lou afioga le fofoga fetalai.Earlier this month I announced that the Department of Corrections would invest nearly $4 million to roll out around 3500 lightweight stab-resistant vests to all front-line corrections officers. Our corrections officers work in some of the most challenging and often high-risk conditions and these vests will provide them with another level of protection within the prison environment. Although assaults with stabbing weapons are rare these newer lighter vests will enhance the current stock of response vests which are bulkier and not suitable for prolonged daily use. The investment of nearly $4 million in these New Zealand - made vests is a result of our comprehensive safety plan and aligns the Department of Corrections with the same type of vest issued to New Zealand police and courts staff.Todd Barclay: What other measures has this Government delivered to help improve the safety of our corrections officers?Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: Good question. The safety of our staff is of paramount importance. We want to create a safe working environment where staff and offenders interact without violence. The Department of Corrections launched its staff safety plan in 2014 which focused on five key priorities: visible leadership increased training effective communication enhanced resources and appropriate tools and improved resources.
Scott Alastair: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeScott Alastair: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4112. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.ALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa) to the Associate Minister for Primary Industries: What recent Government initiatives encourage the planting of forests in New Zealand’s regions?Hon JO GOODHEW (Associate Minister for Primary Industries): We have recently confirmed a $22.5 million reboot of the Afforestation Grants Scheme. We understand that forestry is a long-term game and this Government knows that start-up costs can be a huge barrier. This scheme invests into grants to lower the establishment costs of new forest planting in our regions. It is expected to result in 15000 hectares of new forest. This scheme was announced in the Wairarapa electorate on Jamie Falloon’s property. Those who attended the launch were shown forestry areas that were established under the previous Afforestation Grants Scheme. Therefore they saw the considerable benefits.Alastair Scott: What other environmental benefits will this scheme achieve?Hon JO GOODHEW: Based on the previous Afforestation Grants Scheme this new scheme will increase the productivity of erosion-prone land improve water quality and reduce the impact of severe flooding. In other words this is an ideal scheme for erosion-prone and other under-utilised land. The scheme is also expected to result in 1.9 million tonnes of additional carbon dioxide stored in our forests.
Hudson Brett: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHudson Brett: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4111. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister for Communications: How does Budget 2015 continue the Government’s commitment to the Ultra-Fast Broadband programme?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister for Communications): Budget 2015 shows this Government’s strong commitment to investing in communications infrastructure through our Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative. With the first phase of the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative running 10 percent ahead of schedule and within budget this Government is delivering on our election commitment to expand our investment in high-speed internet connectivity. That is why the Budget included up to $210 million in capital funding from the Future Investment Fund which will allow us to expand the coverage of ultra-fast broadband to reach at least 80 percent of New Zealanders. That is an estimated extra 200000 New Zealanders and it brings this Government’s total investment in improving connectivity to $2 billion.Brett Hudson: How can communities who want to be part of the next phase of the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative get involved?Hon AMY ADAMS: As part of the extension of the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative we are asking councils and communities to work with us to get the best result out of the investment. This could involve providing local knowledge on existing networks and infrastructure working with IT companies to make sure the builds can be faster and cheaper or having specific plans and opportunities ready to make the most of the social and economic gains that ultra-fast broadband can deliver. This gives communities the chance to be involved from the outset and to work with us to ensure we design the best programme possible for stage two of the Ultra-fast Broadband Initiative. The process closes on 3 July and I urge all councils to take up this exciting opportunity to help us bring faster connectivity to their communities.
