Report

 

A delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association visited New Zealand from December 13-18, 2009.  Mr. Merv Tweed, MP led the delegation composed of Hon. Terry Mercer, Senator; Hon. Richard Neufeld, Senator; Hon. Anita Neville, PC, MP; Carole Freeman, MP; Pat Martin, MP and Ed Holder, MP.   The delegation was assisted by Stephanie Bond, Executive Secretary of the Branch.

The CPA constitution encourages visits between member countries with the objective of giving parliamentarians the opportunity to trade views and to discuss matters of common interest in bilateral relations and issues within the international Commonwealth organization.  A key objective of the visit to New Zealand was to examine the differences between the Canadian and New Zealand parliamentary systems.  New Zealand’s House of Representatives is elected using the mixed member proportional representation (MMP) voting system.   Each elector has two votes: one for a local Member of Parliament and one for a preferred political party. Political parties are represented in Parliament in proportion to the share of votes each party won in the party vote in the general election.  The characteristics, benefits and challenges of the MMP system were discussed throughout the visit.  The delegation explored mechanisms for building institutional capacity and individual parliamentarian’s capacities and mechanisms for strengthening the financial scrutiny of the executive branch.  Discussions also focused on the role of opposition parties and MPs in Parliament and committee work in the mixed member proportional representation system.

The Canadian branch of the CPA is committed to strengthening our relative positions within the association.  Meetings with members of the CPA New Zealand Branch provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the future direction of the CPA.  Discussions also aided in building a consensus approach to addressing CPA issues prior to the 56^th Annual CPA Conference in Kenya in 2010. 

The delegation focused on many export and trade issues with emphasis on agriculture and food products. A wide variety of topics were discussed including energy development and climate change, currency reform, aboriginal issues, poverty reduction and social policy. 

The official visit to New Zealand began in Rotorua upon transfer from Auckland International Airport. The first meeting of the delegation’s official visit was with Mr. Te Taru White, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute Te Puia.  After providing the delegation an explanation of the Institute, Mr. White led the delegation on a visit of the national carving and weaving schools before showing them the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.  The delegation found the similarities between the history and symbolism of Māori and the First Nations of Canada very striking.

In Rotorua, the delegation attended a Mitai Maori cultural performance with Hon. Steve Chadwick MP.  Hon Steve Chadwick MP provided an overview of the role of list members in the New Zealand Parliament.

The delegation visited the dairy farm of Lloyd and Olwyn Downing in Morrinsville. Mr. Phil Journeaux from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry briefed the delegation on dairy operations of the farm and discussed practicalities of the dairy market, exports, and government involvement in the industry.  The lack of marketing boards in New Zealand, inspection standards, quality control, disease control, traceability and subsidies were discussed.  The delegation was very interested in the farmer’s views on government subsidies. 

In Hamilton, the delegation was welcomed by Tukoroirangi Morgan, former Member of Parliament; and Chair of Waikato-Tainui Te Kauhanganui Incorporated .  Mr. Morgan gave a presentation on Tainui development and their progress since the land settlement with the Crown in 1995.  The presentation covered a wide range of the tribe’s planned initiatives in the areas of health, education, preservation of culture and financial security.  At the conclusion of the presentation, Mr. Morgan took the delegation on a tour of the commercial assets owned by the corporation.   The delegation was interested in the tribe’s establishment as a business in order to ensure all Tainui benefit from the land settlement.   The challenges of the Maori people were discussed as were the similarities to Canada’s First Nation’s communities. 

Upon arrival in Hamilton, the delegation met with David Bennett, MP from Hamilton East.  Mr. Bennett provided an overview of the Hamilton area and discussed his role as an electorate member of Parliament.

Upon arrival in Wellington, the delegation received a briefing from the Canadian High Commission.  Caroline Chrétien, High Commissioner of New Zealand; Pamela Deacon, Counsellor, David Parrish, Political and Economic Assistant, Kate Starkey, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate and Trade Office of Canada, Auckland provided an overview of Canada-New Zealand Relations.  The briefing touched on recent bilateral visits, trade relations, potential trade irritants, free trade agreements, supply management, the electoral system, Maori representation in Parliament and Canada and New Zealand’s membership on multilateral organizations.

