Ross Jami-Lee: Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill — Third Reading 
Ross Jami-Lee: Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill — Third Reading 
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JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) 
: 
 I am pleased to take a call in this debate on the Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill. Today is another proud day for this Parliament. It is a proud day for this Government to see this legislation passing through the House. I think all members of Parliament can be very pleased with the progress that has been undertaken on this particular bill.  
Can I start by acknowledging the kaumatua the kuia and the people of Maniapoto who are here today to see the progress of this legislation. Today is obviously a very historic day for the people in the gallery. It is a great thing that this House can bring together this legislation to implement the settlements that have been agreed between the people we see here today and the Crown. 
I also want to acknowledge the Hon Chris Finlayson. Twenty-two settlement bills have been signed since he became the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations; 22 bills that are giving effect to Treaty settlements for iwi and hapu around the country; 22 bills that will help to repair those relationships that had longstanding damage done to them by people in this country in years gone past. As a country that is maturing as a country that will not have matured until we settle all of these claims—all of these historical grievances—it is a good thing for this House to be undertaking yet another one of these Treaty settlement bills.  
People often say to me that when they watch Parliament all they see is bickering and arguing and Opposition parties and Governments attacking each other. But much of the work that this House does is done by agreement and by working collaboratively together. I have to say that as a new member of the Maori Affairs Committee I am seeing a lot of that collaboration. I am seeing a lot of that working together through that committee and that committee’s work is now extending to this House as we debate this legislation.  
I never thought I would find myself agreeing from time to time with the likes of Hone Harawira or Parekura Horomia. But when we debate these Treaty settlement bills through the committee and through the House we see a lot of collaboration we see a lot of working together and that is really what this Parliament is all about. It is all about making changes for the better for New Zealanders.  
Today this Parliament is implementing a piece of legislation that will acknowledge the taonga of the Waipa River part of the Waikato River for the people of Maniapoto and putting in place the co-management agreement to assist them to have greater control over something that is very special to them. We should be proud as a Parliament for doing that. 
Before I sit down can I finally acknowledge the Hon John Luxton. He is someone who has his name written all over the history of the National Party. Mr Luxton I would be very pleased to meet with you one day and learn a lot from you. I say again congratulations to all members of this Parliament and I look forward to this bill being read a third time. 
Bill read a third time. 
Waiata