Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill. The National Party is opposing this bill because it alters and offends two key principles of the democracy that we have enjoyed in this country for many decades and is fundamental to the success of New Zealand as a democratic country. The first is that all New Zealanders have equal voting rights, and the second is that there is accountability at the ballot box on a regular basis. So these are two key principles: equal voting rights for all New Zealanders and, secondly, accountability at the ballot box.