Carter John: Porirua City Council (Pauatahanui Burial Ground) Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
Carter John: Porirua City Council (Pauatahanui Burial Ground) Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:642;Page:12456] 
JOHN CARTER (National—Northland) 
: 
 It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to speak to the Porirua City Council (Pauatahanui Burial Ground) Billand to say that National joins with the rest of Parliament to support the passing of this bill through the rest of its stages today. There are a number of lessons that Parliament and indeed the country can learn from this legislation that is before us today. The first thing is that I want to congratulate the community the council and all those involved on the way they have brought this bill together. I must say that it is a true compliment to a community that is united. Those involved deserve every compliment that this House can give for bringing this piece of legislation in such a way that not only is not controversial but indeed has moved all of us on the Local Government and Environment Committee who had the privilege to sit listen read and study it to want to give it our support. 
I am reminded that earlier in the week before we had a bill promoted by the local member for Palmerston North Steve Maharey which was indeed very controversial. It got to the stage where he had to withdraw the bill because the community was not able to bring its thoughts together. There is a lesson for all of us when we are asked to bring bills to the House to get to understand how it can happen and how a community can work together. So in my view it is a true compliment to that community in that regard and a lesson to be learnt by this Parliament today. 
The second thing is that I want to compliment the community particularly those who are directly involved on the way in which they have attended the cemetery. The cemetery is beautiful; there is no question. Not only is it a place where people rest in peace but it is a place of beauty for those who can attend it. I am sure that the descendants of those who attend the graves get a great deal of pleasure out of visiting that cemetery. I am sure that a number of the public no doubt go and view it because of its beauty. Again it is a true compliment to all those who have been involved and who have made submissions. Again they need to be complimented on the endeavours they have made to bring it about. 
The cemetery has a history and it is one of great interest. I think that is the third point that I want to make. Although the tangata whenua obviously have an interest in this it is a compliment to them and the way in which they are prepared to work—and have worked—with the community to bring this bill together rather than create any controversy at all. They too have put their efforts into making sure the respect that needs to be shown for this area is shown and that as a consequence this bill can move forward in the pleasant and peaceful manner it deserves. 
I acknowledge the comment that was made Mr Assistant Speaker about your ancestors and I want to say that I recently had the opportunity to represent this Parliament and this country at the commemorations at Passchendaele where I found a grave of a long deceased uncle who had given his life in the service of this country. So I understand to some extent what it means to find one’s relatives. It was a sad and poignant moment for me to see my great uncle’s name on the wall as one of those who was lost and not found but who was acknowledged. So today it is fitting I guess that I have the opportunity to speak to this bill. 
There is not a lot to add other than to say congratulations to those who have asked for this bill to be vested in their tender care—as it is tender care that they have shown over the years. The reason the cemetery is in such a lovely condition is that the community does genuinely care for it. It gives me great pleasure to be able to speak today as a member of Parliament and as a member of the National Party in joining with other parties to extend my congratulations and support for this bill and to see it move forward.