Wednesday, 30 August 2023 - Volume 770 The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. KARAKIA/PRAYERS GREG O'CONNOR (Deputy Speaker—Labour): 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, justice, mercy, and humility for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen. PETITIONS, PAPERS, SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLS SPEAKER: Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation. CLERK: Petition of Bharat Guha requesting that the House consider removing Invercargill's Southern Institute of Technology from the tertiary reforms Petition of Fired Up Stilettos requesting that the House establish the right of adult entertainment workers to bargain collectively while maintaining independent contractor status; outlaw all fines and bonds between employers and contractors; and establish a nationwide mandatory maximum that an employer can take from a contractor's profits. Petition of VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai requesting that the House urge the Government to honour the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child commitments to prioritise human rights of children in State care. SPEAKER: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. I present the report of the Controller and Auditor-General entitled Leading New Zealand's approach to housing and urban development. That paper is published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation. CLERK: Report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on the briefing on the 2023/24 Estimates for Vote Customs Report of the Māori Affairs Committee on the report of the Attorney-General under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 on the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill Report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of Jared Rigg Report of the Social Services and Community Committee on the report of the Ombudsman, OIA compliance in the Ministry of Social Development Report of the Standing Orders Committee, Review of Standing Orders 2023. SPEAKER: The bill is set down for second reading. The Standing Orders Committee report, the Attorney-General's report, the Ombudsman report, and the briefing are set down for consideration. No bills have been introduced. ORAL QUESTIONS QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS Question No. 1—Prime Minister 1. 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): Absolutely, and I particularly stand by our actions to extend 20 hours of free early childhood education to two-year-olds, saving those families as much as $133 each week; make public transport free for kids and half price for more than a million young New Zealanders and low income New Zealanders; remove prescription costs for all New Zealanders; invest in climate mitigation through the Climate Emergency Response Fund; pass fair pay agreements to grow wages and improve productivity; and tackle housing speculation so that first-home buyers get a fair shot by banning foreign buyers in the market, increasing the bright-line test, and removing interest deductibility. I note that all of those things—all of that progress—would be reversed under a National Government as they make deep cuts to our public services. I do also note that without the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) and without the clean car discount, the Opposition would need to find around an extra eight million tonnes of emissions reductions by 2030 just to stay on our current course, let alone make any progress in tackling the climate emergency. It would appear that the first casualty of National's alternative reality is the climate. They seem to have completely given up—completely given up on tackling climate change. David Seymour: Point of order. Entertaining as it is to watch a man dig, the Standing Orders are very clear that answers should contain no more argumentations or information than is necessary to address the question. Now it seems the Prime Minister is giving longer and longer answers that are more designed for politics than actually enlightening the House about "Does he stand by statements and actions or not?". SPEAKER: Order! The member's actually correct. The Prime Minister's not responsible for all of the comments about the National Party policy, and he should not be making those comments. Also—and I agree with David Seymour. However, I have noted, also, the increase in a lot of behaviour, including supplementaries that are so far out of order even I feel like I should jump up and rule them out of order. Which is—when one reflects on the previous Speaker, that would have happened a lot sooner. So this is what I'm going to suggest that we do: what's good for one side is going to be good for the other side. If members don't like that, you tell me and I'll intervene, and I'll intervene on both sides. So your choice. Christopher Luxon: Why hasn't his Government adjusted income tax brackets for six years, despite inflation of over 22 percent, pushing more and more working Kiwis in the squeezed middle into higher tax brackets? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The main thing that's pushed people into higher tax brackets is that they are earning more under this Government. I note the National Party seem to hate the idea that people's wages have been growing as fast as they have been under this Government, so they are promising, for example, a minimum wage earner 25c an hour in a tax cut, despite the fact that the minimum wage has gone up nearly $7 an hour under this Government—every one of those increases opposed by the National Party. Christopher Luxon: Why did his Government choose to increase spending by 80 percent instead of choosing to let Kiwis in the squeezed middle keep more of what they earn with meaningful tax relief? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: We've chosen to invest in our people, including through our public services. We have made the decision to pay our doctors more, to pay our nurses more, to pay our teachers more, to pay our police more, to make sure we're investing in the public services that New Zealanders rely on, and to tackle some of the long-lasting legacy of the under-investment that we inherited when we became the Government, including recruiting more people into essential jobs, like doctors, like nurses, like teachers. I know the National Party solution to that now appears to be to slap a talent tax on those very people we're desperate to recruit. Christopher Luxon: Does he think it's fair that someone on the minimum wage who chooses to work a few extra hours a week is now paying tax at 30c on the dollar? