Macindoe TimTIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West): I would like to thank my National Party caucus colleagues for returning to the House in such large numbers and I apologise to any of them who did so because they were mistakenly advised that our next speaker would be the Deputy Prime Minister. It is lovely to have their support here.What an amazing week it has been and an astonishing finish to the year. I want to reflect on what has taken place in just about 10 days because it was about a week ago that our opponents were saying that this was the game-changer this would show the divisions and the jealousies within the National Party and all was lost. Well what in fact the public of New Zealand have been treated to is a seamless transition a very smooth professional process in which we have had just the right healthy level of debate a contest of ideas—because that should always be part of a leadership change—but very quickly things evolved to a position where we were all in agreement and we are firmly united behind an outstanding new leadership team. So when the analogy was made a short time ago that it was like the All Blacks moving from Richie McCaw to Kieran Read now we have moved from John Key to Bill English I think that is entirely appropriate—and look how well the All Blacks are doing.I want to say that—well I am very glad I did not have to follow Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox's waiata. I do want to acknowledge in fact that in the main this adjournment debate has been a very constructive one. So I want to thank everybody who has been here and in particular I want to acknowledge those who have already been acknowledged by others who served this House so well throughout the year usually without our thanks. There are too many to name individually or even in their groups but they do a remarkable job and boy don't they deserve a break from us for the next few weeks.I also want to say a particular thanks to the Government whips' office team because it works incredibly hard to ensure that we are able to function. So to Sue Reid and Emily Su'a-Dunn to the executive assistants who serve the three whips and in particular to my fine colleagues Jami-Lee Ross and Joanne Hayes I say thank you very much for a job well done. When you look through the year we have got through an enormous amount of legislation very smoothly and that is thanks to the cooperation and the hard work of all our colleagues.I would also like to acknowledge on behalf of my caucus colleagues all those who serve us in our electorates—in particular the wonderful electorate agents around the country. I could not do my job in Hamilton West without the wonderful Brigit Brant Valarie Langley and Ann-Marie Case-Miller. I do not get a chance to thank them in the House very often but I say that on behalf of all MPs because it is our electorate agents who are the first point of contact with our constituents. They do a wonderful job for us and I thank them all.Lastly I want to thank our families because they are the ones who make an incredible sacrifice for those of us who have the privilege to serve in this Parliament to be here and to do what we do. So to my wife Anne and my own children I say thank you. And I say that again on behalf of all MPs and their families as well.Next year New Zealanders will choose between a refreshed team of proven achievers and a depressed and increasingly depleted team of navel-gazers and beltway dwellers. I was always proud to serve in the administration led by John Key and now I am incredibly proud to serve a man for whom I have the highest regard the Rt Hon Bill English—and also Paula Bennett; what a great team they are going to be.Could I acknowledge the outgoing former Leader of the Opposition David Shearer. I thoroughly enjoyed his valedictory speech last night and I also hold him in very high regard. What an amazing challenge he has taken on in South Sudan. I am sure all members of this House wish him well in that very very important job he will undertake.A strengthening economy is a great thing for all New Zealanders. It gives people choices; it gives them opportunities—particularly those who have been struggling through tough times particularly those who are raising families and particularly those who serve in so many different ways back in our local communities: the true New Zealanders to whom we owe our thanks for making a community out of a nation. They are reflected in the fine folk of Hamilton West who I am so proud to serve in this House. I believe that the future for our city looks incredibly bright. We are on a roll. Job vacancies have never been at a greater level. I am really confident that as we go to the polls next year most people will say: Let's stick on a path that is working for us let's lock in the gains and let's ensure that we have the continuity that we all want."And so to all MPs and to your families I say: the very best compliments of the season. To you Mr Speaker and your presiding officers thank you for what you do. Merry Christmas everybody."