Oral Questions

1. to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy?

The resurgence support payment was triggered in June, following an Australian traveller coming to Wellington with COVID-19 and the subsequent alert level rise to alert level 2. This is the payment that assists businesses with one-off costs during these alert level rises. I can say the latest and almost final report for the resurgence support payment shows that 4,146 applications were received, with $6.61 million being paid out.

💬 Helen White: What other reports has he seen on the economy?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well, today the Government set out its plan to reconnect New Zealanders to the world, which will mean that the economy can continue to operate and recover strongly. It does include, as part of the announcement today, the setting up of a pilot as we move towards investigating the way in which different border settings can work and work towards the establishment of low-, medium-, and high-risk pathways into the country from 2022. The pilot—or the trial, there’s a self-quarantine one for the medium-risk pathway. This will include a small number of people being able to use different forms of isolation, and this will be done by working with businesses and their employees to ensure we get a good understanding of how such a system can work.

💬 Helen White: What reports has he seen on the impact of the construction sector on the economy?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: One important indicator of construction activity is concrete production, and Stats New Zealand reports that concrete production rose 12.6 percent in the three months to June, compared with the previous quarter, and for the year production is up 46 percent, along with a number of other indicators that show the construction sector’s confidence in the recovery that we’re experiencing—including the Government’s moves to increase the supply of housing and the $57.3 billion investment in infrastructure.

Question No. 2—Social Development and Employment

2. to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does her Government’s commitment to “overhauling the welfare system” include ensuring low-income communities are supported to deal with the effects and costs of climate change; if not, why not?

The Government’s welfare overhaul is an ongoing commitment to a welfare system that ensures that all New Zealanders in need are able to have an adequate income, are treated with respect and dignity, and are able to participate meaningfully in their communities. The Welfare Expert Advisory Group acknowledged that a number of factors, including climate change, will substantially change the nature of work in the long term and increase the risk of adverse impacts, including labour market displacement. Key recommendations by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group to address this were centred around revamping active labour market policies across Government to make them more coherent and effective, and strengthening the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) redundancy support policies to better support displaced workers. MSD are also working to assess the impacts of the emissions reduction plan on employment and the income support system.

Ricardo Menéndez March: Does she agree with India Logan-Riley, co-founder of Te Ara Whatu, who said that “A truly just transition would involve transforming the economic system and reckoning with colonisation. But raising core benefits is a step towards that just transition.”; if so, does she commit to further increases to core benefits beyond what was announced in this year’s Budget?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I hear the quote from that particular member, but I have not seen the context in which that was said or any of the additional commentary around that, so I don’t want to go too far into that. However, I will remind the member that we have moved quickly to raise benefits, last year by $25, and this year again—they will go up again next April. We did move to index benefits. Going back to the primary question also, it’s important, on top of income support, that we look at support for employment, and that includes employment that is available at the moment and employment that will be available moving forward into the future as well.

Ricardo Menéndez March: What, if anything, does the Minister for Social Development and Employment do to help people find decent and meaningful employment with a living wage that will allow families to transition to a low-carbon economy?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: It’s not just about me as Minister, it’s about all of us as a Government, and we’ve been very focused on this, particularly in light of COVID. We have a number of active labour market policies in place, many of them we have discussed in this House: Mana in Mahi; Apprenticeship Boost; our Māori trades training, and a further expansion of that and He Poutama Rangatahiwas announced yesterday; and there is more. Much of the work that we’re doing in the active labour market policy space is to support people to upskill and train so that they can get into more secure, more stable work and work that is better paid—the trades and construction are two of those areas where we’ve had a particular focus. We are working with our tripartite partners to continue to bolster and flesh out the work we’re doing in the active labour market policy space to look for gaps, because we do, as a Government, want to do more here.

Ricardo Menéndez March: Does the Mana in Mahi scheme guarantee workers at least a living wage?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The Mahi in Mahi scheme in itself doesn’t, but it does provide people with a pathway to sustainable employment, and that is what we’re looking at. If we think about the areas of investment that we have put money into—apprenticeships and trades being the one that’s front of mind—people can earn decent livings in those particular areas. And so we are very much focused on ensuring that people can get into sustainable, well-paid work, and I think our Government’s track record over the last 3½ to four years proves that.

