edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Hayes Joanne: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHayes Joanne: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9276. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JOANNE HAYES (National): I stand to take a very short call on this piece of legislation but before I do I just want to pay tribute to the late and great Dr Ranginui Walker—moe mai moe mai moe mai e koro.As I said I stand to take a very short call on this piece of legislation. It has some key changes in it that we have heard before but I just want to reiterate those. One of the key changes is to do with national time frames. It implements a national time frame. That actually identifies the risk level of buildings—low risk medium risk and high risk—with high risk giving councils 5 years to do the assessment on these buildings and 15 years to strengthen them; medium-risk buildings having 10 years for identification and assessment of these buildings with a 25-year strengthening period; and for low-risk buildings it is 15 years for identification and assessment and 35 years to strengthen the buildings.This bill also addresses areas around unreinforced masonry. Those are things like facades parapets and verandahs. It makes sure that once that assessment has been made those areas are reinforced as quickly as possible. Those are the areas that fell in the earthquake in 2011 and up to 35 people died because of that. We need to address those areas very quickly.The bill also identifies key buildings like schools and universities and hospitals and makes sure that those that have been assessed as medium to high risk are upgraded in half the time that other buildings in the area would be.This legislation also identifies category 1 historic buildings and allows them to have a longer period for strengthening just because of their character and the types of buildings that they are and their historic significance to the region.This is a good bill. It is a bill that addresses a lot of the issues around the earthquake-prone area that exists in this country within the Ring of Fire. So along with all my colleagues here in National and across the House I support the bill at its second reading. Thank you.
Tisch Lindsay: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9275. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call David Seymour—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9274. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry but the Minister’s time has expired. Members this debate has concluded.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9270. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call the Hon Phil Goff—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9266. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Alfred Ngaro 5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9265. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Melissa Lee—5 minutes.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9263. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A 5-minute call—Andrew Bayly.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9262. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A 5-minute call—Rino Tirikatene.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9261. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am sorry to interrupt the member. Her time has expired.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9258. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The Hon Maggie Barry—a 5-minute call.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9254. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A 5-minute call on behalf of the National Party—Parmjeet Parmar.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9253. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A 5-minute call on behalf of the National Party—the honourable member Ian McKelvie.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9251. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A 5-minute call on behalf of the National Party—Paul Foster-Bell.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9250. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: A second 5-minute call for the Labour Party—Louisa Wall.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9249. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is a split call on behalf of the Labour Party—5 minutes Poto Williams.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9244. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Clare Curran 5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9243. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call. The Hon David Cunliffe—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9239. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I call Stuart Nash—5 minutes.
Tisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTisch Lindsay: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9238. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): The next call is a split call. The Hon Clayton Cosgrove—5 minutes.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9216. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sorry to interrupt the member but his time has expired.
Borrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s StatementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9214. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am sorry to interrupt the member but her time has expired.
Pugh Maureen: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePugh Maureen: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9210. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]11.MAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for Primary Industries: How will the Trans-Pacific Partnership support growth in our horticulture industry?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will save the horticulture industry an estimated $26.3 million per year when fully implemented. Horticulture is New Zealand’s fourth-largest export earner sending products to more than 120 countries and it is valued at around $4 billion of exports per year. New Zealand exports a diverse range of premium fruit and vegetable products. The TPP will allow these products to better compete in key markets such as Japan the USA and Viet Nam.Maureen Pugh: What reports has he received about the importance of this agreement to the horticulture industry?Hon NATHAN GUY: Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Chapman has said that the removal of these tariffs does not just mean savings for growers exporting now; it means the products they export in the future will be more competitively priced and will challenge the offerings from other countries. He goes on to add that an agreement like TPP is overwhelmingly welcomed by growers. I received very similar feedback last week in the Bay of Plenty from growers who are welcoming the TPP.Maureen Pugh: What are some other ways in which the Government is supporting the horticultural industry?Hon NATHAN GUY: Good question. Last week I was in Tauranga for the deed-signing of a Government industry agreement the biosecurity readiness and response between Avocado Growers Association Inc. and the Government. Avocados are the seventh industry signatory to the Government industry agreement. The agreement gives industry the opportunity to influence biosecurity readiness and response and how they impact overall. This partnership approach is evidenced in the successful Biosecurity Operational Excellence scheme at the Port of Tauranga. This is being driven by the Government industry agreement partner of Kiwifruit Vine Health alongside the Port of Tauranga the Ministry for Primary Industries local government and industry organisations. It is about increasing the overall biosecurity awareness for port workers.