Shaw James: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeShaw James: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4107. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.JAMES SHAW (Green) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Has a full and final settlement been reached with Mr Al Khalaf; if so what is the total cost to taxpayers?Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs): As I said to the House yesterday: “the New Zealand Government specifically resisted the concept of compensation to the Al Khalaf group”. Therefore it is not appropriate to use the term “full and final settlement”. However the Government is satisfied that the partnership outlined in the Cabinet paper I have previously tabled has fully resolved the prospect of any litigation.James Shaw: Was the Government given a written assurance from Mr Al Khalaf that these payoffs constituted the equivalent of a full and final settlement?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: What I can say as I said in the primary answer is that in the process that played out the Government was fully satisfied that the partnership outlined in the Cabinet paper that I have previously tabled fully resolved the prospect of any litigation.James Shaw: So is the Minister saying that New Zealand taxpayers flew sheep to Saudi Arabia built a farm in the middle of the Arabian Desert bought out property in New Zealand bribed a wealthy businessman and yet have no written guarantees that they will not get sued in the future or be required to hand out more taxpayer dollars?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: No.James Shaw: Why did the Minister agree to pay off Mr Al Khalaf with no legal advice about whether there was any credible cause of action?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: The Government took advice from very senior officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade including from the legal division.James Shaw: Is it normal practice to enter into a business arrangement on the basis of a strongly worded letter from Mai Chen?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: I have never received a strongly worded letter from Mai Chen in my life.James Shaw: Can the Minister rule out that no other foreign businesses have been paid off to prevent lawsuits or influence trade outcomes?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: As I indicated to the House yesterday I have not seen an example of the appalling behaviour by a Government that required rectification on the scale of this one.James Shaw: So would he say—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the member start again.James Shaw: Would he say: “Bribing a Saudi businessman ain’t working that’s not the way you do it. He’s got your money for nothing and your sheep for free.”?Hon MURRAY McCULLY: No.
Tolley Anne: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTolley Anne: Business Statement[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4105. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Acting Leader of the House): The only comment I would make to that member is that this is an extremely efficient Government.
Hipkins Chris: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHipkins Chris: Business Statement[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4105. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour):I note the analysis of the Parliamentary Library indicating that Parliament currently has the least business before it that it has had in 20 years and wonder whether the Leader of the House has had further opportunity to consider my previous offer to increase the number of members’ days to ensure that the House is usefully occupied.
Tolley Anne: Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTolley Anne: Business Statement[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4105. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Acting Leader of the House): When the House resumes on Tuesday 2 June the Government will look to continue the Budget debate and progress a number of first readings on the Order Paper including the Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill and the Electronic Monitoring of Offenders Legislation Bill. Wednesday is a members’ day.
Business StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBusiness Statement[Sitting date: 28 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4105. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Thursday 28 May 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Business StatementHon ANNE TOLLEY (Acting Leader of the House): When the House resumes on Tuesday 2 June the Government will look to continue the Budget debate and progress a number of first readings on the Order Paper including the Accident Compensation (Financial Responsibility and Transparency) Amendment Bill and the Electronic Monitoring of Offenders Legislation Bill. Wednesday is a members’ day.CHRIS HIPKINS (Senior Whip—Labour):I note the analysis of the Parliamentary Library indicating that Parliament currently has the least business before it that it has had in 20 years and wonder whether the Leader of the House has had further opportunity to consider my previous offer to increase the number of members’ days to ensure that the House is usefully occupied.Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Acting Leader of the House): The only comment I would make to that member is that this is an extremely efficient Government.
Dyson Ruth: Gambling Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDyson Ruth: Gambling Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4102. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills): I would like to begin by requesting an extension of time for the member who has just resumed her seat Sarah Dowie—maybe for another 3 minutes. Seriously can I begin my contribution by saying talofa lava malo le soifua as part of my contribution to the celebration of the wonderful Samoan language this week. The week to celebrate Samoan language immediately follows New Zealand Sign Language Week which we had last week. I am calling on the member Ron Mark to give as much highlighting to the Samoan language as he did to New Zealand Sign Language Week last week but perhaps in a more gentle way. But the publicity we got for that language was great.This is a pretty momentous occasion tonight. I think that there have been few times since 2008 that we have not had on the Order Paper a gambling bill of some description so I am delighted to be speaking to the Gambling Amendment Bill (No 3). The other significance of this legislation as other members have indicated—the Minister who spoke the member from Invercargill and my colleague who is responsible for gambling issues for Labour Adrian Rurawhe—is that with a couple of policy points as exceptions this bill has been supported by the Government Administration Committee and most of the submitters. The submitters came to our committee and said: “We support this bill except for one area and it does not go far enough in another.” That was the basis of the contribution of some really substantial submissions and I have to say also that there were some submissions that were very moving.It is a huge difference to be debating a bill that has got agreement as opposed to that shonky Skycity deal that Minister Joyce brought to this House where we saw Skycity getting more pokies in return for a convention centre. In 2011 when Skycity booted out all the competition we were told would get a convention centre that could accommodate up to 5000 people. We will have a convention centre that can take fewer than 3000. Is that an international convention centre? I do not think so.Debate interrupted.
Borrows Chester: Health (Protection) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Health (Protection) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4088. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call Jan Logie—a 5-minute call.
