Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:659;Page:8356] 
Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill 
Second Reading 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations)  
on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries 
: 
 I move  
That the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill be now read a second time 
. This bill was jointly drafted by the Crown and iwi. It gives effect to a deed of settlement signed on 6 May between the Crown and the iwi of the South Island and Hauraki for an early settlement of the Crown’s pre-commencement aquaculture space obligations in those regions. The settlement will meet the vast majority of the Crown’s pre-commencement space obligations and covers the Hauraki Gulf Marlborough Sounds Tasman Bay and the rest of the South Island. It has required a great deal of collaboration and hard work by both Government officials and iwi and it is the result of innovative thinking and a desire from both sides to reach a quick settlement that is fair to both parties. The fact that the settlement spans more than half of New Zealand’s coastal area and well over 90 percent of the aquaculture sector is testament to what an achievement it is. 
In 1992 the Crown reached a full and final settlement with Maori for all claims under the Treaty of Waitangi relating to New Zealand’s commercial capture fisheries. The Government has an ongoing responsibility to develop policies and programmes to recognise and provide for non-commercial customary fishing. Aquaculture was the unfinished business of that settlement being the use of New Zealand’s coastal marine space to commercially farm kai moana. The settling of Maori claims to commercial aquaculture between 1992 and 2004 with the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004 is an important element of the relationship between Maori and the Crown. Unfortunately the transfer of settlement assets to iwi did not happen as anticipated in 2004. As a result of the lack of movement a way to more effectively deliver the benefits of the settlement to iwi had to be found. The Crown and the iwi of the South Island and Hauraki have worked together and have found the way forward through early financial settlement and regional agreements. 
The Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act does not currently allow for early financial settlement or for regional agreements of the type that the Crown and iwi have negotiated and that Act needs to be amended. The bill that we have before us tonight will amend the Act and get the settlement assets flowing to iwi. The fair full and final settlement of Treaty of Waitangi grievances is a high priority for this Government. I will interpolate and say how delighted I was to be at Te Wai-iti Marae this morning with my parliamentary colleague Mita Ririnui for the signing of the Ngati Whare deed of settlement. It was a very good day. On Saturday we will be back up in Murupara for the signing of the Ngati Manawa deed of settlement. 
I have written to all remaining iwi around the country in relation to this bill to offer the opportunity for them to have an early financial settlement in their areas. The Ministry of Fisheries on behalf of the Crown is currently engaging with those iwi and there is a possibility that the entire pre-commencement space obligation will be completed well before 2014 which is the date envisaged by the settlement legislation. I note that the iwi of the South Island and Hauraki are willing to lend their support to helping the remaining iwi to accomplish similar settlements to theirs and I publicly express my thanks to them for their ongoing commitment to this process. 
The deed of settlement and this bill epitomise the principle of mahi tahi which is to work together as one not only between the Crown and iwi but also between iwi themselves which is important. It is quite something that all the iwi of the South Island were able to set aside old differences and come together to negotiate a common settlement with the Crown. I particularly acknowledge the initiative of the Te Tau Ihu fisheries forum and its chair Richard Bradley of Rangitane during the early stages of the settlement for the South Island. I acknowledge the work of officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and the contribution of the iwi leaders of Te Tau Ihu Ngai Tahu and Hauraki together with the assistance of Te Ohu Kaimoana and the iwi legal adviser Justine Inns. I particularly thank previous Ministers including the Hon Parekura Horomia for their work in seeing the potential to negotiate an early financial settlement across these areas and starting the negotiation process. I also thank the Maori Affairs Committee for the efficient and expeditious manner in which this bill progressed through the select committee and for the two very useful technical amendments that the committee has recommended. These changes will strengthen the bill and improve its effectiveness and application. 
I note the overwhelming support for the deed of settlement and for this bill from iwi local government and the aquaculture and seafood industry. I commend the bill with the technical amendments recommended by the select committee to the House. 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Labour—Ikaroa-Rawhiti) 
:  
Te Kaiwhakahaere o te Whare tena koe. I a koe te Minita e Honore Chris Finlayson e mihi kau ana na te mea i roto i a koe e mohio atu tatou te tu roaroa atu o te take nei mo te whai atu a nga iwi mo te ahua nei o te mahi i te takutai moana. Na te mea e mohio atu wetahi o nga iwi nei e kaha i te mahi kararehe e manaaki atu i nga ahua o te whenua. Na te mahi penei tonu i te tuku atu i nga hua i roto i te moana hei tipu atu hei tu kaha atu pera i nga kararehe. Na te pai hoki e mau matatau atu te nui o nga iwi nei i te mahi hua takutai moana penei tonu. Pera i a ratou i Te Wai Pounamu e tino matatau atu nga Maori ki te mahi penei tonu. 
