te Heuheu Georgina: Third Readings 
te Heuheu Georgina: Third Readings 
[Volume:636;Page:7023] 
Hon GEORGINA TE HEUHEU (National) 
: 
 I am pleased to stand and speak on the third reading of this legislation. As the Minister has so correctly identified the original bill amended a number of bills and the legislation has been divided into its various parts. 
In any event National supports this legislation. It is true that during both the select committee deliberation and the Committee stage we made comments regarding the retrospective legislation that validates certain decisions made by Judge Norman Smith of the Maori Land Court. We also made comments around the increase in the number of judges from eight to 14 and questioned whether that increase was absolutely necessary. Even though the stated intention of that provision is to assist the Maori Land Court to deal with its increased jurisdiction so far I do not know that that anticipated increased jurisdiction is showing itself to be the case. But no doubt it may very well be so. 
Even though there is to be an increase in the number of judges the advice from officials that the number will not necessarily go to 14 immediately in itself gives us an assurance that we will not have courts overloaded with judges with not enough work or more so without the resources to support them. But if there is the anticipated increase in their workload and if there is a need to fill the 14 positions then I trust that the Minister over the coming 2 years will make sure there are sufficient resources to support that increase. 
On the issue of the closing-off date for the submission of Treaty of Waitangi claims I heard the Minister say that it was part of the Government’s election brief that it would implement that. I just want to add that National saw the need for such a provision to become part of the Treaty settlement process back in 2002 and we proposed it in our policy then. In 2002 after 10 years of Treaty settlements it had become very clear to us even though we were in Opposition that in order for any Government of the day to be able to plan properly and efficiently for the proper administration of claims and for the due settlement of claims at some point in time it would have to have a reasonably clear picture of what lay ahead. 
 That is only fair not just to the Government but to the people of New Zealand. It is also fair to claimants so they know that there is a plan in place and that this will not just happen willy-nilly as claims arise and keep on being filed. So National certainly supports the closing-off date particularly since it was a policy position of ours at least 4 years ago. 
It is important—and I know that the Minister Parekura Horomia stated this very clearly—to know that we are talking only about the submission or lodging of claims. The provisions in this legislation have no impact whatsoever on when settlement claims might be completed in the future—might finally be concluded. That we all hope will still happen in a timely fashion and the provision for a closing-off date is introduced to assist that. I guess we all hope—mostly for the claimants—that the end is in sight sooner rather than later. 
I have to agree with one of the Government speakers yesterday Dover Samuels. There is a deep wish from Maori to have their claims settled. Yes they have concerns about some of the processes involved in the settlement of claims but there is no doubt in my mind particularly with some of the claims already having been settled—those of NgaiTahu and Tainui back in the 1990s for instance—that tribes do not want claims settled over a long time frame; they would like them settled now. If we look at what has happened with those tribes that have settled we see the way they have been able to put grievance behind them and see into and plan for the future. There is real benefit to everybody in having the claims process properly prepared for and properly managed. As I say this provision in the legislation for a closing-off date is a very important part of that process. 
I suppose I support the comments the Minister made about the efficient functioning of the Maori Land Court which the provisions in this legislation are designed to assist. It is true that so much of Maori Land Court activity either helps or hinders our people in the efficient management of their assets—their land assets and more recently their fisheries assets. But let us hope that not too many disputes go to the Maori Land Court and that Maori in their wisdom will find ways to be more consultative with each other and avoid the waste of time energy and money. There is cost—there will always be a need for lawyers no doubt. Lawyers manage to find their way into most activities. Let us hope Maori can avoid all of that time and cost and can settle any disputes in a more cooperative fashion. 
I agree that proper functioning of the courts to enable iwi and Maori communities to manage their assets properly is crucial. It is crucial to the development of our people in going forward. Like the Minister we all go around the country constantly and see what is happening in our Maori communities and what we find is just great. I have to say that sometimes despite legislation Maori manage to move forward anyway. If these provisions help them to do that better then that is absolutely wonderful. 
I add a note that although I support the Minister’s comments about the businesses our people’s enterprises and all of those things that are occurring—they are happening—I say that development also includes education skill acquisition and the whole variety of activities our people are involved in. The Minister should keep in mind that none of those are being affected by this legislation before us today. In terms of underachievement in Maori communities I tell members that at least 20 to 30 percent of our people are not in any way at all constructively one could say participating in our economy and in New Zealand society. That is an indictment on the Labour Government that has been in power for 7 years and that actually has done very little to address the problems of that segment of our people. 
Thankfully businesses will grow because our people are getting a lot smarter and more knowledgable about managing their assets. But the input of the Government and of the Minister of Maori Affairs in particular has been lacking in solutions in areas such as say South Auckland and other parts of New Zealand where too many of our children are living in homes that do not let them see any light towards a productive adulthood. The Minister should turn his attention to these things in the coming year and he should have a good think about them over the Christmas holidays. Let us see what he comes up with to ensure that the issues of that grouping of our people are addressed and that those who are successful at their businesses go ahead and become even better.