Tuhia ki te rangi

Tuhia ki te whenua

Tuhia ki te ngakau o nga tangata

Ko te mea nui

Ko te aroha

Tihei mauri ora!

E nga mema honore o te whare nei, te whare paremata o Aotearoa, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kā nui te mihi ki a koutou.

It is a privilege for me to exercise the prerogative of Her Majesty the Queen and open the 5th Parliament.

In October 2018, New Zealanders across this nation cast their votes for their preferred party and local representative in the fifth general election. After the announcement of the official results, negotiations began towards the formation of a progressive, united, and cohesive coalition government. Today, we know that this government has been formed by way of a coalition agreement between the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, The Opportunities Party, the New Zealand Labour Party, and United Future. The government took office when I swore in the Prime Minister the Right Honourable /u/AnswerMeNow1, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable /u/silicon_based_life, and other ministers from the Green, Opportunities, Labour, and United Future parties.

Together, this government is privileged with the confidence of a clear majority of the members in the House, and the confidence of the majority of New Zealand voters who cast their vote in the last general election. Once again, we see another important and positive evolution of our mixed member proportional representation system, ensuring governments can only be formed with a clear majority of voters.

Honourable members, the programme of this government is ambitious, but it is not unachievable. It represents the common ground of the four parties, a product of constructive negotiations, negotiations that have allowed all four parties to unite for the best interests of all New Zealanders, whilst ensuring all parties can act true to their unique values.

This government is committed to tackling the big challenges of our time, standing up for our regional economies, combating climate change, challenging the biodiversity crisis, and standing up for the wellbeing of all of our people. We aim to do so in a way that does not jeopardise the economic cornerstones of our country, but rather encourages a just transition. The parties of this government recognise the need to protect and treasure our people and our environment, and will make good on these issues through sensible economic management in the best interests of all New Zealanders.

Honourable members, this government is committed to ensuring the longevity of our agricultural sector in the face of its many challenges. Climate breakdown threatens our farmers, our foresters, our horticulturalists, our wine industry, and every industry that depends on the land.

This government has a clear focus on supporting farmers in the transition to a more sustainable model, through greater investment, expanding the organics sector, increasing certainty through a commodity milk price index and a regional advisory commission, and protecting agricultural assets through the expansion of the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme.

Honourable members, this government is committed to ensuring and fostering the wellbeing of not just our people, but our animals too. Every year, too many animals, whether pets, livestock, or entertainment animals are harmed at the hands of people.

This government will work to create independent representation for our animals, who do not have a voice, through the appointment of a Commissioner of Animal Welfare. This government will introduce greater protections for livestock, and will introduce comprehensive regulations on the practice of animal testing. Rodeo events will be ended, and racing codes will be required to report on the statuses of their animals. Finally, the RNZSPCA will get the funding necessary to protect our domestic animals. All of this will be done by a government that recognises that, while recognising the urgency of these changes, will provide the sufficient time and investment to ensure a just transition.

Honourable members, this government recognises the importance of local businesses, and is committed to allowing business to thrive, become more sustainable, and promoting stronger market competition. This government will not only talk the talk, but walk the walk, by prioritising local businesses, especially small to medium sized enterprises, in government procurement. This government will ensure a fairer deal for everyone by introducing greater transparencies in CEO pay conditions.

Honourable members, this government recognises the massive challenge presented by anthropogenic climate change, especially to our communities, our industries, our economy, and our already vulnerable New Zealanders. Around $19 billion worth of property, 43,000 homes and 130,000 people are at risk of exposure to predicted sea-level rise of 0.3 to 0.4 meters by 2050. Even this small increase means a 1 in 100 year storm-induced flood will occur, on average, once every year. This government recognises the progress made by the Zero Carbon Act, but acknowledges the scale of the work necessary to meet our targets.

