Macleod looks to past and present in maiden speech
New Plymouth MP David Macleod has delivered his maiden speech in Parliament, citing his excitement at his new role while extensively referencing his family’s past.
Macleod’s speech was delivered in front of invited friends, family and campaign supporters late Wednesday afternoon.
Starting his speech with a Te Ātiawa ngeri, Macleod explained to those in the House his connections into Ngāi Tahu in the south, Ngāti Porou on the East Coast and finally into Taranaki.
Underlining the extended opening of his speech was the pride Macleod had in the generations of his family, and what they had achieved, before he focused his attention to those who had helped him successfully campaign for the New Plymouth seat at the last election.
“Campaigns are fuelled by many people being involved, but you also call on the generosity of those who can help pay for things,” he said.
“And I have been blessed by many on this front. Thank you to all of them.”
After thanking Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for giving him the confidence to seek the National Party vote to stand in New Plymouth, Macleod gave an outline of his professional career.
From an apprentice electrician, to a young business owner through to the sale of Linepower, Macleod also became immersed in boardrooms while serving 15 years as chairman of Taranaki Regional Council.
“That experience will assist my contribution to this coalition government’s various challenges,” he said.
“As one of Taranaki’s representatives, I want to take particular interest in, monitor, and survey the progress of forthcoming legislation, especially that having a particular impact on my home province.”
Macleod listed his priorities as an MP, chair of the Environment Select Committee and member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
They included a focus on local government, upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act, energy, and helping to allow farmers to get on with farming without being bogged down with bureaucracy.
“I’m also hoping that hui of recent weeks, and the upcoming Waitangi Celebrations, go some way to reassuring Māori that the National Party are not here to remove te reo from the New Zealand landscape, that we do value te Tiriti as our founding document, that we will uphold and respect all treaty settlements, and that we want better health and education outcomes for Māori along with every other Kiwi.”
In closing, Macleod paid the biggest tribute to his immediate family, his wife Leasa and their three children - Reuben, Phoebe, and Isaac - before addressing his fellow MPS.
“We are in these roles for just a moment in time,” he said.
“It is our daily activities and behaviours that will decide how good a guardian each can be. Time will measure that.”