The Green Party is really proud to support this bill because it recognises and helps implement the Te Tiriti partnership in Aotearoa New Zealand's largest and second-most popular region of Waitaha Canterbury—the 45,000 square kilometres of Canterbury. It provides for representation of Ngāi Tahu as mana whenua, as a decision maker and not just an adviser at the table, and it's critical because it strengthens democracy. It doesn't diminish it, as the National Party is alleging. It strengthens it because it's adding two additional representatives at the council table, ensuring that there will be a strong voice for Ngāi Tahu and active participation in decisions there. 