Address in Reply

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Government’s programme is a lot of stopping things, cutting things, repealing things, reversing progress, and taking the country backwards. And one of the areas where there is concern about the direction of this Government is what’s looking increasingly like the abandonment of our independent foreign policy. What we’re seeing is a 21st century version of the old saying, “Where Britain goes, we go.” Except, under this Government, it’s now, “When Washington calls and says, ‘Will you jump?’, we say, ‘How high?’ ”

We saw this in the hasty decision to send six New Zealand military personnel to take part in the bombing of Yemen to punish Houthi rebels there for their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Never mind that there was no UN mandate for this. Never mind that no one in Government can explain how the bombing will make any difference at all. Never mind that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been bombing the Houthis for much of the past decade with no apparent effect. Never mind that none of the Ministers who announced this deployment could tell a press conference whether they’d had any advice on whether New Zealand’s participation in the bombing campaign would put New Zealanders at risk. Never mind. You see, the US asked us, and that, under this Government, is apparently enough.

Today, the foreign affairs Minister and defence Minister head off to Canberra for talks with their counterparts, and, given their enthusiasm for joining AUKUS, no doubt that issue will be on the agenda. They’re apparently keen to join pillar two of AUKUS—the technology transfer part of the AUKUS military pact of the US, the UK, and Australia. But, as David Parker, Labour’s foreign affairs spokesman, has said, Labour is unconvinced by the arguments that New Zealand should join AUKUS.

New Zealand, of course, cooperates with our friends the US, the UK, and Australia through a wide range of mechanisms. But we in Labour are unconvinced that joining AUKUS would deliver anything more. It does come with some real potential downsides. What is AUKUS? It is a military pact designed to contain the influence of China in the Asia-Pacific region. Its purpose is to protect US hegemony by projecting US war-fighting capability in our region. Do we really want New Zealand to be part of that? This is the same China that is our largest trading partner. It’s the same China—a relationship for which successive New Zealand Governments have invested huge amounts of political and diplomatic capital in the relationship. As David Parker has said, we don’t need to cast China as our enemy.

Is there any evidence that China poses a military threat to New Zealand, that they have some kind of plan to invade us? There isn’t a skerrick of evidence to suggest that. Yes, China is becoming more assertive internationally, but is that a surprise? They’re now close to rivalling the US as the world’s largest economy. Surely it shouldn’t surprise that they don’t want the US 7th fleet patrolling just off their coastline. We might not appreciate the way that China uses loans and diplomacy to gain influence in the Pacific, we are highly critical of their record on human rights and the treatment of minorities, but is that a reason to join a military pact against them?

New Zealand doesn’t want to see the Pacific militarised. But since when do we try to reduce militarisation by increasing militarisation? Instead of throwing our lot in with one superpower against another, there is a positive agenda that is an alternative. We should work to demilitarise the Pacific. We should strengthen the Pacific Islands Forum and urge our friends from outside the region to respect it and take its lead. We should do more for regional economic development in the Pacific—help Pacific nations to protect their exclusive economic zones and ramp up our efforts and commitments on climate mitigation and adaptation, including by giving resettlement opportunities for people whose islands are made uninhabitable by climate change.

Labour is not isolationist—we never have been. We are internationalists, as I think most Kiwis are. We believe in a strong military that can be deployed in the service of New Zealand’s values and to protect our interests. The last Labour Government’s investments in updating military hardware speaks for itself, as does the strong support that we gave the people of Ukraine in their defence of their homeland against the Russian invasion. But much of New Zealand’s foreign policy over decades has been built on soft power: our relationships in the Pacific; our willingness to be an honest broker; our willingness to advocate for small island States, international law, for peace, for climate, for and multilateralism. That credibility—the standing that we have built up over decades—could be put at risk if we sign up to a military alliance that most of the rest of the world sees as a bid to hold on to 20th century US military dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.

The world is in transition. The US is no longer the only superpower. We’re in a period when the US and China are competing technologically, commercially, and militarily. New Zealand’s interests lie in supporting peace, trade, international cooperation, the United Nations; not throwing our weight behind one superpower in its struggle against another. If, instead, this Government wants to join an offensive, war-fighting alliance against China, it needs to tell New Zealanders this: if there’s a war in the South China Sea between the US and China—which many international analysts consider to be a possibility in the next two decades, if not a prospect—is it this Government’s intention to be dragged into that conflict on the side of the US? And I think that the Ministers who are so keenly advocating that New Zealand signs up to AUKUS, they need to answer that question for the people of New Zealand.

The question of AUKUS goes to the heart of the debate about our independent foreign policy. To say that our foreign policy is independent just because we make our own decisions misses the point—it’s a truism. The “independent” in independent foreign policy has come to mean, over decades, the way that we independently and carefully navigate a careful path between the superpowers, not simply throwing our lot in with one in its competition with another.

We’ve taken a values-based approach, based on an assessment of New Zealand’s national interests, rather than just meekly following behind bigger and more powerful friends. It’s certainly been that way since New Zealand became nuclear-free under Helen Clark, and it’s taken on extra meaning under successive Governments with the growing importance of our relationship with China. If this Government wants to join the AUKUS military alliance on the side of the US, the UK, and Australia, and against our biggest trading partner, it needs to explain to New Zealanders how that is consistent with New Zealand’s values and in line with our interests, and what the costs and benefits will be for our country.

To make a maiden speech to the House, I call on Mike Butterick.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to start by formally congratulating you on your role. I assure you I will do my utmost to be a model MP.

You might ask what brought me, a sheep and beef farmer from the hills of the Wairarapa, to politics and to this House. It was a deep despair at the direction we were heading in as a country, and the need for our provincial communities to be heard. You’re either at the table or you’re on it, and it’s never much fun being part of the menu. Provincial New Zealand needs to be listened to and trusted.

I would acknowledge Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, and the list MPs who reside in the Wairarapa: the Hon Kieran McAnulty and the newly minted Celia Wade-Brown. I look forward to working with you all on behalf of the Wairarapa electorate. I would also acknowledge and thank those that have previously represented our electorate.

The Wairarapa electorate—all 11,860 square kilometres—is three regions: the Wairarapa, Tararua, and Central Hawke’s Bay. All three are fantastic places full of very special people, and it’s one of the privileges of this role that I now have that I get to listen to their stories and witness their deeds, and it makes me proud to be allowed to be a part of who they are.

These regions are home to super-smart family businesses, both rural and urban, that are intertwined, as well as being a destination, hosting many special events such as the Golden Shears, that celebrates those with a passion for our shearing industry; Wings Over Wairarapa, which has the largest collection of working World War I planes in the world; Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce; Wheels with Attitude in Dannevirke; the Spring Fling in beautiful Central Hawke’s Bay; the Castlepoint Beach Races; the Tukituki Trail; the Norsewood Viking Festival; the Woodville New Zealand Motocross GP; the Martinborough Fair; and many, many more. In an electorate of beaches, baches, and bulldozers, a land of milk and honey, cropping and vineyards, sheep and cattle, rivers and trees, mountain ranges and plains, I can’t cover all the places to see and all the events to attend, but it really is a place that all New Zealanders should explore. The best part: it’s full of great people.

Provincial New Zealand is an amazing place to grow up. I grew up on a farm in mid-Canterbury in a family of seven, where I developed my love of farming. After attending school, I left to pursue a career in the farming sector. My first job was in the Wairarapa at Wairere, one of New Zealand’s premiere sheep studs. I’m pleased to have Derek and Chris Daniels here today. At Wairere, I learnt how to be challenged and to challenge myself in the pursuit of excellence, and this is something I’ve never forgotten.

This is where I first met my wife, Rachel. We’ve been together for 33 years and married for almost 29 of them. It’s very difficult to fully describe how big a part Rachel has played in my life. What I will say is that I’m incredibly fortunate to have you in it, and it’s been quite some journey. We have four children that I am also incredibly proud of: Jack, Annabel, Emma, and Charlotte. They have great values, they work hard, they will give anything a go, and they know how to have fun. As a parent, I couldn’t ask for more. I would also acknowledge both my family and Rachel’s family, some of whom are here this afternoon. Thank you for all your help and support over the years.

I’m fortunate to have lived my dream, lived my passion—not everyone can say that. I’ve got an opportunity to give back to the community I’ve spent my life in. I’m a product of it. I’ve been shaped by those that are in it. Our provincial communities aren’t complicated. They have strong values, they work hard, they have a strong sense of community, and they know how to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.

Things are not right when I talk to a local dairy farmer about how they don’t want to say what they do for a living when they go out, about their kids getting bullied at school because their parents are farming—it’s not OK. When I talk to local sheep and beef farmers about their despair when contemplating their legislative fatigue, it’s not OK. Why don’t we talk about the 25,000 kilometres of waterways fenced off, the over 36,000 culverts or bridges over waterway crossings by the dairy industry alone, the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on effluent systems per family farm, this country’s 5,000th Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust covenant that was registered in the Wairarapa in 2022, the community catchment groups, the millions of trees planted, or the 2.8 million hectares of woody vegetation that’s already on our farmland?

Understand that the rural community, despite all the rhetoric, are environmentalists. The relationship between the farming business, the family, and the environment is a reciprocal one. I acknowledge those efforts being made to protect and enhance the environment. The rural community has likely spent more on the environment than those that criticise them, those that flush the dunny without a thought about where it goes, in their plastic clothes, standing on their plastic carpet, that ignore their own impacts on the environment, and would rather point the finger. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Don’t throw stones at your neighbours, if your own windows are made of glass”. We as primary producers may not always get it right, but we are certainly trying. My message is simple: if individually we don’t all make the choices that will inevitably come with a price tag, collectively nothing will change.

