Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill

Tuesday 16 November 2010; 5.30pm

Rahui Katene, MP for Te Tai Tonga

This bill establishes a Rugby World Cup Authority to enable applications for activities or facilities necessary for the proper conduct of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup to be determined efficiently.

In doing so, the intention is honourable – and commendable. It is designed to support the smooth and expedient administration of Rugby World Cup activities.

That in itself is great.

And I do want to acknowledge the initiative taken last week by our co-leader, Dr Pita Sharples, in launching the Māori artwork that will feature on official Rugby World Cup 2011 merchandise next year.

It was a great honour to host the Minister and the collective of Māori professional designers responsible for the collection of eleven designs at our marae in Porirua, Takapuwahia.

I would really encourage Members to look into the work of these six young Māori artists, five of which are from Ngā Aho Inc, who will achieve international recognition, I believe, for the Rugby World Cup Māori Art Programme derived from their talents.

And I want to just reiterate some comments the Minister made at that launch:

“The Rugby World Cup is not just about the rugby. It’s also about the economic and commercial benefits to our country and our people, and that’s the kaupapa of today’s celebrations

This is a very important statement – a statement which I believe to be critical to the successful implementation of this Bill.

Now the amazing environment at Takapuwahia last week seemed to me an utter contrast to some of the issues that we have raised in previous readings of this Bill.

As has been well debated, the Bill speeds up the consenting process for Rugby World Cup related facilities and activities, and allows for special Rugby World Cup liquor licences.

This has always been an issue for us – and indeed the general public.

Our greatest concern is that the much lauded new flexibility might lend itself to an increase in ‘beer tents’ for party goers or a relaxed environment in which to entice excessive alcohol-induced behaviours from foreign tour parties coming along to support their team.

We have been keen to ensure appropriate management to avoid public disturbances or mass arrests from the specific liquor licensing requirements.

And I do have to raise a concern that we might be placing so much emphasis on liquor licensing to allow people the opportunity to become inebriated while watching the rugby, whereas for a significant sector of our population, simply getting to the game itself will be an issue.

We have spoken about the need for the Rugby World Cup to be accessible and leave New Zealand with a legacy of accessible infrastructure for the growing access tourism market.

And I want to refer to our partners across the ditch, who have led the way in respect of access tourism.

Australia was left with a legacy of an accessible environment after it hosted the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. Australia now has the ability to cater for the growing access tourism market, estimated to be worth $A4.8 billion a year. The access tourism market in New Zealand is estimated to be worth $NZ1 billion a year.

Access tourism is tourism, travel, and hospitality which takes account of the access needs of all people with permanent or temporary disabilities, older people, and anyone else who needs improved access (such as parents with prams). Access tourism presents a major economic opportunity and is growing in popularity in many parts of the world because of increasing numbers of post World War II baby boomers wishing to travel who are ageing and therefore experiencing a degree of disability.

An accessible event needs to be accessible at every point of the journey. It starts with being able to confidently book on-line in the knowledge that the details on accessibility are reliable and consistent. Poor information acts as a barrier and discourages people with access needs to travel. Every aspect of transport and accommodation, as well as the event itself, need to be accessible.

So, finally, the opportunity exists with the Rugby World Cup to create an accessible environment for all to enjoy a great game of rugby.

It creates an opportunity for indigenous people and commercial entities to work together to produce authentic and exclusive indigenous product which can market our nation to the globe.

Māori have a strong history of supporting and participating in rugby.

We did have some concerns around our belief that alcohol is already playing too prominent a role in the World Cup and also our concern that the Minister for the Rugby World Cup has too much power under the bill but we will support this third reading.

ENDS

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