Walker HamishHAMISH WALKER (National—Clutha-Southland): New Zealand's wealth has been built up over the generations by farmers. They have contributed more than their fair share and they've done this because they are innovative they are hard workers they have common sense and they get on with life whatever hand they're given. That's why back in the 1970s when a group of hard-working farmers and forward thinkers had a problem about rural water supply they decided to get together and fix the problem. So they held a series of meetings across the Ōtama district with the intention of getting the rural water scheme off the ground. I'd like to acknowledge some of these farmers: Stuart Baird Kevin Kelly Ian Robinson and one of the last surviving members of that committee at the moment Hughie Chittook. Some of the current committee members I'd like to acknowledge are Hamish Mackay Donald Johnston David Smith Gavin Cruickshank Chris Affleck John Kerse and last but not least the chairman Tom Affleck who has made the trip up from Southland to be here in the gallery today. It's great to see you Tom and I was honoured that you joined me for lunch earlier today. The leadership of the committee and those farmers back in the day has been instrumental and a huge amount of credit should be given to them for today's progress. They've played a huge role not only in the local water scheme but their innovative and forward-thinking ways have actually paved the way for the future generations to come. I'm going to note one of the submitters a bit later in my speech but he mentioned that he's the third generation and he put a lot of this credit back to the original farmers that set up the scheme. Don't underestimate the impact that Tom your committee the original farmers have done for the community and for the wider district. I'd now like to acknowledge some of the people who took the time to submit and actually front up to the Governance and Administration Committee we held in Gore a few months back. It was the first time Parliament had been to Gore. I have resisted the urge to put forward a Supplementary Order Paper to possibly move Parliament permanently down to Gore as I think it would be a great thing for the community and judging by the reaction of the members that attended on the day—people like Paul Eagle Ginny Andersen and the chair here Brett Hudson—they were blown away by the Southland hospitality in kind. I'd just like to acknowledge the chair Brett when I first suggested to him What are the chances of bringing the select committee to Gore?" and you made it happen. So thank you Brett. Just talking about a couple of the submitters that took the time to come in one was the vice-chair John Kerse. In his submission he noted that his father was one of the original farmers that got this off the ground. John himself as a teenager also helped in working bees by assisting with laying and joining pipes and filling in trenches using a tractor which resulted in huge cost savings. But the main benefit he said was the sense of ownership amongst scheme users. He said that this pride of ownership had continued on despite the fact that many farms are now managed by third or fourth generations since. Another submitters Neil Gardyne noted the voluntary contributions of time and materials by farmers had been the glue that had made the scheme work over the years and is the reason why the high standard of infrastructure has remained at an impeccable level. Today marks another step in the right direction. Tom this has been probably rather frustrating for you over the years but you're here today. Tom your involvement started in 1972. I believe you were the secretary from 1978 to 1993 and you've been chair since—so well over what 25 years. So you've been involved for just a wee while Tom! Let's be clear about this bill: this is a practical and fair solution. This is not a significant economic asset. The farmers who use it and who will be using it are the shareholders and they are the only ones that are affected by and benefit from the scheme. This is not about water; this is about the pipes and concrete. This is the right decision for the community and the costs involved in this scheme—like they have been for the last 50 years—are borne by the users and no one else. The scheme has always washed its face and will absorb all costs associated with the transfer. This is a good bill which means a lot to the local community. I fully support it and I thank all the hard-working farmers who have got this off the ground and also to you Tom for fronting up today."