Ricardo Menéndez March: Has she encouraged her Cabinet colleagues to speed up the trials of public transport subsidies for people on community services cards?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: It is not yet an active policy; however, a community connect pilot is going to be trialling half price public transport fares in Auckland for all community service cardholders. The trial will aim to reduce emissions and air pollution by easing congestion, as well as improve transport equity, particularly for low-income earners. It will begin in July 2022 and will be for three years, and, if successful, we will consider expanding it. It is a part of the Minister of Transport’s, Minister Wood’s, $31 billion investment into Auckland’s transport infrastructure, and an exciting project to be part of.

Ricardo Menéndez March: Will she advocate for a clean energy industry training plan that will connect young rangatahi into work for clean energy careers through the Ministry of Social Development?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Can you repeat the question. I didn’t hear the end of that, sorry.

Ricardo Menéndez March: So the question is: will she advocate for a clean energy industry training plan that will connect young rangitahi into training for clean energy careers through MSD?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Not just through MSD but across Government.

Question No. 3—Finance

3. to the Minister of Finance: Has he reassessed any of his spending plans, since Statistics NZ reported inflation is 3.3 percent, and most banks are now predicting swift increases in interest rates over the next year?

The Government constantly assesses the investments it makes as New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19 continues at a faster rate than other countries due to the success of our public health measures and economic plan. With regard to the member’s reference to the inflation rate, I would note that Stats New Zealand’s latest report is that annual Consumers Price Index inflation was 3.3 percent in the year to June 2021. I would also point out Stats New Zealand’s comment, “Part of the annual increase was attributable to the fact it is measured against the June 2020 quarter, a period impacted by the COVID lockdown where some prices fell.” This 3.3 rate compares to the OECD one of 3.8 percent to May this year.

💬 Andrew Bayly: Is he concerned by ANZ predicting that New Zealand is about to experience the “most aggressive interest rate [rises] since 2004”, and, if so, has the Government identified what low quality spending it can cut to help prevent this?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In reference to the first part of the member’s question, I’d note that Stats New Zealand has not reported that most banks are now predicting swift increases in interest rates over the next year. The retail banks are forecasting the official cash rate (OCR) to be between 1.3 percent and 1.8 percent in a year’s time. In September 2017, the OCR was 1.75 percent, so the forecasts are showing that interest rates are back to where they were under the previous Government.

💬 Andrew Bayly: Does he think that all of the big-spending initiatives announced by the Government over the last 18 months are still necessary, given the surge in the cost of living and predicted aggressive interest rate rises?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I think that the Government’s response to COVID-19 to make sure that we kept people in jobs—that we invested in strong public services—was exactly the right response. If the member is advocating large-scale cuts in health and education, well that would be typical of the National Party, but I don’t think it’s wise.

💬 Andrew Bayly: Does he still believe monetary and fiscal policy should work together, and, if so, will he follow the Reserve Bank’s lead and reduce the wasteful spending that’s driving up the cost of living?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I reject the premise of the member’s question.

💬 Andrew Bayly: What advice, if any, has he received on the impact faster than expected increases in interest rates will have on the ability of thousands of New Zealand homeowners with mortgages who have to pay their mortgages over the coming years and months?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well, as I said in earlier answers, what happens with interest rates has not yet happened. In terms of the Reserve Bank, that is the Reserve Bank’s decision. I have been very clear over the last year and a half that everybody who takes on mortgage debt needs to be aware that interest rates do move up and down over time.

💬 Hon Chris Hipkins: Does he believe that the biggest drivers of the increase in Government spending, such as responding to COVID-19, keeping New Zealanders in work, and rebuilding our run-down infrastructure amount to wasteful spending?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No, I don’t, and that’s the very point I was making in my earlier answer to Mr Bayly. If the National Party is now proposing cuts in all of those things, I think New Zealanders will be very interested to hear that.

💬 Andrew Bayly: What advice, if any, has he received about the impact aggressive interest increases in the mortgage rates will have on the costs passed on to renters or the ability of first-home buyers to afford to take out a mortgage?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The member will be aware of the actions of the Reserve Bank in regard to that, including their consultation around loan-to-value-ratio changes and debt-to-income ratios. On this side of the House, we’re getting on with building more houses, and, obviously, we’ve taken the action that we have when it comes to interest deductibility.

Question No. 4—Housing

4. to the Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has she made about support for Community Housing Providers?

