European Parliament Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand (DANZ) visit
Auckland and Wellington 23-26 February 2020
Report on the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand (DANZ) visit
23-26 February 2020
Background
The European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand (DANZ) and the New Zealand Parliament have regular exchange meetings. This year it was the turn of DANZ to visit New Zealand for the 24th Inter-parliamentary meeting. As the visit was on a non-sitting week for the New Zealand Parliament, this meeting was held in Auckland to enable easier attendance for New Zealand parliamentarians. This was followed by meetings in Wellington, including with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, three New Zealand Cabinet Ministers and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
DANZ’s visit this year was comprised of a larger delegation than usual. Eight members of the European Parliament (MEPs) came to New Zealand, including a Vice President. The members were from five of the six main political groups in the European Parliament – the European People's Party (Christian Democrats), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Renew Europe, the Greens/European Free Alliance and the European Conservatives and Reformists. 1
The DANZ visit was led by Chairperson, Ulrike Müller MEP, who also led the previous delegation to New Zealand in 2018.2
Inter-parliamentary meeting
The 2020 meeting was held on Monday 24th February. The New Zealand Members of Parliament who attended are listed at the end of this report. Also in attendance was the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to New Zealand HE Nina Obermaier, EU Delegation First Secretary Per Sjonell and a representative of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
1 The Delegation itself has members from all the European Parliament political groups/non-attached. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/en/danz/members
2 https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/european-visitors-strengthen-bilateral-ties/
The discussions covered a range of subjects focusing on the interests of members of both delegations but were centred on agenda topics: political developments in the EU, particularly since the departure of the United Kingdom; environment and climate change; and economy, trade and migration. Issues related to the Pacific continued over a working lunch.
Back row. from left to right: Morten Løkkegaard MEP, Iului Winker, MEP, Gabrielle Bischoff MEP, Louisa Wall MP, Kosma Złotowski MEP, Tim van de Molen MP, Alex Voss MEP, Monika Vana MEP, Rt Hon David Carter MP, Deborah Russell MP, Pedro Silva Pereira MEP
Front row, left to right: Ulrike Müller MEP, Deputy Speaker Hon Anne Tolley MP, Marja Lubeck MP Chair of the European Parliament DANZ and the Co-Chairs, NZ-Europe Parliamentary Friendship Group
Meetings within Parliament 25 February
The New Zealand Speaker, Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, held an official meeting with the delegation accompanied by Assistant Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, MP.
Ms Muller and the Speaker discussed the inter-parliamentary meeting in Auckland, recent changes in the EU and the negotiations for a New Zealand – EU Free Trade Agreement with the role of the European Parliament.
The Speaker reaffirmed the close and broad ranging cooperation New Zealand has with the EU and its member states. He welcomed the continuing inter-parliamentary exchange, noting the presence of the Vice President.
The Speaker also welcomed Ms Müller and Ms Vana’s return to New Zealand and the wide parliamentary representation on this delegation; this being the first visit since the 2019 European Parliament election and the first since the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU.
Photo left: Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, Speaker with Ulrike Müller, Chair, DANZ. Photo right: The Speaker with Assistant Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, MP (on the right) with the delegation
The delegation also met with Ministers Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Māori Development and Local Government, Associate Minister of Trade and Economic Growth; Hon James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change and Hon Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples.
These meetings concentrated on issues relating to the Ministers’ portfolios but also enabled the delegation to hear about New Zealand government approaches, including with the recent well-being budget.
With Hon Nanaia Mahuta, the DANZ MEPs discussed developments so far in the NZ- EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Vice-Chair Axel Voss MEP also talked about developments in the EU on digital space and data protection. The MEPS also asked about the Māori economy and the Minister discussed her Maori Development portfolio.
The meeting with Hon James Shaw also discussed the economy but primarily focussed on environment issues, renewable energy and climate change policies, and the EU Green Deal3.
3 https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
Hon Aupito William Sio briefed the delegation on New Zealand relationships in the Pacific and also with Pasifika peoples in New Zealand4. DANZ members discussed with the Minister development-aid in the Pacific and the role of the EU as well as security issues in the Pacific.
