Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Debate on Prime Minister’s Statement 
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LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Labour—Mana) 
: 
 Kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. Today I stand with immense pride being a member of this Labour-led Government and the member of Parliament for Mana. Our Government is good for the people of Mana and it is good for New Zealand. I am a woman I am a Kiwi a proud New Zealander and a proud Pacific Islander. I am also a proud Wellingtonian who this afternoon witnessed the pride of our area hosting the international sevens teams and celebrating all those things that make us proud sportsmanlike and successful. I am also proud to be part of our Government that is led by two dynamic leaders in our country—that is our Prime Minister Helen Clark and our Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Dr Michael Cullen. I am also proud to be part of the Labour caucus and part of a Labour team that symbolises and represents every facet of our New Zealand society. Like the sevens we work as a team we hang together as a team we set the game plan and we win. We are a powerful team. 
Labour’s point of difference from the Opposition is that we are the human face of economic and social development. Our policies and our actions show that we care that we Kiwis are successful we keep our word and we deliver. We represent the New Zealand values of innovation dreaming making it happen working hard can-do giving a fair go and good savings and investment. We believe in the values of teamwork extended family and community and in celebrating and encouraging opportunity and potential in every one of our people in our society. We can do and we Kiwis believe it in our heads and our actions show it. We are strong because we represent all those values. 
These are three snapshots. As the Hon Paul Swain said our economic growth is wonderful. In the year to September growth was 4.6 percent. The crime rate is the lowest in 21 years. The Working for Families package has meant that benefit numbers are down. There are almost 7000 Modern Apprenticeships. There has been a significant boost to health and education. Over 3 million people are enrolled in primary health organisations and we are significantly investing in infrastructure like transport. 
One of my examples of transport is that since 1999 in the Wellington region the transport budget has increased by 58 percent. In my own electorate we will have seen the work on the $33 million Plimmerton to Mana upgrade and the $21.7 million McKay’s Crossing overbridge. Just over the last week on 26 January the Minister of Transport announced with Transit and the greater Wellington Regional Council a boost of $225 million for our region. Also since 31 January we have an extra $15 million for construction of the median barrier on Centennial Highway which is one of the highlights of Transit’s other package. It is well done and we have all worked very very hard in our Wellington region for that. 
When I talk about a team and we New Zealanders working together and really making our mark in this world I talk about how we bring all the players together and we come up with a significant game plan to be successful powerful and to be winners. Back in my electorate we have a team of all the key stakeholders the district health boards health units the medical profession the Maori and Pacific health providers and the Whitireia Community Law Centre that have come together to look at our project of the accident and medical centre that will open in July this year to look at how we can deliver the best services to the diversity of our communities and ensure that those who are most in need have access to service. 
Lastly but not least last week we celebrated the historical launch of the New Zealand Pacific Business Council. It is a wonderful initiative delivered by the private sector chaired by Gilbert Ullrich that wants to strengthen exporters and importers in New Zealand to look at trade being two-way between New Zealand and the Pacific. Is it not great news? I am proud to be a New Zealander and part of this Government.