Tabuteau FletcherFLETCHER TABUTEAU (Deputy Leader—NZ First): Thank you Madam Speaker. Firstly can I just acknowledge the previous speaker Harete Hipango and her contribution. Not only was it eloquent but it was heartfelt and actually it was incredibly considered. I just have the unusual privilege of acknowledging an Opposition member who gave a thoughtful acknowledgement to tangata whenua in terms of our Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey. So I acknowledge your awhi and your words and thank you for them. It certainly was a contrast to much of—no I won't even say that. Let's just acknowledge nice words said. [Interruption] Yes. That's right. Thank you. So I would like to start with a quote. The quote is: pēnā ka haere tonu ā te wā ka taea ka mau.[If you continue then eventually it will be within grasp.]That is not only an acknowledgment of the people of Rotorua and the hapū involved in their very long quest to get to this point but also an acknowledgment to Sir Apirana Ngata himself as that was a quote of his. It speaks to perseverance and the determination and hard work and your efforts will be rewarded in seeing you through. I think many of the previous speakers have acknowledged the length of time it has taken for this to be moved through Parliament. I suppose when you think it was in the time of Sir Robert Muldoon who first actually aired the thought of the ownership going back to hapū it speaks of a very long quest. This is an opportunity for me to stand proudly in this House. The timing is wonderful as I have the privilege of being a member of this Government and have the opportunity to awhi and tautoko the work of my whānau in Rotorua and actually yes acknowledge—we're probably related whānau—Tamati Coffey. We haven't explored that actually. So it's a proud opportunity to be able to stand up and say this is a Government supported wholeheartedly and quite eloquently by the National Party members in working through what has been quite a complex undertaking.For me a Rotorua boy born and bred who was raised in tourism who had not only whānau but friends work in Te Puia itself the old Māori Arts and Crafts Institute to be able to acknowledge them today to be able to acknowledge the institution itself and to say to this House the people listening and to have it on the record that Te Puia and the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute is a shining beacon of not only Māoridom but tourism here in New Zealand—and that's a wonderful combination not only for the whānau in Rotorua but for kind of New Zealand Inc." Culture is important to all of us and to Māori and what's good to acknowledge is that a lot of the tourism coming from overseas is the exploration of culture and never is it more so eloquently on display than it is in our Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.I just wanted to speak to that actually because what this legislation will do—well not "do" so much as ensure it continues—is it will ensure that we are continuing to foster our Māori children; promoting the ahurea for toi Māori to make sure that that continues; providing training for iwi of New Zealand including in whakairo rākau and raranga; and making grants to enable persons to study and train from all across the hapū and iwi of New Zealand in the Māori arts and crafts centre. Actually the previous speaker used an illustration of that an example of whānau from the Whanganui area I believe who trained at the institute and brought that skill into her region her hapū her area her whanaunga. So I think that speaks to actually quite a challenge sometimes for Māoridom itself you know to support one another. It's difficult to do inter-iwi inter-hapū. But here's a beautiful example of Māori coming together to learn these beautiful arts and skills and take them back out into Aotearoa. They will be able to confer diplomas and certificates on persons who have undertaken the training. Actually if the Minister of Tourism was here he'd be able to speak personally about the amazing talent of some of the performers Māori kapa haka performers who came out of Te Puia and Whakarewarewa area who supported and awhi'd him in China when he handed over the taiaha to the Minister of tourism there in China celebrating the China - New Zealand Year of Tourism.Actually that makes me think of my own personal experience as the under-secretary for foreign affairs. Te Puia is a jewel in the crown for New Zealand and so what I've been able to do over the last—actually probably since I probably last spoke to the first reading of this legislation I've been able to take an ambassador a Minister and a Prime Minister to Te Puia to showcase not only our Māori culture but tourism at its best and finest. You know you're never let down by the professionalism of the team working on the ground. So perhaps that takes me to the final point I want to make and that is that what gives me confidence and great aspiration for Te Puia itself is actually the transition work that has been undertaken by the board and the current leadership to make sure that as the transition of ownership happens there isn't a void of knowledge or void of experience. As the institution moves forward we can take great confidence that those who will be at the helm who will lead this waka have the skill set to continue to do so at that level that is of such exemplary quality for New Zealand and New Zealand tourism.So that is my contribution for this afternoon. It's a genuine privilege to be able to do this this afternoon. I thank the Speaker for the opportunity to do so and acknowledge the awhi the whānau feeling in the House this afternoon. Thank you Madam Speaker."