Ahuriri Hapū Claims Settlement Bill

This is an opportunity for the House in committee to deal with a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) that deals with some technical matters. It amends the bill so that it is consistent with the most recent Trusts Act—the Trusts Act 2019—and so that those things line up. Nothing material changes in relation to the rest of the bill and the settlement, and therefore the deed. So this just makes sure that those things are consistent. The SOP has been prepared in consultation with the relevant agencies and the Mana Ahuriri Trust, and everybody has agreed with the proposed changes, and on that basis I commend the bill to the House.

Thank you, Mr Chair. I stand as the National Party representative for this committee of the whole House stage, and concur with the Minister in the address to the committee this afternoon that the report on the bill, reported back by the Māori Affairs Committee, dated 10 August 2020, indicated that the recommendations were for proposed amendments which are minor and technical, and that the committee does not recommend any amendments to the bill as a result of the submissions that have been written and also heard. There were 34 submissions from interested groups and individuals, and oral evidence from nine submitters.

There was some contention in relation to the process around ratification and mandated authorities. It was deemed appropriate by the select committee after hearing those submissions that the matter was not something that was addressed within the bill’s provisions, and, therefore, the committee deemed it appropriate that the recommendations regarding the elections were not something to be duly considered.

The only other aspect in relation to the submissions—there were three submissions that were heard by the committee in relation to the summary of the historical account, and, as is often the case with many of these Treaty settlement bills, there are variable accounts based on whakapapa and based on the history that is recorded and passed down. The committee was of the view that in terms of addressing and resolving some of those recordings or differing perspectives as to what the hapū’s version as has been recorded in the bill, it was agreed that those differences in perspectives would be published on Te Arawhiti’s website. And, accordingly, the committee came to the view that there was no need for any further amendments to the bill’s provisions. So, accordingly, at this committee of the whole House stage, I commend the bill to the House for the third reading passage.

The question is that the Minister’s amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 60 be agreed to.

Amendments agreed to.

The question is that Parts 1 to 4, Schedules 1 to 5, and clauses 1 and 2, as amended, stand part.

Parts 1 to 4, Schedules 1 to 5, and clauses 1 and 2, as amended, agreed to.

Bill to be reported with amendment.

House resumed.

Mr Speaker, the committee has considered the Ahuriri Hapū Claims Settlement Bill and reports it with amendment. I move, That the report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report adopted.

In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee, this bill is set down for third reading forthwith.

Third Reading