Parliament - Live Stream and Question Time

ANDREW LITTLE to the Prime Minister: Does he agree with Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft that the level of child poverty means “this is not the New Zealand I grew up in nor is it the New Zealand most of us want”; if so, what responsibility does he take as Prime Minister for his Government’s record?

JAMI-LEE ROSS to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the strength of the New Zealand economy?

METIRIA TUREI to the Minister for Māori Development: He aha tāna whakamāherehere, mēnā rā i a ia tētahi, tā tāna Manatū ranei, i hoatu e pā ana ki ngā whakahīrautanga o te Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill, ki runga tamariki Māori, me ō rātou whānau, hapū, iwi?Translation: What advice, if any, did he or his Ministry provide on the implications of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill for tamariki Māori and their whānau, hapu, and iwi?

ANDREW LITTLE to the Prime Minister: Has he met with the families of the Pike River miners today; if not, why not?

Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister of Health: Can he confirm that, as a result of the Government’s increased funding of $124 million over four years, Pharmac has recently announced a funding package for three new treatments, including for metastatic breast cancer?

FLETCHER TABUTEAU to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he stand by all his statements?

GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler that “GDP growth on a per capita basis has been slow and labour productivity growth has been disappointing. House price inflation is much higher than desirable and poses concerns for financial stability, and the exchange rate is higher than the economic fundamentals would suggest is appropriate”?

TODD MULLER to the Minister for Primary Industries: What reports has he received on the status of New Zealand’s orange roughy fisheries?

MARAMA FOX to the Prime Minister: How does he intend to attain the goal of halving poverty in New Zealand by 2030 that the Government signed up to in September 2015?

JOANNE HAYES to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What announcements has he made recently that make it easier for New Zealanders to understand their KiwiSaver statements?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Is she concerned that only 16 percent of teachers believe that national standards have had a positive impact on their students’ achievement according to a survey released today; if not, why not?

DENIS O'ROURKE to the Prime Minister:  Does he stand by his statement on New Zealand Superannuation, Key’s promise not to tinker with the pension age was “a product of its time”?

JAMI-LEE ROSS to the Minister of Finance: What announcements has he made showing the Government is on track to continue delivering surpluses and supporting a growing economy?

ANDREW LITTLE to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement, “Ministers find it a little bit irritating” when asking for funding, and which Ministers was he referring to?

IAN McKELVIE to the Minister of Corrections: What recent announcement has she made about strengthening the independent oversight of the Corrections system?

JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Health: What is the name of the major global study on a sugary drinks tax by the Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology that he referenced in QWA 13827 (2016) and where was it published?

Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: What indication, if any, has the Minister of Finance given him for Vote Health in Budget 2017 that led him to say “I think we’ve got to be very careful before we look at tax cuts. We’ve got to make sure we are properly funding health and education to the level that people expect”?

JONATHAN YOUNG to the Minister of Revenue: What recent reports has he received regarding the time, money, and effort that small and medium-sized businesses spend on meeting their tax obligations?

Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he stand by all of his statements in relation to the Te Tai Tokerau Northland Regional Growth Study and Action Plan; if so, how?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Does she believe that partnership schools should report NCEA results using the same methodology as state schools; if so, why hasn’t this been the case so far?

BARBARA KURIGER to the Minister for Disability Issues: What recent announcements has she made regarding initiatives that will help New Zealand to become a non-disabling society?

STUART NASH to the Minister of Police: When she said in an interview with Paul Henry yesterday that the “over-engineering and overthinking that can happen when a government or a party has been in government for quite some time” means “it is really important just to get on with the job”, was she referring to the fact that she has been working on a plan since June for more police but still nothing has been delivered?

JAN LOGIE to the Minister for Social Development: Is she still intending to introduce the second amendment to the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 this year, now that the Māori Women’s Welfare League has filed a claim in the Waitangi Tribunal challenging the proposed changes?

STUART SMITH to the Associate Minister for Primary Industries: How is the Government supporting the planting of new forests?

ANDREW LITTLE to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement, “there is no room for significant loosening of the purse strings”, and does this apply to funding for health, police, and education?

TODD BARCLAY to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received showing the New Zealand economy is on track for continuing moderate growth?

Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers; if so, why?

Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement, “I think we’ve got to be very careful before we look at tax cuts. We’ve got to make sure we are properly funding health and education”; if so, has health been funded properly over the last two Budgets to allow him to do everything he has wanted as health Minister?

MAUREEN PUGH to the Minister for ACC: What changes to ACC levies come into effect from 1 April next year?

GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Police: Does she believe Police have been given adequate resources to address crime in all areas; if not, which areas are in need of further resources?

