Turia Tariana: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — First Reading 
Turia Tariana: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:629;Page:1637] 
TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 Rakau papa panga ka hei ki te marae. A weapon discarded can be an ornament on the marae. In the context of this bill that whakatauki advises us that an older person who has followed a career of certain skill but is no longer agile enough or strong enough can teach younger persons the same skill. In its essence this describes the unique relationship of reciprocity of manaakitanga inherent in our valuing of our kaumatuatanga—of recognising that the elders the wise ones are the repositories of whanau stories and family histories; that they are the bridge to a world not lived by the young. 
It is these characteristics that instruct us in supporting the proposed changes to amend the New Zealand superannuation and veterans pension provisions. We must ensure that the adjustments provide for an equitable standard of living pay for essentials and enable the continued participation by older people in community life—participation which is about the best opportunities for all that will close the gaps between rich and poor Maori and non-Maori and older and younger. 
This House will recall the New Zealand report from Professor Rodolfo Stavenhagen last year. The special rapporteur identified significant disparities between Maori and Pakeha in regard to social and human development indicators in his visit to Aotearoa. A key concern for the special rapporteur was the lack of significant disaggregated statistical data that identified ethnicity. If one does not have the right data one cannot really target social policy. The information we do have in Aotearoa is as a result of a 2002 report published by Professor Mason Durie.  
The Living Standards of Older Maori 
 report shows a relatively high rate of material disadvantage amongst older Maori and clear disparities between the living standards of older Maori and non-Maori. One in five older Maori face severe difficulties. 
It is data such as this that must inform the subsequent drafting of new legislation to broaden eligibility criteria and to ensure that Maori are able to maximise their take-up from superannuation and the veterans pension. It is never too soon to plan ahead to help boost Maori material well-being and to ensure that all superannuitants and veterans pensioners living in the community are able to benefit from simplified rules clear entitlements and income support appropriate to assist actual living arrangements. If we are to hold our heads up high on an international stage we need to know how to respond to what Professor Stavenhagen observed is a surprising differential of 10 years in life expectancy between Maori and Pakeha. 
The urgency of this crisis is also influenced by the demographic changes as the Maori population will age at a faster rate but at a later time than the non-Maori population. In March 1996 there were 14200 Maori aged 65 and over. By the year 2011 the number of Maori in this age group is expected to have increased by 84 percent to reach 26100 when Maori will comprise 5 percent of the population aged 65 years and over. By 2031 the expected number of older Maori will be 59000—more than four times its current size—and they will account for 9 percent of the total Maori population. In the space of one generation we can expect significant population pressures that this new legislation must take into account. 
It is our moral economic and cultural responsibility to take care of our older people. Such care is critical for the survival of mana a-hapu and we must not short-change another generation. If we can live up to this expectation the benefits will accrue for the nation as we nurture the leaders and wise advisers of our growing communities. It is all about respect and taking appropriate care of our elderly. The broadening of eligibility criteria means that our elderly are able to continue to play an active role in our communities. The provision to extend the period of time a person can continue to receive superannuation or the veterans pension while overseas working voluntarily for an aid agency is a particularly commendable move. 
No one should leave this House tonight without acknowledging the fact that this is the Year of the Veteran. This is our chance to thank all New Zealand veterans of all ages—tangata whenua Pasifika and tauiwi alike. This is our time to honour their enormous sacrifices. It is an opportunity to recognise the inherent value of their service to our nation. The Maori Party will continue to call for justice for New Zealand’s veterans who served in the Viet Nam War in order to ensure that their significant contribution to shaping our nation is also recognised. 
In light of the year being distinguished as the Year of the Veteran we could not believe it when we were first approached by Viet Nam War veterans throughout the country who were incensed at the decision by the joint working-group on the concerns of Viet Nam War veterans to refuse to meet on marae for their hearings. We received emails and phone calls including a letter from one vet currently living in Sydney who called the working-group’s decision to boycott the Ngati Kahu marae in Tauranga a “cultural insult disrespectful and a slap in the face for Maori Viet Nam War veterans.” We had to ask how hard it is to hold a meeting on a marae in order to respect the wishes of tangata whenua to honour their request. Many of the veterans never received any support or counselling following their return to Aotearoa. Many experienced serious trauma and turned to alcohol to help them to cope. So where were the hearings held? They were held at the good old watering-hole the RSA—far more suitable than the marae or so the working-group decided. 
One would think that the long-term care and restoration of all our veterans including those who served in Viet Nam would be that they could be rehabilitated with as little trauma as possible. It seems to us to be simple good sense that those who were wounded in mind or body would be adequately cared for and compensated for their injuries. 
The well-being of veterans’ families is of critical importance. Our veterans and their whanau have waited for 30 years for the report released by the Health Committee which confirms that Viet Nam War veterans were exposed to a toxic environment. In honouring the dedication of our own forces we must never forget the innocent victims of war—the villagers people and families of Viet Nam—who were also sprayed with the defoliant—the innocent non-combatants whose voices here in New Zealand we do not hear. 
It is time now for the Government to act. The Government must honour its responsibility to respond to the devastating trauma experienced by Viet Nam War veterans and the ongoing intergenerational impact on their children in light of their exposure to Agent Orange and defoliant chemicals during their war service and it must do it now. The Maori Party believes there is no better way of honouring the Year of the Veteran this year than to recognise the genetic damage and the serious health problems caused by the impact of Agent Orange on Viet Nam War veterans. Taking action on Agent Orange agreeing to hold meetings on the marae and introducing amendments to the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act and the War Pensions Act are all ways of commemorating and paying tribute to the services so many of the people of this land gifted to future generations. 
We as a society must ensure that what nature has decreed should not generate undue insecurity as Nelson Mandela aged 77 at the time said. He went further and said that he wanted to be able to sleep until eternity with a broad smile on his face knowing that the youth opinion-makers and everybody are stretched across the divide trying to unite the nation. We will support this bill as a mark of respect and for the principle of honouring our elderly our pakeke and our veterans the sons and daughters of Tumatauenga many of whom as rangatahi sacrificed their youth in serving so that we may sleep with smiles on our faces.