Jones Dail: Debate on Crown Entities Public Organisations and State Enterprises — In Committee 
Jones Dail: Debate on Crown Entities Public Organisations and State Enterprises — In Committee 
[Volume:647;Page:15990] 
DAIL JONES (NZ First) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to be speaking to the report on the Arts Council on behalf of New Zealand First. As we know the council is required to comply with the collective duties and individual duties as members and any directions made by the Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage as determined by the Crown Entities Act. The Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage will be informed and engaged in discussions as appropriate on any proposals for significant changes in the way Creative New Zealand invests in the arts sector. So one presumes there are discussions between the Minister and Creative New Zealand when it comes to decisions made by the organisation. 
Creative New Zealand’s strategic plan for 2007 onwards states that the three major components of its plan are vision purpose and values. When I look at that statement and think about the discussions the Minister must have about the values that Creative New Zealand must consider and look at some of the grants made in 2007 I see in particular “Choreographic Fellowship for acclaimed Auckland dancemaker and choreographer Lemi Ponifasio.” This gentleman was granted fellowships worth about $65000. But I am also interested in a grant for $35000 made so that he could invite certain people on a tour of  
The Tempest 
. Now remember this grant was made in 2007 and I see that in the discussions with the Minister perhaps the “values of Creative New Zealand” indicate that this money should be spent on Mr Tame Iti and also Mr Ahmed Zaoui—the refugee. He is sharing in the $35000 to travel around the world as a result of the “values” attributed by Creative New Zealand to people like Mr Tame Iti the well-known firer of shotguns in public places. I cannot refer to any other matters that are happening at the present time but they are well known to the public. 
Hon Judith Tizard 
: Art takes many forms. 
DAIL JONES 
: The Minister is not supposed to interject either. Now $35000 shows that Mr Tame Iti knows how to suck on the taxpayer. That is what I say. How can he and Mr Zaoui screw $35000 out of the taxpayer to have a world trip on Creative New Zealand? It is quite amazing. The Minister should have discussions with Creative New Zealand as to the way it is established. 
I ask the Minister what she does with her time. Does she have discussions with Creative New Zealand? Does it advise her that it is going to spend $35000 on the likes of Mr Zaoui and Mr Tame Iti to travel around the world? 
I agree with Sandra Zaoui and I presume her criticism is related to—[ 
Interruption 
] It is Sandra Goudie—it rhymes it was a slip of the tongue. I agree with her concern about Mr Zaoui. I was getting ahead of myself. But we also know that Mr John Key supports Mr Tame Iti’s trip around the world and rubs noses with him whenever possible. I find it terribly terribly disappointing that a man with the reputation of Mr Tame Iti should be encouraged by the leader of the National Party. 
As far as New Zealand First is concerned Creative New Zealand is not spending its money properly; it should be considering the values that are part of its charter. I say that if Mr Tame Iti does not come back it will be a great day for New Zealand—