JAMES SHAW to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all his Ministers?

KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI to the Minister for Building and Housing: What new housing developments has he announced as part of the Crown Land programme and how many homes will it provide?

PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister for Social Housing: How many state-house tenants turned down properties because of birds chirping in nearby trees, because a backyard was too small for a trampoline, or because they disliked the colour of a door?

Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all his statements; if so, how?

Dr JIAN YANG to the Minister of Education: What recent reports has she received on educational achievement for New Zealand?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Why, after eight years of a National Government, are New Zealand students’ performance in science, maths, and reading continuing to decline as reported in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment study, and is she concerned that their scores are now at their lowest point ever?

DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received confirming New Zealand’s sovereign credit rating?

METIRIA TUREI to the Prime Minister: Ka tū ia i runga i te mana o tana kōrero “I honestly wish I could have changed the flag”, i te wā i pātaitia ai, he aha tana tino pōuri nui?

Translation: Does he stand by his statement that “I honestly wish I could have changed the flag”, when asked for his greatest regret?

ANDREW LITTLE to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement that “the prices you pay for a house are ridiculous”, given New Zealand house prices have risen by over 50 percent since he made that statement?

SARAH DOWIE to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment: How is the Government ensuring New Zealanders gain the skills needed in a growing economy?

Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: Does he expect an estimated 533,000 New Zealanders who did not visit a GP due to cost in the last year to continue to wait for primary care reform which might “form part of a future Budget”, possibly under a different health Minister as stated by him?

MATT DOOCEY to the Minister of Transport: What progress has the Government made on repairing damage to transport infrastructure following the Kaikōura earthquake?

PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister for Social Housing: Does she stand by her statement, “look I can’t guarantee that”, when asked if anyone living in a car can go to a Government agency today and get a roof over their head tonight?

RON MARK to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by all his statements?

DAVID CLENDON to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement to this House that “having surpluses does not mean that the Government can go spending more money on ineffective public services or infrastructure that may not be needed”?

CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister of Education: How is the Government helping students use the internet for learning?

STUART NASH to the Minister of Police: Does she think there is any correlation between the closure of over 20 Community Policing Centres and the 13,000 increase in victimisations in the last 12 months; if not, why not?

MELISSA LEE to the Minister for Women: How is the Government encouraging more young girls and women to pursue career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and maths?

JAN LOGIE to the Minister for Social Development: Is it her intention to retain the provision in the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 that requires that priority be given to placing a child with “a person who is a member of the child’s or young person’s hapu or iwi (with preference being given to hapu members), or if that is not possible, who has the same tribal, racial, ethnic, or cultural background as the child” in her upcoming reform of the Act; if not, what specifically is she proposing the provision be amended to?

Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: What was the total percentage growth in hip and knee joint elective discharges between 2002/03 and 2008/09, and what was the same figure for 2009/10 to 2015/16?

TODD MULLER to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received showing New Zealand’s economy is strong and its financial system is sound and operating effectively?

PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Finance: Does he support the Reserve Bank introducing debt-to-income ratio restrictions for mortgage lending; if so, why?

RON MARK to the Minister of Police: Given reports that on 9 August she admitted that there are not enough Police and that she was in talks with the Prime Minister over the matter, can she advise whether the talks have ended or are still ongoing?

CATHERINE DELAHUNTY to the Minister for the Environment: Does he stand by his statement that Ōkahukura/Lucas Creek is a stream that “nobody has ever wanted or tried to swim in”?

CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister of Civil Defence: How has the 14 November Kaikōura earthquake affected the probability of future earthquakes in New Zealand?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Is she satisfied that early childhood education services are getting all the funding they need to deliver quality education and care for children?

SARAH DOWIE to the Minister for Economic Development: How is the Government supporting economic development in Southland?

STUART NASH to the Minister of Police: Does she agree with the frontline police officer who recently said, regarding Police resources to attend every dwelling burglary, “we’re only chasing our tails…The only solution is more staff. With successive frozen budgets, we’re at rock bottom”?

BRETT HUDSON to the Minister for Communications: What recent announcements has she made on the Ultrafast Broadband programme?

TRACEY MARTIN to the Minister of Education: Is she satisfied with the level of support and choice provided by her ministry for students with the highest level of special needs to attain their personal best?

MATT DOOCEY to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has the Government made regarding its Social Housing Reform Programme?

RON MARK to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by his statement that “commitments that are made around sponsorship that haven’t been met” regarding his review of the parent category immigration rules?

GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement in relation to the New Zealand Super Fund, “when surpluses return we will resume contributions”; if not, why not?

