edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Tuesday 28 June 2016 - Volume 715
Appropriation (2015/16 Supplementary Estimates) Bill & Imprest Supply (First for 2016/17) Bill — Third Readings
Appropriation (2015/16 Supplementary Estimates) Bill & Imprest Supply (First for 2016/17) Bill — Second Readings (continued)
Appropriation (2015/16 Supplementary Estimates) Bill & Imprest Supply (First for 2016/17) Bill — Second Readings
Thursday 11 August 2016 - Volume 716
Appropriation (2016/17 Estimates) Bill — Third Reading & Imprest Supply (Second for 2016/17) Bill — Second Reading
Tuesday 16 August 2016 - Volume 716
Tuesday 27 June 2017 - Volume 723
Appropriation (2016/17 Supplementary Estimates) Bill & Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill — Second Readings
Point England Development Enabling Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Point England Development Enabling Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 62New Zealand National 58; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 43New Zealand Labour 31; New Zealand First 12.Abstentions 14Green Party 14.Bill read a third time.
Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill be read a third time.Ayes 62New Zealand National 58; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 57New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.
Appropriation (2016/17 Supplementary Estimates) Bill — Third Reading
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2016/17 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a third time.Ayes 62New Zealand National 58; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 57New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bill read a third time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Appropriation (2016/17 Supplementary Estimates) Bill and the Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill be now read a second time.Ayes 62New Zealand National 58; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 57New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bills read a second time.
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That the Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill be now read a first time.Ayes 62New Zealand National 58; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 57New Zealand Labour 31; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Bill read a first time.
Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill — First Reading
12. Police—Services DeliverySTUART NASH (Labour—Napier) to the Minister of PolicePolice—Services Delivery12. STUART NASH (Labour—Napier) to the Minister of Police: Does she believe her Government has to accept any responsibility for the fact that almost 60 percent of Police staff do not believe New Zealand Police delivers on the promises it makes to the public; if not why not?Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister of Police): No. This Government does however accept responsibility for putting 1125 more staff on the ground over the next 4 years so that they can raise the level of service provided to the people of New Zealand.Stuart Nash: In light of that answer is it true that the first business case taken to Cabinet by Judith Collins the hard-working former Minister of Police asked for 1165 sworn officers because this is what police said they needed to reduce serious crime by 10 percent" rather than the 880 officers delivered by her Government?Hon PAULA BENNETT: There have been a number of business cases. Cabinet has made its decision and I stand by it.Stuart Nash: Does she think her Government's constant threat of cuts to road policing might have anything to do with the fact that road policing staff scored the lowest across every key measure in the 2017 workplace survey?Hon PAULA BENNETT: No and in fact the first part of the member's question was absolutely incorrect. It is very much thanks to the Minister of Transport and the ministry itself which had an extra $10 million and none of those people were made redundant.Stuart Nash: What does she say to the 57 percent of hard-working police officers who say that the New Zealand Police does not provide adequate training for the work that they do?Hon PAULA BENNETT: I say that more police on the ground and those extra 245 other police will free them up to get to do more of that training and it is coming their way.Stuart Nash: Why 9 long years after National made so many promises around addressing the issues of crime is meth out of control in our communities only 28 percent of police say they are engaged in their jobs and 55 percent of police say that they have an unacceptable level of workplace stress?Hon PAULA BENNETT: That in fact is not true because what we do see is the Citizens' Satisfaction Survey which shows that 84 percent of the public is satisfied with police that 87 percent have said that their expectations were met or exceeded and that 78 percent of the public said that they have trust and confidence in our wonderful police. I will not be talking them down even though the member might.Stuart Nash: I would like to table the 2017 Police Workplace Survey which shows 28 percent of police say they are engaged in their jobs and 58 percent of police say—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] We do not need a further description. I presume it has not been publicly circulated to members.Hon PAULA BENNETT: It is a public document.Mr SPEAKER: Order! If it is a public document I do not intend to put the leave."
10. Health Ministry—Pacific Health ScholarshipsDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Associate Minister of HealthHealth Ministry—Pacific Health Scholarships10. Dr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei) to the Associate Minister of Health: What announcements has she made regarding the Pacific Health Scholarships?Hon NICKY WAGNER (Associate Minister of Health): This year a record 190 Pacific Health Scholarships are being awarded. It is a total of $1.4 million. The scholarships which cover 80 percent of course fees are awarded to outstanding students based on academic achievement leadership qualities community involvement and commitment to Pasifika communities.Dr Shane Reti: How do these scholarships strengthen the Pacific health and disability workforce?Hon NICKY WAGNER: The Ministry of Health - funded scholarships aim to strengthen the Pacific health and disability workforce by providing financial assistance to Pacific students who are committed to improving the health of their communities. Boosting the Pacific health workforce will help address the diverse needs of Pacific communities and promote better health outcomes. Many of the students receiving scholarships may not have been able to achieve their employment goals without this kind of support and I congratulate each and every student and wish them the best for their future studies. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order!
