Nick Smith’s legacy

Putting aside the immediate situation within which the Hon Dr Nick Smith has become embroiled, there are significant achievements and a role to reflect on.

This MP has served his constituency with widely acclaimed distinction for longer than any other member in the House can even begin to reflect on (including those recently electorally departed and the current Speaker). The top of the South electorate has consistently benefited from his representation through multiple changes of Government. A thriving electorate that owes him a lot.

As the local MP, he fought assiduously and tenaciously for the collective and individual interest of those he represented. Available, effective, enduring and hard working are bywords used in the Nelson electorate. Many thousands locally over many years would confirm this in an instant.

Despite losing his electorate seat in the latest most atypical of elections, his dependability, conviction and reliability has enhanced Parliament’s credibility.

He has served not just as a Cabinet minister, but as a senior one holding a multiplicity of portfolios. His service has delivered a far greater depth of policy thinking, achieving greater pragmatic change, than anyone else in the current Parliament. Many MPs currently in the House will never ever emulate the time served, the accomplishments and the quality of policy provision that Dr Smith has achieved.

His legacy is not an employment dispute, but surely a record to be recognised and to be eminently proud of.

Murray Jaspers, Khandallah