Yesterday, along with Minister Henare, I announced that the Government will bring forward funding for community housing providers (“CHiPS”) to deliver housing faster. By front-loading payments, we’re bringing forward some of the money we already provide to “CHiPS” over the course of a 25-year contract. We have responded to a simple request from the sector that will make a difference to the number of new-build houses that “CHiPS” can bring on, and it builds on our trusted, progressive partnership relationship that we have with them. Early-stage payments will help ensure a pathway for newer or smaller community housing providers, including many Māori and iwi providers, to enable capacity growth in their organisations and improve housing outcomes.

💬 Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki: Will this change lead to more new build developments coming from the community housing sector?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Yes. This greater funding flexibility builds on our progressive partnership approach with the “CHiPS”, that is focused on increasing the supply of new, warm, and dry housing. I’ve made my expectations clear to the sector that we need to increase the pipeline of new affordable housing by demonstrating additionality, limiting redirects or buy-ins, and having a preference for houses that the “CHiPS” themselves will own. Since we came into office, we have seen the number of new builds by community housing providers increase from 37 new builds in 2017-18 to 656 in the most recent financial year. We’ve also increased financial support to the sector with funding provided to “CHiPS”, transitional housing providers, and other housing support service providers, increasing from $95 million in the 2016-17 financial year to over $400 million in the 2020-21 financial year alone.

💬 Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki: How will this enable the bringing on of new housing supplies sooner?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Community housing providers will be able to bring on new housing supply quicker by front-loading payments, while still receiving the same level of support that they would over the lifetime of a project. Initial assessment of current opportunities by Housing and Urban Development officials have identified six individual projects, with approximately 200 places in priority locations where early-stage funding will be the thing that makes them viable. We will have greater certainty around the number of additional projects as we discuss early-stage funding with the sector.

💬 Nicola Willis: Why has she allowed Government housing agencies to hire more officials—a grand total of 1,205 additional housing officials—than they have funded newly built houses from community housing providers?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I know that when you have to rebuild the ability of a Government to actually (a) realise there is a housing crisis and (b) do something about it—in answer to the member’s question: why have I allowed them to hire staff? It’s because we needed to build some houses.

💬 Hon Peeni Henare: What was the response of the community housing providers when asked what the number one barrier is in allowing them to get on with the job to support our families?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Particularly our smaller and newer community housing providers, particularly Māori and iwi community housing providers, and Pasifika providers—instead having access to that money earlier and upfront will make projects that would not be viable viable.

Question No. 5—COVID-19 Response

5. to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Will the Government administer 8,016,768 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the week of 21 November 2021 as set out in the Ministry of Health’s “Original cumulative vaccinations model”, and does he have confidence in the vaccine roll-out?

I have full confidence in the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, which continues to deliver doses ahead of plan. The number of doses delivered at any given time will in part depend on the number of people coming forward to have the vaccine, and there have been some changes to the model since February. I’m confident that all eligible New Zealanders will have the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of this year. This morning, the Prime Minister and I announced when different population groups will be eligible. Fifty-plus will be open from Friday, 13 August; 40-plus from Wednesday, 18 August; 30-plus from Wednesday, 25 August; and then, from 1 September, all eligible New Zealanders will be able to book their vaccines.

💬 Chris Bishop: Is it the Government’s expectation that 8,016,768 doses of Pfizer vaccine will be delivered or administered by 21 November, which is roughly 91 percent of the eligible population of 4.38 million?

💬 Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I said, there have been some relatively small changes to the model since it was released in February. The model in February assumed the first big deliveries of the Pfizer vaccine would arrive at the beginning of July, and, as we know, they didn’t arrive until the middle of July. So some of those numbers have moved around a bit, but as I said, the aim is to ensure that all eligible New Zealanders have the chance to be vaccinated by the end of the year, and we’re absolutely on track to do that.

💬 Chris Bishop: Well, OK. Is the spreadsheet that is on the Ministry of Health website, that is pointed to every week by the Government, that says that on 21 November 2021, 8,016,768 cumulative doses of vaccinations will be delivered—is that spreadsheet still accurate?

💬 Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The model overall is still accurate, but there can be some changes in timing, week from week. For example, as I indicated, the overall effect of us not getting the larger doses of vaccines until towards the middle to end of July, as opposed to at the beginning of July, has an overall impact on the cumulative numbers in some weeks of up to 200,000 to 300,000. But overall, we will still be tracking against that model.

