Sosene Lemauga LydiaLEMAUGA LYDIA SOSENE (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. I've been listening intently to the kōrero that's happened.I rise to speak to this bill as one of the pieces of legislation to establish a new system strongly desired by communities within the Aotearoa nationwide environment. There's also been a strong push and desire to keep those costs low for many households. As you are aware the Water Services Entities Bill has a number of elements that will be beneficial for our communities infrastructure waste water stormwater services and more importantly the new bill provides the framework to deliver safe and affordable drinking water for New Zealanders.This framework provides new ownership governance and accountability arrangements relating to entities providing transitional arrangements during that period of transition. Fundamentally the bill and the three water reforms are about delivering clean and safe drinking water that's affordable for New Zealanders. Without these reforms households continue to face rising costs and the prospect of continued services that do not currently meet New Zealanders' needs. It does provide solutions that are needed.The purpose of this bill under the suite of work within the three waters reforms is that New Zealanders have a right to expect that when they turn on the tap the water that comes out is clean it is safe to drink and it will not make them sick. It is also important that stormwater and waste-water services are resilient and robust enough to keep our communities safe and to support young New Zealanders to grow and prosper. That's the minimum expectation for all communities to expect and currently in councils throughout Aotearoa that is not happening.There has been a number of media articles and I reflect on the Havelock North tragedy in 2016 where 35 percent of that community—over 5000 residents of the 14000—became very ill due to the drinking-water supply and following that a full public inquiry was held to uncover the underlying problems.Following that what was discovered was the amount of burst pipes the ageing old infrastructure right throughout Aotearoa and the continued boil-water notices and still today over 40000 households have to have those things in place and have to boil water. A huge growing problem is sewage in our waterways because water infrastructure throughout Aotearoa is crumbling—a huge problem.So referring to the cases around New Zealand the drinking-water standards are simply not compliant and our citizens are being severely compromised. Our elderly communities right throughout are also suffering. The Government is committed to ensuring that the Water Services Entities Bill addresses a number of issues and that water services remain affordable for Kiwis.In the bill as we've heard the Minister speak today the estimates show that up to $185 billion worth of investment to fix the ageing water infrastructure over the next 30 years is required. We've also heard about the ageing water pipes and you've heard a number of my Labour colleagues talk about pipes and the ageing infrastructure and what is needed to rectify the huge issues.Drinking water is a basic human right. Clean drinking water is a basic human right. This is why these changes are needed. There is large support and I've heard colleagues from that side of the House offer comments and other solutions. But I'm telling you now Kiwis around the country—I have sat in under a previous role in local government and I've heard throughout a number of conferences both sides supporting and not supporting.However the infrastructure and changes are needed. The framework to do this is needed. We need this bill because action under three waters legislation is needed. You've heard the Minister—that the water services entity remain responsible and also that councils need the required framework and will be part of the design framework will have communities to collaborate with—and yes mana whenua iwi is also part of those audiences.The water services entity will remain with a co-governance mana whenua water services delivery. Iwi Māori want to have input that the strategic assets are not sold off that public ownership remains that the infrastructure remains. The Government requires under this bill cross-party support because the operations of water services entity will help Kiwis will ensure Kiwis have a community voice that is vital to the success of these reforms.Engagement is specified in this bill. The consumer forums where we hear Kiwi voices for fixing systematic issues will be welcomed and the bill contains the robust mechanisms in which our approach is consistent.So also in the media what it's affecting is young Kiwis who are part of swimming programmes. In Auckland a number of those swimming programmes have been paused because of the problem of sewage—bad water getting into and being mixed up and young Kiwis cannot be exposed to that. The volatile wet weather problems are quite problematic and so this should not be happening but still is.The Water Services Entities Bill includes the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi covers te mana o te wai and the bill preserves iwi and hapū rights in the interests of water. The Government is listening and has made as you've heard the Minister on the four bottom lines: water assets public ownership ensuring good governance and achieving balance sheet outcomes. The Tiriti o Waitangi principles will also be achieved.So I am proud to be in a Government that is doing something proactively and is taking action on this long-term issue because we need the scale to improve our water infrastructure network. I congratulate Minister Nanaia Mahuta for leading this work and thank her and her officials because as tough as it is wāhine toa continues to forge ahead with the Water Services Entities Bill. It will provide solutions for Aotearoa. I commend this bill to the House.