Na te pai hoki kei te tae tata i te otinga. E mihi kau ana ki te Minita mo tona kaha. E ki atu wetahi o nga iwi pera i a Hone Morgan pera i a Fred ma ratou ma e whai kaha atu a Harry Mikaere i te mau pukumahi mo te tae pai atu penei tonu. E mohio atu tatou te wehewehe mai i te timata a te take nei engari e noho pai e tae tata ana ki te whakakotahi i tera tino korero e korerotia atu tatou a ngai Maori. 
E manaaki atu mo nga korero nei a Richard Bradley me ratou ma nga tino rangatira pera i a Toko o te Hauraki me Matiu Rei ratou ma. E pai ana e kite atu te whakawhitiwhiti penei tonu a Hauraki a Ngati Apa ki te Ra To a Ngati Koata a Ngati Kuia a Ngati Rarua a Ngai Tahu a Ngati Tama a Ngati Toa a Rangitane me Te Ati Awa o te Tau Ihu. E nui atu nga iwi e tahi atu penei tonu. E nui atu nga iwi e whai tika mo te pai o te rangatahi akuni ka tipu atu ka peka ana i runga i te huarahi mo te mahi hou nei. 
Ahakoa kare e hoki atu te mahi nei he mahi hou mo tatou katoa. Mai ra ano e haere atu nga koroua kuia ki te taha o te moana hei tiki hei mahi atu i te ruku pupu te tiki parengo nga ahuatanga pera tonu. Na te pai hoki o te mahi nei kei te whakawhitiwhiti kei te taea hoki tatou a ngai Maori i roto i a tenei take. Ahakoa nga piki nga heke mo te take o te takutai moana tenei noa wetahi o nga puta hou e tu atu te ture mo te mau kaha atu a te ahua o te takutai moana. E ki atu tatou e kaha tatou ki te manaaki i te mau ana o te ahua o te korowai o te kaitiakitanga nga kupa pera tonu mo te mahi nei. I a ratou te tika e whai kaha i te taea ki te korero na te pai e tautokotia atu nga kaunihera o nga wahi ra mo te take nei. No reira e mihi kau ana. 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. To the Minister the Hon Chris Finlayson I acknowledge you because you know how long it has taken for tribes to be involved in initiatives relating to the foreshore. Now some tribes are better then others at working with animals and looking after aspects of land; they see stocks in the sea that can be harvested and developed like those on the land. The good thing is that many tribes have the expertise to use the benefits of the foreshore in the same way. Take those in the South Island where Maori are very skilled at working like this.  
The good thing is that the process is nearly completed. I acknowledge the Minister for his efforts and people like Hone Morgan Fred and the rest and Harry Mikaere. They have worked hard to bring about this conclusion. We know that we were divided when this matter began but things are going well and it is possible now to say that Maoridom is united.  
I acknowledge the statements by Richard Bradley and other leading figures like Toko of Hauraki Matiu Rei and others. It was good to see interaction like this by Hauraki Ngati Apa ki te Ra To Ngati Koata Ngati Kuia Ngati Rarua Ngai Tahu Ngati Tama Ngati Toa Rangitane and Te Ati Awa o te Tau Ihu. There were many tribes who lived together as one like this. There were many tribes who sought to ensure that future generations would gain from the initiatives from this new venture.  
While this will not go back it is a new venture for us all. Our elderly menfolk and womenfolk since the beginning of time have frequented the foreshore to gather and dive for volute univalve molluscs and to gather things like edible seaweed as well. Because this work is going so well and there is interaction we of Maoridom are progressing in this matter. Despite the ups and downs in respect of the foreshore these are just some of the new outcomes that will make the foreshore sustainable. We can state our ability to protect the foreshore under the mantle of guardianship and words like that; and we support regional councils as well in this settlement. And so I commend this bill 
.] 
