Gallagher Martin: Walking Access Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Gallagher Martin: Walking Access Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:650;Page:19216] 
MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) 
: 
 It gives me huge pleasure and it is something of a privilege to be able to speak to the third reading of the Walking Access Bill. I think history will record this bill as one of the more significant achievements of this Parliament and certainly of this Government. I acknowledge the previous speaker and his contribution over a number of years on this bill. 
We had an interesting Committee stage last night and I will see whether the Hansard Office can circulate Mr Roy’s speech and give it to my good dear friend and colleague Sandra Goudie a Waikato MP whom I am very close to and also to John Carter from the far North whom in reality I am much closer to. We had an interesting interchange about some rules and regulations but that has been a very good summary. I think that Eric Roy and others have acknowledged the history of the bill and this is a very historical process. 
I acknowledge Doug Woolerton and thank him. Doug and I love the Waikato and we have seen the dangers whereby some of our recreational access ways along rivers and lakes are potentially being blocked off. We believe that a proactive Walking Access Commission working with local government and our conservation boards will start to play a part. 
One of the challenges for the new commission will be the kind of budget it has and the kind of leadership role it can take because we have to start looking very seriously in terms of negotiations with private-property owners particularly in terms of covenants across private land. Hopefully the Walking Access Commission will engage in some long-term strategic thinking about a network of walkways and access ways across our nation. That may take some time to achieve. 
I have already alluded to my dream that one day we will have a Pacific to Tasman walkway that will go from the Bay of Plenty over the Kaimais through the pristine farmlands of the Waikato and out to the wonderful Kawhia/Raglan area on the Tasman Sea. Again this is about a legacy for our grandchildren. I have just received a note and I say to the Hon Michael Cullen: “Who knows? But life will tell.” 
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the fact that many hands have been involved in the process of this bill. I particularly acknowledge Damien O’Connor. There has already been mention of Jim Sutton and I acknowledge his great role but I also acknowledge the many people within the Minister’s office. 
In particular I take the opportunity if I may to acknowledge Peter Coburn. I do not want to embarrass him but he is a very good West Coaster and I know the Minister would want me to acknowledge him. He works in the Minister’s office and he has always been exceptionally enthusiastic and passionate. If he is listening tonight—and I believe he is in the gallery—I say to him that working for this place is something of a challenge but this bill is one exercise on which I think he will look back in later life and say: “Job well done. This is a bit of a legacy I was part of.” I want to acknowledge particularly his role. The Minister asked me to do that and I am delighted to join with him in doing that. 
I also briefly mention my own patch and some wonderful people such as councillor Ted Armstrong whom my good colleague Sue Moroney knows well. Do members remember the days he got the old tin snippers out and used them along the Awatere Avenue walkway because private property owners at the time had fenced off our river access way? Doug Woolerton will remember that; he will remember old Ted getting the old snippers out and making the point. Those were not private fiefdoms and they were not Miami-style beach reserves; they were public access ways for the people of our city. 
I also mention Bill Featherston who is the director of our parks and gardens in Hamilton. He has come to me time and time again and said we have to make sure the Queen’s Chain becomes a reality because in some places it is actually quite a myth. Certainly we have to work with local government to ensure that those access ways are available. 
Finally let us get on and pass this bill. I know that the junior Government whip will be very keen to do that. I know that Leslie Soper will be keen. She has made me well aware of the wonderful heritage opportunities in her area of Southland and of what an incredible area it is. This bill will be a win-win for us throughout the country. In essence the bill raises the profile of walking access and provides a very strong foundation for the improvement and extension of walking access for our families—Kiwi families young and old. That is a wonderful legacy for this Parliament to gift and leave. 
The bill will also achieve a proper balance between the rights and aspirations of the public in terms of access to our beautiful countryside the property rights of landowners and the practical needs of farmers and other land users to be able to carry out their businesses without undue hindrance. I acknowledge the contribution of Waikato Federated Farmers Bill Garland and the people in the Waikato who have been very constructive in helping on this bill. 
Finally I acknowledge that the bill does not undermine private property rights. Public access to private land including Maori land remains subject to negotiation. That is the key and that is the point Eric Roy was making before. It is about negotiation and agreement with landholders. It is a huge pleasure and privilege to speak in support of legislation that I think our grandkids and great-grandkids will thank this Parliament for. Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa.