Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society Empowering Bill

Members, the House is in committee on the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society Empowering Bill. Members, we first come to Part 1.

I seek leave for all questions to be taken as one debate.

Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none. The question is that Parts 1 and 2, the Schedule, and clauses 1 and 2 stand part.

The question is—

💬 Camilla Belich: Madam Chair.

CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): Yes.

💬 Camilla Belich: I just have some questions for the member.

CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): OK, yep. Nice timing.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to acknowledge the member Anna Lorck, who’s in the chair on behalf of Meka Whaitiri, who’s the sponsor of this bill, and for this committee stage I have just three very simple questions. The purpose of this bill, as I understand, is that the current provisions of the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act mean that they have to reinvest in land. Obviously, with the passage of the bill, they won’t be reinvesting in land, so I’m wondering what they will be investing in and, so, what the objectives of the society are. I’m also wondering if the member is aware of the purpose of what the land will be used for by the council once the passage of this bill has passed. And thirdly, we know that this has been a shortened process with the agreement of the House, which I think we’re all very much in agreement on, but I was wondering what the significance of that date of 31 March is. So if the member could just answer those questions, I’d appreciate it.

The first question was in regard to what the proceeds of the sale will go towards. It’s a $7.5 million sale to the Hastings District Council, and for the A & P society to be able to invest in these things, they need to set them forward in their objectives. One of the great things that the A & P society does is advance the primary sector and promote growth in the primary sector and encourage jobs in the primary sector. And we know, for a region like Hawke’s Bay, attracting people into the industry and putting them on a pathway to success where they can have a career that can not only create rewards for them but also contribute back to the region is important. It’s also important that we celebrate excellence in the primary sector, and for the many, many years—in fact, it’s 52 years; I know, because the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year was established the same year that I was born, that it’s been going for 52 years. The reason for the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year is that we’ve then traversed it on to becoming the primary sector excellence of the year awards, and that means that we champion all things in the primary sector, and that is what they do. The second reason for the purpose of the land is that the land is plain zoned, and it’s very important to the people of Hawke’s Bay that we protect our plain-zone land by selling it to the Hastings District Council, and the reason why we have the sale date—it’s all down for 31 March this month, so we need to get this bill through the House so that the sale can go through and we can protect the plain-zone land, and not only that, we’re going to put some of that land into a reserve, and also we’re going to consult with the management plan for that land. So, in all, it’s one of the best things we could do for our region right now to protect 40 hectares for the future to show off Hawke’s Bay and do what’s good for the region.

Parts 1 and 2, the Schedule, and clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.

Bill to be reported without amendment.

House resumed.

Madam Speaker, the committee has considered the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society Empowering Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, That the report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report adopted.

Members, in accordance with the determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for third reading immediately.

Third Reading