Faafoi Kris: Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFaafoi Kris: Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 31 March 2016. Volume:712;Page:10114. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KRIS FAAFOI (Labour—Mana): I thank you Mr Deputy Speaker for your good grace over the last 24 hours in allowing me calls. This piece of legislation—and there will be many markers as we see Christchurch get back up on its feet—is a very important marker for the city of Christchurch following the earthquakes of 5 years ago.This piece of legislation I think proves the worth of the legislative process here in this House. People may wonder why we have second and third readings and why the Government does not just say what it wants to do and get on with it. But I think that this process especially from our side of the House proves that the legislative process is a good one here in this House because this piece of legislation has taken an interesting route through this House.Introduced 6 months ago we supported the bill to the Local Government and Environment Committee. At the select committee there were changes made that we were not happy with and through the good work of the Minister—and I acknowledge the Hon Gerry Brownlee—and various members of Parliament from the Opposition and I acknowledge my colleague Dr Megan Woods we have landed at a piece of legislation that every member of this Parliament will be in favour of. I think that is a very important note to make around the future of Christchurch because there is no dissent. Everyone in this House is reasonably happy—and I think quite happy—with this piece of legislation that will frame the rebuild of Christchurch a city that I grew up in. I think credit should be given to the Government and Mr Brownlee for looking around this House and saying: “OK how are we going to make this work if you are not happy with it after select committee?”.Significant changes have been made to allow more community input more consultation and I think that will make it better in the fact that the people of Christchurch will feel much more connected to a rebuild that will happen over the next 10 15 or 20 years. So I acknowledge the part that the Government has played and that it has been willing to work to a consensus where everyone in this House is happy with the legislation. One of the points that we are very happy with as I have mentioned is the ability for the community to have much more input. In the stages from the earthquake up until now I think it is widely known that there has been some criticism—that they feel like they have been dictated to from Wellington. Not having spent enough time down in Christchurch to gauge whether or not that is fair—I think members from Christchurch on our side of the House may say that. But in this piece of legislation the people are given much more opportunity to have more of a say in how their city will look over the next 5 10 15 and 20 years which we thank the Government for.Also set out in this piece of legislation is an addition post select committee. It is the inclusion of the four “well-beings” which despite being removed from the local government legislation have I think importantly been included in this piece of Christchurch legislation. It is not just a matter of rebuilding the buildings in the city; it is about the heart of the city as well and the soul of the city. The regeneration of Christchurch will take into account the environmental economic social and cultural well-being that we on this side of the House think will be very important to the social cohesion and growth of Christchurch so we thank the Government for taking that on board as well.To again point towards a change that was made at the Committee stage by my colleague Dr Megan Woods the protection around Hagley Park is to ensure that green space right in the middle of the city cannot be affected in any way by any changes or any rebuilding that might go on as part of the process as we look to make Christchurch a much stronger city. I think that is important. It is a very important recreational space whether you play cricket rugby or hockey or whether you are walking through the botanical gardens. The people of Christchurch value that space and I think it is something that is relatively still the same as it was before the earthquakes. They want it to stay that way. It is a place that they value very much and the amendment from my colleague Megan Woods ensures that and protects Hagley Park.To finish up because I have got very little time left I would like to wish Regenerate Christchurch all the best because it has got a very big task on its hands. I again thank the Minister for being willing to work towards a consensus that this House is happy with and that therefore I hope will serve the people of Christchurch much better.