edithatogo/nz-hansard-corpus huggingface dataset:
Strange JamieJAMIE STRANGE (Labour—Hamilton East): As much as I would like to hear more from the previous speaker unfortunately we have as you've indicated run out of time Madam Speaker. I rise in support of this piece of legislation. We have heard quite a bit in this debate around the topic of trade. As we know as a small country at the bottom of the planet we are very reliant on trade. We need to be aware of the global perceptions that are changing. As a race of humans we are continuing to change the way that we operate and there is a global change in terms of animal welfare. It's important that we stay ahead of this curve as this change takes place. More and more people are expressing their concern about animal welfare. It's important that we are a world leader in this area.I've heard the Minister the Hon Damien O'Connor talk about volume-to-values". We hear a lot about "volume-to-value" but "volume-to-values" whereby the values that we uphold are important for us to be leaders in the world. This is an example of us being a leader for the rest of the world; sensing the tea leaves in terms of the global perceptions that are changing. This is an important piece of legislation as we lead the world in this area. I commend it to the House."
Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South): Tēnā koe e te Māngai o te Whare. This bill the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill amends the Animal Welfare Act of 1999 to ban the exports of livestock—cattle deer goats and sheep—by sea. And it shows this Government's commitment to upholding New Zealand's reputation for high standards for animal welfare. That was most apparent in the over 600 submissions that the Primary Production Committee—Nicola Grigg: You weren't there.GINNY ANDERSEN: —heard in particular. But I do have the report funnily enough. A number of submitters commented on the effect of the ban on New Zealand's reputation. And submitters were quite concerned as to how New Zealand's reputation for high standards on animal welfare would fare if we continued this practice.In particular submitters were concerned that this reputation is in fact being undermined by livestock export as New Zealand cannot ensure the welfare of those stock at the end of the line. That was made most apparent in that incident—that's been discussed more than once in this debate around live exports who died—when the Gulf Livestock 1 with 43 crew members and nearly 6000 cattle capsized in the South China Sea after leaving New Zealand in 2020. We need to remember that because that is a risk that continues to happen.But that's not only what happened. During that submission period we also heard about the conditions that cattle experience: inadequate ventilation causing heat stress and cold stress; water and feed troughs that are incorrect and can't feed properly they can't get access to food and water during the trip; lack of facilities to handle animals for veterinary treatment they can't get proper medical treatment; inadequate effluent management systems causing effluent accumulation; inappropriate pen surfaces such as concrete causing skin lesions and lameness and interrupting essential animal behaviours—these are not good aspects to be having in terms of our international reputation.I commend the Minister for taking a stance to phase out live exports—he's done a fantastic job. By having a good transitional period in place to give the sector time to adjust we know that we can continue to be the clean green country that we are and have a good reputation to trade well at a great level internationally. I commend this bill to the House.
Omer IbrahimIBRAHIM OMER (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to take a call on the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill. This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to ban the export of livestock by sea and shows the Government's commitment to upholding New Zealand's reputation for high standards of animal welfare. When we talk about this bill we talk about the overall primary industry sector which was about $50 billion and that's what this bill is seeking to protect. Now we cannot risk this. We have heard from the member that resumed his seat Joseph Mooney and other Opposition MPs about how this Government and this bill is going to cost jobs is going to cost many things but the Opposition did not—I do feel like their views are very short-sighted because to save $200 million risking a $50 billion sector because this is all about reputation and that's what we are aiming to protect.The ban will have a transition period of up to two years allowing stakeholders time to change business models. This shows that something has been cooked overnight. The Government has done the review of livestock export and trade in 2019 and responded to concerns that the trade could be a risk to New Zealand's reputation. Now we acknowledge that the objective of the review is to provide New Zealanders an opportunity on how we can enhance the welfare of the livestock being exported. Now we acknowledge that the farmers do benefit from the trade; however it's a fluctuating trade and the economic benefits are not consistent. The Ministry for Primary Industries report acknowledged this impact but also the view that the impact is small in the context of the overall primary sector.New Zealand needs to stay at the forefront of the game to maintain their reputation as an exporter with a high standard of animal welfare and this was brought up during the free trade agreement discussions with the UK and the EU. This legislation is sensible it's the right one it looks at a long-term benefit rather than the short term it's something that's been designed to protect a $50 billion sector instead of $261 million. So it's sensible it's the right one I commend it to the House.
