Sharples Pita: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
Sharples Pita: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
[Volume:644;Page:14065] 
Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
Tena koe Madam Speaker. As we cast our memory back over this last year we think of those especially in Maoridom who have passed away. They include the Most Rev. WhakahuihuiVercoe the legendary activist Syd Jackson cherished kuia of Te Arawa waka Witarina Te MiriarangiParewahaika Harris veteran actor Don Selwyn Atareta Maxwell a kapa haka expert and many more loved leaders and whanau members. We think also of our Pasifika whanaunga who still grieve for the loss of their late Prime Minister Sir Thomas Davis PaTuterangi Ariki of the Cook Islands and of course the head of State of Samoa SusugaMalietoaTanumafili. There are many more who fill our thoughts and who have left their mark on various members of this House. 
But this year 2007 is also a year of horrific deaths of children and young people. There has been a loss of lives cut short by violence by street fighting and by savage and senseless assaults on humanity. We remember those who have suffered in such brutal violence and we say we must all make an ongoing commitment that their lives were not in vain. The Maori Party supports the people in this House in that area. We make a stand not only in our speeches but also in our activities outside of the House to restore whanau and families so that they can come and support each other especially where a violent member is identified in their family. It has not been an easy time with all the violence around but at least everyone in this House is on the same track. I would like to acknowledge Sue Bradford’s courage in respect of the bill to repeal section 59 of the Crimes Act and to acknowledge all those who contributed to the final form of the legislation when it was passed. 
Also this year there was activity in Australia that Hone Harawira exposed to the world when the Howard regime imposed its own activity on the Aborigines. It has been a year in which the Taser was called a lethal weapon by Amnesty International and it called for the Minister of Police and the Commissioner of Police to think about withdrawing that weapon. But I guess that one of the most traumatic things that have happened for Maori this year has been what they have called “Black Monday” 15 October in the Tuhoe community. That was a day when Ruatoki was turned inside out by a police campaign of terror a day in which the nation was brought to fear that bush survival camps tribal wananga etc. were terrorist activities. 
Other events other crises of confidence have shaped this year in our reflections as the Maori Party. We think of a lot of errors in the settlement process especially in the Te Arawa settlement and in the Tamaki-makau-rau one—the adverse impact of overlapping claims and the way in which the Government has been able to play favourites in making choices. It has made decisions in isolation based on at times inadequate information and generally acted in ways that breached the principles and duties imposed by the Treaty relationship. Other claims are coming in the future—the future Crown forestry claim and the Wai 262 flora and fauna claim. Those issues will no doubt come to light next year and of course the big question will be what will happen to the Te Roroa Claims Settlement Bill? Will it be the first settlement bill not to be passed by this House? 
This year 2007 was also a year in which the Government felt the might of the Maori Party with regard to the performance of Landcorp in trying to sell some of its land and on the lack of consultation with Maori over fishing issues especially over the shared fisheries programme. 
But there have been many moments of joy and events of enormous significance to Parliament as we have seen MMP in action. We have witnessed the strength of the MMP parties with ACT the Greens United Future and the Maori Party working together to establish a code of conduct for all members of Parliament. We saw the archaic laws on sedition disappear from the statute book as a direct outcome of four MMP parties raising the heat. And we also appreciated the impact we could make on other legislation such as the births deaths and relationships policy. The Maori Party celebrates all those initiatives. We acknowledge too the varying degrees of interest that both National and Labour have expressed in working with us this year and we have every confidence that that interest will no doubt increase in the next 12 months. 
Madam Speaker the Maori Party congratulates you on your management your wisdom and your leadership in the House. We acknowledge too the expert assistance of your able team: Deputy Speaker Clem Simich and Assistant Speakers Ann Hartley and Ross Robertson. We have a whakatauaki in te Ao Maori that is key to this adjournment debate: “E haratakutoai te toatakitahiengari he toatakitini.” Those words attributed to Tuhotoariki remind us that our strength is not as individuals but is as a collective effort. As our rangatahi would say: “True that!” 
We come every day to this House knowing there is an invisible swarm of bees that makes up the sweet honey and we recognize the talents and consistent dedication of our Parliamentary Library staff who make our speeches sound so wise and our korero so intelligent. We think of the Office of the Clerk which keeps us on track and is always there to remind us of what we can and cannot do. We particularly congratulate Mary Harris—kia ora Mary—who has taken on the enormous legacy left by David McGee. We are delighted with this appointment which recognizes the many talents and the institutional expertise that Mary brings to the role of Clerk of the House. We acknowledge the legal eagles who helped us to draft two members’ bills put forward by Maori Party MPs and a raft of Supplementary Order Papers. Their proficiency and professionalism have been demonstrated in the quality of the two members’ bills we have on the Order Paper: Tariana Turia’s bill to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act and Te Ururoa Flavell’s bill to ensure that former owners of Maori or even general land taken or acquired by the Crown for the purposes of public works are given first right of refusal to purchase that land. 
We thank the interpreters—kia ora bro—for their support and expertise and also the ever-enthusiastic messengers out there and the reception staff who keep us in such good communication with the constant stream of supporters and whanaunga who come through the rubber door. We understand the pressure of the role that our security staff face every day and the demands placed upon the cleaners the building staff and the information technology helpdesk—the many people who keep this place humming. We thank the drivers of the VIP cars—oh no we do not have any; that is right sorry—and of course we know that our team is the envy of this Chamber: our one researcher our one media adviser our one chief of staff and each one of our executive assistants. We know that our electorates are in fine shape because of the incredible commitment of our teams out there and that we are only ever as good as our amazing membership our dedicated president and our awesome party structure. It is very humbling to be part of the mighty Maori Party and we know every day the absolute privilege we have in bringing an independent Maori voice to this Chamber. 
Finally we mihi to each and every one of the honourable members of this House—kia ora koutou—and through them to all the New Zealanders who place their trust in us in the people of Parliament. We have an amazing opportunity to make a difference to the lives of the people who call Aotearoa - New Zealand home. It is our calling it is our responsibility and it must be our greatest commitment together to bring about the changes necessary to truly do our best to leave a legacy our mokopuna our grandchildren can be proud of. We extend to all members our respect and our best wishes for a very restful break with their whanau and loved ones and say “Roll on 2008!”. Kia ora koutou; MeriKirihimete.