Nash Stuart: Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeNash Stuart: Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 04 November 2014. Volume:694;Page:598. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]STUART NASH (Labour—Napier):Kia ora koutou Mr Assistant Speaker. It is with great pleasure that I rise to speak in support of this the Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Bill. But before I do I would just like to acknowledge the distinguished tangata whenua represented on the committee that this bill gives effect to. Kia ora. Welcome. It is also with great pleasure that I find myself working very closely with someone of such quality passion energy and commitment as Meka Whaitiri. Miss Whaitiri and I are dedicated to working closely together on the issues that are important to the people of the East Coast to help find solutions to the problems that many in our communities are facing due to the tough economic times faced by the regions. Although there are a number of issues of absolutely vital importance there is the issue of sustainable economic development—of jobs for our people of creating opportunities for our communities. This paramount consideration is why I feel privileged to speak on this bill because I believe it is just part of the jigsaw that forms the whole puzzle around creating sustainable economic development.First of all in order to give credit where credit is due I stand and applaud the Hon Chris Finlayson and the dedication energy work and commitment that he has brought to this very important task of righting past wrongs. He did of course have extremely big shoes to fill following the Hon Sir Michael Cullen but luckily for New Zealand he also has extremely big feet. So the long march to redressing the injustices that started I believe under Norman Kirk continues unabated today.Even though this bill is called the Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Bill I do not see it as being about giving effect to a committee but rather ratifying a partnership—a partnership between parties that will come together with a common purpose and that can teach and learn from one another. What I learnt in my role as forestry spokesperson across a whole range of consultation is that when it comes to land Pākehā often talk about ownership. That has more of a short-term focus. Māori speak of stewardship or kaitiakitanga. It is a beautiful word that we really do not have in the English language which is a shame because it embodies in one word the philosophy that I actually believe we should be practising in the 21st century. Although I had heard the word I did not really understand its meaning until I started talking to those for whom it is the only way. No one owns the land or the natural resources but rather people are custodians of the land for future generations. If we are good custodians then the land will be good to us. It will feed us it will provide employment for our families shelter and land to call home for our children and our children’s children. But most important sound stewardship of the land will allow future generations to reap the rewards that respect of any resource continues to provide. This is why I see this committee that this bill ratifies as a partnership. It can be a very important and powerful committee for change.Although it is of vital importance that the committee works well and that it is highly functional it is most important that the views of all those who seek a position upon the board are respected. This legislation sets out the bones for this but it is only words. Success will be defined by actions. There are issues around resource management like the dam like fracking like fish stocks and like water quality for example that this committee should work collaboratively on—come up with solutions but teach each other learn from one another. Only when we work together and marry 21st century legislative requirements with a growing awareness that we are in fact only stewards of this wonderful land will we ever be able to move forward as a nation and as a region. Out of this I see only opportunities coming out of partnership and meaningful collaboration. I see a region where there are plentiful jobs and thriving industries and engaged communities and healthy children and engaged whānau. I see a region where there is a pride that comes from knowing that together we are stronger and we can achieve anything.So my key message really is that for a vision to be realised we must first understand that we all have something important to offer and lessons to learn and teachings to give. This bill is one of the many steps to a future where we all work together to realise the region’s potential for current and future generations. It is a future based on mutual respect and trust based on kaitiakitanga. Thank you very much.