Adams Paul: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
Adams Paul: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
[Volume:606;Page:3297] 
PAUL ADAMS (United Future) 
: 
 As members of Parliament we are called to serve all New Zealanders irrespective of race gender religious beliefs—and can I add generations. I add “generations” because our legislation will affect up to four generations at any one time. The four generations will be very different in age and no doubt in viewpoint. Any parent would know what I am speaking about. They are four generations who will have to learn to live work play and to love each other and the nation we have chosen to call our home if New Zealand is to be again the best place in the world in which to live and to raise a family. We should be doing this without fear or favour. To do it effectively will require some absolutes and some values which really are just plain good old common sense. Otherwise we will be doomed to fail and failure is not a word I like to hear. 
So to govern effectively we need to understand that we are primarily dealing with legislation yet in reality we are always dealing with people. Within every person there are three basic requirements and these never change. These requirements burn within the heart of every person who has chosen New Zealand as the place he or she wants to call home. As we hear today what the year may bring forth I think it is wise to remind ourselves of these three basic human requirements.  
The No. 1 requirement is the desire to believe. Every one of us has a desire to believe in something. Would it not be great if this year by our collective example we could show the public of New Zealand that politics had matured to such an extent that again they could believe in and even trust us? I smile because I do believe in miracles. They could learn by our example how to deal with challenging issues by debating the issues heartily but avoiding pulling down the person involved in the debate. The young ones could sit in the gallery to see how to handle themselves correctly while receiving some positive input. I personally believe that if we cannot look any of these young ones in the eye it is time we started to deal with our junk. Let us set a goal that by the end of this year the majority of New Zealanders again will believe that 120 MPs are genuinely doing their best to set an acceptable standard for all New Zealanders to follow. If we cannot learn to work together how can we expect them to?  
The No. 2 requirement is the desire to belong. Why are many young people gravitating to gangs? It is because in every one of us is that inbuilt desire to belong. That is why as a United Future MP I am so looking forward to the Commission for the Family. History clearly shows us that the best place for us to belong is within a loving family. A society with the family in order has far fewer problems. Strong families lead to a strong society. Building the families of New Zealand will do more to boost our economy than any other single issue will.  
The No. 3 requirement is the desire to become. All New Zealanders deep within them have a desire to become. We all want to improve. As politicians it is our responsibility to set a pathway for people to become—to reach their full potential. Young people in particular need to be given a positive hope for their future in this nation. They do not need handouts; they need good role models to follow. They need to be shown that this is a nation of great potential. They deserve better than to be paid for doing nothing as that will ultimately only destroy them and I for one want to build them. They need to know that the greatest stories are yet to be written the best buildings are yet to be built the best music is still to be composed the greatest paintings are still to be painted and the best politicians are still to enter this House. They need to know that their future can always be better than their past. They need to know that there is no place like home and when home is in New Zealand they are living in the greatest place on earth. We collectively have the responsibility of making New Zealand a great place where people can believe they can belong and they can become. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Clem Simich) 
: The Green Party will take two 5-minute slots. There will be a bell at 1 minute.