Peters Winston: General Debates 
Peters Winston: General Debates 
[Volume:616;Page:12448] 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 Today we have witnessed the worst face of opportunism in politics. We have witnessed the ugly face of populism in politics. There is an old saying: “Some talk others do.” The reason why New Zealanders can trust this legislation is that for decades the only consistent party on this issue and since its formation has been New Zealand First. That is why every Maori and European can know that it is fair. 
Gerry Brownlee repeated the mantra of Orewa. He said that there should be one law for all. We agree. That is our speech. We know where it comes from. He said that people should have equal rights. We agree. We know where that speech comes from. The problem for National members is that today they are angry because the “king tide” is over for them. That is why they put up the person least qualified to understand this legislation. What he said in the House today in question time and just now demonstrates that he has not even read the legislation. What is the ancestral title? It is purely recognition. I invite National to get a lawyer to tell it what is going on. It has got a few. National should not put Gerry up and should stop embarrassing the party. 
I heard Gerry Brownlee say on 3ZB Christchurch that the Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal had no legal standing when it comes to findings. I thought “I do not believe that the deputy leader of the National Party and the spokesperson on Maori Affairs is out there wantonly making stupid uninformed statements.” Everybody knows that that statement is absurdly untrue. It is an outrage. It is a manifestation of stupidity. But there is an old saying—and it applies to Mr Hide—“The malady of the ignorant is to be ignorant without knowing it.” There are the founders of National and of ACT with their fingerprints and their DNA all over the mess of Waitangi and here they pose as the saviours. Boy one has to be arrogant to take that position! 
Here are the facts. The foreshore and seabed will now belong to all New Zealanders. Is that good? Customary rights will be for all regardless of race. Is that good? When people go before the courts in disputes there will be equality. Is that good? Is it right that the local authority can now appear at the Maori Land Court representing every New Zealander in its area? Is that good? It is good. Is it good that for the first time we have a limit of 10 years to make an application? People will have certainty of time. 
We have delivered something that could be perceived just a short while ago to be impossible. We have got ourselves out of the impasse and for 200 years New Zealanders will understand the day this law was—[ 
Interruption 
]—That is why ACT members are mad and National members are angry and irate because on this issue they now no longer matter. Don Brash made this speech but as John Wayne would say: “It’s one thing to steal a man’s horse outside the saloon; it’s quite another to be able to stay on it and try to get out of town.” When asked about the detail he never understands and does not know. He says: “Send Gerry out there.” The best thing that Gerry can do is to keep on going out with Tame Iti. In fact Tame Iti’s art makes more sense than Gerry’s speeches and that is saying something. 
Darren Hughes 
: Bring back Nick! 
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS 
: Yes I do say National should bring back Nick Smith. He was far clearer in his mind far more stable far more calm and far more on top of the job than the present incumbent but then again all officers of the National Party as we have known for a number of years are purely temporary.