Harawira Hone: Westpac New Zealand Bill — First Reading 
Harawira Hone: Westpac New Zealand Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:630;Page:2305] 
HONE HARAWIRA (Maori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) 
: 
 Before I speak on the Westpac New Zealand Bill I congratulate Sue Bradford on her comments outlining the requirements of corporate bodies in this country and in particular on highlighting concerns about working conditions holiday expectations and reductions in bank sites—particularly at a time when a company is making excessive profits. I particularly take those comments on board because I come from an area where the Government shut down all the post offices—so we have none. I feel the impact of the reduction of services and when I hear about banks doing the same sort of thing I am mindful of the need to keep tabs on how that happens and what we do about it. 
I return to my korero. Although I have no great love for the way in which the Reserve Bank’s directives impact on the poor in our land I do recognise the importance of ensuring that the biggest banks in our country are also incorporated here in Aotearoa. If those banks are charged with taking care of our money then the Maori Party believes that they should be keeping our money here and offering protection to their clients here as well. At the moment ANZ the National Bank BNZ and ASB are all incorporated here and this bill aims to bring Westpac into that fold. 
I am keen to speak to this bill because some issues in respect of Westpac have a particular positive focus for Maori. I will focus on three of those initiatives which other banks may want to pick up on as well. In particular Westpac held a series of hui to discuss the way in which to handle corporate social responsibility. Although Sue Bradford’s comments suggest that those discussions went in one ear and out the other the philosophy is an approach that is very much in line with the Maori Party’s kaupapa of encouraging ordinary people to be part of decisions that affect them. 
Maori are key stakeholders in any banking situation and we applaud any steps taken by any banking organisation to recognise that goodwill. As the MP for Te Tai Tokerau I can specifically acknowledge the Westpac initiative of helping Te Uri o Hau in the management of some $15.6 million in settlement assets with a practical project that assisted in iwi planning social services environmental and cultural initiatives and leadership development. I note a statement from a chief executive officer of the time who said that it is: “about recognising the importance of the contribution made to New Zealand by the Maori economy as a whole. Maori success is a broad economic issue not just for iwi and the Government but private enterprise as well.” 
The other project I wish to mention is a manual that Westpac published as a result of its work with Te Uri o Hau Ngati Whatua Ngai Tahu Tainui and other indigenous communities from other parts of the world particularly Canada. It helps tribes to determine best investment options. That publication entitled  
Let’s Settle This! 
 provides options to iwi to help them identify how best to grow settlements how to manage joint ventures how to develop commercial entities and how to manage education and social service programmes. I know those initiatives did not happen overnight and I do not suggest for one moment that Westpac is all sweetness and light. In fact the 1993 Maori Development Corporation report noted that cultural issues had not been addressed as well as they might have been by Westpac. But its progress in this particular regard is possibly a benchmark that other banks might take note of. 
Maori have been into banking since way back in the 1800s when they first cottoned on to the fact that there had to be something in this banking thing—otherwise Europeans would not be into it themselves. Indeed the prospectus of the Maungatautari Money House noted that Maori people had been viciously wronged in their dealings with Europeans who had largely profited thereby. It also noted: “our hearts are sorely grieved at this robbery of our people:” Apparently nearly every Maori in the area banked with the Maungatautari Money House but unfortunately it all came to nought when the money house and all its contents were lost in a fire. But the positive thinking was there. 
The Maori Party supports this bill and it is our earnest wish that local incorporation will be a continuation towards local development. Whanau are the ones best able to determine their own solutions and we support their right to do so. We urge all banking institutions in Aotearoa to be part of that solution. We look forward to the Finance and Expenditure Committee investigating some of the points that were raised by the honourable Sue Bradford and others and clarifying how some of those issues might be resolved not just by Westpac but by all other banking institutions in the country as well. At the same time we look forward to the select committee process promoting positive initiatives from within the banking fraternity as well and ensuring that Maori development is not held back by poor employment practices.