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Can, can everyone hear me? Yeah! Alright, come through, please come through, come through, take a seat. Um, I know it's a little bit different from the maiden speech. First and foremost, thank you to all the Purple Power people who have come to support, um, my wife, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, and her final hoorah, um, here in, in this place. Te whanau whanau, love yous a long time. Um, and to our families and close friends, thank you. [00:00:30] So those who went to her maiden speech, we had lots and lots of people, it's a little bit more intimate today, but we're still going to spread news out, um, and because there's been the flu bug, and people have been responsible, and have messaged in. Saying they don't want to bring their bugs to this place. Yay! And so they've stayed home and they'll send in purple energy. So those who've made it, we appreciate it. Um, if you haven't got your waiata words, um, grab a folded bit of paper. Um, don't [00:01:00] worry if you can't sing, just move your lips. Um, Te Whanau Whanau have got your back. Um, what's going to happen is that eventually, those stickers that I gave you, um, has a, should have G and a letter, either A, B or C, um, Kerry and myself and maybe some other ones who know their way around this warren, will call a section and will take you through to the gallery to get you seated. Um, I'm looking at them, they're still speaking, awesome. Um, [00:01:30] Elizabeth is scheduled to speak at 5. 45, however, if the house business is running ahead of time, they will just roll in and get her to speak. Um, hence the reason why we appreciate you guys coming in early. Um, we know that we've had people travel from Auckland who have had delayed flights. People who've travelled from Invercargill, Nelson and Dunedin and Christchurch, um, we appreciate that. I myself travelled from Gisborne via Napier. I had to drive to [00:02:00] Napier and get on a plane, but I'm here. Um, and what we're going to do, we're going to listen to Elizabeth's speech and go, wow! And then we're going to file out and we're going to come back here. We're, we're gonna take some photos, um, we're gonna get a group shot, there will be some nibbles, okay, nibbles not a feed, nibbles. That's emphasised to my family. Um, so there will be some nibbles, but there will also be an f poss bar. If someone wants [00:02:30] to shout me an alcoholic beverage, um, but there'll also be, um, free, um, lemonade, juice, and, um, Coca Cola for the non drinkers. That's on Elizabeth and, and I. Um, but alcoholics, buy your own. Um, what else? And then, so you can mix and mingle, there'll be a slideshow of.. We have the fabulous Elizabeth just going on loop, and then we have one of her favourite cover bands, Whitechapel Jack, who made it [00:03:00] on a delayed flight from Auckland. Um, they will play a few songs for, um, us to have a bit of a boogie. And then we'll wrap up, and those who want to go and have.. Um, the feed, uh, there's the Thistle Inn, which is not too far. That's where my family went for the maiden speech. Um, we can go over there. Um, and then I think, I think that's it. Who's got the time? Who's got a watch? Five o'clock. Excellent. Alright, let's go through the wine. So thank you. Thank you for listening to me. Love you long [00:03:30] time.[00:04:00] [00:04:30] [00:05:00] [00:05:30] [00:06:00] Rip Budita, Rip Budita, Rip Budita, our tablets are there, and we want[00:06:30] them. So, we are at Parliament and we are about to listen to Elizabeth Kerekere's valedictory speech. Yeah, there's a whole heap of us and lots of people in purple, um, and I'm not wearing purple but I did bring my umbrella which is rainbow but I can't take it in with me. So anyway, I'm ripping it on the inside. Can you describe the scene in front of us? Well, there's a sea of people wearing all [00:07:00] sorts of different shades of purple, uh, clothing or accessories. And a few people are wearing masks. And there's a real diverse group of people. And we're all here to, um, celebrate and, um, give our tautoko to, uh, lovely Elizabeth. And I think we're actually moving up to the gallery now. Can you, um, describe Elizabeth's time in the house? Oh, she's just been a.. Spark of light, and um, especially for um, [00:07:30] Takatāpui, for our rainbow communities, for especially standing up for our transgender communities. She's been amazing, um, she, she, she's such a fighter, and I just think it's a huge loss to these halls that she's gone, you know, that she's going. But I don't think that her mahi will stop here. If you had three words to describe Elizabeth, what would they be? Oh, queen. Um, ha ha ha. Um, oh. Just. [00:08:00] Fabulous, and a fighter. Yeah. Hopefully you'll get a chance to speak to her tonight, but if you don't, what would be something that you would say to her? Oh, I'm totally here for you, wherever you go next. Um, I have got your back. I am.. Um, just with you for life. Yep. So, um, I'm Bella. Um, I have been a out activist trans woman since I was 11 years old. One of the first hui that I went to [00:08:30] was, uh, in 2011 and it was organised by Elizabeth Kerikeri. Yeah, um, and so tonight