Doocey MattMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri): Thank you very much Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the National Party to oppose the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill in its third reading. Can I acknowledge my parliamentary colleague Rino Tirikatene Tā Tīpene O'Regan and Ngāi Tahu who are here today. Can I acknowledge Ngāi Tahu as mana whenua of the Waimakariri electorate and I acknowledge the proud history between Ngāi Tahu and the National Party. This is a debate so I don't want to trot out the lines that some people have for the last hour and a half. I want to respond to some points and Tangi Utikere that last member who took his seat apologised for some of the comments being made in this House. I do not believe any apology is needed. That is the reason why we have this Chamber—for debating the issues. It is a House of Representatives for all views to come into this House. Shanan Halbert quite rightly in his speech talked about the tensions and how challenging it is. Well that's exactly right—that's what politics should be. We are grappling with the big issues and it is uncomfortable at times. I think the National Party has been very clear that we don't disagree with representation around the table at Environment Canterbury (ECan) from Ngāi Tahu. It's about this bill that's been brought in as a local bill. The reason it's a local bill is because it does not change primary legislation. If this is such a good thing why is it not coming in as a Government bill to change the Local Government Act 2002? The reason why there is heated debate is because this Government did not stand on this mandate at the last election. In their words they're tweaking and changing democracy without the debate. ECan introduced this bill without consultation with their local communities so that's why we are having this debate and this debate is: why are we having a local bill that will allow these changes in New Zealand's democracy? Quite rightly the National Party is standing up for what it believes in. I don't think anyone would expect any different. That is the reason we are in this House—because we stand on values and then we stand up for the values. I'll give you a quote if we want to talk about what happened in ECan with the appointed commissioners. Here's a quote: There was never any justification for why Canterbury should be the only region that doesn't get to elect its regional council. National is out of touch with local people's desire to have a say in the people who will take their region forward. I urge all parties in Parliament to support this bill and restore democracy in Canterbury." That was from the Hon Dr Megan Woods. So the shoe's on the other foot now and that's why we've been very clear about what we stand up for. I actually believe there are a lot of commonalities in this debate. I want to draw reference to my parliamentary colleague Rino Tirikatene who talked about the evolution in New Zealand and it is an evolution. If I can briefly tell a personal story I had quite a milestone birthday with my dad recently. There was a large group of people and my six-year-old son after the speeches came up to me and said "Dad can I sing 'Happy Birthday'?" It blew me away. A six-year-old boy—I didn't think he'd have the confidence. We gave him the microphone—"Rā whānau ki a koe"—and he sang in te reo. Then the next day I heard him talk to my daughter and say "Oh I'm half-Irish Mum's half-Hungarian and I'm half-Māori." His older sister said "You can't be part-Māori." and he said "Yes I am because I speak te reo." This is the next generation coming up and each generation will have those shared stories. But that does not allow a Government that has had this bill voted down in a previous term decide that now we are in a one-party State. They can bring any legislation in and they've denied it will change law around the country but we've also heard from speakers who've said that this will pave the way for the rest of New Zealand. This is not the right way to bring in legislation. Thank you Mr Speaker."