Warren-Clark AngieANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's a great surprise for me to be standing taking a call on this bill. I wasn't on the select committee and I understand that it was a hung select committee so there was in fact no decision made—they weren't able to come to a decision. I'd just like to acknowledge that it would have been a very harrowing but also interesting select committee process which seemed as if there were two very disparate very different viewpoints. I'd just like to acknowledge that when I take this call tonight I have used the documents and was not involved in the process.First and foremost like others I would like to acknowledge the tragic loss of the 43 crew and the 6000 head of cattle on Gulf Livestock 1. That's a tragedy but let's be very clear that was not the reason this work was undertaken. I had a look at the Mike Heron QC report. I'd just like to read this quote if I may. It's in regards to the international movement of stock across borders. [The] transport of livestock by sea over long periods"—and remember it takes about 17 days to get from New Zealand to China on a boat for these stock—"is a complex and challenging exercise requiring thorough planning and diligent execution [in] all stages to ensure adequate animal welfare results. The trade is difficult to regulate given it spans jurisdictions and the high seas and involves a myriad of international agencies regulators and commercial players. It involves many participants including veterinarians maritime surveyors stock handlers ship's crews ship owners … their agents exporters and various regulators. In such a context there are no simple solutions and there is no single body or agency with ultimate control. In addition we note the obvious: rules and regulations themselves cannot necessarily prevent tragedies and accidents." I put that quote on the Hansard because I think the Minister spoke very well to this point. We cannot risk the reputation—the international reputation—of New Zealand as a safe and generally grass-fed primary industry exporter to be basically throwing these animals on to ships treating them in a manner in which we hope—and we want—them to be treated the best but we cannot guarantee that and we cannot make a clear process besides a regulation to ensure their safety. Therefore this is a difficult thing to do but it's the right thing to do. I commend this bill to the House."
Salesa JennyCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Madam Speaker the committee has considered the Maritime Powers Bill and reports it without amendments. I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.
Maritime Powers Bill — In Committee
O'Connor SimonSIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki): Oh I was going to give Minister Nanaia Mahuta more time but also just to acknowledge that the honourable member who has just taken his seat Gerry Brownlee had far better articulated my question than I had myself.
Brownlee GerryHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National): Just while the Minister takes advice on that can I just back up what my colleague has been saying. This is a bill that is necessary for New Zealand given that we have such a huge territorial sea ourselves and that we are beyond that surrounded by international waters. It's interesting that at the moment you're looking at a conflict in Europe where a very large State that does have interests in the Pacific has decided to not follow the international rules of law to work simply outside what has been a rules-based system for the last 70-odd years.So the question does arise around this: are we in fact enacting legislation that will enable a rogue State effectively to get away with whatever they want to? It's almost like a catch-22 situation. So on one hand we want to have legislation that allows us to intercept and to make arrests and to make confiscations of vessels etc. where they have been engaged in either illegal fishing illegal transport of persons slavery effectively and yet we could be in a situation where our own law says that because the offending country doesn't agree with or actually give an acquiescence to that particular action we're hamstrung. So it's a very reasonable question that's being asked and of course we know that we live in a volatile world at the moment. We're seeing it all the time. We know also that you've got various arrangements being made by other large countries about their reengagement in the Pacific particularly our part of the world for many of these reasons. So we just need to be clear about what the legislation actually says.
O'Connor SimonSIMON O'CONNOR (National—Tāmaki): Thanks Madam Chair. It's a quick question to follow up on basically the consent of a foreign power which absolutely makes sense. I don't think the Minister would be wanting to ride roughshod. I'm not going to go into the particulars; I don't think that would be the correct thing to do. But I know under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Act to do with a foreign ship in the Ross Sea which we wanted to interdict which I believe the foreign State eventually did not want to be involved with the prosecution of what that ship was involved with—in other words New Zealand and others knew what the ship was up to pursued a prosecution. The flag State the foreign State involved—and maybe the officials will know which country I'm referring to—decided not to pursue any action or prosecution. I want to be clear: that's to do with CCAMLR; that's to do with a fishery. But I would like to extrapolate that into this law. If a foreign State who does not wish to follow the rules chooses not to give consent does she see a problem with that? In other words are we not going to be able to exercise our sovereign right through this bill because another nation is not going to follow the rules of law?