This government is committing Aotearoa New Zealand to 100% renewable energy generation by 2025, phasing out fossil fuel generation in favour of clean renewable energy. This government will make solar panels fairer and more accessible for ordinary kiwis, through guaranteeing a fair independently set buyback rate for surplus solar energy, and by supply low-interest loans for households to install solar panels. This government will reduce the support given to the fossil fuel industry, by scrapping up to $88 million worth of subsidies and tax breaks for the industry, and by raising oil royalty rates closer to the international average. This government will increase emissions standards for new vehicles, and ensure all government investments consider the impact on climate change.

Honourable members, this government recognises the importance of our native forests and fauna, and recognises the threat our environment and the animals that live in them face. This government is committed to halting the rapid decline in our biodiversity, and ensuring the long-term survival of our native species. To this extent, this government shall increase funding for conservation initiatives across the board, making a valuable investment into the future of our local ecosystem and ensuring that the natural resourcing process in New Zealand remains strong. They will enhance the ability of oceanic ecosystems to thrive by converting 10% of the area of New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone into protected areas free of commercial fishing and oil exploration. They will protect the waterways of New Zealand by transferring the central government nitrate levy into a collaborative internal nitrate market scheme, allowing farmers who do not comply with a nitrate leaching standard to buy time enough to transition to a more sustainable model of waterway interaction. This government will protect our waterways and ocean from pollution, whether from water bottling or from plastic pollution. This government will dedicate time and effort to improving the environment of New Zealand and will do so in a comprehensive manner.

Honourable members, this government recognises the value in promoting and encouraging the appreciation of culture that is unique to New Zealand. To this extent, the Radio New Zealand charter shall be expanded to allow them to promote New Zealand’s culture with a 24/7 Television channel. This government shall prioritise the protection and retention of the nation’s taonga, because protecting our unique heritage is important to our national identity. For this reason, this coalition government will support the rebuild of the Christchurch Cathedral, a symbol of their commitment to the recovery of Christchurch.

Honourable members, this government recognises that what’s best for our tamariki is best for all of us. That is why this coalition is committed to making Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system more inclusive, and modernising it for the 21st century. This includes ensuring we have the best teachers by progressively increasing teacher salaries, and making education more affordable for everyone by scrapping the nominally voluntary school donations. This government will improve the education our children receive by expanding the Feed the Kids Bill to include decile 3 schools, ensuing more children have the start they need to pay attention and think. Further, this government will expand civics education in intermediate and secondary schools to give our students a better understanding of the world, and reduce the assessment load in primary school to reduce unnecessary testing and stress.

Honourable members, this government recognises the importance of New Zealand’s workers as the backbone of our economy, and is committed to ensuring a fair deal for every Kiwi in their workplace. This government will tighten our health and safety laws to reduce the risk of workplace harm, and will introduce the offence of corporate manslaughter in accordance with this principle. Guaranteed rest and meal breaks will be restored. Workers will have the ability to engage in low level industrial action without the threat of pay deductions, and there will be greater protections introduced against discrimination for being involved with a union. This government will extend bereavement leave to explicitly cover miscarriages, recognising that this is akin if not equivalent to a death of a loved one or family member. This government notes the chaos of recent transport reforms and will ensure public workers can retain their employment situation if their employer business is sold or transferred going forward.

Honourable members, this government recognises the importance and the value of all New Zealanders, and is committed to making Aotearoa New Zealand a safe and equitable society for everyone, no matter their race, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Recognising that nobody should feel ashamed or stigmatised due to their gender identity or sexual orientation, this government will prohibit conversion therapy in New Zealand, and treat it as a form of child abuse. It will acknowledge the challenges our friends and family with disabilities face in a world not designed with their needs in mind. This government will implement the recommendations of the UN Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It will establish a Disability Issues Commission, and provide greater support to NZSL interpreting and strive to increase the prevalence of NZSL wherever possible. This government will make our elections more equitable and accessible by establishing an Election Access Fund to support candidates with disabilities in running for parliament, or simply participating in the democratic process.

