Lotu-Iiga Sam: Address in ReplyText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLotu-Iiga Sam: Address in Reply[Sitting date: 09 December 2008. Volume:651;Page:25. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie): I moveThat a respectful Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor-General in reply to His Excellency’s speech. I offer my congratulations to you first Mr Speaker on your election to the prestigious role of Speaker of this Parliament. Your years of service in Parliament have been rewarded well. I state how proud I am of becoming a foot soldier in a strong caucus team led so capably so practically and so effectively by our new Prime Minister the Hon John Key.'E mua ia ona o`u taiale tu tafa’itoai paia o le as’oma o’u faatulou atu i le mamalu o le saofaiga a le Palemenele paia faa-tafafa o le Maota Fonoma lau tapuaiga Aotearoa.Ua mata-lupe le se-uga o le as’oaua o lea ua fesila-faisega ula o le faamoemoei le alofa o le Atua.Tulou iatuloutulouna lava.In Samoan I greeted everyone by requesting your indulgence Mr Speaker so that I can acknowledge the sacredness of today. I asked for everyone’s grace so that I can acknowledge this sitting of Parliament and the sacredness of the four corners of this parliamentary Chamber and pay tribute to those in attendance as well as acknowledge the prayers and thoughts of all New Zealanders. I say that this day is rich plentiful and climactic. The day is also important because of the sega ula or beautiful birds—a reference to important or ceremonial people or groups—are now meeting under the banner of God’s love.Nō reira e ngā rangatira e ngā waka e ngā karanga maha tēnā koutou. Tēnā koutou i runga i te painga o tō tātou Matua Nui i te Rangi. Ahakoa he tangata Hāmoa kē ahau he mihi tonu atu ki a koutou arā te Rōpū Māori. Nō reira tēnā koutou.[So greetings to you leaders canoes and the many callings. Greetings under the goodness of our Great Father in Heaven. Even though I am a Samoan person I acknowledge you the Māori Party with great respect. Greetings.]I stand before members today as the member of Parliament for Maungakiekie. I am humbled by an enormous debt of gratitude to the people of my community who have put their faith and trust in me.I stand before members today because of the love support and encouragement of my family. To my father Lotu; my mother Usuga; siblings Kenneth Oleta and Brigitta; and my wider family I say fa’afetai and thank you. To my wife Jules for allowing my dream to become our dream I say fakaue lahi and thank you. Finally to our late daughter Samaria although you are not here with us today I know that you hear my voice and I say that I miss you and I love you.I stand before members today because of the hard work of my campaign team under the disciplined leadership of Mark Thomas the shrewd counsel of Simon Lusk and the industry of Josh Beddell and with the support of many many supporters many of whom are here today to be with us. Finally to the National Party president Judy Kirk regional manager Alastair Bell and their respective teams I say thank you for putting your confidence and trust in me as a candidate in this year’s general election.The Maungakiekie electorate forms the geographic heart of Auckland. Literally it means the hill of the kiekie vine. Of course that is the Māori name for One Tree Hill which is a symbol of great importance for both Māori and Pākehā. In pre-colonial times Maungakiekie was one of the most important of Māori pas. Its strategic placement within the isthmus of Tāmaki-makau-rau afforded the people the rich variety of seafood from two harbours. For European New Zealanders One Tree Hill and the surrounding Cornwall Park is an important legacy left by Sir John Logan Campbell. The adjoining parklands provide about 540 acres of some of the most idyllic urban public green space in this country.In Maungakiekie 149 different ethnic groups are represented. Over one-third of our residents were born overseas and a third speak foreign languages 70 percent have a religious faith and our schools range from decile 1 to decile 9. The Maungakiekie electorate is at the heart of Auckland’s diversity with the iconic Maungakiekie as its jewel. It spans the Auckland isthmus from the Manukau Harbour in the west to the Tāmaki River in the east. In Auckland City outside the central business district the largest number of people employed in any single area is within Maungakiekie. Maungakiekie is middle New Zealand. Its roots are further reflected in the sports we play and host. We provide a home to Oceania Football the New Zealand Warriors and of course the world-champion New Zealand rugby league team.Maungakiekie represents the emerging bustling change of metropolitan Auckland and it is a pointer to the diverse influences that are sweeping across our country. Yet despite its very individualistic diversities many of the social and economic issues facing our people are shared by our fellow countrywomen and men across this nation. Everyone is concerned about our economic future and prosperity. All people desire first-class educational services safe and secure neighbourhoods and bountiful employment opportunities. Some of these goals are under pressure at this time of recession; others have still not been achieved despite our coming through one of the longest sustained periods of growth in a generation. This country needs the changes that National campaigned on and of course part of these changes will be appropriately diverse policy responses to take account of our more diverse peoples. I believe that the minority-led increasingly diverse National Party and Government together with our range of support partners are very well placed to effect these changes.My personal story is borne of the fabric of the community I represent. Born in Samoa I migrated to New Zealand when I was a child and I lived in Māngere with my family. We lived in a three-bedroom home with a double garage where our custom to care for our extended family sometimes meant that we had up to 16 people living in our home at any one time. My father in particular made huge sacrifices. The stories he told of shifting from the warm climes of Apia to the snow and sleet of Bluff move me. The stories he told of having to walk from Ponsonby to Parnell to save the bus fare in order to have some lunch humble me. My