Watch: Napier MP Katie Nimon delivers maiden speech in Parliament

Napier MP Katie Nimon during her maiden speech in Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Napier MP Katie Nimon has paid special tribute to Wairoa during her maiden speech in Parliament labelling the community “the heart of the Napier electorate” with “endless potential”.

When an MP enters Parliament for the first time, they are given the opportunity to deliver a 15-minute speech, including sharing what they hope to achieve.

National MP Nimon, 33, delivered her speech on Wednesday afternoon.

She shared about herself and her family’s history in Hawke’s Bay, including that her father’s great-grandfather was a Napier MP, her intentions to better support local businesses, and her vision for her electorate.

“I am strong-minded, often outspoken, and always questioning,” she said.

“I am a Nimon before I am Katie. My surname has always defined me. My family’s history is their legacy, and my responsibility.”

Nimon, who was formerly the general manager of her family’s bus company Nimon and Sons, said she wanted to better support local businesses.

“I don’t claim to have all the answers, but you can’t spend your way out of every problem, nor can you regulate your way out of it. All you get is debt and dependency.”

She said the Napier electorate has “all the ingredients to be the place people move to for opportunities” and “stay for their dream career”.

“From Onekawa to Māhia, the industries are there - energy, space, tourism, film, ag and hort, and construction - we just need to get out of their way.

“I want this for the whole region, but I want to make a special mention of Wairoa - the heart of the Napier electorate.

“Wairoa has endless potential; its people are strong and proud.

“What I want for Wairoa is for rangatahi to not have to leave to find opportunities.

“Wairoa will achieve this for Wairoa, but we can meet them halfway with health, infrastructure, and services that make life there not just possible, but enviable.”

Nimon is one of four new MPs from Hawke’s Bay who are entering Parliament - alongside National’s Catherine Wedd (Tukituki), Labour’s Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (Ikaroa-Rawhiti), and National’s Mike Butterick (Wairarapa).

They will all be given the opportunity to share a maiden speech. Not all will be done this year.