Our rural people are unique. They’re the only sector that I know of that live in their business. They look out the window or walk out the door and it’s there. Passion is what motivates the rural sector to do what they do, and it’s the avalanche of previous rushed legislation that’s eroding away the passion. That’s not a great outcome.

Understand that provincial New Zealand is interconnected. The rural or farming community is greater than what is traditionally articulated in the statistics. The mechanics, the stock agents, the accountants, the freezing workers, the truck drivers, the shearers, the loggers, and others are all part of the sector and contribute to the local economy. The rural-urban divide in provincial New Zealand is a myth. We know each other and we respect each other.

The message to the farming community and all those that contribute to it is that this Government supports you, this Government has your back, and you should be proud to be a part of the food and fibre sectors that earn 82 percent of this country’s export income—export income that pays the wages of our teachers, our nurses, and our policemen. Be proud of what you do and what you contribute to your communities, to your environment, and to the economy.

In the opening speeches of this 54th Parliament, I listened to the other side of the House and heard about inequality and injustice, but, much to my dismay, not once did I hear anything—not one word—about education. Inequality needs to be addressed in our classrooms. Surely, education is the pathway out of poverty, a pathway to employment, to being independent rather than dependent, yet not one word—not one. Our statistics are an indictment. Our most challenged communities have been failed; we can’t even get our kids to school. Every day, every week, every month, is a day, a week, and a month that they’re behind their peers and behind the rest of the world, and that’s not OK.

In my community, one of our most challenged schools has initiated a programme on their own back that’s had fantastic results. The improvement in attendance can only be described as stunningly successful. This is a local solution for a nationwide problem. That’s what works: action, not rhetoric. We have students across New Zealand’s most vulnerable communities where the pass rates for the most basic requirements are a national embarrassment. How can that be?

As Dame Joy Cowley said, “my heart remains with young children who are struggling readers, the children for whom a book is a closed secret”. I might add, and there’s no pun intended, that the same applies for those children for whom numbers are also a mystery. What chance have we given them to compete not only in the workforce but also on the world stage? It’s not their fault. I’m not here to make a judgment; we have some amazing people in our education sector, but the facts are the facts, and they won’t go away just because we choose to ignore them. This House has a collective responsibility to lift our ambitions and our aspirations for our children, to set the bar way higher than it is. They are our future, and we have been failing them. I would urge all of you across the House to stop rolling your eyes and gnashing your teeth and get in behind this Government’s plan to reset the destination for our children. We need to get our kids to school, and we need to teach the basics, and we need to teach them brilliantly. That’s the responsibility of our parents, our communities, and this place; otherwise, we’re heading for failure.

Inequality also isn’t fixed by penalising someone that’s worked incredibly hard, taken numerous risks, lived on the smell of an oily rag, and then finally become successful. Hard work should always be recognised and, ultimately, rewarded. The dichotomy is that we are very good at celebrating sporting success; yet anyone that’s even remotely successful, we want to chop off at the knees. We need to have a quantum shift in our attitudes and learn how to celebrate success. That success is our inspiration for us and our children.

I would acknowledge our leader and Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, for your unwavering dedication to getting this country back on track. I would also thank all of my National Party colleagues and members for the support and help they have given me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the National Party family. The values are strong, and they’re the values I embrace.

Less government, not more. Our role is to solve problems, not create them; get the settings right, back up the bus, and leave people to get on with their lives. Personal responsibility: everyone has rights, but they also come with responsibility. Celebrating success, rewarding hard work: this country’s been built on the backs off those that have sold, made, fixed, and grown stuff, and we need to remember that and to encourage ambition and celebrate success. I think about those past and present that have and do contribute, and I’d make the point that we have a responsibility to be extremely focused on outcomes and fiscal discipline, as they have been and are in their own lives. We spend their money—it’s not Government money; it’s theirs, and it needs to be respected. Success isn’t defined by how much you spend; it’s defined by the outcome you achieve. How could we have spent 80 percent more to achieve worse outcomes? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Stop looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist or hasn’t even been clearly defined. This Government will have goalposts, will have outcomes, so we can measure our progress. This Government’s focus on these key fundamentals is welcomed and long overdue.

Strong families and caring communities: in this electorate, I’m astounded at the number of people that voluntarily contribute. A recent example of this was Shear4u, held in the Wairarapa. Four shearers put themselves through immense physical and mental stress over 32 hours, all for charity, with an army of volunteers and sponsors from our community. That collective effort defines, for me, everything that’s special about provincial New Zealand and the Wairarapa electorate.

I acknowledge the army of people that helped with my campaigns, that share the same values as me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Some of you are here in the gallery or watching online, and my pledge to you is to represent those values that you and the party have as best as I possibly can. I will also represent those values for all in my electorate, regardless of whether you voted for me or not. I look up at the gallery and I don’t only see family and friends; I see a community—a community of people that contribute, and I thank you for that; you, and all those others that also give are the foundation that our communities are built on. Without you, without all of you, we don’t have a community.

When my auntie told my late father, Gilby—who was terminally ill, who was a people person, who would give his shirt off his back to others—that I was standing for the Wairarapa seat, he cried. I think about that, about what that meant for him and to me, and that’s the standard that I impose on myself. It’s not about me; it’s about people, about all of those in our community. That’s what motivates me, and the minute it becomes about me, I’m in the wrong job. It’s a privilege and an honour to represent the Wairarapa electorate, and I do not take it lightly. Judge me by my intent, my compassion, and my deeds.

To make her maiden speech to Parliament, I call on Catherine Wedd.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and congratulations on your role. We first officially met when you visited Hawke’s Bay just after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated our region, and your experience, compassion, and guidance was greatly appreciated.

💬 SPEAKER: Thank you very much. It’s kind of you to say.

We all know how hard it is to get a seat in this House. It’s a privilege and honour to represent the electorate of Tukituki—Hastings, Heretaunga, the fruit bowl of New Zealand, the heart of my electorate. I’m proud to stand here as the first female National Party MP for Tukituki, and, wow, did we turn Tukituki blue—a record majority of over 10,000; the biggest majority the seat has ever had. Thank you, Tukituki, and provincial New Zealand. You spoke for positive change and a Government which will reward success and be aspirational for all New Zealanders.

I want to congratulate our inspirational Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, and our amazing deputy leader, Nicola Willis, who I am proud to stand behind as they lead our team to get New Zealand back on track. To our party president, Sylvia Wood: thank you for your trust and confidence in me. I won’t let you down. Thank you to my Tukituki campaign team: Jo Harvey, Bel, Ben, Kadin, Andrew, Dennis, Lisa, Ian, Trevor, and Rosie. It takes a team, and your commitment has been incredible. I would like to acknowledge our former Tukituki National MPs: Craig Foss, for his guidance, and Lawrence Yule, for backing and mentoring me all the way. We come to this House because we want to make a positive difference. I respect the privilege of being here, and I will make every moment count.

As a former broadcast journalist, I’ve always been a storyteller, telling others’ stories. Now, this, my maiden speech, is a chance for me to tell you my story, outlining the chapters that have already been written and the chapters I am yet to write. I am Catherine Wedd; I was Catherine Loft. My father is Simon Loft, a farmer from Ōhura, near Taumarunui, in the King Country. My mother was Joanna Tolhurst from Whanganui. My grandfather Bill Tolhurst was the National MP for Whanganui in 1969, and my grandmother Jeni Tolhurst also ran for Parliament in 1981. Grandma never got a seat in this House, but she was a woman before her time, when it wasn’t common for women to be MPs, with just eight female MPs being elected that year. I know she would be so proud to see her granddaughter standing here now among 57 other female MPs in this 54th Parliament.

I share a simple quote from my grandfather’s maiden speech: “Action is better than words.” I joined the National Party because I respect the value of rewarding hard work and getting things done. Enough of the ideology and the bureaucracy and the talk; it’s time for more action. With politics in my blood, I’ve wanted to be an MP since I was a little girl. When I was 10 years old, I buried a time capsule at our primary school and I wrote a letter to myself that I opened 10 years later. In that letter, I wrote that I wanted to be a lawyer, a broadcast radio journalist, and a politician—perhaps the three most unpopular professions of this century! I’m no crystal ball gazer, but that’s what I did. I did law, I became a TV reporter for One News, and then the BBC in London, and now the political chapter begins. Personal responsibility, creating your own destiny, and limited government are the National Party values and why I’m here—having a goal and making it happen.

I am one of five children, and I want to acknowledge my siblings and their wives and husbands—Jeremy, Matt and Julia, Rachel and Murray, and Georgie—who have all supported my journey. My older brother, Jeremy, is intellectually disabled and has never been able to talk. We learnt sign language as kids and were always taught that we can overcome adversity. All my life, I have been protective of my brother, standing up for him when he was challenged at school, standing up for his rights to a normal life. I understand the challenges faced by families who also have loved ones challenged by a disability. But my brother is an absolute inspiration for our family. He’s had successful jobs at trucking companies and is now working on a dairy farm. This is someone who has never been able to talk in his life, but he has never been held back by his disability, because we focus on his ability, self-responsibility, and independence. To my brother Jeremy, you make our family proud every day. Thank you to the amazing work of IHC and all the carers for the past 46 years. You have such an impact on the lives of so many families across New Zealand, including ours, and I will always be a strong advocate for those with disabilities.

