Penk ChrisCHRIS PENK (National—Kaipara ki Mahurangi): Thank you sir. It's always an honour as well as a pleasure to rise to speak on settlement and redress bills. And I feel as though it's also appropriate to acknowledge a sense of responsibility. I think we've heard this afternoon that sense of responsibility is felt by all colleagues across the House as we have explored the path that has been trod to this place at this the third reading of Te Rohe o Rongokako Joint Redress Bill. We've heard in relation to Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne the cultural redress that's clearly important from a historical perspective but also acknowledging in the present the issues that have formed the background to these discussions. And when we talk about the issues in the present it's worth acknowledging that it's as recently as the last couple of days that further substantive discussion about these has taken place.If I can just step back briefly from reflections on what's at stake in the particular bill I think it's worth remembering that Parliament is called on to approve the actions of the Government of the day acting as the Crown. Parliament's not a rubber stamp but it is called upon effectively to ratify the decisions of the Minister on behalf of the Crown. For that reason Opposition members can be I suppose at somewhat of a disadvantage in the sense that we are not so actively involved in that direct discussion and negotiation. But where good engagement takes place between the Minister and members of the Opposition—as has taken place in this case I understand through discussion with my good friend and colleague Joseph Mooney—then we can have a greater degree of confidence that we are collectively doing the right thing in this space.Others have referred to challenging aspects of the passage of the legislation. And another colleague and friend Dr Shane Reti has made I think some if I may say very intelligent remarks in that space as have others across the House actually including even the party that has determined ultimately that it can't support the bill at its third reading. And the fact that Parliament cannot resolve these issues can't determine whakapapa I think is part of the point and the rest of the point is that it should not attempt to do so. It shouldn't purport to be able to make those decisions even if that were possible. Even if we had the competence it shouldn't be something that we feel is within our jurisdiction. Of course we do need to turn our mind to these issues to the extent that we need to understand what the legislation says about recognising different groupings and the same groups in some cases that have been affected by the historical wrongs of the past.So others have spoken therefore about the settlement process and the need for progress. And at the risk of stating the matter too bluntly I think it's always worth us bearing in mind the desire I think of the whole nation. Now I don't purport to speak on behalf of the nation but I think those with goodwill including those in the House who want to assist as many as possible in as timely a fashion as possible do need to acknowledge that whereas points of contention—again to borrow the phrase of my colleague and friend Dr Reti—will arise nevertheless it's worth us working through and understanding as best as we can where this has been based on misunderstandings or conceived advice and so forth and to provide if not finality then as much certainty as possible.I will take no more of the House's time. I haven't been intimately connected with the discussions at select committee level but I acknowledge those who have. I acknowledge those who have contacted members of Parliament Government and otherwise to make their feelings and thoughts on the matter clear. And if I can presume to finish on a note that I suppose is more reflective than informative but it seems to me that the pain of the past that we sometimes feel as a nation inevitably means that the present is complex but it's only by grappling with that past and that present that we can hope to have a future that is better. So I join others from around the House today who ultimately at this the third reading of the bill commend it to the House.