JACQUI DEAN to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What recent announcements has the Government made in relation to pay equity?

METIRIA TUREI to the Minister for Building and Housing: Ka tautoko ia ia taku Pire e hoatu nōhanga wā roa ana, ngita ana, tū roa ana i runga i tana tohutohu ki te hunga hook whare tuatahi, ko nāianei, “probably not a good time for a young family to buy”; i tētahi whare i Akarana?

Translation: Will he support my bill to provide more secure and stable long-term tenancies, given his recent advice to first-home buyers that now is “probably not a good time for a young family to buy” a house in Auckland?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her statement that funding for at-risk students announced in Budget 2016 “is a clear example of how our funding system could be changed to get more support to those students who need it most”; if so, is she concerned that a recent survey found over a third of principals are considering reducing support staff hours in 2017?

FLETCHER TABUTEAU to the Minister for Building and Housing: What reports has he received on substandard building products being imported into New Zealand?

Dr JIAN YANG to the Minister of Education: What update can she provide on the earthquake-affected schools in Kaikōura?

IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY to the Minister of Immigration: Is the immigration system working in the best interests of New Zealand and migrants?

SCOTT SIMPSON to the Associate Minister of Local Government: What recent announcements has she made on reducing the risk and harm of dog attacks?

STUART NASH to the Minister of Police: Does she believe that the Prime Minister’s current strategy regarding his so called “war on P” is failing, given that the percentage of police detainees who in the past year have used P increased from 28 percent in 2012 to 36 percent in 2015?

JAN LOGIE to the Minister for Social Development: Why will she not implement a crucial recommendation of the Confidential Listening Service that an independent body is needed to resolve historic and current complaints of abuse and neglect in State care?

RON MARK to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements; if so, how?

ANDREW LITTLE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “if you see house prices rising, you might say the Government needs to do more” and “we take responsibility, we need to do a better job of it”?

SARAH DOWIE to the Minister of Finance: What international reports has he received showing New Zealand’s economic growth remains robust?

Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: On what date was the Ministry of Health first made aware of data manipulation of the six-hour Emergency Department target by district health boards?

CHRIS BISHOP to the Minister for Economic Development: What recent announcements has the Government made regarding support for earthquake-affected businesses?

METIRIA TUREI to the Minister for Building and Housing: Ka tū a ia i runga i te mana o tana kōrero, “The proportion of New Zealanders living in rental homes is not changing dramatically and owner-occupiers will remain the dominant living arrangement for most Kiwi families into the future” i te mea, ā, e ai ki ngā tatauranga hou, nō mai anō i te tau Kotahi mano, iwa rau, rima tekau mā tahi, i taka ai te hunga whiwhi i tōna ake whare, ki raro rā nō? Translation: Does he stand by his statement that “The proportion of New Zealanders living in rental homes is not changing dramatically and owner-occupiers will remain the dominant living arrangement for most Kiwi families into the future” given that home ownership is at its lowest level since 1951, according to the latest census?

STUART SMITH to the Minister for Primary Industries: What recent announcements has he made regarding support for earthquake-affected primary sectors?

GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the Prime Minister’s statement that Treasury forecasts are “a load of nonsense, because they can’t get predications in 44 days right, let alone 44 years”?

ALFRED NGARO to the Minister for Building and Housing: What additional Auckland housing projects did he announce during last week’s recess, and what are the latest reports on the growth in construction across Auckland showing?

Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister responsible for the Earthquake Commission: Is he confident EQC will be employing the necessary resource to process and settle claims, from both the Canterbury earthquake sequence and the earthquake sequence of a fortnight ago, after 16 December; if so, why?

DAVID SEYMOUR to the Minister of Police: What reassurance can she give to Epsom residents concerned that their Community Policing Centre will cease to operate after 24 years?

IAN McKELVIE to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What announcements has he made recently that support the continued growth of the New Zealand wine export market?

PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister for Building and Housing: Does he believe there needs to be a review of the Building Code given the damage sustained by modern buildings, such as Statistics House, in this week’s earthquakes?

ANDREW BAYLY to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the expected impact of the Kaikōura earthquake on gross domestic product?

DENISE ROCHE to the Minister for the Environment: Is he satisfied that everything possible has been done to recover the bodies of the 29 men who were killed at the Pike River Mine six years ago?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Will the exam papers completed by students sitting cancelled scholarship exams on Monday be marked as NZQA advised on Twitter; if so, how will those results be fairly compared with students who will have to sit a different exam at a later date?

MATT DOOCEY to the Minister of Civil Defence: What are the implications of the Kaikōura earthquake being upgraded from a magnitude 7.5 to a 7.8?

