Roy Heather: Motions — Rt Hon Helen Clark—Appointment as Head of United Nations  Development Programme 
Roy Heather: Motions — Rt Hon Helen Clark—Appointment as Head of United Nations  Development Programme 
[Volume:653;Page:2275] 
Hon HEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader—ACT) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to rise on behalf of the ACT Party to support the motion on the appointment of the Rt Hon Helen Clark to be the head of the United Nations Development Programme. I think it is fair to say that Helen Clark and ACT have often not agreed politically over the years. Our political relationship is perhaps best put in Ms Clark’s own words about ACT: “A clear set of principles to guide decisions—not ones that Labour subscribes to but principles nonetheless.” However that has not stopped ACT MPs past and present from gaining a healthy respect for her ability and work ethic. Helen Clark is widely acknowledged as a leader of consensus politics. 
I think all New Zealanders were proud of and moved by what she claims as her greatest achievement—the return of the Unknown Warrior to New Zealand soil. There are many other achievements too numerous to count but those that stand out for me are the free-trade deal with China progressing a similar deal with the United States and gaining international recognition of New Zealand’s respect for the rule of law in terms of both peacekeeping and diplomacy. It is appropriate given these achievements on the world stage that she has now been given a lead role in international affairs. 
On becoming head of the United Nations Development Programme—the third-ranked position in the UN—Helen Clark joins an exclusive list of New Zealanders appointed to top international posts. In recent memory we have seen another former Labour Prime Minister Mike Moore lead the World Trade Organization and Don McKinnon serve two terms as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. In the UN also New Zealanders have reached the highest levels. Currently Sir Kenneth Keith sits as a judge on the International Court of Justice the judicial organ of the United Nations. All have made their mark and we have no doubt that Helen Clark will do so in leading the UN Development Programme. 
There is much work to be done by this and similar organisations particularly in this time of global economic crisis. Wallets are closing and belts are tightening around the world. Considerable skill will be required to uphold the programme’s functions: poverty reduction improving democratic governance crisis prevention alleviating environmental degradation and very importantly stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS. About 4 billion people worldwide are living on less than $2 a day. Infection rates for AIDS in southern and eastern Africa are around 25 percent and are steadily rising in Asia and the Pacific. In too many countries women are forbidden from involving themselves in even the most basic activities in society let alone engaging in the democratic process. 
So it is with good wishes and pride in the success of a fellow Kiwi that we congratulate and farewell Miss Clark on her appointment as the head of the United Nations Development Programme. Helen Clark nga mihi nui me te aroha nui. Congratulations and best wishes.