The Labour Party supports the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill which secures a sustainable future for New Zealand’s aquaculture. Aquaculture is an important and growing activity for the New Zealand economy. I commend the Minister of Fisheries Phil Heatley not only for the signing today but for the one on Saturday and the many more that will happen hopefully sooner rather than later. We believe that any changes must address the concerns of the fisheries industries and have to balance economic development environmental sustainability Treaty obligations especially and community concerns. 
This bill is a clear merging of a whole lot of opinions and most certainly a whole lot of leaders’ keenness to ensure that the business carries on. That they had the foresight to bring this settlement forward by 5 years is something they need to be commended for. It is difficult to get three or four community groups together it is difficult to get three or four Pakeha groups together but it is amazing that we have got a dozen iwi to agree together. That they are supported by their local councils is something we could learn from. 
I again commend the Minister in charge of the bill for his effort. Labour members will certainly be voting for the second reading of the bill. 
Hon PHIL HEATLEY (Minister of Fisheries) 
: 
 It is a delight to see the second reading of the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill moved in this House and positively supported by the speakers. As the Minister of Fisheries I add my voice to that of the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and acknowledge the Hon Parekura Horomia for the work that he did over a 12-month period prior to our coming into office. We have seen talks around this settlement begin and clearly it was a delight for us to take hold of the torch that he carried and to see the process of the settlement finished. We met several months ago at Te Papa with iwi hapu and whanau involved in those negotiations as well as officials and we signed the settlement agreement. It was a wonderful privilege for me as a Minister to sign my first Treaty settlement. Again I thank the Hon Parekura Horomia for beginning that process. 
The reality is that we decided on a settlement for Maori way back in 2004 when the aquaculture reforms were passed. As part of that reform the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act went through the House giving Maori the opportunity to take hold of 20 percent of pre-commencement space and 20 percent of any new aquaculture areas that were put together following enactment of that legislation in 2004. It was understood that the pre-commencement space settlement would probably be settled by providing water space created through the zoning of aquaculture management areas. In other words new aquaculture zones would be set aside by local regional councils—that is water space—and much of that would be passed to Maori as part of the settlement. 
Unfortunately because aquaculture has not progressed the way that we all would like it to no new aquaculture management areas have been created in the last 4 or 5 years and therefore there has been no settlement space to pass to Maori. So it was a smart idea instead of passing over space to look at a cash settlement. That was a good idea conceived some time ago. Progress was made valuing the potential space putting a dollar figure on it and coming to some sort of agreement. That is what happened. It came to a figure of about $97 million and I think there is a little bit more outstanding for those hapu whanau and iwi who have not settled yet. So we are still looking at that settlement and as my colleague the Hon Chris Finlayson said it is progressing well. 
I know this is just the second reading but I am enthusiastic to see the Committee stage and the third reading go through reasonably quickly because Maori have been waiting a long time. We will see by the passing of this legislation a cash settlement to Maori. Hopefully they will use some of those finances to invest in aquaculture. They are not compelled to do so at all but perhaps they might invest in aquaculture. We trust that the reforms we are doing in marine farming next year will open up the doors for more marine space in New Zealand’s coastal area. I commend the second reading of this bill I commend the bill to the House and I am delighted that so many colleagues from parties on this side in Government and across the floor from the Opposition are so supportive of this legislation. 
DAVID CLENDON (Green) 
: 
 The Greens are pleased to make a short speech on the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill and to continue to support it through the House. 
The 2004 Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act which this bill seeks to amend was seen by some as an indication of the Crown’s willingness to deal fairly and even generously with Maori in respect of settling Treaty claims. But it may be more accurate to suggest that the display of generosity has been from Maori who in accepting Treaty settlements have typically acknowledged the present-day reality and agreed to accept much less than the real value of the assets that were lost over generations of Treaty violations. It is to the credit of the affected iwi in this instance that they have been both diligent and determined in pursuing an equitable outcome to this matter while also being amenable to a negotiated outcome. 
As we know under the provisions of the principal Act Maori were allocated 20 percent of marine aquaculture space as settlement of their claims in this area the allocation being for marine aquaculture space approved from 1992 to 2004—described as pre-commencement space. Iwi still have the right to 20 percent of all new space created from January 2005. The difficulty has been in providing Maori with that entitlement. 
