Korako NukNUK KORAKO (National): Kia ora e Te Mana Whakawā. It is indeed my pleasure to be able to stand to talk in the third reading of the Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill. Can I just also acknowledge the genesis of this particular bill. It came out of the inquiry that was done in the 51st Parliament by the Māori Affairs Committee. I want to acknowledge the member of Parliament the honourable Metiria Turei who was the one who actually first of all instigated the inquiry and then also others who are not here in this Parliament in the 52nd Parliament who had a lot to do with it are the Hon Chester Borrows Marama Fox and Pita Paraone. I also acknowledge the Komiti Whiriwhiri Take Māori of the 52nd Parliament under the chairmanship of Rino Tirikatene which was able then to conclude and move the legislation forward through the Māori Affairs Committee.This was quite a sensitive take because on the one hand we have the requirement that the coroner be able to undertake their duties in a manner that ensures the integrity of the role that the coroner maintains. Equally we also have tikaka Māori that often requires the tūpāpaku to be accompanied by whānau at all times. Yet we still have to let the coroner do their job. What my colleagues on both sides of the House did through the Māori Affairs Committee was to recognise that a Treaty partnership requires that we explore ways in which cultural expression can be recognised and given effect without actually subverting the fundamental role that the coroner plays within our society.Looking at that it's about the recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi which actually means recognition of the Treaty partners being both Māori and Pākehā alike. One doesn't prevail over the other actually when looking at this and so rather we try to work within the best interests of each other. This bill is a reflection on the endeavour to work in the best interests of our society. That also brings in the other part which is that we did during the submission process hear from not only Māori and Pākehā but also other ethnicities as well.Before I go into the detail of the section 26 amendments probably just some background also particularly with the statistics: an estimated 31000 deaths occur each year in Aotearoa and most are the result of natural causes. It's the 20 percent of deaths that are referred to the coroner which is around 6000 and it is this particular part of it—the referred deaths—that the amendment actually addresses. So it's around that 20 percent and many of those deaths that we found were actually of Māori descent. In the case of a suspected crime the matter is relatively quite straightforward and for our whānau adjusting cultural practices in the interest of justice is easy to actually agree to. That's what we found. Looking at our cultural ways they're not completely written in stone. We can adapt when we need to.This is actually more about the case of non-crime death where matters start to grey and this was something that came out. For the bereaved whānau the need to grieve in a sort of culturally defined way is an absolute requirement and a necessary step on the process of farewelling their loved one and then moving to closure. So there are sensitivities as we know and emotions are very very high. But what appears to be a straightforward death to whānau may raise concerns particularly for medical staff and referral may be made. In the amendment itself it makes it quite clear that cultural considerations must be taken into account by a coroner who is assessing whether to undertake a post-mortem investigation. I think that's a very very important part of the bill itself. It's not a handbrake on the role of the coroner; rather it's a measure designed to ensure that the whānau are properly spoken to and given the chance to be part of the initial consideration process.I've previously stated in previous speeches that an unexpected death that reveals a hereditary heart defect that a whānau was not aware of can mean actual life for a whānau member of the deceased. A sudden death that can be attributed to a communicable disease can mean safety for a community. Then the other one the discovery of a homicide can mean justice for that community or society. So if this is carefully explained to the whānau and the undertakings as to speed and the efficiency are detailed and adhered to most whānau will agree to the investigation taking place. But where agreement is not reached then the bill requires that the coroner carefully weigh the competing interests in making a final determination as to whether to proceed or not.Looking at this bill I believe as we do I'm sure right across the House that this is a good solution and that it's also a good outcome. So I mihi to my colleagues on both sides of the House who really worked to bring this amendment about and also as I mentioned earlier to the previous members of the Māori Affairs Committee of the 51st Parliament. I just want to acknowledge too and mihi to the Minister of Justice the Hon Andrew Little and acknowledge him and thank him for bringing this bill to the House. On that note I would have no hesitation in commending this bill to the House. Kia ora tātou.