Gallagher Martin: Walking Access Bill — In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Gallagher Martin: Walking Access Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 23 September 2008. Volume:650;Page:19096. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) 
: 
 I want to talk about the functions of the Walking Access Commission in Part 2. I would have thought just briefly on the issue of cultural sensitivity that we do not need too much debate to know that we do not put a walkway through say a grave site or an area of archaeological significance. I think these things frankly are taken as read and I am sure that other members may take a call on that issue. Again this is something of a chilling reminder to some parties should they ever entertain even the thought of engaging with those people if the numbers stack up in terms of post-election to please take note. It is but another warning signal.  
I am sure the Minister in the chair the Hon Damien O’Connor may or may not want to take a call around some of the points that Dr Nick Smith has made in terms of the role of the Department of Conservation and in relation to the functions of the commission. I do not want to turn this debate into one of antagonism but I do personally think that all the hard-working people who are public servants who have suddenly been likened to so many hectares of bureaucrats on the Wellington foreshore or whatever by Dr Smith could take some offence. Just the other day I visited the Department of Conservation and met with the Waikato Conservation Board. I do not know that our wonderful hard-working heroic department staff who are wonderful New Zealanders should be somehow classified and demeaned as one of those extra hectares of bureaucrats. Are they the people whom Dr Smith is talking about? When he talks about bureaucrats I would say that it is an invitation to members opposite to please identify the people whom they are demeaning by using this term.  
In regard to the functions of the commission I commend the Local Government and Environment Committee for its work. I think that the functions of the commission are well laid out in very plain simple English in Part 2. Again I note that it provides national leadership on walking access by preparing and administering a national strategy coordinating walking access among relevant stakeholders and central government organisations including Sport and Recreation New Zealand and providing local and regional leadership on and coordination of walking access in collaboration with local authorities.  
I think reference was made to the role of conservation boards. Personally I would see the Walking Access Commission working very very closely with conservation boards throughout New Zealand. As I mentioned it was my privilege to sit in on the Waikato Conservation Board meeting the other day and see the incredible wonderful work it is doing in conjunction and collaboration with the excellent Department of Conservation staff in my area. I think they would certainly have a degree of expertise and vision that would work with the commission in this way.  
I also note that local authorities as the level of government closest to the people will also have a key role. I compliment the local authorities in my area on some of their visionary work particularly the Waikato District Council and the Waipa local authority. With no disrespect to Dr Nick Smith—because I obviously do not question his sincerity—I say that I think he is possibly looking for issues and problems that do not exist. Mr Chair I know that you and the Minister in the chair the Hon Damien O’Connor are listening intently to my contribution but the Minister may want to take a call in regard to some of the issues that Dr Smith has raised.