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Call on private and local order of the day. Number two Sullivan Birth registration bill. Third reading. Uh, Mr Speaker, I move that the Sullivan Boo registration bill. Be now. Be now. Read a third time to begin proceedings tonight. I want to thank on behalf of Rowan and Doreen and myself as the sponsoring MP the office of the Clerk and specifically Tim Workman [00:00:30] for the assistance given to ensure we both understood and complied with the requirements of progressing a private bill through this house. What could otherwise have been a daunting and exhausting process was, in fact, a simple and methodical process for the bill to be introduced and then to progress systematically through our House of Parliament. In that progression through this house, I want to again thank my colleague, the Honourable Ruth Dyson as chair and members [00:01:00] of the Government Administration Select Committee for the Professional and Caring Manner in which they conducted the progression of Rowan's bill. This private bill was, by definition, incredibly private to Rowan, Doreen and their family and to know that they have been empowered through the process of sharing their life story is something that this house should celebrate and be proud of. Finally, I thank all members of this 50th parliament. [00:01:30] We have consensus on this bill, which means we have not been required to vote. That, too, is something to acknowledge, celebrate and be thankful for again. On behalf of Rowan, Doreen, their family and friends and myself, I thank my colleagues for their collective support for this bill. Mr. Speaker, this bill exemplifies why we have private bills. It is about addressing the special circumstances of an individual situation [00:02:00] that doesn't come under the general law. And this bill does exactly that. This bill is the select Committee members have recognised allows Rowan Sullivan to have her family formally recorded on the very documents that are used to confirm who she is and to quote the Select committee report to make what is a matter of fact, a matter of law. While this bill is specific to the circumstances of Rowan and her parents, [00:02:30] Diane Sullivan and Doreen Shields, it does highlight how important it is to allow people to identify themselves with reference to their family. We have a number of antiquated laws on our books that reflect society in a bygone era. Our marriage act had been applied as society existed in 1955 and with the 2013 Amendment. It now embraces the reality of relationships in respect of the state's role, [00:03:00] which is to issue licences. And this private bill has highlighted the inability of the 1955 Adoption Act to properly reflect the reality of families. Today. An adoption order that would result in Rowan having her living parents on her birth certificate meant her recently deceased birth mother could not remain as her mother on her formal birth certificate. Her birth documents such a cruel action will be righted by this private bill, [00:03:30] But it emphasises the need to look at the Law Commission's 2000 report and the subsequent proceedings filed in the Human Rights Review Tribunal and for there to be a united approach across this house to address the many situations that do not fit into into the 1955 societal model. We all know someone who has been affected in some way by the, uh, operation of the adoption laws. It is [00:04:00] time now for a comprehensive review that puts the child at the forefront of adoption decisions and recognises the importance of being able to stand firm in the knowledge of who you are and who your family are. I thank my colleagues in the house who have taken the time to understand Rowan, Dianne and Dorian situation and to acknowledge the importance of their family unit being recognised officially in all things that Roan does from [00:04:30] now into the future. I have been very proud to sponsor this bill and proud that this house can take steps that can make a difference to this family and particularly to the memory of Diane that will not just be confined to the efforts of Dorian and Rowan alone, but will always be a formal part of their story. Doreen and Rowan, who are here tonight, have asked me to add their thanks and in Doreen's words, and I quote, [00:05:00] we didn't expect many people to be interested in our story, and we've been profoundly moved by the sympathy and support we've received. When Diane was diagnosed with cancer, they gave her two years at best. She fought and suffered for almost four years because she wanted so desperately to be there for our daughter. Rowan shouldn't have someone who loved her so much erased from her history on behalf of Diane and [00:05:30] her family back in Yorkshire. Thank you for giving Rowan her mum back. After 21 years, she finally has both her parents and the final word. Mr. Speaker must go to Rowan and I quote having my mom's name taken off my birth certificate was hard. It was a horrible thing to do to someone who really wanted to have me and love me so much. This was never really about me. All I ever wanted was to honour [00:06:00] and acknowledge my mom. The question is that the motion be agreed to Chris Ock Speaker Thank you, Mr Speaker. And indeed, uh, in relation to this bill. It's a great pleasure to follow from Louisa uh Walz, who has so championed the bill during its passage through the house. And it's great to be here [00:06:30] now, with the third reading of this bill approaching closure for one Rowan Sullivan's journey through a labour forensic experience of battling through a miasmic maze of legislative procedure for her, for for the for family to be so gracious as to pass on the comments that Louise uh carried [00:07:00] for them as Luisa carried for them is a tremendous tribute to the love they have for, uh, Louis, uh, for Roan's natural mother. They have done it for someone who actually isn't here anymore, but who, uh, would nonetheless take great satisfaction and comfort from knowing that true love has its way. It's not, though, Mr Speaker [00:07:30] an unduly complex legislative situation that Rowan faced because, as Rowan and her family explained to the select committee when we met them and to Louisa, uh, who championed the bill for her within Parliament, the situation that surrounded her family was complex was complex. And I want at this stage, Mr Speaker, just to reflect briefly on our role as parliamentarians [00:08:00] in assisting individual people with complex situations. Because I think when the bill was initially introduced, there was some feeling that it's quite a narrow bill. It has