Carter John: Kerikeri National Trust Bill — Second Reading 
Carter John: Kerikeri National Trust Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:639;Page:9872] 
JOHN CARTER (National—Northland) 
: 
 I move  
That the Kerikeri National Trust Bill be now read a second time 
. I guess there are two issues that are a bit ironic. The first is that at the end of this speech I will be asking everybody to vote against the bill for the very reason that it should be discharged—and I will explain why. But I think it is also ironic that we have just had a debate on the issue of Waitangi Day which is something that is obviously very historic and very dear to most New Zealanders’ hearts. We are now talking about another issue that is just as historic and that is the issue of the Kerikeri Basin. 
Let me explain the purpose of the bill and why it should be discharged because I am sure a number of people in the House will not know the history of it. In about 1995 there was a move by a number of people in Kerikeri particularly but in Northland generally to bring together under one umbrella all of the people who have a direct interest in the Kerikeri Basin. In the same way as we have the Waitangi National Trust Board it was envisaged that we would set up a trust called the Kerikeri National Trust that would administer the basin and the surrounds of the basin on behalf of all New Zealanders. The reason for that is that the area of the basin is hugely unique not just in New Zealand but in the world. It is the only place that I or anyone I know of who has searched can find where a modern-day settlement that met with the indigenous people and where the two peoples came together and started a nation is not now covered with high-rise buildings being land-claimed and being made to disappear. 
The area is still unique; it still has the history there in one piece. The whole purpose of the bill was to ensure that the basin remained in its unique state. The area contains Hone Heke’s pa. There was a move by a developer I think in about 1975 to buy the pa to level it to do away with all the history of Hone Heke’s pa and to build houses. Fortunately the good people of Kerikeri fought against this and preserved the pa. This is also the area where Ngati Rehia had their village. I should say that it is also the place where the Kerikeri Stone Store is. This is our most famous stone building and was New Zealand - built in 1835. Kemp House built in the early 1800s is also there. There is actually a building in Kerikeri that is the oldest wooden building in New Zealand. It is a little wee garage that most people do not notice but it is the oldest building that is still standing in New Zealand. The area has other history; it is where the first European garden was established for example. 
So the area has the pa it has the possibility of a replica of the pa being established and it has the possibility of the village being re-established which the local iwi are very keen to be involved in seeing happen. The Kerikeri Stone Store of course is still preserved as is Kemp House. In respect of the restaurant that is there there is the view that we will build a blacksmith shop and an old bakehouse in replica form so we will have the history of the nation as it was first seen when first European settlements started. We would then move up the hill to where there is a building that was built in the 1920s then moving through the history of the nation go to the top of the basin and see where there is the modern-day technology. So basically we have in a valley—in Kerikeri Basin—the start of our modern-day nation linking us to Maori history which goes back of course several centuries right up to modern day. So the area is hugely historic. 
The reason the bill was put on the Table was that back in 1995 and earlier parts of the basin were administered by the Department of Conservation parts were administered by the Historic Places Trust part of it was privately owned and part of it was owned by the Church. So it was a real mishmash of ownership and people trying to do their own things. The community of Kerikeri came together with a view to bringing all of the area together under one umbrella and to preserve it for all of us not just for our nation but also so that visitors from overseas could see it in its original state and enjoy it and see part of our history be part of our history learn part of our history and actually be active in it. 
So that was the reason why this bill was put on the Table. In fact there is a little bit of a history to it. When I first brought this bill into the House Jonathan Hunt was the senior Opposition whip and I was the senior Government whip. I was due to go overseas on the  
Tui 
 to protest against the French tests on Mururoa Island and because the bill was there Jonathan and I one evening on a member’s day did a deal. Instead of the bill having to go to the ballot we just quietly moved that it be put in to have its first reading and be sent to the select committee. So the bill is unique in that regard as well. 
It is also unique because in those 12 years a lot has happened. Parties that were not talking or coming together to try to retain the Kerikeri Basin and develop the basin have come together. There has been a lot of discussion with local iwi a lot of discussion with the Department of Conservation and the Historic Places Trust and a lot of discussion with local landowners and the Church. So all the interested parties are now coming together with a view to saying that it is unique that they understand its uniqueness and that they want to retain it as it is. Therefore the development is moving ahead as was envisaged back in 1995 and earlier. 
So the need for this bill has now gone. It was originally kept on the Table just in case. As the people involved came together and decided they needed to have legislation to support their endeavours the bill could have been expanded or changed and used as a means of this Parliament supporting those activities and endeavours. But of course things have now moved on. The bill has been sitting before select committees for 12 years. I have had to explain from time to time to new members of those select committees and new members of Parliament why the bill was sitting there doing nothing. I have even had to defend it to members of the public up in Kerikeri who from time to time have thought: “What is behind this bill? Why is it hanging on? What secret deal is John Carter doing with this Kerikeri bill? Is he going to take over the Kerikeri Basin himself and run it?”. It was none of that. The bill was always there for the good purposes of just trying to make sure that our history was preserved. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: I’m sure the people trusted you. 
JOHN CARTER 
: The people of course continue to understand that because they continue to support me. 
The fact is that the Kerikeri National Trust Bill has done its job. It has brought together the various parties who were interested. The discussion is going on. The developments are taking place. Progress will be made; past and present will be brought into it. The area already is and will become a place of huge pride for all of us—indigenous people and settlers. It will become more so as we go on into the future. In a way I am proud that I and this Parliament tonight will play a part in ensuring that that happens. Even though it is ironic as I say that the way we will play our part is to vote against this bill at the end of this debate the fact that we have done so nevertheless recognises the importance of what we tried to achieve in the Kerikeri Basin and the surrounding area which is so hugely historic and important to all our peoples. Therefore I thank this House for its time I thank this House for its support and I thank this House for voting against my bill.