💬 Chris Bishop: So, bearing in mind that there might be some movement around the middle of the roll-out between now and November, is it correct that the Government’s expectation is that by 21 November, just over 8 million cumulative doses of vaccinations will be delivered around New Zealand?

💬 Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The Government’s expectation is that by the end of the year, all New Zealanders who are eligible will have the opportunity to have both doses of their vaccine.

💬 Chris Bishop: Is it correct that after Dr Ashley Bloomfield’s meeting with port CEOs on Tuesday this week, the Government moved to allow all port workers to get vaccinated, if they want one, and not just those interacting with ships, and why hasn’t this been the case since February?

💬 Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Group one, the first people eligible to get the vaccine, included front-line port workers. That included all of the people that we were being questioned about earlier in the week, who have been on and off ships. What is happening now, as we move through group three and into group four, is that more people are becoming eligible, including those who work at the ports who are not in front-line roles.

💬 Chris Bishop: Why has the Government not ordered any Pfizer booster shots for 2022 and 2023 when the CEO of Pfizer has said that orders will be made on a “first come, first served” basis and slow orders means slow delivery?

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! It doesn’t come close to either the question or any of the supplementary answers.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: Point of order. The primary had two legs, and it included confidence in the vaccine roll-out. That’s not specific to first vaccine roll-outs; that is a continuous process. I think questions about booster vaccines for 2022 are well within the primary.

💬 SPEAKER: Well, I’m ruling it’s not. The second part of the question must have a relationship to the first or it would have been ruled out. You can’t ask two questions. They are not two separate questions. There is a question and an additional leg to it. They cannot be different questions.

💬 Chris Bishop: Well, point of order. Firstly, the primary question was accepted as being within order. Is it now the case that questions about vaccine delivery in 2022 is not counted as being part of the vaccine roll-out?

💬 SPEAKER: Not when it’s written down; not when it’s a supplementary part to a question which is relatively limited. The member’s been here for a long time. He should know that. I’ll just make it absolutely straight: primary questions can have two legs, but you cannot have two separate questions.

💬 Chris Bishop: Point of order.

💬 SPEAKER: Well, if this is going to be ongoing, the member will be outgoing.

💬 Chris Bishop: I just—

💬 SPEAKER: A point of order, unrelated, from Chris Bishop.

💬 Chris Bishop: No, it is related.

💬 SPEAKER: The member will sit down, then, because I’m not going to hear it.

Question No. 6—Social Development and Employment

6. to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How is the Government delivering more pathways into mahi for job seekers?

Yesterday, I announced a total of $24.1 million to support job seekers on pathways into employment, education, and training. We’re investing $18.4 million in Māori trades and training and $5.6 million in He Poutama Rangatahi. These two programmes focus on providing bespoke wraparound support, pastoral care, and free employment training. Yesterday’s announcement accelerates our efforts to fill demand for skilled workers, improve employment, social, and whānau outcomes, and support businesses to grow and take on apprentices.

💬 Arena Williams: Who will benefit from the latest tranche of investment?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The latest tranche of funding will help prepare over 800 more people for the workforce. Māori are also set to benefit from the boost to Māori trades and training. While there are many elements that make this programme successful, one particular and integral part is the wraparound support that is offered from a te ao Māori world view. It’s something that is not common across many employment programmes but as we look to support more Māori into jobs and lift incomes, it must be front of mind for employers and the workforce, as it is for Government.

💬 Arena Williams: What feedback has she seen on the announcement?

💬 Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Helmut Modlik, chief executive of Ngāti Toa, applauded the Government for its “authentic, sincere willingness” to do better in the Māori unemployment space and to “not just accept the inequalities are entrenched and immovable”. Aspiring tradesman George Fermanis also said these initiatives will help rangatahi get the support they need. He said, “For the iwi it’s a good family base way of knowing each other and being supportive of one another in everything, so when I make mistakes they will be able to lift me up back on my feet.”

Question No. 7—Energy and Resources

7. to the Minister of Energy and Resources: Will she apologise to Genesis Energy for her statement that Genesis made a “commercial decision” when it came to how much generation to have online on Monday night, and what are the terms of reference, if any, for the review she has instructed the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to undertake?

In answer to the first part of the question, no. In answer to the second part of the question, the terms of reference are currently being finalised along with an inquirer. It is my expectation that this inquiry will be under way as early as next week. The focus of the review will be on the matters that have been raised this week, including communications with industry, stakeholders, and the public; escalation communications; whether Transpower’s alert system is fit for purpose; and Transpower’s modelling tool. The review will also focus on whether other generation could have been brought online, scheduling and risk margins, and whether there is adequate standby generation or other resources to reduce risk.

