WEBVTT - Minister James Meager on South Island's importance, select committees, youth, and future ambitions 0:00:05.240 --> 0:00:05.680 Kiyota. 0:00:05.840 --> 0:00:09.119 I'm Chelsea Daniels and this is the Front Page, a 0:00:09.200 --> 0:00:10.920 daily podcast. 0:00:10.440 --> 0:00:12.440 Presented by the New Zealand Herald. 0:00:16.000 --> 0:00:20.320 From humble beginnings to a rising star in the National Party, 0:00:20.800 --> 0:00:24.079 James Meagher's journey to the Beehive has been rapid, to 0:00:24.160 --> 0:00:27.840 say the least. In just two years, he's gone from 0:00:27.880 --> 0:00:31.640 delivering his maiden speech to becoming a Minister of the Crown, 0:00:31.920 --> 0:00:35.320 tackling portfolios of youth hunting and Fishing and the newly 0:00:35.479 --> 0:00:37.839 established South Island Portfolio. 0:00:38.520 --> 0:00:40.720 So how do we make sure every. 0:00:40.520 --> 0:00:44.600 Young person in New Zealand gets the best possible start 0:00:44.680 --> 0:00:48.360 in life? And what does it actually mean to be 0:00:48.479 --> 0:00:51.800 Minister for the South Island Today? On the Front Page, 0:00:52.040 --> 0:00:56.200 James Meagher joins us to discuss what the trajectory from 0:00:56.320 --> 0:01:00.480 party staffer to minister has been like and what the 0:01:00.520 --> 0:01:02.160 future holds. 0:01:01.640 --> 0:01:03.680 For the kid from Timorrout. 0:01:08.000 --> 0:01:11.880 James, A couple of years since your maiden speech. 0:01:12.000 --> 0:01:14.240 From what I remember, you got some pretty good reactions 0:01:14.319 --> 0:01:16.199 from it. Were you surprised by that. 0:01:17.200 --> 0:01:17.720 A little bit? 0:01:17.800 --> 0:01:20.080 I think everyone always pays attention to the first maiden 0:01:20.120 --> 0:01:21.959 speech because it's you know, it's the opening of Parliament. 0:01:22.280 --> 0:01:24.640 But I didn't quite expect the reaction. 0:01:24.480 --> 0:01:27.280 To my particular speech, so it was it was very 0:01:27.920 --> 0:01:29.679 company to know that people out there were watching and 0:01:29.720 --> 0:01:31.320 listening and send some really kind feedback. 0:01:31.319 --> 0:01:31.920 It's really great. 0:01:32.160 --> 0:01:33.520 Yeah, this line stood out to me. 0:01:33.600 --> 0:01:37.320 Actually, you said, but instead we have a system which 0:01:37.440 --> 0:01:42.440 creates broken families and turns good people into lost souls. 0:01:43.080 --> 0:01:45.440 Can you explain what you meant by this? Can you 0:01:45.440 --> 0:01:46.240 give an example. 0:01:46.560 --> 0:01:47.360 I think what I. 0:01:47.280 --> 0:01:48.760 Was trying to mean by that was that, you know, 0:01:48.960 --> 0:01:51.480 I come from background where we didn't have a lot 0:01:51.480 --> 0:01:54.200 of resources growing up, and so one of the challenges 0:01:54.240 --> 0:01:56.360 I think we have with government is a government sometimes 0:01:56.400 --> 0:02:00.600 makes it too difficult for people from underresource backgrounds to 0:02:00.680 --> 0:02:03.280 navigate the system, and they get lost and they get 0:02:03.280 --> 0:02:07.080 frustrated and then things don't go so well. So I 0:02:07.200 --> 0:02:10.240 was thinking in terms of accessing social support services. But 0:02:10.280 --> 0:02:12.360 also if we don't give young people the kinds of 0:02:12.440 --> 0:02:16.280 education opportunities they need through public schooling or even private education, 0:02:17.080 --> 0:02:18.359 people can get lost as well. 0:02:18.400 --> 0:02:19.840 So that's kind of where I was hitting. 0:02:19.960 --> 0:02:22.880 And it's been a pretty quick rise to minister for you, 0:02:23.000 --> 0:02:26.239 it seems. What's it like going from Paula Bennett's Press 0:02:26.280 --> 0:02:28.560 sec to now a Minister of the Crown. 