Valedictory Statement

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. It is a pleasure to give my valedictory speech before our first woman Speaker. Madam Speaker, it has been a delight and pleasure to serve as a presiding officer with you. I acknowledge you and thank you for all your support. I say to our Deputy Speaker, Clem Simich, that I have enjoyed working with you over the last 5 years, and I thank you. To my bench mate, H V Ross Robertson—“Spot”—what can I say? We have shared a good, close working relationship, and we have had a lot of fun. I do not know whom he will tell now about how fast he runs every day—but thank you.

I thank our Clerk, Mary Harris, and all the support staff who contribute to the operation of Parliament. I have spent a lifetime with involvement in politics and community affairs. The last 8 years serving in the Helen Clark/Michael Cullen - Labour led Government have been the high point of my working life.

When I look back to 1999, I recall that it was a daunting task to rebuild New Zealand in so many areas. Throughout New Zealand investment in infrastructure had been neglected—in hospitals, schools, tertiary institutions, early childhood centres, railways, public transport, roads, prisons, and defence. It is somewhat ironic that it always seems to be the lot of any incoming Labour Government to re-equip our defence forces.

We can add to that the social devastation throughout our communities. There was a 7.6 percent unemployment rate, and 410,000 people were on benefits. There were charges for public hospitals, as well as high doctors’ fees and prescription charges. The minimum wage was $7 an hour, or $4.20 if one was under 20. The Employment Contracts Act decimated our workplaces, and there were appalling health and safety conditions for ordinary workers, declining real wages, and the demolishing of social housing stock, not to mention a superannuation scheme that was unsustainable.

When I look back on the Labour-led Government’s achievements over these years, I see throughout our communities the fruits of our hard work and commitment. Schools have upgraded buildings and new halls, which were delivered by Trevor Mallard’s excellent school property policies. One of the personal joys for me was our early childhood partnership policy. It has delivered superb new premises to a local Beachhaven Samoan group, after those families had been meeting in grotty premises like garages for 12 years. Now we have 20 hours’ free early childhood education for 3 and 4-year-olds, plus a professional early childhood teaching service that offers children a great start in life.

We have invested right across the education sector, from early childhood to tertiary, and that included the restoration of the apprenticeship system. The commonest comment one used to hear around the community from mums and dads, grandparents, and aunts and uncles was about the decimation of the apprenticeship system. In response, Labour has created 14,500 Modern Apprenticeships.

In the area of health one constantly hears feedback about the affordable doctors’ fees and prescription charges. A mother told me recently that she used to have to choose which prescription she picked up for her family. At $3 a prescription, she can now afford the medications her doctor prescribes. The services that have been extended at North Shore Hospital, including improved mental health services and facilities, the new obstetric wards, the recently opened cardiac ward, and the extension to the orthopaedic wards, along with the new Waitakere Hospital, all add up to a huge increase in access to secondary health services for local people. This is not just stories and figures; this is verified by the New York - based Commonwealth Fund research institution, which rates New Zealand health services up with the best in the world.

Two weeks ago I was very proud to be with our Prime Minister when she opened the North Shore busway. These two bus lanes carry the equivalent passenger capacity of five motorway lanes and represent a real investment in public transport. In my own backyard of Northcote the new motorway on-ramps under construction include a dedicated bus lane that will be completed by early 2009. North Shore people enjoy all the new links through the central motorway junction, and the huge investment in the new motorway from Albany to Hobsonville. Workers tell me they are saving at least 20 minutes a day on this route—a $500 million investment in the North Shore alone, compared with not one dollar in the 1990s.

When I was campaigning in 1999 it was very sad to hear stories from workers about the fact that their pay and conditions had been consistently and unilaterally cut and their rights had been stripped away. Today, under the Labour-led Government, they have better labour laws, better health and safety protection, better wages, better conditions, and more family-friendly workplaces, including 14 weeks’ paid parental leave and 4 weeks’ annual leave.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the financial stewardship of Michael Cullen. Labour’s stable economic management has opened up opportunities during the first three terms of our Government that previous generations of Labour MPs could have only dreamed of. The growth and wealth created by 377,000 new jobs, low unemployment, and 150,000 fewer people on benefits has meant that we could apply resources to rebuilding New Zealand. Now I can look people in the eye and say “Yes, your superannuation is secure.”, because Labour has created the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. The fact that over 450,000 New Zealanders are investing in KiwiSaver adds to our overall financial security.