💬 Barbara Kuriger: Will the review consider time lines, and, if so, has she discussed with David Clark, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, when he received the 7.10 p.m. grid emergency notice and why he did not give her a call to alert her?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: I indicated, when I listed out what the terms of reference would be, that communications and escalation communications would certainly be part of the review. That is something that I want to look seriously at. As has been indicated on my behalf in this House yesterday, I have had an apology from Transpower for the communications that occurred on Monday night.

💬 Barbara Kuriger: So, in review of the time line, when was the first time she was alerted to the fact that at 1.02 p.m., Transpower issued a warning that there were insufficient generation offers for the evening peak?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: As I have also indicated throughout the week, I was alerted around 8.30 p.m. from a text from my press secretary. As soon as I received that text, I gave Alison Andrew, the CE of Transpower, a call. She then gave me a briefing on all the alerts for the day.

💬 Barbara Kuriger: Does she expect her Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) review to agree with Dr Deborah Russell, who said yesterday in the House, in regards to 28,000 houses being without power, “stuff happens—stuff happens. … Staff go home in the evenings”?

💬 Hon Grant Robertson: That’s not what she said.

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: This is actually a serious—

💬 SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. I’ve just had some interjections from the Deputy Prime Minister alleging that statements made were inaccurate as part of the question. If they were inaccurate and they were deliberately put in as part of supplementary questions, that is not a matter he should be raising by way of interjection.

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: As I said, this is a serious review of a very serious occurrence that occurred on Monday night. As I have indicated to the member, the time line of communications will be included in the review, including escalation communications, particularly when it occurs after nine. If the member is asking me if I expect members of my office will sit checking their emails every minute to see if an email has come in after hours, the answer is no. I expect more of agencies in escalation communications. [Interruption]

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! A former Minister of energy and a member who may or may not have interjected yesterday are being very loud. They will be quiet.

💬 Dr Deborah Russell: Point of order. I was misquoted. It was a selective quote.

💬 SPEAKER: No, no. That is not a point of order. The member may seek leave to make a personal explanation in order to say, “The member said this, and I actually said that.” And if she does that, I will put it to the House, but the member can’t just argue by way of point of order.

💬 Dr Deborah Russell: I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

💬 SPEAKER: In relation to the matter that was raised?

💬 Dr Deborah Russell: In relation to the matter at hand.

💬 SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.

💬 Dr Deborah Russell: The member misquoted me. I did reference staff going home in the evenings, but it’s quite separate from the words “stuff happens—stuff happens”. It was only a selective quote of different parts of the speech.

💬 SPEAKER: Well, that’s made it absolutely clear. [Interruption] Order! Order! I just say to members here that the fact that Dr Russell has done that has probably helped the member for Taranaki - King Country quite a lot.

💬 Barbara Kuriger: Will the MBIE review consider findings of the Transpower white paper she received in 2018 that stated New Zealand’s exposure to supply shortages in winter and dry years is expected to double by 2030, and can she name one measure the Government is taking that will reduce the risk of winter blackouts this decade?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: As I answered the member in the answer to the primary question, when she asked me what the terms of reference would be, and I indicated whether there is adequate standby generation or other resources to reduce risk, I think this indicates that that will be covered in the review that happens. But I do remind the member: it was not a lack of physical generation capacity that caused the blackout on Monday night. We know that there was between 500 and 600 megawatts of capacity that was not utilised and not brought in that was compounded by the fact that there were errors in the modelling tool from Transpower that led to more load being shed than was required.

💬 Barbara Kuriger: Will the MBIE review consider the Government’s decision to not allow OMV to pursue promising initial drilling results at its Toutouwai-1 as its workers were not considered essential during COVID lockdowns, and does she now consider gas exploration to be an essential service for the country?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: No, the review will not cover that. During level 4 lockdown, we allowed a number of industries that were critical to keep New Zealand going but also to keep New Zealanders safe from COVID to continue. I think that what we did in terms of the energy sector and what we did allow to be critical industries was in the best interests of New Zealand. But if the member is now wanting to relitigate what we did to keep New Zealanders safe and to keep COVID out, I think she is conflating some very serious issues.