To my mother, Joanna, who trained as a teacher but never finished her training; instead, at 19, she had three children under three and put all her efforts into teaching us. My mother knows the power of education to create equality. Mum has been behind me all the way, never accepting mediocrity, encouraging me to go higher and higher. Living nearly an hour out of town along the Forgotten World Highway, down 10 kilometres of gravel road, education often isn’t easy, but a parent’s commitment can make a good education possible.

To my farmer dad, I thank you for my softer side, my sense of humour, and my relentless optimism, and for teaching me that we should always treat others as we wish to be treated. I’ve walked alongside you in my gumboots across the King Country hills. I know how hard Kiwi farmers work to make a living. Growing up a farmer’s daughter, I was taught to work hard, spending my school holidays rouseying in the shearing sheds, docking lambs, and chipping thistles. I had a wonderful rural upbringing and never wanted for much.

But life hasn’t always been easy. I’ve seen those closest to me struggle with alcohol and addiction. So many families in New Zealand struggle with addiction. It’s destructive and dangerous, but admitting my mother to rehab was positively life changing for her and our family. I want to acknowledge the amazing work of the Salvation Army rehabilitation programmes, which have helped turn the lives of so many New Zealanders around. I’m a strong supporter of community rehabilitation and programmes where we can support victims and offer more opportunity for people to make positive choices. Our communities get the best outcomes, not centralised bureaucracy.

This is not the first time that I’ve stood in this House. In 1997, I stood here as a Youth MP in my final year at school; and, after completing a law degree at Canterbury University and then becoming a TV reporter, I’ve also stood up there, as a journalist. In front of the camera, I was telling the stories, holding the politicians to account. Now, on the other side, I want to acknowledge the media and the work you do to ensure the New Zealand public have transparency and accountability. Fair, balanced reporting is so important, and upholding the integrity and independence of our fourth estate must be a priority, and I will stand up always to ensure the lines of balance aren’t blurred.

During my time as a journalist, I connected with thousands of people, whether it was the mum with a brain tumour who was appealing for funding for cancer drugs to give her more time with her little girl, the parents who lost their son in a drink-driving accident and who wanted more education to save lives, or the rape victim who wanted tougher sentencing and more support for victims. As a journalist, I had the power to influence as a storyteller. It inspired me to now become a story-maker, being part of a team creating the action for a positive narrative.

As a strong debater at university and school, I’m a big believer in free speech. If we aren’t delivering strong arguments for the policies we believe in, we aren’t doing our job. I respect that across this House we want the best outcomes, but we just have a different way of achieving them.

Growing up in an extremely competitive family, I’ve played competitive sports. Sports teams have shaped me and continue to play a large role in our family’s life, but I believe that politics is the supreme team sport, where we must work as a team to achieve positive outcomes. I would like to congratulate my Hawke’s Bay team-mate, Katie Nimon for Napier. We turned the Bay blue, and, as a team, I know we are going to do great things for Hawke’s Bay. Across the House, I’d also like to acknowledge Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti. I also look forward to our working together.

I arrived in Hawke’s Bay 13 years ago. Living in London and working for the BBC, I met my Kiwi husband, Henry. We were Kiwis travelling the world before we moved back to the best place in the world—Hawke’s Bay—where we settled down and had our four children. It’s here I became heavily involved in the horticulture sector, head of marketing for one of our largest exporters, and sitting on the board of New Zealand Apples and Pears.

Tukituki is the engine of horticulture in this country, and, in my roles, I’ve been responsible for promoting our premium produce, adding value to the amazing produce we grow, and helping diversify the overseas markets we send our products to. Spending time in China’s high-end supermarkets and walking the bustling wholesale markets of Vietnam, I’ve seen firsthand the potential and opportunity for our New Zealand exports, seeing how an ordinary apple grown in the orchards of Hawke’s Bay can be brought to life on the red carpets in Asia.

As a small food-producing country, we need to be aspirational for our primary industries. At the bottom of the globe, we’re never going to feed the world. We need to play to our competitive advantage, and that’s growing the most premium produce in the world.

I’m proud to be part of a National Government which will drive more productivity in this country by stopping the war inflicted on our farmers and growers. It’s time to reduce the red tape, regulation, and compliance and get our economy going once again.

It’s time to make it easier for our farmers to farm, our growers to grow, and our exporters to export. This is the way to get ahead. But we can’t grow our economy at the expense of the environment. After working for an organic grower and exporter, I know we can run profitable businesses while also enhancing our environment for future generations. We must protect “New Zealand Inc.” and harness our pure green image so we maintain our competitive advantage on the global stage.

After Cyclone Gabrielle, we saw the powerful destruction of mother Nature and the importance of having resilient infrastructure. Our cyclone victims are still hurting, and I will continue to stand up for you as we work hard to build back better.

There are several projects for Hawke’s Bay that I support and will fight for and want to put on record in this House. The four-lane expressway between Hastings and Napier has to happen, a new Hawke’s Bay hospital must be a priority, and water storage in Hawke’s Bay is an absolute must. If we’re going to continue to grow as a region, these three infrastructure projects are critical to Hawke’s Bay’s future.

As a mother of four children, education is also an area I’m really passionate about. It’s the pathway to a job and a lifetime of success, but, currently, we are failing our vulnerable children. We need to move away from the bureaucracy and focus on what matters inside the classroom. I’ve had a diverse education, going to both the lowest- and highest-decile schools, but, at the core of it all, I had amazing teachers who focused on literacy and maths and on teaching the basics brilliantly. We need to lift education in this country and get back to basics.

Tukituki—Hawke’s Bay—is the best place on earth to live, and we are so proud to call it our home. Although we have some rebuilding to do after the cyclone, Tukituki’s best days are ahead. It’s an honour to serve the people of Hastings, Flaxmere, Havelock North, Clive, Maraekākaho, Te Awhanga, Haumoana, Waimārama, Ongaonga, Ōtāne, and Tikokino. We have a diverse electorate, representing a diverse range of people. Ki a koutou ngā hapū me ngā marae o Te Matau-a-Māui, kia ora, kia kaha, tātou.

[To you the hapū and marae of Hawke’s Bay, thanks, be strong.]

I’d like to acknowledge Ngāti Kahungunu. I look forward to working together and standing together to ensure our region, Te Matau-a-Māui, grows together.

I support a multicultural New Zealand. Our country is enriched by migration. With growing Hawke’s Bay industries, immigration is so important, and I’ve been a relentless supporter of the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme, which sees thousands of RSE workers from the Pacific Islands coming to our Hawke’s Bay orchards every year—labour shortages are filled, our economy grows, more jobs are created, and our Pacific neighbours are enriched as they return with money for their families and communities.

I’d also like to acknowledge our Hawke’s Bay - Hastings Sikh community for welcoming my family into yours. New Zealand is your home, and your dreams for a better life here should be supported and fulfilled.

As I make my closing statement, I turn to my family. To my darling children—Sophie, 13; Hugo, 11; Hannah, nine; and Charlie, six—I apologise in advance for Mum not always being there, but I promise to be there when I can and to make sure that New Zealand is a country where all children can pursue their dreams. I love you all so much, and I am determined to make you proud.

Being a working mum isn’t always easy—the time sacrifices we make can hurt—but the positive difference we can make can also be great. Finding the balance is the art we must master as mums. I’m proud to be representing the working mums of young children in this House. It is time to stand up for Kiwi parents, respect hard work, and help families to get ahead. I believe that families should be at the core of our policy decision-making.

Finally, my biggest thanks and my acknowledgment goes to my husband, Henry, who is my absolute rock. You are the reason I am here. Your commitment to our community is just as large as mine. Although you don’t like the limelight, the work you do behind the scenes is immense. We are a strong team, and I wouldn’t be standing here today without the sacrifices you have made.

We love Tukituki. It’s the best place on this earth to raise our family, and we are so proud to represent all families.

I will ensure I always back provincial New Zealand. I won’t accept mediocrity. I’m aspirational for our country of New Zealand, so now is the time to serve and get to work. Thank you.

To make a maiden speech to the House, I call on Tom Rutherford.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I—[Clears throat] Wow, what a way to start! As I stand to deliver my maiden speech, I’m aware of the privilege that comes with serving in this House of Representatives as a new member of Parliament—it won’t last 15 minutes, I promise. I firstly want to acknowledge Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the work he has done, and will continue to do, on behalf of all New Zealanders. On our first day here, as brand new National Party MPs, the Prime Minister reiterated to us that there have been more All Blacks than members of Parliament. Unlike many others, my dreams never revolved around becoming an All Black, despite currently being a rugby referee. Instead of aspiring to don the black jersey, my dreams were focused on serving my community and bringing about change. Standing here now, it appears that dream has become a reality.

This place can often resemble a sports field, where various members compete, shout, and disagree—with you, Mr. Speaker, serving as the referee. Yet it can also be a venue for common sense, teamwork, and positive change. Serving on this sports field, I am committed to working to secure significant victories for the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand.

There are two MPs in the House I would like to acknowledge. Firstly, Cameron Luxton, who ran as the ACT Party candidate in the Bay of Plenty and is now also an MP. Cam, I’m looking forward to working alongside you so that our home can be the best place for people to live, work, and play. Secondly, my friend and colleague the MP for Tauranga, Sam Uffindell. Our wider Tauranga and Bay of Plenty community needs us, as the two local MPs, to have a strong working relationship. Thank you, Sam, for your ongoing support and friendship.

In the process of crafting my maiden speech, I delved into the speeches of various current and previous members. I even went into the archives and found yours, Mr Speaker, which, in fact, was delivered one month after I was born. [Bell rings; laughter] Pause the clock—pause the clock! I learnt that this speech needs to genuinely reflect who I am: what propels me, the journey that has brought me to this place, and my aspirations during my time here.

