Clendon David: Waitangi National Trust Board Amendment Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeClendon David: Waitangi National Trust Board Amendment Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 19 November 2015. Volume:710;Page:8339. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]DAVID CLENDON (Green): It is a real pleasure to rise to speak to this third reading of the Waitangi National Trust Board Amendment Bill. It does seem that this bill has been the one that has almost got into the House for its final reading a number of times so it is good that we will see it off before the end of year and are able to implement the provisions within it. It is a straightforward bill it is a refreshingly simple bill but it is also profoundly important in that it does deal with the governance of what I would argue is undoubtedly the single most important heritage site in our country. For that reason the bill is significant.Waitangi is an important historic site. I think it is also important for our future that as and when we conduct a constitutional discussion a dialogue in the country as to our future constitutional arrangements we return to Waitangi and actually stand on that land and have that conversation as well as having it in other parts of the country. It has long been a significant site for gathering for dialogue for decision making—even prior to 1840 of course. I think we should continue to honour that tradition in that place.I confess that when we first sighted this bill I think from memory about a year or so ago or a little over a year perhaps I was inclined to some suspicion because it appeared to be that the Government was handing back a level of authority or relinquishing a level of control over the Waitangi National Trust. I tend to suspicion when I see Governments appearing to do that. But I must acknowledge Pita Paraone our matua who given his unique perspective on the board was able to reassure me that it did seem benevolent and actually we were looking for better outcomes and for that reason of course we are very happy to continue to support the bill.As others have mentioned I think one of the most important provisions of the legislation is to allow for proper representation of those four chiefly families who formerly have been represented by just the one representative. I am quite sure that Mr Paraone and others who have gone before him did a sterling job in representing but really there is no substitute for having those descendants of Hone Heke of Kāwiti of Tāmati Waka Nene and of Pōmare properly represented by the descendants of those individuals. They are of course fruitful families. There is no shortage of contenders I think to represent and represent well those rangatira. I think it is a very good provision that will see richness and depth come to that board in a way that perhaps has not been possible previously.On that note I would just like to acknowledge what we heard just earlier about our colleague Mr Henare. I think it is entirely fitting that he should step into that role that was so honourably kept by his late father and I am sure he will do the role great justice in his time as well. So that is very good news and I look forward to the official announcement of that. It is equally fair to say I think the Crown representation on the trust is now more evenly balanced. There will be MPs representing both the Government and the Opposition on the trust as of right as well as the Prime Minister and the relevant Ministers in a sort of an ex officio way. I think that does better reflect the status of the body as a representative body to have that input and those perspectives represented there.Can I just say in passing that I think as New Zealanders a lot of us wear our heritage quite lightly. Perhaps we take for granted these sites like Waitangi and do not really understand or think enough about their significance and the role they played in making the country that we are fortunate enough to live in today. Waitangi itself of course but for the Bledisloe gift could have been lost to the country. It could have been privatised. It could have been put to some other use. It was effectively rescued and at least maintained in public ownership in perpetuity by that gift and I think we should acknowledge that. I think equally of other sites like Te Waimate which was an important signing and Māngungu which was of course on 12 February 1840 the site of the single largest signing of Te Tiriti and yet only in recent years has there been more than a very humble celebration. It is only now starting to get some recognition as are many of the other historic sites around the country. I think it is important that we do continue to recognise the importance of our history and the heritage sites.I was at Waitangi on 28 October in a whare rūnanga listening to a very interesting very engaging lecture from Mānuka Hēnare about the events of 28 October 1835. Again that is such an important part of our history. Arguably 28 October is New Zealand’s independence day because the declaration did not declare the independence of Māori—that was a given—it declared the independence of New Zealand as a nation State and it was recognised as such in Britain and by the powers of Europe. I think we tend to gloss over that reality that it was the beginning of the nation State that we now have. Of course Waitangi and Te Tiriti was the next significant step in that process to full independence.So I think it is important that we continue to attend to what happens at Waitangi. I do visit there fairly regularly. It is great to see the museum advancing apace and we look forward with real pleasure and expectation to its opening. I do echo the comments made as well that it will be great when we have an adequate facility there to store the original document. It is appropriate for now that it be stored here in Wellington in conditions that will protect it but it is equally compelling that it should be at that site where it was signed back in the day and we do look forward to that occurring. I think it is not a cost; it is a real investment in our past and in our future to return the document home.With those few words I will be pleased as I say to confirm the Greens’ support for this bill. We look forward to its passing and we wish well the new membership of the board as it reforms in the new year. Kia ora.