0:02:28.960 --> 0:02:30.840 Well, I think what I didn't realize was how busy 0:02:31.040 --> 0:02:33.040 Paula would have been and how busy ministers are. They 0:02:33.120 --> 0:02:35.400 kind of hide it from the staff a little bit 0:02:35.400 --> 0:02:36.960 and you don't get a full picture of everything that 0:02:37.000 --> 0:02:37.519 ministers do. 0:02:37.680 --> 0:02:40.000 But it's been really eye opening. 0:02:39.760 --> 0:02:41.520 To just see the amount of reading you need to do, 0:02:41.600 --> 0:02:44.800 the travel you do, the challenges that you have to 0:02:44.800 --> 0:02:46.560 deal with. I've got a lot of admiration for people 0:02:46.560 --> 0:02:49.639 who can do this for six nine years, and even 0:02:49.680 --> 0:02:51.720 having done it for six months now, I can see 0:02:51.720 --> 0:02:54.760 why it takes its toll on a lot of ministers. 0:02:54.800 --> 0:02:56.440 So I'm very impressed for anyone that can stick it 0:02:56.440 --> 0:02:57.600 out for a certain length of time. 0:02:57.680 --> 0:02:59.040 Do you reckon you're going to stick it out for 0:02:59.080 --> 0:02:59.919 six to nine years? 0:03:00.280 --> 0:03:00.800 Well, I hope, So. 0:03:00.840 --> 0:03:02.480 I hope I can be in this role for as 0:03:02.520 --> 0:03:04.040 long as I can make a difference in as long 0:03:04.040 --> 0:03:06.480 as I've got the confidence of the PM to be 0:03:06.520 --> 0:03:09.000 part of his team. I think, you know, in youth 0:03:09.040 --> 0:03:12.040 and in my South Island portfolio and in transport, we're 0:03:12.040 --> 0:03:14.640 making some good progress in some key areas. Just a 0:03:14.680 --> 0:03:16.560 couple of weeks ago we had the Youth Parliament here, 0:03:16.600 --> 0:03:18.320 which was great to see lots of young people bringing 0:03:18.360 --> 0:03:21.040 their for wester to Parliament. But also in that transport role, 0:03:21.080 --> 0:03:23.760 trying to make a difference for consumers around air fears 0:03:23.760 --> 0:03:26.400 and regional connectivity. So as long as I can keep 0:03:26.440 --> 0:03:29.920 making positive improvements and differences to government, I'd like. 0:03:29.919 --> 0:03:30.720 To be able to stick around. 0:03:30.800 --> 0:03:33.200 Yeah, because how much your return flights from Wellington to 0:03:33.280 --> 0:03:34.639 Tamaru At the moment. 0:03:34.560 --> 0:03:37.160 They could be upwards of four to five hundred dollars 0:03:37.160 --> 0:03:38.360 each way depending on when you. 0:03:38.400 --> 0:03:40.760 Book god, And is it your job to try and 0:03:40.800 --> 0:03:41.760 get them down. 0:03:42.320 --> 0:03:43.640 Well, I think as much as possible. 0:03:43.680 --> 0:03:47.160 Part of it is making sure that the connectivity is reliable, 0:03:47.200 --> 0:03:50.320 so we've extended reporting for on time performance to the 0:03:50.360 --> 0:03:52.200 regions for the first time, so people know exactly how 0:03:52.280 --> 0:03:55.120 reliable their flights are. And then of course it's assisting 0:03:55.360 --> 0:03:57.320 the likes of their New Zealand, but also our smaller 0:03:57.360 --> 0:04:01.280 regional carriers with workforce make sure they've got enough engineers 0:04:01.280 --> 0:04:03.480 and pilots, making sure they've got access to the parts. 0:04:03.560 --> 0:04:05.360 All of that goes in to gum up the system, 0:04:05.440 --> 0:04:07.640 makes it more difficult for them to operate, which makes 0:04:07.680 --> 0:04:11.160 the costs pass on to consumers, So that's all part 0:04:11.200 --> 0:04:13.720 of the mix, and airfares for consumers is probably the 0:04:13.760 --> 0:04:15.680 biggest focus, especially if you live in the regions. 0:04:16.080 --> 0:04:17.360 It's expensive to travel. 0:04:17.480 --> 0:04:20.040 Sometimes you've got to travel by road quite a lot 0:04:20.080 --> 0:04:21.800 just to get to the airport and then pay eight 0:04:21.880 --> 0:04:24.880 nine hundred bucks to fly north or fly south. So 0:04:25.080 --> 0:04:28.000 speak focus for me, particularly for our royal communities. 