Mahuta Nanaia: Hamilton City Council (Parana Park) Land Vesting Bill — In Committee 
Mahuta Nanaia: Hamilton City Council (Parana Park) Land Vesting Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:670;Page:17080] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Labour—Hauraki-Waikato) 
: 
 I am happy to take a brief but I hope informative call on the title of this bill having heard the earlier contributions in the Committee stage. I firstly recognise the contribution of my colleague Phil Twyford. Everything is in a name as he rightly pointed out. In terms of the way in which land is vested it matters that we retain some linkage with regard to the purposes for vesting lands and reserves like this but we should also retain the history of how the land got its name. 
I was quietly interested to hear Tim Macindoe’s contribution clarifying how Parana Park got its name. In fact we had a small conversation about whether the word “Parana” could be partially “pa” and “rana”. Then I was asked by Darren Hughes whether I knew of a “Rana Pa” in Kirikiriroa and I told him that no I did not. However the discussion did urge me to set straight some of the record in terms of the history of this particular bit of land. 
This land was part of the lands of notable significance confiscated in 1863 as a result of the Land Wars in the Waikato region. Parana Park is situated opposite Rangiora a hill on which an Anglican church now stands. It was a significant pa site and a place for spiritual and cultural practices in the area. Parana Park is also to the left of Miropiko Pa which is somewhat down the road. By way of clarifying some of Parana Park’s pre-European history I think it is of note to mention that Parana Park has a history that precedes its being a park. It is in a very special place in that part of Hamilton. 
The other point I will comment on in so far as the title is concerned is that it is really important to ensure that the purposes of vesting lands is for reserve reasons—in this case a recreational reason. That is really important. If the prospect of an amalgamation such as the one Mr Twyford commented on is a very real prospect for the Waikato region a number of reserves across Hamilton City Council the Waikato District Council and Waipa District Council will need to retain their special significance which is why the councils are now managing those particular reserves. 
I commend the member David Bennett for bringing this bill into the House on behalf of the city council. I bet that when he introduced the bill he did not realise there would be a long and vociferous debate on every part of its purpose. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: Hang in there David. You’re doing well. 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: Ha ha! But one thing we Hamiltonians can say is that we are proud of the reserves we have in the city which provide recreational opportunities for our families and children. For my part the small stream that links Parana Park and the memorial park together is a delight for the young kids who get their gumboots on now and then in summer mostly and have a little kick around in water that is probably no more than 3 or 4 centimetres deep. I know my son enjoys doing that when he is there. 
In so far as the title is concerned I want to further ensure that any future consideration of amalgamation of the city’s assets across the region retains the special nature on which lands have been vested and the purposes of the history of that vesting in any transfer of assets or amalgamation of those assets. The title is very brief. Anyone listening to this debate will know that Parana Park is but a small shareholding of the council’s managed reserves but it is a unique reserve and it is something very special in the lives of a lot of kids. A lot of early childhood centres use the park and visit it often—kohanga reo and people across the community. With that in mind I commend the title of the bill and register some of those future concerns I have with regard to the purpose and management of this bit of land.