Hobbs Marian: Public Records Bill — Second Reading Instruction to Committee In Committee Third Reading 
Hobbs Marian: Public Records Bill — Second Reading Instruction to Committee In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:625;Page:20001] 
Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Minister responsible for Archives New Zealand) 
: 
 I move  
That the Public Records Bill be now read a third time 
. This bill will repeal the Archives Act and the document and archives provisions of the Local Government Act 1974. At this point I note that the Hon Michael Cullen tried to amend this Act the last time he was in Cabinet. This has had a long gestation. The amendment to that Act is almost an archival gestation. However we are here. 
This bill will improve the standard of Government record-keeping across the wider public sector. An improvement in record-keeping improves the accountability of Government organisations enhances democratic participation in government and contributes to New Zealand’s national identity. If anyone thinks that State-owned enterprises are somehow away from being accountable talk about that with the Waikato people who are so concerned about the possible actions of one State-owned enterprise. They will want to know how accountable that enterprise is to their livelihoods. 
Record-keeping is an essential part of efficient government as it supports day-to-day operational legal and administrative requirements. Information is a valuable resource and good management of it through record-keeping is simply good business practice. Taken together and over time those records ensure that accountability participation and national identity are advanced to the benefit of all New Zealanders. I stress again that record-keeping is simply good business practice. Often we are accused by the other side of somehow not understanding those business practices. If one talks to people in business the difference is that they will destroy a record not keep it. If they keep the records in the first place it is the archiving of those records. There is no extra cost in that particular job. 
The role of the Chief Archivist which is to assist public offices and local authorities to achieve good record-keeping has been strengthened in the legislation. She will be able to set standards across the public sector including mandatory standards that will ensure that the key outcomes are achieved. Reporting and auditing provisions in the bill provide more information on record-keeping which will enable a more effective assessment of how public offices are meeting their accountability requirements. The independence of the Chief Archivist when making disposal decisions has been continued from the Archives Act which is an important check on the powers of Government officials. I really understand and respond to the comments that have been made by a previous archivist that there may well be a stalemate—a matter raised by the Green Party. This is a question of working with people to achieve in the end a mediated solution. 
An advisory body the Archives Council will be established to work with the Chief Archivist and will include two members with in-depth knowledge of tikanga Maori. This council will provide me with independent advice concerning record-keeping matters. 
The bill also clarifies the relationship between archives legislation and the Official Information Act. Again the Official Information Act is that additional safety for individuals who can apply to the Ombudsman—as was stated in the Hugh Price case—to have those records released. 
This bill confirms and extends the coverage of the Archives Act to State enterprises local authorities and all Crown entities including tertiary education institutions. This will mean that full and accurate records are required to be created in all areas where public resources are used. This will enhance the accountability for such spending both for agencies to the Government and for the Government to the people. The flexibility of using a framework allied to the standards issued by the Chief Archivist enables the single piece of legislation to stretch across all the activities within the public sector. This will ensure that the needs of people and Governments for records are met by using an appropriate and effective process. 
A full and accurate record of government—one that is preserved over the long term—is very important for future generations of New Zealanders. They will be able to see how and why Governments made particular decisions and how Government agencies implemented those decisions. They will be able to see the recording of and the protection for individual rights and entitlements and where necessary those records will be able to right old wrongs. They will also be able to see how their families and whanau interacted with the Government. The records give us crucial evidence about who we are and how we came to be as a nation. 
At this point I want to say that I find it rather sad the Maori party is not supporting this legislation. It is extremely important in terms of righting old wrongs. An important outcome of this bill is that we continue to preserve this story of government of individuals of communities and of New Zealand for our future generations. 
Again I would like to thank the select committee and Dianne Yates the chair for their amendments which have aided the clarity of the bill. I know that the archives and record-keeping communities of New Zealand have been waiting some time for new legislation and will warmly welcome this bill’s enactment. This is a very special day for a very special New Zealand community that is dedicated both to keeping our story alive and to accountability. 
I also want to pay special thanks to a colleague. Even as a history student archives were not something that I was much aware of but in the Deputy Prime Minister we have a friend of the archival community. When he entrusted this job to me he helped me along the way as we sorted through the issues around archives. There are many in the archives community today who will join with me in thanking Dr Michael Cullen who has finally—through me—been able to give birth to this legislation. I am very pleased to commend this bill to the House.