5. Bovine Blood Products—Market AccessSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesBovine Blood Products—Market Access5. STUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What recent announcements has the Government made regarding market access for bovine blood products?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): Last week I was at the Proliant plant at Feilding to announce that access has been approved for 16 New Zealand premises to export bovine blood products into China. Formal access for these products opens up enormous opportunities for our red meat producers and it is estimated to be worth $50 million to $100 million a year. It is very welcome news for our red meat processors and comes off the back of recent access that we have gained for chilled meat products into China. Hopefully we will see the first consignment heading to market this week.Stuart Smith: What are our bovine blood products used for?Hon NATHAN GUY: A good question. In factories such as Proliant blood is processed down into serum and protein products. These products are used in the pharmaceutical industry for manufacturing vaccines and a range of other specialist products. We have a relatively free disease status here in New Zealand compared with other countries which means our blood products are widely sought after by a range of markets across the globe. This is a fantastic example of this Government helping industry take products out of commodities into value add.
2. Budget 2017—CommentaryMELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of FinanceBudget 2017—Commentary2. MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Finance: What feedback has he received from the public and businesses on Budget 2017?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): Since the Budget's release just over a month ago it has attracted a positive response from a number of business organisations and from the public. International ratings agency Moody's recently said that the Government's prudent fiscal plan will continue to give us options to share the benefits of growth as we saw with the Family Incomes Package. Recently the OECD in its country report noted New Zealand's strong economic growth and high employment as well as the low-inflation environment.Melissa Lee: How have businesses in the regions reacted to the Budget?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Since 25 May I have given briefings to around 32 different business groups social service provider groups community groups and iwi groups around the country and the feedback has been very positive. The regions are performing well. Under this Government's economic management the New Zealand economy is up on its foils. Budget 2017 continues the Government's strong plan to keep the economy growing giving households and businesses the confidence to make further long-term investments in their future. There are still some challenges though notably the shortage of skilled workers in regional New Zealand.Melissa Lee: What evidence are we seeing of further business growth?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: New Zealand's stable economic plan and pro-trade policies mean that Kiwi companies and entrepreneurs are more outward looking than ever before. We see that in official figures but also at an individual firm - level. Last Friday at the Bay of Plenty Export Awards I met the entrepreneurs behind George & Willy—a local furniture company exporting to over 20 countries every year and all at the tender age of 25 and as a result of an idea they had while at university in Dunedin. This is another example of how new New Zealand businesses are shaping globalisation to their advantage.Melissa Lee: What risks are there to businesses' confidence in the economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: There are both external and internal risks. Externally we are subject of course to global events but we are bolstering our resilience to these shocks by keeping the Government's books in good order and reducing debt as a percentage of GDP. Internally the biggest risk would be reversing the policies that have given businesses the confidence to invest and grow exports such as closing the door on new trade deals or turning away skilled workers at the border. There are some commentators who do want a breather and they want to slow down the economy to their pace. That is not the Government's plan. Our plan is to drive New Zealand's prosperity—something that everybody can share in.
Land Transfer Bill — Third Reading
Korako NukNUK KORAKO (National): Ā mauri ora e Te Mana Whakawā. I am proud to speak in support of the Point England Development Enabling Bill and I am proud to be part of a Government that is passing this bill today—and I also went to school in Auckland if that is any consolation. This particular bill here we know is not a Treaty settlement bill but it is a wonderful opportunity post the Treaty settlement bill. The Point England Development Enabling Act and the housing that it enables will stand as a rebuke to the National Party that claims to care about housing supply in Auckland. I am extremely excited about this bill and so is Ngāti Paoa and so were others of my Labour colleagues particularly around the first reading. Let me quote one—e hoa Mr Peeni Henare: welcome this partnership with Ngāti Paoa." He welcomed the fact that his bill will not only provide extra housing in Auckland but will provide land for a new marae. Ka pai. I also want to tautoko Carmel Sepuloni's comments that Labour will support any piece of legislation that is going to be about building more affordable houses in Auckland. If only those members meant it. In fact Labour has opposed every single development that is getting more affordable homes built in Auckland. If you ask me I think Carmel Sepuloni was telling the truth. I think Peeni Henare really does have the best interests for his constituents in Tāmaki Makaurau at heart. But they have been overruled by a leader and a housing spokesperson whose first strategy on housing was "no more Chinese-sounding surnames" and whose next big idea is overruling a partnership with iwi so that he can keep more cows grazing in the city. I want to finish by paraphrasing Su'a William Sio. This bill he said "is not just about building houses. It is about recognising what this is for strong healthy safe families." This is what this National-led Government is about particularly on housing. Nō reira e mihi atu ki a koutou katoa and I strongly support this bill in the third reading. Kia ora."
