As one of the largest Pacific nations, we have a leading role to play in this. We must assist the migration of communities at risk of rising seas and coastal erosion. Even internal relocations are likely to be expensive and extremely challenging exercises. It is crucial that tangata whenua are at the forefront of this policy discussion, and that, as Te Tiriti o Waitangi affirmed, tangata whenua are making the decisions on how we manaaki our whanaunga and manuhiri to these shores. Te Paati Māori looks forward to further discussion on how we can implement the recommendations of the report and go even further to ensure we are doing everything we can in this space. 