When I was a staff member [press secretary] in Phil [Goff]'s office. Growing up in a household which had Jim Anderton as a local MP - obviously all those things had an influence over time. I think our household, as most Pacific households do, tended to go for the party that thinks of the many not the few. That's straight out of Phil Goff's book isn't it?
Dream portfolio in Cabinet?
Broadcasting. It's a bit of a dog's breakfast at the moment - TV that is overly commercial and not necessarily having the debates we should have or the types of programming. It should be the public broadcaster that is doing the challenging and leading the way there. I'm not saying TV3 shouldn't but you'd think that an independent, well-resourced, impartial public broadcaster would start challenging a few things rather than trying to make money alone.
What is something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I'm allergic to seafood. I go into anaphylactic shock. Recently, Clayton Cosgrove bought us fish and chips for dinner and forgot to get me a hotdog. I had to lobby the Whips' Office to get just a simple sausage in our caucus fish and chip evening. I got the hotdog but only after vigorous lobbying. Everyone thinks it's very funny. It's not funny at all.
Do you have a Member's Bill?
The one I intended to put in was around reserving some spectrum for public service broadcasting TV.
Political hero?
In the current crop, Annette [King] is someone who's done a lot and has looked after me, so in terms of heroes in front of me ... And I read a lot about Kennedy growing up, so I think he's pretty cool.
Memorable summer?
We used to come up to Porirua all the time and hang out with my cousins, in Titahi Bay where I'm living now.
You've been in Parliament four years now. What's the best advice for a new MP?
Watch and learn. Stay quiet. I watched and learned for the first term. We noticed. [laughs] One does not want to get ahead of oneself.
If you could be fluent in another language, what would it be?
Tokelauan [both parents are Tokelauan]. I can probably understand more te reo Maori than Tokelauan. My Dad was a resource teacher of Maori, so would go round teaching primary school kids Maori.
What books will you read this summer?
I've just got out Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand from the Porirua Public Library. Also, the book by BBC political editor Nick Robinson.
What music will you listen to?
I've recently become a member of Spotify. Are you aware of that? You should get into it. Not that this is an ad for Spotify. Last night I was listening to The Pretenders. They've got a lot of good songs. I listen to good Kiwi music. I'm a big fan of Crowded House, the Mutton Birds. Modern taste there. Is that not modern?
What is your goal for 2015?
To land as many blows on the Government as I possibly can.
Which MPs from other parties do you get on with?
I've got to know a couple quite well through the rugby team. [National MP] Mark Mitchell is a good and decent human being, I think. As is Alfred [Ngaro].
Kris Faafoi
• Labour MP for Mana.
• Age 38.
• First elected in Mana by-election, November 2010.
• Currently Labour's assistant whip and spokesman for state services, commerce and racing.
• Has two sons, George and Fred.
• Previously a television journalist, then press secretary to former leader Phil Goff.