Underpinning the progress we have made economically and socially has been the leadership Helen Clark has given to celebrating our New Zealand identity. We have so much to celebrate. Understanding our history, some of which is painful, is important in allowing us to move forward. The early promise of partnership with Māori was not fulfilled. However, over recent times New Zealanders are realising how much we all have to gain by working together and genuinely valuing the legacy Māori have gifted to us all. I always feel humble when Treaty legislation is passed in our Parliament. The Māori spirit, which is encompassed in that legislation, is one of generosity, love, forgiveness, and the honouring of the place we call home.

New Zealand’s identity is also a Pacific identity. Pacific people have contributed so much to New Zealand’s development. It is wonderful to see us now celebrating that contribution in so many different ways. In a couple of weeks hundreds of thousands of people will gather for the annual Pasifika Festival at Western Springs. To develop an inclusive society, we must genuinely reach out to others, and this is epitomised by the leadership Helen Clark has given through the Asia-Pacific Interfaith Dialogue, which is about building understanding across cultures and faiths. This reinforces to new migrants settling in New Zealand that we do not just talk about building an inclusive nation; we take decisive action to do just that.

There are many facets of an MP’s work, and one I have enjoyed is the select committee process, a vital part of our democracy. The work is very satisfying and has real parliamentary participation from all parties. During my 5 years on the Local Government and Environment Committee it was a pleasure to work with our chair, Jeanette Fitzsimons. We had a huge legislative programme, including the 2002 Local Government Act, the benefits of which I am now seeing as a North Shore city councillor. This legislation introduced development levies, which has meant that there is a much fairer sharing of the huge infrastructural costs faced by ratepayers. Our committee was responsible for the Forests (West Coast Accord) Act. Those beautiful forests are preserved for everyone, and I can say to my grandchildren that I played a part in preserving their heritage.

Closer to home, the former defence land at Fort Cautley in Devonport is now a stunning coastal reserve. It was rescued from certain development by Helen Clark and our colleague the late Helen Duncan, who campaigned in the North Shore electorate in 1999 to secure the land for everyone. Helen Duncan would have been delighted to know that only a couple of weeks ago over 2,000 people enjoyed free movies at this park, courtesy of the North Shore City Council.

We enacted Steve Chadwick’s smoke-free environments legislation, which was passed by a very small majority, but now everyone lays claim to the smoke-free environment they enjoy in bars and restaurants, etc. You did well, Steve, and I am delighted you are now the Minister of Conservation.

It was a privilege to work under the leadership of Lynne Pillay to pass the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Bill, thus contributing to a safer environment for all children. The recent inquiry into victims’ rights by the Justice and Electoral Committee has seen our recommendations adopted by Annette King, the Minister of Justice, and I say well done to Nandor.

As a person with a background and involvement in community development, I am constantly reinforced in the view that the most enduring changes occur in society when they are owned and implemented by the community. A project was launched in our community in 2002 by the Hon Phil Goff. It was called the multi-agency strategic team—MAST. This project is about reducing youth crime and helping at-risk people avoid a path of crime. Community coordinator Jill Nerheny and two skilled youth workers, Peter Wolf and Phil Squires, worked together with schools, residents, police, and community organisations to achieve an excellent reduction in youth crime. Seventy-eight percent of young people referred to the programme did not go on to reoffend. That is a great result.

I would especially like to thank my colleagues Maryan Street and Darien Fenton, our dynamic Labour north team. I would especially like to thank Mark Gosche for his leadership of the Auckland caucus. To all the Labour supporters and activists in the Northcote electorate and throughout the Labour north area, I say that we have shared a lot of fun and hard work together, and I thank you for your commitment. To our staff who have worked in the Birkenhead office, Karen Logan, Trish Hall, Barbara Chapman, Lisa Shepherd, Enzo and Gina Giordarni, and Chris Ball I say thank you. Your dedication and compassion for the people whom we serve has been very special. To my former executive secretary, whom I worked with for over 8 years, Helen Kennelly, I say a sincere thank you. Mark Burton is fortunate to have an executive secretary of Helen’s calibre. I thank you, Janina, for your work over the last few months.

To the many people in Parliament whom I have worked with or who have assisted me in my duties as an MP I say thank you. We all know the contribution our families make to our work as members of Parliament. I simply could not have done this job without the love and support of my husband, Maurice. You have always been there for me, and this has made the difference. Michael, Joe, Paul, Piupiu, Ryan, Louie, Tricia and John, I thank you for all your love and support.

In conclusion, I extend my best wishes to all members of Parliament. I say to my Labour colleagues that I know Labour will go from strength to strength because they believe in New Zealand and are passionate about having a country where everyone can participate in a fair and prosperous society. Thank you.