Salesa JennyMARITIME POWERS BILLIn CommitteeDebate resumed from 10 May.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): Members the House is in committee on the Maritime Powers Bill. I remind members that they are able to participate remotely. If you're on Zoom and want to take a call please type call" into the chat. You should also use the chat if you'd like to raise a point of order.If we receive new tabled amendments I'll advise members so that they can refresh the House papers page to see the new amendment.Finally it would be helpful for members to ask multiple questions if they have them.Parts 1 to 3 Schedules 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jenny Salesa): When we last considered this bill leave was given for all provisions to be taken as one question. Therefore the question is that Parts 1 to 3 Schedules 1 and 2 and clauses 1 and 2 stand part."
Walters VanushiVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour): Thank you Madam Speaker. Despite what the Opposition member has just said this isn't a little bill. This is a bill that is significant to a number of business owners. This is a bill that is about the conversations that we've had in our local communities. I know that this bill means a lot to Jamie at the Greenhithe store to Aki at Peko to Koshe at West Harbour Superette to Barry and Holly who run Beer and Kai on the North Shore who I'm sure the other member who spoke about us not reaching out to communities will know well because they are a North Shore institution. We are out there speaking to communities. We know what matters and this will make a difference for people.I think what I've heard from communities echoes what I read in a Newsroom article where they analysed the results of a Retail New Zealand survey in 2018. The numbers there were really horrifying. They found that the retail margin was about 3.7 percent—much lower than I think a lot of people realise for many small to medium sized business in particular. What that meant was an average profit of $96000 of which on average those businesses were paying $26000. This is not just dollars and cents that mean nothing; this means a lot to those small and medium sized businesses. What was especially horrifying is that the article made the novel point that when a cardholder's bank is the same as the store's bank the bank is getting its share of that 1 percent of sales by moving money to itself. So really horrific—we knew that something needed to change. That is what this bill's about.This bill is about accountability. This bill is about transparency and it's about putting in a framework now so that our businesses get some relief. I commend this bill to the House.
Williams ArenaARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa): Tēnā koe e te Māngai o te Whare. It is a privilege to rise and speak on another manifesto commitment delivered by this Labour Government. Reducing merchant service fees is something that Minister Clark has worked hard on since taking the commerce portfolio because a lack of competition within our retail market has meant that New Zealand retailers are paying higher fees. But it's a bigger challenge now that COVID-19 has meant the use of contactless payment has become ubiquitous. And so it's a real pleasure to speak on something like this which has been moved quickly by the Minister.Now I won't make this a long speech but I do wish to thank the Commerce Commission for this work. We love it on this side of the House when the Commerce Commission is brave takes on big challenges like loan sharks backed by a Labour Minister who backs their work for consumers who makes it possible for changes that make big changes to people's fees that they are paying. This bill though it is a small bill will save $74 million in fees for the people who use these payment services. We're proud of the Commerce Commission's work on the supermarkets and there's more to do. We love it when the Commerce Commission take on these challenges and I commend this bill and their work to the House.
Prime Willow-JeanWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland): E te Māngai o te Whare tēnā koe. Actually I was listening really carefully to that contribution and I was a bit confused; I thought that the Opposition were supporting this bill this evening. While I think that was just a slip of the tongue at the end there the point is that you are supporting it but still take some issue with it.Arena Williams: Give them a personal vote.WILLOW-JEAN PRIME: Arena's saying Call for a personal vote." Anyway I just want to take a brief contribution as the Māori Party aren't here tonight. So I'm taking this opportunity to add my bit to it. I actually heard the member opposite saying that we don't have conversations with hard-working Kiwis—oh he's left so now he can't hear the rest of my contribution. But it is on the basis of conversations that I have had with hard-working Kiwis with our small businesses in places like Kaeō Kawakawa and Ōkaihau who all when we were talking about this as part of our manifesto for the last election and when we made announcements that we were introducing this legislation said "Yes. Make that happen." So I can say to the business owner in Kaeō tonight we are going to proudly pass this bill and it is going to come into force and it is going to make a difference for their small businesses.So for all of our small businesses out there we know that you are the centre of our economic recovery. That's why we introduced the wage subsidy scheme. You'll see today that over 50 percent of our businesses benefited from that. This is another step that we can do to support our small businesses. Without prolonging the debate any further I wish to commend this bill to the House."
Menéndez March RicardoRICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH (Green): Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. It's really nice to speak on this third and final reading of the Retail Payment System Bill. As we've said in previous readings this is a pretty common-sense bill and I think it's about time that we updated our regulatory frameworks for merchant fees for debit and credit card systems payWave and other similar services.I wanted to pick up on what the member to my left Barbara Edmonds was talking about regarding New Zealand having a really high rate of use of EFTPOS and payWave services. It really struck me when I first came to Aotearoa 16 years ago—and I kind of crossed through bits of this in the second reading. As a migrant I was really struck by how much of a cashless society we already were back then in 2006 and COVID really pushed us to not only become cashless but contactless. And as Barbara was talking about many of those small-business owners are paying really high fees to use the services. One of the things that the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee report talked about was just the regressive nature of this bill. It traversed some of the tactics that small businesses ended up employing to cope with those fees that unfortunately meant that some of these costs were being passed on to consumers with low-income consumers facing a disproportionate brunt. Tactics such as loyalty cards were being used and loyalty schemes to try and alleviate the costs. But the perverse outcome was that low-income people ended up paying effectively a disproportionate amount towards these costs. Low-income people cannot actually often fully participate in those loyalty schemes and end up subsidising high-income earners who have much more of an ability to reap the rewards of such loyalty schemes designed to actually pass some of those costs to consumers. So we really welcome the Government fulfilling its manifesto promise to set up this regulatory framework. We also acknowledge that there will be around $74 million worth of savings in the economy as a result. And I repeat again that while this is not a massive amount of savings in the scheme of the broader economy I think it's about the principle of creating a less regressive system that is really important. I think there will be other conversations that we'll need to have around the types of cards that are being included in this regulatory framework and I welcome the ongoing conversations. I'm not a member of the select committee that discussed this bill and so I mihi to the group that participated in reviewing the submissions and ensuring that we ended up with actually a pretty strong select committee report that has made it really easy for us members who are not members of the committee to participate. I also thank the officials for I think really capturing as I traversed the regressive nature of the current system. So I am really happy to commend this bill to the House and I look forward to reflecting on the continuous need to tweak and reform capitalism's ongoing failures.
Upston LouiseHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō): Tēnā koe e te Mana Whakawā tēnā koe e te Whare. Rau rangatira mā tēnei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te rā. Tēnā koutou ngā iwi rangatira o Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa.[Madam Speaker greetings. Greetings also to the House. To the esteemed leaders greetings welcome to the discussions of the day. Welcome to the chiefly tribes of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua; greetings greetings greetings to you all.]It gives me great pleasure to rise in support of the really important first stage: the first reading of your settlement bill. These are the moments in Parliament that I wish more people would witness because this is an important piece of legislation that we do support and while I don't necessarily agree with some of the comments the speakers before me have made this day is about you. This is a step in what I'm not even going to pretend to comprehend. I feel fortunate as the member of Parliament for Taupō having walked some of the journey for Treaty settlement with Ngāti Raukawa and Tūwharetoa so I've been able as a student of theirs to learn the history the hurt and the anguish. While it feels at a level—when I speak in this House—like I can't even scratch the surface I do as a mark of respect to you and your forebears stand in this House to speak in support on behalf of the National Party in this first reading. One of the things that is really clear to me and I think about the other Treaty settlement processes that Christopher Finlayson started as the Minister and that now Andrew Little continues as the baton has been passed is that so much of that process is beyond challenging. I do feel incredibly fortunate as a New Zealander to have witnessed a Crown apology and I have to be honest and say that I thought it would feel like words. But the power of the Crown apology is so much more than that and as I say if I hadn't witnessed it for myself I wouldn't be confident to say that. I was a member of the Māori Affairs Committee in my second term in Parliament. I know it's really important the discussions that will take place after this first reading as the submissions are provided and some of that will provide more angst and more anguish. But it is so so critical as a result of this next step of the process to get to a point with the second reading and then I look forward to being in the House and witnessing your jubilation at the third reading. May it not be too far off because I know what an enormous difference it makes for you it makes for your children and—more importantly—it makes for us as our communities and as our country. One of the wishes that I have with the claims settlement process is that more New Zealanders understand and learn our history to acknowledge it and to honour it but more importantly to think carefully and deeply about our future which can only be and must only be together. Kia ora.