a limited level of interest. It won't affect very many people or worse. Will it set precedent And all those sorts of legislative, uh uh, questions. We ask about things in the normal process of a bill. But III, I think we are here, Mr [00:08:30] Speaker, and this is a good example of assisting someone in a, uh, similar uh uh, II. I guess in a complex situation, not of their own making, because there was no way in the world anybody else could address this particular situation. But I recall a take home comment from a constituent in the West Coast, Mr Speaker, who was having a problem with his immigration status at the time. [00:09:00] This was in 2005, and he was told his situation was complex, which is why he was experiencing delays in response from the immigration services. He appealed to me as an MP with a question, and this is the take home message that I got from it. His question was, do government departments in New Zealand [00:09:30] only do simple things? And I guess when we heard that this was a complex situation, I remembered that, and I thought, Well, here's a good opportunity, uh, to get involved in something that isn't just simple. And that was in 2005, and there have been considerable advances in immigration services, uh, since then and indeed every other branch of the public service, as I'm sure Mr Twyford would agree, [00:10:00] you know, in in quite recently, uh, I understand an award was given to AC C, uh, to the office there, following a survey of client satisfaction that showed an overwhelming positive response. And that's a good thing, uh, to hear about and a good thing to happen. Similarly, Mr Speaker, with this particular bill, I think there has been a very good response and a good result. And it's been a pleasure to be part of the committee, uh, under [00:10:30] the chairmanship of Honourable Ruth Dyson, uh, to reach this point. So let's get back to Roan's complex situation for members who haven't been directly involved and the circumstances that the Government Administration Select Committee set itself to resolve along with the government departments involved. And I'll just go through if I may, some key background points for members so that they can understand the seeming complexity [00:11:00] Rowan Sullivan and and my apologies to members of the family have got to hear it. You gay, you're gay. However, Rowan Sullivan's parents from birth were Diane Sullivan, her birth mother, and Diane Sullivan's female partner, Doreen Shields. Diane Sullivan died in 2010, when Roan was 17 years old. Doreen Shields chose not to adopt Rowan, while [00:11:30] Diane Sullivan was still alive, as this would have required the removal of Diane Sullivan. That's the birth mother's name from Rowan Sullivan's birth certificate. Dorian Shields instead applied to be an additional guardian. This expired on Rowan Sullivan's 18th birthday. You can see how the individual bits of legislation cut in at various points without the intention of dispossessing [00:12:00] of their mother. There was no intentional nastiness in this. It was just the way it played out. Dorian Shields applied for an adoption order following the death of Diane Sullivan. The order was made on the 15th of January 2013, 15th January 2013. However, the order required that Diane Sullivan's name be removed from the Rowan Sullivan's birth certificate. This must have been [00:12:30] a a huge wrench when that occurred. Had Diane Sullivan and Dorian Shields been able to legally marry, they would have been able to jointly apply to adopt Rowan. If this had occurred, they would both have been named as her parents on her birth record following Mr Speaker, the Marriage Definition of Marriage Amendment Act 2013, which by coincidence was passed through the same select committee same [00:13:00] sex couples are able to marry and therefore to apply jointly to adopt Children. This in fact, uh, in fact, Mr Speaker, what happened was that Rowan was caught between two legislatures no birth registration in New Zealand and changes in adoption laws as they apply to same gender couples. The select [00:13:30] Committee. Mr. Speaker resolved to make some changes to the original bill following considerations and representations from the Department of Internal Affairs. And it would be quite remiss, uh, of any member of the committee. Um, if we didn't follow Louisa's comments and comment on the depth of information that officials have provided throughout the spell as it proceeded through the house. Uh uh, sorry. As it proceeded through the Select [00:14:00] Committee, there have been really good levels of discussion and really good interesting points. And let's if we make just consider some of these. The Select committee recommendations have altered Mr Speaker or proposed that the bill be passed or the following amendments that the committee recommend that the title of the bill be changed to the Sullivan Birth registration bill. And that's because the title of the bill is introduced. Here we go, the Sullivan birth certificate bill could be misleading [00:14:30] as its passage could not directly affect change to Rowan Sullivan's birth certificate. And so we had this really intriguing debates. Mr Speaker, where? What is a birth certificate? It's simply a reflection of a birth registration. If you just change a birth certificate, that doesn't change a registration. If you lose that birth certificate, you apply for a copy. You go back to where you were before, and it was really quite intriguing. And there were other changes that we had to bring in, uh, to just bring everything [00:15:00] to the situation that we're now at, which is being able as members on both sides of the house. And I would imagine from all parties of the house we are able to say, and I'd like to say it from the point of view of the Select committee job well done. And it's a delight to hear that the family are well pleased with the result because, uh, as I say they that they have introduced the fact that it's not really Rowan, who's delighted. It's someone who's passed [00:15:30] on that it's been done for and I think that's great that we've been able to assist in such measure. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Uh uh. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. And I'm not gonna take too long in this call because I think the issues have been well traversed throughout the various stages. Um, I want to recognise Rowan and Diane and Dorene for the personal journey that they've been on. I can't imagine it's much fun having, um, such a personal matter discussed, uh, by parliament. But it does highlight a very important point, [00:16:00] which is that until we get full equality under the law for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, then we are going to find these loopholes, uh, in many parts of legislation. So this was a very important step along the way for Parliament's understanding of how what might not seem like a very big issue can actually have huge impacts on on families. And so I really don't underestimate how difficult this must have been to have had such a personal matter discussed in public. But thank you very much for bringing this piece of legislation [00:16:30] to the house and thank you to my colleague loss wall for once again, uh, being a champion for this community, Uh, and raising further issues. So, uh, that's all I really want to say. I'm very excited to see this Bill pass into law. So I'm going to sit down now, Seng Bak. She Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to speak during the third reading of Sullivan Perth certificate Bill during the second reading. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge Robin Sullivan for her proactiveness [00:17:00] towards the bill. I would like to repeat what I said at that time. This bill shows the respect that Robin Sullivan has got for her parents to set the context. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the bill is to require the registrar general of birth, death and marriages to record the details of Robin Sullivan's deceased mother on her post adoptive birth [00:17:30] registry entry. Mr. Speaker, before I go any further, I would like to acknowledge Louis of all for sponsoring this bill. This is a second bill which Government Administration Committee has gone through, which has been under the name of Louisa Wall, and you have championed something which no one has done before. So I congratulate for your work and acknowledge all the [00:18:00] hard work you did during this process. of this bill. I would also like to echo what my colleague Chris Awal just mentioned to acknowledge the the officials who supported us during this process because there were many technical things which we were not aware of. And we initially thought it might take a few days to sort out this bill. But because of few technical things which were pointed [00:18:30] out by the officials, it took us a long time. And at last I think we have done justice to this bill and Rogan will be pleased with the result. I acknowledge you once again for all the effort it may well be. People consider that something of a technical detail. And indeed, when we saw the bill before us in the Government Administration Committee, we thought that it did have a very technical [00:19:00] aspect to it. The reality, though, that also had a very, very personal aspect. This is one of those occasions when the only situation available to the applicant was through Parliament. The bill, Mr Speaker, may appear simplistically. However, I can tell you that as a member of the Select Committee that discussed and debated this bill once we [00:19:30] started the progress through the legislation. There were a number of tricky technical issues which we had to think about. Mr. Speaker, Some time back, the house passed the Marriage definition of Marriage Amendment Act. It is the legislation of marriage. Definition of it is the amendment for the marriage definition that was now led to Sullivan birth certificate bill being [00:20:00] presented before this house. Mr. Speaker, before I move further to the further details of this legislation, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify a very important point. Sir, at the time that this house was discussing the Marriage Amendment Act and there was perception being created that I am opposed to the LGBT community. Sir, may I share [00:20:30] with all of you today that I have no objection or I am not at all against anyone who is from the LGBT community. I consider all of us being equal part of New Zealand society. My religion teaches us and I will quote man, which means every human being is equal. I [00:21:00] was, however, against the changing of definition of marriage. Marriage for me was between men and women. However, New Zealand has passed the law that allows LGBT to marry sir, I am a law abiding citizen with no personal or hidden agenda against the LGBT community. Therefore, I respect and will continue [00:21:30] to respect the law that provides LGBT to marry the person of their choice. That was a big burden on my chest, and I felt it was important for me to share it with my parliamentary colleagues. And with the New Zealanders coming back to the Sullivan birth certificate, Bill had there legislation at the time when Diane Sullivan and Doreen Shields wanted [00:22:00] to marry each other. This would have also allowed them to adopt Rob Robin and record their respective names on Robin's parents as Robin's parents. Once again, this is to me a person is an excellent example of how one should bring up their Children. It was because Robyn was taught the basic [00:22:30] of respect that Robyn decided that she would go all the way to ensure that the name of both the parents are recorded in her birth certificate. To me, Mr Speaker, this is investment of time and effort, from Roy speaks volume for her family culture. The legislation, Mr Speaker, is once again a reminder that government has capacity to impact [00:23:00] lives of individuals positively and that, too, at a very personal level. At the start of my speech, Mr Speaker, I mentioned that the legislation appears to be very simple, a thick one, probably a minor bureaucratic issue, and in in some ways, that's exactly what it is. Minor bureaucratic issue. However, the positive emotional [00:23:30] impact that this will have on Roy and others in similar situations may not be defined in words, Mr Speaker. I am sure all of us will agree that every child should have opportunity to honour their birth parents. There is no doubt that one of other things that this particular bill brings up is the fact that Robyn's mother conceived through [00:24:00] art artificial I 30 years ago. This was done anonymously Today. This is done not done anonymously, but by and large, I think that is a very good thing. Openness and transparency are something that is so important to ensure we have ethos going forward with these words. I wholeheartedly support [00:24:30] this bill and wish Robyn good luck for her future. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I call Jan Logie. Thank you, Mr Speaker. And it's with pleasure. I, um, rise to take a short call at the third reading of what will become the Sullivan Birth Registration Act. Um, and I'm taking a short call. Um, not because I see this. I want to deal with this flippantly or don't see this as, um a really [00:25:00] very, very poignant moment for this house and Rowan and her mom, Doreen, and her mother, who I'm sure is watching Diane. Um, but just because, really, I think it's so simple. It is just such a simple and such an obvious thing to fix that, um I think the family I imagine I just wanting it done. And I think the speedier we can be [00:25:30] about that the better. Um, because this is about enabling a family to be able to move forward and fixing a gap in legislation to enable them to do that. And, um, that's something I'm really pleased to be able to be part of. And thank you, Lewis. I remember you sharing. Um, my colleague Louisa Wall sharing this story with me before, um, the third reading of the Marriage Equality Act. And I was very moved at the time, because it is, [00:26:00] you know, just such a huh. Maddening situation that this could even have happened. But that is we're so used to dealing with people falling between the cracks of our legislation on a very large scale and to be able to bring this piece of legislation to the house that deals with one family and makes it just real. And we can see the people and we can see the impact and fix something as a really, really lovely thing. So, um, on [00:26:30] that note, I wish the family well into the future and the three of you together for all legal purposes. From now on, uh, the honourable Mr Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to take a short call also and to join, uh, with previous speakers to support the intention of the bill and the passing, uh, of it into legislation. And I had to reflect on the debates that have come to the house on this bill [00:27:00] and really want to say it is the little things that matter. And I want to applaud Louisa Wall for having, uh, attention to detail, uh, to fix something that can be fixed in a way that will make a difference. Not in the only in the life of Rowan. But I think in the lives of many other Children who may find themselves in the same predicament, and it is worth doing. Mr. Speaker, many contributions have talked about this being a minor, uh, bureau technical [00:27:30] issue. Uh, it certainly does advance, uh, the principle of equality in ways that often this house struggles with and has a great deal of, uh, moral and ethical challenges to actually say if we were purely looking at the principle of equality. This is something that we should and must do and should, uh, continue to build. I think, uh, the the brave nature in which the courageous nature in which uh, many [00:28:00] issues, uh, that Lewis in particular has championed before the house, uh, can be addressed in a in a manner that is fitting of of the and worthy of the cause. I didn't want to take a long call because, uh, upon request, uh, it's important to make sure that we, uh, pass this bill quickly tonight and and that we all see fit to be able to do that in the spirit with which this bill has been brought not only to the house in the first reading, but, uh, before [00:28:30] the select committee and back to the house. And with that Lassa Rowan, Dorene Diane, Thank you for making the little things matter and reminding us all we can do simple things to make things worthwhile. I call Nicky Wagner. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I, too, would like to support the Sullivan birth registration bill at its third reading. Um, as we've heard, it's a private bill supported by Labour MP Louisa [00:29:00] Wall, and it is linked to her marriage definition of Marriage Amendment Act 2013. Because before the passing of that bill, same sex couples are able to marry and therefore will be able to apply jointly for adopted Children. And if Rowan Sullivan's birth mother had been able to marry her long term partner, Doreen Shields, the situation would never have arisen. Now, the purpose of the bill, as we've been discussing uh, will [00:29:30] require the Register General of birth deaths and marriages in New Zealand to record the details of Rowan Sullivan's deceased mother on her post adoptive birth registration entry. Now, the background to this bill is important because it sheds light on the rules that made the documentation of one's life and relationships difficult for a same sex partnership before our legislative changes. [00:30:00] So the background was that Rowan Helen Louise Sullivan was born on the 23rd of February 1993 in England to a same sex couple, Diane Sullivan, a British citizen, and New Zealander Doreen Margaret Shields. Only Diane Sullivan's name, the birth parent, was recorded on Rowan Sullivan's birth certificate. In November 1999. [00:30:30] The family moved to New Zealand, and Rowan and Diane Sullivan became permanent residents on family grounds. At that time, the law did not allow Diane and Doreen to marry or to jointly adopt Rowan. Diane Sullivan died in 2010, and Roan was formally adopted by Doreen in January 2013. [00:31:00] However, this required the removal of Diane Sullivan's name from Rowan's post adoption birth record something, of course, that Roanna did not want to do. Therefore, the purpose of this bill is to add Diane Sullivan's details to the record so that both Diane Sullivan and Doreen Shield's name can be included [00:31:30] on Rowan Sullivan's New Zealand post adoption birth certificate that both Rowan's parents can be acknowledged I'm very pleased that Parliament was able to deal with this issue and I note, um that Chris was talking about it being a complex issue. But I'm very I'm very pleased that it could deal with it because I understand completely Rowan would want to have both her parents [00:32:00] listed on her birth certificate. The bill does not create a precedent for other individuals seeking to change their registered birth record because since 2005, New Zealand law has allowed both same sex parents of New Zealand born Children conceived through assisted human reproductive technology, a a HR procedure to be named on a child's birth record. And that change was [00:32:30] retrospective so that pre 2005 New Zealand birth registration records can be amended on application at any time to include both same sex parents details Further, the law already contains rules for changing a birth record in other circumstances, including but not limited to situations where a paternity order is obtained. An individual changes [00:33:00] her or his name by statutory declaration and an individual undergoes gender reassignment. So this bill applies only to Rowan Sullivan's unique situation, which has itself arisen from a unique combination of circumstances, including her birth overseas, following an a