Honourable members, this government recognises that thoughtful financial management is necessary for the sustainable development of our communities, of our environment, and of our economy. This government is committed to maintaining a surplus to leave the books in a strong position for the next government, as Dr Michael Cullen did over the Fifth Labour Government. They shall also pay down debt at a sensible and sustainable level. This government will reform our tax system, by defining and measuring income as all the capital gained by an individual, regardless of whether it’s a wage gain or a gain in any other sense. The policies of this government include a commitment to reduce Goods and Services Tax from 15% to 14%, to reduce the burden on all New Zealanders, but especially the poorest. This government will reverse the exemption of GST on basic food items, to restore simplicity to the GST system. Further, this government will introduce a Luxury Car Tax, targeting expensive sports and collectors’ cars, with exemptions for electric vehicles. Together, these reforms to government revenue will create a more equitable society with reduced inequalities and poverty.

Honourable members, this government is committed to a positive global relationship with a world that is peaceful, secure, prosperous, just, and open. This government supports an international system that is rules-based, rather than one where countries impose their will on others by virtue of their size and power. This government is committed to acting collectively on issues that transcend national boundaries, through multilateral collaboration within global institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.

This government will endeavour to conduct fair trade, by ensuring no imported goods have been produced or imported illegally. This government will stay outside of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, and will instead pursue a mutually beneficial free trade agreement with the European Union. To increase New Zealand’s say over the direction of New Zealand foreign relationships, this government will require all international treaties to be voted on by parliament before being enacted, to ensure adequate scrutiny and a greater check on the executive. This government will ensure all international trade agreements are consistent with the principles of the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Accord.

This government will maintain and independent foreign policy. New Zealand will withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan, pending advice from the Ministry of Defence, and will maintain our current position outside of ANZUS. This government will oppose any military operations not mandated by the United Nations, and will not collaborate on intelligence regarding such operations. The purchase of new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters will be reduced to 5, and the number of reservists in the NZ Army will be reversed to the appropriate level.

Honourable members, this government is committed to a strong and equitable public health system. They are also committed to forging a new direction for drug policy, as has been set up in previous recent governments. This government shall seek to treat drug problems in a true sense as a health issue, not a criminal issue, and to this end will decriminalise all drugs, following the Portugal model. All legalised drugs will be safely regulated and taxed as a normal commodity, and social infrastructure will be set up to allow citizens to partake of drugs freely and safely in New Zealand. Greater emphasis will also be put on mental health, which has long been stigmatised in this country. We shall also enhance the infrastructure of the health system, providing funding to this and nurse wage increases to make sure all citizens benefit from a world-class public health system that cares for its people.

This government recognises that shelter and housing is a fundamental right of our people. In the current housing atmosphere, it is difficult for the families of New Zealand to get houses of their own. This government will put in place a tax plan to gradually reduce housing costs over time, but until then, this government will put in place significant new rental rights, following the lead of other countries such as Germany to reform the New Zealand rental market into a durable location for renters and a predictable, satisfying experience for landpeople. The policy in this area from the government will retain the ability for the rental market to operate effectively but also enhance the experience of those who require to seek shelter in the rental market. This government will also allow those in public housing to retain a stable livelihood in that position and gradually purchase their house from the government through incremental rental payments.

Honourable members, this government recognises the importance of world class transport infrastructure to our communities and to our regions, and is committed to modernising our transport infrastructure to further mobilise Aotearoa New Zealand. In the lower North Island, the Masterton line will be upgraded with track improvements and 10 new DMUs for a more frequent and reliable service. The fares on the Capital Connection between Palmerston North and Wellington will be reduced to reverse the decline in patronage. This government will kickstart a new twice-daily passenger rail service between Wellington and Napier, in response to the prolonged closure of the Manawatu Gorge. In the South Island, this government will establish three new rapid transit lines in Christchurch, with a new rail line connecting Rangiora and the city, a new rail line connecting Rolleston and the city, and new bus rapid transit between the city and the airport.