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: What I think is fair is that this Government has made sure that the minimum wage has been keeping up with increasing costs: nearly $7 an hour increase in the minimum wage under our Government versus a paltry 25c an hour being promised by the National Opposition. I note the minimum wage barely moved under the last National Government, relative to the costs that minimum-wage earners were facing. Under our Government, minimum-wage earners are getting ahead. Christopher Luxon: Does he believe the squeezed middle deserve income tax relief from the cost of living crisis or would he rather go on spending more of their money while, incredibly, delivering even worse outcomes? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: What I think New Zealanders deserve, and I think all middle-income New Zealanders deserve, is to understand the consequences of the policies that are being put before them at this election. The smoke and mirrors exercise we've seen, where the National Party proposes to give a certain amount with one hand and takes a larger amount with another hand, thus leaving families worse off, isn't going to actually support the squeezed middle. Christopher Luxon: If it's so easy for Grant Robertson to find $4 billion of wasteful spending 46 days out from an election, why on earth couldn't he find any savings over the last six years, to offer hard-working Kiwis in the squeezed middle a single dollar of tax relief? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The member's question itself is an absolute fiction. The entire time we've been in Government, we've been looking for savings. Every Budget that we have produced has contained savings within it. We have been constantly focused on making sure New Zealanders are getting value for money from the taxes they pay, and that does mean investing to make up for the neglect of our public services that we saw before we became the Government. Christopher Luxon: Does he accept that if he'd made any attempt to rein in wasteful spending over the last six years, he could have given hard-working Kiwis meaningful tax relief? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I note that the member repeatedly says that increased wages for doctors, teachers, nurses, and police is wasted spending. I'm looking forward to having that debate with him on the campaign trail. Christopher Luxon: How can he have any confidence in his flailing finance Minister and his Government's economic policies when National has just delivered a fully funded tax plan that delivers meaningful tax relief to the squeezed middle without increasing inflation, without borrowing more, and without cutting a single dollar for health and education? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I welcome the member's invitation to provide further comment on the National Party's fiction of a plan that they released this morning—for example, their multiplication by four of all of the numbers that are put out in their plan this morning; the incorporation of the good ideas of this side of the House when it comes to increasing Working For Families, which they now seem to be telling New Zealanders they would only get if there was a change of Government, when in fact this side of the House has already committed to those changes. But I do note in their somewhat heroic assumptions around their revenue that they seem to be wanting to massively increase the number of foreign buyers of housing and they want to significantly, by a significant magnitude, increase the amount of overseas-based gambling in New Zealand. I don't think that that's a particularly good way of aiming to fund tax cuts. Question No. 2—Finance 2. Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): The credit rating agency Fitch yesterday affirmed New Zealand's long-term foreign and local currency ratings at AA+, with a stable outlook. It follows Moody's annual credit analysis affirming a stable outlook on New Zealand's local currency and foreign currency ratings at Aaa. Fitch noted that New Zealand's ratings are underpinned by the country's advanced, wealthy economy, and robust governance standards and policy framework. We are, as a country, well placed to support New Zealanders and to make the long-term investments we need to build a sustainable and resilient economy. Hon Phil Twyford: What did the report say about the Government's response to a challenging economic outlook? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Government has continued to take action to consolidate spending, which Fitch said was expected to drive a sustained decline in the deficit. Our ongoing savings and efficiency programme has found almost $4 billion in savings over the forecast period to help ease inflation pressures and meet our fiscal rules of returning to surplus over the forecast period and keeping debt levels under the 30 percent limit of GDP. Fitch noted that the Government's strong track record of prudent financial management and our strong policy institutions and sound macroeconomic framework enhanced New Zealand's resilience to economic and financial shocks. Hon Phil Twyford: Why is it important to have the endorsement of the credit rating agencies? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: These ratings are important for ensuring our cost of borrowing remains as low as possible. It also gives people more confidence that New Zealand is a good place to invest. In an uncertain global environment, Fitch's report is a sign of confidence in our recovery and the Government's commitment to meet our balanced and responsible fiscal goals, make our economy stronger and more resilient, and support New Zealanders with targeted cost of living relief that does not add to inflation. Hon Phil Twyford: What other reports has he seen on the economy? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Well, as I've said previously, this is a difficult time for many New Zealanders. However, the labour market continues to show its resilience, with employment rising for the seventh month in a row. Stats New Zealand reported on Monday that filled jobs rose by 6,123, or 0.3 percent, in July, compared to a month earlier, taking the total number of jobs to 2.38 million. We know New Zealanders are doing it tough in the face of cost of living pressures and a deteriorating global environment, but we are well positioned to face these challenges ahead, with Kiwis in work in record numbers, wages rising, inflation heading in the right direction, and Government debt among the lowest levels in the world. Question No. 3—Finance 3. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all of his statements related to Government tax and spending decisions? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Yes, in the context in which they were made and undertaken. I particularly stand by the balanced and responsible approach that we have taken to supporting New Zealanders in dealing with the cost of living while investing in strong public services and taking a responsible stance, as affirmed last night by Fitch Ratings agency. I also stand by the way we have provided credible costings to show how we will pay for what we do, unlike others who have taken a tax and burn approach funded by foreign speculators. Nicola Willis: Why, after six long years, has he failed to adjust tax brackets even once, even as Government spending has ballooned by 80 percent? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: All New Zealanders know that when it comes to putting a budget together, you have to find a balance. In our case, we have had to face a pandemic where we have supported households and businesses to be able to come through that in better shape than most other countries in the world. We've lifted the wages of doctors, of nurses, of teachers. We've employed more doctors, nurses, teachers, and police in our system. These are the things that Governments do. We have to balance that with all of the other considerations and make sure that we keep a strong fiscal position for the future. This is a balanced approach that the Government has taken. It is properly costed. It does not rely on fantasyland economics, such as the member does. Nicola Willis: Why can he always find funding for his pet projects but he repeatedly denies meaningful tax relief for the squeezed middle of New Zealand, slogging their guts out, being crushed by his cost of living crisis? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Because on this side of the House, we make sure that what we put in front of New Zealand is properly costed, adds up, and that we can pay for it. We're not relying on our promises for an increasing number of foreign speculators to buy a dwindling number of houses in our housing market—that's the kind of voodoo economics the member is currently presenting to New Zealanders. Nicola Willis: Hasn't he lost all credibility when his books are in such a mess that he's been left scrambling for savings that, just two weeks ago, he said would amount to cuts; and isn't the reality here that this finance Minister has lost control and it's time for new economic management? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: We could take that lyrical expression from the member or we could take the view of an independent ratings agency who last night said that the New Zealand economy was in good health, had robust goverance standards, and a robust policy framework, and who supported the Government's strong track record of prudent financial management. So we could listen to "Trickola Willis" or we could listen to Fitch. Nicola Willis: Why should Kiwis have confidence in a name-calling Minister of Finance when his big plan, his audacious idea for beating the cost of living crisis, is a few cents off some carrots? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: This Government, over the course of the last couple of years, has stood by New Zealanders as they have faced increased cost of living pressures. We've lifted the family tax credit. We've lifted benefits. We've lifted the childcare assistance rates. We've lifted the minimum wage. We've helped people stay in their jobs. That's the kind of real action that actually supports New Zealanders during a cost of living crisis. And every single one of those initiatives—opposed by the National Party. Hon David Parker: Can the Minister of Finance confirm that the assumptions as to revenue from a stamp duty to foreign buyers are braver than Charles Upham—and he had two VCs? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The assumptions are heroic in the extreme, because what they rely upon is that there will be thousands of foreign buyers every single year, adding on to the previous year, trying to buy a dwindling number of homes. It simply doesn't add up. Nicola Willis: Who is more heroic: the finance Minister, who even though he completely disagrees with it, is blithely selling the GST reduction plan, or is, in fact, the former Minister of Revenue more heroic because he resigned out of principle, knowing the tax plans don't work? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Both David Parker and myself are proud to be part of a team where we have delivered to New Zealanders sustained economic growth, high employment, low unemployment, and low debt compared to the rest of the world. I think it's somewhat ironic for the member to try to dish out lessons on team work, as she behaves as the co-leader of the National Party. Nicola Willis: Why should New Zealanders believe he stands for anything when he is defending a GST policy he does not believe in, he's scraping together last-minute savings that he doesn't believe in, and he's campaigning for a Prime Minister who killed the one thing he did believe in, the wealth tax? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The Johnsonville amateur dramatic society are really missing out on the member's work today. I'll tell you what I'm proud of, over here. I'm proud of being part of a Government that got New Zealanders through COVID, that supported businesses and households, that's lifted 77,000 kids out of poverty, that's got 60,000 more apprentices, that signed free-trade agreements with the UK and the EU, and has got on with the job of governing during a really difficult time. I stand proudly on the record of this Government on the economy, and I look forward to the member and I debating that across the country. Question No. 4—Education 4. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What progress has the Government made to support teaching supply in primary and secondary schools? Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Education): Teachers are vital to a successful education system. As a result of the Government's $24 million teaching supply package announced last year, we have exceeded our target of 1,000 additional teachers. This Government has invested in teacher supply, and we're delighted to have secured 301 domestic teachers in training already for the classroom and more than 1,055 experienced overseas teachers who have arrived in the country to begin teaching. Since Labour came into office in 2017, 3,500 additional teachers are now in the teaching profession. Angela Roberts: How else has the Government supported the teaching workforce? Hon JAN TINETTI: This Government backs our teachers. Whether it is through pay, conditions, or working with them to develop quality curriculum resources, we know how vital it is that teachers are valued. That is why I'm proud to be part of a Government that has delivered a 14.5 percent pay rise for teachers, an increase of 36 percent compared to a 10 percent increase in the nine years under the previous Government. This is in addition to improvements in conditions such as extra release time so teachers can be paid to plan for quality lessons. Angela Roberts: What work is under way to market New Zealand as a desirable location for teaching? Hon JAN TINETTI: While we want to encourage Kiwis into the teaching profession, we also need to compete globally to attract international teachers to our shores. The 1,000 extra teacher target, including 700 international teachers, was met through funding incentives such as the Overseas Relocation Grant of up to $10,000; Overseas Finders Fee of $3,450; and waiving the fee for 2,400 teacher International Qualification assessments. These initiatives have been successful in reducing the financial barriers to attracting and recruiting teachers from overseas. As a result, we have exceeded our target of 700, and now had 1,055 experienced overseas teachers arrive to begin teaching. Angela Roberts: What work is the Government doing to support domestic work-based learning for teacher training? Hon JAN TINETTI: We are committed to attracting and retaining the best to teach our young people and set them up to succeed and have a life full of choices. Moves to attract domestic teachers include more than doubling the number of scholarships to support people to retrain as teachers, funding 100 teacher trainees to be placed in schools in Tāmaki makau-rau and Tai Tokerau while studying remotely, and placing 128 beginning and returning teachers in schools who struggle to recruit with incentives to stay. Question No. 5—Education 5. CHRIS BAILLIE (ACT) to the Minister of Education: Does she think the refreshed New Zealand curriculum for English and mathematics should be compulsory in all schools from 2026? Hon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Education): The New Zealand curriculum is already compulsory in all schools, and maths and English is part of the curriculum. The refreshed maths and literacy curriculum is available to teach now and compulsory from 2025. Chris Baillie: Which does the Minister believe to be more important in the curriculum: that the overarching kaupapa is expressing the centrality of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles, or ensuring our children have the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed in life? Hon JAN TINETTI: It's not either/or; it's both. Chris Baillie: Is the Minister concerned that the purpose statement of the English curriculum is "Language is my identity; language is my uniqueness; language is life." "Engaging with mātauranga Māori through the creation and interpretation of texts provides opportunities to strengthen knowledge and understanding of te ao Māori and Māori perspectives, and to play a part in shaping a bicultural Aotearoa."; and, if not, can she explain why there is not a single mention of spelling, grammar, or punctuation? Hon JAN TINETTI: No. Chris Baillie: Does the Minister agree with the maths curriculum statement that mātauranga Māori has mana orite, or equal status, with mathematics and statistics, and, if so, can she explain how teaching children mātauranga Māori will result in higher levels of achievement in maths? Hon JAN TINETTI: In answer to the first part and the second part, yes. Chris Baillie: Does she believe that spending $13,086,856 on a refreshed curriculum as of late July was good value for money, at a time when truancy is a major problem and standards are falling, and does she stand by her priority to push a compulsory curriculum that is little more than a Te Tiriti - centric word salad rather than deal with the real issues? Hon JAN TINETTI: This Government has invested in a researched and evidence-based curriculum. I am proud of the work that we have done in curriculum and I stand by it. Question No. 6—Police 6. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Minister of Police: What announcements has she made about supporting New Zealanders' mental health and reducing demand on Police? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN (Minister of Police): The Government today announced work is under way to shift the way calls to 111 for people experiencing mental distress will be managed. Over the next five years, we've committed to a nationwide roll-out of a multi-agency and co-response teams to help people who need that assistance. We know that the existing pilots have demonstrated just how effective having police and mental health workers can be in those times of acute mental health crisis. We want this in every district, and we're going to provide the resources necessary to make that happen. This change will also take pressure off police who do an incredible job. We'll let them focus on their core function of policing and public safety. Arena Williams: What does a co-response model look like? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: Today's announcement was alongside the successful Wellington district co-response model. In that pilot, there was a combination of a paramedic, a police officer, and a mental health specialist to respond to call outs and share information and coordinate services across those three different agencies. Through improved cross-agency information sharing, a lot of call outs are resolved without the need of a police officer or a paramedic. The evidence was clear. The University of Otago found that those seen by the co-response team were more likely to receive help in the community, 30 percent less likely to wait in the emergency department, and more likely to have better health outcomes in the weeks that followed. We want this nationwide and that's why we'll deliver this over the next five years. Chris Bishop: Point of order. I seek leave to table the 2017 social investment mental health co-response policy announced by the Government that was then cancelled by Labour in 2018. SPEAKER: Leave is sought. That's publicly available, isn't it? Chris Bishop: I'm not necessarily sure that it's still publicly available. I think it would elucidate the House. If the Minister had actually bothered to read it, she could have not bothered with that last supplementary. SPEAKER: Yeah, be careful. Don't tell the House something— Chris Bishop: I said I'm not sure. SPEAKER: Yes, I'm fairly certain, so I'm not going to put it. Arena Williams: What other steps will be taken to improve the response to mental health distress? