McKee NicoleNICOLE McKEE (ACT): Mr Speaker I stand to take a call on behalf of ACT to speak to the Ahuriri Hapū Claims Settlement Bill but if you would afford me just a short minute to acknowledge those on the south coast of Wellington where a state of emergency has just been declared. That is in my electorate of Rongotai where I live and I would like to just put a shout out to those people out there to please listen to Civil Defence. If they come knocking on your door be prepared to leave be prepared to leave quickly. This is right up to and after high tide which is due at 9 o'clock this evening.The Ahuriri Hapū Claims Settlement Bill was one that I was not aware of being a new member of Parliament and I would like to just point out to the Mana Ahuriri Trust that you have 40-odd new MPs who are learning about what you've had to go through to get to settlement. I would like to just speak through what I have learnt in doing the research for this speech. First thing it's been a very long process for you all with the first submissions being made way back in 1988 a casebook inquiry occurring in 1996 and the Mohaka ki Ahuriri report that came about in 2004. You had seven hapū who have come together to form a negotiating group in 2006 but it wasn't until 2016 before you were able to actually finally sign a deed of settlement. We are now progressing your settlement through the House with this the second reading.The area that is covered has already been traversed. It's from the Esk to the Ngaruroro rivers and it's from the Kāweka Ranges to the Pacific Ocean. As has been said by other members it's actually quite an extensive rohe. The value of this settlement is $19.5 million and a third of the shares that are held in the Kāweka Gwavas Forestry Company Limited. I'd just like to do a personal note here. I've been lucky enough to go and hunt into the Kāwekas in some of the forestry blocks—not this one in particular—but I think it's really important when we can hand over some of that ownership because it's not just about investment in the forestry; it's also about allowing hapū to go into some of these areas and hunt to be able to put food on their table. It was noted that there were 34 submissions and that there were nine orals that were given during the select committee process with trips made to Napier as well as Wellington by both the select committee and also by those that wished to submit. It may seem like a small number but I do recognise that they were representatives for hapū who represented quite a large number of people. So 34 and nine may sound small but I believe it would actually represent a significant more number of people.The process was questioned the process of settlement and as a result an inquiry was held and there were recommendations to move this process and to be able to move the settlement forward. It was unable to give effect to that because there couldn't be an agreement reached. So I understand that this is why we've had such a long delay. The issue with Ōmarunui accounts of what took place I think were really really important and I respect those concerns and I also respect the efforts that have been made to address them. Ngāti Pārau Ngāti Tu and Ngāi Te Ruruku requested an urgent inquiry to address those concerns and they got it. They got a good dialogue between the Government and themselves. The Crown in engaging with those representatives agreed that there were differing perspectives but that they would acknowledge those and have them published. So I thank you for your perseverance to ensure that the settlement details are accurately recorded and I thank the consortium that is Mana Ahuriri Trust for their work here as well.I understand that the inquiry recommendation to hold the bill from progressing through to its final stage until the elections for the post-settlement Government entity had taken place were not upheld because the Mana Ahuriri Trust had a clear mandate from their people that elections were to occur post-settlement. I acknowledge Minister Little in his advice on the processes that they went through there and am very pleased now to hear that the trustee election process is well under way acknowledging as well that it will occur on 2 August. There were a few names that were mentioned for those running. I'm not exactly going to advocate for anyone in particular but I will say that Peter Eden's name was mentioned and this is a man who I've done some extensive work with with whānau up in the Gisborne area and all around the Ngāti Kahungunu area as well. He is a man of integrity I found and one that works very hard for his people so I'm pleased to hear that he is standing.I commend both the Government and the Mana Ahuriri Trust for forging through to complete the settlement by bringing this bill back to the House for completion of its legislative stages in order to implement the full and final settlement. ACT continues to support this bill and the settlement that it shall deliver to the tangata whenua represented by Mana Ahuriri Trust. Thank you.