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The host of new Labor MPs wanted to praise Leader Jacinda Ardern on her way to Parliament today, saying that the Kiwis had voted for stability.
Almost all of the 22 new Labor MPs arrived in the capital on Monday for the first day of the induction course that Parliament conducts for new MPs. Some MPs who can still participate in the special vote are also showing up.
Robert Kitchin / Things
Many, but not all, of the new MPs pose for a photo on the steps of Parliament.
This is the largest new addition to Labor since the first Labor government came to power in 1935, and it will see the party have more women than men on the caucus for the first time in history. It is the largest Labor caucus in history.
MPs will meet for a group meeting on Tuesday, but will begin MP training for MPs on Monday.
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This will include the kind of induction that most new hires get – a new laptop and some help getting around the sprawling parliamentary complex, but also a short course on constitutional law and even a mock question time session at the debating chamber.
Robert Kitchin / Things
Kiri Allan reads a list of the new deputies.
Kiri Allan from Labor, who entered Parliament in 2017, was up front with the media pack greeting the new MPs, grabbing an A4 page with their photos to make sure none were missed.
“I remember arriving very early, very nervous, almost to the point of being scared,” Allan recalls of her first day.
She said the induction course can be a bit of an “information overload” and that the training will run a bit longer this quarter after receiving some feedback from her 2017 entry.
“They will also have their first interaction with a press kit from the press gallery and that’s terribly scary, or at least I remember it was,” Allan said.
ROBERT KITCHEN / THINGS / Things
Dr. Gaurav Sharma, the new MP from Hamilton West.
Dr. Gaurav Sharma is one of three new GPs to join the caucus after defeating Hamilton West against Tim Macindoe of National with a majority of 4425. Along with Jamie Strange’s victory at Hamilton East, this is the first time the city has voted red since 2005.
“It is quite exciting. It’s still sinking, ”Sharma said.
Rachel Boyack, Nelson’s new MP, recognized the work of her predecessor Nick Smith, who held the National job for 24 years, and said he had great shoes to fill.
“This is an outcome based on the need for certainty and support for the Labor plan as we recover and rebuild from Covid-19,” Boyack said.
Boyack ran unsuccessfully in 2017, saying Stuff it had been a “four-year job interview for me.”
ROBERT KITCHEN / THINGS / Things
Dr. Emily Henderson is a “maybe” MP depending on the results of the special vote.
Helen White, on the roster after losing Auckland Central to the Green Party, said she was delighted to get in.
“I have worked for 27 years working as a lawyer. I’ve been working in a field [employment law] where people have been very hurt by the way they took us. I want to go in there and help fix it, ”White said.
He said the Auckland Central result was “really amazing” and that he would “see what happens.” There is a possibility that he will win the seat in the special vote.
Ibrahim Omer, MP on the list and the first African MP, said he was very excited.
ROBERT KITCHEN / THINGS / Things
Glen Bennett is greeted by Kiri Allan.
“It’s a great privilege and something we don’t take for granted, it comes with responsibility,” said Omer.
A trade unionist before coming to Parliament, Omer said that the government had done a lot for workers, but that there was always more to do.
Robert Kitchin / Things
Steph Lewis of Labor, who won Whanganui on his second try.
Steph Lewis, who brought Whanganui back to the Labor Party for the first time since 2002, said her experience in both rural and urban areas of her constituency would be helpful.
“It has not sunk yet. But I am very honored by the faith that the people of the Whanganui electorate have placed in me and I hope to make them proud for the next three years. “
Dr. Neru Leavasa won the new Takanini seat in Auckland, despite the expectation that the seat would go to National.
“I’ll be honest, I’m a bit nervous. I am here to learn. I am very happy that we have the induction process, ”he said.
Labor’s Grant Robertson, who first came to Parliament in 2008, said he only had one decent suit when he was elected, and ended up with a television crew following him in his quest to buy another.
Jacinda went shopping with me on Willis Street. So they filmed Jacinda pointing at the suits and telling me to put them on. So nothing has really changed. “
