Little AndrewNGĀ ROHE MOANA O NGĀ HAPŪ O NGĀTI POROU BILL (NO 2)Second ReadingHon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations): I move That the Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill (No 2) be now read a second time. Before I begin I'd like to extend a warm welcome to those members of ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou who have travelled here today to attend the second reading of this bill and especially Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou chairman Selwyn Parata. Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa—I warmly greet you all.I don't intend to speak at any great length on this bill. This bill gives effect in part to the amended deed of agreement between the Crown and ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou. Its purpose is to contribute to the legal expression protection and recognition of the continued exercise of mana by ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou in relation to ngā rohe moana.The bill also recognises the Crown has a responsibility—SPEAKER: Order! Very rude those members down the back.Hon ANDREW LITTLE: —to ensure public access to the common marine and coastal area. I'd like to keep my remarks regarding the second reading short as I said and I look forward to describing the bill in further detail when we come to the third reading.I'd like to acknowledge the work of the Māori Affairs Committee chaired by Rino Tirikatene who have progressed this bill in a timely and professional manner. The bill was referred to the committee in May. A total of 215 submissions from interested groups and individuals were considered. The committee heard oral evidence from 18 submitters at hearings in Gisborne and Wellington. Consequently the committee recommended amendments to the bill that will do three things: firstly introduce a cut-off date for hapū to provide views on resource consent applications; secondly ensure consistencies between the deed and customary fishing regulations; and thirdly include the location of Eastland Port Ltd property within ngā rohe moana.The committee also recommended amendments that clarify a number of things: firstly the relationship between customary and general fisheries regulations; secondly the Department of Conservation referral processes; thirdly how the High Court makes their determinations; and lastly the boundaries of ngā rohe moana. These recommendations along with the remaining aspects of the bill will provide the necessary regime for the recognition of the customary rights of ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou while also addressing the concerns of others.This bill comes out of the kind of transition between the old legislation towards the end of the last Labour-led Government in 2008 and the arrival of the new legislation under the last National Government enacted in 2009. If I'm wrong in that I'm sure the Hon Chris Finlayson will correct me on it. But an agreement was signed up to with Ngāti Porou commitments were made and we've been working our way through to make sure that both parties act with honour and honour the commitments that were made.The second reading of this bill brings the Crown closer to honouring its commitment to ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou while also protecting the rights and interests of all New Zealanders in the takutai moana. That's what was intended under the previous legislation that's what's intended under the current legislation and that's what's intended under this particular bill. I commend the Ngā Rohe Moana o Ngā Hapū o Ngāti Porou Bill (No 2) to the House. Nō reira tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā tātou katoa.