we are listening to Elizabeth Kerikeri's valedictory speech here in Parliament. It's a real privilege to be here and to support my friend, my family. It's been a real journey for Elizabeth, uh, in the time she's been here in Parliament. What do you think her legacy, her parliamentary legacy is going to be? Uh, I think that, uh, the media and [00:09:00] society will always villainise, uh, women and.. Women of color and, uh, Pasifika and Maori women, that's just what we've seen. But I think, from a community perspective, we have seen ourselves represented. We've got visibility, um, and I think it's just another one of those small steps of being, having the door opened for others to come after, which is just as powerful and important. If you had three [00:09:30] words to describe, um, Elizabeth. What would those three words be? Uh, beautiful, empowering, and, uh, a trailblazer. And if you, uh, have an opportunity to, to speak to her, which I'm sure you will tonight, um, what would you like to say to her? Oh, that I'm proud of her, and that, um, I'm really grateful that, you know, she's put herself out there and, you know, taken those steps just to even start conversations. Like, sometimes we [00:10:00] forget how important it is, just that base visibility and authenticity. Um, we all know that Elizabeth is not one from shying away from being her bold and authentic self, and that's what we love. We love seeing the colour come into Parliament and the.. That authenticity, you know? Talofa lava, kia ora. My name is Alofa Aiono. Um, probably claim to fame as the wife of Dr Elizabeth Kerekere. And today, it's her last hurrah speech, her mic drop speech, her [00:10:30] valedictorian is what they call it, statement. Um, because my wife is retiring, um, from Parliament. Um, and you can find her link to her speech, um, online I think. And then you can, um.. Have a listen, um, I'm sure it's going to be entertaining. The last three years have been such a rollercoaster. Can you, um, sum up for me what it's been like for you? Oh, wow, look, it's, it's a privilege, you know, it's an honor and privilege, um, to be [00:11:00] in this place by association, um, my wife always said that, um, you know, it's not guaranteed how long she'll be here, she thought guaranteed three years, how much can she get done, um, for the communities and, uh, whanau that she represents. And I know I'm her biggest fan. Um, but I'm not her only fan. And I am so proud at what she has achieved as a one term parliamentarian. So, what do you think some of those biggest achievements have been? Her biggest achievements? Look, [00:11:30] um.. Well, where do you start? Like, um, Elizabeth was involved with, um, the actual membership of the party, um, before she became a parliamentarian, so she helped with writing policy for the Green Party, she, um, helped with, um, restructuring, um, actually, um, living the kaupapa Maori values. Um, that the Green Party, um, stand by in terms of it being, um, tangata te tiriti. Um, and just the stuff she's done [00:12:00] for, uh, rainbow communities and iwi and takatāwhi and women. Um, yeah, amazing. I don't know where to start. Look. If you had to describe Elizabeth in three words, what would those words be? Um, three words, oh my goodness. Um, powerful. Um, uh, result driven. I know that's two words, but the Samoan can't count. And, um, and passionate, kaupapa driven, eh? And, um, yeah, [00:12:30] that's her. Yeah. And finally, um.. If you had anything you wanted to say to her tonight on, on tape, what would that be? Um, look, I tell her I love her every day. Um, every day, um, she does something that makes me even more proud. Um, we celebrated, uh, next year in February will be 32 years together. And so, my secret is, is that I just hold on and I don't let go. And anyone that knows Elizabeth is that, um, she's a doer. She moves really [00:13:00] quick and if you don't hold on, um, she will, um, leave you where you are for you to sort of catch up and, um, because she's got stuff to do, eh? Thank you so much, Gareth. Okay, I'm going to go take my seat. Okay. I call on Dr Elizabeth Kitikire to make her valedictory statement.[00:13:30] Pat McGill.[00:14:00] I thank you so much for your support and advice, especially over the past few months. I also acknowledge the former Speaker, the Right Honourable Trevor Mallard, who once sent me a note in the House [00:14:30] to say that my purple sequin jacket was stretching the definition of business attire. But shout out to Parliamentary Services, who indeed are the best people supporting the best Parliament in the world, and especially my Relationship Manager. Uh, Jane McKenzie and those who have supported my office as we've transitioned. Ka mihi mahi, uh, tōku whānau me oku hoa, [00:15:00] uh, nōku hoa kātua kua tāi mai, uh, tēnā rā tātou kātua. Greetings to my colleagues, my whanau, all of our friends and community people who are here in person and watching online as we hashtag paint parliament purple one more time. I have gathered you here to tell you a story. It is a story of hope, of expectation, of hard work and very late nights. [00:15:30] of laughter and of tears. Not mine though, apparently I'm not allowed to cry. There is scandal