Rates are a difficult issue for Māori, since the payment of rates has been a factor in the alienation of their whenua. However, submissions from Māori acknowledged this bill is a step in the right direction. This bill will eliminate the problem of rates arrears accumulating on land that the owners derive no economic benefit from. The bill will also make non-rateable Māori land that is subject to Ngā Whenua Rāhui kawenata—this is Māori land that is, effectively, part of the national conservation estate, protecting our biodiversity. By reducing the burden of rates arrears, the bill will enable owners of Māori land to discuss development opportunities with their council without the fear that they'll first be asked to pay rates arrears. The bill will enable homeowners to choose to be rated individually, simplifying rates payment and collection. This will also enable low-income homeowners to access rates rebates where there are multiple homes on one plot and remove institutional discrimination against those homeowners. The bill will stop any further alienation of Māori land that was arbitrarily reclassified as general land in and around 1967, without either the consent or knowledge of the owners. The bill will provide owners of Māori land with a statutory right to seek rates remissions to support development on their land. All of these things bring the ratings situation for Māori land closer to our expectations of what a healthy relationship between the Crown, local authorities, and Māori should be.