First Session, Forty-ninth Parliament, 2008-11 Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD) Tuesday, 16 August 2011 (Week 82, Volume 675) WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND Published under the authority of the House of Representatives—2011 TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS OBITUARIES— Sir Paul Reeves ONZ, GCMG, GCVO, QSO..................................................20597 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER— Questions to Ministers— Children, Welfare—Policy Priorities..........................................................20605 Youth Unemployment—Trend Since October 2009 ..................................20607 Economic Position—Financial Market Signals ..........................................20609 Question No. 4 to Minister..........................................................................20610 Children, Welfare—Policy Priorities..........................................................20610 District Health Boards, Targets—Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments ................................................................................................20612 State-owned Assets, Sales—Projected Revenue.........................................20613 Welfare Reforms—Youth Initiatives..........................................................20615 Health Services—After-hours Medical Treatment .....................................20616 Youth Unemployment—Job Creation ........................................................20617 Early Childhood Education—Playcentre Funding......................................20617 Resource Management Act Reforms—Role in Infrastructure Upgrade and Economic Growth ................................................................................20618 Youth Unemployment and Job Creation—Prime Minister’s Statements ...................................................................................................20619 POINTS OF ORDER— Withdrawal from Chamber—Hon Trevor Mallard..........................................20620 LEGAL ASSISTANCE (SUSTAINABILITY) AMENDMENT BILL— First Reading....................................................................................................20621 BIOSECURITY LAW REFORM BILL— Second Reading ...............................................................................................20636 VOTING— Correction—Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Amendment Bill....................20651 URGENCY...........................................................................................................20651 SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE ...............................................................................20652 BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE ..............................................................................20652 FREEDOM CAMPING BILL— In Committee— Part 1 Preliminary provisions.....................................................................20653 Part 2 Where freedom camping permitted .................................................20665 Part 3 Enforcement, miscellaneous, and transitional provisions ...............20673 16 Aug 2011 Obituaries 20597 TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST 2011 Mr Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. Karakia. OBITUARIES Sir Paul Reeves ONZ, GCMG, GCVO, QSO Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I seek leave to move a motion without notice on the passing of former Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Paul Reeves. Mr SPEAKER: Is there are objection to that course being followed? There is none. Rt Hon JOHN KEY: I move, That the House express its sympathy and condolences to the family of Sir Paul Reeves, and pay tribute to the outstanding contribution Sir Paul made to this country. The Rt Rev. and the Hon Sir Paul Alfred Reeves passed away in Auckland on Sunday, 14 August at the age of 78. It is with great sadness that I heard of Sir Paul’s passing, for he was one of the country’s greatest statesmen and admired by so many. I had the privilege of meeting Sir Paul on a number of occasions and he was a fine man. Sir Paul trained for the Anglican priesthood and in 1980 became Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand. In 1985 he became New Zealand’s first Māori Governor- General. His tenure as Governor-General was one of inclusiveness and compassion. He modelled his governorship on the life of a bishop, saying: “A bishop travels. A bishop stands alongside his people and searches for common ground.” Sir Paul’s contribution to New Zealand did not end when he left Government House. He spent another two decades serving at the highest level, and for this the people of New Zealand are forever indebted to him. He was Anglican Observer at the United Nations, he observed elections in Ghana and South Africa, he helped write constitutions for Fiji and Ghana, and he chaired the Nelson Mandela Trust. He was awarded New Zealand’s highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, in 2007. This was New Zealand’s chance to formally recognise his outstanding dedication to this country. The thoughts of the Government are with Sir Paul’s wife, Beverley, Lady Reeves; his three daughters, Sarah, Bridget, and Jane; his six mokopuna; and his whole family at this time. A State funeral for Sir Paul will be held this Thursday, 18 August in Auckland, and I will be attending alongside a number of members of this House. I am sure we will be joined by many New Zealanders wishing to pay tribute to Sir Paul’s life. Sir Paul’s life was a life spent giving. His contribution to this country was simply enormous, and New Zealand is a poorer place for his passing. Hon PHIL GOFF (Leader of the Opposition): Today in this House we mourn the loss of a great New Zealander, Sir Paul Reeves. In his 78 years he contributed hugely to his people, to the community, and to his country, and he still had so much to give. To Lady Beverley and their children, Sarah, Bridget, and Jane, we extend our sympathies for your loss. But we also celebrate today a life of remarkable achievements. He was a boy of humble beginnings who rose to lead his church, to be the Governor-General, and to represent his country and the Commonwealth with distinction. He was the youngest- ever priest to become an Anglican bishop. He was the first church leader and the first Māori to become Governor-General. Later he served internationally with the United Nations and the Commonwealth. He headed the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and he was the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s envoy to Guyana and Fiji. Sir Paul mixed easily with world leaders, but he was equally at home with New Zealanders from all walks of life. He was a man of considerable principle and integrity. Sir Paul always expressed himself in a calm and measured way, but underlying that was 20598 Obituaries 16 Aug 2011 a real passion about the things that he believed in. He was not afraid to take a stand on issues that were important to him. He was one of the Citizens for Rowling in 1975, and in 1981 he openly and strongly opposed the Springbok Tour. That led some, including the then Leader of the Opposition, to express doubts about him and to oppose his appointment as Governor-General. But the way that Sir Paul carried out his role as Governor-General was, in fact, exemplary. He was a man of decency and strength of character. He spoke quietly but with deep conviction. As a Minister in the fourth Labour Government throughout his term as Governor-General, and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the next Government, I had many discussions with Sir Paul. He always expressed his views in a considered manner, but he expressed them forthrightly. He had enormous compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice. When his viceregal role came to an end he continued to contribute in education as the chancellor of AUT, Auckland University of Technology, in the diplomatic and international arena, and as an advocate for his Te Ātiawa people. With Sir Paul’s passing we have lost a very special New Zealander, a man who gave so much to his community, and a man whom we will remember as being true to his principles. We will miss him greatly. Tā Paora, haere, haere, haere. Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green): This nation mourns the death of Sir Paul Reeves. Put simply, a tōtara has fallen in the forest. But the occasion of his passing, although deeply sad to us all, is not tragic; rather, it is a cause for national celebration of a long life uniquely well lived. Sir Paul led as large a life as was possible, full of fun, laughter, love, and achievement. His personal fulfilment, and thus his contribution, was both spiritual and secular. Sir Paul saw himself, characteristically, as a child of the nation he loved. He once said: “I was a product of this country at a time when there was social mobility or educational opportunities available to everybody. I didn’t have the benefit of any material assets either personally or in my family. We were what you would call poor but yet I was able to go to secondary school and university. It is that question of access and the ability to match opportunities with an innate desire to achieve which is vital.” With the passage of time, Sir Paul proved himself to be a vital person. Leadership is a subtle and elusive thing. When it is naturally present it is effortless; when it is absent it is laboured. Sir Paul had the gift of effortless leadership. He was humble, yet dignified in style. He was genuine and authentic in person. He was fearless in expressing belief. He was truly a man of integrity. Sir Paul embodied all the values for which our parties in this House strive—freedom and aspiration, equality and justice, cultural harmony, and ecological wisdom. In so doing, he united us all through simply