Introduced on March 18, 2020 the Bill provides a mechanism for the Executive and the House to consider, and, if they think fit, respond to, a declaration of inconsistency made under the NZ Bill of Rights Act or the Human Rights Act. First reading on May 27 and referred to the Privileges Committee, opposed by National. Report back due by March 4, 2021. Reported back on Sept 30 with minor changes and National now accepting it is a worthwhile piece of legislation. Second reading May 11 with all parties in favour. Committee stage Aug 2 and third reading on Aug with no opposition  New Zealand Bill of Rights (Declarations of Inconsistency) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of James Shaw drawn from the ballot on Dec 19. The bill proposes to make the right to a sustainable environment a right under the NZ Bill of Rights Act. First reading on April 10 and voted down by National, Act and NZ First.

New Zealand Bill of Rights (Right to Sustainable Environment) Amendment Bill

This bill introduced on March 31 enables certain entities (including corporate and public entities or unincorporated entities) to get  a New Zealand Business Number and to be registered to a New Zealand Business Number register. The bill received its first reading on May 5 with the Govt saying it hoped the business number would reduce red tape costs by giving businesses one way of interacting with the Govt. Opposition MPs said the bill has good intent, but feared it would just add to red tape. The bill was referred to the Commerce Committee for consideration. Reported back with minor amendments on September 29 with even Government MPs wondering if it will be effective and Labour MPs arguing it would increase compliance costs for no foreseeable benefit with vague plans for implementation. Second reading interrupted on December 3 and again interrupted on February 16, before being completed on a voice vote on March 9. Committee stage completed on March 30 with general agreement. An opposition amendment saying departments must use the NZBN was defeated.  Third reading completed on April 12 with just NZ First opposed. During the third reading debate the Govt said it would be getting departments and agencies to use the Business Number through a set of whole-of-Government directions to be released in the coming months. The bill passed with just NZ First opposed. New Zealand Business Number Bill

Given its first reading on March 13 the bill sets up a process for holding of two postal referendums on the New Zealand Flag. The first will determine which alternative flag design is preferred by voters, and the second will determine whether that alternative flag or the current flag is to be the New Zealand Flag. Sent to the Justice and Electoral Committee for consideration with a report back date of July 29. Opposed by Labour and NZ First. Reported back from select committee on June 29 with Labour issuing a minority report saying it was not necessarily against changing the flag, but objected to the process. Completed its second reading on July 28 with Labour, Greens and NZ First voting against with the Government giving the bill a high priority. Committee stage interrupted on July 29 with the Government indicated the bill’s passage will be given priority. Third reading completed on August 13 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in favour.  New Zealand Flag Referendums Bill

Introduced on December 1. The bill, amongst other things, allows horticultural grower groups operating under the Act to develop more flexible and targeted export marketing strategies and clarifies the powers of product groups to collect fees and levies to fund their export marketing strategies. Completed its first reading on March 29 with the agreement of all parties. The bill was sent to the Primary Production Committee for consideration with a report back due on September 29. Reported back from Select Committee on August 31 with minor amendments. Second reading completed on October 18 with all parties in agreement. Committee stage completed on November 15 with no major change. Passed third reading on December 6 with all parties in support.  New Zealand Horticultural Export Authority Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 8 and given first reading on April 11 with all parties in favour. The bill establishes the Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga as an autonomous Crown entity, with the purpose of co-ordinating, developing, and promoting infrastructure planning and construction. Referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee with a report due back by Aug 26. Reported back on Aug 23 with only minor changes including giving the Commission more powers to require information from local authorities. Second reading Sept 10, committee stage Sept 18, third reading Sept 24 all parties in support. New Zealand Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga Bill

A Member’s Bill drawn from the ballot on March 19 in the name of NZ First MP Tracey Martin. The Bill would repeal the New Zealand International Convention Centre Act 2013. First reading debate held on July 22 with the bill struck down by 61 to 60 with National, ACT and United Future opposed. New Zealand International Convention Centre Act 2013 Repeal Bill

Introduced on Jan 25. The bill repeals the NZ Productivity Commission Act 2010 and disestablishes the NZ Productivity Commission. It is intended that the $6m saved will go towards setting up a Ministry of Regulation. First and second reading completed under Urgency on Jan 30 supported by National, Act and NZ First. Committee stage on Jan 31 and third reading on Feb 1. No change in parties’ positions.

New Zealand Productivity Commission Act Repeal Bill

Introduced on Feb 13. Repeals the exclusion of resident family members from being paid for providing funded family care and support services and the prohibition of claims to the Human Rights Commission about family care policies. First reading on Feb 19 supported by all parties and referred to the Health Committee. Reported back on July 24 and passed through all remaining stages under Urgency on Aug 4 with the agreement of all parties. New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill

Bill in the name of NZ First MP Mark Patterson drawn from the ballot and introduced on Oct 18. This bill proposes raising the minimum residency qualification for NZ Superannuation from 10 years to 20 years after age 20. First reading on July 1 and referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, opposed by the Greens. Report back extended from March 23 to May 4. The Bill is now in the name of National’s Andrew Bayly. Reported back on May 4 with the Bill supported to pass with a number of amendments. Most notably phasing in the move from 10 years to 20 years and softening the blow for the realm nations. The Greens remain opposed. Committee stage complete on Aug 4 with one major change in that the phase out process will not begin until 2023. Third reading on Nov 10 with the Greens and Maori Party opposed. New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill