Upston Louise: Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill — Third Readings 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Upston Louise: Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill — Third Readings 
[Sitting date: 25 July 2012. Volume:682;Page:3987. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
 Tena koe e te Kaiwhakawa. Tena koe e te Whare. Rau rangatira ma tenei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te ra. Tena koutou nga iwi rangatira o Ngati Rereahu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Raukawa me Ngati Tuwharetoa. Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa. E te Minita ka pai ka pai te mahi. No reira e te Whare tena koutou. 
[ 
Greetings Mr Speaker and the House. I acknowledge you the many leaders in respect of the matter of the day. Salutations to the chiefly tribes of Ngati Rereahu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Tuwharetoa. Greetings and acknowledgments to you all. It is a task well done Minister. So congratulations to you the House 
.] 
 I am proud as a member of the Maori Affairs Committee to stand in this final reading of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks settlement legislation. I think these third readings are a really special occasion for the House and for every parliamentarian but more important for those of you who travel to witness this very special occasion. So I welcome you here and I thank you for being part of this very special day. This settlement is of course in the volcanic plateau to the east of Te Kuiti which is of course very strongly connected to my heart as the member of Parliament for Taupo. 
I just want to reflect on some of the comments that my colleagues have made and in particular just talk about the benefits that these sorts of Treaty settlements bring because I do not think it is something that we reflect on often enough. I am particularly proud of this Government’s record in bringing Treaty settlements to a conclusion for a number of reasons. I do want to acknowledge Ministers Finlayson and Turia for working at the pace that they do to bring these to their conclusion so that we can have days like today. If I look at the wider Waikato region and the absolute powerhouse that Tainui have become it really provides me with such excitement about what is possible for our wider region with these sorts of settlements. 
I look back at an experience I had recently which was attending a tourism meeting in the small town of Mangakino. I heard about some of the tourism opportunities that have sprung up around that area that highlight the beauty of the Pureora Forest. The thing that really impressed me was the fact that they are able with this business opportunity to share the stories—to share your stories—with others and to have it as a completely experiential visit. It is completely in partnership with the environment. I think that there are so many opportunities. They weave in the stories of your culture and the stories of that place and share them with others. I think it is really fantastic that that is one of many businesses that are popping up around Pureora. 
For the wider Taupo electorate as Nanaia Mahuta talked about as well there is an area there that is somewhat undiscovered—not of course for the iwi but for many others. If we look at in the northern area the mighty Maungatautari we are finally seeing that there are stories being shared there. If we look at the development of the Waikato River trail there are areas of beauty that are finally being opened up and that benefits all of us. It is also no surprise as we talk about the volcanic plateau the level of energy that is there. I am sure that as my colleague Tau Henare says the convergence of iwi and the convergence of mana brings great energy to the district. 
I do also want to bring back into the House the comment that was made by Brendan Horan. I agree that the stories of days like today the stories about the conclusion of your journey are not shared widely enough. As fantastic storytellers that is the one regret I have—that the stories of occasions like today are not known widely enough. I have looked at media reports in this area to see what local reporting there has been of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks and I have found nothing. That saddens me because it means that the wider community does not have sufficient understanding of your history of your journey and of this story. I do think it is important that we are able to share the stories to share the stories of the past and the conflict but more important to share the stories of the resolution. That is the story that will take us forward: the story of the resolution of the conclusion that has been reached on the Maraeroa A and B Blocks for Rereahu for Maniapoto for Raukawa and for Tuwharetoa for your descendants for those who will benefit not just for today but for tomorrow. So that is one plea that I do have: that we collectively make sure that the stories of these settlements are shared. 
It has been interesting because you have demonstrated your ability to resolve differences and I think the other thing that is not shared enough is that these are occasions where every political party in the House votes unanimously. It does not happen that often. But the ability of us to work together as a House to make progress in these Treaty settlements to make days like today possible is because of a high level of cooperation among all the political parties in the House and the management skills of the select committee chair Tau Henare. I do have to say though—I do not want you under any illusion—the Maori Affairs Committee does not always work smoothly. We do not always agree. We do have some rather robust discussions and debate which I am sure you would agree is necessary from time to time. As my colleague has just piped up behind me he said that sometimes it is not just across the select committee; it is within political parties as well. 
I am very proud to be here with you today to share in your story and to help your word get out in the success and the resolution of the Maraeroa A and B Blocks settlement claim. Congratulations. This is a day that we shall remember and celebrate where iwi come together where the community comes together and I believe the country should come together. No reira tena koutou.