12. Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
What is the framework within which decisions are made regarding new housing?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Labour) Link to this
Decisions on new housing are made within the framework of a council’s district plan. A district plan is developed through a public process. It sets out the environmental issues for the city or district, and identifies area or zone-specific objectives, policies, and methods to address them. Depending on the plan’s provision, a resource consent may be required.
I have seen a report that details a meeting at which the Mayor of Waitakere City was threatened that “he could expect trouble” unless the council approved consents for a new Titirangi house. That threat was made by Tim Groser, National member of Parliament, at a public meeting hosted by John Key. Here is yet another example of John Key not caring how his MPs behave, while they blow smoke in the face of the public and due process. At the same meeting Tau Henare said that everything would be simpler if everyone was required to use user-pays.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister’s concluding remarks were impossible to hear in this part of the House.
Madam SPEAKERWould the Minister please do that. I remind Ministers and members that answers should address the question and questions should relate to ministerial responsibility.
Tim Groser, a National member of Parliament, threatened the Mayor of Waitakere City at a public meeting hosted by John Key. It was the same meeting at which Tau Henare said that everything would be simpler—
Please be seated. David Bennett, Paula Bennett, and Sandra Goudie are warned. I can hear your voices. It is probably unfortunate that you have louder voices than others. I accept that, and it is why you are still in the Chamber. But please make your contributions a little lower.
The threat to the Mayor of Waitakere City, which was that he could expect trouble unless the council approved consents for the new Titirangi house, was made by Tim Groser, a National member of Parliament, at a public meeting hosted by John Key. It was the same meeting at which Tau Henare said that everything would be simpler for everyone if everything was user-pays.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
What credibility should the House give to claims made by Bob Harvey, the Mayor of Waitakere City, when the High Court found his conduct in respect of the Resource Management Act and Whangamata to be quite unreasonable and the Minister who has made the assertions has a conviction for drinking and driving, which is something Mr Groser has never had?
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. You allowed Ruth Dyson to get to her feet and make accusations about the personal conduct—
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
—which has nothing to do with ministerial responsibilities—of Mr Groser in his application to build a house in Waitakere City. For you to allow that, then to say: “Oh!”—but for me to somehow question the credibility of Bob Harvey, who we all know is a Labour Party hack—
I am quite happy for the Minister to answer the question. As I had heard it before, reports were called for. As we know, we have been through this with rulings, and that is permissible. But would the Minister please address the question.
There are two points I would like to make in reply to the supplementary question. The first is that none of the information in the report I am relying on was received from Bob Harvey. The threat was made to Bob Harvey, and nothing in my report came from him. The second point relates to both his integrity and mine. Neither of us have been charged and convicted of contempt of court.