Parata Hekia: Limitation Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
Parata Hekia: Limitation Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:666;Page:13569] 
HEKIA PARATA (National) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker Barker. Huri noa i to tatou Whare tena koutou katoa. I am pleased to stand to take a short call on the Limitation Bill. Indeed I was motivated to rush to the House once I realised that the Attorney-General was as usual giving his comprehensive and incisive rendition of this bill’s coverage its heritage and its legacy. It is important that we have the opportunity to hear that kind of leadership in the House— 
Chris Hipkins 
: There are no Cabinet jobs going at the moment. 
HEKIA PARATA 
: —and to inspire that response from Mr Hipkins. Our backbench members were motivated to get here as soon as possible to support the passage of this legislation through the House. 
This is an important bill. As my colleague Simon Bridges said earlier and as members opposite have reiterated the bill sets out to balance the rights of both the claimant and the defendant. The allocation and management of rights is an issue that continues to vex Parliament after Parliament and this bill takes the opportunity to clarify the area of legislation that allows claimants to bring their causes of action before the court and allows defendants to know that they will not be subject to claims long past the time when one might say it is fair for them still to be heard. 
As previous speakers have noted the Law Commission has reported on this bill three times: first in 1998 then in 2000 and again in 2007. The 1950 Limitation Act has exercised the Law Commission somewhat in that it has taken such a long period of time to finally bring the bill to the point where it is now at. Legislation is imminently to be passed and it will give greater certainty to people who are engaged in the process of having their rights heard balanced and judged. 
Far be it from me to continue to rehearse the technical detail that our Attorney-General has covered so well. I congratulate the chair of the Justice and Electoral Committee Chester Borrows who has shepherded the bill through the process in the careful and cautious yet comprehensive way that characterises—she said alliteratively—all the work that has to be done by the chair. The chair also carries a significant body of work. I think we have heard tonight that 17 bills are before the very hard-working Justice and Electoral Committee to the membership of which I have only recently been promoted. 
Chris Hipkins 
: Promoted! 
HEKIA PARATA 
: Of course other members too if they try hard enough could also find themselves one day on the Justice and Electoral Committee although that possibly does not apply to everyone in the House tonight. 
I also acknowledge the deputy chair who stands ready to support at a moment’s notice the work the chair has done. As we have noted in the House earlier we are constantly challenged by the diminutive Ms Pillay who has a giant concern for and commitment to the Sentencing Council. Of course we also have the incisive Mr Quinn and his rapid thrusting and razor-sharp interventions which continue to keep us on our toes and each thrust is parried by the inimitable Mr Parker. It has been an absolute joy to be a part of that process and I look forward to further debate on the bill this evening. Thank you. 
Bill read a second time.