Kapa-Kingi Mariameno; Lee Melissa; Sepuloni CarmelMARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI (Te Pāti Māori—Te Tai Tokerau): I support the idea of withdrawing and this is why: pathways take time. Pathways of learning take time particularly so when systemically it prejudices particularly Māori in the process of registration. And why I know this is because I was one of those that attempted the registration process some while ago. Because particularly what we had to deal with over the years are systems processes clinical practice which has always alienated Māori. So this process of pathway is critical.I'd be interested if the Minister could clarify whether she has secured and appreciated the position and advice particularly from tangata whenua not only from the official body but from other Māori settings across the motu. It's an important exercise because rushing this in this way I'm going to say would fail Māori yet again.This particularly piece relates to section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. It relates to the other situation that we were debating this morning; it relates to it closely. Unless this piece—it's not understood what it means for Māori but also Māori whānau. This exercise also relates to cultural reports and the way in which those were ignored in a previous debate that we were having because what we are trying to drive in this thinking space is the critical value of Māori pedagogy in all of this work and it's misunderstood—in fact it's ignored.So if the Minister's able to answer in terms of her ability to have secured good rigorous advice and appreciated it in this exercise I'd be keen to know that. Thank you very much.Hon MELISSA LEE (Minister for Economic Development): Thank you Madam Chair. I will address part of the question that members have asked starting with Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. Thank you for the kōrero that you've actually produced in the House and I appreciate your experience in the kaupapa that you have actually been working in.We acknowledge that the experience pathway is currently an important entry point for Māori practitioners and Pacific communities. The Social Workers Registration Board have recently made changes to the experience pathway application process to make this more accessible for Māori and Pacific practitioners I believe. We anticipate that this will support experienced Māori practitioners to register as social workers through the experience pathway over the next two years.A shorter time frame could also encourage more of an uptake in social worker qualifications. A two-year delay will also provide an opportunity to consider an alternative entry pathway into social worker registration that is more accessible including for Māori and Pasifika and other communities who are actually wanting to take part in this profession in this pathway. This includes reviewing recognition for prior learning requirements and considering staircasing education pathways and training. This work could provide long-term options to support more inclusive and accessible entry into social worker registration that are in fact enduring.I seek the committee's indulgence a little bit because obviously I'm not an expert in this field—I'm sitting in the chair and I'm trying my very best to actually answer the members. Having said that the question from member Menéndez March and also the Hon Carmel Sepuloni in terms of what kind of consultation we have undertaken and the reason why this bill is actually before the House is the Government considered the future of the bill including whether to progress the bill in its current form or to amend it. The consideration has been informed by the feedback from submissions to select committee which I believe actually when there is kōrero in select committee people have an opportunity to raise their issues with the bill or the support of the bill and advice provided by officials. I considered that a two-year delay would balance the need to support the sector in the short term to address workforce supply issues while maintaining the emphasis on training to a mandatory qualification setting as soon as possible considering there is actually a shortage of social workers that we are facing in this country.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): Point of order Madam Chair. I'm not sure what our recourse is here but the defence and the reference to the submissions for the two-year reduction have actually been responded to by the major peak bodies saying they made a mistake with the submission that they put through but the Minister in the chair is using evidence that these particular associations have said they wanted withdrawn. So I don't think that the amendment is well informed and I'm concerned that we're moving ahead using information from a submission that this very important professional body have said they want withdrawn.CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): I'll just take some advice on that while we have a call. Is this on the same—Ricardo Menéndez March: It's a call.CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): It's a call. OK. If you take your call I'll just take some advice on the point of order.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): Point of order. I seek leave to table the letter that went to the Minister for Social Development and Employment on Tuesday 13 February I believe from Sharyn Roberts who is on the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers board outlining their humble apologies for that submission and saying that they wanted it withdrawn.CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): Leave is sought for that purpose is there any objection? There is none.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.