Firstly, I must thank the wonderful people of the Bay of Plenty electorate. Our electorate wraps round the city of Tauranga and is made up of the communities of Te Puna in the west; the Kaimai Ranges, Ōropi, and Ōhauiti to the south; Welcome Bay, Maungatapu, Arataki, Ōmanu, Matapihi, Mount Maunganui; and, in the east, Pāpāmoa. I’m proud to say I’m Bay of Plenty born and raised. I have seen our region grow exponentially over the last 20 years. Gone are the days of the Bay of Plenty only being for newlyweds and nearly-deads, today we are a vibrant and diverse community. I am aware of my responsibility to represent the views and values of my constituents. The bay embodies the values that have contributed to making New Zealand the great nation that it is: equal citizenship and opportunity, individual freedom and choice, strong families and caring communities, personal responsibility, and recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand. Thank you, Bay of Plenty, for taking a chance on a 26-year-old local who simply wants to serve the community he is immensely proud to call home. In the coming three years, and beyond, I’m committed to working tirelessly for you.

The campaign trail was undeniably a journey, and one from which I gleaned invaluable insights. I was fortunate to have the support of an energetic and resilient team who worked tirelessly, contributing significantly to the successful outcome we achieved. Many of them are here today, and I want to acknowledge Mike Chapman, Mary Webster, Jim Miles, Sheryl and Bill Lauchlan, Sandie Ferguson, Bonnie Roger, Helen Allan, Robbie Hodgkinson, and our incredible campaign team and outstanding electorate executive. These people are not volunteers; they are family, and I would not be here without their unwavering commitment—to me, as their local candidate, and to the National Party.

I’d also like to acknowledge my predecessors, Todd Muller and Tony Ryall. There seems to be a commonality between the three most recent Bay of Plenty MPs, with our names being Tony, Todd, and now Tom. Thank you, both, for your commitment and service to our community. Tony Ryall played a pivotal role in my local campaign, serving as my unofficial mentor. Throughout the campaign, Tony would call me a couple of times a week, offering sage advice, which I knew I was so fortunate to receive. Thank you, Tony, your optimism and belief in me means a lot.

My parents instilled in me the importance of working hard and ensuring that I always took responsibility for my actions. As a child, I struggled with anger and self-control issues, where I would often let my emotions get the better of me. Today, I can recognise the challenges and pressures that must have placed on my family, and I thank them for supporting me through that period of my life and helping me to grow into the caring, calm, and reflective person I am today.

At age 12, my parents separated. While that’s not an experience I would wish on anyone, I look back and reflect on the learnings I took from that time in my life. I know what it’s like to live on a week-about schedule, and I know what it’s like to seek counselling to help relay how things have made you feel. This experience made me grow up. It showed me that whilst life can bring about so many challenges, it’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop. At 18, on my first day as a new student here at Victoria University, I was punched and knocked out by an intoxicated stranger when I stood up for an older gentleman who was just trying to get his groceries home safely. This is my drive to serve in this place: to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves, and to risk taking a few punches, if you will, to ensure those in my community can have a better life.

I would like to express my gratitude to my parents: my mum, Sharon, who has always put family first and given me my tenacity and strength; and my dad, Chris, whose calm and reflective characteristics I have acquired. I feel fortunate to also have two caring stepparents, and I extend my thanks to my stepdad, Glenn, and stepmum, Kathie, for accepting me as their son, thank you—I promised I wouldn’t cry, Ha, ha! My sister, Jade, who is here today, and my brother, Ben—thank you both for putting up with me as the annoying younger brother.

To my partner, Hannah, I want to thank you for always being in my corner. I distinctly recall mentioning on our first date together my goal to one day serve in this place, and now here we are—probably a bit sooner than we both thought. Hannah, allowing a partner to enter the realm of Parliament is a selfless act, and I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead for us. I take comfort in the knowledge that our relationship is founded on trust, communication, and compassion. The most important vote I can ever win is yours, and I hope to earn it every single day. You’re my best friend, and I love you.

I graduated from Victoria University, where I studied public policy and political science. Following this, I spent four years working for the National Party, which gave me an incredible insight into the operations of the party and what characteristics are needed for someone to be a successful MP. I then spent 2½ years working for the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and then most recently I worked for Tania Tapsell, the Mayor of Rotorua. My local government experience has helped shape my perspective on local issues and the belief of local communities having a say on local decisions. Outside of work, I’m proud to have been a volunteer firefighter with the Mount Maunganui Fire Station and to have firsthand experience in attempting to keep people alive. In New Zealand, we have around 1,700 career firefighters and nearly 12,000 volunteers. Volunteer firefighters represent 86 percent of the front-line workforce and they respond to 70 percent of all vehicle accidents, 71 percent of medical call outs and 85 percent of vegetation fires. I want to put on record my thanks to all those firefighters who each day make a personal sacrifice to help keep their communities safe.

I’m also a proud member of the Greerton Cricket Club, a New Zealand hockey umpire, and Bay of Plenty rugby referee. My refereeing has taught me a lot about dealing with conflict, remaining calm under pressure, and having a thick skin. I’m often the smallest person on the field, but that doesn’t stop me from stepping in when I am needed.

I am one of three new MPs from Generation Z—the first time this generation has ever had representation in Parliament—and I am proud to be the youngest MP in the National Party. The messages and conversations I’ve had with people, especially in the aftermath of the election, where they’ve expressed sentiments like, “We knew this would happen.” or “We’re delighted to see you representing our community.” have been remarkably humbling. While I always maintained a belief in myself that I could bring about change, I never anticipated that this opportunity would materialise at 26 years old. I acknowledge that, unlike many of my colleagues in this place, I don’t have the working career experience of someone who is 36, 56, or 76 years old, but I have done my best to build my experience to ensure I can function as the best MP possible.

Having been born in the late 1990s means I have lived predominantly most of my life in the social media era. I have, in my early time here, been assisting some of my more technologically challenged colleagues with helping them understand what their Apple ID is and how to turn off the keyboard haptics so I don’t have to listen to every word they are typing in their messages. It also means that, having grown up in the social media era, I have learnt the challenges that come with today’s technology. Mistakes and errors of judgment today are far more permanent, and I, for one, have certainly experienced this. I’m not perfect, but I am learning.

Throughout the election campaign, I spoke on the four big local issues that most of the community had been raising with me. I called them the four Cs: cost of living, crime, congestion, and council. I gave my word then and I give my word now that every day I serve in this place I will turn my mind to helping to resolve our local Bay of Plenty issues. Our local community is presently facing some significant challenges. From the year 2000, our population has surged by 72 percent, far surpassing the nationwide average of 38 percent. In the same period, our GDP saw a remarkable increase of 142 percent, compared to the national average of 82 percent. Despite this large influx in growth, our community has not been adequately prepared or planned. For example, our infrastructure lags 25 years behind where it should be and to meet housing demand, it is estimated that over the next 30 years, our Western Bay of Plenty subregion will require 40,000 new homes. On top of this, we have the least affordable rental market in New Zealand.

I also cannot stress enough how important the upgrade of State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Ranges is for our community. This transformation of a current bottleneck into a road of national significance has the potential to unlock opportunities for building 20,000 new homes. It will also create a more efficient and resilient freight route connecting Tauranga with the Waikato and Auckland. I am proud to be a part of a National-led Government that wants to see a transport system that boosts productivity and economic growth and allows New Zealanders to get to where they want to go, safer and faster.

I am also excited about the prospect of a regional deal that will significantly benefit the Bay of Plenty. The transformation of the relationship between central and local government, facilitated by a long-term partnership agreement known as a regional deal, opens the door to establishing enduring pipelines of regional projects. Such a deal would foster shared strategic objectives collaboratively developed to reflect the unique characteristics of our region. Importantly, it would secure long-term funding commitments and provide the certainty needed for an effective planning approach. The Bay of Plenty is the gateway for trade from New Zealand to the world, with the country’s largest seaport, horticulture production, and links to the primary production heartland. We are one of the fastest-growing regions, with a vibrant developing culture.

A regional deal holds the potential to drive economic growth. It would establish a well-defined programme of infrastructure and offer opportunities to leverage outcomes for increased funding. Our community is ideally positioned to execute a regional deal, and I am committed to working diligently to get one across the line.

I believe successful politicians actively listen, engage in reflective thinking, and delve into extensive reading. They should also—always—be prepared and willing to change their minds. My dad regularly tells me that none of us have a mortgage on being right, and having an occasional serving of humble pie isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I plan to always listen, engage, and reflect during my time in Parliament. Public service is about serving all the people, including those who may not have voted for you. I will work tirelessly to repay the confidence that has been shown in me by my party, by my leader, and by my local community.

When the time comes to deliver my valedictory statement, my aspiration is to reflect on a legacy where I contributed more than I criticised. I aim to affirm that I consistently chose courage over comfort, remaining steadfast in my commitment to serve. My intention is to build on the efforts of my predecessors and ensure I play my part in creating an even better New Zealand. The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it, and I intend to do just that.

To make a maiden statement to the House, I call on Grant McCallum.

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e rau rangatira mā, tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa. I whānau mai au ki Kaipara. Ko Mangatūroto tōku wā kāinga. I ngā pūkete whenua e pāmu noa ana ahau. Ko “Grant McNational” ahau. Tino hūmārie ko ahau te mema Pāremata mō te Tai Tokerau. Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

[To the esteemed ones, the representatives, the many leaders, this is my warmest greeting to all of you. I was born in Kaipara. Mangatūroto is my home. In the land records, I was farming. I am “Grant McNational”. I am very humbled to be the member of Parliament for Northland. And so my thanks and greetings to all of you.]