This government will make good on the promises of governments passed by constructing a SH3 bypass from Awakino Gorge through to Mount Messenger in Whanganui, along with repairs to Castlecliff Port and contributions to the Whanganui velodrome upgrade. This government will invest in alternative transport, by reducing speed limits around schools, building new modern and convenient pedestrian and cycling infrastructure around schools, and by mandating bicycle racks on all buses. This is a government that is committed to making rail, walking, and cycling more realistic options for all New Zealanders.

Honourable members, this government is committed to making our country and it’s politics more open for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand. This government will introduce a cap on electoral spending and will introduce a system of reporting political donations in real time, to breed greater trust and transparency in our electoral system. This government recognises the important contributions made by immigrants to our culture, our communities, and our country. This government will raise the refugee quota to 3,000 people. This government will make New Zealand more open by reversing the last government’s cuts to immigration, allowing foreign sex workers to come to Aotearoa New Zealand on work visas, and by creating a specialised Regional Workers Visa to support our provincial development.

Honourable members, this government has radical ideas when it comes to improving and progressing the justice system. This government understands that tough-on-crime policy is fundamentally flawed and only serves to increase criminal activity in this country, by creating a criminal class for whom the only reality is crime. To that extent, this government will promote evidence-based programmes of prisoner rehabilitation and early intervention, to ensure that people do not become a burden on the state and society through a cycle of crime. This government will also take the bold step of looking at alternatives to the current prison system, which has patently become a moral and fiscal failure.

Honourable members, this government recognises the importance of our provincial regions to our economy and is committed to ensuring our regions thrive. This government will create a Kawakawa tourism hub and invest in a new terminal at the Bay of Islands airport to support the Northland tourism industry. Our regions will become more connected with increased regional broadband and mobile coverage. In Northland, this government will expand the connections of rail with Auckland, by restoring mothballed lines, making container freight more viable, and building a spur to Northport.

Honourable members, this government is proud to be the first government with a Māori Prime Minister at it’s head. Long marginalised by colonial society, this government recognises that Māori people and culture have an essential part to play in modern multicultural Aotearoa. They also recognise that the essence of this country is derived from the principles of partnership set forth in Te Tiriti o Waitangi nigh upon 178 years ago. To this end, this government will, once and for all, entrench and position Te Tiriti in the legislative body of Aotearoa, and hold it at the forefront of all government decisions. This government will make sure that te Tiriti o Waitangi is put at the heart of all government decisions, and that all legislation is tested against the principles of the founding document of New Zealand. This government will encourage the preservation and proliferation of te ao Māori in Aotearoa, whether it be in everyday situations such as driving and consuming media, or when learning in school. This government will ban any further acquisition of Māori land under the Public Works Act to ensure not one more acre of Māori land is alienated, and will support and implement the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People as constructed by the United Nations.

Honourable members, this government recognises that the test of a civilisation is the way that it cares for its most vulnerable members. With that in mind, this government is committed to ensuring that all New Zealanders are able to live a safe and secure life, free from poverty and hardship. This government will reform superannuation, by restoring the previous superannuation eligibility age, and introducing means testing to ensure our superannuation scheme can last longer while serving the pensioners who rely on it the most. This government recognises that turning around our disgraceful child abuse and family violence statistics is a necessity, and will restore funding for Oranga Tamariki to make that happen.

This government will repair the broken welfare system that locks too many people into intergenerational poverty, by raising benefit level to a liveable level, and abolishing all sanctions to ensure the state is not punishing the people who need support the most. This government will reform Work and Income New Zealand to ensure the needs and the wellbeing of all of its clients are at the forefront of all decision making, instead of numerical and financial targets, disregarding the needs of real people.

Honourable members, people will always be at the heart of this government. This government invites all New Zealanders to join us as we craft a more prosperous and secure future for our people and our planet.

Because, after all, what is the most important thing in the world? He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.