Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
SUZE REDMAYNE (National—Rangitīkei): E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kua huihui mai neit. Tēnā koutou katoa. To all the different people and cultures, to all distinguished persons, to everyone gathered here, I greet you all. Thank you, Mr Speaker, and congratulations. In three short weeks, you’ve demonstrated the institutional knowledge, good grace, fairness, and humour you bring to this esteemed office. Prime Minister Luxon and the Hon Nicola Willis, I am grateful for your relentless focus and leadership and your confidence in appointing me junior whip. To National Party President Sylvia Wood, thank you and your team for an invigorating campaign and your unwavering support. To the people of the mighty Rangitīkei electorate, it is an honour and a privilege to be your MP.
I’ve been to Parliament many times, as a student drawn by the antics of question time’s lively debate and as a Parliamentary Service employee—you’d think I’d know where the car park was. But I must say it is different now. I feel the trust placed in me, the weight of expectation, and a commitment and a determination to serve, to be Rangitīkei’s strongest advocate and a voice for rural and provincial New Zealand, for all of our diverse communities and interests. Rangitīkei represents quintessential heartland, rural, and provincial New Zealand at its best. It’s where community is not just a word; it’s who we are, it’s how we are.
It’s great to be here. I couldn’t have done it alone, and I didn’t. I pay tribute to our members, in particular our electorate executive, boldly led by Shelley Dew-Hopkins; to our caucus club; campaign donors; cottage meeting hosts; and our team of volunteers. To my campaign team, especially the newbies who lowered the average age by about 20 years: Louise Mason, Jack Monckton, Patrick Coogan, Finn McDonald, and Isaac Grant—and thank you for being here. The Ōhākune crew: Bruce and Steph Rollinson and Nikki Riley. And the matriarchs: Elaine, Sue, Di, Marguerite, Claire, Marion, and my fabulous mother-in-law, Gaylen. You all are the beating heart of every election campaign, and I’m truly grateful.
I was born and raised in Wellington. I grew up in a close and caring family, with parents who recognised the values of integrity, generosity of spirit, education, and a strong work ethic, where we were reminded that good manners don’t cost a thing. My mum, born Robin Cuddon, and my dad, Michael Dossor, came from Marlborough. By sheer luck, Dad grew up on a farm in Rapaura. His dad, Robert, left York in his early 20s. He planned to be a mounted policeman in Canada. His best friend wanted to go to New Zealand to be a farmer. They flipped a coin, and here I am. Mum was a hostess with the National Airways Corporation—fabulous and elegant still, Mum. Thank you for everything you do and everything you are. I love you. Dad enjoyed a 50-year career with Turners and Growers—the banana man. He was proud of the fact that on his watch, New Zealanders ate more bananas per capita than any other country in the world. A marketer and a great communicator, Dad got on with everyone.
We moved to Samoa for a couple of years. I went to kindy there. My brother Mark was a novelty with his blonde locks. Emma, my sister, was born in Apia. This ingrained in our family a love and affinity for the islands, which is still celebrated. My youngest sister, Rach, arrived when we moved back to Paremata, when the topic of conversation was the merits or not of Transmission Gully, at an eye-watering $2 million—if only. After graduating from Otago University, I worked at ACC. This would prove a defining experience for me, the power of public service to make a material difference in the lives of others.
Mum and Dad inspired us to travel, and I’m grateful they encouraged me to go and see the world in order to better understand my place in it. In 1991, I left Napier on a Lauritzen reefer bound for Antwerp with my friend Kath Grieve—28 days on a ship, we touched land once to refuel before going through the Panama Canal. It was the start of a six-year adventure spanning a myriad of jobs and three continents, on a shoestring with a backpack. I loved it.
I landed back in New Zealand, and before I knew it I was married to my best friend Rich and living at Tunnel Hill, a sheep and beef and forestry and maize farm in Turakina. Three children in 3½ years was brutal but brilliant. Sam, Ruby, and Sophie are now in their early 20s and making their own way in the world.
In 39 years, Rangitīkei has been served by three National MPs. I’ve had the privilege of knowing each of them, and I’ve worked with two. Hon Denis Marshall, former Minister of Conservation, continues to this day to be a conservation pioneer through his New Zealand Nature Fund. Hon Simon Power was a great mentor and astute strategic political mind. Asked when he retired what he thought was the greatest quality required of an MP, he said, “Empathy.”—I agree. Ian McKelvie reinforced my belief that above all, politics is about service. It’s about being part of the communities you represent. I’ll be for ever grateful for his selfless commitment to helping others be the best version of themselves—and I won’t forget what it looks like either. Together, Ian and Sue are a formidable team. May I also claim the Hon Tama Potaka—tangata pekapeka, the Batman, the second Minister of Conservation to come from Rangitīkei. His wings grew strong and his senses were finely tuned during his formative years in Rata.
Working in the electorate office for 20 years has given me unique insight into the social, environmental, and economic fabric of our region. I’ve walked many miles in others’ shoes. I’m genuinely motivated by helping people, and, stripped back, I believe that’s the fundamental role of an electorate MP. I’m well aware the staff in these offices play a critical role. To my outstanding colleagues over the years: Norma Humphreys, Peter Bamba, Christine Nagle, and Jane Cameron—and, of course, Bernadette, Leanne, Kay, and Ainslie, who’ve agreed to stick with me. I’m grateful for your determination to find solutions and make a difference for the people who seek help.
