8. Point England Development Enabling Bill—Ngāti Paoa ProvisionsMARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party) to the Minister for Building and ConstructionPoint England Development Enabling Bill—Ngāti Paoa Provisions8. MARAMA FOX (Co-Leader—Māori Party) to the Minister for Building and Construction: What efforts is he taking to ensure the rights and interests of Ngāti Paoa are being provided for through the Point England Development Enabling Bill?Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for Building and Construction): The bill is part of Ngāti Paoa's Treaty settlement and enables them to have a marae and housing on land that has been grazed by cows for 30 years. The site is of huge cultural significance to Ngāti Paoa and was reported in the 1820s to be the site of the most intensive Māori settlement in New Zealand. The bill will result in an area of 18 hectares no longer being fenced off for grazing two hectares being used as a marae for Ngāti Paoa 12 hectares for 300 new homes and an additional four hectares for amenity and recreation. I think it is unfair for people to cry foul over Ngāti Paoa using land for marae and housing when the same people have been silent for 30 years over the land being used for grazing cows.Marama Fox: What reports has the Minister read recently in support of the Point England Development Enabling Bill?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I was very encouraged when the bill was unanimously supported in Parliament when it was introduced. I particularly agreed with the comments that the bill is an important Treaty settlement for Auckland that it is a win-win for both the community and iwi and the same person saying that housing and a marae is a much better use of the land than grazing cows. The same member also described the bill as fantastic" and "exciting" for Tāmaki Makaurau iwi. I am surprised that that member has now been vetoed by his colleagues. Phil Twyford: Why will he not adopt Labour's plan which would offer Ngāti Paoa Tāmaki Regeneration Company land for their housing project and would offer Ngāti Paoa shared governance of the Point England Reserve and land for a marae but would leave one of Auckland's best expanses of open parkland as parkland for future generations to enjoy? [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr Bishop if you interject again in question time you will certainly be getting that early shower. Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The member forgot to mention that the open parkland has had 18 hectares fenced off for grazing cows for 30 years. Why the member thinks it is OK for the reserve to have grazing cows but not for Ngāti Paoa to have a marae and why that member who constantly asks for more homes to be built would much rather have cows grazed in Auckland has me lost.Marama Fox: Given the provisions of the Point England Enabling Development Bill does he agree with the chief executive of Ngāti Paoa when he says: "By opposing the legislation Labour is opposing a Treaty settlement bill for the first time in the history of the Treaty settlement process. All other iwi in Tāmaki Makaurau support this transfer. Opposing the bill pits the Labour Party against mana whenua."?Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Yes. I do agree with the chief executive of Ngāti Paoa that it is sad that Labour has not maintained that broad support for Treaty settlements. But I think what is of further concern is that all the iwi of Auckland—Peeni Henare: No they don't.Hon Dr NICK SMITH —have joined—yes they have. They have been in contact expressing deep concern that grazing cows is now viewed by the Opposition as more important than Treaty settlements and affordable housing. [Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! Mr Faafoi—equally the same warning. You have continued to interject. If you do again you will get the same treatment."