HR procedure which meant that her birth was not registered in New Zealand. [00:33:30] The key consideration is that since the 19th of August 2013 married same sex couples can adopt jointly. If the marriage Definition of Marriage Amendment Act had been in place before Diane Sullivan died, the train of events giving rise to this bill could have been avoided. So in summary, this is a good bill and it's very pleasing that it will be passed [00:34:00] unanimously in this house. And I think it illustrates two things. Firstly, the importance that parliament puts places on families and also the empathy that parliamentarians have had for Rowan's situation. We all believe in happy families and we want to see that reflected in our documentation. I commend this bill to the house. I call Dennis O'Rourke Mr Speaker [00:34:30] the Magna Carta of 12 15 states quote to no one. Will we sell to no one? Will we deny or delay right or justice? Unquote, I think those beautiful and striking words are the words we should keep in mind when we look at situations such as this because, right, And just to interrupt the honourable Member, the time has come for me to leave the chair for the dinner break. This debate is interrupted. [00:35:00] I shall resume the chair at 7. 30. Sorry, the house has resumed members. Uh, the house is considering the third reading of the Sullivan birth registration bill. Uh, Dennis O'Rourke has the call. He's about 9.5 minutes remaining. Should he wish to take that opportunity? Denis O'Rourke, Mr. Speaker at the break, [00:35:30] I had referred to some of the fine words of the Magna Carta. And, uh, that guarantee of individual rights and of justice is, of course, the foundation of our legal system. New Zealand first will continue to support this bill because it is just and right to do so. We are satisfied that it is necessary and that it is indeed the only solution to ensuring that the birth certificate concerned will properly [00:36:00] and realistically show the names of Rowan Sullivan's late birth mother, Diane Sullivan, as well as her adoptive mother. It's a very natural thing for anybody to want, and everybody can relate to it. It's difficult to see, in fact, how anyone could rationally object to it once. Of course, the reasons for it are known, and others in this debate have well enough explained those reasons, and it [00:36:30] is not necessary for me to do so again. It's actually extraordinary that it would be possible in our legal system not to record the birth mother on a birth certificate. Absolutely extraordinary. So this is a unique solution to a unique set of circumstances. The desired solution would not be achievable without legislation. And I observed that if Rowan had been born today, her parents could marry and both [00:37:00] of them would be recorded on her birth certificate. As a matter of course, New Clause 41 provides that quote. Diane Sullivan and Doreen Margaret Shields are, for all purposes, the parents of Rowan Helen Louise Sullivan. Unquote, that clause reinstates the legal position for all purposes, including the laws relating to succession and parental relationship. And [00:37:30] that, as we all agree, is as it should be, so there doesn't need to be a great deal. More debate, Mr. Speaker, This is a good bill which should proceed to final an enactment forth with with New Zealand first. Wholehearted support. Uh, I am advised. This is a split call. Four minute bell. Melissa Lee. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'd like to first of all, acknowledge Roan Sullivan and her mother, Dorian Shields up in the gallery. Uh [00:38:00] um, so welcome. And thank you for being here. It's almost like, you know, I'm getting the energy, uh, from up top. It's a great pleasure to rise in support of the third reading of this bill. I'm unsure how it actually happened, but, um, I'm quite sure that I've been involved in this bill right from the beginning from the first reading, including turning up, being subbed on to the select committee hearing when Ro Roan was actually presenting to the, uh, uh, government admin select committee. Um, and I I've been involved with the second reading as well as [00:38:30] I think the committee stages and now the third reading. So it is an absolute privilege. Thank you. I'll also like to put on record that I am extremely jealous of my friend across the bench, um, benches Luisa, as she has shepherded successfully a very, uh, high profile members bill and now a sponsor of this private bill which I believe is very meaningful So, congratulations. Once again, um, a member before dinner said, this issue, um I think was simple. And I think another member said, It's it's [00:39:00] it's the little things that actually matter. And I agree with both. They seem simple and little, but only in hindsight. And you know what they say about hindsight, sir? 2020 vision. But at the time when this private bill that Rowan and her mother, Doreen, was putting through the select committee when they were petitioning Parliament, I'm sure it would have seemed like a mammoth task that, you know, something that means so much to them was so hard to actually get through. But with the help of, [00:39:30] um, our friend Louisa and the members of the Select Committee, this has actually happened. And, uh, I, I sort of can't imagine Louisa with wings, uh, on her back. But, uh, she should feel like a fairy godmother right now. And all of the members who actually help, uh, make this happen should also feel like a fairy godmother because it is granting Rowan the wish that she's been wanting for such a long time. So congratulations for being her very own, uh, fairy godmother. Um, [00:40:00] I know that, um, um, at the conclusion of this bill, when Roan's birth mother's name, Diane Sullivan, is again added to Roan's birth certificate the simple and yet a mammoth action adding 13 letters Diane Sullivan will mean the world to Rowan and we as members of Parliament. I also feel a bit like a fairy godmother at this stage as well. This juncture, I will also like to congratulate the members of the select committee. Uh, who considered this bill? [00:40:30] And I think I have to say they've done a fantastic job. Just a quick background on this bill. Um, this does not create a precedent for other individuals seeking to change their registered birth record. And it's a real shame, because I wouldn't mind changing my birth state. Uh, Rowan Sullivan had no other means to achieve this outcome. Um, she wished, uh, for other than petitioning parliament. And this bill applies only to Rowan Sullivan's unique situation, which which arose as a result of a unique combination of