Peters Jim: Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine  Management Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Peters Jim: Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine  Management Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:625;Page:19894] 
JIM PETERS (NZ First) 
: 
 At the first meeting of the committee Mr White from the Ministry for the Environment laid out for us the values of Fiordland. I think it is worthwhile at this point to go quickly through what those were. He spoke about the unique marine environment and we have heard that aspect being developed in the course of this debate. He talked about exceptional biodiversity and we in New Zealand First sympathise with the issues that were raised by the Green Party. We recognise that that is something to be prized and is precious. The value of marine resources was covered in that opening meeting; also the knowledge that has been gained and developed by the extensive tourism operators in their operations over some time. Very important as well were the commercial and recreational fisheries that have been a core part of that—albeit that at times those who fished in the area came from other places. In both the Maori and Pakeha sense the significant historical and cultural values were covered—in this case enshrined in legislation—as was Ngai Tahu’s role in regard to Southland and Stewart Island. 
We then looked at elements of the bill and picked up on the huge and considerable difference under which the proposal was developed—one that we in New Zealand First find so commendable particularly as some of us have had over 25 years’ experience in dealing with these matters along the coast and we have not found I must say to the Minister the exciting thoughts that she enunciated with regard to at least one ministry. 
May I pause and say as an aside that this will mark an exciting new development in the sustainability of our marine life and coast. We look forward to that happening more and more. But in this case we have the guardians who picked up—originally from a fishing viewpoint we understand but secondly with environmentalists scientists and community representatives and not least the Southland Regional Council—the whole process that has resulted in us being here today. 
We in New Zealand First are very very pleased to be able to support the third reading of this bill. We understand where the reserves sit in the national biological picture. We understand that some people may not have been satisfied and they told us so in submissions. They said that the protections with regard to the ecosystems were not as they would have wanted and particularly that although this proposal concerned habitats they were looking at whole communities and ecosystems. They said that this region was unique not only nationally but also internationally with regard to those matters and that therefore the bill when it is enacted will at the beginning be only part of a long-term understanding and process. 
So we commend the bill to the House at its third reading. We commend particularly the developmental role the present role and the role that the committee has now enabled the guardians to have in the future—not to be just a committee of advice but a committee to which “regard must be given”. We look forward to the eight marine reserves being part of a representative coastal marine picture and not something specially set aside. We will therefore be anxious to see as will other members of the House after the 5 years what will be the impact of science and a proper review upon this whole development of a marine park and reserve developed in this sense. 
We recognise that the Southland Regional Council has to make some changes and that it would have wished—and I repeat what I said in my first reading debate—that this opportunity had been extended to allow the whole of its coast to enjoy the same protection and preservation and also use that this legislation will allow the people of Fiordland in the defined area to have. So in these respects we look forward to the future. We hope that the close working relationships that have been developed in recent years will be maintained that there will be goodwill and cooperation and most of all that we will come to realise more and more the uniqueness and real diversity of our coastline—one in which both man and other creatures have a place. So to the new board New Zealand First says kia ora and expresses its good wishes for the future.