McClay Todd: Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill — Second Reading 
McClay Todd: Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:657;Page:6726] 
TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to rise to speak on the Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill today and to take part in this debate as the member of Parliament for Rotorua. I want to recognise for a moment the people of Te Arawa who have travelled from Rotorua to be here today. It is a significant day. I say kia ora to them. They are very welcome here; this is their House. 
I recognise that a lot of progress has been made in a very short period of time and that the agreement locally and in this House has been possible only because of the commitment of a number of people. In saying so I recognise the leaders those who are mandated to negotiate and those who offered the mandate to iwi in Rotorua to recognise Ngati Whakaue Tuhourangi and Ngati Wahiao. I recognise Te Ururoa Flavell the member of Parliament who represents this area and John Clarke for their work and I also acknowledge the previous Government which started this work. It is important for us in Rotorua to recognise the work of those who have played an important part in getting us to where we are at today. 
The land that we are talking about as part of this process is an important part of Rotorua’s history. It is the basis for Rotorua’s culture and it is an important part of Rotorua’s future. I also recognise and remember that people lived on this land long before the city of Rotorua was founded. The Whakarewarewa Valley and its surrounding land is beautiful and in light of my visits there I say that the valley is as rich as the people of this land are generous. I recognise the great welcome that my colleagues and I have always received when going to that part of Rotorua. I was there earlier this year with our Prime Minister John Key and we visited Te Puia. Quite exceptional things have always happened in this valley and the situation today is no different from that. I also had a wonderful opportunity earlier this year to visit the Whakarewarewa Village on Waitangi Day when the gates were open for thousands of people to come and celebrate that great day for New Zealand and also to learn about culture and history. It was a privilege for me to be there. I believe that all the people of Rotorua will share in the benefit of this land transfer. I acknowledge the importance of this debate today and what it will mean when this legislation passes into law. 
Often we focus too much on the past and look too much behind us but I will address for a moment the opportunity that this bill will provide. I recognise the importance of tourism and of Maori tourism in particular and the role that this valley will play in empowering the local people. Many many years ago on this land in Rotorua lived a guide who was really famous if we read our history books—Makerete Papakura or Guide Maggie as she was known at the time—for the work that she did at the time. Her descendants still live in this area and in this place. Guide Maggie or Makerete said a people is a great and living people only as it is mindful of its heritage and this bill today is about recognising that heritage. I support this bill and I look forward to the day when the gates between the Whakarewarewa Village and Te Puia are again open so that people can walk freely through the valley and enjoy its great beauty as they were able to many years ago. It is a privilege to be able as the member of Parliament for Rotorua to support this bill. Thank you.