Doocey MattMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri): It is a pleasure to rise in support of the Point England Development Enabling Bill in its third reading. I would just like to take the liberty—it is the first time I have spoken in the House today and we are talking about an Auckland bill—to congratulate Team New Zealand and to say how synonymous the waterways of Auckland are with yachting. I must say there are plenty in the Waimak" who will be hoping that one day we may host it off the Waimakariri coast. This bill is a pragmatic bill. It is a bill that will ultimately lead to more housing in Auckland. What I can say is that the sign of a good bill is a bill that can learn from history from experience and from previous bills and with policy development we call it policy transfer. So when you look at the policy post-earthquake in Canterbury we know that if you free up land it increases supply which equals demand. I think that is first and foremost with this bill which is about freeing up a parcel of land that is Crown-owned but is vested in Auckland Council—about 11 hectares which will provide around 300 houses. We also know from the experience in Canterbury with the Riccarton Racecourse bill about allowing reserve land where we can build that housing—a whole range of affordable sociable and private houses which meets a need for Auckland. [Interruption] So here we hear the desperate sounds of the Opposition members who once again have fallen on the wrong side of the argument because what this bill will ultimately do is deliver more housing for Auckland. I appreciate that it is contentious. No one likes development. Waimakariri is the third - fastest-growing electorate in New Zealand. There is a lot of development and people are naturally anxious when developments are built close to them—we get that. But I suppose that on this side of the House we know that it is about making tough decisions and pragmatic decisions that will ultimately benefit New Zealanders. Another strength of this bill is the legislative process it has followed. You know on this side of the House the Minister and the select committee have listened to the submitters and have understood the issues around the loss of recreational land. It was great to see that there will be an acknowledgment that that recreational land will be matched and also the environmental impact. I have full faith in Ngāti Paoa that it will put mitigation strategies in place to address some of these concerns. Development is always tough. People get used to their environment and when they are told their environment is going to change naturally there is anxiety. But I think the process we have been through has listened to that and has put strategies in place to address that. In the end this is a pragmatic bill that will produce more housing for people in Auckland so I commend it to the House. Thank you."
Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Bakshi Kanwaljit SinghKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak and participate and support this bill. First of all I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Emirates Team New Zealand on winning the America's Cup. That was a proud moment for every Kiwi.This bill gives a lot of options to enhance how we can improve on the technology. Tracey Martin touched upon the fact that the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has got a limited scope but this will give it the opportunity to ensure that there is more innovation in this area. EECA is a Crown entity responsible for encouraging promoting and supporting energy efficiency energy conservation and the use of renewable resources of energy. Under EECA's current funding model its entire levy funding is recovered from the electricity efficiency levy which can be spent only on electricity efficiency activities. This bill will enable the cost of EECA's activity to stretch across the levies of transport fuel and gas as well as electricity. That will help to bring more innovation and more activities so that EECA can spread its wings.The previous speaker from the Labour Party Sue Moroney mentioned that local bodies will not implement that change in the using of bus lanes because they feel that there is already congestion. But the fact is that the Government is giving an option to local bodies to ensure and feel what is for their best advantage. We do not want the Government in the centre to implement the policies and tell them what is best for them to do. They should decide which things are best for them and they will implement those things accordingly. I think the points being raised by Sue Moroney were totally contradictory and did not have any logic to them. I think we should give authority to local bodies to ensure they can implement the policies in the way they feel is best for their local areas.I would also like to mention that new emerging technologies are on offer where we can have more efficient ways where we can save energy. These economical ways are the way to go forward. This bill will help to invite more innovation into New Zealand and having electric cars is one of those. For example the heat process in the dairy industry creates a lot of carbon emissions and we want to have efficiency. Most of the fuel used in the transport sector is from fossil fuels. We want to encourage cars to use electric vehicle processes so that we can reduce—because we know that 80 percent of the energy produced in electricity is from renewable resources. I would like to commend this bill to the House and I look forward to participating.