because no one is surprised that I would challenge the powers that be. But there's also betrayal because the powers that be don't like to be challenged. And as number four on the Green Party initial list this year I thought I was on a heartwarming two part series and it turns out I was on Survivor and I did not see the blind side coming. However, it is ultimately a [00:16:00] story of triumph because very few people ever get to be an MP. And I sit proudly on my seat up in the naughty corner, uh, because it is an incredible honor to serve those who put me here. And I will work hard for them every day. Uh, mihi atu ki te pāti o ACT, uh, for granting me this space to speak to you all here tonight. As I said in my maiden speech, change happens at many levels. And for some change, for [00:16:30] takatāpui Māori and rainbow whānau, it can only happen here. And I'm really proud of the things I've helped usher through. Because real power and real change lies in community, and with whanau, where I come from and where I gladly return. In 2020, I came in as part of the most diverse Green Caucus ever, and with four rainbow MPs, we.. I proudly claim to be the proudest party in the proudest parliament in the world. I continue to hold [00:17:00] out hope for our next trans non binary or intersex representative who will one day follow in the footsteps of the late and great Jordina Beyer. I came into the Green Party and eventually into parliament after over 40 years of working for our people on Te and Kaupapa Māori things. And over 35 years on youth development and rainbow issues. My focus has always been on our health and our well being and for suicide and violence [00:17:30] prevention. I lead the Maori strategy as chair of Te Matawaka, uh, the Maori Pacifica, uh, Caucus of the Greens and shout out to the incredible Te Matawaka staff who supported that mahi. Tēnā rā koutou katoa. Our highlight was our meetings with the authors of Matike Mai and He Pua Pua, to focus our efforts for the rights of whangata whenua, radically shift the way we make decisions together in this country, and to work towards a [00:18:00] future our ancestors dreamed of when they signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We supported occupations around the motu including at Ihumatao, Putiki, uh, Aotea, and Mauwhenua. We encouraged whanau, hapu, and iwi to reach out to us so we could work alongside them. Uh, using our platform and resources to amplify and progress their kaupapa. Operation Patiki ki Kohupatiki Marae reached out to us through the Greens Hawks Bay, Te Matau a Maui branch, and welcome to [00:18:30] both of those ropu who are represented here today. In February 2022, Aki Piper, known as Te Kuini o te Awa, shared a vision to restore the mauri of te awa and enhance the well being of the people through the return of its original name, Ngaruroro ki Mokotuararo ki Rangatira. We supported their petition, two full applications to the Geographic Board, visiting Hastings nearly every month and talking almost every day on the phone. In June we [00:19:00] celebrated that success. It was an exciting, exciting day with the official renaming of Te Awa o Mokotuararo. We were devastated when only a month later he passed away in his sleep. Her legacy lives on, and my office will stay committed to Operation Pātiki, uh, in her memory. Another favourite was when the whānau of Te Waimana Kākū, who are also represented here tonight, reached out to us a year ago. I was proud to host them here in Parliament, and they shared their vision [00:19:30] of their people with jobs and houses on their own whenua. And the devastating impact of the sudden halt of a joint hapū government. project that had promised or they thought had promised to bring their vision to reality. After I raised questions in the house and arranged meetings for them with ministers and their officials, they had their deposits returned and the project looks set to resume. Now those houses aren't built yet. But again, [00:20:00] we remain committed to supporting them until one day we're seeing those being built and their whānau back home. It is in the rainbow space that we have been the most transformative government. Shout out to Rainbow Greens who are with me every step of the way and several of whom are here in the house. In 2021, the Greens led the news at Waitangi for the first time, uh, talking about takatapui rights and banning conversion therapy. My record breaking petition was launched at Auckland Pride [00:20:30] and garnered over 150, 000 signatures in one week, pressuring the government to pass legislation sooner rather than later. I joined the Justice Select Committee for the also record breaking numbers of submissions and hearings. I also joined the Governance and Administration Committee for the BDMRR. To ensure that our trans, non binary, and intersex whānau could more easily change their birth certificates. We've made progress for those people who are born here, but there's work to do [00:21:00] on those who are born overseas. We will keep going. One of my single proudest things is putting the term Whakatāpui into legislation for the first time in the Pai Ora legislation after So very long of researching, promoting, and advocating