Meetings outside Parliament In Auckland, DANZ members were briefed on the history of the local Māori iwi (tribe) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the ahi kaa, Keepers of the Fire/ land, of the Tāmaki isthmus area for the past 300 years. They heard about the original conquest and occupation of the area and the arrival of European settlers. They were also briefed on the consequences of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei being indigenous people located in the central area in what became New Zealand’s largest city, and about their current economic success and education opportunities. This was an opportunity for DANZ members to be introduced to history in Aotearoa New Zealand and know more and directly of issues and successes for this iwi.
The delegation also visited Westbrook winery to the west of Auckland city. This winery had its origins with the Ivicevich family from Croatia (then in Yugoslavia) in 1937 and Westbrook winery came to fruition in 1985. It moved to the Waimauku valley in 1999, with chardonnay being its major success. The delegation learnt about this example of the blossoming and success of the New Zealand wine industry. At the Auckland War Museum/ Tāmaki Paenga Hira, DANZ members were welcomed at the Māori Court/He Taonga Māori, shown the untold Journey to Aotearoa exhibition featuring the 1769 Captain Cook voyage to New Zealand with the Tahitian high priest and navigator Tupaia. This exhibition narrated the first meetings of Māori with Europeans and was part of the Tuia 2505 which encouraged a rethinking and conversations in the country of what happened in 1769 and initial European exploration in the Pacific. This was an introduction before DANZ members were briefed on the Museum’s natural science work in the Pacific. In particular this
4 The largest Pasifika population in New Zealand is Samoan, with other larger communities being Cook Islands Māori, Tongan, Niuean, Fijian, Tokelauan, and Tuvaluan. 5 “Tuia – Encounters 250 was a commemoration in 2019 marking 250 years since the first onshore encounters between Māori and Pākehā in 1769. Tuia 250 celebrated Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific voyaging heritage and was a national opportunity to hold honest conversations about the past, the present and how we navigate our shared future.” New Zealand Ministry of Culture and Heritage was about coastal marine biodiversity of the Southwest Pacific region and also the place of Aotearoa New Zealand science and conservation work in the Pacific.
Looking at a recent New Zealand start-up business, DANZ members visited Mint Innovation’s pre-commercial plant in Auckland. This small bio-refinery “uses microorganisms to scavenge precious metals from complex waste streams”6 providing local e-waste solutions for recyclers at a local or region level. They were shown how the plant deals with electronic waste and gold, copper and other recovered minerals.
6 https://www.mint.bio/ The company has been nominated for New Zealand’s 2020 Hi-Tech Awards
In Wellington, Paul Eagle MP (Labour Party) and Barbara Kuriger MP (National Party) met up with the DANZ members, providing an adjunct to the meetings at Parliament and discussions on issues at the local and national level for Members of the two Parliaments. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DANZ members met with Deputy Secretary Trade and Economic and Chief Negotiator for the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement7 Vangelis Vitalis and his team. The delegation was comprehensively briefed on the current status of the negotiations and had conversations on the path going forward and the role of the European and national parliaments in due course.
Conclusion
The 24th inter-parliamentary meeting and those with the Speaker, Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade were conducted in a very open and positive way. This led to excellent exchanges and, with site visits, enabled the delegation to gain deeper insights into New Zealand and the relationship.
7 https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/agreements-under-negotiation/eu-fta/ Programme
Saturday 22 February
Arrivals in Auckland
Sunday 23 February
Arrivals in Auckland (through to the last delegate on early Monday 24 February)
Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau
Tāmaki Hīkoi - Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
Westbrook Winery
Monday 24 February
Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau
24th Inter-parliamentary Meeting
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira Taonga Māori, Voyage to Aotearoa 1769, Natural science research in the Pacific
Mint Innovation “Recovering valuable metals from electronic waste”
Early evening flight
Wednesday 25 February
Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Meeting with Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Māori Development and Local Government, Associate Minister of Trade and Economic Growth; Housing (Maori Housing)
Mihi Whakatau at Parliament
Meeting with the Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, Rt Hon Trevor Mallard MP (Left below)
(Right above) Meeting with New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Meeting with Minister Hon James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change
Lunch with NZ Members of Parliament: Barbara Kuriger MP and Paul Eagle MP
Meeting with Minister Hon Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples
VIP Tour of Parliament
Evening - Delegation-hosted dinner including Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, Speaker of the House of Representatives and former NZ Ambassador to the EU, David Taylor.
