Henare Peeni: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHenare Peeni: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) — Second Reading[Sitting date: 16 March 2016. Volume:712;Page:9858. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PEENI HENARE (Labour—Tāmaki Makaurau): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker and thank you for this opportunity. I rise to make a relatively brief contribution to the second reading of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3). Can I congratulate the member Alfred Ngaro on bringing this particular amendment bill into the House. I was not on the Local Government and Environment Committee but just from the general comments around the previous bill and the robust debate about that and of course this one now—I congratulate the select committee on the hard work that it has done on this particular bill and on the one that we have just heard. Mr Ngaro talked about the 17 submissions and how there is a general consensus in fact quite a majority consensus for this particular amendment bill.Although the bill might be small I think that in the big scheme of things in a place such as the great electorate of Tāmaki Makaurau it is actually a very relevant thing. It reminds me of a whakataukī. Given that the National Party is really keen on whakataukī this evening I thought I would put in one of my own: ka pū te ruha ka hao te rangatahi [the worn-out net is cast aside and the new one goes fishing]. The great thing about that particular whakataukī is that it allows for new leadership to come through. It does not allow people to monopolise such key positions within our communities.I do want to acknowledge the speech given by Mr Ngaro about the importance of the role of local boards and no more so than in Tāmaki-makau-rau given it is such a big city and quite often a lot of people can find themselves lost in the urban milieu. But it is important that particular areas in Tāmaki-makau-rau find a voice one that is relevant to their community and it is even better if they can find leadership within their own community. I take the point made by the member about how important it is that those seeking election at local body level actually live in and serve their communities. That is an important point to make and there are challenges within Tāmaki-makau-rau about that. Quite often you can serve a particular local board but live just slightly outside of the area. But the main thing is that your heart and the intentions goals and aspirations you have for your community are best served by those who are local.New section 11AA inserted by clause 6 talks about what the exact intention of this bill is which is to prohibit members from standing as elected members on multiple boards. I do wonder though—and I put this to the debate in the House this evening—when I consider Māori and Pacific Island representation on local bodies there seems to be a lack of fair representation or equitable representation on those bodies. I wonder whether this particular amendment might have an unintended consequence. It might—what is the word—stop or discourage those of Māori or Pacific Island descent from representing their communities. I say that because—although Mr Assistant Speaker I see that you are frowning at my comment—if there is one thing that I do know about Māori representation on boards whether they be Māori boards or non-Māori boards it is that it is really really hard to find the correct skills and expertise to bring to those leadership roles. What you quite often find is one person wearing multiple hats. I would hate to see that particular set of skills or talents lost as an unintended consequence of this particular bill. But the bill is relatively technical.I once again in conclusion just want to congratulate the member on bringing this bill into the House and also on his acknowledgment of the member from this side of the House who is passionate about local body politics. In conclusion can I just say to those who are intending to stand in the upcoming elections in Tāmaki-makau-rau: “All the best.” because we all across the House here understand just how hard it is to put your hand up to seek representation of your community. So I wish them all good luck—in particular one member—and I will end there. Tēnā tātou katoa.