Tisch Lindsay: Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4072. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call David Bennett—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4071. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Order! This is the third time. I am terminating the member’s speech. A split call Nuk Korako—5 minutes.
Goodhew Jo: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeGoodhew Jo: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4069. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon JO GOODHEW (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): I move That this debate be now adjourned.Motion agreed to.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4066. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry—[Interruption] Order! The member’s time has expired.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4061. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Sorry to interrupt the honourable member. His time has expired. I call Barbara Stewart—5 minutes.
Mallard Trevor: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4059. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Richard Prosser—a 5-minute call.
Mallard Trevor: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4055. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Thank you. The member’s time has expired.
Mallard Trevor: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4052. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Gareth Hughes—a 5-minute call.
Mallard Trevor: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4049. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): I call Nuk Korako—5 minutes.
Sage Eugenie: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSage Eugenie: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4035. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]EUGENIE SAGE (Green): In my concluding remarks I would like to talk about Christchurch because the Government has a plan for central Christchurch but it is a plan for extravagant super-sized anchor projects that Christchurch cannot afford. That plan certainly is benefiting and working for the big construction companies the foreign hotel chains the consultants and the design contractors but it does not work for the people of Christchurch. It is not affordable for the people of Christchurch.The Budget should have provided additional funding to meet the more than $400 million shortfall in the costs of repairing the horizontal infrastructure: stormwater sewerage and local roads. But instead we see more money to speed up the anchor projects. We see the Christchurch City Council getting over $100 million in its budget to fund a stadium that no one wants. It is time for the Government to re-examine that cost-sharing agreement to make sure that projects are affordable and are not extravagant ones that burden Christchurch residents with debt box the city council into a corner and put pressure on the council to sell revenue-generating assets to pay for potential white elephants like the stadium that will not generate revenue. The Budget funded the wrong things and is putting priority on those extravagant projects rather than the basics that Christchurch citizens want.
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4034. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I will have a look for the member’s sake but it was an authenticated question and I think—[Interruption] Order! I am speaking. It was based I think on authentication that was gained from a paper tabled yesterday in the House but I will have a further look at the question.
Brownlee Gerry: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBrownlee Gerry: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4034. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did not raise this at the time because I thought it was not of such significance at the time. But I do think in general it would be useful if you could have a look at question No. 2 and perhaps the paperwork that was provided that led to a question saying that this was a proposal to put houses on the site of an electrical substation when quite clearly that is completely nonsensical and should not have been allowed.
Stewart Barbara: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeStewart Barbara: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4034. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) to the Minister for Primary Industries: Does he believe Hong Kong-based He Run International Investment’s plan to build a dairy factory in Otorohanga will benefit the Waikato and wider New Zealand dairy industry; if so why?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): I have not seen the full detail of the particular proposal so I cannot comment specifically but generally new dairy investments reinforce the fact that the medium to long term outlook for the New Zealand dairy industry is indeed very positive. These investments often generate hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars for local economies and help support regional economic growth.Barbara Stewart: Does he believe it is right that Fonterra farmers in the King Country will have to supply a direct competitor with 50 million litres of milk at just above cost because this Government wants foreign companies to have a hand up?Hon NATHAN GUY: I would not agree with the latter part of that question. To the first part of it if the member was up to speed with what is happening in the dairy industry she would in fact know that recently Minister Goldsmith and I announced that we have requested a report beginning next month on the state of competition in New Zealand’s dairy industry which will in fact address this.David Seymour: Can the Minister explain the difference between a dollar of foreign capital invested from Hong Kong as the member noted in her primary question and a dollar of foreign capital from Australia Switzerland the US the UK Canada France Germany or Russia?Mr SPEAKER: Order! I think there is very little ministerial responsibility for that.Barbara Stewart: Given He Run International Investment follows the larger Yashili factory at Pōkeno Yili’s expansion of Oceania Dairy Bright Dairy - controlled Synlait and Danone’s purchase of Gardians does he have any concern that we are on the path to becoming farm labourers in our own country?Hon NATHAN GUY: No I reject the latter part of that question. In fact I am embarrassed that the member has even bothered to raise it in the House.Barbara Stewart: I seek leave to table an extract from the Hong Kong company list showing He Run International Investment wasincorporated only at the beginning of May.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that information from the Hong Kong company register. Is there any objection? There is no objection. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