0:04:29.000 --> 0:04:29.640 Mister speaker. 0:04:29.720 --> 0:04:33.679 This is why we are all here to debate freely, 0:04:34.279 --> 0:04:38.920 to have an open, robust contest of ideas, to challenge 0:04:38.920 --> 0:04:42.920 one another in an environment where disputes are resolved by 0:04:42.960 --> 0:04:45.839 the showing of hands and not by the throwing of fists. 0:04:46.960 --> 0:04:49.000 But the speaker, we are here to represent the people 0:04:49.000 --> 0:04:51.880 who put us here, and some of us are here 0:04:52.279 --> 0:04:54.680 to disrupt and to challenge the status quo. 0:04:55.080 --> 0:04:58.159 And I get that, and I really do. But in 0:04:58.240 --> 0:04:59.960 doing so we must respect this institution. 0:05:02.800 --> 0:05:04.920 I mean, let's have a look at your other portfolios 0:05:04.960 --> 0:05:08.360 as well. So we've got Hunting and Fishing, Youth South 0:05:08.400 --> 0:05:11.240 Island and of course we've just mentioned Associate Transport. 0:05:12.080 --> 0:05:14.960 First off, why does the South Island need a minister? 0:05:15.440 --> 0:05:17.760 Well, I think the South Island always needs a good 0:05:17.839 --> 0:05:22.560 voice in Wellington in Parliament sometimes I think because we're 0:05:22.640 --> 0:05:25.120 so distant and because we're off. 0:05:25.000 --> 0:05:26.320 Doing our own independent things. 0:05:26.320 --> 0:05:28.920 You know, we're a parochial, independent bunch down South and 0:05:29.160 --> 0:05:31.440 often we like to be left alone. But also we 0:05:31.600 --> 0:05:33.440 like to make sure that we're playing our role in 0:05:33.480 --> 0:05:36.560 things like growing the economy and producing the exports. So 0:05:37.400 --> 0:05:40.640 it's a recognition that sometimes maybe we can't get that 0:05:40.680 --> 0:05:43.120 cut through into Wellington, into the bureaucracy. 0:05:43.240 --> 0:05:44.160 So hopefully I can. 0:05:44.040 --> 0:05:46.720 Be a voice for different projects and different issues around 0:05:46.760 --> 0:05:50.520 the South Island, things like you know, raising the possibility 0:05:50.560 --> 0:05:53.039 of turning in vo cargo into a data center, or 0:05:53.160 --> 0:05:56.400 to look at what the opportunities are in Queenstown for 0:05:57.040 --> 0:06:00.839 film tourism and health tourism and bringing those ideas to 0:06:00.880 --> 0:06:03.320 the relative ministers and trying to promote them as much 0:06:03.320 --> 0:06:03.840 as I can. 0:06:04.080 --> 0:06:06.320 Right, So it's not really just all about cake cutting 0:06:06.360 --> 0:06:09.239 and baby holding and taking photos and stuff. 0:06:09.240 --> 0:06:11.200 There's actually something tangible that you're doing. 0:06:11.960 --> 0:06:15.360 Well, it's far more, far more important than their cake 0:06:15.480 --> 0:06:18.719 cutting in the ribbon snipping. Yeah, it's actually about you know, 0:06:18.760 --> 0:06:20.359 the South Island's got a big role to play in 0:06:20.440 --> 0:06:23.760 terms of growing our tourism sector, growing our agricultural sector. 0:06:24.200 --> 0:06:25.920 If we want to double our exports, it's not just 0:06:25.960 --> 0:06:28.600 about sending twice as much stuff overseas, it's about doing 0:06:28.640 --> 0:06:31.479 it in a cleverer way. So looking at how we 0:06:31.520 --> 0:06:33.880 can invest in tech, making sure that the South plays 0:06:33.880 --> 0:06:35.960 its role there, and I would like us to have 0:06:36.000 --> 0:06:40.400 a disproportionate impact on our country's growth story so that 0:06:40.440 --> 0:06:42.600 people can be really proud of what we produce down south. 0:06:42.640 --> 0:06:44.279 It's not a North versus South issue. 