circumstances [00:41:00] which began with her birth overseas, which meant her birth was not registered in New Zealand. I just want to dwell on this for a minute about the registration issue? Um, it it's quite a significant one for many New Zealanders who are actually born overseas. And without wanting to make the light of Rohan's situation. I, too, was born overseas. I moved to New Zealand and became a New Zealand citizen, which meant I had to give up Korean citizenship. This means that my this does not mean that my records were deleted, [00:41:30] But, um, when I moved here, you know, just bypassing all of the other stuff. But I I got married. I had a baby. I got divorced in New Zealand. I'm recorded as such, but in Korea, apparently I'm still single, never been married, never had a child. So I've got a clean record clean slate. I mean, I don't know if that's actually a good thing or a bad thing, but, you know, I'm not recorded in Korea because I've actually moved here talking about records In previous readings, I sort of talked about the red, You know, my my birthday being registered wrong. [00:42:00] I know that this is an issue for a lot of migrants as well. A lot. A lot of refugees who moved to New Zealand. You know, especially when they have come from war torn countries. They have wrong birth dates, wrong names and even New Zealand born Chinese who have, you know five generations in New Zealand can attest to this. When they first arrived in New Zealand, their names were recorded wrong so often they ended up with the first name of their ancestor. And to my culture, our names, our last names [00:42:30] mean so much because it ties us back to our roots and the name actually shows it is my clan. Often it comes with the prefix, which denounces, which actually shows us which clan we belong to. Often it comes with a generation name, which basically means that with that name, people can identify whether I'm a grandmother's level. I'm a child's level or a mother's level, so they know how to identify. And names are so very important. So, Louisa, maybe you can come up with another member's bill to write [00:43:00] my birth date asides. The joke. I'd like to just say thank you. Congratulations. Once again, Rowan, my Love. Thank you, Doctor Paul. It's a great pleasure to have the opportunity to support the Sullivan birth certificate bill in its third reading. And might I, too, acknowledge Rowan and Dorian up there in the gallery? I, too, feel almost as though I've been on a little bit of journey in that though I'm not on the select committee, it has [00:43:30] been a great privilege to part of this process here in the Parliament, which is quite historic and is indeed unique to the circumstances. There is no doubt this is a situation driven by a young woman's determination to honour her mum as I understand it. In her own words, she said, I want my mum mum's name in my birth certificate to honour [00:44:00] her. This bill is indeed about human rights and very deep rooted human instincts that all of us, uh, should be able to realise, Mr Speaker, in previous, uh, readings of this bill, I've pointed out some of the huge transitions that we in New Zealand and around the world have witnessed in the changes, both [00:44:30] with birth technologies in changes with the law and of course, in changes, uh, in our attitudes to previous areas that were really, uh, extraordinary taboo and, uh, um, in many respects, put things under the carpet that were uh, um only lead to confusion and dishonesty [00:45:00] and often to deep seated resentment. And look, I may I too acknowledge Louisa Wall for the double whammy? It was indeed, uh, her earlier bill that was landmark here in the parliament that led I understand Rowan to approaching her. And congratulations on that. In that respect, um, when I first spoke on this Bill II, I did speak about a variety of examples of young people who had [00:45:30] searched the world more or less, because despite huge hurdles, because of this deep seated instinct to be able to find their parents and know their parents, whether they were alive or not, whether they were in a different country or not. But it's been fascinating to me as a former Oxford gynaecologist to see what's happened in New Zealand over the years. And I was at the National Women's Hospital, a celebration of 50 [00:46:00] years just last month, where I spoke and heard of the extraordinary work in New Zealand that, uh, occurred Professor Bonham, who was the head of the hospital at the time, used to literally mix together donor sperm so they could not be detected because of the legal ramifications. That's how far we've changed, because the opposite is that we [00:46:30] surely want to seek transparency and openness because that's the way people will unravel the huge distortions that occur when, uh, information is repressed. And I want to acknowledge a young social worker called Joy Ellis, who was at National National Women's through the time when the debates on informed consent were raging because she was the one who came up and said, Look, it's absolutely [00:47:00] inappropriate to have the prevailing situation continue. We must have transparency and honesty, and it set the legal profession and academic sociologists in New Zealand working hard to see if we could follow that sort of pathway. I'd like to acknowledge Professor Ken Daniel, sociologist from Victoria University, who has represented New Zealand in the academic [00:47:30] literature in this field, and, uh, is widely regarded as an international expert and innovator in terms of ensuring that openness prevails. And, of course, Freddie Graham, Mont Liggins, who led the IVF team But finally, uh um Mr Speaker, I come back to the bill. This indeed I hope, is very much one of celebration. It is fantastic to see you. Dorian and Rowan [00:48:00] here tonight in the parliament. It's wonderful that, uh, uh, Lusa has been the person that's brought this through to reality. Uh, Mr Speaker, I certainly, uh, think this is a wonderful bill and commend it to the house. I'm advised this is not a split call, Mr Speaker. Thank you very much. Can I say, first of all, that it was has been a real privilege to be involved in this bill and a privilege [00:48:30] to chair the committee. Um, the name of the bill has changed since it was introduced. It started off as the Sullivan birth certificate bill. It's ended up, uh, more appropriately as the Sullivan birth registration bill. Um, whatever it's called it, it addresses an injustice, and it makes a love story come true. And I think it's something that parliament very, really does. But it's something that I'm delighted we