Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
Hon PEENI HENARE (Labour): Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. Tēnā koutou katoa. I stand in support of the motion and endorse the words of the Prime Minister in congratulating all of our athletes, who did an absolutely stellar job at the Olympics in Paris. I’m reminded of the cheering that comes from the hallways of this House. I’m reminded of the many conversations that are had in this House and outside of this House about how proud we are, as we cheered on our athletes in their sports. Can I also endorse the words of thanks to their coaches, the administration of sports right across New Zealand, and in particular the families, many who made the trip and many who did not, who stayed home and cheered on their loved ones as they competed at the highest level.
With all those thanks, I’m also reminded of just how important Māori culture is on the international stage. We saw our athletes not only partake in the haka but also speak te reo Māori, marking our difference as we competed on the world stage with athletes from around the world. Athletes like Eliza McCartney, who can deliver a full speech in te reo Māori in thanking the support that she received from fellow athletes and also those administrators and whānau who made it there to support her. I’m proud of the way that New Zealand stands on the world stage. That will no doubt continues as our Paralympians make their way to the Games to compete on the biggest stage in the world, and I look forward to making sure that this House supports our Paralympians as we get behind them and they compete against others from around the world to once again hoist the New Zealand flag high above everybody else.
I heard what the Prime Minister said about our track and field gold, and I do want to acknowledge, as was mentioned to me by one of my colleagues, Dame Yvette Williams, who was one of our famed Olympians, a gold medallist in long jump, if I recall correctly, in 1952, I think it was, in Helsinki, who did us all extremely proud. When I think of the legacy of the likes of Dame Yvette Williams and so many others, we know that the record-breaking attempts and efforts of our athletes in Paris, in the most recent Games, will continue into the future. We now put Paris behind us, and we look forward to supporting our Paralympians and, of course, as we have a view towards the next big sporting commitment for our Olympians, which is in four years’ time.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I stand in support of this motion. I thank all of our athletes, their whānau, and administrators, and I say to our Paralympians, “All the very best.”