McKelvie Ian: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMcKelvie Ian: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4033. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister for Land Information: What work is she aware of that has been completed to safeguard New Zealand’s historic aerial photo collection?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Land Information): Land Information New Zealand is leading a project in partnership with regional councils to scan negatives of historical aerial photographs. This imagery consists of around 650000 film negatives of photographs taken from 1936 to 2005. These images contain a wealth of information spanning a third of New Zealand’s modern history. Land Information New Zealand is working to safeguard New Zealanders’ ability to use these photographs by digitising them to make them increasingly available to the public.Ian McKelvie: What benefits do historical aerial photographs have in New Zealand?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Historical aerial photographs have a variety of uses. They show us changes in land use and coastal changes and assist with archaeologic and cultural research. By using these images we are able to make better decisions on future land use. An example is developers who have been able to use these photographs quickly to assess whether land can be safely used for the rebuild of housing for example in Canterbury. [Interruption] It is a shame that the members opposite are not interested in the rebuild of Canterbury. The work that Land Information New Zealand is doing contributes to this Government’s investment in open data by making location-based information increasingly available.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4029. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What action is the Government taking to improve the quality of financial advice?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs): Strong capital markets are integral to any productive and competitive economy as businesses need access to capital to grow. Access to quality financial advice is an important part of ensuring that they function well. The Government is reviewing the Financial Advisers Act and the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act to ensure that these pieces of legislation are working as well as they can be. Yesterday we released an issues paper for public consultation as part of this review and the aim is to identify opportunities to limit complexity identify any barriers to advice and ensure that appropriate levels of consumer protection are in place.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What areas will the issues paper seek feedback on?Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: We want to ask all stakeholders and consumers key questions such as whether people feel they have access to good quality financial advice and whether they understand how advisers are regulated. We also want to find out whether the complexity of regulations has prevented people from considering advice and we also ask whether compliance costs have made advice less accessible. I encourage all New Zealanders with an interest in this issue to have their say. Making sure that our capital markets are strong and stable is just one of the many goals set by our Business Growth Agenda.
Fox Marama: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFox Marama: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4025. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.MARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party) to the Minister of Local Government: What advice has she received through report back from officials in March this year about Māori participation in local government processes and what consideration if any has been given by her as a result of that advice?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister of Local Government): I have not yet received the advice that the member is referring to because officials are taking more time to work on it than originally thought. What I would say to the member though is that I am very supportive of Māori representation within local councils and I certainly support that and would like to see that increasing. For example here in the House over 20 percent of the members of Parliament are Māori. However I think it is quite interesting to point out that 72 percent of our Māori MPs are in general seats or are from the list and actually 28 percent are from Māori seats. We can see the skew that is going towards people being selected and put forward in general seats and that is what I would like to see happening on local councils.Marama Fox: Although we celebrate the Te Arawa partnership proposal and the decision that was made in Rotorua what is the Minister prepared to do to remove unfair provisions in current legislation that allow for the establishment of Māori wards on local councils to be overturned by referendum given this discriminatory legislation applies only to Māori representation as witnessed by the result in New Plymouth?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Although I respect that that is the member’s stance it is actually not mine and I do not think that it is unfair that people have their say and that there is a referendum. As I say it is not about us not wanting to see an increase of Māori on councils and the Te Arawa example is a good one where they have given them voting rights and this has gone through. But as such I think that if Māori wards are being put up then the current system that they go through a referendum is fair.Marama Fox: Does the Minister accept that given that this piece of legislation applies only to Māori and Māori wards it is in fact unfair?Hon PAULA BENNETT: Other groups that are set up are very different from what is proposed for Māori wards. For example they are advisory groups that might be through different ethnicities. They are not similar to what is proposed for Māori wards. They are different and as such there are special provisions within the law for them.David Seymour: What advice and consideration has the Minister applied to similarly numerous ethnic groups such as Chinese and Indian New Zealanders when it comes to participation in local government?Hon PAULA BENNETT: I cannot think of any advice that I have received on that to date.
Carter David: Points of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio SystemText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Points of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio System[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4021. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: We will have someone look at the mikes immediately. In the meantime if the mikes are not working it would be helpful if members would keep their interjections to a minimum level.
Points of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio SystemText is subject to correctionPoints of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio System[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:1. Text is subject to correction.]Wednesday 27 May 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Points of OrderChamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio SystemHon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future):I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I realise that both you and the Clerk are speaking pretty softly at the moment but there may be some problem with the amplification system. It is a little hard to hear in this quadrant of the House.Mr SPEAKER: We will have someone look at the mikes immediately. In the meantime if the mikes are not working it would be helpful if members would keep their interjections to a minimum level.
