McCully Murray: Eden Park Trust Amendment Bill — Second Reading Third Reading 
McCully Murray: Eden Park Trust Amendment Bill — Second Reading Third Reading 
[Volume:656;Page:5689] 
Hon MURRAY McCULLY (National—East Coast Bays) 
: 
 I move  
That the Eden Park Trust Amendment Bill be now read a second time 
. I am pleased to have this opportunity to say a few words about this bill which stands in my name. It is a private bill promoted by the Eden Park Trust Board. I say at the outset that I am grateful for the support of members on both sides of the House in ensuring that this bill has had a speedy passage so far and for the assistance of members in ensuring that we should be able to bring these proceedings to a smooth conclusion hopefully today. 
The redevelopment of Eden Park into a world-class venue was one of the core commitments in New Zealand’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2011. The previous Government was of course the key player in making that commitment and investing $190 million in an underwrite for the development project. I and the then Opposition were pleased to support that project and those undertakings. The current trustees representatives of the Auckland Cricket Association and Auckland Rugby Football Union recognised the significant financial contribution that was being made through the Government’s underwrite and they agreed to changes to the governance arrangements that recognise the public contribution being made by New Zealand taxpayers. The bill makes amendments accordingly to the Eden Park Trust Act 1955 to implement those new governance arrangements and to ensure that there is indeed recognition of the public ownership interest in the park. 
This bill will allow for a transition from the current rather cumbersome governance arrangements with a trust board and a separate redevelopment board to a new Eden Park Trust Board and I know that the various stakeholders will be keen for that transition to occur quickly. I will explain briefly to the House that currently we have the ultimate owners the Eden Park Trust Board sitting in a governance arrangement whilst the redevelopment board undertakes the redevelopment work alongside it. I think it is agreed by both those parties that the sooner we can move to a single governance structure which is what this bill will permit the better it will suffice in meeting the interests of all concerned. I know that all of the stakeholders are quite keen to see us make those changes quickly. I am pleased to be able to tell the House that the redevelopment of Eden Park is on schedule to be completed by October 2010. It makes sense for the new trust board to be in place as early as possible so that the appropriate governance and management operations can be put in place before the completion of the redevelopment. 
The Government Administration Committee has proposed that the bill should come into force 30 days after it receives the Royal assent. That is an amendment that I support and an amendment that will proceed hopefully as a consequence of this discussion today. 
Finally I thank a number of parties who have rendered service in the past and in relation to these proceedings today. I pay tribute to the current trustees of the Eden Park Trust Board and to the members of both Auckland cricket and Auckland rugby who over nearly a century have given their time unselfishly and have been responsible for the development of the park to the asset that it was prior to this redevelopment programme being undertaken. Through their endeavours and commitment Auckland has a sporting stadium that is internationally recognised. I look forward to seeing the redeveloped park play a critical role in the hosting of an outstanding tournament in 2011. In relation to this particular bill I thank the Hon Trevor Mallard who was the Minister who initiated the redevelopment process for his ongoing assistance in relation to the passing of this legislation. I acknowledge the work of his colleague the Hon David Parker who chaired the select committee in an expeditious fashion and in I might say a very constructive fashion which has seen the bill emerge from the committee in this form. It is my pleasure to commend this bill to the House.