Macindoe Tim: Hamilton City Council (Parana Park) Land Vesting Bill — Second Reading 
Macindoe Tim: Hamilton City Council (Parana Park) Land Vesting Bill — Second Reading 
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TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
 on behalf of  
David Bennett (National—Hamilton East) 
: I move  
That the Hamilton City Council (Parana Park) Land Vesting Bill be now read a second time 
. It is my great pleasure to open the second reading of this debate on behalf of my colleague the member for Hamilton East— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am doing this now in the spirit of helpfulness rather than have the member start the speech all over again later on. I think the member meant to say at the beginning “On behalf of my colleague David Bennett I move”. Otherwise of course he cannot move the motion. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: I guess that the member is technically right. Speakers’ ruling 24/3 states “if the member … has the authority …”. Whether that has to be stated is not something I have given consideration to but it may be helpful if the member just assures the House he has the authority. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker and I thank the former member for Hamilton West. On behalf of the member for Hamilton East I move that the Hamilton City Council (Parana Park) Land Vesting Bill be now read a second time. The city and its representation just gets better and better. It is my great pleasure to open the second reading of this debate. The member for Hamilton East as has been noted by the former member for Hamilton West is the sponsor of this bill and Parana Park is located in his electorate. 
I believe we bring this legislation to the House with the full support of the Hamilton City Council and I think the citizens of our fast-growing diverse and beautiful city. Parana Park is located on the eastern side of the Waikato River in Hamilton and because that taonga marks the boundary between the electorates of Hamilton East and Hamilton West it is literally just a stone’s throw from the constituency that I am privileged to represent in this House—or at least a stone’s throw for those who have a better throwing arm than I do at the moment. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: They shouldn’t throw stones. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: They throw peaches—they actually throw peaches on the river but that is another story. [ 
Interruption 
] I did not think this bill would be so controversial. The purpose of this bill is to vest Parana Park in the Hamilton City Council as a recreational reserve subject to the provisions of the Reserves Act 1977. The bill will repeal the Hamilton City (Parana Park) Empowering Act of 1958 which was passed when Mr Mallard was in his middle age and beginning his first campaign in the electorate. Those of us whose children have grown up in or near Hamilton or who are young enough as Mr Mallard will be to have childhood memories of playing in Parana Park will know what a wonderful attraction it is for Hamiltonians. When my children were little they used to love playing in the park especially on hot days when they would run in and out of the shallow pool or push their dolls and buggies while my wife and I enjoyed our walks along the river path that winds through the park. It may sound a little bit sentimental but these memories linger in the minds of children and are what great family memories are made of. My family has passed many happy hours in Parana Park. 
Grant Robertson 
: Tell us more about that. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: I know that Mr Robertson was also pushing his dolls and buggies around in Parana Park many years ago. It was always a pleasure to see him there and we would welcome him back any time. 
The area is equally well known now for its civic importance with poignant war memorials; the cenotaph which is the focal point of Anzac Day ceremonies; and an attractive park setting that is often used for public gatherings. The most recent of those events sadly was a very moving memorial service held last November when the tragic news that 29 lives had been lost in the Pike River mine disaster became known. That was an occasion that I and everybody present will never forget. 
Those are just some of the reasons why Parana Park is such a special feature of our city but it was not always available for its current purpose. The passage of this bill will enable the Hamilton City Council to more effectively manage and administer Parana Park. It will also enable the council to proceed with possible future development plans for the area. The existing empowering Act does not make the area a reserve or provide any special protection for Parana Park. It gives our council the power only to lease the dwelling on the site and to allow other uses for it because the council is constrained by the provisions prescribed in the last will and testament of a great Hamiltonian the late George Parr. 
The land now known as Parana Park and its dwelling was gifted in 1929 by Mr Parr a farmer and the son of a former mayor of the city to be used for a children’s convalescent home for patients from Waikato Hospital. About a quarter of a century later it had become apparent that the house was not suitable for use as a convalescent home but as Mr Parr had wanted his property to be held as a children’s playground the decision was made that the council should manage it as a park for the benefit of local citizens and visitors to Hamilton. 
The 1958 empowering Act was passed by this House under the guidance of one of our greatest MPs the late Dame Hilda Ross to facilitate that outcome. By that time the paddling pool that I mentioned earlier and an outdoor barbecue were in frequent use and many trees had been planted to enhance the beauty of the riverside setting. More than half a century later the park is as beautiful and as popular as ever. 
We are amazingly fortunate in our city not only to have a picturesque and well-used park adjacent to the heart of our city but also to boast what are arguably New Zealand’s finest botanical gardens within walking distance of Parana Park. I am sure many members of this House have enjoyed visits to the Hamilton Gardens and Parana Park and if any members have not I invite them to do so because they are missing a treat. As the annual Hamilton Gardens summer arts festival gets under way I suggest that now is the ideal time to plan that visit. The varied performances are always of an extraordinarily high standard and they are greatly enhanced by being held in such a stunning setting. The finale a sunset symphony performed by the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra attracts thousands of appreciative patrons and is always a world-class crowd pleaser. 
It is something of an indulgence to be able to stand in this House and extol the attractions and beauty of the delightful city of Hamilton. I am confident that members of the House will welcome and support this measure so I close by thanking members of the Local Government and Environment Committee for their close consideration of this bill. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: It was a pleasure. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: I thank Mr Auchinvole and Dr Calder—two fine members. The committee has reported the bill back with some minor but worthy amendments recommended including an amendment to clause 6 to indicate that the reserve be formally known as Parana Park and to reinforce the fact that the Hamilton City Council be the administering body of the reserve. I thank my colleague David Bennett for his work in sponsoring this bill. On behalf of our mayor Julie Hardaker our city councillors ratepayers residents and future generations— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Name them all—name the councillors; run through them. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: I could certainly do that. That member would like me to name the councillors; I am happy to do that for him. He would remember many of them well—people such as Peter Bos Daphne Bell Marijke Westphal and Martin Gallagher is one he would remember particularly well. I am delighted to see my predecessor there. There is Gordon Chesterman who is now the deputy mayor. 
Chester Borrows 
: Chesterton—no relation to— 
TIM MACINDOE 
: No his name is Chesterman—not the great poet but a great man nevertheless. But I am aware of the fact that the whip is sitting here thinking that perhaps I should— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Name the rest. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: Ewan Wilson—I tell Mr Mallard that I will name the rest for him later. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: No no this is a test. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: I think I have done pretty well there. I thank all those councillors. On behalf of the present and future generations of Hamilton I thank all members of this House even the unruly bunch opposite me at the moment in anticipation of their support for this most important local bill.