are doing with. I understand unanimity tonight, Um, it's a good message from our parliament, [00:49:00] and I think it's a very important step, however unusual it is for us to take. I want to acknowledge, uh, Melissa Wall. Uh, it wasn't good luck that this, um, became her bill. Actually, it was her clarity and her vision and her determination to address that injustice. So, um uh, could I recommend to, uh, Melissa Lee, that if she'd like her, um, registration records put right in Korea to reflect her correct status, She should just write a bill and, um, put [00:49:30] it into the ballot and see if she is as successful as Louisa. But Louisa has shepherded this bill with not with with great clarity and determination, but also in an inclusive way that has allowed concerns and questions to be addressed and answered. And I think that's a very good again message for the parliament, um, to give to the public. I want to acknowledge the late Diane Sullivan, Doreen Shields and their daughter, Rowan Sullivan. [00:50:00] Um, Mr Speaker, this is a pretty simple bill. Um, for those of us who have been involved in legislative procedures that compared to most other pieces of legislation, it's tiny. Um, but its impact is significant. What it does is allow Rowan to have both of her parents names recorded on the birth certificate that she can now apply for when we've changed the birth registration. We put in a new clause in this bill just to put beyond all doubt, [00:50:30] um, that this status, the recognition of both Diane and do is Roan's parents applies in all situations so that not not just parliament, but, uh, Roan would never have to go through this sort of ordeal before or this sort of questioning or this sort of challenge. So I think the addition of New Clause four, was entirely appropriate. And we've got other issues that we want to deal with, uh, later on this evening. [00:51:00] So I'm not gonna take my full allocation of time, but I want to make it clear that that is, uh, the opposite of a reflection of how I feel about this bill. I am delighted to have been part of it. I think it's a very good, however unusual step for our parliament to take. It makes what is a matter of fact that Diane Sullivan enduring shields are Roan's parents a matter of law. That's a good thing for us to do. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am advised [00:51:30] this is again a split call. Scott Simpson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. And I want to just in commencing my contribution to this third reading debate acknowledge the chairmanship of the Government Administration Committee by the honourable Ruth Dyson and her contribution to this debate. Uh, just immediately prior to me. Uh, I think the committee, this, uh, term has had to consider some incredibly weighty issues. And they've done so with great patience, with clarity and with, [00:52:00] uh, dignity. And yet, sometimes they come to relatively small matters, which they have also treated with dignity and grace. And I think that is something that speaks volumes about the, uh, power and might and, um, importance of our little democracy that we have here. So, Mr Speaker, I don't want to go through the details of the spill. Others have spoken at some considerable length about the particular [00:52:30] uniqueness of the situation that this bill confronts and seeks to address. But it is, I think, an absolute irony that the situation that we are addressing and correcting and putting right here tonight would have been fixed or would in fact have not arisen if Lewis walls other spectacular piece of legislation had come into, uh, power or or law, uh, earlier. And so for me, that is something of [00:53:00] an irony and something of I guess uh, a justification if one was ever needed that this is the right and proper thing to be doing tonight. Mr. Speaker, I've mentioned in a previous contribution on this bill, but in a previous life. In fact, immediately prior to coming into parliament, I had the great pleasure and honour of being the CEO of a wonderful Children's charity called Make a Wish. And Make a Wish is a terrific organisation. It literally grants wishes [00:53:30] to sick Uh uh, and, uh, young people, Children and young people who have life threatening medical conditions. And so, in my role for nearly three years as CEO of that great organisation, I was literally and figuratively a professional wish. Granter and I made mention in my maiden speech that one of the challenges I felt that would confront me in going from a professional wish granter to becoming a parliamentarian was how could I transition [00:54:00] those job skills into this place? And so tonight, Mr Speaker, I have to say that I have something of a sense of achievement, that, uh, small goal of granting a wish. And in doing so, I want to just commend to the house not only the bill, but also the power of a wish. And it's something that I don't think we as adults as parliamentarians, as MP S should ever underestimate in any respect or way. We are fortunate, [00:54:30] Mr Speaker, to live in a small, precious, intimate little democracy. Usually the work of this house and members of this house is occupied on focusing on the many occasionally, and it's fully appropriate that we do. We focus on the few, almost never do. We focus on a single person on a single individual citizen. And so I think, sir, it's an [00:55:00] absolute hallmark of this place and our democracy and our parliament that in fact, we can come here tonight to do just that, to focus on an individual citizen who has an injustice that needs to be put right. And so, sir, this is, I think, an historic occasion for our house. It's an occasion where we can together accept that sometimes, as I came across many times in my time, uh, [00:55:30] at make a wish, an acceptance that life sometimes isn't fair and that from time to time, no matter what the circumstance, bad stuff sometimes happens and bad stuff sometimes happens in a very unfair way. But that doesn't mean that sometimes great things can occur from small deeds. And this, I think, is an absolute classic example of how, uh, small deeds can have great power [00:56:00] and great influence. And so, sir, in summing up my contribution in this third reading debate, I do just want to, uh, congratulate the house, actually, on its resolve to achieve what I think would not occur in many other democracies. And I think that we can, uh, as parliamentarians as and indeed as citizens of New Zealand, be proud of what we're doing tonight. I commend the bill to the house. Honourable Kate Wilkinson. Uh, thank you, Mr [00:56:30] Speaker. And it's my real pleasure