Scott AlastairALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa): There is an advantage in being the last speaker in the House because one has heard much of the story. So I do not want to repeat much of what was said but I will repeat some stuff. First of all I would like to acknowledge the people of Rangitāne particularly these people who have arrived today. I note the photographs of those who have passed those who started the process who are not able to be here. I acknowledge you here today. I would also like to acknowledge the people of the Mākirikiri Marae. Minister Finlayson mentioned the auspicious occasion when we were on the marae and signed the agreement. I was extremely honoured to be a witness to the Minister's signature and I really appreciated your invitation your hospitality and your heartfelt involvement in and commitment to the process. I could see at that marae on the day as some have already said the relief that came off your shoulders when the signatures were inevitably signed. Being one of the last speakers gives me an opportunity to correct a few things that have been said in the House. Katy Apanui mother of Jo Hayes you have done a fantastic job. No matter what Pita Paraone says about being on the right side and the wrong side of the House I say she is definitely on the right side of the House. So thank you for bringing up such a fantastic lady. She does a great job on this side of the House. Congratulations. You should be proud of your daughter. Some of the history has been laid out very eloquently by the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. Kelvin Davis has given a little more of the history. But at the end of the day these people were ripped off. That is the bottom line. They were ripped off. When people ask what we are doing giving Māori more money—They've got their hand out. They've always got their bloody hand out."—I say: "Well come on. Think about the story. Think about the history." Think about the reality. Think about the facts behind this settlement that we are talking about today and other settlements that we have talked about today. Think about what would happen if your mother your grandmother your great-grandmother—think about your great-grandmother. Let us just say she is in a rest home right now and someone stole everything that she had. Someone stole everything—everything—not just a little bit not just half but everything. That is what happened for these people when they became virtually landless. The properties that they had 3 million - odd acres with 1½ million acres disappearing in one hit—these people were ripped off. They became landless. They had nothing. It is amazing the generosity and the spirit that I have witnessed on the Mākirikiri Marae and in other places from these people. They are demonstrating their generosity their determination to get through this process and their graciousness in accepting this settlement. As has been mentioned before the numbers just do not do any justice to the rip-off that occurred; it is a symbol. Can I acknowledge the symbolism of Pūkaha Mount Bruce. Part of the settlement involves 900 hectares of a fantastic conservation area known as Pūkaha Mount Bruce. It is a large piece of land. But it is with huge generosity and sacrifice and graciousness I would say that Rangitāne have gifted it back to the Crown instantly—without thought. That is a very significant contribution culturally and spiritually but not economically. The numbers do not matter the dollars do not count because more important is the restoration of mana for Rangitāne around Pūkaha Mount Bruce as being their place their tūrangawaewae their place where they can rest their feet—to say that this is our place. So that is much more important than dollars and cents. OK we have got some money involved. We are going to invest that wisely and sensibly. Can I say that having heard some of the next generation some of the younger people who were involved on the marae on the day Rangitāne can only look forward to a very positive future because the young people who spoke on that day—you should be very proud of those young people. They are committed. They have the same spirit the same drive that you and the people before you have demonstrated. People talk about young people being you know young and hopeless and wayward and useless—some people. But these people whom I saw on the marae were very proud to be Rangitāne and clearly were very capable and very committed. Those who have passed will of course understand that it is about the future and I can absolutely suggest and commend your youth your young people your rangatahi who will drive the future of Rangitāne well into the future. I do not have too much more to say except that I would like on behalf of the Wairarapa people Rangitāne—and Louisa Wall has already acknowledged you Minister Finlayson and your contribution to getting this settlement through; your innovative approach. I know with Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu there was a lot of innovation that had to take place to enable these settlements to come to the House. So again it is all about thinking outside the box outside the square. I congratulate Rangitāne on collaborating with Ngāti Kahungunu to ensure that these settlements are before the House and that they will become done and dusted as they say. Here in the first reading it is part of the journey but we can be confident as you have heard through the House today that we will progress quickly and effectively. Be assured that that will be the case. So congratulations on your collaboration with Ngāti Kahungunu. That is very important. It is an honour and a pleasure to be the last speaker in the House to speak on this bill and I commend it to the House.Bill read a first time. Bill referred to the Māori Affairs Committee.Waiata"