November 10, 2017
Parliament goes whanau friendly
Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare says the first week of the new parliament has been a revelation, with the institution becoming more diverse and more family friendly under the new Labour-New Zealand First-Green Government.
In contrast to the past uproar over te reo Maori being used in when MPs were sworn in, this year there was not only Maori heard but Chinese, Samoan, Tonga and other language.
There was also the sight of new Speaker Trevor Mallard presiding over the House with Labour list MP Willow Jean Prime’s baby daughter Heeni sitting on his lap.
"To see baby and to hear baby just around the precinct in parliament, I think it’s really good for parliament and obviously good for baby but it serves as a reminder constantly about the decisions we make and the effect they will have on our tamariki so there is a real change in parliament and in its processes," Mr Henare says.
He’s keen to hear more te reo Maori in the House.
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