0:06:44.320 --> 0:06:46.120 It's really about how do I make sure we get 0:06:46.120 --> 0:06:48.120 the best out of the West Coast, out of the 0:06:48.120 --> 0:06:49.760 top of the South, out of Canbry, out of a 0:06:49.839 --> 0:06:52.839 Tigo and everything in between. And if there are gaps 0:06:52.920 --> 0:06:54.760 or if there are projects that need to be focused 0:06:54.760 --> 0:06:56.680 on by Wellington, I can bring those to the attention 0:06:56.720 --> 0:06:57.680 of the relevant ministers. 0:06:57.839 --> 0:07:00.719 A lot of towns in the South Island flooded in 0:07:00.800 --> 0:07:01.599 recent weeks. 0:07:01.640 --> 0:07:03.960 We've covered this a bit of on the podcast already. 0:07:04.480 --> 0:07:06.279 What do we need to do to kind of future 0:07:06.400 --> 0:07:09.000 proof towns like say Nelson and Tasman. 0:07:09.400 --> 0:07:12.680 We need to look at what investment we're making into 0:07:13.200 --> 0:07:17.320 our flood protection and resiliency projects. So the first round 0:07:17.480 --> 0:07:21.760 of regional infrastructure projects we're all around reinforcing floodbanks and 0:07:21.800 --> 0:07:24.440 stop banks and making sure we've got those protections in place. 0:07:24.880 --> 0:07:27.800 There are particularly vulnerable areas up and down the South Island. 0:07:27.800 --> 0:07:29.560 If you think of you on the West coast, you've 0:07:29.560 --> 0:07:31.720 got one road in and one road out, and if 0:07:31.720 --> 0:07:34.280 there are slips or there are access points cut off, 0:07:34.280 --> 0:07:36.080 that makes it very difficult to get around and live 0:07:36.120 --> 0:07:38.480 your life. And where I come from in South Canterbury, 0:07:38.800 --> 0:07:41.840 between Timor and christ Church, there's six bridges on State 0:07:41.880 --> 0:07:43.960 Highway one. If any one of those bridges goes out, 0:07:44.000 --> 0:07:46.080 then you've got a long detour and that's cost and 0:07:46.120 --> 0:07:50.080 time and good. So making sure we've got good, reliable infrastructure, 0:07:50.160 --> 0:07:52.560 making sure that we are planning properly and that we've 0:07:52.560 --> 0:07:54.920 got a pipeline of growth through our sort of thirty. 0:07:54.680 --> 0:07:55.840 Year infrastructure plans. 0:07:56.440 --> 0:07:58.360 But importantly to be able to pay for that, we 0:07:58.440 --> 0:08:00.360 have to have the economy to be able to do that. 0:08:00.440 --> 0:08:02.320 So you know, it's sort of a little bit chicken 0:08:02.360 --> 0:08:04.120 and egg. You want to invest in the infrastructure, but 0:08:04.120 --> 0:08:05.360 you've got to have the money to do that. To 0:08:05.400 --> 0:08:06.720 do that, you've got to get the growth. To get 0:08:06.760 --> 0:08:08.400 the growth, you've got to have the infrastructure, so you've 0:08:08.400 --> 0:08:09.240 got to do everything at once. 0:08:18.280 --> 0:08:21.160 And in terms of down South, I know my producer 0:08:21.240 --> 0:08:23.120 said that he knows a lot of people that have 0:08:23.520 --> 0:08:27.040 moved down south recently. He's only just heard of Selwyn 0:08:27.080 --> 0:08:30.720 in particular, which I've heard is booming for the last decade. 0:08:31.000 --> 0:08:34.240 But I mean in terms of these regions and people saying, hey, 0:08:34.360 --> 0:08:36.960 you know what, I don't want to spend one thousand 0:08:37.000 --> 0:08:39.000 dollars a week rent in Auckland. I want to go 0:08:39.040 --> 0:08:41.200 down south. I want to go to Ashburn and Timoru 0:08:41.320 --> 0:08:46.200 things like that. Is the South getting enough support from 0:08:46.320 --> 0:08:49.080 central government to cope with this boom? 0:08:49.559 --> 0:08:52.120 I think we could always have more Everyone could always 0:08:52.160 --> 0:08:55.280 have more support ever in the country, right, Like if 0:08:55.280 --> 0:08:57.840 we had an unlimited money tree, we would invest across 0:08:57.840 --> 0:08:59.640 the board, but we are limited as to what we 0:08:59.679 --> 0:09:02.640 can do. I think down South we get a good 0:09:02.640 --> 0:09:05.359 shake of the stick. I think we've got significant investments 0:09:05.480 --> 0:09:08.960 in large health projects, like in Dneina Nelson. We've got 0:09:08.960 --> 0:09:12.000 some substantial infrastructure projects coming in and around. You know, 0:09:12.040 --> 0:09:14.559 we're getting a second ash Burton Bridge finally, and there's 0:09:14.559 --> 0:09:16.600 a number of water projects going in and around two 0:09:16.800 --> 0:09:20.160 In terms of housing, you saw that Queenstown Lakes. 