The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill is about to go through its second reading.

This action would permanently protect endangered species and provide a refuge twice the size of New Zealand.

It should have been completed in 2017 when it was taken over from Nick Smith and transferred to David Parker who put it at the bottom of his agenda. Smith was concerned that New Zealand was not pulling its weight and that other countries have all set aside significant areas of the Pacific for marine conservation.

To establish the Kermadec Oceans Sanctuary is to show the world that New Zealand genuinely cares about the guardianship of our natural habitat.

This is not a matter to consult with iwi who have patently never been there nor with any other ethnic group, but about the Government taking responsibility for its own actions in creating a magnificent marine reserve.

I urge readers to write to all political parties asking them to be accountable for all people of this country and the world and to shepherd this Bill through the House with all due urgency.

R Stephens, Papamoa Beach.