parents suffered and endured a great deal just so that we children could live better lives. We were not a wealthy family but we were rich in spirit resourceful and determined to succeed in this country. My family continues to be the cornerstone of my life. My parents instilled in us strong family values Christian principles and a diligent work ethic. The values are of honouring our elders respecting others’ opinions and treating others as we ourselves would like to be treated.I was taught at a young age that education was a key to a successful future not only for me but also for my wider family. I am grateful to my parents who sacrificed and saved in order for my sibling and me to attend reputable State schools and universities. For me education was the key to unlocking so many of the opportunities that I have enjoyed in life. Education allowed me to travel meet new people and experience different cultures. Those cultures also taught me that the best teachers in the world can—and should—be our parents. Our parents should encourage aspiration and teach core values and an honourable way of life. I was taught that success is ultimately defined by doing our best in the area of our choice. If we set out to be the best that we can be in any role and apply ourselves diligently and honestly then success will be the fruits of that labour. A solid education gave me employment opportunities in finance law and commerce and a chance to enjoy these varied experiences. Education blessed me with the many lifestyle choices that I have today. I was taught that my success will not be based on my bank balances assets or looks; success will be based on the breadth and the depth of relationships and the ability to positively impact on and love others. I am proud and humbled to live in a country that has offered me so many opportunities; I want to apply all my effort so that future generations of New Zealanders get those same opportunities.Throughout my life I have taken the notion of aspiration into my work endeavours within both the private and public sectors. As an Auckland City councillor I have seen how local government works and how it strives to improve the lives of its citizens. In critical times like these it is crucial that the Government proceeds with caution. This implies the notion that fiscal prudence and accountability will be prioritised and that bureaucracies are to be challenged to produce the desired outcomes for our people.I am also acutely aware of the importance of the private sector in building the future of this country. Of the jobs in my electorate 70 percent are provided by the private sector. Its health is their lifeline. The aspirations of business people and entrepreneurs are critical to the success of our economy and our country. Creating employment opportunities and improving productivity can arise only from having an educated workforce with an attitude of being the best. This attitude is not only that we can be the best in our neighbourhoods our cities our region or our country but also that we can and will be the best in the world. Fundamental to the health of the private sector in these difficult times are lower taxes less bureaucratic red tape and legislation that encourages fruitful investment into our productive assets and industries.Aspiration has also driven my desire to understand the views and opinions of my community. My involvement in various community organisations stems from a passion to serve the interests of both individuals and groups within our communities. As the Government we must stay in touch with all New Zealanders who aspire to get ahead and encourage those whose motivation falters. Building communities must not be solely left to the Government though; the voluntary sector plays a huge role in addressing our communities’ issues. I am proud to be involved in the social services organisation Great Potentials and the impact that its parenting and mentoring programmes have on the lives of parents and their children.The private or philanthropic sectors can also contribute to the advancement of communities. I am proud to be involved in one such organisation the I Have A Dream Charitable Trust. This trust motivates and empowers children from low-income communities to reach their education and career goals. I believe that solutions to many of our problems lie within the communities that combine to make up our society. This Government will promote front-line services over back-office administration. Bigger Governments do not produce better solutions. It is bold leadership that usually produces a brighter future. Governments may build taller buildings stronger bridges and saferroads but ultimately the state of a nation’s wellbeing is based on the nature and the depth of relationships between individuals and groups.Finally I would like to mention my personal belief in the notion of public service. We have a Samoan proverb that says “O le ala i le pule o le tautua.” Loosely translated the proverb means “The path to leadership is through service.” To serve means to listen respect engage and sometimes even disagree. It is a verb and therefore one should always act. I look forward to implementing change in Maungakiekie and within this Parliament through service to its people and its institutions. Yesterday I pledged my loyalty through God to Queen and country. Today I affirm my loyalty to the leadership of this Government. To the best of my abilities I will also serve my fellow Parliamentarians in select committees meetings and other fora within which we will congregate. I am here to serve the people of Maungakiekie and through them the people of New Zealand. It is their best interests that I will have at the top of my mind when I serve in my role as a member of Parliament.I leave you Mr Speaker as I began. Although I arrived here as a migrant 35 years ago from Samoa carrying with me rich pride in my culture my language and my values today I stand here as a New Zealander to carry this pride and all I have learned since to serve the needs of all New Zealanders. I salute you all. I am honoured to serve in this the forty-ninth Parliament of New Zealand. I thank you for the opportunity to deliver this my maiden speech. May God bless you this Parliament and the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. Soifoa and good day.Pese“Faafetai i le Atua”