Following observation of Question Time and official recognition in the Chamber, the delegation conducted individual meetings on specific areas of interest.

Pat Martin, MP met with Marie Pallot, Policy Managers, Policy Advice Division, Inland Revenue Department  on the issue of GST and Alan Boaden, Head of Currency, Reserve Bank of New Zealand on the issue of currency reform.

Hon. Richard Neufeld, Senator met with Dr. Richard Hawke, Manager, Energy and the Environment Group, Minister of Economic Development on the topic of energy development.

Hon. Anita Neville, PC, MP met with Sarah Turner, General Manager, Policy and Sonya Rimene, Kaihautu from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs on gender issues and Maori rights.

Hon. Terry Mercer, Senator discussed medical devices strategy with Dr. Sandy Dawson, Chief Clinical Advisor, Susan Martindale, Business Development Team and Sheila Girvan, Senior Analyst from the Ministry of Health.

Carole Freeman, MP explored the topics of electoral system and reform and the parliamentary system with David Henry, Chief Executive, Electoral Commission and David Bagnall, Senior Parliamentary Officer.

Merv Tweed, MP and Ed Holder, MP met with Mark Sinclair, Chief Negotiator, Free Trade Unit, MFAT on the issues of the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP), New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with China, labour mobility and the potential for increasing trade between Canada and New Zealand. 

Following the individual meetings, the delegates participated in a discussion on the role of the opposition in the 49^th Parliament with Hon. Darren Hughes, MP, Senior Whip of the Labour Party.  Mr. Hughes also serves as the Chair of the Canada- New Zealand Friendship Group. Mr. Hughes explained New Zealand’s system of MMP, proxy voting in the House, the participation of the Opposition in select committees, the current coalition agreements in New Zealand and the workings of Government.

Honourable Dr. Lockwood Smith MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives hosted a dinner for the visiting delegation.  In attendance were Caroline Chrétien, High Commissioner to New Zealand; Shane Ardern, MP, CPA Permanent Representative; Paul Hutchison, MP; Sue Moroney, MP and Rafael Gonzalez-Montero, CPA Regional Secretary, Pacific Region. 

Mary Harris, Clerk of the House of Representatives met with the delegation.  Topics discussed included the appointment and role of the Clerk; the process of passing legislation through the House and committees; the select committee role in a unicameral parliament; private members’ business; the process of calling for and hearing of public submissions to bills before committees; the time limits for debate speeches in the House; the move to more ‘family friendly’ House sitting hours; Maori representation in Parliament and the role of the Senate in Canada.

Hon. Dr. Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of New Zealand CPA Branch met with the delegation for a courtesy call.  Hon. Dr Lockwood Smith spoke to the delegation about the transition from the First Past the Post (FPP) to Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral systems.  The Speaker provided the delegation with insight into the establishment of the MMP system from his personal experience since his election in 1984.  The Speaker and the delegation contrasted the benefits and challenges of both Canada and New Zealand’s electoral systems.  The delegation also inquired into the Speaker’s thoughts on future changes to the New Zealand electoral system.

The delegation met with Hon. Chris Carter MP, Opposition Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs. The discussion surrounded the similarities between New Zealand and Canadian nationhood, as well as trade and working holiday schemes.  Mr. Carter commended Canada on its multiculturalism and leadership in human rights.  The need for increased and liberalized trade was discussed.

The Government Administration Committee allocated time during their committee meeting to welcome the delegation and to discuss their role in the financial scrutiny of State services agencies.  During the meeting Deputy Chair of the Committee, Jaqui Dean MP, provided a brief explanation of the E-Committee system from Members’ perspective.

Lynne Edmonson, Senior Parliamentary Officer (Education and Research) and Ian Pickersgill (manager Party and Member Support) gave a presentation on the joint initiatives delivered for the orientation and ongoing training of members of Parliament. 

