6.20pm, Tuesday 18 March 2008

Thank you for that very warm introduction. As Speaker, and here to represent Parliament, I’d like to say that I am delighted that the organisers have recognised the importance of Parliament’s role in the promotion of racial harmony.

Parliament is uniquely placed to promote the theme of this year’s Race Relations Day - ‘Finding Common Ground’. Parliament is the institution with the legitimacy and authority to resolve in a peaceful way what may appear to be irreconcilable differences. Parliament has this authority because it represents the diverse interests of the community and because the representatives are elected through a democratic process. New Zealand is lucky to have one the most democratic electoral systems in the world.

Differences are resolved in Parliament through debate, discussion and negotiation. The task is not an easy one for Members of Parliament, but all are dedicated to the peaceful resolution of disputes. Demands are constantly on us to deliver to constituents while also recognising that we are also under a duty to maintain the rule of law and act in a democratic manner. It is therefore important that from time to time we can gather such as we are here today on Race Relations Day to discuss issues of importance and to share our experiences with each other.

I am also here today as a lawyer, a teacher and a politician who has worked with others in the community to ensure human rights are not only incorporated within our laws, but more importantly we live and act on a day to day basis within a human rights culture.

I and others were active in the campaign to enact our Human Rights Commission Act in 1977. I learnt it was important for women to be there when decisions were made. We could not leave it to others to represent our interests. We had to put ourselves forward. It made me realise that there were not enough women in Parliament and there never would be unless we organised . . . . and organise we did.

Today we have 40 women Members of Parliament. That is 32.7% of MPs while the 2006 census showed that women make up 51.2 of the total population. So some distance still to go, but with the exception of Jim Anderton’s one-member Progressive Party, every political party represented in the 48th parliament has women MPs.

It is also important that ethnic representation in Parliament is recognised. There are now 23 Maori MPs, 18.8% of the total number. This means Maori are represented in Parliament in greater numbers than they are in the general population where they make up 14.6%. The figures are not quite so good for Pacific Islanders, where the four Pacific Island Members make up 3.7% of the number of MPs compared with 6.9% of the population.

Our Asian population is more poorly represented. The two Asian Members make up 1.6% of the total while Asians make up 9.2% of the total New Zealand population.

I have recently approved a request from Ashraf Choudhary MP to designate a select committee room as the Asia room. This is an appropriate way to recognise the contribution of Asian people to Parliament and New Zealand. It will join the Maori Affairs committee room and the Pacific room on the ground floor of Parliament House.

In New Zealand, Race Relations Day provides an opportunity for us to raise awareness of the need to connect our diverse communities and build a climate of inclusion and openness. This is achieved in a variety of ways, through education, accessible information, events such as this one, debate, discussion and representation where decisions are made, both locally and nationally.

I thank my colleague Hon Chris Carter and the Office of Ethnic Affairs for again hosting Race Relations Day.

This is an event which places strong emphasis on the fusion of cultures in New Zealand. While acknowledging there are very real challenges, it aims to set a positive, vibrant tone around our race relations.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak and best wishes for a very successful event.

Ka kite ano