Challenging year ahead for new MP

CHALLENGE AHEAD: Fletcher Tabuteau has a lot of topics to cover in Parliament this year and hopes his tourism background will be helpful. PHOTO/FILE A-310814SP12

Rotorua's New Zealand First list MP Fletcher Tabuteau has a challenging year ahead after being named as the party's Tourism, Commerce, Energy, Revenue and Trade portfolios spokesman.

Party leader Winston Peters has also appointed Mr Tabuteau as his associate on the Finance portfolio and he has also been appointed to the cross-party foreign affairs, defence and trade select committee.

"It certainly will be a challenging year, there's a lot to be done."

Mr Tabuteau said he was looking forward to working with his party's leader on finance and foreign affairs issues.

"Which he is very experienced in, I'm sure I'll learn a lot."

He said his other portfolios were a good fit for his knowledge and experience.

"I grew up in tourism here and I know a lot of the people and players in the industry.

"I can give them another voice, especially since it would be hard to get to the Minister of Tourism, John Key.

"I also enjoy the opportunity to work with members of other parties on the select committee, this will be another huge learning curve.

"There are a lot of good people on either side of the house to work with, including David Shearer and Phil Goff who are also very experienced in these fields.

"I'll be keeping my ears open and month shut for the first few meetings, but I don't feel out of my depth and am sure I will be able to contribute to the conversation."

Mr Tabuteau said his swearing in as an MP last week was a special moment in his life.

"It was an exceptional day with my Ngati Ngararanui whanau coming down to Wellington to support me.

"They are not shy and gave me a huge ovation with whistles and shouts as I walked into the house.

"They made me feel very warm and grateful, it was an amazing feeling.

"I hosted them on a tour and we had lunch in the Beehive. It was a special day."