0:09:19.880 --> 0:09:21.679 Are the first ones off the board. 0:09:21.559 --> 0:09:23.800 For the regional deal and a lot of that will 0:09:23.800 --> 0:09:25.839 be to do with how do we support the infrastructure 0:09:25.840 --> 0:09:28.720 to facilitate more housing growth because, as you mentioned, eighty 0:09:28.720 --> 0:09:30.720 thousand people from the North Island moved to the South 0:09:30.720 --> 0:09:33.000 Island over the last five years. It's a really attractive 0:09:33.000 --> 0:09:37.040 place to come and live. Housing's affordable, lifestyle is great, 0:09:37.120 --> 0:09:41.520 the scenery is Amazingourage actually more Northolanders to move down. 0:09:41.559 --> 0:09:43.240 I will pick you up from the airport Cholsea and 0:09:43.240 --> 0:09:44.920 show you around and show you them open homes if 0:09:44.960 --> 0:09:45.880 you're willing to come down. 0:09:46.440 --> 0:09:49.720 God, you think that I have the money to purchase 0:09:49.760 --> 0:09:51.959 a property at the moment. That's nice. 0:09:51.960 --> 0:09:55.480 Well, speaking of things that I've seen on the internet, 0:09:55.840 --> 0:10:01.240 James is the Youth Minister required to participate in TikTok 0:10:01.400 --> 0:10:03.359 dances or was that a choice? 0:10:03.600 --> 0:10:04.599 It's not mandatory. 0:10:04.840 --> 0:10:08.240 But I'm always out there to advocate for and represent 0:10:08.440 --> 0:10:12.319 my constituents. So when you're out there in Pottydoo and 0:10:12.360 --> 0:10:15.720 you're talking with young people and youth organizations and they 0:10:15.760 --> 0:10:18.880 ask you to do a trend or a TikTok dance, 0:10:19.280 --> 0:10:22.160 you oblige right, and they promised me it wouldn't be difficult. 0:10:23.320 --> 0:10:25.920 We practiced a long time for that thirty second video, 0:10:25.960 --> 0:10:29.120 and I think, you know, if I came off moderately competent, 0:10:29.160 --> 0:10:30.319 I think that's a success. 0:10:30.679 --> 0:10:34.920 I could see you counting in your head during that. 0:10:35.280 --> 0:10:39.679 But I mean in terms of youth and that portfolio 0:10:39.800 --> 0:10:42.320 from your maidens speech, I can see that you have 0:10:42.400 --> 0:10:45.120 a passion for young people and to make sure that 0:10:45.160 --> 0:10:47.760 they get the best start in life, and your mom 0:10:47.880 --> 0:10:51.079 sounds like she was a huge part of that. How 0:10:51.080 --> 0:10:54.680 do we make sure the kids, perhaps with who don't 0:10:54.720 --> 0:10:57.800 have mothers like yours, get the best start in life. 0:10:57.960 --> 0:11:00.280 I think that's the point one of the key reasons 0:11:00.320 --> 0:11:03.680 that I'm in politics. It's because you know, I acknowledge 0:11:03.679 --> 0:11:05.400 that I was quite fortunate to have mum who drove 0:11:05.480 --> 0:11:07.520 us into education, who got us to school, and I 0:11:07.559 --> 0:11:09.560 know that not ever runs in that situation. So that 0:11:09.679 --> 0:11:13.320 is where your community, your neighborhood, and you know, even 0:11:13.360 --> 0:11:15.480 the state can step up and provide that kind of 0:11:15.480 --> 0:11:18.200 support that maybe some kids aren't fortunate enough to have 0:11:18.679 --> 0:11:19.640 in their households. 0:11:19.679 --> 0:11:21.439 And honestly, I think. 