Thursday 26 February
Early morning Departure
Outside Parliament with Assistant Speaker Adrian Rurawhe MP
Delegation
Ulrike MÜLLER Renew Europe MEP Group Chair, Delegation for relations with Germany - Freie Australia and New Wähler (Germany) Zealand Executive Vice President of the European Democratic Party
EDP
Axel VOSS MEP Group of the European Vice Chair, People's Party - Christian Delegation for Democrats relations with Australia and New Zealand
Pedro SILVA Group of the PEREIRA MEP Progressive Alliance of European Parliament Socialists and Vice President Democrats in the Including for budget and European Parliament European democracy and European citizens` initiative Portugal - Partido Socialista
Gabriele BISCHOFF Group of the Progressive MEP Alliance of Socialists and Vice Chair Democrats in the European Committee on Parliament Constitutional Affairs Germany - Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (Germany)
Morten Renew Europe Group LØKKEGAARD MEP Denmark - Venstre, Vice Chair of Renew Danmarks Liberale Parti Europe Group
Monika VANA MEP Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
Austria - Die Grünen - Die Grüne Alternative
Iuliu WINKLER MEP Group of the European Vice Chair People's Party (Christian Committee on Democrats) International Trade Romania - Uniunea Democrată Maghiară din România
Kosma European ZŁOTOWSKI MEP Conservatives and Reformists Group
Poland - Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice)
Photos: europarl.europe.eu
Delegation Officials
Mr Vesa KANGASLAHTI Political Adviser, Renew Europe Group
Political Adviser, Ms Katarzyna OCHMAN- ECR - European Conservatives and Reformists KAMINSKA Group
Secretariat
Mr Niccolò RINALDI Head of Asia, Australia and New Zealand Unit
Ms Alyson WOOD Secretariat - Assistant
New Zealand Members of Parliament The 24th EU/New Zealand Inter-parliamentary Meeting and working lunch on 24th February 2020 was attended by:
• Hon Anne Tolley, Member for East Coast electorate, National Party * Deputy Speaker Co-Chair of the New Zealand-Europe Parliamentary Friendship Group Deputy Chairperson Officers of Parliament select committee Member, Business and Standing Orders select committees Inter-Parliamentary Union – Second Vice-President of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians
• Marja Lubeck, List Member, Labour Party Co-Chair of the New Zealand-Europe Parliamentary Friendship Group Chairperson Parliamentary Service Commission Health and Safety committee Member Education and Workforce select committee
• Rt Hon David Carter, List Member, National Party * Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Member Finance and Expenditure and Privileges select committees Inter-Parliamentary Union – Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians
• Deborah Russell, Member for New Lynn electorate, Labour Party Chairperson Finance and Expenditure Committee Member Economic Development, Science and Innovation select committee
• Tim van de Molen, Member for Waikato electorate, National Party * Member Transport and Infrastructure select committee Third Whip, National Party
• Louisa Wall, Member for Manuwera electorate, Labour Party Chairperson Health Committee Member Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee
NZ Parliament delegation visiting the European Parliament October 2018
Left to Right: Rt Hon David Carter MP * Jenny Marcroft MP Tim van de Molen MP * Hon Anne Tolley MP * Greg O’Connor MP
The Official Meeting with the Speaker on 25 February 2020 was attended by:
Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, List Member, Labour Party Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Chairperson Business, Officers of Parliament and Standing Orders select committees Chairperson, Parliamentary Service Commission
Adrian Rurawhe, Member for Te Tai Hauāuru, Labour Party Assistant Speaker Member Māori Affairs select committee
Lunch on 25 February 2020 was attended by:
Barbara Kuriger, Member for Taranaki-King Country, National Party Senior Whip, National Party Member Business, Officers of Parliament, Privileges and Standing Orders select committees Chairperson Speaker’s Directions Committee, Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Member PSC and PSC Health and Safety Committee
Paul Eagle, Member for Rongotai, Labour Party Member of the Governance and Administration, and Transport and Infrastructure select committees
Ministerial Meetings on 25 February 2020:
Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Member for Hauraki-Waikato, Labour Party Minister for Māori Development, Local Government Associate Minister for Economic and Trade Growth, Environment, Housing (Māori Housing)
Hon James Shaw, List member, Green Party (Party Co-Leader) Minister for Climate Change, of Statistics Associate Minister for Finance Member, Intelligence and Security select committee
Hon Aupito William Sio, Member for Māngere, Labour Party Minister for Pacific Peoples Associate Minister for Courts and of Justice Member Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee