Flavell Te Ururoa: Christchurch City Council (Lancaster Park) Land Vesting Bill — First Reading 
Flavell Te Ururoa: Christchurch City Council (Lancaster Park) Land Vesting Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:646;Page:15771] 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
: 
 Tena koe Madam Assistant Speaker. Kia ora tatou i te Whare. Members probably do not know this but over a century ago a humble advertisement promoted a major event to be held at Lancaster Park in Christchurch. The notice read something like this: “Tena Koutou Tena Koutou. Haere Mai Haere Mai. Kapai the Pakehas Kapai the Maoris of the North Island.” 
With that auspicious welcome a Maori carnival was held at Lancaster Park. It was established to raise funds for what was called the Mahanui Maori Council. Ka pai the Pakehas ka pai the Maoris. This carnival was held on 12 and 13 November 1903 and it was the largest gathering of its kind with over 200 people attending. Amongst them were representatives of key pa sites at Tuahiwi Taumata Port Levy Little River Raupaki—now called Rapaki—and Temuka. It is a history that does not rate too much of a mention in this Christchurch City Council (Lancaster Park) Land Vesting Bill—a bill that takes as its primary motivation the need to redevelop Lancaster Park as a modern sports stadium for the future. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Marian Hobbs) 
: Excuse me members but can we just lower the level of the general conversation. Thank you. 
TE URUROA FLAVELL 
: Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. 
In a land that so often prides itself on its youthfulness it would be great if we did not lose sight of the invaluable history that can be associated with historical sites such as Lancaster Park. The Maori Party believes that the advancement of Aotearoa cannot be achieved without celebrating promoting and indeed reflecting on the notable events over time that distinguish our history. I am told that the people of the Sioux nation have a saying that a people without history is like wind in the buffalo grass. We need to understand our history to learn from it and to create a record or else the people and the events of our past will disappear like the wind in the buffalo grass—or perhaps in our case amongst the pingao. 
Let us not forget that at Lancaster Park on 3 February 1962 Peter Snell established a world half-mile record as well as breaking the world record for the 800 metres and he set an unofficial world record for the 660 yards. On 15 August 1981 a day of massive protest action around the country was galvanised at Lancaster Park as demonstrators vented a little bit of anger at the first day of the infamous Springbok Tour. In around 1982 or 1983 maybe I sat on the sidelines as a reserve for Auckland against Canterbury. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Did you get beaten? 
TE URUROA FLAVELL 
: I cannot remember whether we won or lost. In 1985 there was the Ranfurly Shield encounter between Canterbury coached by Alex Wylie and Auckland coached by John Hart— 
Jacqui Dean 
: Who? 
TE URUROA FLAVELL 
: —John Hart—at Lancaster Park. It is said to be the greatest game in the history of the national provincial championship. In 2003 a dramatic new stadium won the New Zealand Institute of Architects Resene Supreme Award for Architecture. Perhaps less gloriously I am told by my co-leader Tariana Turia—even though she was not watching—that Lancaster Park was the location where in 2006 All Black Jerry Collins decided to spontaneously irrigate the sacred grounds thereby creating massive outrage and talkback debate. My co-leader told me about that. And right now loyal Cantabrians are waiting for the announcement of the new name of the east stand as the groundwork is laid for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. 
All of these people have earned a rightful place in the history of Lancaster Park including of course Benjamin Lancaster of Bournemouth England who previously owned the land. The issue of ownership and occupation gives Lancaster Park its most distinctive place in history. 
This bill is one of only a few that have come to the House where we can say that the mana whenua have been fully consulted and are clear supporters and participants in the drafting of this bill. Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu has confirmed that there has been an honest and open consultation process with both the Victory Park Board and the Christchurch City Council with regard to the future development of the park. Ngai Tahu have always considered themselves to be major players in the southern economy and the southern community. Therefore it is clearly in their interests and in the interests of the greater Christchurch community to support the development of the site as a prestigious sports stadium. Ngai Tahu also note that the Christchurch City Council has an excellent track record in its relationships with Ngai Tahu—negotiations that the iwi themselves describe as honourable. 
This bill clearly demonstrates that the intent and meaning of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act were followed and upheld and that the provisions provided in the Act were sufficient. That in itself may yet be another reason to distinguish this bill from the crowd in that the settlement legislation has been recognised and adhered to as a vital mechanism for an ongoing relationship between Ngai Tahu and local authorities. 
Ka pai Ngai Tahu. Ka pai Christchurch City Council. The Maori Party is happy to support this bill.