Question No. 8—Education

8. to the Associate Minister of Education: What recent progress has she seen in education on implementing Recommendation 36 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019?

The royal commission’s Recommendation 36 falls within the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and asks us to invest in opportunities for young New Zealanders to learn about how we can value ethnic and religious diversity, conflict resolution, and self-regulation. We have made great progress in a number of areas to realise this aspiration, including the successful delivery of the learning hubs model in Christchurch to support ethnic families in the education system, investing over $5 million into social and emotional learning programmes, such as self-regulation skills in early learning and primary schools, strengthening evidence-based bullying and prevention responses in schools, and providing quality teaching resources and professional development for teachers so our classrooms are safe and inclusive learning environments.

💬 Ibrahim Omer: How has the learning hubs model in Christchurch contributed to achieving Recommendation 36?

💬 Hon JAN TINETTI: As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to work with the victims of those affected by the March terror attacks, the Government funded Learning Community Hubs in Christchurch help families to connect and engage with their school communities. This initially started as a 10-week pilot programme and was so successful we now have seven Learning Community Hubs in Christchurch, supporting 158 families across 18 ethnicities. When I visited a hub, parents and children were overwhelmingly positive about how the hubs have helped families thrive in the education system and increased their sense of belonging. Parents say their involvement with the hub has improved their relationships with their local school and encouraged more engagement with their child’s learning, such as through reading time at home. Teachers and students have also benefited through this collaborative and inclusive approach.

💬 Ibrahim Omer: What further plans are there for the learning hubs model?

💬 Hon JAN TINETTI: Based off the success of the learning hubs model in Christchurch, we are rolling the programme out to Auckland and Wellington later this year. Support will be available through the learning hubs, and this will include delivering Reading Together to support children to improve their literacy skills, academic mentoring for students, information around internet safety, parent education workshops to provide an overview of the New Zealand education system, and assistance in understanding career pathways for young people. These are all practical ways this Government is responding to Recommendation 36, by investing in opportunities for young New Zealanders and supporting our ethnic communities to feel included and valued in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Question No. 9—Housing

9. to the Minister of Housing: Does she have confidence in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development?

Yes, because since establishing the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, our Government is delivering the largest public housing build programme in a generation, implementing the Homelessness Action Plan, supporting Māori housing aspirations through a dedicated Māori and Iwi Housing Innovation work stream and record investment for Māori housing in this year’s Budget, transforming suburbs across Auckland and Porirua through the large-scale projects, and supporting first-home buyers through KiwiBuild; progressive homeownership, including a dedicated pathway for iwi Māori providers; first-home loans and grants; rolling out the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund; and much, much more.

💬 Rawiri Waititi: Does she have confidence in the emergency and transitional housing programme, given that suppliers are providing unhealthy accommodation—in the words of one of my constituents, “rat-infested rooms that are damp, rooms without adequate heating, rooms with bedbugs and rotten furniture and mould.”?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Yes, I do have confidence in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. I think it’s really important for the member to realise that there are several ways in which motels are offered. One is through the long-term contracted motels that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development provides, and then there is the more ad hoc hotel accommodation that is provided through emergency special needs housing grants. Now, as we’ve discussed before, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) does not have the ability to do long-term contracting of motel units. That is why the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is working in partnership with the MSD, so that we can transition—in Rotorua, for example—to where we can have longer-term contracted. We can have more wraparound services and ensure that quality standards are being adhered to.

💬 Rawiri Waititi: What screening protocols and measures are used to ensure that emergency and transitional housing suppliers are providing safe and healthy accommodation for vulnerable whānau, and why are emergency and transitional housing providers exempt from the healthy homes standard?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: In terms of the long-term contracts that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is putting into place in terms of our transitional housing places, there is a lot of work with providers to ensure that they are suitable, not only from a physical point of view but that also we have the capacity to put in place the wraparound services. So it’s not just the warm part of the healthy homes standard; it is also that we can provide those wraparound services.

💬 Rawiri Waititi: Has the Minister received any reports relating to the mistreatment and discrimination of our vulnerable whānau by emergency and transitional housing suppliers?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: No. I do note that that member has written to me about a case that he is dealing with in his electorate office, which I’m more than happy to discuss with him, but I would like to respect the privacy of the individual in this House.