The mighty Rangitīkei electorate covers the area of 12,500 square kilometres, from Taumarunui in the north, to Shannon in the south. The Whangaehu River forms our western boundary to include Rātana and my home town of Turakina We skirt the edge of Palmerston North, to take in Massey University and the IPU technical institute, Summerhill, and Aokautere. The Rangitīkei River carves its way from the headwaters of the Kaimanawa Ranges south to the Tasman Sea, and gives us our name. It translates: the day to take great strides. Well, here we are.
Feilding is our biggest town, with a population of almost 18,000, followed by Marton, Taumarunui, Ashhurt, Taihape, Ōhākune, National Park, Sanson, Hunterville, and Santoft. We have five great mayors serving across our communities. We have no traffic lights, but we love a good roundabout!
Feilding High School has produced nine All Blacks—three players in the team which played in this year’s Rugby World Cup final were old boys. Sport crosses cultures and backgrounds here, and is the glue that binds many of our isolated individuals and communities together.
We are the centre of gravity for the New Zealand Defence Force, with the greatest military presence of any region, including Ōhakea, Waiōuru, and Linton.
We share Mount Ruapehu with my friend the Hon Louise Upston’s Taupō electorate. Our maunga is a key player in the abundance of tourism opportunities that our region has to offer.
We are exceptional food and fibre producers in the Rangitīkei. We grow it all: beef, lamb, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, and wool—for New Zealanders and the world. We have a rich diversity of cultures. Many who first arrived as seasonal workers across these industries now proudly call Rangitīkei home; their contributions enrich our communities.
Rich and I launched our paddock to plate business, Coastal Lamb, in 2010, with Rangitīkei at its heart. We did it with the support of many local and national businesses and our farming partners, some of whom are here today—Pat and Catherine O’Neill and Hugh Lilburn, hi. The business was built and has grown because of relationships. We’ve travelled around New Zealand and the world, telling the story of our lamb and hosted our in-market partners and some of the world’s best chefs at Tunnel Hill. We’re all connected and they’re all very much a part of our business and our story.
Innovation flows in many forms in Rangitīkei—87 percent of all the petrol pumps in New Zealand, and 30 percent of those in Australia, are designed and manufactured in Marton. We have entrepreneurs revitalising the wool industry, exploring alternative land-use, and developing alternative fuels.
This city girl found herself in the country, and so it was Rangitīkei that would eventually bring me back to Wellington and to Parliament, with a proud resolve to celebrate who we are and what we have, and equally to be a voice for what needs fixing. Our role is not just lawmakers and regulators; we need to provide vision. It’s our job to inspire. Government can lead change.
Sustainable farming is not an oxymoron; it’s what most farmers—and all good farmers—do. We can’t make a living from the land without kaitiakitanga, without caring for the land and the soil, embracing biodiversity. We need a regulatory framework that’s built from the bottom up. Our catchment groups are doing a great job; let’s use them to drive water reforms. Let’s keep it local. Our farmers need to be empowered. New Zealand’s economic recovery starts in rural New Zealand.
Social investment provides early intervention and unlocks potential, and using the knowledge and experience of local organisations, like Manchester House in Feilding, and Mōkai Pātea in Taihape, will be the key to our success.
We have 78 schools, with rolls ranging from seven to over 1,500. We need an education system that’s aspirational. Education is the path to a job and a key to breaking the cycle of dependency. As a country, we’re failing our most vulnerable. But we’re also failing our kids in the middle and those at the top. They all deserve better. Thank you, Erica Stanford, for leading the way.
Technology has changed the world we live in, but its benefits are not shared equally. Our phone network and internet coverage in Rangitīkei is embarrassing. You’ll soon be able to enjoy uninterrupted broadband service flying on a plane with Air New Zealand, but you can’t drive more than 10 kilometres in Rangitīkei without dropping out of service.
Fielding, a town of 18,000 people no longer has a 24-hour police service, and the boy racers, amongst others, exploit it. Our community, our businesses, and our wellbeing wears it.
I will work hard to ensure that our businesses and farms grow and that our towns and communities and way of life can thrive. I will work hard to ensure no one is left behind and that those who need it get a hand up. I will champion local issues and I’ll help solve local problems.
To my family, you will always come first. Sam, currently working on a farm in Wales and who is eager to one day take the rein of Tunnel Hill, a farmer from day dot. Ruby, my wise and insightful daughter, a lawyer and banker with Rabobank, so proud of her rural roots. Sophie, fiercely competitive and driven, a salesperson since she could talk and whose now territory sales manager for Coca-Cola. I love you all and I’m proud to be your mum.
Rich, your focus, energy, and drive is inspirational. I couldn’t have done this without you. Thanks for luring the townie 200 kilometres up the road and showing her what the best of New Zealand looks like. I love you.
To those who are no longer here—Rich’s dad, Will, and to my dad, who would have so loved this ride; I promise you’re right here, Dad.
It’s clear I’ve seen and been part of the genuine sense of community that comes from living in rural and provincial New Zealand. Rangitīkei’s been my home for 26 years. It’s my tūrangawaewae. I found a real sense of purpose in rural New Zealand, where it’s about we, not me; our people are modest and humble—in Rangitīkei, show ponies wear a saddle; where the core National Party values of strong families, caring communities, and hard work are part of our daily life. I want Rangitīkei to be seen and heard. I want Rangitīkei to be proud—proud of the strength of our towns and communities, the diversity of talent, the pockets of excellence, the hearts of gold, the rich diversity of our social fabric.
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe’s words speak of Rangitīkei, where we roll up our sleeves and get on with the job. That is what I will do: get on with the job of serving the mighty Rangitīkei and all who call our fantastic part of the world home.
[Applause]
