Cabinet seat for city MP
Palmerston North MP Iain Leesgalloway will join Prime Ministerelect Jacinda Ardern in the halls of Parliament as part of her Cabinet.
Lees-galloway was announced as a member of Ardern’s Cabinet on Friday, a day after NZ First leader Winston Peters announced he would be forming a coalition Government with Labour.
While the ministerial portfolios are yet to be announced, Leesgalloway was ready for the challenge.
‘‘I am certainly very excited and honoured, and feeling very privileged to be a member of Jacinda Ardern’s Cabinet.’’
Lees-galloway has been the Labour MP for Palmerston North for the past nine years.
‘‘This is what we are here for, to be in a position to make the change that we believe people need.’’
Lees-galloway said his family were excited and supportive of his new position.
Although he will be spending a lot more time in Wellington, he will remain based in Palmerston North.
Being an MP was an important job and one that required him to be accessible to the local community, he said.
Lees-galloway said discussions were still to take place about ministerial portfolios, but they would likely be announced next week.
Just to be at the table and part of the discussions that would bring significant change was an incredible privilege, he said.
He said he was passionate about many problem areas in Palmerston North, but his two main priorities remained a Manawatu¯ Gorge roading solution and social housing projects.
‘‘I am very keen to find out who our minister of transport is and I think they might get sick of me over the next few weeks.’’
In August, Ardern announced her party intended to build 149 homes on vacant land in the city.
Lees-galloway said he was keen to see the project get under way as quickly as possible.
Te Tai Haua¯uru Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe was also excited to get to work in the new Government.
‘‘All three parties are very
‘‘I am very keen to find out who our minister of transport is and I think they might get sick of me over the next few weeks.’’ Iain Lees-galloway
much committed to making a more fair and equitable society.
‘‘[So] we will be able to deliver some good policy for Manawatu¯ iwi, Ma¯ ori and the whole region.’’
Rurawhe said both Labour and the Greens were committed to working with local iwi groups, like Rangita¯ ne o Manawatu¯ , to develop Ma¯ ori businesses.
That would sync well with NZ First’s provincial focus, and all three partners’ regional economic development plans.
‘‘That’s [all] going to have flow-on effects for the wider Manawatu¯ economy. It will mean a lot of investment into the region.’’
Rangitı¯kei National MP Ian Mckelvie has had three terms in office, but this would be his first on the opposition bench.
‘‘It’s a new experience and a new challenge for me. It’s going to take a while to sink in and for the world to move on.’’
Mckelvie said Rangitı¯kei had built up some serious momentum around tourism, cycling, national parks and education improvements under National.
That won’t go away with the new Government, especially one that agrees they’re worth supporting, he said.
Greens Rangitı¯kei candidate Robin Mccandless said the change in government was a huge deal.
‘‘This is historic, both for New Zealand and for us. It’s the first time we’ve been properly in Government with ministerial positions.’’