Chhour KarenKAREN CHHOUR (ACT): Thank you Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to rise on behalf of ACT to support the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua Claims Settlement Bill. I'd just like to acknowledge the people who are sitting here today and I cannot imagine how you must be feeling today after years of fighting for what is right. It is a real honour to be a part of that and to stand here today and say thank you for your courage your strength and your patience to get to the point where we are today. I'm hoping that the select committee process allows you to have a voice to make changes or to express how you're feeling and to express if there is an issue that you would like to still be addressed and hopefully the select committee process will be a better process than what you've experienced so far. Every person in New Zealand no matter what their origin or their ethnicity deserves to be treated with equality before the law and every New Zealander should feel that their property rights will be protected. Unfortunately early in our history the Crown failed to uphold people's basic rights and allowed numerous thefts and frauds of people's property. This is why ACT supports the Treaty settlement process. But in saying that I can only imagine the hurt and the pain you have suffered and I am saddened that is has taken so long to get where we are today. I can only hope that once this last final bit has finished this can bring some closure to that pain and allow our next generation to see a better future for themselves and their children. This settlement is to acknowledge the injustices of the past that resulted in the alienation of your tribe's culture language and land and with that comes an apology cultural redress and financial compensation but this will never be able to change what happened in the past. But I hope from the bottom of my heart that it allows those affected to start to heal and with that I commend this bill to the House.
Dean JacquiASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! Before I take the next call I'd like to welcome the visitors to the gallery but also remind them that the rules in this House including the gallery are to keep us all safe and that is that all members—except when they are speaking—and all visitors are to wear their masks correctly covering over the nose and mouth.
Voting — Correction—Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill
Mallard TrevorVOTINGCorrection—Crown Pastoral Land Reform BillSPEAKER: Members last night when the House was considering the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill the results of votes on Part 2 as amended and the Minister's amendments to Schedule 1 were incorrectly announced as Ayes 77 Noes 43. The correct result is Ayes 77 Noes 42. The record will be corrected accordingly.
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.CLERK: Petition of Danielle Petrie requesting that the House change legislation so that all driving charges for youths under 18 years of age where death resulted from their driving are heard in the District Courtpetition of Frances Clement requesting that the House urge the Government to apply the same animal welfare standards to imported pork as are required by New Zealand pork producers.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee I present the Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament: Summary of Annual Returns as at 31 January 2022. That paper is published under the authority of the House. A select committee report has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Joint report of the Environment Committee and the Governance and Administration Committee on the whole-of-Government direction to implement the Carbon Neutral Government Programme.
Dean JacquiWEDNESDAY 11 MAY 2022The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSHon JACQUI DEAN (Assistant Speaker): Almighty God we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests we acknowledge the Queen and pray for guidance in our deliberations that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom justice mercy and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
Wednesday 4 May 2022 - Volume 759
11. Question No. 11—HousingWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)Question No. 11—Housing11. WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour—Northland) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing): How is the Government partnering with iwi Māori to deliver new homes for whānau who need them the most?Hon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister of Housing) (Māori Housing)): On Friday I travelled to Taranaki to announce a new investment partnership between Government and iwi collective Ka Uruora to build up to 172 new homes for whānau who need them the most. This partnership will deliver affordable rental housing across Taranaki and around the central and upper North Island getting whānau who need those affordable rentals into secure warm and dry homes quickly and on iwi-owned whenua. It is funded from the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga kaupapa and the Government's record $730 million commitment to accelerate Māori-led housing solutions and represents an innovative new approach to unlocking and enabling Māori housing solutions.Willow-Jean Prime: How does this partnership reflect the Government's wider strategy for Māori housing?Hon PEENI HENARE: Last year we launched our National Māori Housing Strategy MAIHI Ka Ora. It promised partnership investment and—most of all—action. Friday's announcement sees us delivering on the promises we made in MAIHI Ka Ora and Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga to do things differently and work in partnership with Māori to deliver a better Māori housing future for our whānau. Ka Uruora were identified through the National Iwi Chairs Forum last year to partner with the Government to deliver Māori housing in their rohe and Friday was the culmination of their engagement with Government to develop an innovative way by Māori for Māori housing solutions.Willow-Jean Prime: What reaction has he seen from Ka Uruora about the announcement?Hon PEENI HENARE: As I said at the event on Friday this is a groundbreaking step that will help unlock intergenerational wealth and aspirational wealth in housing and the partnership was accordingly well-received. Whānau engagement manager Te Waka McLeod also highlighted that the projects in the partnership would enable Māori housing aspirations and getting one whānau into the housing that is right for them can have generational impacts. Ka Uruora chair Jamie Tuuta said that the partnership would help the iwi deliver critical affordable housing solutions for our whānau and that it would provide an opportunity for better saving habits but would also be able to deal with any debt and think about what's required for that whanau to move to the next stage of the housing continuum. I'm very proud of that announcement.
