Ririnui Mita: Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
Ririnui Mita: Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Volume:627;Page:21893] 
Hon MITA RIRINUI (Associate Minister in charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations) 
: 
 I stand to take a brief call to respond to a number of issues raised by in particular Mr Brownlee. I thank the Green member for her contribution on the issues relating to clause 85 with regard to Nga Rauru Kitahi values. At the same time I want to respond to the United Future member Gordon Copeland who also expressed some views about that clause. At no time have Nga Rauru Kitahi said that this is the basis of their religious beliefs. This is a statement about Nga Rauru Kitahi values in terms of their culture and spirituality in relation to their land. The Government acknowledges that they have made this statement and that is the only reason why the statement is included in this legislation. If it was a reference to their religious beliefs and given that many of the Nga Rauru Kitahi beneficiaries are of the same religious denomination as I am I would indeed have some problems with it. But that is not the case. 
In relation to the concerns expressed by Gerry Brownlee about clause 43(1) on the Environment Court the legislation places no extra duties on the Environment Court. The statutory acknowledgment provides for Nga Rauru Kitahi to have input into existing Resource Management Act processes in relation to applications to consent authorities Environment Court applications and Historic Places Trust applications. It does not give special weighting to Nga Rauru Kitahi views in relation to the Resource Management Act processes.  
Mr Brownlee referred also to the area of Waiinu Beach included as part of the cultural redress. That area of beach is located about 1 kilometre inland and at no time does it get wet unless it rains. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: What’s it called a beach for? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: It is on Beach Road. It is not unusual to give an inland area a name that gives the impression that it is situated on the coast. I can tell the member— 
Gerry Brownlee 
: It’s a real estate rort. 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: It may well be but it is 1 kilometre inland; it does not adjoin the coast. 
I believe that the member had a problem with clause 50 too in relation to the termination of the deed of recognition under cultural redress. That clause basically acknowledges that at some time in the future the deed of recognition may terminate if the land is no longer managed by the Crown. In other words the Crown may decide to sell it off in the future.  
I have covered many of the issues that have been raised during the debate on Part 4. Most of the debate surrounds the cultural and spiritual values of Nga Rauru Kitahi. I am of the view that the Committee has no reason to be concerned about that although I do acknowledge the concerns of particular groups in relation to religion. I tell Mr Brownlee that I have no idea how a judge would rule on a matter relating to clauses 85 and 86 and I do not know of any court decision in which a judge has made a determination about who is God and who is not. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: He’s never had to. 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: Absolutely and there is no reason why a court would have to in the future. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: It’s in the law now. 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: That is my point. It would not have to do so in the future.