Te Ururoa Flavell: Don't doubt our opposition to GCSB bill

STEAMING: Hot spots have popped up in parts of Ariariterangi St, which many Ohinemutu locals believe has been caused by the roading upgrade on Lake Rd. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Tena tatou katoa.

The GCSB bill (Government Communications Security Bureau) has been at the heart of a lot of debate recently as it passed through the second reading in Parliament.

I want to be clear about where the Maori Party stands on this bill. We have never supported it, we will never support it and we have been clear about that. I have made speeches against it and we have put out public statements backing that. We have been the most outspoken political party in regards to seeking answers over the Tuhoe raids, to the point where I requested a select committee inquiry into the raids, even though it was subsequently denied by Labour and National.

Our party has also written to the Prime Minister requesting the names of the 85 people who were illegally spied on by the GCSB, which was uncovered in the "Kitteridge report". It was really irritating - given our consistent opposition to the bill - that during committee stage some rubbish went down on Facebook, giving out incorrect information that implied we were supporting the bill. I find that really irresponsible (to say the least) to say one thing - when all the public record, including Parliament's Hansard, says quite the other. It gets everyone all riled up - and for what? Having cleared that matter up, I leave it there for now.

I want to turn my attention to the recent eruption of a ngawha in the Ohinemutu village. Actually, I wasn't surprised to hear that so soon after the widening of Lake Road, a new hot spot has appeared in the village and has resulted in the closure of the main road in and out. I remember seeing hot spots bubbling when the widening of the road was taking place. Those areas appeared to have been plugged up or vented and now have the new roadway over the top of them.

I don't think it takes a scientist to ask the question - where did the ngawha go? I am told that all of those who live in the village know how they move and you simply can't plug them up and hope they will go away - they reappear somewhere else within a short space of time, and I would guess that this is what has happened here too. I am hoping the council has organised engineers to get down into the village and take a look at the damage caused, and that steps are taken to minimise any risk to locals.

I can't help but make the connection between this incident, and the proposed Eastern Arterial Route. Who knows what will come of things if that road goes ahead right through the heart of Ngapuna's geothermal pools, baths and cooking areas? Kia tupato.

In closing, I must mention the terrible case that was on the front page of this paper (August 14) regarding the prolonged abuse of a toddler by his caregiver here in Rotorua. This case hit right to the heart of why the Maori Party is encouraging extended whanau to speak up and take action when there is abuse of a child taking place. We all have a responsibility to act when we suspect a child is being harmed. That includes whanau, teachers, day care staff, doctors, nurses and government agencies too. It's not good enough to say that no one knew what was happening because for those kinds of injuries to have happened over a period of almost two years - someone had to know about it. So come on whanau - kia kaha! Please speak up for our children - and in doing so protect our future. We absolutely believe whanau must be supported to step in and take care of tamariki whose parents cannot, and the Government must support those whanau to do so.

I welcome your feedback. Email mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz Phone 0508 924 274.

Te Ururoa Flavell is the co-leader of the Maori Party and the MP for Waiariki.