Viewpoint – Goodbye, and thank you

I am sitting down for the last time to write a column as your locally based Labour list MP. On August 15, I rose in Parliament to give my valedictory speech. As I said then, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people and communities of Rodney and, after the rezoning, Kaipara Ki Mahurangi, over the past six years. I’ve served two terms as MP, which I am told is about the average time for an MP. But there was nothing average about the last six years.

A lot happened between 2017 and 2023. It was a privilege to serve in the Labour team during some incredibly tough times our nation went through. And I am forever grateful for how then PM Jacinda Ardern led New Zealand’s response to the March 15 mosque shootings, covid and other challenges. Together as a society and with very special leadership, so many lives were saved during the worst pandemic in a century, where other countries could not.

But despite the challenges, these were also six years where lots of progress was made. I am proud to have been part of a team that from day one started to tackle those long-term challenges – strengthening workers’ rights, massively building our apprentices workforce, increasing the minimum wage and addressing gender-based pay discrimination. From making abortion a health issue and giving women choice, building more houses than any government since the 70s, to taking action on climate change, and everything in between. And now, in a Chris Hipkins led Government, our team continues the mahi, focused on building back better.

When the Prime Minister opened the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway earlier this year, I know we were all pleased that my advocacy meant that we weren’t to be double tolled as the original plan had been. I am proud to have supported the Matakana link road and the Matakana Trail Trust.

In my time, I have endeavoured to support and be involved with as many community groups as possible, from scouts to the A&P shows, Wellsford Plus, Mahurangi Wastebusters, The Men’s Shed, and everything in between. Being involved in grass roots communities and bringing your voices to Wellington is an integral function of being an MP and a role I immensely enjoyed. I know, as I leave Parliament, that we will all celebrate that with a Labour government we won’t be paying GST on fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, and that in a further boost for young families, a Labour government will commit to four weeks paid partner’s parental leave. And there’s more to come.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in my work over the last six years. I have always been welcomed in each of our communities; your warmth motivated me to do my very best and I leave with the values I entered Parliament with and I still hold dear. In particular, relentless optimism and compassion for people.