Bates Carl; Kuriger BarbaraCARL BATES (National—Whanganui): E ngā mana e ngā reo e ngā iwi rangatira mā tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa. I just want to acknowledge the presence of those connected with Te Korowai o Wainuiārua and their mahi and their work over many years to get to this moment today to those both present and those who have passed to enable this bill to come before the House the 101st Māori settlement bill to be put before this House. As has been already acknowledged things change quickly down here sometimes and we acknowledge you making yourselves available to be here on such a significant day and really just want to acknowledge and honour that.I also would like to acknowledge and honour the work of the Ministers—Minister Little Minister Goldsmith—in supporting the Crown's work to enable us to be here at this point today. I also would like to just acknowledge my connection to Whanganui and the shared awa that we live learn and grow beside.The purpose of this bill is to seek to give effect to certain matters contained in the deed of settlement signed on 29 July 2023 by the Crown and by Te Korowai o Wainuiārua. When it was signed in July last year Minister Little acknowledged that you were amongst the first to submit claims to the Waitangi Tribunal 35 years ago in the 1980s and you have waited a long time for this day—in my world literally a lifetime. I can only imagine the pain and the heartache that you have gone through over the last three decades to get to this point that we're here today.It's an absolute privilege to rise and speak last on this bill. The significance of the journey of this legislation through this House—through our House through your House—is not lost on me this afternoon. Indeed this evening I will drive home to Whanganui and I will pass through Whangaehu where your tūpuna signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi so many years ago.At the pōwhiri earlier today as we hongi-ed one of your kaumatua said to me A familiar face." As we kōrero-ed afterwards I discovered that his mokopuna plays T-ball and goes to school with my son. I share this to acknowledge our shared connections to the Whanganui awa and because much of what has been said today is about looking to the future for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua and I hope looking forward to the future for all the people connected to the Whanganui awa.In going through the bill I noted several of the properties being returned to iwi for your governance and oversight include the Tangahoe scenic reserve and Ramanui Scenic Reserve both located in the rohe I have the privilege of representing as the member of Parliament for Whanganui. I hope to have the opportunity to visit these scenic reserves with you at some stage in the future. It is a credit to mana whenua that public access that recreational use reserve status and existing rights will be maintained through this bill and I just want to honour and acknowledge you for that.The significance of what this means for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua I am sure I cannot express in words for you this afternoon in this House. My hope though is that the little mahi—compared to what you have done and gone through—that this House undertakes to ensure the passage of this bill will create a brighter future for you and for your mokopuna and that it creates a brighter and better foundation for our next generation to grow together for your children—like your Louie and my Angus. Tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa.Motion agreed to.Bill read a first time.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Now we've just got one more technicality to work through. The question is That Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill be considered by the Māori Affairs Committee.Motion agreed to.Bill referred to the Māori Affairs Committee. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I've been informed that there has been permission today for guitars to be taken into the gallery and for a waiata after this reading. Welcome. Waiata—"He Hōnore"DEPUTY SPEAKER: Kia ora."