Maipi-Clarke Hana-RawhitiHANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE (Te Pāti Māori—Hauraki-Waikato): Kia ora. Tēnā koe. I rise on behalf of Te Pāti Māori today as I haven't been able to talk to the Māori wards kaupapa as of yet. I'm hoping to rise a few times.However how can I not start without acknowledging the Hon Nania Mahuta? Nāna anō tēnei kaupapa i kōkiri ki roto i tēnei Whare Pāremata nāna anō hoki tēnei kaupapa. Tēnei te mihi atu ki tēnei o ngā māreikura i kōkiri i tēnei kaupapa mō ngā wāri Māori puta noa i te motu. [It was she who progressed this initiative in this House of Parliament and this initiative was also hers. I acknowledge this noble lady who progressed this initiative for Māori wards all across the country.]So I'd like to start with that.My question to the Minister is: when the Government was formalised and officially became the Government of New Zealand they automatically assumed their obligation of the Treaty partner how does removing the right of or implementing referendums of Māori wards to local government representation constitute good or appropriate Treaty partner behaviour within this bill?James Meager: Point of order Mr Chairperson. Sorry I apologise for interrupting the member but the member does have political party logos on the back of her laptop and that's not allowed on the surface of the table in the House.CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): That is correct. Is the member reading from her speech? Just to prevent the sensibilities of some in the Chamber if you could just resume what you're doing that would be good.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: [Covers stickers on laptop] Is this OK?CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): That's sufficient what we have. The member is actually correct.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: There we go.CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): I won't conduct a referendum of the House to see whether that is sufficient; I will rule that that is sufficient so the member may continue.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: OK. I just lost my train of thought—hold up.CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): OK. I'll allow the member to start again if she likes. We'll go back to five minutes.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: OK. I thought I'd go to—this is actually a bit of a déjà vu moment—it was only two years ago that I made a submission to the Hamilton City Council pleading to the councillors at that time to implement Māori wards when Nania Mahuta championed this kaupapa. I quote from my Māori wards submission two years ago that clearly outlines the necessity of Te Tiriti partnership and relationship that I was clearly asking in my pātai to the Minister. My quote from that submission that I made is: So my question is to you. We are the first generation since raupatu to speak our language to attend whare kura. We have no choice but to be the first and we will be the first generation to speak in this council. So out of all cases you hear today which one is going to make us the first? Which one is going to matter 160 years from now so that our generation will have a voice and be heard because if this council does not let us speak I will. I'll make sure that our voices never die out. We are here today to find a solution to the problem and unite under kīngitanga through kotahitanga." I ended my submission that day with this proverb from our Māori King: "Taku kupu ki a koe Manuwhiri kohikohia ngā maramara o te waka kia kōpū ki tō aroaro. Waiho mā waho hei wherawhera; he kokopi kau tāu."—"My advice to you manuhiri is to gather together the remains of the tribe before your presence. Leave others to divide them. Your task is to unite them." I ended my speech by saying "Now where is my seat at this table?" I left the council that day demanding a seat for our people. The next reading there was unanimous support for the wards. Cameron Luxton: Point of order Mr Chairperson. There was a ruling earlier by a member of the committee and sitting in your seat along the lines that political displays of party branding shouldn't be allowed in the House and there was a move to cover it up.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Oh that's right. There was an attempt to cover it up. Are you able to do that again?Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Speaking to the point of order the member who has just stood up has a lapel pin on with the ACT Party on it—yet another political slogan. To be perfectly honest I can barely see—Hon Member: What does it say?Hon Dr Duncan Webb: Oh "Te Pāti Māori" and "Honour Te Tiriti". If the Opposition was so fearful of those things I can see why they might not want to face up to them but it's hardly an affront to this committee for that member to speak from her laptop with those things on it. I find it absolutely appalling that these members are trying to intervene and interrupt her as she speaks.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: Point of order Mr Chairperson. I've actually seen many many different stickers and logos throughout this whole time I've been in Parliament on this computer. This is the first time I've ever seen that I've been point of ordered.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Just for consistency with the committee and consistency with the previous ruling of the Chairman who just vacated the Chair he did stipulate that you could cover it up. So just for consistency's sake in this case where was the thing that was there that covered it up last time?Rawiri Waititi: Point of order Mr Chairperson. Can you show me in the Standing Orders that the stuff on this computer is offensive? We've got somebody who's wearing an ACT lapel at the back there. We've had many others who wear those particular pins. Can you show me in the Standing Orders where this is not allowed? Show me.Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order Mr Chair.