In looking at the reason for that it is worth considering the issue of coastal management more generally and worth recalling some of the commentary from relevant articles of Agenda 21 which emerged from the Rio Earth Summit as long ago as 1992. It was noted then that “current approaches to the management of marine and coastal resources have not always proved capable of achieving sustainable development and coastal resources and the coastal environment are being rapidly degraded and eroded in many parts of the world.” It goes on to say that “Systematic collection of data on marine environmental parameters will be needed to apply integrated management approaches …”. Clearly that commentary and indeed criticism of coastal management generally is applicable in New Zealand some 17 years later when not too much has changed in terms of the condition of our coastal environment where the trend is still towards degradation and other negative outcomes. This is despite the undoubted attachment to and fondness for the coastal environment so often expressed by New Zealanders of all ethnicities. Sadly we continue to have a very poor record of stewardship. 
Some of the extraordinarily vehement opposition revealed in recent years both at a Government level and in the public domain more generally is in regard to Maori asserting any rights to use or management of the coastal resource. It is all the more surprising when one considers what a very poor job successive central and local governments and other interests have done of maintaining the integrity and quality of that resource. Clearly there have been not only significant political and economic barriers but also scientific barriers to the advancement of aquaculture and to Maori participation in it. Aquaculture is a relatively modern option and in some ways an inferior option to the natural harvest of seafood but clearly a major economic opportunity exists for all those concerned to meet the requirements and preferences. 
New Zealand has been particularly slow to establish useful baseline data for environmental management generally and coastal management in particular largely due to the fact that the acquisition of good scientific data is hampered by the peculiar quasi-commercial structure of our Crown research institutes. Research into aquaculture done recently by the coastal marine group at Waikato University has observed that inferior site location is one of the most common reasons for the double whammy of aquaculture failure as a business venture and the accompanied adverse environmental effects and that good new sites in sheltered bays and harbours are becoming increasingly rare necessitating a move to find optimal sites in open coastal locations. The Waikato research has been useful to the extent that it provides some characteristics enabling computer-based analysis and identification of potential aquaculture sites but the reality is that it can identify optimal conditions but cannot create more of them. Although the principal Act assures iwi of access to a percentage of all new space it is important when that allocation is made that issues of quality and viability are not overlooked. 
This bill amends the principal Act enabling the Crown to enter into negotiated regional agreements with relevant iwi and provides a legal framework for these settlements to be rolled out. Essentially this enables the Crown to provide cash rather than marine-farming space to Maori in terms of aquaculture settlements. Although this is a positive outcome it falls some way short of enabling the engagement of iwi as active players in the aquaculture industry. As noted in a number of first reading speeches the iwi implicated in this bill are mana whenua so are entrusted with both the rights and the responsibilities that this status entails. Active management of the physical resource would always be a preferred option given the strong cultural as well as economic significance of kai moana but the cash payments will however certainly provide a range of opportunities to the affected parties. That is an outcome that the Greens will be happy to continue to support. Thank you. 
Hon TAU HENARE (National) 
: 
 I will not take too much of the House’s time tonight. 
Hon Shane Jones 
: Thank goodness! 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: I am just trying to work out which bozo spoke because they all look the same. 
Simon Bridges 
: Phil Goff’s chief adviser. 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: Yes—well that brings me to an interesting point. When this bill went through— 
Hon Shane Jones 
: Hangai ki te kaupapa! 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: I should stick to the kaupapa? Well that is rich coming from “Richie”— 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: As a matter of interest I was just reading some Speakers’ rulings on decorum of the House. I do not think we have started this contribution very well from either side and I just ask for a better level of decorum. 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: OK. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by the other side—not by the Assistant Speaker—I was saying that this is one of the first bills I have seen go through to select committee without even a hint of dissent from anyone around the table. First of all I congratulate all members of that pretty good select committee. 
Basically this bill amends the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004. It allows certain iwi to go ahead with what are in their opinion some pretty good economic development opportunities that are just around the corner. I am reminded of a song “What the World Needs Now is Love”. Well it may well need love but one of the things it really needs is food. Food is always a constant need around the world and if iwi can get their hands on a means of production they can be big players in the world. God only knows that there are a couple of billion Chinese people out there wanting food and one-point-something billion Indian people wanting food and we have not even touched the other markets in the world. So I think that the opportunity that this bill allows is very very great. 