9. Question No. 9—PoliceGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 9—Police9. GINNY ANDERSEN (Labour—Hutt South) to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has she seen regarding the disruption of organised crime?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): I've seen a report that Police will continue the success that they have had disrupting organised crime by commencing Operation Cobalt. This operation will be a major nationwide effort by Police and will build on the significant inroads made by Operation Tauwhiro which to date has resulted in taking 1531 firearms off the street arresting 1255 people and seizing 53 kilograms of meth. This Government will continue to support our police in their efforts to disrupt gangs and organised crime. Ginny Andersen: What will Operation Cobalt mean for police efforts already under way such as Tauwhiro? Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Operation Cobalt is the next phase in police effort to crack down on gangs and organised crime and will use the insights and learnings from Operation Tauwhiro to put even more pressure on gangs. Operation Cobalt will be supported by an additional 300 organised crime staff that have been deployed since 2017 with an additional 400 to be deployed by June next year.Ginny Andersen: What other reports has she seen regarding police efforts targeting gangs and organised crime?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I've seen another report that in March this year the police asset recovery unit seized a number of assets and bank account funds worth a combined value of more than $7 million. This included four properties a bank account containing $1 million a Lamborghini Huracán and a Ferrari. These assets belonged to a patched Mongrel Mob gang member who has been charged in relation to conspiracy to import methamphetamine and money-laundering. Nicole McKee: If increasing the Police budget by $450 million has resulted in a huge increase in crime what would she expect the effect of reducing youth services funding by $10 million to be?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I disagree with the way that member has characterised this particular issue. We have had to build the Police from the base that the National Party left us with frozen funding and police numbers dropping. In order for us to be successful and supporting the Police we need to give them the tools and the resources that they need to do: $450 million worth of increased funding and by the middle of next year 1800 more cops. Nicole McKee: Point of order Mr Speaker. I did ask what the effect of reducing youth funding by $10 million would be and she had not actually addressed that issue.SPEAKER: Yes. Unfortunately the member had two parts to her question. When it's a supplementary there's only an obligation to address one of those parts and the first part was certainly addressed if not answered.
5. Question No. 5—Building and ConstructionRACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionQuestion No. 5—Building and Construction5. RACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister for Building and Construction: What are the trends in building consents granted since 2017?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister for Building and Construction): The Government has overseen a significant increase in building consents since we took office in 2017. We are building more houses than ever before and delivering the homes that New Zealand whānau need. This is reflected in the data released yesterday that shows a record 50000 building consents in the year to March which is up 24 percent on last year's figures. This shows ongoing support for the biggest Government building programme in decades and that our economic recovery is continuing to gain momentum.Rachel Brooking: What other trends are being seen in building consents data?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: It's not just more houses that are being consented; we are also seeing an evolution in the sector as more medium and high density residential buildings are consented for construction. In March 2022 we saw 2172 townhouses flats and units consented as well as 616 apartment buildings. These are both well up on this time last year. While many of these consented were in Auckland we are continuing to see the growth of these consents in regions like Waikato Bay of Plenty Gisborne Wellington Nelson and Canterbury.Rachel Brooking: What other effects is this drive in construction having?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As our fourth-largest workforce the construction sector continues to grow to meet this demand. In the year to March the workforce added 13225 more jobs and is continuing to grow with 30000 people supported into construction-related education or employment opportunities through the Construction Skills Action Plan. When you combine this with the ongoing work the Government is leading with industry through the Construction Sector Accord and through successful policies like free trades training we're making sure we've got the workforce we need for now and into the future.
