Heatley Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Heatley Phil: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:647;Page:16457] 
5.  
PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei) 
 to the  
Minister of Housing 
: Does she stand by her statement in relation to Housing New Zealand Corporation’s recent conference at a luxury fishing lodge “I am all for it.”; if so why? 
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister of Housing) 
: 
 I am all for Housing New Zealand Corporation achieving its aims of improving service to State house tenants but I have reminded the chair of Housing New Zealand Corporation that in achieving those aims the choice of venue for any conference must be both cost-effective and appropriate. 
Phil Heatley 
: Has the corporation also held conferences at the equally luxurious Heritage Hotel and Spa du Vin and other luxury lodges; if so when was it how many went and how much did it cost? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I am happy to find out the answers to those questions for the member but I can say that the appropriateness of any venue has been drawn to the attention of the chair and the Chief Executive of the Housing New Zealand Corporation for future use. 
Phil Heatley 
: Does the Minister stand by her endorsement of the conference on  
Campbell Live 
 last night saying “It’s just nit-picking.” or does she now support David Parker who says “This sort of thing is not to happen.”—or is David Parker nit-picking as well? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I agree with David Parker’s assessment of the situation. The requirements of appropriateness and cost-effectiveness have been drawn to the attention of the corporation. 
Phil Heatley 
: Will the Minister or will the Minister not allow a conference at this venue again or at any other high-class venue because on  
Campbell Live 
 she said she would do so if it stacked up but David Parker said “I will be making it absolutely clear this sort of thing is not to happen.”? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: I have written to the chair of Housing New Zealand Corporation seeking such an assurance and I advise the House that in reply to that letter I have received the following assurance from the chair of Housing New Zealand Corporation: “There will be no repeat of the use of high-profile venues that fail to reflect the corporation’s commitment to reasonable caution in spending on internal conferencing.” 
Phil Heatley 
: Has she compared the visitors’ book at Tongariro Lodge where a staff member wrote: “It was an excellent place.” and drew a big smiley face next to the comment with the visitors’ books at the squalid Mangere boarding houses? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: No. 
Phil Heatley 
: Will she now phone Carlos Maxwell and Israel Roberts and their 8-month-old son Franklin at their Mangere boarding house where they say: “It’s dirty. There are thieves and there are rats.” and tell them she now realises that a warm sit by the fire at Tongariro Lodge or that playing croquet and pétanque at Heritage Hotel and Spa du Vin does not help them? 
Hon MARYAN STREET 
: If I remember correctly—and my recollection may be faulty—that particular family has been housed by Housing New Zealand Corporation. 
Phil Heatley 
: I seek leave to table Minister Street’s statement that does not rule out further conferences being held at flash venues. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is objection. [ 
Interruption 
] Members will leave the Chamber if they interrupt during points of order. 
Phil Heatley 
: I seek leave to table Minister Parker’s statement that squashes that. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is. 
Phil Heatley 
: I seek leave to table the website of the Heritage Hotel and Spa du Vin luxury conference centre. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Yes there is.