Politicians, Elections in NZ

I've discovered the Department of Personal Opinions website and it is quite an interesting one.  I've done a cursory look and it is a good site to start with in understanding NZ politics.  I guess just like any politician in any country, they are always busy, well some of them are while others appear to be, and others seem to be.  I've emailed a number of them in Parliament with some graciously answering my email within 24 hours (which is good email etiquette really), a few answered by their staff, and the rest totally ignored.  It's not easy to get their attention, even during election time, specially when you're not within their media radar.

Q&A - Sue Moroney, MP (Labour)

I've met Sue Moroney several times in official community functions.  She's very friendly and unassuming.  You often find her with the rest of the crowd intently listening to their concerns while calmly voicing her thoughts and opinions. I saw her accompanying her son when the NZ Skycity Breakers played against China's Dongguan Leopards at the Claudelands Events Centre last year.

Whenever I get to watch the proceedings in the Beehive on Parliament TV, I find her to be the voice of reason and calmness when things heat up.  In person, you can feel she means business but with a golden heart.

Q: What's your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Apart from the birth of my own two boys, my proudest achievement has been getting parliamentary and public support for 6 months paid parental leave.  My proposal has already forced the Government to agree to increase it to 18 weeks, but they won't do this for another 2 years.  In the meantime, my proposal could be passed into law by July this year.

Q: What were the challenges you encountered as a public servant and how did you manage it?
A: As a Member of Parliament, my role is to represent the views of people whose lives I have not lived and so I am constantly out of my comfort zone.  This is both a challenge and a great honour that I relish.  I have discovered that people are very forgiving that you don't know it all and are willing to share their knowledge with you.

Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: I would love to get Lorde, Helen Clark and Kate Sheppard together in a room.  They are pioneering Kiwi women and I would enjoy the conversation.  It would be interesting to see the similarities and differences between the woman who fought for the right for women to vote and the 17-year-old modern day self-proclaimed feminist.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: I am one of those rare people who love both cats and dogs.  I was brought up with both and Rusty, Mooshey, Tilly, Monty and Scully have been loyal companions to me throughout my life.

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: Waihi Beach is my sanctuary.  It is where we spend our Summer break and is a place where I get time to be with my husband and kids, walk and cook, generally slow down and chill out.

Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I was Community Newspaper Association Young Journalist of the Year in 1983 or thereabouts.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: I prefer living in the here and now.  But if I had to time travel, it would be back to NZ in 1893 to be part of the women's suffrage movement and also to meet my ancestors.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I hope to be a Cabinet Minister in the nest Labour Government later this year, so I can pursue policy changes that improve people's lives.

Q&A - Brendan Horan, MP (Independent)

I really don't know him personally but I sent him an email anyway.  I find him interesting as a personality in the news.  My Q&A today is with Brendan Horan.  I emailed him early Sunday evening and here is his answer on a Tuesday morning.  I think if yesterday wasn't a public holiday, he should have answered me too.  He must be that kind of a person who goes to work quite early.

I'll not go into the other controversial details that has been reported by mainstream media already.  My purpose here is to to know the other side of him.  For me, he seems to be an honest person and am quite fascinated by his answers to my Q&A.  Thank you very much Brendan.

Q: What's your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Along with my wife, raising two warm, caring, wonderful children.

Q: What were the challenges you encountered as a public servant and hod did you manage it?
A: There are many but cutting through bureaucracy and dealing with lies generated by Winston Peters and his minions.

Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: First would be Da Vinci, to discuss his theories and genius to draw his thoughts on where we are today.  Then Moses cause it would be great to move water like that.  Then my father so we could have time to say goodbye.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: Dogs cause they are just better and we have two of them.

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: Whakatane Heads, one of the best right hand breaks in the world with some of the best people.

Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I hold dual citizenship.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: 1840 and find out what were the dreams and aspirations of all who signed the Treaty of Waitangi, both Maori and European.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Change politics in our country by putting people first instead of Parties and the Interest groups behind them.