Dunne Peter: Points of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio SystemText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDunne Peter: Points of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio System[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4021. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I realise that both you and the Clerk are speaking pretty softly at the moment but there may be some problem with the amplification system. It is a little hard to hear in this quadrant of the House.
Points of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio SystemText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePoints of Order — Chamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio System[Sitting date: 27 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4021. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Wednesday 27 May 2015Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.Points of OrderChamber Lobbies and Galleries—Audio SystemHon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future): I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I realise that both you and the Clerk are speaking pretty softly at the moment but there may be some problem with the amplification system. It is a little hard to hear in this quadrant of the House.Mr SPEAKER: We will have someone look at the mikes immediately. In the meantime if the mikes are not working it would be helpful if members would keep their interjections to a minimum level.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4016. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Stuart Smith—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4015. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call. Andrew Bayly—5 minutes.
Borrows Chester: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:4001. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is a 5-minutes-each split call from the National Party.
Borrows Chester: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3989. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A 5-minute call—Denise Roche.
Borrows Chester: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3988. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is a split call for the Green Party—5 minutes each.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3987. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Barbara Kuriger—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3986. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call. I call Jo Hayes—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3984. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Order! The member’s time has expired.
Tisch Lindsay: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3981. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Order! The member’s time has expired.
Smith Nick: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSmith Nick: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3954. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment): I apologise to Russel Norman. I seek leave of the House to table a document covering the last 20 Budgets prepared by Grant Cleland from the Parliamentary Library—Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Which you referred to earlier. Leave is sought—Hon Annette King: Is it publicly available?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: No it is not.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member has indicated that it has been constructed from the Parliamentary Library. It is not publicly available. Leave is sought for the purpose of tabling that. Is there any objection? There is objection. It will not be tabled.
Borrows Chester: Budget DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Budget Debate[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3953. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Before I call the next member can I just encourage members to take a breath. It is going to be a long debate. It will be robust no doubt and it is a lot easier if people make their interjections rare and reasonable and hopefully witty as a previous Labour Speaker indicated should be the case. I call Dr Russel Norman—sorry; the Hon Nick Smith has a point of order.
Carter David: Urgent Debates Declined — Relationships Aotearoa—Government Funding Skycity Convention Centre—Design Iraq Military Deployment—Iraqi ArmyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Urgent Debates Declined — Relationships Aotearoa—Government Funding Skycity Convention Centre—Design Iraq Military Deployment—Iraqi Army[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3946. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: I have received a letter from the Hon Annette King seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the failure of the negotiations between Government agencies and Relationships Aotearoa. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. The failure of the negotiations with Government agencies was reported by Relationships Aotearoa yesterday. The negotiations concerned the level of future Government funding for the service. The House this week is debating the 2015-16 Budget and the departmental estimates are currently before select committees for examination. The Budget debate will provide the opportunity to discuss the matter today and the estimates examinations will provide the opportunity to consider it in detail and debate it further when select committee reports on the estimates are considered in the Committee of the whole House. On this basis the matter raised does not meet the test for me to set aside the business of the House today. The application is therefore declined.I have also received a letter from Dr David Clark seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the announcement today that the Skycity Auckland Convention Centre design will be downsized. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. The revised design was announced today by the Minister for Economic Development and the Government is party to the agreement to build the convention centre. However the business of the House should not be set aside just because a ministerial announcement has been made even though it may be important. There must be such an element of urgency that the matter must take precedence over other business. In this instance I am not persuaded that there is an element of urgency that warrants the setting aside of the business of the House. The application is therefore declined.I have further received a letter from Ron Mark seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to within an hour’s range of the Taji base and the Iraqis’ lack of will to fight. The matter outlined in Mr Mark’s letter does not constitute a particular case of recent occurrence and does not involve ministerial responsibility. The advance of ISIS and the state of the Iraqi army are not matters for which there is ministerial responsibility. The Government decision to deploy troops to Iraq was announced in February of this year and was debated in the House at that time. Because the application does not meet any of the criteria for an urgent debate set out in Standing Order 389 it is declined.