Mr Speaker, congratulations on your election as Speaker. While I know you will do an outstanding job, I have one concern—namely, given your deep Canterbury roots, you are known to have one red eye and one black eye. I hope you won’t hold the fact I have two blue eyes against me.

It is an honour and a privilege to have been selected by the members of the Northland electorate of the National Party to be their representative, and then to have been elected by the people of Northland to represent them in Parliament.

It has been quite a journey to get here. While it is always fraught to thank people for fear of missing some out, I feel it is important to acknowledge those who have helped: my electorate chair, Iain Huddlestone, and his wife, Janet; my campaign chair, Colin Rowse; my campaign consultants, Michael Little and Dylan Parshotam; my long-serving secretary, Lynn Pooley; my treasurer, Nigel Wooding; the amazing Sally Macauley; and, in the Hon John Carter, I could not have a better mentor, although I will leave the joke-telling to him.

I’d like to acknowledge the great work of our leader, and now Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, and the campaign team headed up by president Sylvia Wood. Finally, a big thankyou to all the volunteers across Northland who have helped.

I’d like to recognise all the other MPs in Northland: the Hon Shane Jones from New Zealand First; the Hon Willow-Jean Prime from Labour; Act MP and fellow dairy farmer Mark Cameron; Hūhana Lyndon of the Green Party; Mariameno Kapa-Kingi from Te Pāti Māori; and the Hon Kelvin Davis, who has served Te Tai Tokerau for many years and will shortly be delivering his valedictory speech. A special recognition to former MP for Northland the Rt Hon Winston Peters, who first campaigned for the seat of Northern Maori in 1975. Finally, I would like to thank New Zealand’s first female Prime Minister, Dame Jenny Shipley, and her husband, Burton, for their advice and support.

I am a farmer—a farmer who is proud of the contribution our sector has made to New Zealand. Farming is in the blood on both sides of my family. My mum’s family, the Whites, arrived in the early 1900s, first settling in Hawke’s Bay. After experiencing a few droughts, they put in for a ballot farm near Tokirima, west of Taumarunui in the King Country, and were successful. So Richard and Mary White moved there in 1906, and Te Moata Station was born.

This steep, unforgiving country was a real challenge to break in, and it is a real testament to the pioneering families that they stuck at it. My grandfather Lewis White married Aileen Wells, a journalist from New Plymouth who had secured a scholarship to Canterbury University where she graduated with a Master of Arts—quite an achievement for a woman in the early 1930s. Lewis and Aileen had three daughters: Pam, Elizabeth, and Lois. Pam is my mum.

Mum loved growing up on the family farm. Unfortunately, at the age of six, she had to go and live with her auntie Jessie Grant in Turakina so she could attend primary school. She did this for two years as there was no school bus. This changed after Aileen negotiated with the education department in New Plymouth to have a school bus service provided. Clearly, sub-standard services in rural communities were as much a challenge then as now.

In 1960, tragedy stuck. Grandfather Lewis White was killed by a falling tree. So I never had the chance to meet him, but I do carry Lewis as my middle name with pride. Sadly, tragedy in farming families was not unusual, and it highlights the sacrifices some families made in trying to build their businesses and contribute to the prosperity of New Zealand. I would like to acknowledge all the descendants of the White family who have come today, some wearing kilts.

My dad, Ron McCallum, and his family hailed from Goodwood, Otago: a settlement halfway between Palmerston and Waikouaiti—or “Whack-a-wight”, as the locals refer to it—where the local primary school was called Flag Swamp. Dad often brags of attending Flag Swamp primary and tells great stories of his teacher, Mr Brown—an out and out Labour supporter who used to enjoy nothing more than strapping those Tory farming kids.

It is the McCallum family that carries the strong National Party connection. Great-grandfather Frank was involved when the party was created in 1936, and grandfather Duncan and his brother Charlie were also heavily involved.

Then there was Dad. Many of us have political heroes like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Maggie Thatcher, and Barack Obama. Well, I have a political hero: my dad. You see, Dad was a well-respected activist in the northern region. When Dr the Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith became the National Party candidate for Kaipara in 1983, Dad took over as electorate chair—a role he held until 1996, when he became chair of the Whangārei seat, held by the Hon John Banks.

The Kaipara electorate in 1983 had 36 branches, and Dad and Lockwood went to all the AGMs. Dad would often joke that if Lockwood lost his voice during a meeting, he could stand up and carry on giving his speech. Thirty-six makes my 10 branches in the much larger electorate of Northland seem a part-time job. That symbolised the level of commitment Dad gave to the National Party and democracy in New Zealand. I salute all the volunteers who, like Dad, work hard for the cause they believe in. I thank you all.

So, to my own political journey and my strong desire to serve my local community, not surprisingly it started when I joined as a Young Nat at 18 years old. In 1985, I attended Lincoln College to study a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture.

One of the dominant issues of 1985 was the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. During this debate, I was door-knocking one evening in the Selwyn electorate for the Hon Ruth Richardson. One door was opened by a youngish guy who invited me in. He introduced me to his flatmate. It was immediately obvious to me that they were a same-sex couple. They encouraged me to ask Ruth to support the law change. As I was listening to them, I was thinking that under the law of the day, they could be in jail. Why? Why should two adults who clearly loved each other and weren’t harming anyone else be punished for it? The lesson for me out of this experience was that it is up to leaders to see through the current noise and do what is best for the country—and, in particular, minority communities—in the long term.

Saying these things is easy; doing it when you are swimming against the tide of popular opinion is more difficult. Not long after that visit, I attended the Selwyn electorate AGM, where I helped to move a motion supporting the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. Disappointingly, it lost. In 2005, after many years of activism, I was elected to the board of the National Party; a position I held until 2015, when I retired. In Northland, my main role was chairing every campaign since 2002, with the win in 2017 being a real highlight.

The 2017 election was a tough time to be a farmer. Farmers became the punching bags of the campaign. We were threatened with a water tax, blamed for all the water-quality issues in New Zealand, and were continuously used as a pincushion by the left. Farmers’ concerns were so strong that it led to me organising a protest in Morrinsville with the help of Lloyd Downing, who did a great job of fronting it. I know you’re here somewhere. The stress and worry that flowed through the rural community at that time reminded me of the mid 1980s, when Rogernomics was in full swing, the share market was booming, and agriculture was being called a sunset industry.

All of these experiences have taught me that while change is inevitable, it is the job of leaders to take people with them during periods of change and to help cushion the effects on society. The other aspect that was highlighted by these experiences was the need to reach cross-parliamentary consensus on long-term issues like water quality. As farmers, all we ask for is a clear direction of travel that is achievable while maintaining a profitable business. Having the pendulum swing wildly every time there is a change of Government is not good for anyone, and it is certainly not good for the environment.

In 1998, the Hon Simon Upton and the Hon Nick Smith formed the Bluegreens. I joined in 1999 and have been an executive member ever since. The Bluegreens is an excellent forum for debating some very challenging environmental issues. It is a forum where all sides of the political and environmental spectrum can meet. Organisations as diverse as Greenpeace, Federated Farmers, Environmental Defence Society, DairyNZ, Forest and Bird, and Beef + Lamb are regular attendees at our annual forum. It was there that I met long time Greenpeace campaigner Steve Abel, who now sits opposite me in the House as a first-term Green MP. We have had many discussions about the way forward for farming and the environment, and I look forward, between jousting in the House, to having many more. It is respectful relationships like this that need to chart a way forward as we work through long-term environmental issues. One final point on the environment: solutions to environmental challenges lie with Parliament and New Zealand as a whole. No single political party or organisation owns the environment; we all do.

So what is my vision for the primary sector, a sector that has consistently been the mainstay of the New Zealand economy? As I’ve highlighted, we are used to challenges. We are innovative and collaborative. Farmers love sharing their knowledge; we all know how tough and lonely it can be. Right now, we have another challenge: climate change. Some see this as too tough and as a pointless battle; I see it as an opportunity—an opportunity to help the world reduce global emissions and increase the value of our exports. Let’s back ourselves and our amazing scientists to find solutions. Then, we can add real value to our produce and help secure a future for the next generations, both financially and environmentally.

And so, to the amazing electorate of Northland, the electorate that is miles above the rest, and my 2040 vision for it: if ever there is a region that has untapped potential, it is Northland. We are located next to the biggest city in the country, and we have a great coastline and beaches. We are blessed with quality soils that can grow a large range of crops. We have one of the highest percentages of young people under 15 in the country, yet we are struggling economically and socially, and have done for a long time. The single biggest factor holding us back is connectivity and, in particular, the quality of our roading infrastructure. It is best summed up by the state of the Brynderwyns and the Mangamukas.

The Mangamukas have been closed since August 2022 and are expected to be closed for the rest of 2024. The Brynderwyns were shut for 58 days after the wet weather last summer and are going to be shut for at least another nine weeks to do some urgent repairs, just to try and stop a catastrophic failure this winter. That is two parts of State Highway 1 shut at the same time. Northlanders have had enough. It is time to stop politicising Northland’s roads. It is time all the members of this House release the handbrake on Northland’s prosperity and back the four-lane highway. It is a vital part of lifting families out of poverty, by enabling businesses to invest, creating jobs and opportunities across a range of sectors, and breathing new life into Northland. Northland will not prosper by increasing the size of the welfare cheque.