0:11:21.240 --> 0:11:22.680 One of the best ways we can do that is 0:11:22.760 --> 0:11:25.520 through the social investment approach, the idea that if we 0:11:26.160 --> 0:11:28.720 take the time to look about what actually works, to 0:11:28.760 --> 0:11:31.760 invest in the programs for young people early on, you 0:11:31.800 --> 0:11:33.440 can get the benefits in the low run, not only 0:11:33.480 --> 0:11:35.559 for the taxpayer in terms of money saved through the 0:11:35.600 --> 0:11:38.679 welfare system and through the health system and education, but 0:11:38.760 --> 0:11:41.200 also just to improve the well being and the outlooks 0:11:41.200 --> 0:11:43.360 for those young kids. I think that's really really important. 0:11:43.400 --> 0:11:46.400 So that's a key focus for me in my youth portfolio. 0:11:46.440 --> 0:11:48.800 We look at twelve to twenty four, so not quite 0:11:48.840 --> 0:11:50.880 at that bottom end, which is more of the education 0:11:50.960 --> 0:11:54.280 and health space. But I'm trying to refocus the department 0:11:54.679 --> 0:11:56.800 so that the funding that we do have can target 0:11:56.880 --> 0:12:00.160 those young people, getting them into employment and education. Looking 0:12:00.200 --> 0:12:02.760 at young parents as well, because if we don't support them, 0:12:03.040 --> 0:12:04.720 it's their children that are going to feel the brunt 0:12:04.720 --> 0:12:05.400 of it in the long run. 0:12:05.520 --> 0:12:08.200 How do we get twenty year olds to stay in 0:12:08.240 --> 0:12:10.640 New Zealand though, and not go off to Australia. 0:12:10.760 --> 0:12:12.880 The best thing we can do is to give them opportunities. 0:12:12.960 --> 0:12:14.840 And at the moment, you know, we've got a neighbor 0:12:15.360 --> 0:12:19.200 in Australia that is they're a very wealthy country and 0:12:19.240 --> 0:12:21.160 a very attractive place to go and work and to 0:12:21.200 --> 0:12:21.760 earn a living. 0:12:22.040 --> 0:12:23.719 It's not perfect over there. I know. 0:12:24.240 --> 0:12:26.680 I've got friends and relatives who have moved there for 0:12:26.760 --> 0:12:28.080 work and have buyers remorse. 0:12:28.120 --> 0:12:30.959 Sometimes there's nothing like working and living at home. 0:12:31.600 --> 0:12:34.720 But ultimately, we've got to create an economy where there 0:12:34.720 --> 0:12:35.360 are jobs and. 0:12:35.280 --> 0:12:36.640 Opportunities for young people. 0:12:37.040 --> 0:12:39.080 We've got to create a society where I think people 0:12:39.120 --> 0:12:41.840 feel supported and feel like they can raise a family 0:12:42.040 --> 0:12:44.760 and live in a safe, secure country. And all of 0:12:44.800 --> 0:12:47.239 that takes time. It's not going to be turned around overnight. 0:12:47.480 --> 0:12:49.880 And one of the things that Australia does have is 0:12:49.880 --> 0:12:52.920 that they've got an enormous amount of resources that they use, 0:12:53.320 --> 0:12:55.280 and I think we've got the same opportunity. We can 0:12:55.360 --> 0:12:58.360 do it in a sustainable, environmentally appropriate way and it's 0:12:58.400 --> 0:13:00.880 important for us for our tourism. But there is more 0:13:00.880 --> 0:13:03.520 we could do to encourage our resources sect or our 0:13:03.640 --> 0:13:07.199 energy sectors, our construction sectors to be able to keep 0:13:07.200 --> 0:13:09.079 those young people here in New Zealand. 0:13:09.559 --> 0:13:11.000 Are we doing enough at the moment. 0:13:12.040 --> 0:13:13.920 I think we're on the right track. I think we 0:13:13.960 --> 0:13:17.360 can always do more. It's challenging because you've got to 0:13:17.400 --> 0:13:21.160 have consensus across political parties and in the public for 0:13:21.280 --> 0:13:24.480 these kinds of projects, and if you move too far, 0:13:24.559 --> 0:13:28.199 too fast, it can create pushback, say with some sectors. 