Katene Rahui: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
Katene Rahui: Adjournment — Sittings of the House 
[Volume:669;Page:16490] 
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
: 
 I am very pleased to stand and speak in this adjournment debate. Mr Speaker firstly I endorse the comments of other members in thanking you for the accomplished way in which you have managed this House over the past year. It has not been an easy year particularly so in my electorate of Te Tai Tonga. 
I want to single out Gerry Brownlee for the impressive way in which he has led the response to two extraordinary events this year. In doing so I must also acknowledge my fellow MPs of the West Coast and Canterbury regions right across this House. Together we have been profoundly moved by the heart-wrenching grief of a small close-knit community bereft of 29 of its members. We fielded the crisis calls as families reeled from the consequences of the mine receivership and despaired at the shrinking opportunities they feared for the Grey District economy. We have listened to the frustrations of homeowners as they learnt of the prolonged time frames required for land to be strengthened before the job of reconstruction can even begin. We have sought help for those people facing hardship as a result of the Canterbury earthquake and we will continue to do so. 
Of course we know that hardship is not just specific to Te Tai Tonga. In just these last few days for example we have felt for the whanau associated with the Carter Holt Harvey sawmill in Kawerau and the Prime Sawmills in Gisborne in the wake of announcements made there. Just 2 days ago it was devastating to hear the findings of the report from the New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service which showed that children in low-income households especially Maori and Pasifika children appear to bear the brunt of the recession. A particular low point to note is the increase in the number of Maori and Pasifika children admitted to hospital for infectious and respiratory diseases since the recession began. It is hard to find any Christmas cheer in information such as this. I could add to that list of course the longstanding endurance of the people of Tuhoe as they await a fair hearing. 
How do we find hope that a difference can be made when we are all aware of the struggles and the injustices that continue to be felt? I take comfort from one of our whakatauaki which says “Ano ko te marama kua ngaro kua ara ano”. It may be translated as “Just like the moon that disappears and arises again” or perhaps a shorter way of saying it is six times down seven times up. 
I want to acknowledge the spirit of willingness that we have experienced in various ways this year as different relationships have been built between the Maori Party and parties across the House. These are in the main relationships built out of concern about the people—to eliminate social hazards and to focus on improving outcomes for all New Zealanders. I think of the support that Tariana Turia’s legislative advances in tobacco reform have enjoyed and the profound impact right across the Maori Affairs Committee following the inquiry Hone Harawira initiated to investigate the impact of the tobacco industry upon Maori. I recall the interest illustrated by the Greens and Labour in the bill I promoted to remove GST off healthy food a sharing of minds that was also evident in the Local Government and Environment Committee. We hope that such openness will also be demonstrated when Te Ururoa Flavell’s Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill comes up and when the cross-party action I am encouraging on addressing child poverty happens. 
Of course there are also some strange things that happen in this place and I have to note the unholy alliance on the Marine and Coastal (Takutai Moana) Bill forged between the Labour Party the ACT Party the Coastal Coalition and the Greens—that was not one that we anticipated. In talking about the Marine and Coastal (Takutai Moana) Bill I have to warn Mr Boscawen that when he speaks about it to please pronounce it properly because “tuku tai” is something completely different—it has a totally different meaning. The Maori Party appreciated the strength of support for this bill expressed to us by hapu iwi and electorate organisations throughout the country. They told us that we have kept faith with them in seeking to repeal the 2004 Act and to restore the right of Maori to take the claims to court. Progress is incremental but it will continue to be of utmost priority to us to honour the promise we made to our people. 
Finally I acknowledge the initiative taken by Dr Mapp today in signalling his decision not to stand at the 2011 election. I want to place on record that I am more than happy to help out in a ministerial capacity in defence and in research and science and technology should the Government desire it because that is the way of the Maori Party. We are not only prepared to step up to the plate in every regard but we do so in the knowledge that every issue is a Maori issue—a Maori Party issue—and every day is an opportunity to improve outcomes for all our people. That is why we love coming to work each day. Our best wishes are sent right across the House for a happy Christmas and may all members enjoy the blessings of being with family at this special time of year.