Q&A - Nikki Kaye, MP (National)

It's always refreshing to see Nikki Kaye the MP for Auckland Central.  I don't know her personally but she was gracious enough to answer my Q&A.  Thank you for that Nikki.  She walks the talk as the Youth Affairs Minister.  She could be the poster girl for the youth of this country.

With parliamentary elections coming up in September 20, this lady has a proven track record under her from 2008 when she was first elected and again in 2011 when she was reelected.  Her focus on digital literacy is a welcome one if New Zealand wants to excel in the digital landscape.

Q: What's your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Taking through Cabinet a package of funding of over $200 million to enable every state school in New Zealand offered uncapped fast crown funded Internet connections.

Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with and why?
A: Hillary Clinton - to try and understand one of the most competent, female, political leaders.  My Uncle Hamish who died before I was born - so I could meet the man that died so young, did so much and continues to be adored by everyone in my family.  Forever loved.  Elvis - it would be a great fun dinner with wonderful soul music and good Southern food.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: Cat person - it's in the genes.  My mum and grandmother love cats too.

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: Great Barrier Island - because the people and land have no pretence, it is just untapped raw beauty.  It is breathtakingly rugged, beautiful and very peaceful.  One Barrier sleep is worth at least a week.

Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I love gherkin and cheese sandwiches.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where/when would it be, and why?
A: Ancient Athens for many reasons - because they established the first democracy, and further developed legal systems.  I would love to meet Shakespeare and JFK too.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To make the greatest difference I can and help the most people.  I think that will lead me to many different places.

Q&A - Tim MacIndoe, MP (National)

Tim MacIndoe is the MP of Hamilton West.  We both share something in common, we're both from Hamilton and last year I moved over to the West side of the city.  That means I'm his constituent.  I've met him a couple of times in community gatherings and has always been impressed by his quiet ways.

I see him as a person with a solid foundation, good family background, a good husband to Anne and a good father to two girls, in fact whenever I see him in person or on TV, he's the poster boy for Mister Parenthood!  Hands down he will also win as Father of the Year!  Come to think of it, I'm beginning to equate with Steve Martin from one of my favourite movie, the 1991 classic Father of the Bride.

Q: What's your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Personally: With my wife, raising two well-rounded, intelligent, lovely daughters.  I am very proud of them both (and I'm a besotted dad!).  Professionally: Helping some of my constituents to gain positive outcomes in issues that were causing them major challenges, grief or anxiety.  For confidentiality reasons, I can't name them, but gaining good results for them has been hugely rewarding.

Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: Mahatma Gandhi---his personal life, experiences and example have always moved me.  My paternal grandmother.  She died before I was born and I'd love to have known her and to ask about my father as a child, etc.  C.S. Lewis---a humble, intelligent and faithful man.  His books are always worth reading.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: Dog---because I grew up with them and always enjoyed having them around.  (But we had a lovely cat a few years ago and I still miss her).

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: My home in Hamilton.  Especially when all my family are there and I have a moment to relax, or when I am able to spend some time in the garden with my wife.  I also love anywhere near the sea with great views, few people and plenty of wildlife.

Q: Something not many people know about you.
A: I used to teach night classes in Christchurch Women's Prison.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: Jerusalem when Jesus was alive and teaching.  I think that would be an amazing experience---and would help to answer lots of questions that arise in today's society!

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To retain my seat on 20 September 2014!  After that, to be a diligent and effective MP, to aim for further promotion and to try to get some balance in my professional and private life as my family will always be the most important part of my life---and I want to be able to enjoy them long after my political career is over.

I really don't know yet if I'll vote for him this coming elections.  But I'm beginning to see a clearer picture of him.  Good luck Tim!

Illegal Highs

Legal highs will be illegal in New Zealand as of Thursday, 8 May 2014.  Parliament has just passed the Psychoactive Substances Amendment Act.  The Act is expected to receive Royal assent on Wednesday, 7 May and become law the following day.  This was a quick response to a popular clamour from people all over NZ.  I've come from far and wide to get away from the problems caused by drugs.  I'm very glad that the Government has seen the light of day and for a change has listened to the voice of the people.

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!