0:13:28.240 --> 0:13:30.440 So if we can't convince the public and take them 0:13:30.520 --> 0:13:32.000 with us that this is the right thing to do, 0:13:32.280 --> 0:13:34.360 and even convince some of our colleagues across the aisle 0:13:34.440 --> 0:13:39.080 that look, actually, we can do particular pieces of mining 0:13:39.120 --> 0:13:43.320 and resource extraction and constructing new dams and new hydro 0:13:43.640 --> 0:13:46.880 and new solar power in a way which still maintains 0:13:47.600 --> 0:13:51.000 extraordinary environmental outcomes. If we can convince them with that 0:13:51.080 --> 0:13:53.720 and make sure those projects are long lasting, then we 0:13:53.760 --> 0:13:55.559 can move a little bit more quickly. But we've got 0:13:55.600 --> 0:13:57.960 to do the groundwork first, and we're very much aware 0:13:57.960 --> 0:13:59.959 that not everyone is in the same space as were 0:14:03.360 --> 0:14:05.760 the same. Mister Goldsmith did outline very clearly our long 0:14:05.800 --> 0:14:07.760 held position on this bill and the reasons why we 0:14:07.800 --> 0:14:09.360 will vote for it to go to. 0:14:09.280 --> 0:14:11.200 A Slept Committee hearing, but no further. 0:14:11.840 --> 0:14:15.280 A coalition agreement with Act stipulates we will quote introduce 0:14:15.320 --> 0:14:18.640 a treaty principle's bill based on existing Act policy and 0:14:18.679 --> 0:14:21.280 support it to a Select committee as soon as practicable 0:14:22.040 --> 0:14:25.280 we will honor this commitment and support this bill to 0:14:25.440 --> 0:14:26.320 Select Committee. 0:14:26.920 --> 0:14:28.280 So Speaker, we will also. 0:14:28.120 --> 0:14:30.960 Honor our pre election commitment and vote against the bill 0:14:31.120 --> 0:14:32.520 at second reading. 0:14:36.200 --> 0:14:39.560 And now I was introduced to you through the Justice 0:14:39.560 --> 0:14:42.720 Select Committee. In my former life, I was a crime 0:14:42.760 --> 0:14:45.200 and Justice reporter, so I watched a couple of seasons 0:14:45.240 --> 0:14:49.760 of that and you oversaw the Treaty Principle's Bill chat. 0:14:50.120 --> 0:14:51.760 How was that? From your end? 0:14:52.480 --> 0:14:53.760 It was an interesting process. 0:14:53.800 --> 0:14:56.360 I find it interesting you describe the Justice Committee as 0:14:56.360 --> 0:14:57.960 a season like it's almost like a show. 0:14:58.520 --> 0:15:01.000 I'm not sure many people actually, he said there watched 0:15:01.000 --> 0:15:01.320 them all. 0:15:02.720 --> 0:15:05.200 Well, no one just watches them from season to season. 0:15:05.240 --> 0:15:07.440 That you did, I'm sure, But I mean the Treaty 0:15:07.440 --> 0:15:09.800 Principles Bill process was interesting because it was a real 0:15:10.480 --> 0:15:14.040 lesson in how select committees actually to get the work done. 0:15:14.160 --> 0:15:18.040 We have to generally work together across political parties. And 0:15:18.080 --> 0:15:19.800 if anyone out there is interested, they go back and 0:15:19.840 --> 0:15:22.960 read the Select Committee report. It's got an appendix that 0:15:23.000 --> 0:15:25.720 lists all the decisions that were made by the Select Committee, 0:15:26.000 --> 0:15:28.760 and by and large, they were all done unanimously. And 0:15:28.760 --> 0:15:31.120 that's because they all recognize whether or not you agreed 0:15:31.160 --> 0:15:34.240 with the bill or not. The number of submissions and 0:15:34.280 --> 0:15:36.480 the amount of work that needed to be undertaken meant 0:15:36.480 --> 0:15:38.280 that we had to work together to get the job done, 0:15:38.320 --> 0:15:40.360 and I think generally we did a pretty good job. 0:15:40.400 --> 0:15:44.600 I think we treated submitters with respect, We heard every 0:15:44.720 --> 0:15:46.760 kind of argument you could hear, and at the end 0:15:46.760 --> 0:15:48.800 of the day we produced a report that the Parliament 0:15:48.800 --> 0:15:51.400 went and voted on. So it was an interesting process. 