CHRISTOPHER LUXON (National—Botany): We oppose this Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill because, frankly, it undermines local democracy and direct democracy. We oppose it because this is a decision for local people and local communities about their local government, not for central government. We oppose it because it's about local government and Māori owning and building and deepening their own relationship with each other. Frankly, it's a shameful and undemocratic process with no consultation, if we're really honest with ourselves. That's what's happening here tonight. It doesn't align to the treatment of general wards and constituencies. There, frankly, are a lot more important local government issues to address, given the crises that local government's having. On this side of the House we, like most New Zealanders, frankly, do think it is a decision for local people and local communities to make decisions about their local government. It's not for Government, central government, to come crashing in over the top, unilaterally imposing a law top-down on local people who are being denied their opportunity to actually talk and to have a say on this matter. 