Tuesday, 16 May 2023 [Volume 767] The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. KARAKIA/PRAYERS Hon JENNY SALESA (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi mātou ki te Kīngi, me te inoi atu mō te ārahitanga i roto i ō mātou whakaaroarohanga, kia mōhio ai, kia whakaiti ai tā mātou whakahaere i ngā take o te Whare nei, mō te oranga, te maungārongo, me te aroha o Aotearoa. Āmene. [Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King, and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the welfare, peace and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.] VISITORS Australia—Australia Political Exchange Delegation SPEAKER: I'm sure that members would wish to welcome the Australia Political Exchange Delegation, led by Senator Jana Stewart, who are present in the gallery. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Loafers Lodge Fire—Newtown, Wellington Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Minister of Internal Affairs): I wish to make a ministerial statement relating to the Newtown fire. It is with great sorrow that I advise the House that there have been multiple deaths in a tragic fire in a residential building on Adelaide Road, Newtown this morning. The Prime Minister and I, and local MPs Grant Robertson, Ibrahim Omer, and Paul Eagle, have just returned from Newtown. Along with Mayor Tory Whānau, we met with some of those affected. We met first responders and witnessed the distress on their faces. We heard stories of the scene that confronted Fire and Emergency and police when they first arrived. At approximately 12.25 a.m. this morning, Fire and Emergency were called to what they knew would be a significant fire in a hostel in Wellington. I'm advised that the first fire truck arrived at 12.30 a.m. Crews found the fire was already well involved. The fire was quickly elevated to fifth alarm, the highest level. There were 20 fire appliances on the scene by 4 a.m. At its peak, there were 29 fire crews involved, with more than 80 firefighters from all over Wellington. Fire crews rescued five people off the roof, using a specialist aerial appliance. They helped save many, many lives. Fire and Emergency's communication centre staff, who were taking 111 calls from people trapped in the building, did an exceptional job; they too undoubtedly saved lives last night. The Prime Minister and I spoke with national commander Russell Wood and the incident controller, district manager Nick Pyatt, and firefighters at the scene this morning. The toll on our firefighters and communication centre staff is not to be underestimated. The devastation I saw on the faces of those involved was unmistakable. All I can say is thank you for your incredible service and your bravery. Thank you also to police and Wellington Free Ambulance for the work they too have done overnight. Thank you especially to the staff at Wellington Hospital, literally just around the corner from the fire. Staff in the emergency department helped to triage patients and treat those most in need. Fire and Emergency have told me that their key focus now is the wellbeing of its people, and investigating the fire. At this stage, the cause of the fire is unexplained, and police will be working alongside Fire and Emergency to determine the cause. Police are asking people to please come forward if they or someone they know have been staying at the property; please contact 105, referencing Operation Rose. The Ministry of Social Development, and other agencies, are working closely with Wellington City Council, which is leading the welfare response. Staff are onsite at the welfare centre at Newtown Park pavilion, to look after those who have been affected. The residents have literally lost everything; maybe some, just the keys to the door of their room. We thank the Wellington City Mission and the Salvation Army as well for their support on the ground. We will work hard to ensure that those affected have a roof over their head. Newtown is a microcosm of the Wellington region. The people who live there are a mix of working professionals, newly arrived migrants, refugees, students, young families, retired people, those living with the support of central and local government, and our community agencies, like the Salvation Army and City Mission. It is multicultural, full of character and diversity. Whether you are the Governor-General in the grandest house, or a newly arrived family fleeing a war zone overseas, there is a place for you in Newtown. The community is strong; people look after each other, and they love living there. This tragedy will hurt. Our thoughts are with those affected, with the departed, and with their friends and family. To those who have passed, he aituā [a calamity]. Haere e ngā mate, haere, haere, haere atu rā. E mihi aroha ki ngā whanua pani. [To the departed, go on, depart, rest in peace. I greet with compassion those who are bereft.] Manuia lau malaga. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National): On behalf of the National Party, it is with the deepest sadness that I join the Minister in expressing our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives this morning in Loafers Lodge, as well as those who have been displaced and dispossessed after the fire. People being pulled from the roofs of burning buildings or escaping by jumping out of windows is not something we expect to see in New Zealand, yet today we've seen it just down the road. The tragedy that we woke to this morning is not something we expect in 2023, and yet that is what has just unfolded. Christopher Luxon and I have just returned from the site of the tragedy, where we met with survivors and first responders. We spoke with one man who had escaped the blaze, awoken only because he needed to go to the bathroom and saw smoke rolling down the corridor. He then had the opportunity to alert his friend in the neighbouring bedroom that they needed to escape. Tears rolled down his face as he recounted what had occurred in the night. Clearly traumatised, not only for fear of those who had lost their lives but also by what had occurred and the displacement that he will have to endure over the coming weeks as he tries to find a new home. We spoke also with emergency personnel who have been responding to the fire since midnight. They are the very best of us. They were so brave, so self-effacing about their efforts. But they, in many cases, said that the work has only just begun. They have ahead of them a task which none of us would wish upon anyone, as they do the hard work—the gruelling work—to return those lost to loved ones. One of the firefighters I spoke to told me of his concern for those on the communications lines overnight, some of whom, apparently, were speaking with those trapped in the building. Some of those calls ended very abruptly. The pain on the faces of the firefighters and emergency services staff was evident. Let there be no doubt that had it not been for their response last night and their valour, many more would have died. They are heroes, and their bravery in the face of danger and devastation is simply inspirational. They ran into a blazing fire, risking their lives in order to fight for the lives of others. The toll must be enormous. We say thank you, but we also pledge to help support them with the surely ongoing trauma from their involvement in this event. I'm sure that over the coming hours and days, we will learn more of the true scale of this tragedy. Many people remain missing, and, as we sit here this afternoon, facts are still unfolding. There will come a time for questions, and those questions will deserve answers. Today is not that day, but I respectfully ask the Government: please engage the Opposition as you form terms of reference for the investigation into this event and how it came to pass. Right now, my thoughts—and this Parliament's thoughts, I'm sure—are with the mothers, the fathers, the wives, the husbands, the brothers, the sisters, the children who have lost loved ones, and also for those sick with worry waiting for news about whether their family members are safe. Just know that we are alongside you, waiting in hope with you. We are here to support you. It is difficult to comprehend the terror and chaos that confronted residents of Loafers Lodge last night, but we know that in these times of desperation, there has also been immeasurable courage. I want to echo the Minister's thanks to the paramedics at Wellington Free Ambulance and to the staff at Wellington Regional Hospital, caring for victims as we speak. I know that in this moment the Wellington community will step up to support those displaced and traumatised. We have already seen the Wellington City Mission and local churches come to the effort. These are some of our most vulnerable citizens and Wellington will stay with them. May the victims of this tragedy rest in peace. Our thoughts are with all affected. DAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you, Mr Speaker. On behalf of ACT's