Horomia Parekura: Maori Purposes Bill (No 2) — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee 
Horomia Parekura: Maori Purposes Bill (No 2) — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee 
[Volume:607;Page:4803] 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 I move  
That the Maori Purposes Bill (No 2) be now read a second time 
. Maori purposes bills generally tidy up legislation that relates to Maori affairs Maori land and other Maori purposes. In this instance the bill proposes amendment to the following three statutes: the Treaty of Waitangi Act the Broadcasting Act and the Maori Land Amendment and Maori Land Claims Adjustment Act. The subject areas covered by the bill range over the operations of the Waitangi Tribunal the responsibilities for the Maori Broadcasting Funding Authority and the number of fishing licences available to the people of Ngati Tuwharetoa under the 1926 Act. Maori purposes bills can be viewed as a convenient and necessary vehicle to provide updating and ongoing maintenance of the wide range of legislation that affects the affairs of Maori. 
Part 1 proposes amendments to the Treaty of Waitangi Act in relation to the operation of the Waitangi Tribunal. Clause 4 proposes to give statutory validation to changes of membership that occurred in three tribunals these being the Wellington inquiry Wai 145; the Kaipara inquiry Wai 674; and the Hauraki inquiry Wai 686. The clause will clarify the status of the changes of membership that have occurred in the three inquiries mentioned. 
The main amendments in the part are in clause 5 and give express statutory powers for the replacement of members and presiding officers and the appointment of acting presiding officers. The circumstances and conditions required before these statutory powers can be exercised is also specified. The new provisions will make the position very clear. 
I wish to comment on the amendment proposed by the select committee to Part 1. The intention of the select committee’s amendment is to impose a requirement that only a member of the tribunal who is a barrister or a solicitor of the High Court of at least 7 years standing is qualified to be appointed as an acting presiding officer. The select committee has indicated that it is satisfied that the bill as drafted reflects advice given to Te Puni Kokiri by the Solicitor-General and the Crown Law Office. 
The amendments in Part 2 are to effect technical changes following the transfer of ministerial responsibility for Maori broadcasting policy from the Minister of Broadcasting to me as the Minister of Maori Affairs. The transfer took place in the year 2000 and the amendments in Part 2 are straightforward technical amendments. 
Part 3 proposes an amendment to the Maori Land Amendment and Maori Land Claims Adjustment Act to increase the statutory number of licences issued to members of Ngati Tuwharetoa to permit fishing for imported species in Lake Taupo. The number of licences to which Ngati Tuwharetoa is entitled has not been adjusted since the Act was passed in 1926. The number of general fishing licences for the lake has increased substantially since 1926 by 1515 percent. 
I urge that the bill proceed through its remaining legislative stages with some urgency. With particular regard to Part 1 the need for urgency for the rapid passage of the bill has been expressed in submissions by claimants awaiting the release of the report in relation to the Wellington claim. The urgent nature associated with the bill’s passing has been consistently reiterated by the Waitangi Tribunal and claimants. The proposed clauses in Part 1 provide clarity and certainty in terms of the status of the specific tribunal inquiries the ability to appoint replacement presiding officers or members and the ability to appoint acting presiding officers. The clauses thereby address significant concerns of tribunal claimants the Crown and New Zealanders as a whole. 
Finally I wish to acknowledge the members of the Maori Affairs Committee for the diligence and the care they demonstrated in their consideration of the bill—all members. That is reflected in their report on the bill to the House. I commend this bill to the House.