RON MARK to the Minister of Civil Defence: Can he update the House on the situation in quake-affected areas?

TODD BARCLAY to the Minister for Economic Development: What Government support is available to businesses in areas most affected by the Kaikōura earthquakes?

Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR to the Minister for the Environment: What new technical information or advice did he receive, if any, in relation to the possible recovery of the Pike River Mine drift, prior to the meeting he attended in Greymouth yesterday?

DENIS O'ROURKE to the Minister of Transport: If the Prime Minister has described SH1 as “really stuffed”, what are his plans, if any, to assist the repairs of CentrePort, upgrade Lyttelton Port for ferries, repair SH1 and alternative routes, as well as rail in both islands?

GARETH HUGHES to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Is she concerned that New Zealand received a “Fossil of the Day” award at the climate change conference in Marrakech?

JOANNE HAYES to the Minister for Land Information: What is Land Information New Zealand doing to support the ongoing earthquake recovery efforts?

CLARE CURRAN to the Minister of Civil Defence: Does he support the call from Dr Ken Gledhill, Director of GeoNet, for a 24/7 tsunami warning system; if so, when will the Government provide the funding for that system?

NUK KORAKO to the Minister of Finance: How does New Zealand’s growing economy and the Government’s commitment to responsible fiscal management mean New Zealand is well-placed to respond to the Kaikōura earthquake?

ANDREW LITTLE to the Prime Minister: Has he spoken to relevant Ministers about the lessons learned from the Canterbury earthquakes to ensure people affected by the recent earthquakes have an easier and faster recovery?

STUART SMITH to the Minister of Civil Defence: What update can he provide about the Government’s response to the Kaikōura earthquake?

RON MARK to the Prime Minister: Can he update the House on the situation in quake-affected areas in the South Island?

JAMES SHAW to the Prime Minister: Is he committed to all his Government’s policies?

Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that following the Valentine’s Day earthquake this year in Canterbury, “it was timely to review whether any additional mental health and wellbeing support was needed”; if so, will he consider reviewing whether any additional support is needed for Canterbury and Nelson-Marlborough district health boards as a result of the recent earthquakes?

JACQUI DEAN to the Minister of Transport: What updates has he received on damage to transport infrastructure following the Kaikōura earthquake?

JAN LOGIE to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What is his response to yesterday’s call from members of the Joint Working Group on Pay Equity Principles for the Government to “immediately right this historic wrong and implement the JWG principles”?

JACINDA ARDERN to the Minister for Economic Development: When is he likely to announce a recovery or support package for small businesses in earthquake-affected areas?

KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI to the Minister of Police: What are New Zealand Police doing to support the Kaikōura community?

CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: When did she first discuss the potential impact of Monday’s 7.5 earthquake on NCEA and Scholarship exams with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority?

IAN McKELVIE to the Minister for Primary Industries: What recent reports has he received on the impact of the recent earthquakes on the primary sector?

ANDREW LITTLE to the Prime Minister: What are the priorities for the Government in assisting communities affected by yesterday’s earthquake?

MATT DOOCEY to the Minister of Finance: What advice has he received about the economic impact of the Kaikōura earthquake?

EUGENIE SAGE to the Minister of Transport: What updates can he give on the transport sector’s response to earthquake damage to State Highway 1 and the rail line between Seddon and Cheviot?

GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: What is his initial assessment of the fiscal impact of yesterday morning’s earthquake and what, if any, new or changed Budget allocations is he considering in response to the earthquake?

PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Minister of Civil Defence: How is the Government supporting people affected by the Kaikōura earthquake?

RON MARK to the Minister of Civil Defence: Can the Government assure New Zealanders on our level of preparedness for all natural disasters?

SUE MORONEY to the Minister of Transport: What roads and public transport services are currently not operational following damage from the earthquake yesterday and when is it expected access and services will be restored?

BRETT HUDSON to the Minister of Transport: What action is the Government taking to repair damaged transport infrastructure following the Kaikōura earthquake?

GARETH HUGHES to the Minister of Broadcasting: Will she join with me to acknowledge the work of all media in New Zealand, which is so important in times of natural disaster and crisis; if so, will she consider increasing our public broadcaster Radio New Zealand’s funding in Budget 2017?

CLAYTON MITCHELL to the Minister of Civil Defence: What progress has been made, if any, on new civil defence legislation which focuses on large and significant events such as the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes?

ALASTAIR SCOTT to the Minister of Health: What updates has he received on the Government’s health response to the Kaikōura earthquake?

CLARE CURRAN to the Minister of Civil Defence: What actions have been taken by Civil Defence to ensure those people in the areas worst hit by the earthquake have enough food, clothing, water, and shelter?