Bennett David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBennett David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9207. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]7.DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of Transport: What recent progress has the Government made on the Waikato Expressway Road of National Significance?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): It was my privilege to open late last year the Cambridge section of the $2.1 billion Waikato Expressway. This new $250 million stretch of road was delivered 6 months ahead of schedule and under budget. The new highway has significantly improved safety on the current State Highway 1 created a new gateway to Cambridge and removed congestion in the town centre. Completion of the Cambridge section is a major milestone on the journey to complete the entire 102 kilometre Waikato Expressway project by 2020. The expressway will be a game-changer for the region and is a good example of the Government’s focus on building infrastructure that will drive New Zealand’s economic success and greatly improve safety.David Bennett: What reports has he seen on how the new Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway is benefiting motorists?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I have seen a report from the Transport Agency that says that an impressive 15000 vehicles per day have been using the new road since it opened in December and I am pleased to say that people are shaving up to 23 minutes off their daily commute between Cambridge and Hamilton using the new section of the Waikato Expressway. That is up to 23 minutes a day on a round trip that people do not have to spend sitting in their cars. Along with time savings this also saves people money on fuel and shows the real benefits that the Cambridge section of the expressway is delivering for commuters in the Waikato.
Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9198. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]1.KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister of Finance: How does the outlook for the New Zealand economy compare with other developed countries?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance): Reasonably good. New Zealand businesses are confident and backing themselves despite some global uncertainty. Exporters who were forced to become more efficient when the exchange rate was around 88c are now able to reap the rewards of a much lower exchange rate. The manufacturing sector has notched up 40 straight months of expansion and the services sector which makes up 70 percent of the economy has been growing at the fastest level in 7 years. Treasury forecasts that growth will be around 3 percent over the next 2 years similar to Australia and a bit faster than the US Canada and the UK.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: How is the positive economic outlook translating into more jobs and higher income for New Zealand families?Hon BILL ENGLISH: In the last year the annual average wage increased by 3.1 percent much faster than inflation and by 2020 at moderate rates of increase it will reach over $63000. Against this background the Government announced an increase in the minimum wage yesterday up 50c an hour to $15.25 an hour which will directly benefit over 150000 workers. This 3.4 percent increase in the minimum wage is significantly more than the cost of living increase which is 0.1 percent.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What risks are there to New Zealand’s economic outlook?Hon BILL ENGLISH: With reasonable pace of growth and real wage rises for many New Zealanders domestic results are reasonably strong despite ongoing wobbles in the global economy. There is uncertainty around the impact of US interest rate hikes risks around European banks and always some uncertainty about the nature of the changes in the Chinese economy. However New Zealand is relatively well positioned to deal with what we would regard as the normal spread of risk in the global economy.Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What steps is the Government taking to mitigate risk and continue to support our growing economy?Hon BILL ENGLISH: One way this Government and previous Governments have taken steps to mitigate risks is through the negotiation of a network of free-trade agreements. The importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is so high because it gives us better access to 800 million customers in 11 countries and accounts for 36 percent of the global economy. We believe the benefits that have been calculated for this agreement are conservative based on the success of the most recent free-trade agreement negotiated by the previous Labour Government the Chinese free-trade agreement.
Fox Marama: Obituaries — Dr Ranginui Walker DCNZMText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFox Marama: Obituaries — Dr Ranginui Walker DCNZM[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9198. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party): I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate on the passing of Dr Ranginui Walker.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.MARAMA FOX: I move That this House acknowledge the passing of Dr Ranginui Walker who was not only a great statesman but a distinguished scholar an inspirational mentor and a champion of the people. E te rangatira te tōtara haemata moe mai rā.[Esteemed leader rest there the strongly growing tōtara.]Motion agreed to.
Seymour David: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone WinstonText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSeymour David: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone Winston[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9198. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): On behalf of the ACT Party I would like to join other leaders in expressing heartfelt sympathy for the people of Fiji particularly those who lost their lives and lost loved ones. I would also like to wish safe passage to the New Zealand Defence Force personnel assisting in the recovery from this disaster and acknowledge the very generous response by many New Zealanders who have responded by voluntarily giving aid to assist in that recovery. Thank you.Motion agreed to.
Fox Marama: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone WinstonText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFox Marama: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone Winston[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9197. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party): The Māori Party would like to add its voice to the sympathies that have been offered to the people of Fiji who have lost loved ones at this time. Last week as the cyclone looked like it was going to bypass it and then made a U-turn to come back towards Fiji our close family friends were on a flight to Fiji and landed the day before the cyclone arrived. They found themselves in a place of utter devastation. They were there to visit with their family members and also to witness the rededication of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple. They travelled for some hours through the devastation to check that their family were OK. They report that the majority of the people in the village and the families that were there are subsistence-living. What they gather and what they grow is what they eat and thereby looking at the devastation of the crops and the people and the way that they were affected there will need to be ongoing support from our Government and we recognise the generosity of our Government and of the New Zealand people in the Fijian community here.But that support will need to be ongoing for some time until crops can be replanted; until life can go back to normal. They found themselves—tourists in Fiji—being cared for by Fijian people who while looking after them had no home of their own to speak of. So I want to acknowledge the resilience of the Fijian people to gather together in communities to pick up and to start again. They are already clearing this ground for crops. They are already rebuilding shelter to live in. We offer our support and our sympathies to them and recognise their strength and courage. I have some pretty poorly pronounced words in Fijian that I would like to offer and this comes from the high commission.Kei mami duavata kei kemuni kei na nomu ni vanua ena gauna dredre ni lako curuma tiko. Mo ni tu vaka kaukauwa tiko me rawa ni tarai cake tale o Viti lomani.Thank you.
Peters Winston: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone WinstonText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePeters Winston: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone Winston[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9197. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First): At times such as this it does not matter what one’s political persuasion is or—dare one say it—what one’s name is. New Zealand First joins with our political opponents in expressing our regret for what has happened as well as our best wishes and support for the Fijian nation and people as they begin the long road to recovery from this terrible event. This is not a time to discuss why it may have happened but we are very mindful that there needs to be a discussion as to why it is happening. We are sure that the New Zealand public will show their characteristic generosity in giving aid and financial support to our Pacific neighbours.
Shaw James: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone WinstonText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeShaw James: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone Winston[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9196. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): Our hearts do go out to the people of Fiji. Tropical Cyclone Winston was as has been mentioned the strongest storm in recorded history in our hemisphere. Wind speeds topped 320 kilometres an hour; whole forests were stripped of their foliage; and schools hospitals and houses were flattened. More than 40 people are dead and thousands are now homeless.Personally I have found it impossible not to be moved by the images of children standing by their wrecked homes and the wreckage of entire communities lying scattered on those famously beautiful Fijian shores. I thank the National Government for its immediate and its substantive response in the aftermath. Our close ties to Fiji make this unlike many global catastrophes and it is heartening to know that those ties are now moving thousands of New Zealanders to give generously to our brothers and sisters now suffering in Fiji.There is another way that New Zealanders and the Government can respond to this cyclone and to others like it. It is no coincidence that this was the strongest cyclone recorded in our hemisphere or that this was one of many record-breaking storms that have occurred in recent times. As a nation we need to start facing the truth that climate change is making tropical storms like Cyclone Winston more ferocious. As New Zealanders we are the fifth-highest emitter per capita of climate pollution. Since we committed to reduce our climate change emissions in 1990 and under successive Governments New Zealand’s net emissions have risen by 42 percent and the Ministry for the Environment projects another 50 percent increase by 2030 if we keep doing what we are doing. We as a nation are not properly reckoning with the fact that our actions are hurting those people in the Pacific who are the most vulnerable to the impacts of the pollution that we are adding to. If we really want to help the Pacific our climate emissions should be going down not up.New Zealanders are getting in behind the recovery effort in Fiji. The Government has provided financial aid and deployed Defence Force resources and personnel to help. The Green Party supports these efforts but along with that desperately needed and immediate aid the next most compassionate thing that we can do for Fiji now is to listen to the pleas of Pacific Island leaders and commit to taking real action on climate change. While we wring our hands and we fret at how expensive it might be for New Zealand to do anything about climate change we ought to recognise that the cost to our Pacific neighbours of our doing nothing is now being measured in human lives. Thank you.
