Henare Peeni; Tisch LindsayPEENI HENARE (Labour—Tāmaki Makaurau): Tēnā koe e Te Heamana o Te Whare. Kia ora. In opening my contribution I want to start with some general comments before I delve deeper into some of the interpretations and explanations that some of my colleagues have already covered. I want to go a little bit further into some of those and perhaps offer my perspective on them. For the most part I believe and certainly this side of the Chamber believes that this bill actually fails to provide security of Māori land the retention of Māori land. More importantly it fails to empower our people to utilise their Māori land and I pick up the point made by my tuakana Pita Paraone with regard to the fact that resourcing is an important part to address—the 22 years of struggle that Māori people have had with regard to their land. I say 22 years of struggle because I believe that before we are able to move on into a better bill a more robust bill it is important that we address first and foremost the issues that have been faced by our people over the past 22 years and do it meaningfully. I understand the advisers and the panel took a principled approach towards their consultation on this bill. Instead of asking what the problems are they were asking: How can we make things better for you?". I do not believe that this addresses the issues that were faced by Māori land owners over a number of years.I want to get straight into clause 8 and the term "Descent relationships determined by tikanga Māori". I have heard a mixture of responses to the use of tikanga in legislation throughout this particular debate and I have indeed in many bills that have come through this House in my short time here. I have made my point very clear: I am not a fan of tikanga Māori being used in legislation because of some of the reasons already mentioned by my colleagues about interpretation about true intent tikanga tangata tikanga wairua—all of these other issues that raise more questions than answers. This particular part "Descent relationships determined by tikanga Māori"—clause 8(1) "This section applies to a provision of Parts 1 to 9 that depends on there being a relationship of descent between people such as a provision that refers to—(a) a child grandchild brother sister parent grandparent whānau or descendant; or (b) an association with land in accordance with tikanga Māori."The number of Māori who currently live in Australia is no secret. Under my understanding of tikanga I would argue that once ahi kā is lost according to tikanga it is whenua mātao: the land is cold. There is no ability for that person to go back there. Why? Because they gave up their right. They gave it up. That is tikanga. That is what tikanga tells me. Now I wonder how that argument would go down in the kāinga of the Māori people in Australia. I wonder how that discussion would go down even interstate here in Aotearoa New Zealand where for many whānau they do not actually live in their homeland. In fact recent statistics say that only 13 percent of Ngāpuhi actually live in Ngāpuhi—only 13 percent. So under tikanga one could argue if they were of this particular mind that well when they moved to Auckland—we are now three generations four generations of te whānau being in Tāmaki-makau-rau. They now have given up their right of ahi kā which now—whenua matao. Then it links to the arguments made by my colleagues here that you get the small shareholders being ignored or even worse you get the tail wagging the dog whereby the small shareholders look to have a bigger say in the development or the administration of land. So those are important issues.Where do we base this kind of tikanga from? I tell you that my interpretation of this when I consider tikanga actually goes back to the time of our tupuna. In the previous bill we discussed Te Rarawa. For those who know their—[Bell rung] Thank you—The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. The time has come for me to report progress.Progress to be reported presently.House resumed.The Chairperson reported progress on the Appropriation (2015/16 Confirmation and Validation) Bill the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill with amendment the Māori Purposes Bill with amendment and progress on Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill.Report adopted.The House adjourned at 9.56 p.m."