Well we have arrived at the end of the year when, in theory, we sit down as whanau to remember the things we have achieved and reflect on all that we have experienced.
Personally, it has been a long year with ups and downs. The political life can sometimes befraught with challenge and in that sense I love returning home as often as I can, to ground myself in all that is important.
We should remember the many who have passed on and in doing so I pay tribute to Mangu Clarke, a great supporter of myself and our Party and to Arthur Waititi and Mary Whata. I bid you all farewell.
It was a great honour to take on the role of leader of the Maori Party. I know there is a lot ahead of us in the new year but I will be giving it everything to install the Maori Party in the hearts and minds of the nation whether you be Maori, Tauiwi, Asian, Pasifica or whoever. Our philosophy is one that is inclusive of everyone and that for example is why we have made approaches to people like David Tua.
I was able to advance my Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill. This was a first for the Maori Party. Most of our Bills have been voted down by the majority of the House except this one. This is one of the benefits of sitting next to the Government. I sat next to the Minister where I argued, debated back and forth to get it to a place where we could both be satisfied. This was a major achievement. We are close to Christmas and all of the things that it brings such as sleep-ins, eating heaps, swimming and relaxing, and most of all being with our whanau. My wish to us all is that we keep our focus on the spirit of Christmas of love, peace and hope. There is no place in that "spirit" - for alcohol abuse, for violence or for the tragic consequences out on the road. Let us keep ourselves safe and well.