Little Andrew: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone WinstonText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLittle Andrew: Motions — Fiji—Tropical Cyclone Winston[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9196. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition): On behalf of the Opposition the Labour Party I would like to join and support the Government in its resolution before the House today in sending our thoughts and sympathies to the people of Fiji following the loss of lives and the destruction caused by Cyclone Winston and to acknowledge the contribution that the Government has made on behalf of the people of New Zealand and indeed the contribution coming from the Fijian community also resident in New Zealand.Cyclone Winston was the largest and strongest cyclone ever recorded in the southern hemisphere. Clearly Fiji has suffered significant damage: in some areas entire villages have been flattened. The geographic distances and the remoteness of some areas involved make it hard to assess the full impact of the cyclone but we know it has been catastrophic and it is reassuring—at least from a New Zealander’s point of view—to see the role and contribution that the New Zealand personnel are making in making the assessments and assisting in the recovery. The number of people in emergency shelters doubled almost every day last week peaking at almost one-twentieth of Fiji’s entire population. According to Unicef 51000 people are still in shelters. We know it could be weeks before electricity is restored to some areas.New Zealand as the Prime Minister has said stands side by side with the people of Fiji and we will do whatever is required to help them through this disaster and the years of recovery ahead.
Carter David: Visitors — Australia—Electoral Matters Committee of the Victoria Legislative AssemblyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeCarter David: Visitors — Australia—Electoral Matters Committee of the Victoria Legislative Assembly[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9195. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that members would wish to welcome members of the Electoral Matters Committee of the Victoria Legislative Assembly led by Chairperson the honourable Louise Asher who are present in the gallery.
Obituaries — Dr Ranginui Walker DCNZMText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeObituaries — Dr Ranginui Walker DCNZM[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9198. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]ObituariesDr Ranginui Walker DCNZMMARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party): I seek leave to move a motion without notice and without debate on the passing of Dr Ranginui Walker.Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.MARAMA FOX: I move That this House acknowledge the passing of Dr Ranginui Walker who was not only a great statesman but a distinguished scholar an inspirational mentor and a champion of the people. E te rangatira te tōtara haemata moe mai rā.[Esteemed leader rest there the strongly growing tōtara.]Motion agreed to.
Visitors — Australia—Electoral Matters Committee of the Victoria Legislative AssemblyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVisitors — Australia—Electoral Matters Committee of the Victoria Legislative Assembly[Sitting date: 01 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9195. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Tuesday 1 March 2016Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.VisitorsAustralia—Electoral Matters Committee of the Victoria Legislative AssemblyMr SPEAKER: Honourable members I am sure that members would wish to welcome members of the Electoral Matters Committee of the Victoria Legislative Assembly led by Chairperson the honourable Louise Asher who are present in the gallery.
Vote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9136. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That clause 2 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Clause 2 agreed to.The Committee divided the bill into the Housing Amendment Bill the Housing Corporation (Social Housing Reform) Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters (Social Housing Reform) Amendment Bill (No 2) pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper149.House resumed.Bill reported without amendment.Report adopted.
Vote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9136. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That clause 1 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Clause 1 agreed to.
Vote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9126. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That Part 3 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Part 3 agreed to.
Vote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9125. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That Part 2 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Part 2 agreed to.
Vote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9125. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.
Vote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9101. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That Part 1 be agreed to.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Part 1 agreed to.
Vote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeVote: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9101. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]A party vote was called for on the question That the question be now put.Ayes 63New Zealand National 59; Māori Party 2; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.Noes 58New Zealand Labour 32; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 12.Motion agreed to.
Borrows Chester: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBorrows Chester: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9142. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is tragic to interrupt the member but the time has come for me to leave the Chair.Debate interrupted.
Twyford Phil: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTwyford Phil: Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9141. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū): I did not serve on the Local Government and Environment Committee as it considered all the submissions on this bill but I have been briefed on it and I have read it and taken a real interest in it. You know we have been highly critical of many aspects of this Government’s handling of the aftermath of the Canterbury quakes. We have been critical of the wasted opportunity for the rebuilding of an urban form that would be good for the future of Canterbury; we have been critical of the painfully slow residential rebuild—you name it we could go on for a long time—but we are not critical of this essential piece of the puzzle in the Government’s responding to the aftermath of the Canterbury quakes.It became pretty clear after Maurice Williamson brought the bill in its early form to the House that all around the country small communities businesses—particularly the Whanganuis and the Ōāmarus—were horrified at what that bill would have meant for them. Whole areas of heritage buildings might have been lost. It would have imposed a huge cost potentially on businesses around the country. And the view that it had embodied a one-size-fits-all approach I think came to be shared by a wide range of people. So a lot of credit is due to the select committee and to the Minister for the way the whole job of going about reviewing what is a complex piece of legislation—
Ross Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9135. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.Motion agreed to.
