Little AndrewCORONERS (ACCESS TO BODY OF DEAD PERSON) AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Justice): I move That the Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill be now read a second time. I'd firstly like to thank the Māori Affairs Committee for its work in examining this bill through the select committee stage and to recognise the committee as the impetus for this bill through its 2016 report Inquiry into whānau access to and Management of tūpāpaku. This bill implements the recommendation from the report that requires legislative change. I'd also like to thank everyone who submitted on the bill for their feedback. It's always a valuable part of the development of legislation to hear from the public about their views and I'm pleased that generally the submitters were supportive of the bill's objective. The Coroners Act 2006 regulates the coronial system in New Zealand. The role of the coroner is to investigate sudden or unexplained deaths and to make recommendations that can help reduce the chance of further deaths in similar circumstances. The Act's core purposes are to help prevent deaths and to promote justice. To achieve these purposes the Act states that it recognises the cultural and spiritual needs of family and others close to the person who has died. The loss of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time for all involved. Of the estimated 31000 deaths in New Zealand each year 20 percent are referred to the coroner. While the Coroners Act 2006 currently responds well to the cultural needs of whānau and family during the coronial processes the report by the Māori Affairs Committee identified that there was an opportunity to improve the coronial system so that it can better meet the needs of our culturally diverse society and this is why this bill has been brought before the House. The Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill will ensure that all cultural beliefs including tikanga Māori will be recognised and supported in our coronial system. I understand that this already happens in practice and is included in guidance for coroners. However it's not a legislative requirement. This bill will ensure that cultural beliefs are explicitly taken into account as a matter of course. The bill amends section 26 of the Coroners Act to explicitly require the coroner to consider tikanga Māori and the expectations of other cultures when determining who can view touch or remain near a body. I'd like to reaffirm that this bill does not seek to change the current practice of coroners. The work they do is very important to society and it is always performed to a high standard. What the bill does is ensure that this practice of taking cultural considerations into account is more visible and concrete for those who are dealing with what will usually be quite unimaginable loss. I note there has been some attention surrounding the new contracts for pathology services across New Zealand and in particular there was concern that services available to whānau during the death of an individual would be reduced and that it would result in fewer opportunities for coroners to respond to the cultural needs of loved ones. The Ministry of Justice is engaging with local iwi and communities on the impact of the new contracts. Overall the new contracts mean people across New Zealand should see improved hours of access to their deceased and the ability to stay close prior to a post-mortem. These new contracts for pathology services do not conflict with the purpose of the bill or the ability to implement it. I know from engagement in at least one or two communities where mortuaries have been either closed or about to be closed that there is the possibility that whānau may have to travel reasonably long distances to stay with the tūpāpaku. That is an issue that is being addressed by district health boards who are in the position of deciding what they do with their mortuaries. So those issues are under active consideration I know by many in the community and I am sure that we will achieve a good resolution of it so that the spirit of this bill can be truly brought to bear. I am pleased that this bill was widely supported in its first reading and that the benefits of this bill were recognised. I hope this support continues at this stage and I commend this bill to the House.