Q&A - David Bennett, MP (National)

I have seen him in many functions and occasions. He is always very supportive of the migrant communities in Hamilton.  One time not too long ago, David and I graced the opening of the Waikato Filipino Association Basketball Tournament.  Among the things we had to judge on was the best team uniform and best team muse.  We sure had fun debating on who was the best team muse.

He said he wasn't much of a basketball aficionado but he nevertheless stayed to watch a couple of the games.  I even saw him munching on some pork barbecue and other Filipino delicacies, all the while people gravitated towards him because of his friendliness and charm.  He is the most likable, unassuming, down-to-earth, and accessible MP in NZ.  He was the very first MP to respond to my request for an email Q&A.

Q: What's your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Being elected to represent the Hamilton East Electorate and getting the National Party and hence Government support for funding the Waikato Expressway which is a $2.4 billion project that will dramatically influence and improve the growth prospects of Hamilton and the Waikato region.

Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: I am intrigued by history so would choose some historical figures to see what made them tick, namely Queen Victoria and Abraham Lincoln.  Also, I would like to have dinner with Barack Obama to make some suggestions for the future.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: Definitely a cat person ... Just like small pets that are pretty much self sufficient.

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: This would be my farm at Paterangi which is between Pirongia and Ohaupo.  It's a beautiful place with the hills looking at Mount Pirongia and it's quiet and a place of great solace.

Q: Something not many people know about you.
A: Many people assume that I am married and so that's probably something most people don't know about me.

Q: If you could travel back in time, when and where would it be, and why?
A: So many times like Lincoln and abolishing slavery, to Churchill in the Second World War ... that are tempting ... would be a time that is pivotal in world history that could change the direction of the world so probably would go to Victorian England and try and develop a more free and open world to avoid some of the recent tragedies in world history.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: In the context of the 2014 election to elect a National Government to complete the initiatives we have started and to set up new initiatives going forward ... and you never know hopefully one day actually get married!

There you have it David Bennett MP (National) of Hamilton East Electorate. Thank you David for allowing us to have a glimpse of the real you!

Hamilton EthnicA Conference

I spent a very fruitful morning at the Hamilton EthnicA Conference!  It was a very enlightening, productive and eye-opening session.  The opening remarks by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs Hon Judith Collins, MP, was inspiring and insightful.  My takeaway from her address was that we are living in a smaller world with bigger ideas because of technology.

This was the first in a series of conferences all over New Zealand.  For me, it was not only a meeting of the minds but more so of the hearts of the different ethnicity present during the session.  It was a day of finding what was the best way possible for all to live in harmony.  It has been established already that all migrants have a common denominator---to have a better future for the next generation, their families.  And time and again the speakers and participants have reiterated a second common denominator---to leave New Zealand in a better state than when one arrived in these shores.

Its interesting to note that our Maori brothers and sisters always trace their ancestry to the waka, the ancient boats that brought the first settlers to the shores of Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud.  I too am proud to trace my path to New Zealand, the only thing though is that my waka was Thai Airways.  For the others it may have been Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qantas, Air New Zealand and many more.

I came away from the conference blown away by the possibilities of what I can do to contribute to the well-being of my adopted country.  I am one in spirit and deed with the first Maori king when he said if we are to live in harmony, we have to find a very special place in our hearts to live in harmony.