O'Connor SimonSIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki): What a great bill the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill is which is in the forefront of the development in this space which is world-leading which is innovative. Indeed it is so emphatically so that not only is National obviously supporting it but Labour is supporting it too which I think is fantastic. I want to acknowledge Judith Collins as now the responsible Minister obviously Simon Bridges before her and Melissa Lee and the whole Commerce Committee that worked on this; I myself am pleased to be part of that committee.This bill has four main elements to it. We have heard a little bit from the last speaker Stuart Nash about the changes to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). First and foremost the levies for EECA will no longer be solely from electricity but actually on the lines of gas as well and fuels which will also broaden the mandate of EECA which I think is fantastic. A lot of talk has often come around how electric vehicles will now be able to access special vehicle lanes. Importantly we are not mandating as Parliament that that must happen but we are allowing individual councils to make their decisions in that regard. The third element is exemptions to road charges. We are very keen to make sure that electric vehicles particularly the larger ones in the fleet—trucks effectively—will not have to pay road-user charges (RUCs). I suppose within all—well particularly those two elements around RUCs and around special vehicle lands it is an incentive to the public.The last speaker spoke a lot about what the Government can do and I am sure we can continue to explore options but this is about empowering New Zealanders to make a variety of decisions in this space and I think that is remarkably positive.Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Simpson ScottIMPREST SUPPLY (FIRST FOR 2017/18) BILLThird ReadingHon SCOTT SIMPSON (Minister of Statistics) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move That the Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill be now read a third time.
Simpson ScottAPPROPRIATION (2016/17 SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES) BILLThird ReadingHon SCOTT SIMPSON (Minister of Statistics) on behalf of the Minister of Finance: I move That the Appropriation (2016/17 Supplementary Estimates) Bill be now read a third time.
Joyce StevenIMPREST SUPPLY (FIRST FOR 2017/18) BILLFirst ReadingHon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): I move That the Imprest Supply (First for 2017/18) Bill be now read a first time.
Speaker's Rulings — Oral Questions—Ministerial Responsibility
Motions — Emirates Team New Zealand—America's Cup Victory
SpeechHon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future): I too join with others in congratulating Emirates Team New Zealand on its success in the 35th America's Cup sailed in Bermuda. New Zealand first competed in the America's Cup in 1986-87. In the 10 America's Cup contests since that time we have been the challenger or the defender on seven of those 10 occasions and today was the 50th time that Team New Zealand or a New Zealand team has sailed in an America's Cup final race. What an appropriate occasion that was to achieve what has perhaps been the most stunning victory of all. Yes Team New Zealand over the years has been the innovator right from the days of KZ-7 through to today but the level of innovation the level of technological supremacy I think has surpassed everyone's expectations.How could it be that this little country at the end of the world can consistently put together technology teams and people who go into these contests and do so extremely well? I think sometimes in these situations we make the mistake of failing to appreciate the unique contribution that being New Zealanders makes to these types of events. These New Zealanders are extraordinary people but they are extraordinary because they are New Zealanders not in spite of that fact. It is the same sort of thing that sees Peter Beck and his team on the verge of launching rockets into space. It is that sense of spark that innovation and that devil-may-care attitude that says we can actually beat the odds here be it NASA on the one hand or the might of Oracle and American money on the other.Today is a huge triumph. It is built on the success of previous occasions and I think it augurs extremely well both for the America's Cup in New Zealand but also for sailing as a whole and also for the support and enthusiasm of the next generation of young New Zealanders. My warmest congratulations to Emirates Team New Zealand and to everyone who has been part of it from the management down to the sailors to the funders and to the sheer legion of enthusiastic supporters up and down the country who have backed them every step of the way. When they return home in 10 days' time and the victory parades start to take place I have no doubt that they will match 1995 for their enthusiasm and their popular support. The America's Cup will capture the public imagination in just the same way as it did then and it will in turn inspire the up-and-coming New Zealand sailors the Peter Burlings of the future to even greater achievements on their behalf. Congratulations Team New Zealand. Our thoughts are with you now and our encouragement continues as the next stage of the journey begins.Motion agreed to.
Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): The ACT Party would like to join with New Zealand in congratulating Team New Zealand on this outstanding victory. Indeed the America's Cup has been a symbol of modern New Zealand. My first memories of sport in my life were the plastic fantastic" the farce of the catamaran Dennis Conner walking out on Paul Holmes and the court cases in New York. Who cannot remember Il Moro Challenge and the bowsprit controversy of 1992 before we finally in red socks brought the cup to its rightful home in 1995; the successful defence in the year 2000 on the waterfront; and the bitter loss to some traitorous former New Zealanders in 2003 before the wilderness years in Valencia; and the bitter bitter bitter disappointment that we suffered in 2013 when Steven Joyce went out on the water and it led to us losing time after time with enormous frustration.In modern New Zealand we have all lived through the America's Cup but is it not wonderful to see a technologically advanced syndicate a multinational syndicate a syndicate that shows New Zealand leading the world and part of the world and taking it to the best in the world and bringing the cup home. What an example set by Peter Burling and the character of a guy who has so much humility who does his talking out on the water and who performs at the best. We want on behalf of the ACT Party to congratulate Team New Zealand on this stunning success in this stunning showcase of a modern New Zealand. Thank you."
SpeechMARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party): Ever since the Endeavour was flying full pip down the East Coast of the North Island and the little double-hulled waka of the Māori came out to meet them went around them twice and took off into the sunset—the double-hulled waka has been an innovation from all time. Right now I am going to hold back on giving a bill to Team New Zealand for intellectual property because we like innovation we like to share and we like to see New Zealanders having success on the world stage. So the Māori Party would like to join in congratulating Team New Zealand on a stirring campaign to once again make the America's Cup Aotearoa's Cup". We are so proud of this team.Peter Burling has been spoken of as "feeling the water" "feeling the current" and "understanding the wind" like no other. He was raised on the water on a boat bought for him when he was just a child. We will not describe it how they have described it but it obviously did him well because he like those Polynesian navigators before him has learned to transverse the waters by feeling the currents. He can be called—and I think he is dubbed this from this moment on—Aotearoa's answer to Moana and Māui.We do want to congratulate all the families that have supported these sailors all the crew and the shore crew and all of those who were on the boat and recognise that innovation—what have they called them? Cyclors—more like cyclones. That is what I say—more like cyclones. Thirty years ago it was the "plastic fantastic" and now we are ruling the world again with our innovation which started thousands of years ago with the waka hourua. When all of those jetsetters come down here in about 4 years' time and sail around our waters on their superyachts will it not be great to stand up as a nation and say that we look after not only our sailors and our visitors but also our vulnerable children. Kia ora."
Peters WinstonRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): New Zealand First joins with the rest of New Zealand in saluting and congratulating Team New Zealand on their stunning success. Team New Zealand's 2017 campaign for the America's Cup had a Cinderella beginning which lasted for 3 years until the team arrived in Bermuda. Team New Zealand exemplified New Zealand's can-do attitude with a commitment to excellence and a combination of team genius and a brilliant helmsman in Pete Burling and fine management. They were all a credit both on and off the water. This team exemplified all three: athleticism joined with science and technology. It was smarter faster and yet delightfully laid-back—Kiwi.We want to also acknowledge the importance of Ian Taylor's Animation Research Ltd for making this a spectacle that we could all understand and see the dimensions of.I also want to repeat my personal thanks to Team New Zealand for hosting me at its Auckland headquarters and on the waters of the Waitematā in a sneak preview of its boat Aotearoa in preparation shortly before it was packed up and freighted to Bermuda. It will always be a privileged memory. Whilst we are at it let us congratulate our own women's rugby sevens team and Tyla Nathan-Wong on their brilliant success in winning the world series in sevens.
Sage EugenieEUGENIE SAGE (Green): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker thank you. The Green Party is very pleased to support the motion and congratulate Emirates Team New Zealand. Its members have well and truly erased the heartache and despair of San Francisco 4 years ago. Their strength their skill and their resilience is astonishing. They overcame that heart-stopping bow-plant and capsize a fortnight ago to win the series. We congratulate Peter Burling on his extraordinary sailing and match-racing skills. His calm and grace on the water and his humility have resonated and inspired many.I confess that I am not a great sports fan but the chance to watch these boats fly powered by the wind water and human muscle has certainly got me up early. This morning on Radio New Zealand Ian Taylor quoted Ernest Rutherford as saying: We didn't have the money so we had to think." That is the ethos behind Team New Zealand and one that we can celebrate more as the ethos of our country.There is huge innovation in the boat and the way it was sailed and flown. We congratulate the lead designer Dan Bernasconi and everyone who helped design engineer and build this flying machine. And winning the America's Cup should drive further innovation and export success in New Zealand's boatbuilding industry and our developing aeronautical industry. That is something we can all be proud of.I acknowledge Grant Dalton and his determination to bring the cup back to New Zealand. He has stayed on the rollercoaster and he has engaged supportive funders like Sir Stephen Tindall and Matteo de Nora. Grant Dalton and skipper Glenn Ashby have fostered extraordinary talent enabling Team New Zealand to in Peter Burling's words go to Bermuda and get the job done.Aotearoa has world-leading sailors like Barbara Kendall Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie. With the America's Cup being reportedly the world's oldest international sports trophy a women's division in the competition is long overdue. It would be wonderful if cup organisers Team New Zealand sponsors like Emirates and Nespresso and Luna Rossa changed the rules including perhaps the boat design rules so that women can routinely compete in the America's Cup. Our best women sailors should have the opportunity to be out there on the Waitematā.Team New Zealand you have done us proud—he waka eke noa kia ora [a boat that has made it to the top well done]."
