3. Overseas Ownership of New Zealand Property—Exemption for Te Ārai DevelopmentHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Associate Minister of FinanceOverseas Ownership of New Zealand Property—Exemption for Te Ārai Development3. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Associate Minister of Finance: When was an exemption from the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill for the Te Ārai property development first proposed and by whom?Hon DAVID PARKER (Associate Minister of Finance): The issue was first raised by a submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on 15 February by Te Uri o Hau and Ngāti Manuhiri and other parties in the development who all expressed concerns about the impact of the bill on plans for the Te Ārai property developments in Mangawhai north of Auckland. The iwi sought a broad and permanent exemption from the effect of the bill. I recommended in a Cabinet paper dated 22 March that all New Zealand land be covered by the bill including land arising from Treaty settlements but that a transitional period be provided in this instance. The transitional exemption was approved by Cabinet on 3 April.Hon Amy Adams: Is the Minister saying that the submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee was the first time that the impact on the legislation of the Te Ārai development was brought to the attention of his Government himself or his office?Hon DAVID PARKER: In so far as I'm aware yes. Certainly in respect of me and my office yes.Hon Amy Adams: What was the process that led to Te Ārai being considered for an exemption from the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill given that Te Ārai's submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee did not seek an exemption?Hon DAVID PARKER: The submission to the select committee said that that class of land and other land like it should be for ever exempt from the effect of the bill.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask Hon David Parker: on what basis did he describe the Te Ārai development as iwi-owned land?Hon DAVID PARKER: The advice we received from Treasury which was also provided to the select committee that this development is of great significance to these iwis—it's the largest asset they own. It's also important to note that the National Party agrees that this is iwi land. In February 2017 Steven Joyce told this House—and this is in Hansard—It is important to remember that this is iwi-owned land."Hon Amy Adams: Was the decision to include an exemption for the Te Ārai property development discussed at a Cabinet committee; if so which one?Hon DAVID PARKER: Yes. The Cabinet paper that I've already referred to went to I think the Cabinet economic development committee. It would have been discussed at that committee before being discussed at Cabinet and there is a specific recommendation from Cabinet. So you know the member might be trying to create a conspiracy here of what's actually completely normal Government practice. We put a bill out for consultation; we received public submissions; we considered via Cabinet committee Cabinet and select committee in the context of the bill's intentions; and then we put the provision in black and white in the bill.Hon Amy Adams: So on what date did Treasury provide him with the advice he cited in Parliament last week which he said had "the intent of helping the iwi who had suffered long delays on the project."?Hon DAVID PARKER: The advice from Treasury was that we ought not to have an exemption for Treaty-based land and they're right. In some ways it's an article 1 - based right of the Crown to have provisions in law relating to the control of land to overseas persons whether that is general land or Māori land or Māori land that Māori received under a Treaty settlement. The subsequent development of the particular exemption that was proposed but has now been ruled out was led by me in concert with Government officials with the approval of Cabinet.SPEAKER: Can I just—sorry there was a very specific request around the date of the paper.Hon DAVID PARKER: I can't recall the exact date sir.Hon Amy Adams: So what's so special about these landowners that he considered them to be the only landowners in New Zealand—iwi or otherwise—who shouldn't suffer a loss of property value due to the passing of his legislation?Hon DAVID PARKER: As was made clear in the submission that was only received from these and from no one in similar circumstances—Hon Dr Nick Smith: Mates' rates.SPEAKER: Who said that?Hon Dr Nick Smith: I did.SPEAKER: Stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Dr Nick Smith: I withdraw and apologise.Hon DAVID PARKER: As I was saying there was no other similar submission to the select committee and as a consequence the issue didn't arise.Hon Amy Adams: Will he immediately release all Treasury and any other official advice he has received in respect of the proposed exemption for the Te Ārai property development?Hon DAVID PARKER: I'm happy to release the information in accordance with normal Government procedures."