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): I just want to deal with this point of order first. What I want to do is uphold the ruling of the previous Chair which is in line with Speakers' rulings and Standing Orders. That ruling was already made. It is important for us to have consistency in the Chamber. My understanding of that ruling was in this case to cover that up. If you do want to take another point of order in terms of other political displays in the Chamber I'm happy to do so. But I think in terms of the consistency with the previous Chair it's important that we have that consistency in the Chamber.Rawiri Waititi: Speaking to the point of order I understand that the Chair made a ruling. I just want you to clarify the ruling so that we understand that and we were quite happy to do that. But the thing is it just says the word "Māori" on it. It doesn't say anything more than that. So if it said Te Pāti Māori I would agree; it just says Māori. So if you could let me know how this aligns with Standing Orders that would be much appreciated.Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order Mr Chair. CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Let me just deal with this. I'm just getting some—Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order Mr Chair.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Let me deal with this point of order first.Hon Mark Mitchell: Well I might be able to help you with the ruling.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): No that's fine. Please sit down. I am just getting some advice from the Clerk. I'm just looking at Speakers' ruling 62/3: "Slogans are not to be visible from the floor of the House." Also from Speaker's ruling 20/5: "(1) Political logos are not [to be] used as part of this House. (2) This House looks like it has decorum because it is not covered in boxes with party labels on them. I am therefore ruling from now on boxes in party colours with labels … be left in … benches and not put on top." What would restore decorum in the Chamber is my understanding is that if I can't see it then that's fine as well. If you'd just push it forward a little bit we can keep going.Hon Members: Point of order Mr Chair.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): I am ruling on this. Please just move that forward now. If you want to take another point of order—thank you very much—on other aspects fine to do so. Is this about a new point of order?Hon Mark Mitchell: Well no it's a point of order that I've called and that should be taken.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Is this a new point of order though?Hon Mark Mitchell: No; it's a point of order in relation to the ruling that you're making. I just want to make it very clear Mr Chair no one on this side at all—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): I'm sorry; this ruling has been made. Please sit down.Hon Mark Mitchell: No one is offended by—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Please sit down.Hon Mark Mitchell: —what's on the computer. It was Trevor Mallard that made that ruling—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): I have made the ruling you must be seated unless you are taking a new point of order.Hon Mark Mitchell: A new point of order.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): This is a new point of order?Hon Mark Mitchell: Yes it is a new point of order.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Well let's hear it.Hon Mark Mitchell: Yeah Mr Chair quite simply—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): And while you do this I would like you to specify the Speaker's ruling and the Standing Order.Hon Mark Mitchell: My point of order is quite simply this Mr Chair: there have been allegations made towards parties on this side of the Chamber by the Opposition parties to say that we're somehow offended by what's on the computer. That's not the case at all. Quite simply it was the case that the Speaker Trevor Mallard ruled that we can't have—and it was a ruling against the National Party and Labour because we used to have—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): This is not a point of order. The member will be seated. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke you may continue.Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Point of order.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): A new point of order?Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: Yes thank you. I am aware that we have had a member of the ACT Party stand up and speak two or three times this point of order and he is currently wearing an ACT badge on his lapel. I'd like to ask that that is put up. That is something that can be seen not only by the Chair but also on the camera. That is something that we ask that the Chair make a ruling on and ask for it to be removed. On that note we are also offended by the blue suits that are in this Chamber because we believe that those blue suits are indicative of—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Thank you for the point of order. I will now make a—Glen Bennett: Speaking to the point of order Mr Chair I just want to clarify with you because obviously there is a lot of talk of the politics of all of this and the challenges. So I'm just being really cautious. I am wearing a political symbol this evening Mr Chair. I actually have a rainbow pin on me. Should I remove this or would you like me to leave it on? I just want to clarify that for the committee.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): No this is trifling. That is not a political logo. My understanding is that if I can't see the political logo then this ruling doesn't apply. I have regressive glasses and they don't go that far back. So we are fine. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke do you wish to continue your intervention? Let's move on.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Come on Mark try a point of order now. Maybe you'll get one right for a change. Go on mate. Seven years you haven't got one right. HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: I runga i taku rorohiko ko ngā kupu e toru: "Taiao" "Māori" "Toitū te Tiriti". [On my computer are three words: "Taiao "Māori" "Toitū te Tiriti".]Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Is this a new point of order?Hon Mark Mitchell: You've taken everyone else's point of order—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Is this a new point of order?Hon Mark Mitchell: Yes it is—a new point of order it is Mr Chair. I've just had the senior whip or the shadow Leader of the House just ask me to take a point of order to clarify what we're talking about. Quite simply the clarifier is this: the Speaker Trevor Mallard made a ruling in this House that parties were not to display party logos. We have no problem with that at all. I'm completely relaxed with that. I just wanted to clarify for this shadow Leader of the House who asked me that was the ruling by the Speaker Trevor Mallard.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Can I invite that member to maybe step out into the hallway and seek that clarification face to face.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Point of order.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Is this a new point of order the Hon Kieran McAnulty?Hon Kieran McAnulty: It is sir. It is. I'm concerned that the committee has lost decorum here. It is not actually within Speakers' rulings to accept or fabricate an invitation from another member in order to justify a point of order. What concerns me—Hon Mark Mitchell: Well you asked me to.Hon Kieran McAnulty: —is—well for the sake of clarity—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Focus. Talk to the Chair.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Certainly. For the sake of clarity Mr Chair I did not invite the Hon Mark Mitchell to make a point of order; I was making the point that in seven years in this Parliament I haven't seen him make a successful one.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): The point is taken. Hon Kieran McAnulty: Sir I'll come to the point now. What concerns me—CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): This is not a point of order.Hon Mark Mitchell: That's right.CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Order! I'm on my feet now. If members want to seek clarifications from each other the hallway—the hallway. Now we are moving on. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: May I start again please?CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): You may.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: Tēnā rā koe e te Pīka otirā tēnā rā tātou e te Whare. I runga i tāku rorohiko ko ngā kupu e toru: taiao Māori toitū te Tiriti. Ehara ko ngā kupu e whakakīnaki ai i tō tātou nei pāti. [Thank you. Mr Chair; indeed greetings to all of us in the House. On my computer are three words: "Taiao" "Māori" "Toitū te Tiriti". These are not words that complement our party.]Those are the three representations that I have that I have put as stickers because I'm probably the only Gen Z in this whole Parliament—and the brother over there. However going back to the bill—going with my 4 minutes and 30 seconds left—I must still acknowledge the Hon Nanaia Mahuta who championed this kaupapa of Māori wards into the House many years ago.I wanted to actually quote from my submission that I made two years ago at the Hamilton City Council pleading to councillors at that time to implement Māori wards. Now we're here in Parliament and they can potentially be removed or be put to a referendum. My message at that time to those councillors—and ironically at that time Ryan Hamilton was a councillor on the Hamilton City Council and heard my submission. I think the reasoning for why I give this submission to the House is because it gives greater context as to why it is so important to implement Treaty partnership relationships which was one of my questions to the Minister earlier on.My message is "We are the first generation since raupatu to speak our language—to attend wharekura. We have no choice but to be the first. We will be the first generation to speak on this council. So out of all cases you hear today which one is going to make us the first? Which one is going to matter 160 years from now so that our generations will have a voice and be heard? Because if this council does not let us speak I will. I will make sure that our voices never die out. We are here today to find a solution to the problem and unite under Kīngitanga through kotahitangi."I ended my speech through this proverb from our Māori King "Taku kupu ki a koe Manuwhiri kohikohia ngā maramara o te waka kia kōpū ki tō aroaro. Waiho mā waho hei wherawhera; he kokopi kau tāu."—"My advice to you manuwhiri is to gather the remains of our tribes before your presence. Let others divide them. Your task is to unite them." I left with my statement "Now where is my seat at this table." I left the council demanding that day for a seat for our people. At the next reading there was a unanimous support for Māori wards from also MP for Hamilton—East or West?—Hon Member: East.HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE: —East Ryan Hamilton. So hopefully you oppose this bill tonight.Ironically at the time I vividly remember two years later we found a seat in Parliament. I vividly remember being asked by one of the councillors at the time: do you not see mana motuhake being represented today in this debating chamber. I replied "Absolutely not." The only Māori that are here are the ones making your cups of tea the "dial-a-pōwhiri" or those doing your karakia. That is the problem and that is the reason why we need Māori wards. There were so many other ethnicities on that council table at the time—Indian South African Pākehā—which I though was absolutely beautiful. But nowhere to be seen was the Treaty partner. That's what brings me to my question that I previously asked the Minister. When the Government was formalised and officially became the Government of New Zealand they automatically assumed their obligation to the Treaty partner. So my question is: how does the right of removing the Māori wards to local government representation constitute good or appropriate Treaty partner behaviour within this bill. Tēnā rā tātou.Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Local Government): The question is in relation to the intent of the policy and ultimately the intent of the policy is to allow councils to be able to put forward recommendations. The public then are able to petition as to whether or not there should be a referendum and then the public get to have their say as to whether or not the constitutional make up of the electors of that council and that ward proposal should go ahead or not. Ultimately it's about local people making decisions for their local community and those local people being the voters in those electorates."