4. RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister with responsibility for Auckland Issues
Does she support a vibrant Auckland City; if so, what has she done to achieve this?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
Mention the word vibrant and I rise to the challenge.
Keith LockeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. There are a number of Auckland members in Cabinet who are available to answer this question. Would it not be appropriate—
Madam SPEAKERThe member has been here long enough to know that the Government determines who addresses a question.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
On behalf of the Minister with responsibility for Auckland Issues, I say that, yes, she continues to work with Auckland leaders, and, indeed, leaders working with Auckland, to ensure that Auckland succeeds as a vibrant and sustainable world-class city.
In light of the Minister’s work with the leaders of Auckland, does she believe that the Auckland City Council’s plan to ban billboards from the central business district encourages Auckland to be a vibrant city; if so, what is her advice to those who have invested in central Auckland buildings on the basis of existing-use rights for billboard sites, and who will have those rights—and perhaps millions of dollars of value—wiped out overnight by the Auckland City Council?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The Minister provides support for Auckland. She does not run a running commentary on every issue that arises in Auckland, which is a matter for the local authority.
Dr Wayne MappI ask a supplementary question to, apparently, the real Minister with responsibility for Auckland Issues.
Can the Leader of the House advise whether the Minister who holds the title of Minister with responsibility for Auckland Issues is right now using her immense influence as Minister to ensure that there will in fact be legislation some time this year on regional governance for Auckland?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I am not aware of whether, at this particular moment, the Minister is doing that, but I can assure the member that the Minister is taking a close interest and was present at the Auckland Mayoral Forum last Friday, where these matters were discussed.
Does the Minister accept that there is overcrowding on Auckland passenger trains, that orders for new trains need to be put in urgently, and that it would be a waste of money if the trains were diesel rather than electric because there is not yet an agreement on electrification; and when will there be an announcement on a timetable for electrification and on appropriate funding?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
If I could explain, trains consist of locomotives and carriages; one can run more passengers in more carriages with the same locomotive. Secondly, it is possible for more trains to not necessarily be electric. Even if a decision was taken right now, at 17 minutes to 3, it would be some years before the Auckland rail line was electrified. It is not just a matter of putting wires over the top. There is a lot more to electrification than that. There would probably still be some requirement for replacement locomotives before electrics could be run.
Noting the Minister’s judicious use of her powers of commentary, is she concerned that the actions of the Auckland City Council to ban businesses from advertising in the central business district will overturn property rights and cost the local economy hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars; and is she satisfied that the “vibrancy” of Auckland City will be enhanced so greatly—by exposing the buildings behind the billboards—as to justify such a cost?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
What I am sure the Minister is aware of is that later this year the electors of Auckland will be able to cast their own judgment on these matters, which is a proper part of a democratic process.
Does the Minister accept that what the Auckland Regional Transport Authority needs is a timetable established for electrification so that the authority can make advance orders and that otherwise it will have to make advance orders for diesel locomotives, whereas if a timetable for electrification were announced now, the authority could advance-order electric locomotives?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
If the member heard what I said previously, given the pressure on rail transport it is perfectly possible that there will need to be diesel locomotives, even if a decision were taken now. I might note that if full ordinary Resource Management Act processes are used, and a decision was announced at this time to electrify, it would probably be something like 6 years before electrification was complete.