Cameron MarkMARK CAMERON (ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the Māori Fisheries Amendment Bill. We have heard that the Māori Affairs Committee examined the bill post its first reading. There was almost universal agreement by that committee for those permanent members. The bill they said should proceed based on submitted feedback. There were however a few areas where clauses were pointed out as areas of concern. Some of the committee members noted clauses 37 and 25 which they said both raised alarm and there were suggested amendments to those—made by obviously the committee members.As it stands the bill amends the Māori Fisheries Act 2004. The bill by its virtue would be implemented in full and final as a settlement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi for all related Māori settlement commercial fishing rights. The Act sets out a governance framework to administer and manage settlement assets on behalf and for the benefits to iwi Māori. As part of the 2004 Act several entities were set up for this task not over-litigating but Te Ohu Kai Moana Trust Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Ltd. This was a corporate trustee company by the way where iwi are the stakeholders. Te Wai Māori Trustee Ltd. in its enhanced Māori interest was also part of the freshwater interests.The original Act in 2004 had required that there be a genuine review of this process and it was to be undertaken independently by March 2025. This review upon its commencement and finalisation recommended major changes which this bill now seeks to address. Changes were suggested with both governance and administration arrangements. Te Ohu Kai Moana consulted with iwi on the review of the findings and this amendment bill seeks to implement those changes.The changes include changes to the entities and governance arrangements to encourage mandated iwi organisations to take more direct control of Te Ohu Kai Moana and Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd and simplify the process of trading and settlement quota assets.As part of the select committee process concerns were raised in relation to certain parts of the legislation that I've previously mentioned namely clause 37 of the bill which would change certain parts of section 44(2) of the original Act. Concerns were raised by some submitters about those proposed changes and how they would change the overall effect and representation of the legislation to represent the interests of Māori organisations. The committee made note of amending clause 37 and also making consequential changes to clause 25 to ensure that representative Māori organisations most importantly retain their role of appointing the Te Ohu Kai Moana directors. I believe these changes better reflect the concerns of submitters by determining when a vote was required or determining the number of Te Ohu Kai Moana directors.Other changes included changes to clause 42 of the original bill inserting new sections—sections 54A and 54H—relating to levy-making. Clarifications were also made in relation to clause 48 and 49 in relation to shares of Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd. This amendment changed the structure of how income shares would be converted into ordinary shares.Some other changes also included changes to the statutory review time frames so that they could occur within five years unless other time frames were suggested. This would be on the back of a 75 percent agreed resolution by way of a vote.I did note the National Party had a differing view earlier on and objected to some of the suggested changes by virtue of clauses 37 and 25. They noted that the Act's purpose was to implement agreements in the Deed of Settlement dated 23 September 1992 as [was] negotiated when National was in Government"; also to "provide for the development of the collective and individual interest of Iwi in fisheries fishing and [fishing]-related activities". The National Party noted there was no specific reference to the original Act or in the bill as introduced to the seven RMOs "having a right to hold settlement assets [for which] the basis of the settlement of commercial fishing claims which led to the relevant legislation." in its formation.However I note that the ACT Party as we sit here today we agree with the ascension of this bill through its natural process. We support it in its second reading so that the bill can go to the committee stage and the House can determine by way of democratic process whether it should proceed as it's currently presented. Thank you very much Mr Speaker."