The next part of my 2040 vision is highlighted by two towns. Northland is a community of small communities—towns like Kaitāia, Mangonui, Kawakawa, Dargaville, Maungaturoto, and Mangawhai to name a few. The two towns I wish to focus on are Kerikeri and Kaikohe. They are 30 minutes apart but, in some cases, a world apart. They symbolise the challenges and opportunities in Northland. They need each other. This is not an “either/or” story; it’s an “and/and” one. In 1953, Kaikohe was the hub of the North, where Queen Elizabeth stayed during her tour of New Zealand. Kerikeri was a smaller village to the east. So what changed? Water. That’s what changed. In the 1970s and 1980s, two dams were built to irrigate the fertile land around Kerikeri. The results are obvious: economic growth, resulting in jobs, in a town that now has a population of 8,500 and is still growing. It has become a significant economic driver for Northland. I am pleased to see that, in the Kaikohe area, we now have one dam that has been built and another being built at Waimate North. There is also the Ngāwhā Geothermal Power Station, the first carbon-neutral plant in New Zealand, and the Ngāwhā Innovation and Enterprise Park.

The other aspect of these two towns is the cultural difference. This is best summed up by the rolls of the two high schools. Northland College, in Kaikohe, has a roll that is 98 percent Māori, whereas Kerikeri High School is 38 percent Māori. So how do we help create a greater understanding and connection between these two communities? The answer is education. Through education, we can teach the history of our cultures and what all our ancestors have contributed to New Zealand. For example, the settlers developed world-leading pastoral farming practices and were encouraged to do so by Chief Hongi Hika, who, after visiting England, asked the settlers to teach the farming techniques to Māori. This led to what was, effectively, New Zealand’s first demonstration farm at the Waimate North mission station.

We also need to celebrate our Māori culture, which is uniquely New Zealand. Central to Māori culture is te reo. Wouldn’t it be great if, in 2040, we are starting to be seen as a bilingual society, as our younger generations embrace te reo? Through language and leadership, we help create understanding. In Northland, the other significant contributor towards creating a united and thriving community would be a Ngāpuhi settlement. I stand ready to help and engage however I can to help achieve this. So my vision is clear: by 2040, a four-lane highway to Northland; a society where we celebrate and respect all our cultures; and a Treaty settlement for Ngāpuhi. And then we can celebrate together the 200th anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a united region and a united country.

Finally, to Mum and Dad, who are watching at home: thank you for being great parents and for your love and support. To my sister, Sandra, and my brother, Murray, I want to say thank you also for your love and support on this never-ending journey. To my children, Eve and Jeremy: I am incredibly proud of you, as is your amazing mother, Kate, who has done an outstanding job of being your mum. I love you both dearly and could not have become the Northland MP without your support. The family hug we had in the Kaikohe hall when the results of the nomination contest were announced is a memory I will always cherish. Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

All right. I’ll ask members to resume their seats and the gallery to be quiet for the moment. To make her maiden statement to the House, I call on Nancy Lu.

Mr Speaker, congratulations to you and I thank you for your contribution and your leadership as our Speaker. I stand here before you today with a deep sense of honour and responsibility as a newly elected member of Parliament for New Zealand. Serving our great nation is both a privilege and a solemn duty, and I am committed to making a positive impact during my tenure. Being part of the National-led Government under the leadership of the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon is very significant to me. I am grateful for the trust that voters have placed in our team, and I am dedicated to delivering real changes in New Zealand to bring our country back on track.

While it is impossible to individually acknowledge everyone, I wish to express my gratitude to the National Party leadership team, board members, MPs, members and volunteers, Young Nats and candidates, regional chairs and special interest groups chairs, and, most importantly, my campaign team for giving me your unwavering support and belief. I ask for your continued guidance and support as I strive to be a true and humble National Party member.

I am also deeply thankful to those people who took the time to engage in meaningful conversations with me during the campaign. I extend a warm welcome to all my family, friends, and supporters who have joined us today, both in person and online, from across the country. To all of you sitting in this Chamber today who have travelled from all parts of the country to offer your support and witness this moment, I am deeply appreciative. For most of you, this marks your first visit to your Parliament, and I emphasise the words “your Parliament” because discussions in this Chamber shape decisions and these decisions will have a direct impact on your lives. So thank you for voting in our democracy and thank you for entrusting me to represent you in your Parliament.

I want to say a big thankyou to all my schools, teachers, and principals who have played a vital role in shaping the person I am today. From Avondale Primary to Pakuranga Intermediate, Macleans College, University of Auckland, and, finally, Harvard University, I have been privileged to receive an education that instilled in me the values of authenticity and compassion.

Finally, I take this opportunity to sincerely say thank you—谢谢你们—to all Chinese Kiwis in New Zealand. 感谢每一位，感谢每一位新西兰华人为新西兰的文化和历史所做出的贡献。多谢大家的支持同努力。我们一定会让新西兰重回正轨。

[Applause] This is eating into my time!

Our nation’s history is woven in with the contributions of Chinese Kiwis who have and will continue to play a vital role in shaping the modern New Zealand we cherish today. From the Otago gold rush days to when Chinese miners ventured into New Zealand in pursuit of opportunities; to early Chinese migrants contributing to various sectors of our economy, such as vegetable growers and dairy product exporters; to Chinese entrepreneurs who established small, medium, and large businesses that drive innovation and create jobs; to bilateral traders, international students, skilled migrants, investors, families and children, the list goes on. The impact of Chinese Kiwis extends far beyond our numbers. The presence of Chinese Kiwis fosters cross-cultural exchanges, opening minds and broadening horizons for all New Zealanders. The hard work and determination of Chinese Kiwis have contributed to our economy and made New Zealand a more prosperous and dynamic nation. Our society thrives on the rich and beautiful cultures that call this land home.

As I embark on this journey, I take this opportunity to share my personal story, my time capsule, a narrative that has shaped my values, beliefs, and my deep commitment to serve our country. My journey in New Zealand began in 1997 when my family chose this beautiful country as our home. There were very few Chinese migrants in the 1990s. I still vividly recall my first day of school at Avondale Primary, where I was one of only three Asian children. My classmates were very curious about my Chinese look and my very poor English, but I quickly became known as “the little magician” for my ability to use little wooden sticks to pick food up—now commonly known as chopsticks. [Applause]

💬 SPEAKER: Hang on. Excuse me, Nancy, can I just ask the gallery to hold the applause until the end. We have to work to a time and while you’re applauding, Nancy’s losing time. So if you wouldn’t mind—we all think it’s a wonderful speech, we’re very happy, but we’ll all go mad at the end, OK?

Little did I know then these small moments would lay the foundation for my unique opportunity and skills in connecting two worlds, bridging cultures, and fostering understanding.

I take the opportunity now to express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents for making the decision to call New Zealand home. New Zealand, as our Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, aptly put it, is the best country on planet Earth. My parents, former engineers in their rising career in China, consciously chose to migrate to New Zealand to give their only child, me, the opportunity of knowledge to navigate through differences, find similarities, and bring people together to work on common goals. So thank you, Mum and Dad. I wanted to say I am deliberately wearing my blue jacket again because it’s my mum’s jacket.

I am also immensely grateful to mentors, managers, colleagues, and staff that I had the privilege to work with in my pre-politics career. Each of you has left a lasting impact on me, collectively making me a better person. My journey through various roles and responsibilities has been a tremendous source of my learning and growth. At the age of 15, I delivered newspapers in Botany as my first ever paid job—rain or shine, I delivered, pun intended—a job that taught me the values of commitment and responsibility. Since then, I worked as a checkout operator at Pak ‘N Save and McDonald’s—and, by the way, McDonald’s seems to be a good training ground for some of us—where I served customers. Although the work was repetitive and sometimes boring, these roles taught me the importance of teamwork and optimal processes.

During my university years and my involvement in AIESEC, the world’s largest student-run organisation, I gained useful problem-solving and leadership skills, and a global mind-set.

At 19, I embarked on a journey to travel to Ukraine to teach English for three months—an experience that exposed me to profound culture shock but also highlighted humanity’s innate desire to learn and to give back. While studying my undergrad, my employment at ASB Botany underscored the significance of financial literacy and personal financial responsibility. My experiences at Fonterra in Auckland and also in Beijing when I was 20 showed me the substantial impact that the largest company in New Zealand can have on our nation and its people. It also showcased the immense corporate social responsibility that comes with such a position. Working at Ernst & Young at 22 taught me a comprehensive understanding of New Zealand’s tax system and the IRD’s crucial role and responsibility to all Kiwis. My time at PricewaterhouseCoopers at 24, when I officially became a chartered accountant, delved deep into the world of audit, revealing the profound significance of scrutiny, integrity, teamwork, and organisational skills. Joining COSCO Shipping at 28 as a finance manager provided me insights into New Zealand’s place in international trade and our global positioning.

At the age of 33, however, a significant personal failure shook me to my core. After realising I was unsuccessful to become a MP on election night in 2020, I held my 10-month-old baby girl, Amber, in my arms—I felt I had let her down. My dedication to public service originates from a deep sense of duty to improve New Zealand for both our current generation and the many generations to come, and yet I know I failed badly. I also know that I’d let down volunteers, members, and voters. After some time of self-reflection and going back to my drawing board, I was determined to find opportunities to grow through working and studying and to do better services for our community. So, later, during my time in Auckland Council as a financial strategist, I worked closely and directly on the fundamentals of affordable and sustainable public service.

As I applied for options to study while working, to my joy and to my surprise, I was accepted by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government to study for my Master’s degree in public administration. My time at Harvard, at 35, was particularly transformative. I learnt a deeper understanding of public leadership and gained many useful tools for public service, further solidifying my commitment to the betterment of our society.