💬 Nicola Willis: Does she have confidence that each of the 1,205 new staff hired across the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Kāinga Ora are there to—and I quote her earlier statement—“build some houses”, and, if so, how many of those new staff have trade certificates?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Yes, I have confidence in those staff. I think the member is being ridiculous. In just the same way, we don’t have everyone in our Ministry of Education with a current teaching certificate.

💬 Hon Michael Woodhouse: Point of order, Mr Speaker. The question wasn’t addressed. It wasn’t the confidence in the staff, but the staff’s ability to build houses, and that wasn’t addressed.

💬 SPEAKER: The very first word was “Yes”—it’s answered. I should’ve stopped her at that point.

💬 Rawiri Waititi: What protections are available to our vulnerable whānau to address their concerns without “fear of being kicked out with nowhere to go” when many whānau in my electorate have consistently made complaints to my office about being issued two-day eviction notices?

💬 Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: Evictions are incredibly rare in transitional housing. Every attempt is made to put the right support around the individuals or the whānau that are in those facilities—and, as I say, incredibly rare. There of course is always the recourse that the member has brought a case that is in his electorate that he would like to discuss with me, and I’m more than willing to do that, but I do not want to get into the specifics of that individual case in this House.

Question No. 10—Transport

10. to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway?

As is the case with all new sections of State highway, Waka Kotahi assessed the potential for tolling the Ara Tūhono - Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway. Tolling can be a useful tool that can help fund the construction and maintenance of new roads or significant upgrades to existing roads, so the Government will continue to look at it where it makes sense. However, earlier this week I was pleased to announce that this particular motorway project will not be tolled when it opens next week.

💬 Marja Lubeck: What factor led to that decision?

💬 Hon MICHAEL WOOD: There was strong community feedback about this particular issue with a large part of the affected community opposing the toll. This is a factor which I have to consider. I’ve listened and this was a factor that led me to declining the proposal. Another very important factor was the fact that commuters could be forced to pay two tolls, given the Northern Gateway is already tolled between Silverdale and Ōrewa. This is especially important since there is no southbound exit from the road before the Northern Gateway. I want to acknowledge the local List MP, Marja Lubeck, for raising these issues and advocating for her community.

💬 Marja Lubeck: What feedback has he received on this decision?

💬 Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I’ve received some very good feedback from locals and stakeholders. The AA’s Northland district chair, Tracey Rissetto, congratulated the Government on this decision, saying, “With this decision out of the way, it now means Northlanders can look forward to the new road opening next year without having to worry about how expensive the tolls will be.” The AA’s Auckland district chair, Mark Yates, also commended the decision, saying, “The Minister of Transport has clearly listened to the strong community feedback on the Waka Kotahi tolling proposal”.

Question No. 11—Racing

11. to the Minister for Racing: Is he satisfied with the operations of the TAB?

I genuinely thank the member for his question. I do have confidence in the TAB to carry out its operations. It is important to note that as Minister I am responsible for the legislative framework under which the TAB operates and appointments to its board. Operational matters are the responsibility of the TAB. If the member has concerns about the returns on his investments, I suggest he chats to the senior Government whip.

💬 Damien Smith: So will the TAB be taking odds on the Government’s proposed Auckland cycle bridge construction, and, if not, why not?

💬 Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I do note that that would very much be an operational matter for the TAB, if they were to do that. But I—

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. As someone who was actually on the select committee when the bill went through, I’m telling you it’s not an operational matter.

💬 Damien Smith: Will he discuss with the TAB the opportunity to offer a multi-bet on whether the Auckland cycle bridge and the Auckland light rail will begin construction this decade?

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! Out of order.

💬 Damien Smith: Point of order, Mr Speaker. As the Minister just pointed out, he is responsible for the operation of the legislation and what sorts of bets the TAB actually can take. So as the odds for 1.6 million Aucklanders are—

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat.

💬 Damien Smith: Supplementary question.

💬 SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. The Minister is not responsible for that. There is legislation. The Parliament is responsible for legislation, and I don’t see any bill before us to change the legislation in order to allow the TAB to take that sort of bet along with a whole pile of others which involve political decisions.

💬 Rawiri Waititi: Point of order.

💬 SPEAKER: Sorry?

💬 Rawiri Waititi: Point of order.

💬 SPEAKER: A point of order, Damien—oh, sorry, Rawiri Waititi. Is it a point of order?

💬 Rawiri Waititi: I look very different to David Seymour, Mr Speaker. Did you call David Seymour, did you?

