Mahuta Nanaia: Te Urewera-Tūhoe Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMahuta Nanaia: Te Urewera-Tūhoe Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 07 May 2014. Volume:698;Page:17641. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour—Hauraki-Waikato): I acknowledge the contribution of the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and tend to agree that this is not the time for long speeches but it is the time to go through in some manner the issues that were raised before the Māori Affairs Committee in so far as the submissions on the Te Urewera-Tūhoe Bill were concerned. They were substantial in our view. We do have a thorough report Minister preceding the second reading which brings together the substance of our considerations. We in good faith to those submitters tried to whittle down the key components of their expectations and objections in some respects to aspects of this settlement.I do believe that the select committee got to the right place in its deliberations and I want to commend the officials for the way in which they helped advise on all but one issue which has been resolved by the select committee. I understand Minister that you will be continuing discussions on that front and perhaps the House will be of a mind to consider your response in the Committee stages.So let me go to the submission process. We went to Whakatāne and heard a number of submitters. We received around about 66 submissions in total—42 were in favour 14 were opposed and 10 presented a view neither one way or the other.Can I say that—as I work through the bill and try to give it some consideration—there were the issues around Ngāti Ruapani and there were the issues around the national park itself and aspirations for management and how that might take place and the consequent impact on groups like Fish and Game and that community and hunters. There was a very strong representation from Te Tira Whakaemi o Te Wairoa. Also there were some reflections in a number of submissions around public access provisions for Te Urewera and also how the management board would conduct its very important obligation for this wonderful place.As we work through each of those issues in some respects it was helpful to know that the Minister had given an indication to Ngāti Ruapani that there would be a process for them in terms of their settlement and that Onepoto would be set aside in terms of addressing their interests. That was certainly very helpful as we went through and considered the extent of their interest in Waikaremoana.The issue of the ownership of the lake bed came up. We sought advice from parliamentary counsel just to give confidence that what was actually said and intended in the legislation was indeed the case. The lake bed is not factored into this settlement. However we did receive submissions that tended to insinuate that the consequent effect of having a Te Urewera Board a management board for the national park estate would have an impact on the lake bed. We have clarified that within our commentary.We were also mindful that in regard to the Lake Waikaremoana reserves there was also a parallel process continuing through the Māori Land Court. During the course of our deliberations we received the judgment of Judge Fox and we were then in a position to pursue clarification around clause 91 I think it was and whether the interests in those 13 reserves could be transferred to the ahu whenua trust as was directed by Judge Fox. We received clarification from the Office of Treaty Settlements officials who assured us that yes that is the case.The other aspect that we were mindful of was in relation to Fish and Game’s interpretation of the management plans that will be developed and how it would infringe on their existing rights. I know that the Deputy Speaker being from the hunting community would be quite acutely aware of those types of interests. In all honesty I certainly expressed the view and members of the committee agreed that this is a new normal for many members of the wider community in so far as it is the intention in the way in which the Te Urewera Board will operate that management plans will be developed. There is the provision for consultation to occur but again all those issues will be lifted up to the board and have consequent effect not only on hunters and fishers but also on Tūhoe themselves in carrying out the obligation of the custodial protection of Te Urewera.The public access provisions in particular have been set out in clause 112(2) and also in clause 176(1)(d) where there are issues around public access—the creation of by-laws. Again I draw the attention of the House and members here to those provisions because to some extent people might have got it in their heads—and I know this was certainly the narrative prior to seeing the detail of the legislation—that if Tūhoe take over the management of Te Urewera then public access would be prevented. That is indeed not the case. It is clearly set out in the clauses of the bill where not only is public access preserved but for very specific reasons by-laws can be created to be able to limit public access for specific purposes. There is opportunity also through the management plans for the public to have input.So I think it is very important to again draw the attention of those listening to the debate on this bill with some intent to assure them that public access continues. There is a management regime in place. There is the opportunity for public input. There are provisions for better management tools to be implemented for specific reasons and we should be confident that a board with the range of interests represented can approach the long-term management and caring for Te Urewera in a way that better meets the needs of everyone in the community.I am very pleased out of all the settlement bills that we have got to with the committee’s report and I thank the chair of the Māori Affairs Committee for being so accommodating to all the concerns that have been raised by the members. Your accommodation of those concerns allowed us to pursue with some vigour aspects that needed to be done so that when this bill goes to its third reading it has the full support I hope of members of this House.Minister can I just lastly assure you that should your discussions with Ngāti Manawa and Tūhoe be successful to the degree that we are able to sort out the issues of the transfer of the remaining two properties we would welcome further discussion in that space and we look forward to perhaps that detailed opportunity in the Committee stage. Tēnā tātou katoa.