Brewer CameronCAMERON BREWER (National—Upper Harbour): We've just heard that the only way to get this opportunity is through the provision of Māori wards. Well can I mention a few names as to other ways that one can get elected? Can I mention the names of our two Deputy Prime Ministers: Winston Peters and David Seymour? Can I mention Shane Jones? Can I mention Casey Costello? Can I mention Shane Reti? Can I mention Tama Potaka? Can I mention Nicole McKee? And can I mention Karen Chhour? None of them were elected through Māori wards or through Māori seats. It can be done Mr Jackson and you too are living proof of that. There are other ways and they are proven. We have now got a Cabinet of 35 percent Māori something that a majority Labour Government didn't achieve in the last term.So I stand in support of restoring the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards. I support this because we have a mandate from the New Zealand public. We have a mandate—a strong mandate; a strong mandate. In fact I point you also to the two coalition agreements that National have with New Zealand First and with ACT. We are delivering on what we campaigned on and what our coalition agreements had quickly and succinctly said. It was well signalled in the 2023 election.In fact it's been well signalled since February 2021 when Labour rushed without warning—rushed—the process through. Two days for submissions am I right Mr Chair of the Justice Committee? Two days for submissions and two weeks from go to woe. That was the last process.It was Labour as others have said—James Meager our learned chair of the Justice Committee has already articulated that it was Labour who brought in local communities' rights to petition for a referendum if they got above 5 percent and that was through the Local Electoral Amendment Act 2002. Willie Jackson knows this very well because Mr Jackson was in the Alliance Party at the time that was fully behind their Minister and Alliance leader—and of course of Māori descent—Sandra Lee. She was the champion of this and Willie was her wingman in Parliament arguing for this only 22 years ago. So we are merely bringing back what Mr Jackson fought so hard for only a generation or two ago. If we had a fourth reading we'd go through the Hansard and quote him at length but we won't put you through that.So we're bringing back community say. In fact when you look at the likes of Auckland Council they consulted on Māori wards last year—over 12000 submissions—Hon Willie Jackson: How close was the vote?CAMERON BREWER: 68 percent were against in the public. So a majority of Auckland councillors listened to their community and hence they won't need to go to a referendum in the 2025 local elections—Auckland Council.To those councils that installed Māori wards without referendum they will now have their decision tested at the 2025 local government elections. What's wrong with giving locals a say with how their local representatives are elected? Locals deserve to have a say on their governance representation arrangements.Hon Willow-Jean Prime: But Māori don't.CAMERON BREWER: They do. Why not? There's nothing more pure than a referendum. This is localism in action.Look some mayors and councillors have told us on the Justice Committee that Māori wards have proved popular and we accept that. We accept that Māori wards have proved popular in some district councils and city councils. So now we have the opportunity for those mayors and councillors to go out to the public and get a mandate to support what has been so effective for them and I'm sure many will get across the line and retain their Māori wards.For those communities that might not support this this is not the end of the road. Can I put to you and can I remind you that there's no other sector that empowers enables and enacts te ao Māori more than local government—more than local government.Guess what! I finish as I began. Māori can still get elected and they do in huge numbers: 35 percent of our Cabinet. As I said in the second reading 20 percent of Auckland councillors in that inaugural Auckland Council election were Māori and they've all stood in general wards. We've done it before and we will do it again. I commend the bill.