Rurawhe AdrianVALEDICTORY STATEMENTSSPEAKER: Members following the valedictory statements the House will suspend for the dinner break and resume in committee at 7.30 p.m. for further consideration of the Appropriation (2023/24 Estimates) Bill. I call on Marja Lubeck to make her valedictory statement.MARJA LUBECK (Labour): Raurangatira mā tēnei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te rā. Tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa. [To the many esteemed leaders here today this is my convivial greeting to you on the subject that has brought us together. Thank you all.]And in the legendary words of my colleague g'day". Whānau comrades friends and frenemies it's humbling to see you all here. Even though I've risen to speak more than 300 times since the first time I got up I'm still standing in this House with a sense of wonder at the sheer privilege of having had this opportunity. I didn't expect to stand up here when I was asked in 2017 to help get the party vote out for Labour in Rodney. I remember Tolley told me that I could get a bit of an idea what it was all about and if I liked it who knows what would have happened in 2020 or 2023. Well mate who would have thought that here in 2023 I would have served two terms as an MP and that I'm told is about the average time for an MP to serve.But there was nothing average about the last six years. A lot has happened between 2017 and 2023. It was a privilege to serve in the Labour team during some incredibly tough times that our nation went through. I am for ever grateful for how the then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led New Zealand's response to March 15 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.If I may sound like an advertisement just for a moment I'm a proud member of a team that from day one started to tackle those long-term challenges in New Zealand strengthening workers' rights massively building our apprentices workforce increasing the minimum wage and addressing gender pay discrimination. From making abortion a health issue and giving women choice we're building more houses than any Government since the 1970s to taking action on climate change—and everything in between. Now in the Chris Hipkins - led Government our team continues that mahi focused on building back better—what our finance Minister always refers to as "the silver lining on the darkest of clouds".But I couldn't have known that was going to happen when I started my first speech in this House in 2017. It was for the most about a topic that I was then and am now passionate about: workers' rights. I spoke about the decline I had witnessed over so many years of working conditions for hard-working Kiwis; the erosion of longstanding protections. It was a main motivator for me to start my law degree at 44 so that I could better serve my fellow union members. It was after that speech in 2017 which was so heavily dominated by a topic that I knew so well that someone said to me that I wasn't trying to be all things to all people. What I didn't know yet was that being an MP means being all things to all people especially when you're an MP for your communities.There is this misconception that as a list MP we don't make positive changes in our area. But one of the most rewarding parts of the job has been advocating for the communities of first Rodney and after the rezoning Kaipara ki Mahurangi and Whangaparāoa. I won't have time to tell the stories of the many people that came through our office over the years but I'm proud of all we have achieved in the area. Some issues had been languishing for years and decades and I was able to advocate on behalf of the communities for investment in our schools the restoration of the Mahurangi River and of course Penlink. We are the first Government that put actual funding with the promise to build—so thank you transport Ministers Phil Twyford and Michael Wood for listening to the communities and committing that $830 million. My Warkworth office has served not just constituents but hundreds of businesses and community organisations. The staff in our electorate offices are unsung heroes. Alan you've been my steady force in the electorate office a source of infinite knowledge. You were joined a couple of years ago by Tania community outreach extraordinaire. Here in Parliament Nick you made my first term so much easier. My time on the 11th floor of Bowen House was probably my happiest time in this place. Yes Jan and Aupito probably played a large part in that and Nina and her cooking. Eva Jack Laura Christine thank you for holding the fort at different times. A special mention of our roving support team—especially Wendy these last couple of months you've been invaluable.When I first started I found out the hard way that without a job description what you can take on is pretty much limitless. The responsibilities of representation weigh heavily the hours are long and the work is endless. It's all-consuming and it's difficult to accept that you can't do everything. It's challenging to manage work and personal life in that environment—I did try. Early on I joined one of the walking groups there were two at the time one with Ruth Dyson and one was Kris Faafoi. Ruth already had a few members in her team so I thought I'd go with Kris; except many months later I found out that this particular walking group was for those who don't like walking. So if anyone needs a brand new pair of sneakers size seven come and see me.Now it's just after 7 a.m. in the Netherlands so if my parents are awake it's the first morning with internet in their new home. It's a big thing to shift out of your family home after 51 years and Papa and Mama I'm so proud of you. Thank you for your unconditional love and the sacrifices you made for us. It has been especially difficult being away from you these last few years. On the topic of thanks also a big shout-out to my sister Petra her husband Herman and my nephews Mike and Lars because this wouldn't have happened without you. I've been privileged that the sacrifice of my family has enabled me to give it my best. I've been away so much and absent even when I was home. I tried the best I could but Shane and Max I know at times I let our whānau slip way too far down the list of priorities and I'm sorry.Thank you Max for all those messages you send me. It always brings a smile to my face when I read "Mum have you eaten?" And Shane you worked so hard taking care of the rest of life and I know your body suffers. When you broke your leg things got even harder and you had to miss out on being here today. It's been anything but plain sailing but you were and always will be my best friend—thank you for always letting me do what I needed to do. Some of that involved creating tighter connections with Dutch and Indonesian communities so that they feel represented in Parliament. Being the first Dutch-born MP from Indonesian descent I have seen it as my role creating tighter connections with those communities. To the ambassadors leaders members of the communities thank you for your manaakitanga welcoming me into your spaces. Dank je wel and terima kasih for your support for me. With our phenomenal and largest ever ethnic caucus you'll be in good hands but I'm planning to stay in touch.Speaking several languages