Hayes Jo; Williams PotoJO HAYES (National): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. I'm privileged to stand to speak in the second reading of the Coroners (Access to Body of Dead Person) Amendment Bill. Just a little bit of history: I was on the Māori Affairs Committee in the 51st Parliament when Metiria Turei brought this kaupapa to the select committee. Her stories around why she was bringing it were quite riveting for us. For some of us we had experienced some of the issues around access to our tūpāpaku that were good experiences and we had whānau that had had bad experiences. So I guess what this bill is doing is actually responding to the needs of Māori whānau and the way that they look after and care for—and I'm not saying treat". I'm saying they look after and care for and love their tūpāpaku right to the end—to the day that they are buried. Therefore I think that what this bill is doing as the Minister has said is taking into account tikanga for Māori around the care of their tūpāpaku.The submissions that came in from the submitters did raise a few questions. However we were able to work through that as a committee and I'm really pleased that we all got behind this and we had cross-party support for it.As Māori we treat tūpāpaku as a living person as well. We love them and look after them all the way to their final resting place. I've had as I said a good experience of this but other people have not. I have known whānau that have been locked out of mortuaries and have had to sit outside and wait. I have heard from whānau who have had issues with coronial services in their areas over access and being able to give their tūpāpaku—their loved one—their farewell kiss and being able to hold their hand. However once we get through that process and we're able to care for our tūpāpaku then we can do that.I just want to reflect on a personal experience that I had and the way that we were treated as a whānau. Back in 1996 my father passed away. He had cancer. The coronial services that dealt with him were just very very good. Within no time we had our father back with us and we were able to deal with him and able to dress him and do the final rites as a family—able to look after him to his burial day. I think that with this bill and the way that it's being set out a whole lot of that I suppose raruraru that they talk about with some whānau will actually be placed over to one side and they will be able to continue on with their tikanga process of the treatment or the loving of their loved one.So it was an interesting time. At times it was sad listening to some of the stories. For some of us it brought a lot of memories back for the way that we have with our tikanga process. It was mixed feelings of sadness and happiness all the way through. So without any further ado I just want to thank our select committee with our new chair Rino for being able to shepherd this bill through the process to where we've got it today. There is really not much more that I can talk about and add to what the Minister has put in his contribution. So therefore I am humbled and honoured to be able to support this bill through to the second stage. Thank you.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Thank you. I just wanted to remind the member when referring to other members to use their proper names. Thank you."