My journey at Harvard was full of learning but also of guilt. I had to leave my family and my two young children in New Zealand. Amber was 2½ and Harper was 7 months. I am for ever grateful to my husband, Keven, and my family for their unconditional support and encouragement to go do what’s best for me. So, to my daughters, Amber and Harper, you didn’t choose to have a mum that will be absent from more than half of your daily lives, but I promise you that I will be present in every way that I can and to make sure I contribute to growing life with you and learn from you.

The various roles that I had gifted me the invaluable lessons and experiences that shaped who I am today: appreciative, humble, hungry for knowledge, and, above all, recognising that it’s people who make the world go round. So I’m holding humility close to my heart, always striving to be a human above all else. I promise to work collaboratively and ensure that our collective work efforts serve the best interests of New Zealand and its people.

Now that you have a glimpse into my life before politics, I hope my personal story is a testament to the power of opportunity, diversity, and the collective wisdom of those who have guided me along the way. I am here to serve, to connect, and to be a bridge between our diverse communities. I am a proud New Zealander. I am one voice of millions of New Zealanders. I am also a voice of millions of Kiwi women and Kiwi mums. I am also a voice of many, many Chinese Kiwis. But to be a voice that can represent in this House, I need to first listen. I have an instinct to connect with people, and I firmly believe in the power of active listening, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.

During my campaign, I knocked on doors in neighbourhoods across New Zealand, meeting hard-working families from diverse backgrounds. I knocked on doors of homes and shops in Auckland suburbs like Panmure-Ōtāhuhu, Mount Albert, Te Atatū, North Shore, Botany, Pakuranga, and Port Waikato. I also knocked on doors in Hamilton, Cambridge, Rotorua, Remutaka, Wellington City, and Christchurch. I met everyday New Zealanders, and I strongly believe that it is our responsibility altogether to listen to their needs and understand their hopes for New Zealand. Our Parliament should reflect the rich tapestry of our society, and I’m deeply committed to advocating for those who differ from me, ensuring that their voices are not just heard but that their rights are protected and their future is improved. So I promise the debates I will have in this House are not just about today but also about shaping tomorrow for all of us and for our future generations. I am eager to work collaboratively with my fellow MPs, across party lines, to turn these passions into actionable policies that will benefit every New Zealander.

I’m deeply passionate about three areas that I believe are crucial for the wellbeing and future prosperity of our nation. First and foremost, I need to emphasise the paramount importance of our economy and finances. Our economic stability forms the very foundation and backbone of the quality of daily lives. It is not merely numbers on spreadsheets but it is the lifeline that sustains our communities, ensures access to healthcare, education, infrastructure, and ultimately shapes the future of our country. So I am determined to champion financial responsibility and accountability, drawing on my background in financial and auditing experiences and making sure that our economic policies benefit every New Zealander.

My second passion is to enhance the quality in education of our tamariki, because my personal journey has shown me the transformative power of a strong educational foundation. I firmly believe that the access to consistent and high-quality education is key to unlocking life-changing opportunities. So, as a result, I am dedicated to ensuring every New Zealand child receives a strong educational foundation that empowers them to compete effectively in the modern world.

Lastly, I want to underscore the importance of upholding and enhancing New Zealand’s reputation on the global stage. Our nation is renowned for its natural beauty; sustainability efforts; and the incredible energy, intelligence, and creativity of our people. Despite our small population and geographical distance, we stand tall as pioneers, explorers, and market leaders. Our size and unique geography should not be seen as limitations but rather as opportunities to think outside the box. So let us grow our ambition and ask for more for our future.

In closing, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities and support that have led me to this moment, but this is just the beginning. To all my parliamentary colleagues and parliamentary staff who make this big building work, I look forward to working with you to make our Parliament better. Together, let us shape a better New Zealand—a place where individuals can thrive, diversity is celebrated, and unity prevails. Together, we can build a brighter future for our nation, where economic prosperity, quality education, and our unique identity as New Zealanders are celebrated and safeguarded. In the words of the Māori proverb, he aha te mea nui o te ao? Māku e ki atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata—what is the most important thing in the world? Well, let me tell you, it is people, it is people, it is people. 世间最重要的，是人，是人，是人. When I give my valedictory speech in many years’ time, I aspire to be remembered not as an idealised figure but as a decent human who worked tirelessly to deliver a better New Zealand for all its people. So, thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you to the people of New Zealand for entrusting me with this important responsibility. So now let’s get our country back on track.

OK. I think we’re about ready. To make a maiden speech to the House, I call on David MacLeod.

Tamarau nō runga i te rangi

Heke iho ki raro ki te whakamarimari

Tē tatari ai, ki te hurahanga

o te tāpora o Rongoueroa

Taku kuia e, Taku kuia e

Te ara o taku tūpuna i tohi ai au

Ko Te Ati Awa nō runga i te rangi

Ko te toki tē tangatanga i te rā

Taringa mangō ko te kete ngē

Hue Hā! Hue Hā!

Tihei mauri ora.

[Tamarau from the heavens above came down to make love

and waited until he could have

Rongo-u-eroa to wife

She is our grandmother! She is our matriarch!

This therefore is the consecrated pathway of my ancestors

e Ātiawa from the heavens above

The adze of Tamarau which can remove the very sun from its axis.]

Tēnei au e tū nei ki te takahanga waewae o ōku tūpuna, o ōku mātua. Ka titiro whakarunga ki Te Waipounamu, ko Aoraki te maunga; ko Ōtākou, ko Waihora ngā puna karekare; ko Ōtākou, ko Taumutu ngā marae; ko Kāi Tahu te iwi.

Ka topa ake ki Te Tairāwhiti, ki te urunga o te rā. Ko Hikurangi te maunga, ko Waiapu te awa, ko Tīkapa te marae, ko Ngāti Porou te iwi.

Ka huri whakateuru ki te tōnga o te rā. Ko Taranaki te maunga; ko Urenui, ko Waitara, ko Waitotoroa, ko Kāpuni ngā awa; ko Urenui, ko Ōwaiwhaitara, ko Parihaka, ko Wharepuni ngā marae; Ko Ngāti Mutunga, ko Te Ātiawa, ko Taranaki, ko Ngāti Ruanui ngā iwi.

Ka tau mai anō ki runga ki Te Upoko-o-te-ika a Māui-tikitiki-a-Taranga, ki ngā maunga whakahī, ki Tangi-te-keo, ki Whitireia; ki te hoenga waka o ōku tūpuna, ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara, ki Pipitea, ki Te Aro, ki Takapūwāhia. Ko Te Ātiawa, ko Ngāti Tūpaea, ko Ngāti Haumie ngā iwi.

Puta atu rā ki ōku huānga o Ngāti Toa Rangatira, e kōkōia, e ara e.

[Here I stand on the tramping ground of my ancestors, of my forebears. I look to the South, to the South Island, Aoraki is the mountain; Ōtākou and Waihora are the rippling springs; Ōtākou and Taumutu are the marae; Kāi Tahu is the iwi.

I soar to the East Coast, to the headrest of the sun. Hikurangi is the mountain, Waiapu is the river, Tīkapa is the marae, Ngāti Porou is the iwi.

I turn towards the West, to the setting of the sun. Taranaki is the mountain; Urenui, Waitara, Waitotoria and Kāpuni are the rivers; Urenui, Ōwaiwhaitara, Parihaka and Wharepuni are the marae; Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki and Ngāti Ruanui are the iwi.

We come again to the Wellington region, to the proud mountains, to Mount Victoria and Whitireia; to the place my ancestors paddled their canoes, to the Wellington Harbour, to Pipitea, to Te Aro and to Takapūwāhia. Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tūpaea and Ngāti Haumie are the iwi.

I go out to my relations of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and the birds sing, they have risen.]

Mr Speaker, may I first start by acknowledging yourself with the important role you have in overseeing the running of Parliament. My family, friends, supporters in the gallery and watching online, and to my new work colleagues: ka mihi ki a koutou katoa. Greetings to you all.

I have just started my speech with a Te Ātiawa ngeri. It speaks of Tamarau, a son of Ranginui and Papatuānuku. Tamarau, along with Rongoueroa, consecrated the pathway of my ancestors—the ancestors of this place I stand today. I have also just taken you on a journey of my connections into Ngāi Tahu in the South, on to the East Coast of Ngāti Porou, and then back to Taranaki where I stand and represent in this House.

This is my whakapapa from my mother’s side of my family. She was one of nine children, and her father, Dr Edward Pohau Ellison, I understand, was the fourth Māori doctor to have qualified in New Zealand, following Sir Māui Pōmare, Sir Peter Buck, and Tūtere Wī Repa.

My great-grandfather Raniera Ellison was of Taranaki descent, but born in Eastbourne in Lower Hutt, his mother being one of many Taranaki-based Māori who joined the migration down to these parts in the 19th century. Raniera’s father was an English whaler. During Raniera’s lifetime, he did well in prospecting for gold. In fact, there’s a place on the Shotover River called Māori Point named after him. Actually, his dog found the gold. It swam across the fast-flowing Shotover River first, and when Raniera got the animal across, it was covered in gold specks. As they say, a man’s best friend is his dog, especially on that occasion. With this new wealth, Raniera married Nani Weller of the Taiaroa family, and became a farmer based close to our family marae at Otakou, at the Taiaroa Heads near Dunedin.

My grandmother provides my connection to the East Coast and Ngāti Porou, where our family marae, Tīkapa, is located closest to the ocean of many marae along the Waiapu River. This river begins on the slopes of Hikurangi and travels through Ruatōria on its way to the ocean.