has come in handy—I've always had a thing with languages. When I first came to New Zealand I was helping out another immigrant worker with some English lessons and we joked between us that she was possibly the only Chinese woman in New Zealand who spoke English with a Dutch accent. It's been a privilege to co-chair the New Zealand - Europe cross-party group building on our relationships and sharing best practices with MPs from other countries. A lot of that occurred over Zoom—especially during COVID; that was the way to keep in touch. Zoom meetings have their own challenges and I'm sure everybody is well aware of that but none took such an unexpected turn as our first Zoom with Lithuanian MPs. Halfway through one of them abruptly disconnected from a meeting with the words: "Got to go the Russians are coming." Now this was 10 November 2021 and we now know it was not just an excuse to leave the meeting early but it was an early sign of what was to come. We were able to show our support for the Baltics when we were the first New Zealand delegation to visit Lithuania in July 2022. As the EU Ambassador Nina Obermaier has said "although New Zealand is distant geographically from the very start New Zealand has stood shoulder to shoulder with Europe in solidarity with Ukraine". New Zealand's support was acknowledged and appreciated by all the Parliaments we visited.Another great privilege was being welcomed as an ally in the rainbow community and in 2018 I got to know a fierce activist called Amanda Ashley. Her Rodney Rainbow petition combined with the one from Young Labour and Young Greens collected more than 20000 signatures. A long story short I've been blessed to have had the privilege to be part of the kaupapa to ban conversion practices. We'll never know the specific individuals whose lives were impacted by this legislation but we do know that the world is a safer place for it. Thank you to everyone who's doing the mahi to protect particularly our rangatahi against the dangers of prejudice discrimination and intimidation. There's more work to do but there's also a lot of good stuff happening. It doesn't always get the airtime it deserves and that should change because it's so much easier to give people hope by showing them the positive initiatives and the wins—that there are a lot of people in this place who care and are working hard to make things better. They often give until there's nothing left in the tank to give and that is a story worth telling. But in the era of social media clickbait and the 40-minute news cycle trolling and rampant misinformation it feels at times that it's not the good stories that make the headlines. I wish politicians and media could stop their focus on catching people out with perceived or real slip-ups—or 10-year-old tweets for that matter. Feeling powerless witnessing the take-down of some of my colleagues over the years has been the source of my greatest frustration. That and possibly the change of the breakfast menu in Copperfield's!Now this is obviously an adversarial environment and I've done my fair share of heckling. Jason Walls you called it: I spoke my mind. Because you know what they say: "Many people are too polite to be honest while the Dutch are too honest to be polite." But as one of my colleagues said politicians are not prey and that is how it feels to me at times—preying on the imperfections. We are not robots; we are humans—good people doing our best often to the detriment of our personal lives. If we could just make the political and media culture less toxic I think we'd make a lot more progress.I've loved being part of my Labour whānau in Parliament. Thank you to so many of you for your kindness friendship and support. Ministers who no matter how busy gave their time including one often referred to as "Chippy" who always made you feel listened to.The awesome class of 2020: having you on our delegation Rachel was just the best thing. To my mates from the class of 2017 I'm going to miss you so much. In a place where you need to feel someone has your back we've always had each other's. I felt aroha at times when I felt lonely overwhelmed or I needed a sense check. It has definitely prevented some serious mishaps on Twitter! Taking this time to reflect I realise that what I will miss most is working with so many good decent people all different but with a common goal of making New Zealand the best it can be. Lots of our changes are working towards that. I'll mention a few—actually I'll mention one because I'm running out of time. Cut cut cut I'm not the National Party—oh sorry!Fair pay agreements: thank you Michael Wood for your determination. We need to keep going with ensuring people have fair pay decent conditions and a voice in the workplace. We are investing in our people and the economy and fair pay agreements are part of that.I've loved being chair of the Education and Workforce Committee. It's a privilege to hear from submitters and to deal with legislation that often can have such a profound effect on people's lives and that of their families.So many people have been part of my journey providing me with friendship and mentoring—and sometimes unsolicited advice. There are few of you here but there are too many to name. But I'll give it a go. Susan and Des always there right from the start. Thank you; I owe you. Also for the jacket—Dunedin op shop. Sorry Colin I know you're watching—say hi to Peggy and Hueline.I acknowledge our formidable Labour electorate committee (LEC) chair Hugh and the Kaipara ki Mahurangi team Andrew Guy Neil Olga Mike Robert and Pauline Mike Boudine for the cooking and baking for our meetings. Kura Judy Adam Janine Brad Sam Nisha Brad Dev Marina Ken Rewa Derek Alan and Joy. The Whangaparāoa LEC Gabrielle Tanja Ernie and Velma Glen and Nobu. James you were only 13 when we met in 2017. Shane our chief hoarding. Ann and Mike Eric and Lane Eanna Scott and Dean for helping me at the markets. Greg and Cherie for the many elegant events held at your place. David and the late Mary at Herons Flight for your hospitality and support. Colin and Jeff—always making me feel good about myself and I'm counting on my parliamentary colleagues to make sure that Colin Morley Couture continues showing off.Young Labour: your enthusiasm and energy is contagious—keep it up. E tū my union Council of Trade Unions and representatives of affiliated unions present here today: you've been at the forefront of fighting for better pay and better working conditions. Thank you for your support of me and for my hinerangi. I'll treasure my taonga for ever. To clerk Edward Siebert for making the select committee job so much easier. Thank you to everyone who runs Parliament. There's just too many of you to mention. But you're all awesome and we could not do it without you. And of course the Labour Party leadership and everyone in it for you are these words: you're phenomenal.One of the biggest compliments I received in this place is that I haven't changed from the day I entered Parliament and while that can't be entirely true I do leave with the values I entered Parliament with and I still hold dear—in particular relentless optimism and compassion for people. Nō reira tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā tātou katoa.[Applause]Waiata—E tū kahikatea"