Little AndrewANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition): I rise to add my congratulations on behalf of the Labour Party to the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister for the outstanding achievement of Emirates Team New Zealand this morning our time. This genuinely was a day when we would all rather be on the harbour.It was a fantastic performance by Peter Burling and his team on the water. Let us not forget also the passion and determination of Grant Dalton who held that syndicate together between the regattas and also Sir Stephen Tindall who stepped in to make sure that Grant Dalton had the resources to hold it together and so that we had a challenge ready to go for this year. I wrote to Grant Dalton last week to wish him all the best for the remaining races. He wrote back to me and said: We still have a steep hill to climb." So he will be very pleased that they have knocked that bastard off.The race and the result this morning confirm that we are a nation of sailors. And you look at the work of Peter Burling and his incredible level-headedness and the great humility that he showed—in fact both Jimmy Spithill and Peter Burling demonstrated the wisdom of Rudyard Kipling's words about greeting triumph and disaster as the imposter that it is. This is also a time to reflect on the leadership of great sailors like Sir Peter Blake who has been very much the author of our passion in this particular race.Of course it was not just about the talent of the sailors on the water. It is also about the technology too and you look at the New Zealand boat builders and the component builders here who have contributed so much—Southern Spars for example which I had the privilege of visiting last year. We have become world leaders in boat design—the boats that actually participated in those races with their foils with the Xbox-style controllers. That has given heart to generations of young people playing games at homes now that they might have a future in something other than sitting in front of a TV in their parents' front living room. So that might give hope as well. And even the broadcast technology for it that we watched that made it so watchable and easy to follow what was happening. That stems from innovation from New Zealand with the great work of Ian Taylor and his Animation Research Ltd.We have much to be proud of in this race and the achievement that was made on behalf of this great nation this morning and I extend my congratulations to the team—all of them; the 98 people involved in that syndicate—and look forward to hosting the race here in 4 years' time."
English BillTUESDAY 27 JUNE 2017Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.MOTIONSEmirates Team New Zealand—America's Cup VictoryRt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Prime Minister): I seek leave to move a motion without notice in recognition of Emirates Team New Zealand winning the America's Cup in Bermuda.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: I move That this House congratulate the members of Emirates Team New Zealand on winning and reclaiming the America's Cup in Bermuda this morning and acknowledge the outstanding performance of chief executive Grant Dalton skipper and sailing team director Glenn Ashby helmsman Peter Burling and the nearly 100 other team members on and off the water. What a truly fantastic performance we have witnessed over the last few weeks. Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have braved 5 a.m. starts living and breathing every race every start every gybe and every tack. At times the young leadership in the form of Peter Burling looked more composed than we were.Team New Zealand's commanding 7-1 victory over Oracle this morning not only reinforces the importance of the long and deep sailing tradition in New Zealand; it shows how sporting success unites us as a country and promotes Brand New Zealand on the world stage. One of Team New Zealand members' strengths is that they display that great national trait Kiwi ingenuity. They are world leaders in sailing innovation and technology if we ever doubted it. They are constantly finding new boundaries like the cyclors in their relentless pursuit of excellence. They have also shown they can overcome adversity picking themselves up after the disappointment of San Francisco and coming back better than ever. The Auld Mug will now return to New Zealand and to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron where it sat proudly after victories in 1995 and 2000.To Grant Dalton the man who took on the challenge after the last devastating campaign we salute you for your dedication and drive. To skipper Glenn Ashby your leadership of a young team has been outstanding. To young helmsman Peter Burling what an inspiration you are and what a future you have following in the steps of other yachting greats in New Zealand.The America's Cup is one of the most difficult trophies in sport to win and today it is New Zealand's again so congratulations again to the team. We are immensely proud of you. Your calmness under pressure flawless sailing brilliant teamwork tactical mastery and innovative genius has returned yachting's greatest prize to New Zealand. Congratulations from all New Zealand.
