Flavell Te Ururoa: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Flavell Te Ururoa: Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:673;Page:19695] 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker Robertson. Nga mihi nui ki a koe i tenei ahiahi. The Maori Party proudly stands in support of the Telecommunications (TSO Broadband and Other Matters) Amendment Bill which amends the Telecommunications Act 2001. We support the implementation of the Government’s policy programme for the telecommunications sector. 
This legislation is a key example of the impact of a strong and independent Maori voice sitting at the decision-makers’ table. I start by acknowledging the inclusion of the specific consideration of Maori interests through the establishment of a national Maori broadband working-group which will enhance meaningful and appropriate Maori participation in this sector. The extension of the powers of Nga Pu Waea into ultra-fast broadband in urban areas was specifically negotiated by the Maori Party co-leader the Hon Dr Pita Sharples with the Minister for Communications and Information Technology. Nga Pu Waea is the result of a submission by the Maori Economic Taskforce and shows the confidence the Government has in its recommendations and in having the Maori Party voice right at the top table. 
The membership of this group includes representatives from Maori information and communications technology interests including Te Huarahi Tika Trust Te Putahi Paoho Wai 2224 claimants the Maori Economic Taskforce and the Iwi Leaders Forum. The seven members of Nga Pu Waea are Jeremy Gardiner Daphne Luke Mavis Mullins Haami Piripi Antony Royal Tuwhakairiora Williams and Richard Orzecki. 
For Maori the Rural Broadband Initiative has a significant benefit in connecting whanau hapu and iwi and connecting marae runanga wananga kohanga kura and Maori providers through the use of broadband technology. It will provide for greater expression of kaupapa tuku iho increased commercial and social activities and improved coverage of te reo Maori. 
The working-group called Nga Pu Waea will firstly develop options for maximising coverage and connectivity to marae wananga kura kohanga runanga and other Maori organisations through rural broadband; secondly establish and implement trade training programmes and employment opportunities for Maori through the initiative; and thirdly ensure relationship brokerage with Maori at community regional and national levels to support among other things economic development opportunities including investment opportunities and community-wide education. Nga Pu Waea will be able to provide experience and expertise in Maori economic development through information and communications technology through the dynamics of Maori stakeholder engagement through industry knowledge and relationships through an understanding of the roles of information and communications technology in supporting the promotion of the Maori language and culture specifically and through Maori development in general. 
We welcome this bill in that it will increase coverage and connectivity to marae wananga kura kohanga reo runanga and Maori providers. We are pleased to support this bill because it will enable the establishment of trade training programmes through wananga and employment opportunities for Maori. The bill will also provide specific partnering opportunities for Maori and iwi in relation to design and building services land access and using existing infrastructure and services. Finally we welcome the legislative change to facilitate Maori or iwi investment in the rural broadband sector. 
People out in the real world might ask why we support this bill. What does it mean for them? Obviously that does not matter to the Labour Party but for Maori it is quite important. That is why we have gone with this kaupapa. The concept of communications is obviously important and it is paramount in this day and age. Ninety-nine percent of people have access to the internet. Good connectivity to the outside world is therefore important but there are other aspects of this initiative that make the development relevant to a general audience. Economically information and communications technology is key infrastructure that brings with it jobs jobs and more jobs. As a result of this bill 93 percent of rural schools will receive fibre enabling ultra-fast broadband speed with the remaining 7 percent achieving moderate speeds. As a result of this legislation over 80 percent of rural households will have access to broadband. 
This bill is a vital platform for Aotearoa moving into the future. The Maori Party is pleased to support the bill and we greatly appreciate the willingness of both the Minister and the Government to enter into an arrangement with the Maori Party that is so very constructive for whanau hapu and iwi.