💬 SPEAKER: Damien.

💬 Rawiri Waititi: Oh, Damien. No, no, point of order.

💬 SPEAKER: No, you certainly don’t look like either of them.

💬 Rawiri Waititi: Ha, Ha! I would be interested—

💬 SPEAKER: Is this a point—

💬 Rawiri Waititi: —to know the answer to that quinella, thank you.

💬 Damien Smith: Supplementary, Mr Speaker.

💬 SPEAKER: Well, the member will resume his seat for a second. The member will resume his seat, and I’m just going to tell Rawiri Waititi that if he continues with that sort of irrelevant point of order, it may be that bookies but not the TAB will start taking odds about when I next throw him out.

💬 Damien Smith: I refer to the Racing Industry Act 2020, where the responsibilities of the Minister to take odds are quite clear, and place bets—the question is: is the TAB refusing to—

💬 SPEAKER: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. I’m just going to warn the member now that if he is misleading the House as part of a supplementary question, as I think he is risking, he gets in quite serious trouble. Remember, he’s probably arguing with the last person in the House who sat on the select committee that allowed anything other than horse and dog racing betting by the TAB.

💬 Damien Smith: Is the TAB refusing to take odds on the construction of the cycle bridge and Auckland light rail because no reasonable person would take it?

💬 SPEAKER: Any further supplementaries? Right. Question No. 12, Tim van de Molen. [Interruption] Look, I called someone else. I sense an interest in the House in allowing Mr McAnulty to ask a question. I’m going to warn him that if it’s out of order, he goes. I think we’ll go for Tim van de Molen. [Interruption] Well, are we going to have the life history of this member now?

Question No. 12—Building and Construction

12. to the Minister for Building and Construction: Does she stand by all of her statements and actions?

Yes, in particular I stand by my statement that “A report from Statistics New Zealand … shows the number of building consents has broken yet another record, with 44,299 new homes having been consented in the year ended June 2021—another all-time high. This is an increase of 18 percent from the June 2020 year, with 4,310 new dwellings consented in June alone. These figures demonstrate … how far we’ve come in the last year since facing the initial disruptions of COVID-19. We’ve responded to the sector uncertainty by investing in the sector to keep the momentum going to deliver the warm, dry, and safe homes that New Zealanders need.”

Tim van de Molen: Does she stand by her statement that she is considering limiting log exports to boost the domestic supply; if so, why?

💬 Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I stand by my comments that, ultimately, this is for suppliers to manage. Advice I’ve received from the Construction Sector Accord shows that some suppliers are already increasing structural timber production over the next six months, reducing exports, and moving stock from the South Island to the North Island where demand is higher. Additional wood-processing capacity has recently come online, including the opening of a new cross-laminated timber manufacturing plant in Rotorua. The Accord is working alongside industry to inform Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment guidance on product substitution information, raising awareness of alternative products, and reducing reliance on constrained building products.

Tim van de Molen: What advice, if any, did she receive from the trade Minister or officials about the implications on our trade obligations had she progressed with her intent to restrict log exports?

💬 Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Can I confirm with that member that I stand by my comments that that is ultimately for suppliers to manage.

💬 SPEAKER: Order! No, the member didn’t address the question. The Minister will address the question.

💬 Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I have not had a conversation with the Minister for Trade and Export Growth because, ultimately, matters of export are for the suppliers to manage.

Tim van de Molen: Is it correct her own advisers told her that limiting log exports won’t materially help domestic structural timber supplies, as the bulk of logs exported from New Zealand would not be suitable for the structural timber?

💬 Hon POTO WILLIAMS: What I can confirm is advice I’ve received that suppliers are already increasing structural timber production over the next six months and reducing exports and moving stock from the South to the North Island, where demand was high.

Tim van de Molen: What does she say to claims that there is a sufficient supply of logs for domestic use, but that the issue is a lack of processing capacity driven by increasing costs, such as the price of power—if you can get it?

💬 Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I’m clear that advice that I’ve received has advised me that additional wood-processing capacity has recently come online, as I’ve already said, including the opening of a cross-laminated timber manufacturing plant in Rotorua.

That concludes the time for oral questions.

💬 Hon David Bennett: Aw!

Look, Mr Bennett. I know how much you love it, but if you keep this up you’re going to have a few fewer of them—especially if you groan while I’m on my feet. It does have a feeling, after only two weeks, of being like the last day of term.