Thursday 10 August 2017 - Volume 724
Thursday 16 February 2017 - Volume 720
Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill — In Committee
VoteA party vote was called for on the question That Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 be agreed to.Ayes 105New Zealand National 59; New Zealand Labour 29; Green Party 13; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 12New Zealand First 12.Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment presently.
Oral Questions—Questions to Ministers
11. Roading Wellington—Mackays to Peka Peka ExpresswayIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister of TransportRoading Wellington—Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway11. IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei) to the Minister of Transport: What progress has the Government made on the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway north of Wellington?Hon DAVID BENNETT (Associate Minister of Transport) on behalf of the Minister of Transport: Today the Government opened the $630 million Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway delivering a long-awaited road to the Wellington region. The expressway is part of the Wellington Northern Corridor one of the Government's roads of national significance identified as key to economic growth. This impressive piece of infrastructure has been a long time coming and after 3 years of construction it is fantastic to be delivering it 4 months ahead of schedule. Thank you.Ian McKelvie: How will the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway benefit road users in the Rangitīkei—oh apologies—the Wellington region?Hon DAVID BENNETT: This new stretch of road will be transformational for the Kāpiti coast and the wider Wellington region. The new expressway will deliver a range of benefits and significant safety improvements. Improved journey times to Wellington's port CBD Interislander ferry terminals airport and hospital will benefit the wider region. The new expressway also delivers a second more resilient network north of Wellington—an important feature in the wake of recent earthquakes. Hon Nathan Guy: Although this Government investment of $630 million has been eagerly awaited by motorists in my electorate for absolute decades—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I want the question. Hon Nathan Guy: —what recent reports has the Minister seen of people opposing this investment in the Kāpiti community? [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the Minister—[Interruption] Order! I just remind the House that Speaker's ruling 174/3 says it will not be reasonable for the Government to be using a question to attack an Opposition member. Hon DAVID BENNETT: Yes and I would like to acknowledge that member for his strong advocacy in this project. I have received reports outlining opposition to the expressway including reports that it is an over-the-top reaction for the needs of our community" that it should be mothballed and that the "Plug should be pulled". These reports of course come from the Labour Party—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order!"
8. Corrections Facilities—Matawhāiti ResidenceKANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of CorrectionsCorrections Facilities—Matawhāiti Residence8. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Corrections: What recent announcements has she made regarding public protection orders?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister of Corrections): Yesterday I opened a new residential facility in the grounds of Christchurch Men's Prison that will accommodate the highest-risk sexual or violent offenders who are subject to public protection orders. The Matawhāiti Residence is designed to balance public safety with the appropriate management and rehabilitation of its residents. It is intended to protect the community from almost-certain serious sexual or violent offending rather than acting as a punishment for the residents. The Matawhāiti Residence provides an alternative for those who cannot live safely in the community and it will reduce the likelihood of offenders hurting anyone else while giving them the chance to turn their lives around. This is a balanced regime that is a proportionate response to the serious and imminent risk posed by a very small number of offenders.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: How will the new facility ensure the safety of the community?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Although residents at Matawhāiti have completed their term of imprisonment psychologists and the courts have determined that they still pose an imminent risk of reoffending. This facility will improve public safety and save potential victims from almost certain serious harm or worse. This regime responds to situations where an offender presents an unacceptable risk that cannot be managed through existing measures. It is our duty to ensure that someone who has the highest risk of imminent and serious sexual or violent offending is not placed in the community. At this level of risk the law runs out of options to manage these offenders once their sentence is complete. This regime strikes the right balance between the rights of offenders and our duty to protect New Zealanders from imminently dangerous offenders. It is necessary proportionate and fair.
3. Fires Christchurch and Selwyn District—Government ResponseNUK KORAKO (National) to the Minister of Civil DefenceFires Christchurch and Selwyn District—Government Response3. NUK KORAKO (National) to the Minister of Civil Defence: Can the Government provide an update on the response to the Christchurch and Selwyn District fires?Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice) on behalf of the Minister of Civil Defence: My thoughts are with the people of Christchurch and Selwyn especially the family of Steven Askin the helicopter pilot tragically killed fighting the Port Hills fires on Tuesday. The Government is committed to providing whatever resources are needed to assist the local response. There are a number of agencies working together to fight the blaze and support the community. Civil Defence is working closely with a number of agencies to help support and coordinate the response and to ensure that those on the ground receive the help they need.Nuk Korako: How is the Government assisting local authorities with their response?Hon AMY ADAMS: Local police have a dedicated team of about 50 officers on the ground focused on evacuation managing cordons and providing reassurance to the community. There are 45 staff from the Department of Conservation also supporting the response. Defence Force liaison officers have been deployed to the two emergency operation centres and 42 personnel are assisting New Zealand Police. The air force is also flying an additional 21 officers from Auckland to Christchurch on Friday to bolster police resources there. Defence Force logistics personnel and equipment are prepared to provide catering services to evacuation centres if required and additional force elements in the North Island have been placed at high readiness in case they are needed. The United States' Antarctic research vessel Polar Star which is in Lyttelton made an informal approach to provide personnel assistance to the inter-agency response which has been formally accepted by the New Zealand Government. Defence Force personnel in Christchurch are engaging with Polar Star to determine the best deployment of those additional personnel. There are 330 firefighters 14 helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft also assisting the Selwyn rural fire authority to combat the blaze.