The delegation attended a luncheon hosted by the New Zealand-Canada Friendship Group.  Members in attendance included Hon. Darren Hughes, MP, Chair of the New Zealand- Canada Friendship Group; Chris Hipkins, MP; Moana Mackey, MP; Stuart Nash, MP; Dr. Rajen Prasad MP; and Lindsay Tisch, MP.

Clerk-Assistant (Select Committee), David Wilson, gave the delegation a thorough presentation on the select committee process that was developed after the introduction of MMP and the importance of the committee system in the New Zealand unicameral structure.

Professor Nigel Roberts, from the Victoria University of Wellington School of Political Science, provided the delegation with briefing on the history of the New Zealand electoral system, coalition government, MMP and voter trends. 

The delegation met with Chris Tremain, MP, National Party Chief Whip and John Boscawen, MP, ACT Party Whip to discuss the current government coalition arrangement. New Zealand’s history of confidence and supply agreements between parties was discussed.  Mr. Tremain explained the day-to-day negotiations that take place between the Whips from the Government and their support partners.

The delegation participated in a roundtable with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the topics of Bilateral Relationship and Trade; Defence; Commonwealth/UN and Climate Change.  Officials in attendance included David Taylor, Director America Division, MFAT; Paul Sinclair, Head of International Defence Relations, Ministry of Defence; Nik Kiddle, Deputy DIrecotry, United Nations, Human Rights and Commonwealth Division, MFAT, Stuart Dymond, Senior Policy Officer, Environment Division, MFAT and Erin Duncan, Policy Officer, Americas Division, MFAT. Also present at the roundtable discussion was Caroline Chrétien, Canadian High Commissioner to New Zealand, and Andrew Needs, High Commissioner Designate to Canada.  Following substantive briefings on each of the topics, discussions ensued on bilateral relations, climate change, supply management, deregulation of the agricultural sector, defence relations, NATO, Afghanistan, human rights and membership in the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

Following the roundtable discussion, the delegation returned to Auckland.  In Auckland, the delegation attended a reception hosted by the Canada-New Zealand Business Association.  CANZBA is an organisation that exists to promote and facilitate contact, communication, trade, technology transfer, services, and investment between Canada and New Zealand.  The reception was attended by representatives of several industries with trade interests in Canada.  CANZBA members in attendance included the following businesses: Agmen-Smith & Co; American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand inc; Baldwins; Brian Plimmer; Burnard International Ltd; D.A. Leith, Freight Consultant; Diversified Investment Strategies Ltd; Energy Efficient Homes Ltd; Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited; Greenbizcheck; I.E.P. NZ Ltd t/a International Exchange Programs; Insight Systems; McApples Enterprises Ltd; Methanex New Zealand Ltd; Morton Estate Wines Ltd;New Zealand Post Ltd; SB2 International Ventures Limited; Sealegs Corporation; Strategy Inc.; SB2 International Ventures Limited; Tentpole Holdings; University of Auckland and BB’s Beads – Treasure Isle. The CANZBA members and the delegates were extremely interested in discussing trade and other bilateral issues with a view to expanding the bilateral relationship further.

The delegation met with Lynne Pillay, MP, at her electorate office in Waitakere City, Auckland, where the Canadian members were able to visit a constituency office and examine the resources available to Members of Parliament in New Zealand.  Ms. Pillay explained the process of Private Members’ bills in the House and in particular the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill, which she sponsored.  Following the discussion, Ms. Pillay escorted the delegation to the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Park, the area which is now a protected heritage site as a result of her Private Member’s Bill. 

In conclusion, the members of the delegation wish to extend their sincere thanks to the Hon. Dr. Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives; the parliamentarians and staff of the House of Representatives for their active participation in the development and implementation of the program and their generous hospitality throughout the visit.  The delegation would also like to thank Caroline, Chrétien, High Commissioner of New Zealand; Pamela Deacon, Counsellor, David Parrish, Political and Economic Assistant, Kate Starkey, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate and Trade Office of Canada, Auckland for their assistance in the organization of the official visit.

 

Respectfully submitted,