Parmar Parmjeet: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParmar Parmjeet: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3945. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister for Building and Housing: What progress has the Government made in increasing the supply of housing in Christchurch and what lessons can be learnt in addressing Auckland’s issues?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Building and Housing): The housing market in Christchurch became very constrained following the loss of 10000 homes in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. There have been over a dozen Government initiatives to tackle this from emergency repairs to interventions in the planning and building consent system as well as facilitating new housing on unused public land. The house build rate in Christchurch has quadrupled from 80 per month to over 360 per month. House price increases have dropped from 12 percent per year to just 2 percent in the last year. Rents which were soaring in 2012 and 2013 have now stabilised to the point where rents in the last year have declined by 5 percent. The lesson for Auckland is that increased supply is the main solution. That is why the Government has put so much focus on increasing the rate of house builds. It was 200 per month when we came to Government; last month we got to over 750 new homes.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: What initiatives does the Government have under way on public land for housing and how are these to be expanded?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: We have initiatives well under way in areas like Hobsonville Weymouth Tāmaki and Papakura in Auckland; and at Ranges Park Awatea Colombo Street Welles Street and Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch. Budget 2015 expands this work with a programme to investigate and identify public land holdings in Auckland for housing. This Friday I will be launching the programme with developers from both New Zealand and Australia and publicly naming the first potential blocks of land.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: When will the first houses be completed from this initiative?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Our objective is to have the first partnership agreements with developers agreed within 6 months. We may also need to use the streamlined special housing area process to be able to appropriately zone the areas and also to get the resource consents for the infrastructure. There will then be the timetable for the construction of that infrastructure the consenting of the homes and their building. My expectation is that the first homes from this initiative will come on stream and be available for families in 2017.
Simpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3944. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister of Health: What progress has been made towards achieving the Government’s national health target?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): Today the Ministry of Health published the health target results for quarter three 2014-15. They show good progress overall with the highlight being that the Government’s target of reducing emergency department waiting times has been achieved for the very first time. Across New Zealand 95 percent of patients were admitted transferred or discharged within 6 hours. I would like to congratulate all the emergency department staff across our district health boards on this outstanding result. The other stand-out result is that district health boards achieved 107 percent of the national target for elective surgery delivering 7997 more elective surgeries than planned for the year to date.Scott Simpson: What impact will Budget 2015 have on the national health targets?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: New Zealand’s health budget will reach a record $15.9 billion in the coming year and includes new funding to provide more New Zealanders with timely elective surgery. There is $92 million being committed to continue the Government’s effort to increase elective surgeries delivering 5000 extra elective surgeries each year. On top of that $6 million has been committed to create community-based early intervention teams for diagnosis in management of orthopaedic conditions. Budget 2015 supports the Government’s clear plan for delivering the health services that our communities need.
Carter David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3944. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that particular Cabinet document. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.
McCully Murray: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMcCully Murray: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3944. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon MURRAY McCULLY (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I apologise for not doing so at the end of question No. 8 but I want to seek leave to table a Cabinet paper dated 13 February 2013 entitled Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership.
Muller Todd: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMuller Todd: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3941. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty) to the Minister for Social Development: How does Budget 2015 help parents who receive a benefit?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): Last week we announced a $790 million child hardship package as part of Budget 2015. The package includes increased work obligations for sole parents on a benefit more childcare support a $25-a-week increase in benefit rates for families with children—the first increase above inflation in 43 years—and an increase in Working for Families payments to low-income families who are not on a benefit. Alongside the successes that we have seen with our reforms to the welfare system which have resulted in 38000 fewer people on benefits compared with 3 years ago the number of children in benefit-dependent households has fallen by almost 42000 over the same period.Todd Muller: What feedback has she received on how Budget 2015 will support children in benefit-dependent households?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I was encouraged to read that the Southland Beneficiaries and Community Rights Centre supports the package. It welcomed the package as “overall a step in the right direction”. Its press release also said that a policy of withholding State support for beneficiaries unless they are enrolled to vote as was proposed by Labour was hardly inclusive or progressive. This National Government is making considered and appropriate changes to support children in families in hardship.Todd Muller: How will changes to part-time work obligations help children in benefit-dependent households?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: This Government believes that the best way out of poverty is through work. The package announced last week will see sole parents more intensively supported into part-time work when their youngest child turns 3. I was delighted that Dr Lance O’Sullivan supported this change saying that we should expose children in benefit-dependent homes “to positive environments keep them warm safe and dry and give them a learning opportunity that will prepare them for school because I don’t believe we should wait till age 5.” The number of sole parents is the lowest since 1988. The more sole parents we can get into work the fewer children we will have dependent on a benefit.