Goudie Sandra: Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill — First Reading 
Goudie Sandra: Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:652;Page:1741] 
SANDRA GOUDIE (National—Coromandel) 
: 
 I am absolutely delighted to be following my most excellent colleague Shane Ardern. He makes an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand Parliament and to his electorate of Taranaki - King Country. What an outstanding member of Parliament he is! I have very fond memories of his wonderful tractor Matilda. 
This is a momentous moment in New Zealand’s legislative history as we speak to the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill. It is an important opportunity for New Zealand to recognise the continuing excellent work of the National Government in moving matters forward. That is what we are intent on doing and have been doing for the last 100 days - plus. We are absolutely focused on getting the job done. I commend all my colleagues for the outstanding work that they have been doing. On my right is the Hon Richard Worth—another outstanding Minister. 
The Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill makes a number of non-controversial changes to the status of parcels of land land titles and previous Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Acts. In short we call these bills ROLD bills—R-O-L-D. I say for the benefit of those people who might happen to be listening in on this very special occasion that this legislation is important. If one looks at the breadth of the proposed changes one sees that—apart from the changes to the Reserves Act—there are about 50 different amendments. Some of those relate to Albert Park with the Auckland Art Gallery development; the Auckland volcanic cones land; and the Dunedin Octagon land. Do members remember that the Dunedin Octagon land was in the news recently? So many people have very strong connections and emotional ties to many of these places. I am sure they will be delighted that some of the constraints on their enjoyment of these places and on the community’s use of and wishes regarding them are now being set free. It is absolutely liberation. Communities will now have the freedom to enjoy these places and spaces as they wish. 
There is the Kahurangi National Park land. I hope I am pronouncing that correctly. We have been berated for the way in which we pronounce words in the House. We endeavour to be very careful about it. There is the Lookout Point land. Regarding the pronunciation of words local dialect must be considered and taken into account. 
Shane Ardern 
: The vernacular. 
SANDRA GOUDIE 
: Absolutely. In the Coromandel and all around New Zealand there are different pronunciations of words and that is to do with local dialect. 
But I will get back to the very important changes being made through this legislation. I must share with members that the Mahinepua Bay reserve land is mentioned—I am not sure I have said that correctly—as is the Marlborough District Council (Picton Office) land and Nelson Marlborough District Health Board land. 
Hon Steve Chadwick 
: What are the priorities of this Government—filibustering on this and avoiding the important legislation. 
SANDRA GOUDIE 
: I take issue with the member who does not believe that this bill is important. It absolutely is important. It is really important that these changes are made for the many communities throughout New Zealand who want the opportunity to enjoy these places and spaces. I would hope that the member supported communities being able to maximise their enjoyment and use of all these properties. 
 There is the Paparoa National Park Land the Port Chalmers Recreation Reserve—and what a delightful little place Port Chalmers is—the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area and Taieri Airport which is absolutely important. The Waikumete Cemetery land is very important and there is the Waipa District Council land the Westland National Park land and—the coup de grace—the Winton Racecourse. 
I was interested to see the Winton Racecourse there because my family often used to go to the Winton Racecourse and we have had many a wonderful happy family time there. It is wonderful to see that the Department of Conservation is opening up the opportunity for the community to have an interest in the Winton Racecourse and to take part in the management of its affairs. Clause 56(2) states: “So as to enable wider community and independent input into the racecourse the Department of Conservation wishes to enable the Minister of Conservation to appoint up to five trustees at any one time for the racecourse and to limit each appointment to a three-year period.” Is that not wonderful? I think it is absolutely fantastic! I am so moved! 
Hon Parekura Horomia 
: This is outlandish. This is foolish—disgraceful. 
SANDRA GOUDIE 
: Well it is wonderful. The Winton Racecourse Reserve Management Ordinance 1873 is being amended. We heard the year 1973 given but the ordinance dates back to 1873. It had been left to languish until we took it by the horns and we are making it happen tonight. Clause 57 substitutes a new section 3(1) in the ordinance that states: “The Minister of Conservation must appoint by notice in the  
Gazette 
 not fewer than 3 but no more than 5 persons as trustees of the Winton Racecourse.” It goes on to talk about the term of office and the transitional provision which is of course incredibly important. 
This Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill is diverse legislation and it spans the length and breadth of New Zealand. It has wide-ranging community interests at heart and it deals with a number of iconic New Zealand locations. It enables the transfer of land to address community wishes it removes restrictions that prevent community use of land and it corrects historic oversights errors or omissions that are of a non-controversial nature. I recall the words of my most excellent colleague Shane Ardern who said that the Office of Treaty Settlements has had an opportunity to comment as have a number of other agencies and it has found nothing overly controversial in the formulation of the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill. 
It would appear that we are satisfying the wishes of many people in communities throughout New Zealand about the use of these wide-ranging iconic places and spaces. I note that the Braemar Hospital site the Wairau Hospital site and the French Pass District Nursing Property are other areas of land whose use is now able to be determined to the satisfaction of the interests of those communities. 
I applaud National for its wonderful efforts in this regard— 
Hekia Parata 
: The leadership. 
SANDRA GOUDIE 
: —yes absolutely and for the leadership it has shown to the people of New Zealand.