Roy Eric: Southland Agricultural and Pastoral  Association Empowering Bill — First Reading 
Roy Eric: Southland Agricultural and Pastoral  Association Empowering Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:633;Page:5238] 
ERIC ROY (National—Invercargill) 
: 
 I would like to take a right of reply. I thank members for their charitable comments and I particularly appreciate the comments made by Te Ururoa Flavell from the Maori Party. An explanation is probably necessary on my part. The member referred to my having visited the runanga of Waihopai. I had an order of the day for quarter of an hour to talk about issues and we spent 45 minutes on Doug Woolerton’s Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill. The meeting got so carried away that all other matters were forgotten and my time expired by over half an hour. So the criticism he made is probably fair. 
I confirm the member’s comments about Te Ao Marama. They are a very integral part of the local process of doing things and nothing escapes them. The bill was advertised accordingly in the newspaper for 2 consecutive weeks. I can furnish a copy of the ad if the member wishes to see it. As I say all requirements of appendix C were met and although there may not have been a specific time I was set to go and do it but other matters overtook on that occasion. So I give my apologies and thank the member for the consideration given and the diligent homework done in regard to that. 
When I moved the first reading earlier I said there was some urgency in the matter. I have discussed this with the chairman David Carter and clerk of the Primary Production Committee which has the time available to progress the bill. We have talked about ways in which the 30-day requirement might be met. Mr Carter has indicated that a subcommittee is prepared to be formed to hear the bill in the next adjournment of the House. Again no issues have been identified and I would say that pressure was put on me by the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association to pass this bill through all stages in one day. There has been a discussion at the Business Committee and there is I think some degree of unanimity and recognition that there is an element of urgency required but caution will prevail. 
The bill will go to the select committee it will be advertised and a subcommittee is prepared to travel to Invercargill if required to hear any of those people. We have set in place a mechanism so all of those things can be met in order to say that although this land is endowment land it is that way for a special reason and we do not take lightly the provision of protection that endowment law provides. However it is time to move on and do what the community wants but let us do it in a way in which we know we have ticked off all of the boxes and everybody has an opportunity to express their opinion in favour of or against the proposal. At the moment to my knowledge there is 100 percent agreement by everybody for what is a common-sense approach. 
Again I thank the Maori Party for its consideration. I thank Damien O’Connor and Sue Moroney from the Labour Party for their comments and interestingly they both have an intrinsic and deep interest in the racing industry. It is good that we can see not only the codes of racing working together in Southland but also in the wider community spreading out to equestrian and other events. A very very logical proposal has been put in place. Sue Moroney referred to the equestrian centres in and around Cambridge and I agree that that is a recognised breeding stronghold certainly of the thoroughbred industry and other horse interests as well. But in terms of what is going to happen with an equestrian centre in Southland I say: “Watch this space.” The next time the member is in Invercargill she should look not only at Ascot Park but also at some of the other stunning facilities we have. As I mentioned earlier we are particularly very proud of the covered velodrome. I thank members for their support. 
Bill read a first time.