0:15:51.440 --> 0:15:53.440 It was a good lesson in diplomacy. I'm sure the 0:15:53.480 --> 0:15:57.720 Parliament learned some lessons about how to run submissions, and 0:15:57.800 --> 0:16:01.200 I think we need to be looking at what the 0:16:01.240 --> 0:16:04.040 select committee process is and should be for in the future, 0:16:04.040 --> 0:16:06.200 because we're seeing a lot of submissions coming in that 0:16:06.320 --> 0:16:09.680 are one or two lines now, whereas that process, you know, 0:16:10.080 --> 0:16:13.240 generally is to try and improve an enhance and amen legislation, 0:16:13.320 --> 0:16:16.080 and it's not supposed to be an advocacy piece or 0:16:16.120 --> 0:16:19.120 a set piece for political actions. So I wonder whether 0:16:19.200 --> 0:16:21.200 or not we need to review what the purpose of 0:16:21.200 --> 0:16:24.200 select committees are so that we can maintain the public 0:16:24.240 --> 0:16:28.120 access into the legislative process without flooding the system so 0:16:28.200 --> 0:16:29.320 much that nothing can happen. 0:16:30.120 --> 0:16:32.520 So what are your future ambitions in Parliament. 0:16:33.120 --> 0:16:35.480 Well, I would love to stick around as a minister 0:16:35.560 --> 0:16:37.920 as much as possible. Obviously, we've got an electoral cycle, 0:16:38.080 --> 0:16:41.880 so very soon we'll probably move to you know, trying 0:16:41.920 --> 0:16:44.120 to convince the public to give us another three years 0:16:44.120 --> 0:16:45.240 to continue working on. 0:16:45.160 --> 0:16:46.800 This program, and I'd like to be a part of that. 0:16:46.920 --> 0:16:49.320 I'd like to continue being part of a government. I'd 0:16:49.320 --> 0:16:52.080 obviously take any opportunity in the ministry that the Prime 0:16:52.080 --> 0:16:54.800 Minister would present me with, but there are areas that 0:16:54.840 --> 0:16:57.680 I'm passionate about. I would love to assist Paul Goldsmith 0:16:57.720 --> 0:17:00.560 in the justice space in Erica, Stanford and Nugic. So 0:17:01.320 --> 0:17:03.880 part of the South Island portfolio which is really exciting 0:17:03.880 --> 0:17:05.320 to me is that I can do that. I can 0:17:05.359 --> 0:17:07.919 go out and visit schools on behalf of Erica and 0:17:08.000 --> 0:17:10.280 feedback to them what the education needs are in the 0:17:10.320 --> 0:17:14.400 South Island. I can meet with corrections and police around 0:17:14.520 --> 0:17:16.720 the South Island and see where there are places we 0:17:16.760 --> 0:17:19.960 can improve our performance in and around maybe Central Targo 0:17:20.080 --> 0:17:22.960 or up in Nelson. So I'm just really enthusiastic about 0:17:22.960 --> 0:17:25.080 continuing to try and make a positive difference to the 0:17:25.080 --> 0:17:27.240 country and if I can do that as long as possible, 0:17:27.520 --> 0:17:28.080 they'd be great. 0:17:28.200 --> 0:17:30.760 A lot of chat after your maiden speech. Actually, what 0:17:30.800 --> 0:17:32.560 do you make of that when people say you have 0:17:32.600 --> 0:17:34.960 the potential to become a prime minister of this country 0:17:34.960 --> 0:17:35.440 one day. 0:17:36.280 --> 0:17:42.200 Well, I think that's all very premature and probably designed 0:17:42.240 --> 0:17:46.400 to click a few headlines here and there. Ultimately, I'm 0:17:46.400 --> 0:17:49.720 really proud to be the MP for Rangatata. I love 0:17:49.840 --> 0:17:51.560 where I come from. I come from Timur. I'm very 0:17:51.600 --> 0:17:53.440 proud of it. It's the rivi Era of the South. 0:17:53.520 --> 0:17:57.119 It's got the country's best hat water. It is a 0:17:57.160 --> 0:17:58.680 great place to grow up and live, and I'm really 0:17:58.720 --> 0:18:00.760