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: There's more. In 2022, 10 percent of all 111 calls for assistance were for people in mental distress. In May 2023 alone, police committed 6,000 officer hours to mental health responses. That's why we'll also be improving triaging in emergency communication centres, we'll increase the use of tele-health and digital counselling, and we'll also work on multi-agency crisis hubs as alternatives to emergency departments. This a significant shift, and we've directed agencies to develop a full implementation plan, including resourcing requirements by March next year. Just as the Government set an aspirational target for increasing police front line by 1,800 and delivered it, and we'll do the same with the way we respond to mental health. Arena Williams: What feedback has she seen for this announcement? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: There's been a lot. Shaun Robinson of the Mental Health Foundation has described a nationwide roll-out as a "no-brainer", stating that "What the trial of the co-response team showed was that a significant number of people got … much better level of support without having to go to hospital [or] without having to go into police custody. So it's a win win win." I also agree with feedback from the Hon Mark Mitchell, who has said, "our police service get tied up with a whole lot of things they shouldn't actually be dealing with, and we've got to get them back on focus, responding to members of the public and put their hand up for help". I look forward to cross-party support on this excellent initiative. Hon Mark Mitchell: Why did the incoming Labour Government cancel National's fully funded co-response model in 2017 that was welcomed by the Police Commissioner, by St John Ambulance, and by mental health experts; why have they not funded that project; and why have they waited six years and six weeks out from a general election to re-announce National's policy? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN: With additional police resources, there are currently six running right across six different districts in New Zealand. I'm surprised that the member is not happy to know that these six pilots are now being made permanent, with a view to making them in all police districts to improve mental health outcomes for New Zealanders, and free up the ability for police to get on with police work. Question No. 7—Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence 7. Hon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence: How are communities being supported to lead Te Aorerekura – the National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON (Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence): I thank the member for the question. Empowering communities to build on the solutions they know already work is crucial to reaching our shared vision to eliminate violence. Through Te Aorerekura, we are moving away from the transactional ways of working and towards the relational, flexible, trusted, community-based approaches. So we have invested almost $1 billion in the family violence and sexual violence sectors since 2017 to build that capacity, we have provided flexible funding for community leaders to support their people in cyclone-affected areas, and we have established community groups representing diverse communities. We are investing not just money but time and effort into building trust and relationships that Government has not had before. It is community leading the solutions to the issues that they face and we are here to support them. Hon James Shaw: Who is leading Te Aorerekura in the communities that are impacted by violence? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON: Te Aorerekura is—and must be—led by those who are impacted on by violence, particularly those diverse communities who are disproportionately impacted and have been underserved by successive Governments. This requires authentic partnership with Government agencies to establish their own community groups. So they include the recently launched Ethnic Communities Network, the establishment of an independent Tangata Whenua Ministerial Advisory Group, Te Pūkotahitanga; an Expert Advisory Group for Children and Young People where rangatahi are able to specifically have a voice; funding an existing rainbow network to facilitate engagement with LGBTQIA+ communities; an Interim Disability Reference Group and a National Disability Expert Advisory Board, which will be formed soon in a way that is being specifically directed by the disability community; regular meetings of Pasifika providers who recently held their inaugural National Pacific Family Violence and Sexual Violence Practitioners' Fono; a pilot regional elder abuse network; and working with those who have used violence to support accountability and behaviour change. The voices of these groups will help lead where Te Aorerekura goes next. Hon James Shaw: Does she agree with the Productivity Commission's finding in their most recent report, A fair chance for all, that "locally led, whānau-centred and [culturally] enabled approaches can provide more effective assistance to people and families"? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON: Yes. We cannot solve family violence and sexual violence through a one-size-fits-all blanket approach. We must be locally led and whānau-centred. Through Te Aorerekura, Government agencies are coming together with tangata whenua, NGOs, and community to respond to violence through a joined-up, collaborative community approach that involves Government agencies and community groups. We know that violence response and prevention is about more than just the individual and an isolated response; it is about that person and their whole whānau having what they need to live a good life. So through that integrated community approach, we are starting to deliver that and see those very benefits. We're also funding differently. Recently, I announced a flexible fund for communities in cyclone-impacted areas, which is allowing for whānau-centred and community-led responses to violence in areas experiencing added stresses. Hon James Shaw: Is Te Aorerekura showing true Crown accountability by helping to address the harm that Government agencies themselves have caused when responding to violence? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON: Yes. Very importantly, Te Aorerekura means, for the first time in 180 years, Government agencies are explicitly and directly accountable for the harm that has been caused through unsafe responses and a lack of political courage and will to highlight a problem right in front of us—and I'm really proud of the steps that we are finally starting to take. In particular, the steps of ensuring that our workforces across our Government agencies and departments even understand the dynamics of violence, can identify them, and are able to respond safely so that no matter where someone affected by violence reaches out to for help, they need to be safe and supported to heal. So we've developed workforce tools, in partnership with community, which are already being implemented by key Government agencies such as police, justice, Oranga Tamariki, Ara Poutama, the Ministry of Social Development, and ACC. Hon James Shaw: Is the Government continuing to rely on police reporting data and conviction rates to understand the prevalence of violence in Aotearoa New Zealand, and, if not, what else has been done to better understand violence? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON: We know that relying on police reports and justice data alone never gives us an accurate or full picture of violence, because most violence goes unreported. Nearly all of sexual violence is never reported. It also does not tell us about the approaches and the actual interventions that are working for whānau and people. So Te Aorerekura commits us to building a system where survivors even feel safe coming forward to report the violence that has happened to them—whether that is to police, their community, or their own whānau—where people who use violence also get the support they need to change their harmful behaviour. We are creating a whole new outcomes and measurement framework to support Te Aorerekura which will give us better data and also show us the more evidence-based pathways forward. Question No. 8—Housing 8. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister of Housing: Is she satisfied with the performance of Kāinga Ora? Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)) on behalf of the Minister of Housing: Yes, the Government is particularly satisfied with how Kāinga Ora has turned around what was, essentially, a sales unit six years ago into an agency that builds thousands of public houses. Kāinga Ora has built or enabled a gross number of over 15,000 houses since October 2017 across public and transitional housing, KiwiBuild, and large-scale projects. This Government is building more homes than any Government since the 1950s. Unlike the previous Government, this Government is committed to the provision of affordable and social housing. Chris Bishop: Is he aware that within the 15,000 figure he skites about, that includes 4,900 State homes sold or demolished under this Government and 4,000 redirects, which are the private rental market being leased by Kāinga Ora or other community housing providers to house people in need, and are not net new houses? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: We're aware of all the figures. We're particularly aware of what we took over with the previous National Government, who decimated New Zealand public housing. After nine years of the National Government, we ended up with 1,500 less public homes. Yes, we're very aware of the figures. We're also aware that if that previous Government had built houses the way that we're building them now, you probably wouldn't have a waiting list. Chris Bishop: Why did Kāinga Ora lease an apartment building in Wellington at $250,000 per month for nine months to have no one live in it, at a time when the wait-list has quintupled to 25,000 families in the last six years? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: You'll have to refer that one to the Minister. I'm not over all the Minister's decisions, but I'll refer that to the Minister and come back to you. Chris Bishop: Has she inquired as to why Kāinga Ora has a contract for seven Bloomberg computer terminals costing NZ$44,000 each, and is she satisfied that this is a sensible use of taxpayer money? Hon WILLIE JACKSON: When you inherit a housing crisis, you have to bring a lot of tools to the table, and Kāinga Ora invests—just for this member—between $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion each year on building new homes. They have a portfolio of $50 billion and operate and manage a $12.3 billion debt portfolio. Like all large issuers of debt, Kāinga Ora uses Bloomberg, as it is industry best practice. The Government agreed with Kāinga Ora to borrow from the Crown's New Zealand Debt Management, which reduces the cost by an estimated $62 million in interest per year. This will mean that Kāinga Ora will reduce the number of terminals once the current contract ends. So to sum it up for that member, if you were to invest $300,000 to save $62 million, that sounds like a good spend to me. Question No. 9—Health 9. SARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam) to the Associate Minister of Health: What has this Government done to improve women's healthcare and services so that they feel listened to and are enabled to live longer in good health, with increased wellbeing and quality of life? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Associate Minister of Health): This Government is proud of the work we have undertaken for women, and I am excited about the ongoing mahi. Last month, we launched the first women's health strategy, which sets the direction for improving the health and wellbeing of women over the next 10 years. Right now, to achieve that overall vision, our Government is acting to improve women's health. We know that breast cancer screening saves women's lives, and we are working hard on improving access to our breast-screening programme, so that all the women who are already eligible for free mammograms get one. We've brought in abortion safe-areas, which mean that people who wish to access abortion health services should be able to do so safely and without fear of harassment or intimidation. We've taken action on surgical-mesh harm and injuries during childbirth. We also have important work under way on integrating maternity and child services on maternal mental health and on the cervical cancer screening. Sarah Pallett: How has the Government strengthened breast cancer screening services and worked to ensure we improve equity for all women? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME: This Labour Government has made substantial efforts to improve the national breast cancer screening programme. We have invested in a new IT register because our current register in no longer fit for purpose to provide a modern breast cancer screening service and to support any future programme changes, like extending the age range. However, once implemented, the new system will enhance and support women's participation in breast cancer screening, with an opt-out screening model based on the population register. To get the staff we need for breast screening, our health workforce plan and breast-screening Aotearoa workforce development strategy focuses on recruitment and retention of the medical imaging technologists and radiologists. We need to enable more women to be able to be screened. We are also working hard to make sure that all women who are currently eligible for a mammogram, get one. That is why providers of the breast-screening Aotearoa programme are offering Saturday and after-hours screening clinics and visits, and working with primary health organisations to identify overdue or unscreened women. Sarah Pallett: How has the Government demonstrated improvements in the health system when it comes to listening to women? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME: In response to women's struggle for the treatment of birth injuries and for the restorative justice process on surgical mesh, we have acted. Our work to address the harm that surgical mesh can cause has seen six surgeons credentialed to remove it, educational materials for primary-care providers rolled out across the country, and a specialist female pelvic cervical mesh service established to support and care for women. To date, this service has already received at least 109 referrals. Last week, the Director-General of Health supported a pause on surgical mesh to treat stress urinary incontinence, while we take further steps to minimise harm linked to the procedure. We are well under way to achieving the conditions to lift this pause, including progress towards establishing a register, and providing structured, informed consent with a patient-decision aid. We've also listened to women who have experienced a birth injury. We amended legislation so that women with listed birth injuries can access more timely surgeries and pelvic physiotherapy. Data from ACC shows that women are accessing this important support, with 4,470 claims accepted between 1 October 2022 and 2 August 2023. Sarah Pallett: What further initiatives and investment will the Government be making in women's healthcare services? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME: Through Kahu Taurima, we have begun an ambitious transformation programme for all women and whānau welcoming and raising babies, through to their fifth birthday. Already, we've invested in 40 hauora Māori and five Pasifika providers so that they can implement wraparound services that put women and whānau at the centre of their maternity and early-years journey. We are also developing educational tools for health professionals to support pregnant people with disabilities to have a better-quality experience as they navigate the health system. And we are developing a national bereavement care pathway to make sure that all bereaved women and their whānau are provided with high-quality, individualised, safe, and culturally responsive care across Aotearoa. Last, but definitely not least, in September, we launched our brand new HPV screening programme. This Labour Government has invested in not only a new register but also an entire new screening system for cervical cancer. We are using the latest innovation in screening to provide a test that women and people with a cervix can do themselves. Question No. 10—Children 10. KAREN CHHOUR (ACT) to the Minister for Children: Is he confident in all the actions and processes of Oranga Tamariki? Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister for Children): I'm confident that Oranga Tamariki has made significant progress across a range of topics in the children space, including through our work to move to transfer resources and decision making to iwi and communities through the enabling communities work under the future direction plan. So far, nine prototypes have been launched with iwi and communities across the country, moving decision making and resources closer to tamariki and their whānau. We are already seeing how Oranga Tamariki's change in approach is working, with uplifts down 70 percent since 2018, and we now have the lowest number of children in care since 2010. However, there is more work to do to improve Oranga Tamariki's practices. Karen Chhour: Can he confirm that the review led by Mike Bush into serious misconduct by staff at Oranga Tamariki youth justice residences will be completed and presented to the Oranga Tamariki chief executive by the end of August, as was reported on 10 July 2023? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Neither myself nor the office have received any version of the drafts of the report. I am advised that the report is still being worked on by Mike and his team. At this stage, I do not know when the report will be released, as it is being produced independently. I expect the review to comprehensively identify concerns and areas for improvement and provide a plan to address the findings. Karen Chhour: In light of that answer, can the Minister then understand why youth care - experienced youth stood outside Parliament today and said, "Keep your promises.", because they are sick of promises being made and not being accomplished? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: If the member had listened, it is a report that's being produced independently. If I was to interfere, I would be accused of trying to influence the report in my favour. Karen Chhour: Can he explain why four Oranga Tamariki staff members continue to be on paid suspension for over two years? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I think we've covered this in the House before. That is an employment process, and, of course, I can't intervene in an employment process. We have to let it run its course. Karen Chhour: Does he think it's acceptable for 30 young people each month to be housed in motels by Oranga Tamariki due to lack of suitable alternative options, and, if not, what are we doing about it? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: No, I don't think it's acceptable, but there are times when accommodation can't be found with the young person's whānau, or even non-members of the community, so we have to keep them safe somehow. Usually, they're in a motel for only one to three nights, and they are supervised. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Does the Minister have confidence that Mike Bush, in doing the independent review, will be able to give it the rapid response it needs given that he's just been appointed to the civil defence and emergency management response in Hawke's Bay? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I assume that Mike Bush would not have accepted whatever other contract he has if he didn't think he would be able to fulfil his other obligations. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Can we expect a preliminary review before the election? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I've already covered that. If the member had bothered to listen, it is an independent review, and I cannot influence the time lines. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order. The member takes offence at being accused of not listening. I listened extremely well. SPEAKER: OK, well, we'll call that one all and move on. Question No. 11—Health 11. Dr SHANE RETI (National) to the Minister of Health: How many nights since 1 July 2023 have there been no junior doctors available to cover overnight ED shifts at Palmerston North Hospital, and how many similar roster gaps are there through to the end of October? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister of Health): I am advised that since 1 July 2023, there have been six nights with no resident medical officers, where two senior medical officers covered the night duty in the emergency department (ED). The current roster goes to 15 October. There are no roster gaps in September, and three nights currently in October with gaps yet to be filled. MidCentral is making every effort to mitigate roster gaps, and recently the senior medical officer team has reviewed current vacancies and stepped in to provide additional support. I am grateful to them for their contributions. Despite these challenges, I can confirm MidCentral is on track to meet planned care targets. Dr Shane Reti: What responsibility does she take for a recent weekend at Palmerston North ED, where 14 patients spent more than 24 hours sitting in chairs waiting to be admitted? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: We do not like to see those sorts of waits. That is why we have funded that hospital to develop additional space, including the recently 12-bed emergency department observation unit. In addition, Palmerston North is one of the hot spots with a number of measures in place to address acute demand. Dr Shane Reti: What does she say to the wife of an elderly man taken to Palmerston North one evening who, hearing nothing, turned up at ED the next morning to be told he still hadn't been seen and "there was my poor old husband stooped over in the chair, asleep, confused, incontinent, and freezing"? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: That is an extremely distressing story to hear, and if that member wants to share details of it, we will make sure that it is followed up on. Dr Shane Reti: What was Health New Zealand's response to the clinical director of Palmerston North ED, who stated that his hospital "is at serious risk of being unable to provide an emergency medicine service"? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: That is a very serious concern, and I understand—as I outlined in my primary answer—a number of steps are under way to make sure that roster gaps are addressed. But I have a wider concern when clinicians express that they cannot resolve their concerns through regular processes. That is why Te Whatu Ora is developing an external rapid review team to assess and address these types of situations. It will draw on national and international best practice to improve performance and learn and adapt across our hospital system. Palmerston North will be the first hospital to have the opportunity to use this model, but this team will be available to assess events in other hospitals, as needed, over the coming months. This new rapid review team will support clinicians and other hospital workers to tell their side of things to an expert reviewer so that rapid solutions can be found. This process does not replace existing line management, health and safety, or quality assurance processes, which are of course the first port of call. Dr Shane Reti: Further to that answer, is she shutting down clinicians from going into public domain when they feel they are getting no relief or remedy from the Minister and her office? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: No, we are taking their concerns seriously and providing a forum in which they can be heard. Question No. 12—Trade and Export Growth 12. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth: What recent announcements has he seen regarding the ASEAN–Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area? Hon RINO TIRIKATENE (Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth): On Monday last week, I was fortunate to travel to Indonesia to sign an upgrade to New Zealand's free-trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of South-east Asian Nations—ASEAN—and Australia in the margins of the ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting in Semarang. The upgrade was welcomed by ASEAN as the FTA is viewed as ASEAN's highest-quality free-trade agreement. The agreement has been in force since 2010 and is a central pillar of our relationship with ASEAN. The 10 countries have a population of over 700 million and, as a bloc, are New Zealand's third-largest trading partner, with our exports totalling over $9.6 billion in 2022. Ibrahim Omer: What does this upgrade do? Hon RINO TIRIKATENE: The upgrade brings elements of the original agreement into line with more recent free-trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and, in a first for any ASEAN agreement, the upgrade introduces a framework for cooperation on sustainable trade issues, including the environment, labour standards, and women's economic empowerment. This upgrade will come into force in 2024. Ibrahim Omer: How does this upgrade benefit Kiwis? Hon RINO TIRIKATENE: This upgrade further boosts our already strong economic and trading ties with ASEAN and helps further cut red tape and costs on Kiwi businesses. The benefits include improved conditions for investors and service providers, greater transparency of fees and charges, commitments to support the flow of essential goods in times of crisis, and streamlined customs procedures. Recognising the huge increase in digital trade, the upgrade also introduces stronger e-commerce rules that aim to increase consumer protection and support the expanded use of e-invoicing in cross-border trade. Ibrahim Omer: How does this advance the Government's trade priorities? Hon RINO TIRIKATENE: The upgrade advances the Government's Trade for All agenda, strengthening our trade relationships and the FTAs that underpin them. Importantly, the upgrade introduces a framework for cooperation on sustainable trade issues. These FTAs have not only created new opportunities for Kiwi businesses; they also reflect New Zealand's international leadership on sustainable and inclusive trade. Over the past five years, we've concluded four FTAs, with the UK, EU, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and RCEP, along with three FTA upgrades with China, Singapore, and now with the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA. Right now, almost three-quarters of our exports are with trading partners with which we have an FTA. Six years ago, in 2017, this figure was around 50 percent. As a Government, we're supporting Kiwi exporters to succeed and expand their international trade.