Davis Kelvin: Ngati Tuwharetoa Raukawa and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Bill — In Committee 
Davis Kelvin: Ngati Tuwharetoa Raukawa and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:667;Page:14486] 
KELVIN DAVIS (Labour) 
: 
 I would like to talk about the overarching purpose of the Ngati Tuwharetoa Raukawa and Te Arawa River Iwi Waikato River Bill because I believe that this is the most exciting part of the bill. The overarching purpose is to restore and protect the health and well-being of the Waikato River for present and future generations. I think that that is the most admirable part of the bill. The purpose goes on to say that the legislation “recognises the significance of the Waikato River to the Ngati Tuwharetoa Raukawa and Te Arawa River Iwi:”. Again I think it is wonderful that finally the people and the tribes along the Waikato River will have an opportunity to have a say in the co-management and the co-governance the kawanatanga of the Waikato River so that it can be restored to the condition it was in over 100 years ago when people could gather food swim and play in the river without fear of contracting illnesses or anything due to the pollution and the degradation that has gone on. They could swim there without worrying about getting injured on any deep debris that has been dumped there for whatever reason. 
Yesterday I heard from the Hon Rodney Hide that this bill was a sad day for democracy because in his opinion it would exclude people from participating in the democratic process. I believe that the Hon Rodney Hide was wrong. I believe that this is a great day for democracy because it shows that New Zealand is finally coming of age when we can have Maori sitting at the decision-making table on the Waikato River Authority. There will be five members from the river iwi and five members selected by the Minister along with recommendations from regional councils. It is great that there will be equal numbers of Maori and non-Maori making decisions about the co-governance of this river. 
This is a great day for democracy. This is an inclusive bill and it is great to see that New Zealand is coming of age. It also is in line with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Article 18 states: “Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights through representatives chosen by themselves in accordance with their own procedure”. This allows Maori to choose their representatives. 
Article 26 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states: “Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands territories and resources which they have traditionally owned”. They have the right “to own use develop and control the lands and territories and resources that they possess” and “States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands territories and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs traditions and land tenure systems of the indigenous persons concerned.” This bill does all that. It allows the tribes along the Waikato River—Ngati Tuwharetoa Ngati Raukawa Te Arawa tribes and Waikato-Tainui people—to be able to participate in the governance. This is good legislation. 
Article 29 states that “Indigenous peoples have the right to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources.” Again this bill supports that. So this is not a sad day for democracy; this is not bad legislation. It is inclusive legislation and it is giving Maori their opportunity finally to be able to have their say on how the Waikato River will be managed and governed. 
The Waikato River Authority is a good body that will work together inclusively; it will not exclude any groups of people. It is a body that will listen and fulfil the needs and dreams of the Waikato people. 
This bill also establishes the Waikato River Clean-up Trust. That trust is a group that will be tasked with the job of doing the clean-up which is also a good part of this bill.