Chadwick Steve: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Chadwick Steve: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:635;Page:6500] 
9.  
STEVE CHADWICK (Labour—Rotorua) 
 to the  
Minister for Building Issues 
: What reports has he received on proposals to improve the energy efficiency of New Zealand homes? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Minister for Building Issues) 
: 
 The Government’s initiatives to reduce the amount of energy required to heat new homes to heat water in new homes and to light heat ventilate and air condition commercial buildings have been warmly received. I agree with the Registered Master Builders Federation when it said that it is important that good progress is made in the area of sustainable building and with Jennian Homes when it said that such initiatives are important for consumers. 
Steve Chadwick 
: How will the changes benefit the homeowner? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: Higher thermal insulation performance requirements for new homes—walls floors ceilings and windows—could potentially save these homeowners up to 30 percent on their electricity and gas bills. For example I am advised that the annual energy savings could range from 5205 kilowatt-hours per year for a home in Auckland for instance to 12720 kilowatt-hours per year for a home in Dunedin. An approved solution making it easier to install solar water heating systems could potentially save homeowners who choose this option up to 50 percent of their water heating bills. These homes will be healthier drier and more comfortable and homeowners will also benefit from a higher capital value from having an energy-efficient home if and when they come to sell. 
Hon Bill English 
: Where is the consistency in the Government imposing these higher upfront costs on homeowners because of the benefits in terms of a sustainable environment when the Government in putting up its own new buildings follows a different policy such as when it told Clutha Valley School— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Oh you’ve changed the name now. 
Hon Bill English 
: —yeah—to remove from its plans for a new school— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: It was Clydevale! Which one? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Order! 
Hon Bill English 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I have observed over recent months your regularly throwing out of the House members who interrupt during a question. That was consistent barracking. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I am sorry but the member will be aware that the rulings are that interjections are permitted; barracking is not. That was an interjection—I called “Order!”—just as there are also interjections from that side of the House during questions. Would the member please proceed. 
Hon Bill English 
: Madam Speaker what is the distinction you make between interjections and barracking? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: The distinction is that the person can be heard. Barracking is when it is impossible to hear. A solitary interjection was not loud enough that members could not hear the member. 
Hon Bill English 
: Where is the consistency in the Government imposing upfront costs on homeowners for long-term sustainability benefits but in terms of its own buildings such as the new Clutha Valley School telling that school’s board to remove from its plans solar heating natural-light roofing high-grade double glazing high-grade batts and an efficient heating system? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: Firstly in respect of the school that the member refers to— 
Hon Bill English 
: Why don’t you fix it? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: The member should breathe through his nose. I am advised that the school has been peer reviewed by an architect whom the school agreed to who has found that in all but one case the same job and the same techniques can be done in a more economical way. In respect of the first part of the member’s question in relation to the imposition of costs the choice is for new homeowners as to whether they challenge their builders or designers upfront to look at their family profile and say whether if they were to spend a few more dollars on some of these energy-efficient measures they could have a long-term cost saving of—as I said—perhaps 30 percent per year in their gas and power bills which is a huge payback in these high energy cost times. 
Gordon Copeland 
: Has the Minister considered an initiative that would require over time all houses sold leased or let in New Zealand to be assessed for their energy efficiency and given a standardised energy-efficiency rating in much the same way as washing machines and fridges are given one today; if so what is being done to explore this idea further? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: I believe that Jeanette Fitzsimons in relation to her responsibilities in respect of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is studying an action on that very point. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Why did his Government promise in 1999 to upgrade the building code to improve energy efficiency when now 7 years later nothing has been done; and can he be explicit as to when that upgrade will actually be achieved or will it be another 7 years of all talk and no action? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: I can say that in my role—and I have been 1 year in the job—I am committed to ensuring that these changes— 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: When? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: Just settle down. The changes will be in place by October 2007. As Minister for Building Issues I am committed to those changes being made just as I am committed to the ongoing implementation of the Building Act 2004 the licensing of building practitioners the ongoing protection of DIYers changes and enhancements to the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service product certification investigation of home warranty insurance the reviewing of the building code—all work that could have been done when that member was a Minister. He had 9 years to do it but sat on his chuff and did nothing. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Ministers are reminded that when making their answers they should keep them to addressing the question without innuendo.