3. Question No. 3—Energy and ResourcesANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Energy and ResourcesQuestion No. 3—Energy and Resources3. ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour) to the Minister of Energy and Resources: What action is the Government taking to support businesses to cut their emissions?SPEAKER: Could I ask Mr Seymour just to speak a little bit more quietly on his phone.Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources): Last week I announced the Government has supported even more of New Zealand businesses to slash their emissions faster through the latest round of the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund or the GIDI Fund. In partnering with the private sector through the third round of GIDI we're helping to clean up production processes and help business reduce their emissions. Of the $13 million investment this is matched by $32.7 million in private sector funding. Across all three rounds of GIDI 53 projects have received $69 million in Government co-funding matched by $117 million in private sector funding.Angie Warren-Clark: What will be the impact of the Government's investment in decarbonisation?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Projects funded through the latest round of the Government's investment will save 900000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over their lifetimes. The third round of GIDI will achieve annual emissions reductions equivalent to taking 14400 cars off our roads. All three rounds will result in lifetime emissions savings of 7.46 million tonnes of carbon. This is the equivalent of taking 134800 cars off the roads. The GIDI Fund is already making a tangible difference to the total greenhouse gases that we generate and it's great to see regions right across the country benefiting including Southland Otago Canterbury West Coast Nelson Hawke's Bay Bay of Plenty and Auckland.Angie Warren-Clark: What kinds of projects have been supported through the GIDI Fund?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Southern Paprika where I announced a successful project is set to install a biomass boiler with a carbon dioxide recovery unit—a New Zealand first replacing fossil gas. This project will reduce emissions by 70 percent by replacing 70 percent of the process heat requirement with a renewable energy source. Other projects include funding to convert coal boilers and heat recovery at McCain's Timaru plant and for Mataura Valley Milk to install New Zealand's first high-pressure electrode boiler of 15 megawatts to replace all current coal-fired heat duties on the site making the site 100 percent electrified.
Pugh MaureenMAUREEN PUGH (National): Mr Old Grey Mayor". Thank you very much Mr Speaker. I too stand in support of the Local Government (Pecuniary Interests Register) Amendment Bill in its third and final reading tonight. We're getting through some of these member's bills at a good pace. This is a piece of legislation that has made its way into this House. I can see it being another burden on local government and our local government councillors. There have been systems in place for many years that create openness and transparency and to have to legislate to get those systems in place when in fact local government is probably more accountable to its ratepayers than central government is because people live in those communities. And in the conflict of interest that people have to sign up to in local government they have to declare an interest that is no greater than that of the general public. So the interest register now that they're being asked to sign up to is delving into the personal assets of local councillors in a way that's never happened before and I do have concerns that it will end up being Big Brother looking over the shoulder of our local government councillors. And this seems to me to be a bit of an overreach—not unexpected from this Government but I certainly hope that with this particular bill the Government will walk the talk and actually comply with these rules themselves that they expect local government to sign up to and maybe even perhaps have their own returns sent in on time which would be a novel thing.Our local government colleagues are out there on the coalface of our communities delivering the services that most of us take for granted. They do a fabulous job and they are in the spotlight of their local communities and most are known personally to the people that they represent. And to think that they need this type of legislation to make them accountable is a bit of joke.However in the interests of openness and transparency the National Party is supporting this because there is no strong argument not to but the reality is that there are other ways of ensuring that there is openness and transparency. They can declare their interests. There is a requirement to set up good templates within councils which most have done. And those that haven't there would have been easier ways of ensuring that they were compliant with that requirement that they have no interest greater than that of the general public. But in the meantime this is going through and I commend it to the House."
Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill — Third Reading (continued)
Maiden Statement — Lemauga Lydia Sosene
Valedictory Statement — Simon Bridges
Speaker's Statements — Gallery—Wearing Masks
Mallard TrevorSPEAKER'S STATEMENTSGallery—Wearing MasksSPEAKER: I'd just like to indicate that there are quite a few people in the gallery who are not wearing masks. It's a requirement of being here that people wear masks. If staff can source some masks for people—I can see now just about everyone's got one but they do have to wear them. And they don't wear them on their knees.Hon Member: Unless they have an exemption.SPEAKER: Well generally the people make application for exemptions here and no one has—all right? Thank you.
Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill — Third Reading
Urgent Debates Declined — Parliamentary Precinct—Issuance of Trespass Notices
Mallard TrevorPETITIONS PAPERS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLSSPEAKER: No bills have been introduced. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation. CLERK: Petition of the Hon Judith Collins requesting that the House request the Ministry of Education urgently prioritise the allotment of funding and restore the plan to rebuild Papakura High School and schedule building to begin in 2022. Petition of Juliana Carvalho requesting that the House urge the Associate Minister of Immigration to exempt Arianna Alfonzo from the acceptable standards of health policy and grant her residence.Petition of Yvonne Pern requesting that the House urge the Government to extend an on-shore working holiday and supplemental seasonal employment visa so that they expire no earlier than 31 December 2022.Petition of Kostyantyn Starodub on behalf of the NZ Ukraine Action requesting that the House urge the Government to provide an immediate priority path to come to Aotearoa open to all people based in Ukraine.SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. A paper has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Government response to the review of the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017.SPEAKER: That paper is published under the authority of the House. A select committee report has been delivered for presentation.CLERK: Report of the Education and Workforce Committee on the petition of New Zealand Human Rights Commission / Te Kāhui Tika End pay secrecy: Establish an independent pay transparency agency.
Salesa JennyWEDNESDAY 4 MAY 2022The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.KARAKIA/PRAYERSHon JENNY SALESA (Assistant Speaker): Tatou ifo ma tatalo. Le Atua Silisili ese e matou te sulaina lau Afio mo fa'amanuiaga ma tofi ua e fa'au'uina ai i matou. E lafoa'i ni o matou lagona ma manatua ta'ito'atasi i le amana'iaina o le Masiofo o Peretania. Matou te tatalo ina ia tonu ma fa'amaoni fuafuaga ma fa'ai'uga uma i totonu o lenei Maota Fono. Ia talosia ta'ita'i o lenei Mālō ina ia maua le tōfā mamao le fa'apalepale ma le agamalū auā le manuia ma le filemū o Niu Sila. O le matou tatalo lea e ala atu i le suafa pele o Iesu Keriso Amene.
Dean JacquiCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): The House is in committee on the Road User Charges (Temporary RUC Reduction Scheme) Amendment Bill.
Tuesday 31 May 2022 - Volume 760
10. Question No. 10—TourismRACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of TourismQuestion No. 10—Tourism10. RACHEL BROOKING (Labour) to the Minister of Tourism: How is the Government supporting the tourism industry to innovate and recover?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Tourism): Talofa lava Mr Speaker. The Government has made it a strategic priority to reset and rebuild tourism on a more sustainable footing. This is why as part of Budget 2022 I announced the $54.2 million innovation programme for tourism recovery. We will work alongside tourism businesses to develop new innovative ideas that will improve the sustainability and productivity of eligible businesses. The recent $250 million extension to the maintaining international air freight capability scheme announced by the Minister of Transport is also ensuring necessary air connectivity for the tourism sector as it recovers. And finally I announced a package to support three core networks within the tourism sector to gear up for the return of international tourists as the country fully reconnects with the world. This is funded from the international visitor levy.Rachel Brooking: Why is there is a package to support tourism networks and how is it made up?Hon STUART NASH: While I acknowledge that tourism is a sector of our economy that in many areas has done it tough over the last two years our wider tourism sector is on the way to recovery. As visitor numbers scale up our established tourism networks will receive new Government support to maximise opportunities for businesses workers and local communities. The chain of more than 60 i-site visitor centres will receive new funding along with the tourism trade show Trenz and regional Tourism New Zealand the umbrella body for 31 regional tourism organisations. They reinforce our international reputation for being good hosts and offering a friendly welcome and help create great storytellers and brand ambassadors from those who have travelled here from afar.Rachel Brooking: What feedback has he received on these initiatives?Hon STUART NASH: There's been a lot of good feedback on these but let me give you two examples: Rebecca Ingram chief executive of the Tourism Industry Aotearoa the tourism industry's peak body has said that and I quote The innovation programme for tourism recovery is a forward-looking initiative that will boost the work already being done to build a more sustainable tourism industry"; and Gráinne Troute the director of Tourism Holdings Ltd said that and I quote "The funding for Trenz 2023 and the Budget commitment to the innovation programme will be invaluable in helping tourism recover and innovate for a strong and sustainable future"."