Sharples Pita: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
Sharples Pita: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
[Volume:636;Page:7224] 
Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 As the newest cab on the rank when members of the Maori Party looked on the Order Paper at this motion we did wonder what we would talk about on the topic of the 2007 sitting programme. What fascinating account from our tribal histories could we share with the House? Was there an appropriate whakatauaki for today—what was the proverb for the occasion? Our ever helpful whip Te Ururoa Flavell came up with: “January you start the year off fine. February …”—members can fill in the rest. 
In all seriousness it is my utmost privilege to speak today of the year that has been and the year that is to come. We have come to this forty-eighth Parliament to be the independent Maori voice in Parliament that our people were calling for. We believe we have done our best to maintain our traditions to speak to the issues and policies—not the personalities—and to promote the message that every issue is a Maori issue. We have been pleased and proud to develop relationships with each and every political party in this Parliament. We have come to every bill charged with our hope to reinvigorate a sense of optimism for a better and more just future. We have raised issues that we know others would rather sweep under the mat. We have respected the advice of the United Nations special rapporteur and taken the time to ensure that this Parliament gives due consideration to the report that criticises the nature and extent of the way in which the Government has responded to indigenous human rights issues—a way that has greatly saddened us. 
We have also sought to challenge the basis of some initiatives that were deemed untouchable such as the vexed issues around Treaty settlements. We have taken out the microscope looked for things Maori in the Budget and found them missing. We have searched for the Treaty of Waitangi in the school curriculum—and searched in vain. We have risen in the House to pronounce our profound disappointment at legislation that has worked against the interests of Maori. But against all odds we could not in our wildest dreams have known that we would be celebrating 10 years of political leadership from Tariana Turia by the Foreshore and Seabed Act (Repeal) Bill being drawn from the ballot. 
It has been a wonderful year. In every area we have asked how we can defend Maori rights and advance Maori interests for the benefit of the nation. Through it all we have been so very proud to recognise by continually bringing them to the forefront the unique contributions that Maori have made—and continue to make—to the nation. We have celebrated the entrepreneurship and the vision of tangata whenua. The regular visits we have made through our three nationwide tours this year and our ongoing constituency programme have sustained our momentum to ensure that people’s voices are heard. 
Speaking of momentum I turn to the greatest secret of Parliament: the vehicle for transformation that is represented in this very complex. I am talking about the incredible contribution made by members of staff right throughout Parliament. It is these staff who have helped us—the new cab—enormously and who have also taught us the rules. For example there was the day when we overlooked the sacred timing—that half-hour period when questions are accepted. That was the day the House had 11 questions for grovel as we did no leniency was allowed. 
It seems there are some moments in the House when no mercy is shown. This extends to our wonderful press gallery. For example when we the Maori Party had actively contributed to and voted right throughout the whole 12 hours and 49 minutes of the debate on the Appropriation (Parliamentary Expenditure Validation) Bill all that was reported was the fact that at the final vote we were physically unable to be in the House. [ 
Interruption 
] Who is that? I thought I heard a voice over there. Is that voice still in the House? Whom we have dinner with seems to have more fascination than our valiant efforts to pursue simultaneous translation or confront institutional racism. 
When I was walking to our office this morning I was passed by Clarrie Goodhue and not much later Raymond Young as they sped along the corridors of power humming in their work and always willing to help and support the parliamentarians in their role. Their constant enthusiasm professional service and unstinting work ethic are replicated so many times by so many levels of staff who come to work at the Beehive every day. 
The Maori Party members thank with all our hearts the incredible efforts of our library staff who have been so helpful in the face of numerous requests and absurd deadlines; the members’ service and human resources staff who have kept us informed about what we can and cannot do; the Bills Office staff who are always on hand to give out copies of all the bills and reports and keep us up with the play; the Table Office staff who have been a godsend in helping us to have all the paperwork in order for tabling; the legal staff who have guided us in the shaping of our members’ bills our Supplementary Order Papers and amendments; the messengers who link us all to the outside world; the security staff who walk our staff to their cars when they work late and open doors when we come running in at the crack of dawn; the telephonists; the travel office staff; the staff at Bellamy’s and Copperfields; the Hansard recorders; the interpreters; the building staff; the cleaners; and we are sure there are many more staff who keep the cogs of this democracy turning over—the silent worker bees in the hive. Each party no matter how big or small carries a similar parliamentary workload placing considerable strains on the limited resources of the smaller parties. It is a workload that would be impossible to do if not for the staff of Parliament. 
Finally I come to the members of this Chamber. Madam Speaker I thank you the Deputy Speaker and the Assistant Speakers who have demonstrated enduring patience in helping us to learn the ropes so quickly. The Speakers have responded to the call of “please” from Mr Harawira his hand raised as he attempts to eke out another minute from the clock to enable him to finish what he has so assiduously prepared. The Speaker smiled benevolently as Mr Flavell rose to his debate in full flight delivering a well-crafted speech about a bill that was not on the Order Paper. He put his mistake down to the gift of matakite—a vision of knowing what was to come. What this House does not know is that the same member came into this House with two left shoes—not just once but twice. Such is the over-brimming enthusiasm of our MPs to come down to Wellington that sometimes luggage is a mere triviality. The Speaker allowed me to slide into my seat even if it was the wrong one and still rise to speak in full knowledge that the vote was just a breath away from being taken—for which I got fined. 
We are also eternally appreciative of the masterly expertise of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk of this House who have been a vital resource in bringing us up to speed with the rigours of Parliament. To all the other members of this House—good people all—we thank them for the opportunity for our party the mighty Maori Party to share our ideas and aspirations for a vision of Aotearoa a nation we are all here to serve. We have enjoyed the relationships that we continue to develop with individuals here—members and in some cases party leadership—so that we can work together in the best interests of this nation. We have thoroughly enjoyed our year and with the benefit of we hope some rest over the summer we know we will be back for more. We look forward to returning invigorated energised extremely well read of course in the  
Standing Orders 
  
Hansard 
 and  
Speakers’ Rulings 
 
and as an added bonus even more tanned having spent our time with whanau on the foreshore and seabed. Kia ora tatou. 
Waiata