Don Brash admits he has regrets [+audio]

Don Brash

Former National Party leader Don Brash admitted regrets as he made his final speech to Parliament today.

Dr Brash noted that he did not make it into Government or have any impact on legislation.

"Looking back over the last four and a half years, I obviously have some regrets. I never made it into government. I didn't change a single law," he told MPs.

He said he had great respect for other MPs in the house and even paid a compliment to major Labour figures, saying: "And while I disagree strongly with many of their policies, I respect the ability of both Helen Clark and Michael Cullen."

He also conceded he had made mistakes, including voting in different ways on different readings of the Civil Unions Bill.

But he said he had been misunderstood in his views on the Treay of Waitangi. He said: "I regret that my views on the Treaty of Waitangi were misunderstood by many as an attack on Maori, instead of a serious attempt to deal with issues which, if not dealt with effectively, can hugely damage the future of both Maori and non-Maori New Zealanders."

He pointed to successes in some areas, such as improving the National Party's showing at the last election.

New Zealand was a great country but one that was at risk, pointing to education and the economy as two examples.

- NZHERALD STAFF

All Access. All in one subscription. From $2 per week

Subscribe now

All Access Weekly

From $2 per week

Pay just

$15.75

$2

per week ongoing

Subscribe now

BEST VALUE

All Access Annual

Pay just

$449

$49

per year ongoing

Subscribe now

Learn more

30