I did not want to be controversial. It is not my nature to be controversial— 
Amy Adams 
: However— 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: —however I must say before I get to the controversial bit that my colleague from the Green Party David Clendon spoke of new ways of doing things. The interesting point is that I have just been looking through some of the research in terms of an iwi in the North the Waiariki people who are based around the Ngunguru-Tutukaka region. There was an application in the 1880s from one of the settlers to have an oyster farm. That was in 1880 so it is not particularly a new idea. Maybe we have come to see it as a new idea but these ideas have been around for a long long time around the world. So I make that point of behalf of the Waiariki people. 
I will also make a couple more points. We the National Party got a pasting from the Opposition on the so-called sweetheart deal in the emissions trading scheme which basically gave I suppose a right to certain iwi and which opened up—so certain people in this House have said—full and final settlements. Well if somebody was to really have a look at this bill they would see that that is exactly what this bill does. It opens up what was a full and final settlement back in 2004 because it suits the purpose. It is because of other things that are happening with legislation that we have needed to do this. 
Hon Shane Jones 
: He wai! 
Hon TAU HENARE 
: Oh that is right—he wai. In Maoridom whenever someone calls out that phrase there are two reasons why. The first reason is that the speech is boring—and I can stump up to that and cop that sort of criticism—but the other reason is that the person does not want to hear the truth. 
What I am saying is not too controversial. I just want to remind Phil Goff—and Shane Jones who is a great supporter of Phil Goff at the moment—that sometimes we have to go back look at what we have done and for the betterment of a settlement and for its longevity open the purse again to see whether we cannot squeeze some more out of it in order to get that sort of longevity. So I make no bones about this settlement or the emissions trading scheme because I see them as being the same. 
Both are a means to an end. The end to this legislation is the ability of Maori to have an opportunity. The legislation will not solve a whole heap of problems; it will give an opportunity. It is up to those iwi who are part of this settlement to take that opportunity and not only to take it for themselves but also to enrich the nation in terms of productivity and the earning of the dollars that our country so needs. I absolutely fully support the measures in front of the House tonight. Kia ora. 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
: 
 Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker kia ora tatou katoa. E hoa ma tatou o te Ao Maori ka pai te rongo ake i te ahuatanga o to tatou reo e korerohia ana i roto i te Whare i te po nei. Te tikanga a te tau hou kua puta to tatou reo i runga i nga irirangi e rua no reira he pai tonu kia whakamatautau tatou i a tatou ano i roto i nga korero i tenei po a nga wiki e rua kai mua i te aroaro. 
Kei te ahua whakahihi tonu a te Pati Maori ki te tu ake ki mua i te aroaro o te Whare Paremata i tenei po ki te tautoko i tenei pire te Pire Whakatikatika Whakataunga Kereme Ahumoana Arumoni Maori (mo nga Whakaaetanga a-Rohe). Ka mutu ko tetahi ingoa e tika ana mo tenei pire ko te “Pire Kua Eke ki Tona Wa”. He pai tonu kia eke ki tenei wa i te mea kua roa te Ao Maori e tatari ana kia whakahonore te Kawanatanga i tona kirimana i wanangahia i te tau 2004. Kua eke tenei pire ki te wa kua whakatakotohia e te Kawanatanga ki runga i te tepu tetahi utu mo te wa kotahi nei ki a ngai Maori mo te wahanga a-pamu moana nei kaore i tukuna i nga tau kua hipa ake. Ka mutu ko te mahi a te pire he whakatikatika i te Ture Whakatikatika Whakataunga Kereme Ahumoana Arumoni Maori o te tau 2004. No reira he pai tonu ki a matou te tautoko i tenei. Kua roa matou e akiaki ana e panapana haere ana i tenei pire kia eke ki tenei taumata kia taea ai te pahi i tenei pire ki tona taumata i te po nei. 