My father was Pākehā, with his ancestors from his father’s side arriving from a small village called Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. His mother was of English descent, with her ancestors arriving here from Adelaide, Australia. It was in the small township of Manaia in South Taranaki that my parents first met. My mother’s family moved there when her father acquired the local medical practice. My father, being born and bred there, was starting his dairy farming career on his family’s farm, halfway between Manaia and Kāpuni.

I’m the seventh of eight children. My parents were sociable and loved meeting and accommodating people from all over the world, including overseas hitchhikers that my dad sometimes brought home, such was the trusting nature of my mother and father. Visitors became lifelong friends, with many being contacted by my parents when the chance arose during their various overseas trips.

My father had some governance experience. One of my most valued treasures was a page of A4 paper where he wrote me several bullet points of advice. I review his words of wisdom often—they keep me grounded. He was a great communicator, and if I’m only half as good as him, I’ll be happy.

My mother was a loving, caring person, gently spoken with a warm personality. No guest ever left our house hungry or thirsty. Our family remained well-connected to wider family, with many gatherings and celebrations. I have relations the length of New Zealand, and I’m extremely proud of their many successes.

I can only imagine how proud my parents would be of me standing here, especially my father. He was true blue. In fact, he was one of former MP and Minister Venn Young’s original nominators. Venn is the father of Jonathan Young, and also the father of a woman who’s been peering down on this House from that press gallery for some 30 years: Audrey Young. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve a photo of Audrey holding me in her arms at my christening. I’m guessing she doesn’t want to re-enact that any time soon!

Apart from New Plymouth City, our constituency includes the township of Waitara at its most northern boundary and continues around the Taranaki coastline to our most southern settlement of Ōpunake. In the New Plymouth electorate, I stood against incumbent Labour MP Glen Bennett. I thank Glen for the way in which he campaigned and debated with me and other contenders.

I am proud to be New Plymouth’s member of Parliament, but I know I’m only here due to the hard work of many—they all volunteer their time to the cause. Firstly, I want to thank the New Plymouth National Party electorate committee for their studious management over many years. A big thanks goes to my campaign team of Mike Kinnell, Joel Zimmerman, Rachel Donald, Casey Martin, Marie Collins, Kevin Murphy, and Roddy Bennett for helping run such a strong campaign. To the many volunteers who performed all the various tasks required of a solid campaign: thank you. Special thanks to Lloyd and Barb Butler, who contributed more than I could ever have asked, including human hoarding—the last task that they were ever going to perform on my campaign, but they still did it, so thank you to you.

Campaigns are fuelled by many people being involved, but you also call on the generosity of those who can help pay for things. I have been blessed by many, on that front. Thank you to all of them. To Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and deputy leader Nicola Willis, our party leadership, you were a big part of my decision to stand. Confidence in leadership is an absolute in a well-functioning entity, and you both provide that in many ways.

I’ve had an interesting career. After attending Hāwera High School, I qualified as an electrician, working for my brother-in-law. When I was 23, a local businessman invited me to become part owner in his company, indicating that I was his succession plan. He mentored me and then he gave me the reins to grow the company to a multi-disciplined operator with about a hundred tradespeople servicing all Taranaki. I sold that company recently. I had a 22-year career on the Taranaki Regional Council, with the last 15 as its chairman. I’ve spent more than two decades as a director of Port Taranaki. Other significant directorships include the large Taranaki Māori incorporation PKW, or Parininihi ki Waitotara; Fonterra Cooperative Group; Predator Free 2050; and the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge. That experience will assist my contribution to this coalition Government’s various challenges.

As one of Taranaki’s representatives, I want to take particular interest in, monitor, and survey the progress of forthcoming legislation, especially that having particular impact on my home province.

My priorities as an MP, chair of the Environment Committee, and a member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee include local government—such a critical partner in the delivery of quality outcomes for our communities—the upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act, which require a careful balance between protection of our environs and enabling timely progress; and energy. New Zealand exports more than 80 percent of its products to the rest of the world, primarily because we can manufacture goods the world wants, in a reliable, sustainable, and competitive way.

Let’s make sure our country’s energy profile doesn’t disrupt that, as well as making sure we keep our lights on. Let’s allow farmers to get on and do what they do best: farm. Let’s make sure any bureaucracy added to their workplace first fits the context of the operation, it passes cost-benefit analysis, and adds value to their business. Good science is essential to improve our lives and understand the world around us; it helps our competitiveness and teaches us valuable skills. We need to ensure it is delivered in an efficient and an effective way.

I’m also hoping that hui of recent weeks and the upcoming Waitangi celebrations go some way to reassuring Māori that the National Party are not here to remove te reo off the landscape of New Zealand, that we do value Te Tiriti as our founding document, that we will uphold and respect all Treaty settlements, and that we want better health and education outcomes for Māori, along with every other Kiwi. These are just a few matters that are currently prominent with me. There are more, but 15 minutes won’t allow that.

Now, for those who think I’ve missed the people closest to me in my life, I haven’t. I’ve left them to the end, because they are the most important part of my speech. I am blessed by the wonderful love and support of my wife, Leasa, and three amazing grown-up children, Reuben, Phoebe, and Isaac. It was with them I had my first conversation about becoming an MP. I was adamant I wouldn’t proceed unless all supported the idea. They said, “No.”—for all the reasons you may imagine. I accepted their decision, but a couple of days later they said they didn’t feel right standing in the way of the opportunity. They felt that my career had evolved to where I could contribute strongly, and they wanted me to give it a shot. But I can also tell you, if you want to get rid of your children, go into politics. All three of our children are experiencing their OEs and enjoying the big, wide world, and I couldn’t be happier for them. I am proud of the confident young adults that they have become. I’m looking at the camera—kids, although you challenge my temperament at times, I love you and I’m always here for you.

To my wife, Leasa: what can I say? Firstly, I couldn’t ask for a better companion with whom to traverse this crazy thing called “life”. You are an amazing wife, incredible mother, exceptional friend to many, and a great supporter of my career. You have always been there for me in my most challenging times, and you have always been there beside me when I’ve needed you. I’m a far better person for having you as my life partner, and I can’t thank you enough.

So, Leasa, Reuben, Phoebe, and Isaac: the meaning of life, for me, is you. I love you and deeply care for you all. If you truly need me, I will always be there, above anything else. That’s absolutely on public record now, isn’t it?

Mr Speaker, and my fellow MPs: we in this House are but guardians of this beautiful country of ours. We are in these roles for just a moment in time. It is our daily activities and behaviours that will decide how good a guardian each of us are. Time will measure that. What is in our control is how we work, how we behave, and how we relate to one another. Let us all realise our individual potential and use these privileged positions to the best of our ability. Our country is relying on it. Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

[Applause, hongi, and harirū]

Can I ask that members conclude their congratulations as quickly as possible. We’re coming to the end of the Address in Reply debate; there is one speech to come because of some time overruns. But, to make it formal, I seek leave of the House for Camilla Belich to make a four-minute, maybe 3½ minute, speech to conclude our Address in Reply debate. I put that leave. There appears to be no objection. Can we just move that along a bit if we can.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this Address in Reply debate. It’s been a substantive debate, and I want to take the opportunity to congratulate all of the new members of Parliament who have, without exception, made exceptional maiden speeches in this Address in Reply.

I also want to take the opportunity to acknowledge those recent departures from our caucus in the Labour Party: Andrew Little, who did not give a valedictory speech; Rino Tirikatene, also leaving without a valedictory speech; and the Hon Kelvin Davis, who will be shortly giving his valedictory speech, and I will make sure that I finish in a timely manner so he can do that.

All of us here come to Parliament with the best intentions to serve, and it’s never more apparent than listening to the maiden speeches of new members of Parliament. That’s why it has been so disappointing for me to see the direction that the Government has been taking in relation to the policy decisions that they have made.

Last year, the portfolio that I’ve been working in, and the career that I have built, has been working for working people and workers’ rights. It was very, very disheartening to see the rolling back of fair pay agreements, the opportunity for workers to collectively bargain, which I believe would have increased productivity for New Zealand, would have improved workers’ rights, and is common around the world. That was incredibly disappointing. It was also very disappointing to see the 90-day trials being brought back for all workers, without evidence, without anything to back up the allegations made that they would serve employers or working people. So that’s been incredibly disappointing.

But what has been more disappointing has been the rhetoric that we have seen around Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a founding document of New Zealand, a contract and partnership entered into between two groups of people: the tangata whenua—the hapū and iwi of New Zealand—and the people who intended to settle in New Zealand. Now, my first ancestor came to New Zealand in 1841, to Nelson, on the Whitby, one of the three first ships to settle in the South Island. I am fully tangata Te Tiriti. I am here because of the Treaty of Waitangi, and many of us born in New Zealand would not be here if it was not for the Treaty of Waitangi.

We know through successive Governments, through jurists, through former politicians on both sides of this House, through tribunals, through iwi, through hapū, through Māori leaders, through great thinkers like Moana Jackson—we know that Te Tiriti has never been in this country without debate. It has always been debated; there is always more to say. It is a living document that proves who we are as a country. We cannot stand by on this side of the House and let this Government challenge, through this Treaty principles bill brought about by the ACT Party, the place of the Treaty in New Zealand.

The very fact that this bill is in front of this House affects the mana of that document; it affects the mana of New Zealand as a country. It is absolutely shameful that the National Party—who is leading this Government, who has a proud history that they can be proud of, I think, in Treaty settlements—is allowing this absolute shocking move against everything that New Zealand stands for to go through the House. I feel it’s important to say that, Mr Speaker, and I thank you for allowing me to contribute to this debate.