Whaitiri Meka; Rurawhe AdrianHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti): No greater iwi has contributed to the leadership framework of Aotearoa New Zealand than Ngāti Porou.Nō reira ōku rau rangatira mā tēnei te mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa kua tae mai i tēnei wā; tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā tātou katoa.[Therefore my distinguished leaders let me offer warm greetings to all of you who have come here today; greetings greetings greetings to one and all.]As the proud member for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti I am honoured to stand in solidarity with all the members of the House in supporting the introduction of the Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill (No 2). I want to say what eloquent contributions all members gave in terms of the importance of this particular bill. It's probably for me—listening to both the Minister in his introduction and the former Minister Chris Finlayson who I also want to acknowledge in terms of their work in bringing this bill—it really is a recognition of what already happens on the coast; it already happens. It's happened mai rā anō and so this bill really is just acknowledging the undisturbed possession of their moana. This is what we're doing here today and it couldn't come faster. So I want to acknowledge all those that have worked and also pay tribute to Uncle Api in terms of his stewardship of this particular bill and his tenacity to work with a former Labour Government in 2008 when it was first signed. It's done a 10-year bit of a hīkoi so it's probably fitting that it's now going to be passed into law under this coalition Government. I'm really really proud to be part of that process but I do want to acknowledge the sincere work of Uncle Api and others that join us here in ushering this bill to its completion.Hon Christopher Finlayson: And Api was really in favour of law reform too.Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: Was he?Hon Christopher Finlayson: He got me on to Te Ture Whenua Māori reform which you've mucked up.Hon MEKA WHAITIRI: Interesting—interesting. You had 10 years to get this over the line Mr Finlayson so we're happy to pick up the slack. You were gifted it from the last Labour-led Government. Anyway we're here to celebrate. This is to acknowledge the mahi that has gone in in the background. And I do want to acknowledge the great leaders of the tribe of Ngāti Porou. I want to acknowledge my Ngāti Porou side. I've got to say I was raised in a little community—I say it's the biggest capital city of Gisborne called Manutuke—and for a long time I actually thought their name was Ngāti Blow" because that's what my auntie used to always say to me: "Watch out for those Ngāti Blows". So for a long time I actually used to think: "Holy their name's 'Ngāti Blow' " because it was a reflection of the way that they were great leaders—I discovered later on—and very proud and very outspoken. I want to acknowledge my Ngāti Porou side through my two great-grandmothers—Miriama Pōhatu nèe McClutchie on my father's side; and on my mother's side I want to acknowledge Reremoana Hakiwai nèe Paratene who was also raised in Tokomaru Bay with the Pēwhairangi whānau. So these connections when we are talking about returning—not even returning; it's acknowledging the undisturbed occupation of the moana with Ngāti Porou through this bill and it's always exciting that we have legislation like that that actually does achieve to do that.What I wanted to contribute in the time that I've got left—because obviously this bill will go to the Māori Affairs Committee—is a time prior to me coming into the House and that was the time I served as the chief executive of Ngāti Kahungunu. Going home back in 2009 they had just introduced the Kahungunu ki Uta Kahungunu ki Tai strategy and I just offer that up to our whānau in the gallery Ngāti Porou. That strategy actually empowered hapū to come up with hapū plans from the mountains to the sea—from the mountains to the sea—and returning the tino rangatiratanga and the mana motuhake to the rightful place of ngā hapū. So I just offer that up to our visitors in the gallery never to take anyone's lead because I know Ngāti Porou will have it sorted going forward in terms of their hapū plans but if you wanted to look at something that's already out there and get some feedback then I would encourage you to make contact. I'm sure Herewini's probably already spoken to Ngāhiwi about looking and examining that particular strategy. It was a very detailed strategy and it gave practical tools to hapū around how they go about doing their individual plans. So from the mountain to the sea we're here talking about the moana but I know up in Ngāti Porou the mana extends like I said from the mountains to the sea. So there's a little suggestion that I offer up as my contribution on this bill.In the time that I've got remaining it is really important to encourage those that may not have signed up to this process—I am talking about the hapū that aren't signed up—to be active participants when the bill is getting scrutinised at the select committee. I am hopeful without making that decision for the chairman of the Māori Affairs Committee that the hearings will be held in Gisborne if not at the coast to make it easier for all our whānau from the coast to come and submit and have their say on this piece of legislation—if anything else to at least understand what this piece of legislation is attempting to do. So I do encourage both the supporters which are very important—and this whole House supports this bill—but it's also to hear from those that may have some issues or perhaps have some ways in which we can strengthen particular parts of the legislation.I think it's innovative what Ngāti Porou's done here. I'm not surprised. It's a unique bill in that this will be the only one that we'll see because of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act that other members have spoken about. But it's really to celebrate that this legislation protecting what has already happened and is happening up the coast is endured as we go forward. So with that contribution I wholeheartedly support all those that have spoken on this bill recognising the leadership and the sacrifice that this iwi has for New Zealand. The leadership they've shown for themselves and for Aotearoa New Zealand is something that we cannot celebrate and acknowledge enough. So with those few words I wholeheartedly stand proudly to commend this bill to the House. Kia ora tātou.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Otirā e tika ana kia tuku mihi atu ki a koutou; mēnā he waiata tā koutou anei te wā.[Therefore it behoves me to thank you all; if you have a song this is the time for it.]Waiata"