Appointments — Deputy Speaker

I move, That Adrian Paki Rurawhe be appointed Deputy Speaker.

The member Adrian Rurawhe has been the member for Te Tai Hauāuru since 2014. He has, of course, a distinguished political pedigree, though. His grandparents Matiu and Iriaka Ratana were both MPs for Western Māori and he’s the great-grandson of the Ratana founder, T W Ratana, and his mentor was Koro Wētere. He’s a highly respected figure amongst Māoridom, and he has served this House well as Assistant Speaker during the last term of Parliament. He has proven to be a calm and fair but decisive and firm Assistant Speaker. Members have responded well to his approach to presiding over the House, and I’m sure that he will be an appointment that will be supported across the Chamber.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The National Opposition is pleased to support the nomination of Mr Rurawhe to be the Deputy Speaker. As the Leader of the House has noted, he is someone who brings huge mana and wisdom to the position. He’s already served as a presiding officer in the last Parliament and discharged that important role with dignity and with decorum, and we welcomed his rulings as a presiding officer in the last Parliament. On a personal note, it’s great to see a member of the class of 2014, the time I entered Parliament, assume the position of a presiding officer’s role, and we look forward to his continued discharge of his duties.

Motion agreed to.

Assistant Speakers