members of Parliament, I'd like to join this debate in support of the words of the two earlier speakers—the Hon Barbara Edmonds and Nicola Willis —offering our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies to those who have perished in this dreadful disaster. I say "dreadful" because while New Zealand has its share of terrible tragedies, there are few that can bring the dread of people perishing in a fire. So our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with those people as deeply and sincerely as ever. That extends with our condolences for those who have lost loved ones: brothers and sisters; parents, mothers and fathers; sons and daughters; work colleagues; neighbours in the Newtown district—for whom this will be a terrible shock to wake up to this morning. We also acknowledge—as so often at times like this—that the emergency services in New Zealand are a group of people who, time after time, rise to the challenge, instinctively know what to do, and save many lives even at great emotional cost and scarring to themselves often. And we should be truly grateful to live in a country where the innate character of the people who do those jobs means the best of them comes out precisely when it is needed to rise to that challenge. I reiterate what we heard from the earlier speaker. There will be questions around the right policies and whether they were followed and whether there was wrongdoing or responsibility. But the time for those questions is certainly not today: it is when the full facts and evidence have been gathered by the appropriate authorities. I ask and urge—and I'm sure I don't need to—that all people involved in the political sphere respect the people involved in this tragedy and follow that course of events properly. Finally, I reiterate our thoughts, our prayers, and our sympathies for those who have perished in this dreadful tragedy, those who loved and lost them, and those still dealing with the immediate aftermath of what happened in the early hours of this morning. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hon JAMES SHAW (Green): Thank you, Mr Speaker. On behalf of the Green Party of Aotearoa / New Zealand and as an MP based in Wellington Central and just personally, I do want to extend, also, our deepest sympathies and condolences to the whānau and the friends and the colleagues of those who have lost their lives this morning. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their lives and the residents who have lost so much as a result of the fire. It is a tragedy for those directly involved and for the Wellington community at large, and our hearts do go out to those who are affected. I do want to acknowledge that those people who were affected by this were amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our community, and they deserve our respect and our support. I do want to acknowledge, also, the work of the firefighters and the healthcare workers who did an extraordinary job and who acted very quickly to ensure that this awful situation wasn't even worse and saved many lives. I am also very, very angry, because I do have a number of questions. And I do respect the calls of the last two speakers, but when they say that there is a time that we should be asking questions, I take a different view, as well, because the questions in my mind are: what kind of country are we that we allow this kind of thing to happen to our most vulnerable members of our community? What kind of country are we, where those people have so few options in life but to live in substandard accommodation with a reasonable chance of lethality? What kind of country are we, where we would not raise a building code because we're worried we might be accused of issuing a "war on landlords"? I think, what kind of country are we, where our firefighters lack or are at risk of not showing up with the most basic of equipment to be able to fight these kinds of events? Those questions do need to be answered, I think, in the fullness of time. But I do have some questions today for the Minister of Internal Affairs. Firstly, has she had any conversations with Cabinet colleagues about the adequacy of the fire code and how fire safety requirements are applied to existing buildings, and will there be urgent moves to improve the approach to retrofitting sprinkler systems? SPEAKER: Did the— David Seymour: Sorry, does the Minister want to answer? SPEAKER: Does the Hon Barbara Edmonds wish to respond? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Minister of Internal Affairs): Thank you, Mr Speaker. To the question by the leader of the Green Party, I have had numerous conversations with both our Prime Minister and other Cabinet colleagues throughout the day. I am being informed of the progress as the day progresses through Fire and Emergency New Zealand. It is too early to rule anything in or out, and right now our focus is on supporting Fire and Emergency New Zealand and those who have been affected by this tragedy. Hon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): My second question relates to the resourcing of those firefighters. Is she aware that only a few days ago the firefighters union had reported that Wellington's busiest fire truck was out of action for 58 hours due to a lack of staff, and, if so, what is she doing to ensure that our firefighters have the resources that they need to keep people safe in emergencies like this? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Minister of Internal Affairs): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have confidence in Fire and Emergency New Zealand to make the best decisions about how, when, and where to respond. In the end, no Minister or member of Parliament should try to substitute their opinion for the decisions of expert firefighters and search and rescue responders, who have to make split-second decisions based on the information in front of them. Hon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): Finally, we have learnt today that many of the people who were living in this accommodation were in very difficult circumstances. What conversations is she having with her colleagues about what the Government is doing to address the underlying support needs of vulnerable people and, secondly, as part of this, to build enough decent, safe housing for everyone regardless of their circumstances? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Minister of Internal Affairs): First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the number of support agencies who are at the Newtown Park pavilion right now supporting all those who have been affected. The Ministry of Social Development and other agencies are working closely with the Wellington City Council to respond to their needs right now and obviously will be looking to the future. We will work hard to ensure all those who have been affected will have a roof over their heads. RAWIRI WAITITI (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori): E ka hua au ki te uira e kanapa rā runga Kokotaiki e Ko te tini o te mate ka riro atu rā ki te huinga kahurangi e E hoki atu rā aku nui, aku wehi, aku whakatiketike e Ki te pō uriuri, ki te pō tangotango, ki a Hine Nui i te Pō Pō kia whakataukī au i konei: he tokotoru nā Hine Tama Ka horu te moana e E ngā mate o te wā, e te parekura nui kua whāwhāhia nei e ngā matikara o Mahuika, haere. Kotahi noa te kōrero ki a koutou: whoatu. Whoatu koutou i runga i te ara kōrero kua parangia e te tini, e te mano. Koutou kua haere ki tua o Reitū, ki tua o Reiao, hāunga rā ngā mahi kikokiko kua rongo nei i tēnei Whare, engari ko te whare nui o te Pāremata i te rangi e pōhiri nei i a koutou. Inā ngā kōrero ki roto i ngā Karaipiture, i roto i te Paipera: ko te ahi te whakatinanatanga o te Atua. Koia hoki tā koutou whai, koia hoki tā koutou kapo i tēnei rā. Nō reira ka whakamoemiti, ka whakamoemiti te mahi me te tuku, te tuku atu i ō koutou wairua ki te poho o te Runga Rawa hei piringa mōna. Ko ngā whakamoemiti hoki e rongo nei koutou i te hātere, i te hāwhā, i te tētere. Hei aha? Hei whakapaipai mō tōu matenga. Inā ko ngā kōrero tuku i a koutou i tēnei rā. Nō reira koutou e ngā mate, haere, haere, whakangaro atu rā. Ā, ko ngā whakamoemiti anō hoki ki ngā kaiāwhina, ki ngā tāngata patu ahi, ki ngā pirihimana, ki a rātou i tuku atu, i toro atu i te ringa āwhina ki a koutou. Nō reira kāti ake, kāre tēnei i te whakatō roa i ngā kōrero, engari i runga i te ngākau Māori, e Peeni, e Nanaia, tika tonu kia tuku atu i te hunga nei i tēnei rā. Nō reira ka tuku kia rite ki ō tātou marae, me tuku atu rātou, ā, ā tōna wā ka tarea e te kikokiko te whai i te kikokiko. Engari ko te ao wairua tēnei i tēnei wā tonu, nō te mea kei te tatari tonu, kei te whiriwhiri tonu kei hea wētahi. Nō reira kei te mahana tonu tēnei tūāhuatanga, me waiho rātou ki a rātou, ko te mahi i tēnei wā ka tuku. Nō reira e hika mā kāre tēnei i te whakatō roa i ngā kōrero, ka mutu au i runga i ngā kupu nei: Waiata—Te Hokinga Mai Kia ora tātou. [I call to the