to stand and take, uh, albeit a split call on this third reading of the Sullivan birth certificate Bill. Can I also acknowledge Rowan and Diane in the gallery And, um, just commend you for your persistence, your determination, your bravery and your courage to have what is a very personal situation aired in the in the public gallery of Parliament of New Zealand and and to have a bill [00:57:00] in your own names go through hands, go through the process. Uh, because this is what is really important to your lives. And I really commend you for that. I also want to obviously congratulate Louisa Wall with some envy. And, uh, So, um, for having her second member's bill successfully, uh, shepherded through the house. Um, but it's not just the fact that the name that the bill is in the name of the Honourable member Lewis Wall it's the way that she does shepherd these bills through the house and gets [00:57:30] consensus and explains it in a nonpartisan, pragmatic, sensible way. Because this is the right emperor and fair thing to do. I must admit, though, how, Mr Speaker, when I first saw this bill, I thought, No, it can't be right. We can't possibly need a separate, discrete piece of legislation to for just one New Zealand family. It can't be right. Um, and yet the experts, the advisor, said there is no other way. I'm a simp was a simplistic [00:58:00] lawyer in my old days before I was a politician and and we have to think there must be another way. Surely surely the registrar would have had power to change what seems so obvious um, something that needed to be changed. Why didn't the registrar have that power? But you know, our experts, our advisors, and we have to trust them said there has. There is no other way. Um and that has brought us to where we are today. And then my second concern [00:58:30] was, Well, will it set a precedent? Because, you know, there will be other families out there who perhaps aren't happy with their birth records or birth certificates or registrations. And would it open the floodgate for a whole lot of other New Zealand families to also try and use the parliamentary process to write some wrongs? And then would it really result in a a long if you like of, uh, of of, uh, bills and legislation through [00:59:00] the house when there are other really important economic issues that have to be have to be, um, shifted through. But again, we we were persuaded and convinced that it won't set a precedent. So it is unique. It is, uh, discrete. And actually, it is the best use of parliamentary time because we're all here to make a difference. And I think that most politicians, uh, that that's our reason for being. We want to make a difference [00:59:30] to New Zealand. We want to make a difference in our country, and we want to make a difference to New Zealanders lives. And there is no doubt in my mind that this bill makes a huge difference to the lives of Rowan and Diane. And so it's sort of it's a win win win. Really? Um and so I am delighted that that, uh, I have the opportunity to speak at this third reading of the bill. Um, I'm also appreciative of [01:00:00] the commencement date, and we all want this bill to go through quickly and to get it right and remedied as soon as possible. And the commencement date is, of course, the day after the royal assent, which I actually think is quite timely when we have the Royals visiting at this moment. And we're all reminded because we they are a a wonderful young couple with the prince and princess, and, um, they have a delightful young George. And, um, I just [01:00:30] think it is also quite timely that, um that they are here at a time when the commencement date for this bill will be the day after that. Royal assent. So, Mr Speaker, um, this is really a very straightforward bill. Uh, it simply requires the registrar general of birth deaths and marriages to record the details of Rohan's mom on her birth certificate. I say to the registrar, General, [01:01:00] just get on with it. Just do it. It's only fair. It's only reasonable. It makes a huge personal difference to someone's lives. That's what we're all in Parliament to do just to the registrar. Don't waste time. Sort it out. I commend this bill to the house. Williams. Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to take a a short call on the, um, on the the reading of this [01:01:30] bill. I don't want to take too much time to hold up the passing of what is actually a very significant piece of legislation for those people sitting in the gallery. And, um, thank you for being here today. Um, when I had the opportunity of speaking on an earlier reading, I spoke about how this this bill is a bill about love about love for, um, two parents for their child and love for that child. For her parents. Um, and it has it had to be, uh, a powerful emotion like love that [01:02:00] has seen you through this process of the fortitude. You've had to, um, uh, hold to engage in this particular process. So I hope today you feel, um uh, justly, um, that all that that, uh the what? My goodness, what a process it has been that that's been justified. And today that you, um, feel that what your action is as well and has you've done the right thing. And I really want to commend you for doing that because as, [01:02:30] um, I have spoken in the house before. It does speak volumes for those of us who are adoptees about, um, our, uh, recognition, um, of our birth parents. And I think that it's really opened up a discussion for all of us, uh, at some stage to consider the families the diversity of families and about parenting and parentage. So I thank you very much for doing that. I want to commend also my colleague Losa. Wall, who, um, has held this this [01:03:00] bill very dearly and has encouraged such widespread, um, uh, bipartisan work on this from both sides of the house. And that's, um really due to Lesa as a parliamentarian and as a thoroughly decent person who knows that by doing so by being the type of person that that she isn't the type of parliamentarian that she is, that she would pass this with unanimous, um, support from all parties. So thank you, Lewis, for that. [01:03:30] So without further ado, I'm going to finish my call and heartily commend this bill to the house. Thank you very much. The debate has now concluded, and the question is that the motion be agreed to those of that opinion will say I contrary. No, the eyes have it. Sullivan Birth certificate Registration bill. Third reading Call on Members Order of the Day Number one Electronic Transactions. Contract Formation [01:04:00] Amendment Bill Committee stage.
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