Sittings of the House
Faafoi Kris; Mallard TrevorSITTINGS OF THE HOUSEKRIS FAAFOI (Senior Whip—Labour): Given the progress that the House has made I seek leave for the House to adjourn.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Is there anyone foolish enough to object to that? There is not. The House adjourned at 5.49 p.m.
Contract and Commercial Law Bill — Third Reading
Finlayson ChristopherThird Reading BillHon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General): I move That the Contract and Commercial Law Bill be now read a third time. Bill read a third time.
SpeechBARRY COATES (Green): I rise to take a short call. We support this bill as my colleague David Clendon has said. It is good that we are making law more accessible and readable. We are sending the right message about Parliament—that we are hip we are modern and we are really precise. Hip" means that we are passionate about this revision bill dealing with inconsistencies anomalies discrepancies and omissions—and all sorts of lawyers' in-jokes—"modern" means we are introducing the term "information technology" into the 1908 Act on mercantile law "precise" means we are correcting a mistake in the Contractual Mistakes Act 1977 and I am not even going to mention the Frustrated Contracts Act. So I agree with my Green Party colleague David Clendon that this should be the start of a broader clean-up of our statutes. There is work going on in other committees to improve our legislation which we fully support. Making simple readable and accessible law would be a great aim. Law for non-lawyers and laws that members of the public can actually understand—bring it on. Thank you. Bill read a second time."
Contract and Commercial Law Bill — Second Reading
SpeechDENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First): I am not quite as deeply excited by this bill as the Attorney-General was but I am pleased by it. I think it is a very worthwhile piece of legislation because it does consolidate and update 11 Acts and it certainly needed to be done. I would just like to say this: very early in my career some decades ago now I worked for the Public Trust Office in my first year as a lawyer. At that time it was spearheading the plain-English movement for the legal system. It was something that really did need to be done because even lawyers did not understand some of the terminology that was being used and was insisted on and was found in statutes and contracts and in all sorts of other places. So that was a very valuable thing to happen and I was excited and very enthusiastic about that. I was allowed to write plain English into documents and that was great. It was a very good thing to happen and it caught on like wildfire. In New Zealand we have now had plain English for some time as the way in which we treat the English language in legal instruments.So I think that was a big leap forward. This is not quite such a big leap forward I think but it is still worthwhile. It is the first revision bill and I wonder why it has taken so long. It was first introduced in December 2014—it seems to have taken ages to get back to the House. I also wonder why we are not seeing so many others of these revision bills coming back. I hope that the 3-year statute revision programme is going to be a bit more productive in the future and if it is I think New Zealand First will be happy to support that as well.I just wanted to say concerning the Justice and Electoral Committee's work that I think it did treat this very seriously and did look through it well. I cannot say that I read every word of the bill.Chris Bishop: Oh!DENIS O'ROURKE: I cannot say that I did that and I do not think anyone else could say that they did that either but we did in fact consider it properly. We understood it and I do think it is the sort of quality of legislation that as we heard today is perhaps not present in some other legislation. So for that reason alone it is a very worthwhile bill. But the committee did produce two changes and one resulted in us being able to get rid of the Wages Protection and Contractors' Liens Act Repeal Act which was on its last legs and had just one provision left in it and that is now in this legislation. It also added section 90 of the Judicature Act 1908 re-enacted as new Subpart 7 in Part 2 of the bill. So they were two amendments that were worthwhile as well.As I have said New Zealand First is very keen on seeing these revision bills go ahead. We hope this will be only the beginning of many others. I know that there is a very long list of things to do. We do need to get on with it as a Parliament because law does tend to get outdated as I said. Way back in my early career just that one move of introducing plain English had a big effect and was well worthwhile. So are these revision bills. I hope there are many more to come. New Zealand First will be voting in support.