lightning that flashes above Kokotaiki The many deceased that have passed on to the gathering place of the nobility Return, the great ones, the inspirational ones, the lofty ones To the dark night, to the deep night, to the Great Lady of Death I proverbialise here: the three of Hine Tama The very ocean cries To the recently departed, the great tragedy that was handled by the fingernails of Mahuika, pass on. There is only one thing to say to you: go on. Go on the proverbialised path that was blazed by the many, by the multitude. You who have gone beyond Reitū, beyond Reiao, notwithstanding the physical work that we hear of here in this House, but in the great house of Parliament in the heavens that welcomes you. These are the statements within the Scriptures, in the Bible: fire is the embodiment of God. That is your goal, that is has caught you today. So we give thanks, giving thanks is the task and to release, to release your souls to the bosom of the Most High for him to shelter. Thanks also as you hear the lute, the harp and the lightning. For what purpose? To serve as an embellishment for your passing. These indeed are the statements that release you today. So to the dearly departed, go, go, pass on. And thanks also to the support personnel, to the fire service, to the police, to those who that offered, that reached out a helping hand to you. So that will do, I am not merely prolonging the speech, but in the manner of a Māori heart, Peeni, Nanaia, it is appropriate that these people be sent on today. So the sending on should be the same as our marae, we should release them, and at an appropriate time the flesh can follow the flesh. But this instead is the spiritual realm at this time, because they are still waiting, they are still discussing where others might be. So this phenomenon remains warm, we should now leave them to each other, the task at this time is to send them on. So, my friends, I'll not merely prolong the discussion, I will conclude with the following words: Waiata—Te Hokinga Mai Greetings to us all.] Hon BARBARA EDMONDS (Minister of Internal Affairs): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Again, I'd like to thank the speakers in the House today for their words of support, and acknowledge those who have departed. This morning, I was speaking to Major Joe Serevi from the Salvation Army in Newtown, and I just want to leave these words—his words, that he said to me this morning—"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose. A time to be born, a time to die. A time to love, and a time to hate." At this time, we wrap our support and aroha around those who are affected. There will be a time for answers, and we will respond. PETITIONS, PAPERS, SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLS SPEAKER: Tēnā rā tātou. Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation. CLERK: Petition of David Cumin requesting that the House does not appropriate funds that could go towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East petition of John Hearnshaw requesting that the House introduce legislation to limit light pollution. SPEAKER: Those petitions are referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers. CLERK: South Canterbury District Health Board Annual Report 2021/2022. World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, Ministerial Decision of 17 June 2022, together with National Interest Analysis Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Long-term Insights Briefing 2023, Improving Pacific Data Equity: Opportunities to Enhance the Future of Pacific Wellbeing. Fire and Emergency New Zealand Statement of Performance Expectations 2022/23, Amended March 2023. SPEAKER: Members, I present the Register for Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament: Summary of annual returns, as at 31 January 2023. Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation. CLERK: Report of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee on the Fuel Industry Amendment Bill report of the Environment Committee on the petition of Todd Muller report of the Primary Production Committee on the briefing to follow up on the inquiry into honey report of the Regulations Review Committee on the complaint about the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Practice Rules) Regulations 2008. SPEAKER: The bill is set down for second reading. The report of the Regulations Review Committee and the briefing are set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of a bill. CLERK: Land Transport (Road Safety) Amendment Bill, introduction. SPEAKER: That bill is set down for first reading. ORAL QUESTIONS QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS Question No. 1—Prime Minister 1. RAWIRI WAITITI (Co-Leader—Te Paati Māori) to the Prime Minister: Well, this is very rare we get the first question. So my question is to the Prime Minister. Does he stand by his statement that "The Government will not introduce any major tax changes like a wealth tax or CGT in this Budget"; if so, what action will his Government take, if any, to shift more of the tax burden from the poor to the wealthy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Prime Minister): Can I begin by acknowledging the tragic events at Loafers Lodge in Newtown and join with other members across the House in extending our condolences to those who have lost their lives, and our complete support for our first responders who have been doing an amazing job on the scene there. I thank the member for his question. In answer to the first part of his question, yes. In answer to the second part of his question, I can confirm that the Budget will not contain measures that are designed to transfer more of the tax burden on to lower income New Zealanders in order to provide tax cuts for those on the highest incomes, as some have been suggesting. Rawiri Waititi: Does he agree with the need to shift the burden of tax from the poor to the rich in response to the recent report which is showing the wealthy paid only 9.4 percent in tax while the average person in Aotearoa is paying 20.2 percent; and if not, why not? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I've already indicated, there won't be significant changes in that area in this year's Budget. Parties will put forward their tax policies before the election. I can assure all members that the Labour Party will put forward its tax policy well before the next election; members will be able to make their own judgments based on that. Rawiri Waititi: Why will he not begin to reduce wealth inequity through common-sense changes to the tax system such as taxing capital gains and empty houses? Is it because he is comfortable with the fact that the richest 2 percent own 50 percent of the wealth in this country? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: This Government is absolutely committed to improving the lot of people on the lowest incomes and I think our track record speaks to that. This year's Budget, for example, contains the funding to, among other things, increase benefits—something that has already been announced and acknowledged. It contains funding to increase superannuation, something that has already been announced and acknowledged. This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that lower-income New Zealanders are able to get ahead. Chlöe Swarbrick: Does this Budget also contain or perpetuate a tax system which is found to be deeply inequitable such that the wealthiest pay an effective tax rate of half that of the average New Zealander? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I've indicated what tax changes the Budget does not involve, such as the introduction of a capital gains tax or a wealth tax. For more detailed questions, the member only has to wait two more days. Question No. 2—Prime Minister SPEAKER: Question No. 2, Christopher Luxon. CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also join with other speakers across the House to give my condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the tragedy that we've seen overnight, and just to thank the fire service and also the first responders. 2. CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Prime Minister): Yes, and, in particular, this Government's work to fix the foundations of our education system after years of underfunding, overcrowding, and decay by upgrading every school in the country. We've already funded over 2,700 new classrooms to create space for 66,000 more students. Just yesterday, the Minister of Education and I announced the construction of four new schools to add to the 16 new schools opened under this Government. This is a Government that delivers. Christopher Luxon: OK. Doesn't he think a Prime Minister, two days before the Budget, should know how much his Government is spending on taxpayers' behalf? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes, and I do. That doesn't mean I've memorised every figure in the Budget. Christopher Luxon: Why, when he was asked this morning, couldn't he just say how much the Government is spending each year? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: If the member wants to turn the election campaign into a pop quiz, I think he'll probably come up short on a number of things as well, given that he can't answer even the most basic questions about his own tax policy at this point. Christopher Luxon: Isn't it the case that, given his comments this morning, the person who is most in need of a taxpayer's receipt is, in fact, the Prime Minister, who still doesn't know how much he's spending? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I note the member doesn't know how much he's going to spend on delivering those very tax receipts that he's promising New Zealanders. In fact, I'd suggest maybe he should get someone other than AI to draft his supplementary questions for him. Christopher Luxon: Is he aware that his Government is on track to spend $20 billion more this year than in 2020 and 2021, despite no lockdowns or no nationwide wage subsidies? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I note that the economy has been growing. I note that wages have been growing. All of those things flow through into the Government's finances. Ricardo Menéndez March: Does he agree with Child Poverty Action Group, who said, "Struggling families need much more than an inflation top-up"; if so, will he commit to lifting main benefits beyond the indexation changes so families can thrive and not just survive? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I have indicated and as has already been announced, the Government made the decision to switch the calculation for main benefit increases this year to ensure that those families can keep up with the increase in cost of living. In terms of what future decisions are taken on that matter, that will be the subject of future Budgets. Ricardo Menéndez March: What steps, if any, is he taking to support the Sudanese community in Aotearoa calling for pathways to family reunification, the enabling of safe passage for citizens' residency and temporary visa holders, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the commitment to a special visa category akin to the Ukraine special visa as a result of the conflict in Sudan? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The Government absolutely acknowledges the tragic situation that is unfolding in Sudan at the moment, and New Zealand is providing consular support to those New Zealanders currently in Sudan through our embassy in Ethiopia. We do not have an embassy presence in Sudan. In terms of our pathways for people to come to New Zealand, we manage that through our existing refugee quota for situations such as this. Of course I acknowledge the Sudanese community in New Zealand, and there are provisions for them to support family members within our existing immigration settings. Golriz Ghahraman: Does he agree with the sentiment expressed by the Hon Phil Twyford today on Parliament's forecourt, when he said that this is a Government that supports recognition of Palestinian statehood, and, if so, will he commit to formally recognising the State of Palestine? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The New Zealand Government supports a two-State solution; inherent in that is a sentiment towards a Palestinian State. Of course, there are a whole lot of diplomatic and international processes to go through with regard to that. Christopher Luxon: How is it possible that his Government is spending $5 billion more on education, even while achievement has gone backwards and kids aren't even showing up in class? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Well, of course there are more students in this education system than there were when we became the Government, and I note that one of the biggest drivers of that increase has been teacher pay rises—something they didn't get under the last National Government. Christopher Luxon: Isn't it true that under his watch, spending on consultants has ballooned to $1.8 billion, despite promising in 2018 that he would reduce it? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I note that the member is not indicating which areas he would no longer have the Government working on. They just have this general policy that they're going to cut spending, but they won't say where. I'm sure he's waiting for AI to tell him where the cuts are going to take place. Christopher Luxon: Isn't it the case that he's actually addicted to spending as much as Grant Robertson, and when will this Government stop treating taxpayers like a bottomless ATM? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That is an absolutely ridiculous question. He needs to come up with some new material rather than relying on the pre-scripted supplementary questions provided either by the research unit or by AI. It seems to produce the same outcome. David Seymour: Does the Prime Minister stand by the answers he gave this morning, when he was asked five times how much money his Government spent last year: "It's not quite that simple. There are a number of different numbers I could quote, … I don't play this game.", and can he tell us now how much was core Crown expenditure by his Government last year? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes, I can— David Seymour: How much? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: —but; of course, it depends on which—there are a variety of numbers I could— David Seymour: Core Crown—core Crown. Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: If it's core Crown expenditure, it's about $129 billion. David Seymour: If I tell the Minister—[Interruption] SPEAKER: Order! We've got a question here, thank you. David Seymour: Does he now appreciate that core Crown expenditure will be up 61 percent, or $49 billion in five years to this year, at $129 billion, and can he name one service that his Government provides that is, overall, 61 percent better and how he's measured it? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There is a lot of material in the member's question, and it's a pretty wide question that, basically, means I can answer whatever I want, so I will. There are programmes that this Government has introduced such as the Food in Schools programme that's feeding 220,000 students every day. There have of course been across-the-board pay increases for our public servants like our teachers, our nurses, our firefighters, and our police that have happened under this Government. There have been a range of investments that this Government has made in the critical public services that New Zealanders rely on, such as our health system, such as upgrading the woeful state of our infrastructure that we inherited from the previous Government—all of these things that have taken place under this Government. Hon Grant Robertson: What does the Prime Minister think the impact on New Zealand's economy and society would be from the following measures being undertaken: removing the indexation of main benefits to the Consumers Price Index, abolishing the Climate Emergency Response Fund and the Clean Car Discount, abolishing fees-free, abolishing KiwiSaver subsidies, abolishing the Provincial Growth Fund, Callaghan Innovation, domestic film subsidies, international film subsidies, growth and development spending, and a large range of ministries, and halting contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Mr Speaker— SPEAKER: I don't think so. David Seymour: What does it say that every single example in the Prime Minister's previous answer was not a measured outcome for the people, but an example of spending more money, with no mention of the outcomes whatsoever? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Well, the member clearly wasn't listening. The very first example I gave him involved 220,000 kids receiving lunch at school every day. If the member doesn't think that that's a positive outcome, then perhaps he needs to think again. On the other hand, given he is proposing to increase taxes for the lowest-income New Zealanders so that he can give tax cuts to the highest-income New Zealanders, I'm not surprised he's somewhat confounded by my answer. David Seymour: Does the Prime Minister stand by his statement, "It's not right for households to be tightening their belts if the Government isn't also being seen to be doing the same.", and, if so, how many households wouldn't even have a rough idea of the cost of what they consume or the value of what they provide, just like this Prime Minister on his Government's expenditure and results? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I indicated this morning, if any New Zealander wants to know how much tax they are paying, they can look that up right now on the myIR website, which will give them a breakdown of the tax that they are paying. If anybody wants to know what the Government is spending money on, that information is all transparently available through the Government's finances, and, of course, that's all about to be updated in two more sleeps, or, in the member's case, probably three or four more. David Seymour: Would the Prime Minister consider in its Budget a low and middle income tax credit and sharing revenue from the emissions trading scheme in a carbon tax refund that would leave lower-income New Zealanders better off, even after a change to a lower, flatter tax system—as in the ACT Party's alternative Budget, which leaves every single worker better off—and, if not, why not? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Oh, I thank the member for that question. Adopting the types of policies that ACT are promoting would result in—it's like reverse Robin Hood: robbing from the people who have the least in order to give more to the people who have the most. They want to cut public services—they want to cut public services that New Zealanders rely on every day—and have less funding available for health, for education, and for our law and order services. They want to cut funding for those things in order to provide tax cuts for the highest-income New Zealanders. The Labour Party does not support that approach. Question No. 3—Education 3. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has the Government made about building more schools and classrooms? Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Education): Yesterday, I joined the Prime Minister at Ridgway School to announce that Budget 2023 will build 300 more classrooms in new and existing schools across the country, helping to ease existing pressures while accounting for future population growth. This new targeted funding will ease pressure on our education sector, helping to further fix years of underfunding, overcrowding, and decay in schools and classrooms. Angela Roberts: How will the funding be used? Hon JAN TINETTI: Of the funding we've announced, $300 million will provide 6,600 new student spaces. An additional $100 million will be added to the education infrastructure funding pipeline, which will enable the construction of up to four new schools and new school expansions. The first two projects are in central Auckland and Pāpāmoa, with the remaining two projects to be announced in due course. This adds to the 16 schools opened under this Government so far. Angela Roberts: How will these classrooms benefit students? Hon JAN TINETTI: Schools and classrooms that are modern, warm, dry, and fit for purpose make teaching easier, kids more comfortable, and help to improve attendance and achievement. We want kids to look forward to coming to school and spending time in class, and parents to know their children are safe, well, and working to unlock their full potential. This investment will do just that. Angela Roberts: How does this build on the Government's legacy? Hon JAN TINETTI: Since 2017, we have worked to fix the foundations of our education system by upgrading every school in the country and funding over 2,700 new classrooms to create 60,000 more student places. I've seen some of our ageing, damp, and cold classrooms up close—in fact, I've taught in them—and, frankly, it's not good enough. Previous Governments may have been OK with that, but we're not. I'm proud of the investment we have made to deliver warm, safe, and dry classrooms for our tamariki. Question No. 4—Finance 4. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement last week that "I know the member wants and is obsessed by giving tax cuts in this Budget. I simply believe it's not the right time"; if so, when will it be the right time? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): For the first part of the question, yes, and for the second part of the question, that will depend on the economic conditions that are in place. It will also depend on what is needed to ensure that we have quality health, education, housing, and other public services New Zealanders need and deserve. Nicola Willis: Why is it a good time to make inflation adjustments for seemingly every area, but, for this Finance Minister, it is never the time to make inflation adjustments for ordinary taxpayers? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I've said on a number of occasions, all Governments would want, at various points, to be able to do what the member is asking, but it does depend on the conditions that we are in at any given time. The adjustments that we have made in the case of things like main benefits or superannuation is reflective of where we are at with inflation. Equally, at the very same time that decision was made, the data came out that average wages had increased by exactly the same amount. Nicola Willis: Why can he find $1.8 billion for consultancy fees, tens of millions for light-rail plans, strategies and visualisations, and tens of millions of dollars for Government advertising campaigns, but he can't find savings for the ordinary taxpayer? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Everything that we are doing in this Budget is about making sure that we can support all New Zealanders—whether we describe them as ordinary taxpayers or not—to be able to live their lives, to be able to have their children go to good schools, to be able to know that the health system will be there. These kinds of investments don't just happen, they happen because the Government prioritises them. We know that because, when we came into Government, we inherited from a Government that didn't prioritise public services. Nicola Willis: If the Minister has done such a good job of spending in the health system, why is it that under his Government, people are waiting far longer for emergency care than they ever did under the last National Government? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I am extremely proud of the fact that we have put resources into the health system that mean we've got 20 percent more nurses and about 20 percent more doctors, that we're actually beginning to pay them what they need to be able to do the work that we want them to do. The health system is a difficult and complex system. We are investing to make sure New Zealanders get the best of it. The member will well know the under-investment that happened in the health system under her Government. Nicola Willis: What is so difficult and complex about expecting the Government to deliver better results for its extra spending, rather than just crowing about the size of the cheques, which, by the way, are signed by everyday taxpayers who are doing it tough? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This Government is well aware of how tough it is for many New Zealanders out there. It is the very reason why we have supported them to get through COVID, why we gave the wage subsidy, why we made sure that we put more resources into the health system to get through COVID, and then, on top of that, why we have supported low- and middle-income New Zealanders through things like the family tax credit, through the winter energy payment. All of these things are on the chopping block in the ACT-National Government. Nicola Willis: Is the Minister of Finance slightly more au fait with the Government numbers than the Prime Minister, and, if so, can he tell us how much more tax is the Government forecast to collect this year compared to 2017? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This year—if the member means the 2023 year—we are forecast to collect $118.1 billion in tax revenue this year. That is more than we collected in 2017. In part, that is because of inflation—the member has raised that—but it's also in part because more people are in work, more people are earning more money, and companies are making more profits. The member needs to understand that, yes indeed, it does take a lot to run a Government, but I know that the hard-working New Zealanders out there will be asking big questions of that member as to whether she supports stopping contributions to super, does she support stopping the winter energy payment?—because, until it's ruled out, that ACT policy is National's policy. Nicola Willis: Point of order, Mr Speaker. That was a slightly more impassioned speech than we've seen in a while, but the question— SPEAKER: That's not a point of order. That is not a way to start a point of order. Nicola Willis: OK. My point of order is this, Mr Speaker— SPEAKER: Well, it kind of rules out whatever you've got to say, but go ahead. Nicola Willis: I asked how much more tax is the Government collecting this year, compared to 2017. SPEAKER: I think just about every single one of your questions has had at least one assertion in it, and I think you might find, if you go back and have a look, that's what's been addressed. David Seymour: Point of order, Mr Speaker. SPEAKER: A new point of order? David Seymour: A fresh point of order. Mr Speaker, your predecessors have ruled that it's out of order for a Minister answering a question to bring a party not involved in the questioning into the debate. Now, I can understand why Mr Robertson would want to talk about ACT's brilliant alternative Budget, but he's still out of order in doing so. SPEAKER: I'm going to go back to the time when I was asked to make sure that question time was more robust, which it is, and the member David Seymour is absolutely correct, actually. I mean, on this particular—I can go back through both this question and question No. 3, and there were several other instances as well. I think it's properly noted, but I'm not going to ask the member to apologise for it. Actually, that's based on—you know, there's been a number of accusations, and the member himself in his supplementary questions, and I'm not going to do that. Question No. 5—Transport 5. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made about rebuilding transport networks in cyclone-affected regions? Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): Last Sunday, I announced the next steps in our work to repair road and rail networks across the cyclone-affected parts of the North Island. Our Government is stepping up to cover more of the costs of clearance and rebuild so that councils can progress the repair work without having to rely so much on increasing rates. We've earmarked $275 million of additional funding for Waka Kotahi and local councils to repair affected roads, and up to $200 million to repair the rail network; this is on top of the $250 million that the Government announced immediately after Cyclone Gabrielle, which has already helped to restore vital roading connections in recent months. Collectively, this funding means that Waka Kotahi will be able to consider requests from affected regions for higher levels of direct financial support to rebuild roads, taking pressure off local communities. The steps that we've taken will provide certainty to those communities that the Government will continue to support councils to ensure that necessary repairs can be done without them having to worry that ratepayers will be left to foot the bill alone. Shanan Halbert: What key roads has the funding made available by the Government so far helped to reopen across cyclone-affected regions? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I want to thank Waka Kotahi, local councils, contractors, and workers all across cyclone- and flooding-affected areas for their hard work on restoring connections. A few key examples of important connections that have been restored include State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyns, which was reopened in March, thanks in part to our emergency funding, and further work to improve drainage and stabilise slips. State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō was reopened in March as well, thanks to the tireless work of local roading crews, and work continues to restore it to normal levels of service. Just this weekend, my colleague the associate Minister the Hon Kiri Allan marked the completion of the Waikari-Bailey bridge, which means that State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa is now open; something that was very much welcomed by the affected communities. The funding we have made available so far has helped to reopen these key State highways and has supported hundreds of local roads to reopen across cyclone- and flooding-affected regions. Shanan Halbert: How will the new funding that has been announced help to restore rail networks? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: In addition to the investment in the roading network, we've also made new funding available to repair the rail lines that were damaged during the extreme weather. Repair work is and will be focused on the North Auckland line, the Palmerston North to Gisborne line, the Auckland metropolitan network, the North Island Main Trunk, and the East Coast Main Trunk. This will get our rail network back into action by investing to repair the rail tracks, sleepers, bridges, and other structures that were damaged, and to clear debris from the tracks caused by slips and wash-outs. This is a critical part of restoring local supply chains and getting freight moving again in the affected regions. Shanan Halbert: What other milestones can he report on efforts to rebuild cyclone-affected transport networks? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Last week, I was very pleased in Thames to confirm, alongside Mayor Len Salt, that Waka Kotahi is starting work on a bridge to reconnect State Highway 25A across the Coromandel Peninsula. This is a crucial step in restoring connectivity for communities and businesses in the Thames-Coromandel region. We know that our regions rely on a resilient roading network to connect the smaller and more isolated communities, and our Government is committed to supporting them as we rebuild from the cyclone and floods from earlier this year. We continue to provide the financial support in response to this extreme event, and we will continue to do so to support our communities. Question No. 6—Justice 6. Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Justice: Has she seen reports that 26 beds will be taken away from meth addicts if A Place to Be rehabilitation centre in Ōtāhuhu closes because funding is no longer available from the Proceeds of Crime Fund; if so, is that consistent with her statement that the Government will focus on prevention and intervention when dealing with violent crime? Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): Yes, I am aware of the claims that have been made in the media over the weekend, and yes. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Isn't it the case that community organisations like the Ōtāhuhu centre, which has helped a thousand people recover from addiction, can't access the fund because this Government has allocated most of the fund barricading retail workers in their shops because crime is out of control? Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: No. Hon Paul Goldsmith: How's it possible that this Government has spent over $2.5 billion on justice and mental health, yet vulnerable New Zealanders with addictions are missing out on vital rehabilitation? Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I absolutely refute the grounds and the statements made in that supplementary question. Let's be very clear about what our Government is investing in terms of specifically methamphetamine rehabilitation programmes. I'm proud to be part of a Government that has invested millions of dollars to methamphetamine intervention-prevention programmes up and down this country. For example, $20 million has been invested into over 17 programmes designed and targeted towards preventing and making interventions for those that have been caught up and embroiled within methamphetamine addictions. In addition, across the broad raft of areas and initiatives that the Government invests in to make interventions and preventions for those that have been using methamphetamine and the like, we have invested millions of dollars, both targeted towards younger members of society—$53 million through the Better Pathways programme just announced in September last year. This is a Government that is squarely focused on making meaningful interventions and supporting preventative measures for those that are both addicted to substances and engaged in crime. Hon Paul Goldsmith: Isn't one of the best ways to prevent repeat violent offenders from reoffending to intervene by putting them in prison, and, if so, why does her Government have a target to reduce the prison population by 30 percent, irrespective of the levels of crime in our community? Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: While I'm not sure that that question is directly related to the primary question that the member put to us, I will note that this Government has been very clear about our intentions to make measured investment into interventions for those that have been embroiled in the trajectory of crime. A successful example of that was the $53 million that was announced by my colleague the Deputy Prime Minister, Carmel Sepuloni, and other Ministers at making targeted interventions for those particularly young offenders who have been caught up. We've seen an over 50 percent reduction of crime committed by those particular young people because we are wrapping around support measures for those young people, making meaningful interventions. Question No. 7—Foreign Affairs 7. SIMON COURT (ACT) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: How much, if any, of the $30 million of funding for the Pacific Community Climate Change Flagship Programme will be directed to constructing climate resilient infrastructure in the Pacific, and how much, if any, will be spent on management and programme development? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): To the first part of the question, the $30 million Climate Change Flagship investment will deliver capability and capacity across the region to enable 27 Pacific Island countries and territories of the SPC, the Pacific Community, to achieve their own climate change mitigation and adaptation priorities. This will help them access international climate finance. To be clear, climate resilient infrastructure is not a central part of this particular investment. Simon Court: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I don't believe the Minister addressed that question, because while the Minister did make the point that the programme's not intended to invest in infrastructure—sadly—the second part of the question was how much will be spent on management and programme development, and I don't believe that was answered. SPEAKER: Yeah, but it was definitely addressed. You could ask more supplementaries about it. Simon Court: Can the Minister explain why, according to her reply to written parliamentary question (PQ) 13298, $5.6 million of the Climate Change Flagship programme is going to project development, $3.9 million to project management, while only $760,000 is intended for direct support of Pacific nations? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: There were a number of PQs that were in response to questions asked by that member, but let me be very clear: I did clarify in written question 8330 that, in relation to adaptation, $43.3 million has been spent on adaptation activities. If he cared to look at the range of adaptation activities that we support, we do help Pacific nations to devise their national infrastructure investment plans that help New Zealand to be able to target our funding towards projects within each of those Pacific nations to help their resilient infrastructure aspiration. Simon Court: Can the Minister explain how using a "high level 'programmatic' funding model" helps build climate resilience in the Pacific, if at all? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Quite simply put, there are four strategic pillars to our Pacific resilience approach and in being able to inform how climate finance can work for the Pacific. Firstly, we support the Pacific to accelerate climate change mitigation. We enable the Pacific to enhance their resilience and adaptation plans, as devised by them, to respond to direct climate change impacts. We support the Pacific through investing in regional institutions to improve access to climate finance through technical support, reducing administration to enable the backroom functions of targeted support to occur. And we also help to crowd in finance through the strategic investment of our own efforts so that the Pacific can be supported. If we did not do that, it would be very difficult for the Pacific to access international climate finance. Simon Court: How much, if any, of this $30 million funding is going to pay the salaries of more than 54 full-time Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) staff working on climate change - related work, and why wasn't this money simply given to Pacific countries to directly fund climate resilient infrastructure projects, like Australia and Japan are doing? Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: That member misrepresents the nature of this particular funding, which goes to a regional institution, the Pacific Community. It will help the region to reduce duplication, improve coordination, create a platform to leverage additional funds to the region. It's an important investment for the Pacific. MFAT is funded through its own baselines. Question No. 8—Education 8. ERICA STANFORD (National—East Coast Bays) to the Minister of Education: Why has she been unable to deliver the 82 promised attendance officers in time for term 2, when she said, "It is urgent, we know that we have got an issue around attendance. We need to get the resources in front of our young people now", and can she explain her statement in relation to why just one officer had started working with schools as of 9 May that "I have had constant discussions with my officials. There seems to be excuses all the time"? Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Education): We are delivering the 82 attendance officers, and it is urgent. It was never the goal to have all 82 employed by the start of term 2; that's just not feasible. The roll-out was always planned to start from term 2. To the second part of the question: at that point in time, I was frustrated to the lack of progress in hiring attendance officers. As of today, contract negotiations are under way with 76 of the 82 roles. The remaining six are set aside for services to Māori-medium schools. Nine percent of the positions are filled. That is very promising progress, but I will continue to keep a close eye on how that is tracking. Erica Stanford: Why has the average time to re-engage an unenrolled student in Auckland more than tripled since 2017, increasing from 82 days to 260 days in March this year? Hon JAN TINETTI: I want every student enrolled, attending, and engaged in school every day unless they are sick. These kids aren't going to start attending overnight, but that doesn't mean we have given up on them. We know that there is an issue, which is exactly why we are putting the measures in place that we are putting in place. Erica Stanford: Why are the unjustified absences continuing to increase to the point now where they are the highest on record, an 80 percent increase since 2017? Hon JAN TINETTI: As I have just said, we know that there is an issue. We also know that these do not turn around overnight, but we have seen pleasing progress in the term 4 data. Erica Stanford: When she told Cabinet in February that there is a significant gap between her target of 70 percent of students attending school regularly by next year and current attendance rates, which are just at 50 percent, did she expect to only have delivered three officers after three months? Hon JAN TINETTI: The member is wrong. We have more than three officers on the ground right now. Erica Stanford: Why are schools turning down her attendance officers, with one principal reported as stating that "I was disappointed. It wasn't what I thought or had been led to believe these positions would be."? Hon JAN TINETTI: I met with that principal on Friday, having set the meeting much earlier in the week. I spoke about the concerns that that principal had. I've instructed the ministry to work with her and that cluster to find solutions that work for them. I'm aware she was concerned the roles wouldn't include a case management function, and I've ensured there is flexibility for this in the job description. Question No. 9—Health 9. Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE to the Minister of Health: Tēnā koe e te Māngai. E tautoko ana i ngā mihi kua mihia i tēnei wā pōuri. Haere e ngā mate ki te puna wairua, ki te puna roimata, ki te puna tangata, haere atu rā. [Thank you, Mr Speaker. I support the acknowledgments made at this sad time. To our dearly departed, go on to the spiritual source, the source of tears, the source of humanity, go in peace.] Does she agree with the report by BERL that the quantity of data on rare disorders is strikingly low, so it is not possible to accurately estimate their prevalence here; if so, what steps is Te Whatu Ora taking to collect such data to inform policies and improve health outcomes for people living with rare disorders in Aotearoa? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister of Health): In answer to the second part of the question, we have made great steps to improve the health outcomes and policies for people living with rare disorders in Aotearoa. Following a boost in Government funding, Pharmac has recently made available drugs used to treat rare disorders, including risdiplam and nusinersen for spinal muscular atrophy, and Trikafta for cystic fibrosis. The funding of Trikafta supports an expected outcome of 27 years' additional life expectancy. On the policy front, Manatū Hauora is leading development of a rare disorders strategy. This will include looking into how to further improve health outcomes and support for people with rare disorders. In answer to the first part of the question, it's true there are thousands of rare disorders, and each may affect only a few New Zealanders. Currently, we do not have sufficient data to accurately measure how many New Zealanders are affected by rare disorders overall. As part of developing a strategy, the ministry and Te Whatu Ora, together with Rare Disorders New Zealand and other organisations, will consider how best to collect this data and also to provide digital support to help improve access to information and quality care. Dr Elizabeth Kerekere: What rare disorders are currently coded for in the New Zealand health system, and what options are you considering to improve this? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: New Zealand currently codes hospital discharges according to the International Classification of Diseases system established and administered by the World Health Organization. This national-level data includes hospital discharges and associated diagnostic codes. There are some codes for rare disorders in there that are helpful to inform inpatient care. However, not all rare disorders are covered, or don't have a specific enough code, and they may not allow reliable identification of people who have these disorders. Improving information about rare disorders will be considered as part of the ministry's work on a strategy for rare disorders in New Zealand. Question No. 10—Health 10. Dr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister of Health: How is the Government supporting the health and wellbeing of those significantly impacted by the recent North Island weather events? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister of Health): On Sunday, I announced dedicated investment into mental health and wellbeing support as part of the Government's cyclone recovery package. We know, from other disasters in New Zealand and globally, that mental health and wellbeing impacts emerge over months and years following a disaster. So following on from our initial response, we're now setting up services to support the community for the coming years. In addition, through the Access and Choice services that are already existing, we've been able to face this disaster with accessible services already on the ground. Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What mental health initiatives will be available for the impacted communities? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: The Government has set aside $6.3 million for locally led community-based initiatives to meet the wellbeing needs of people in the most impacted areas, with a focus on Māori, Pacific peoples, and youth. Recovery plans will be developed with local communities to identify their needs, along with proposed interventions such as initiatives for people who have lost their homes and boosting telehealth capacity. We are also providing additional funding to expand the successful Mana Ake programme to Hawke's Bay and Tai Rāwhiti to provide mental wellbeing support in primary schools and for intermediate students. Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: How will the Government support isolated communities? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: We also know the devastating weather events made it harder for some people to get to medical appointments or for specialists to get into affected regions to provide care. In response to this, the cyclone Budget package covers $8.9 million in funding for front-line health providers, supporting isolated communities in Northland, Tai Rāwhiti, and Hawke's Bay. This includes funding for air and road transport, helping people get to appointments, medical outreach, and other hospital services in isolated communities. Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What support will there be for primary and community care? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: I've met with local GPs and community providers in the affected areas and heard about what they need. We are acting on those requests, which is why this Budget also provides $6.1 million to cover community, primary, and residential care. This funding provides workforce relief for locum GPs, pharmacy and nursing staff, an increase in funding for air ambulance for an additional six months, and improved access to online GP, community health, mental health and addiction, and registered nurse consultations. Question No. 11—Transport 11. SIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement, "This over-egged story and headline are just wrong" in response to reports that the door was open to delaying the delivery of some of New Zealand's most high-profile roading projects; if so, will he rule out any cuts to the NZ Upgrade Programme? Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): To the first part of the question, yes. The story in question, for example, listed one significant project as potentially being subject to delays—that is the Papakura to Drury State Highway 1 project, which is currently employing several hundred people and is in the middle of construction. To the second part of the question, I can rule out the prospect of any cuts to New Zealand Upgrade Programme. The Government is committed to the programme and is continuing to invest $8.7 billion to invest in critical projects up and down New Zealand, including the Ashburton rail hub, which received consent within recent weeks and is now getting on with construction. Simeon Brown: Why did the Minister refuse to release this table from the July New Zealand upgrade project update, and which I then had to request the Ombudsman to force the Minister to release it, because it shows that a majority of the projects have an overall health red status; and does this mean that this Government is going to delay some of these projects, or does it just show the Government is poor at delivering major transport infrastructure? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: In answer to the first part of the member's question, because there is a longstanding practice that free and frank advice from officials is often redacted from Official Information Act releases, in the end, I'm not too worried about sweating the small stuff like the member; I'd rather focus on delivering these projects that our country needs. Simeon Brown: So will I have to go to the Ombudsman again to get the next executive summary overall health status released, because there are more projects which have now got to red overall health status, and is this because some of these projects are going to be delayed, or is it, again, just because this Government is so poor at delivering transport projects? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: As I have confirmed in my primary answer, none of these projects will be delayed, and I can also confirm that none of them will be put, for example, into a botched public private partnership, like Transmission Gully, that we had to fix up to deliver for the people of this region after the previous Government stuffed up its implementation. Simeon Brown: Following what he said on Twitter, "I haven't said anything about delays and we don't intend to do this.", will he rule out cutting or delaying the Ōtaki to Levin expressway promised to be completed in 2029? Hon MICHAEL WOOD: Yes, I can absolutely and categorically rule that out. I don't think I would be able to go into the caucus room with the local MP Terisa Ngobi if I did anything other than that, because she's been a passionate advocate for it, and our Government's going to get it delivered. Question No. 12—Forestry 12. ANNA LORCK (Labour—Tukituki) to the Minister of Forestry: What recent announcement has he made about the Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay regions? Hon PEENI HENARE (Minister of Forestry): On Sunday, I announced a $10.15 million fund to clean up slash and debris throughout Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti. Debris from forestry in these regions has had a devastating impact on infrastructure, rivers, and communities, and this fund will go some way to supporting the clean-up. Anna Lorck: Can he explain how the funding will support the Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay regions? Hon PEENI HENARE: This funding aims to remove up to 70,000 tonnes of woody debris from rivers and catchment systems, and also support the establishment of slash management traps to contain debris from entering waterways in the first instance. This $10 million fund is on top of the $1 billion flood and cyclone recovery package recently announced by my colleague the Minister of Finance. That covers the basics of rebuilding roads, rail, and schools while preparing for future events, with a big investment in flood protection measures. Anna Lorck: How does this announcement relate to the findings of the ministerial inquiry into woody debris, including forestry slash, and sediment in Tairāwhiti and Wairoa? Hon PEENI HENARE: The inquiry's report made it clear we need to get the woody debris out of the waterways, and I'm committed to supporting the communities to do this. The Government is also continuing to focus on initiatives that help reduce the impacts of severe weather events by investing $25.2 million over the next four years to protect around 21,000 hectares of erosion-prone hill country farmland across Aotearoa New Zealand. These initiatives directly support the findings and recommendations of the inquiry. Anna Lorck: Does the Minister think this funding is enough? Hon PEENI HENARE: This $10.15 million announcement is a start. While we're urgently looking into the findings of the report, we need to get on with the clean-up, and this funding will start that. We all have a part to play: central government, local councils, iwi, the forestry industry, and our communities. We must urgently get on with the mahi to help the Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay regions. As a Government, we are moving with urgency to provide support, as mentioned in my previous answers.