Having mana whenua at the table is critically important for regional councils because, of course, they've got statutory responsibility under the Resource Management Act for management of te taiao—fresh water—the awa, the lakes, coastal waters, the soils, land, and also the air. So given the significance of te taiao in Te Ao Māori for the identity of mana whenua, for their culture, traditions, and for providing mahinga kai, it's critical that Ngāi Tahu as mana whenua have a strong voice in decisions about the management of te taiao, and, of course, as the previous speaker Tāmati Coffey noted, the whole Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act—the apology that the Crown made—affirmed Ngāi Tahu's special association with Canterbury's natural environment. This bill, and the representation it provides, recognises that special association. 