Ross Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9134. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.
Ross Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9133. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.
Davidson Marama: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDavidson Marama: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9132. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARAMA DAVIDSON (Green): I stand to address the title clause of the Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill and suggest some alternative names. I have done a bit of a Facebook post and have a number of options here and contributions from the public.Chris Bishop: Oh!MARAMA DAVIDSON: Yeah a good 5 minutes’ worth at least.Chris Bishop: Crowdsourcing rubbish.MARAMA DAVIDSON: I know. You are going to love this. We have got some suggestions here including the “Sell Off to Make More Homes to Sell Off Bill”; the “Social Housing Elimination Bill”; the “Kāinga Elimination Bill”; I like this one though the “Tent Pole Bill” because that is all you are left with; this is good the “Property Development Handout Bill”; the “Death to the People Bill”; this is an interesting one here the “Balancing Our Budget Because it Doesn’t Balance Bill”; the “Housed to Homeless Bill”; the “Antisocial Housing Reform Bill”; and lastly one of my favourites the“One Percent Get Richer By Selling Homes Meant For Lower-income Families Sponsored by the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Anadarko and Nestlé Bill”. I did want to stand up and offer those public contributions with myself as a mouthpiece.I have my own final contribution which does refer to Part 3 of the bill. Part 3 of the bill talks about how land taken under the Public Works Act including freehold and customary Māori land does not have to be offered or returned to Māori under the first right of refusal principle. So effectively the Government will be able to sell off State house properties without offering them to Māori first if they were those publicly confiscated lands. For me that is an ongoing Treaty breach as well.So my final offering and I would like to hear from them is “Why Is the Māori Party Supporting this Bill? Bill”. Thank you.
Twyford Phil: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeTwyford Phil: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9125. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū): Speaking about Part 3 there is really only one matter here to discuss. The principal Act is the Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Act 1992.Part 3 of the bill amends that principal Act with a provision that is designed to provide some certainty and reassure people that the provisions of the Public Works Act 1981—that is sections 40 to 42 of the Public Works Act “do not apply (and have never applied) to the sale or disposal [blah blah blah]” of State housing land.Tim Macindoe: That was the best part of the speech.PHIL TWYFORD: Thank you. This provision should be dedicated to the Hon Dr Nick Smith because he has form when it comes to the disposal of State housing land and the buy-back provisions attached to that land. As followers of this issue will note he got himself into a terrible pickle last year with his vacant Crown land project which was unveiled with wonderful fanfare in the Budget and a promise of 500 hectares of vacant Government land that would be developed for housing in Auckland.What happened because of the buy-back provisions—not dissimilar to those that exist within the Public Works Act but existing in this case in Treaty settlement agreements by a number of the iwi in Auckland—was that the good doctor failed to negotiate or consult I should say with iwi who have those rights of first refusal.He got himself into a terrible mess to the extent that 4 months after his grand Budget announcement he found himself in court with Ngāti Whātua and Tainui and others who through their legal action and negotiation were able to extract some pretty amazing concessions from the Minister for Building and Housing by way of giving them first dibs as development partners on all that vacant Crown land.Even more remarkable actually is that there was a commitment that the Government would provide in one case I think 30 percent of the houses in those projects to be affordable which is something that this Government hates to do.It just shows you what a mess Dr Smith got into by failing to properly take into account the buy-back provisions that are found within the Public Works Act but which in this case existed within Treaty settlement agreements around the right of first refusal.I think it is good to get some clarity on that in this case. There would be a lot of people wondering for example with the National Government intending to dispose of so much publiclyowned State housing land whether or not much of that land—or probably a significant chunk of it—would have been acquired under the Public Works Act quite possibly. People would be wondering whether the buy-back provisions in the Public Works Act applied. What this part does is it basically makes it very clear that those provisions do not apply to State housing land and never have. I think that is probably all there is to say about that provision.
Mallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9124. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Yes. I think we have had 27 calls on this part now and the Committee is in a position to decide whether or not it wants to vote on the matter.
Macindoe Tim: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMacindoe Tim: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9124. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TIM MACINDOE (Senior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.
Mallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9123. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): We are getting close.
Bishop Chris: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBishop Chris: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9123. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CHRIS BISHOP (National): I move That the question be now put.
Sepuloni Carmel: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSepuloni Carmel: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9121. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): I want to move to new sections 50R and 50S which are under the heading “Legal effect” in new Part 5A which is inserted by clause 8. I am a little bit confused and so I am going to seek clarification from the Minister. In new section 50R the “Legal effect of things done by Minister” is discussed so “(1) The Corporation or subsidiary is responsible and liable for anything done or not done under section 50E 50F or 50G as if the Corporation or subsidiary had acted or not acted under those sections with the same powers as the Minister.” That tells me that the corporation or subsidiary is going to be responsible and liable for any decision that the Minister has made.If we refer back to new sections 50E 50F and 50G basically they are respectively around entering into “transfer contracts as Corporation or subsidiary”; entering into “transitional services contracts as Corporation or subsidiary”; and “other things as Corporation or subsidiary relating to and to implement social housing transactions”. But then we see that new section 50S is headed: “Protection from liability for board members individuals etc” and it says: “(1) No relevant board or member nor any office holder or employee of the Corporation or subsidiary is liable to any person for—(a) a decision of the Minister under this Part; or (b) the exercise by the Minister of a power under section 50E 50F or 50G.”So on the one hand it looks like the corporation or subsidiary is going to be responsible and held liable for anything that goes wrong in the transaction but on the other hand in the next new section it looks like no one will be liable for anything that goes wrong in this process. I think it is very fair for us as members of Parliament and also for the general public to ask: “Who do we point the finger at if something does go wrong?”. My instinct or what seems fair is that it would be the two Ministers who have all these powers that are being endowed on them who would be held responsible if anything goes wrong in the decision making or in the transaction. But then here it looks like no it is actually going to be the corporation or subsidiary that will be. So you assume—or I would assume—that that would mean the board members any office holders or anyone employed by Housing New Zealand but then that new section 50S seems to contradict what is happening in new section 50R.So I am seeking from the Minister just some clarity around that so that we as members of Parliament know who is going to be held liable if anything does go wrong in the transaction. I think the general members of the public deserve to know what is going to happen here as well. So I seek that clarity and clarification from the Minister.
Mallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9120. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Meka Whaitiri.
Davidson Marama: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDavidson Marama: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9119. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARAMA DAVIDSON (Green): In addressing Part 2 of the Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill I thank you Mr Chairman for giving me an opportunity to look at the clauses and why this bill is drafted in a way that is heavily swayed towards privatisation. It basically says that the Ministers can do what they like—and I will outline why that is not a good thing at the end.New section 50G set out in clause 8 states: “Minister may do”—it actually says this—“other things as Corporation or subsidiary relating to and to implement social housing transaction”. That is basically that the Minister can do what they want. The Minister can do anything and need only consider—the word is actually “consider”—one objective of the social housing reform objectives. That is in new section 50D “Meaning and relevance of social housing reform objectives” and the Minister need consider only one section.You could choose new section 50D(f) which says: “the supply of affordable housing is increased especially in Auckland.” What does that mean? Does that mean that this legislation is open to being able to sell off any quantity of land or houses no matter that 90 percent of it might be to private and property development but we may have increased social housing by one house? Is that what the legislation leads us to? In that case yes absolutely I agree with the Minister when she says that they have thought through this legislation. They have thought through it all right. They have thought through how to adjust the law to suit the power rather than adjust the law to substantially increase affordable housing and making that quite clear and making it binding rather than something that the Minister may consider. What is the definition of that word “consider”? Oh yes they have thought through this legislation.So I will end by saying that of course we must oppose this because this is legislation that lends itself to an accusation of corruption. Thank you.
Mallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMallard Trevor: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9111. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Before the next member takes a call I am going to issue a warning to the Committee. We are now in the Committee stage of the Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill. We are discussing Part 2. It has got a very big new part inserted by clause 8. I was listening to the debate from my room earlier and what I am going to indicate to people is that the general principle of the bill has been accepted. What we are now discussing is whether Part 2 in particular clause 8 is the proper way of implementing it—why and why not. I want to leave that to members because there has already been a closure moved and if there are ongoing non-relevant speeches then of course it becomes much easier to accept one.
Ross Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 17 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:9109. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (Junior Whip—National): I move That the question be now put.