Ara ano etahi paku korero o roto i te pire nei me korero au mo enei take tuatahi ko te whakaaetanga o nga iwi ki nga kirimana a-rohe na runga i te mea karekau he whenua hou hei mea wananga ma te motu. Ko te manukanuka nui ko tera e pa ana ae he pai tonu kia tukuna mai ai te moni hei whakatau i te kereme engari ko te take tino nui kare ano kia oti noa tera hiahia o te iwi Maori kia whai wahi ano tatou i roto i nga mahi pakihi pamu moana nei. I tukuna te putea kotahi nei mai i te Kawanatanga ki te whakatau i tera kirimana i nga tau kua hipa o te tau 2004. I raro i tera kirimana i whakaaetia e te Kawanatanga kia tukuna mai tata ki te 20 pai heneti o tera panga whenua i mua noa atu o te wa ka mutu he wahanga noa a muri ake ko tera 20 pai heneti ano. Na e penei i ta Tau Henare i korero nei ko tenei tetahi pire hei whakatinana ko nga kirimana a-rohe. Ko tana he whakatau i nga kereme o naia tonu nei i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi mo nga take e pa ana ki nga pakihi pamu moana. Na reira ko ta te Kawanatanga he whakawhanake i te ture i naia tonu nei kia pakari tonu te ture mo nga mea penei i te pamu moana nei. 
No reira hei whakakopani i nga korero e rua pea nga take hai whakatakoto ki mua i te aroaro o te Whare Paremata. Tuatahi ahua rite ki te Ture Takutai Moana o te tau 2004 ko te tiaki i te ahuatanga o te moana ka mutu ko te ata titiro ano ki te panga o te iwi Maori nga kaipamu Maori nga mea hi ika i roto i nga mea takutai moana nei. No reira me mutu aku pea i konei kia taea ai te ki kua eke ki te taumata i te po nei a ka tukuna atu ki tangata ke. Ko te tikanga ia ana ka potingia a te po nei. Kia ora tatau. 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker and greetings to us all. Colleagues and indeed those of us of Maoridom it is good to hear our language being spoken in the House tonight. The situation next year is that our language will be heard simultaneously. So it is good that we test each other tonight and in the 2 weeks ahead.  
The Maori Party is proud to stand before the House tonight in support of the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill. And the “It’s About Time Bill” is a more suitable name for it because Maoridom have waited a long time since 2004 for the Government to honour it. It is about time for the Government to have come to the table with a one-off payment to Maoridom for aquaculture space for which compensation was never granted in the past. The bill amends the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004. So we are quite comfortable supporting it. We have advocated for a long time that this bill progress to where it is tonight and be passed. 
There are minor aspects of this bill that I must comment on—namely on the tribes being seemingly in favour of regional agreements because there is no new space for the nation to debate. The great concern is that the use of cash payments as settlement does not resolve the desire by Maori tribes to participate in the aquaculture industry. This one-off payment from the Government settles the agreement reached in 2004 whereby the Government agreed to nearly 20 percent of pre-existing space and 20 percent of future space. As Tau Henare stated this bill develops regional agreements and settles current claims relating to commercial aquaculture under the Treaty of Waitangi. So the Government is immediately committed to developing a robust regulatory regime for things like aquaculture. 
To end this address there are just two matters to put before the House. Firstly this bill is quite like the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 in that it protects matters relating to the sea and examines Maori tribal interests Maori commercial aquaculture and Maori deep-sea fishing interests. So my contribution ends here. It has achieved what it set out to do tonight. Someone else has the call now. It will be put to the vote tonight that is for sure. Thank you all 
.] 
Hon SHANE JONES (Labour) 
: 
 I congratulate the Ministers of the day for advancing the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill. It is a sad reflection of how entangled the law has become that applicants from either the Maori sector or the general industry sector have been frustrated in securing statutory entitlements to advance aquaculture so this type of innovation needs to be applauded. 
To the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and to the Minister of Fisheries I say that there was a time when Doug Kidd in an earlier life identified $2 billion in 1993 as the target that the industry would achieve through the infusion of aquaculture-based earnings; that target still eludes us. But if we can reduce the barriers and expedite the entry both of our own Maori people and also of the industry to higher levels then it is good for the country. Treaty settlements have to integrate our people into the business of earning real money through participating in industry sectors. 
We thoroughly support this initiative and wish the recipients well. We look forward to finding other ways to work constructively with the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations on other Maori issues in the spirit of reciprocity. Kia ora tatou. 
Bill read a second time.