to be able to do that, uh, was an incredible, incredible thing for me. And my member's bill, I put that in the biscuit [00:21:30] tin, like, just around my maiden speech, and it got drawn. Just in time to exist, and we'll see what happens in the next government. But it was the Human Rights Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Gender Identity and Expression and Variations of Sex Characteristics Amendment Bill. Again, putting a stake in the ground in law for our trans, non binary and intersex whanau. Uh, [00:22:00] and a quick shout out to the Human Rights Commission, uh, and the cross party, uh, Parliamentary Rainbow Group. We have.. supported Idaho, but and, and loosely through our respective parties contributed to all the legislation that has happened in this area. So that was some of the great stuff. There were other things not so great. A few months ago, I had a falling out with the co leaders of the Green Party, which led to my resignation from the party and my [00:22:30] retirement from Parliament. I don't know if anyone here noticed it, it was handled quite discreetly. And actually it was not fun. Day after day, week after week, month after month, I watched while, uh, increasingly unfounded and increasingly elaborate allegations were made about me. Uh, they also claimed that these issues were being resolved by some sort of process [00:23:00] that they had underway. I categorically dispute all such allegations. So this email was sent to my lawyer from the so called process team. Dated 7. 14pm Wednesday 3rd of May. A full four weeks after the original incident. And I quote. As previously discussed, please find attached draft terms of reference for the next steps in our process. You will note that the listed [00:23:30] complainants are just Marama and James. This is because we have not received formal complaints from anyone else at this time. So to recap, no formal complaints, no natural justice, and never a process, let alone a tikanga based one. I consider this to be an epic failure of leadership. I've been a leader for most of my life and mentored many other leaders and especially [00:24:00] amongst our young rainbow people. So here's some tips on how to be a good leader. If a staff, person or MP expresses concerns with how they've been treated, address it immediately. Follow a good faith and restorative process. If a staff member or MP is bringing concerns about racism or other behaviour from other MPs and senior staff, perhaps address those issues. If allegations have been made about someone, perhaps talk to that person to clarify the facts before you start vilifying them in public. [00:24:30] And lastly, if your organisation has a clear principle of non violence, perhaps do not engage in ongoing abusive behaviour. Many people, many people have asked, even after all this, why I still support the Green Party. I've given them, I support the vote in the House, except of course for the therapeutic bill. But I am as committed to our charter principles of ecological wisdom, social responsibility, appropriate decision making and non violence as I ever was. [00:25:00] I support the Green Kaupapa and policies, several of which I helped write and use from Māori frameworks I created, as in fact, the entire restructure. Of the party was based on a Maori framework I created. Some of the people I love and trust the most in this world are green party members, including my wife, , under Juris, um, and my staff Kerry Pei and the former party co convener. [00:25:30] And I'm to all the green members from the cus across the country who are in the house here tonight. Uh, Particularly to the other former party co convener Penny Lynch and her girls who are here all the way from Munich. Uh, because I still think of this as my party, and one day I plan to be back. I've got work to do, but I will never apologise for calling out racism, homophobia and transphobia wherever it occurs.[00:26:00] Speaking of calling out, like many people, I thought the theatre of the debating chamber was indicative of relationships in this house, but of course it is not. The thing that most surprised me when I became an MP was how collegial it was. And we know we get most of the real work done in our select committees and cross party parliamentary groups. I am such a big fan of a house select committee. I am so proud to do that work and it is the time when I [00:26:30] most feel like a lawmaker is in that space working with my colleagues. I have such huge respect for the chairs and the members of that committee. And just a shout out to the staff who do incredible work. We've gone through 67 petitions. in our job and I have appointed myself as the editor in chief of all reports and papers that come through that committee. I also became co chair of the parliamentary friendship group for North America with my colleague Nicola Grigg and I'm a [00:27:00] member of the Europe friendship group that involves hosting a meeting online with dignitaries across those regions. Last year my highlight was visiting colleagues and Six European countries in just two weeks, including seeing the European Parliament in action and listening to Paul Goldsmith play music of a Lithuania composer on a grand piano in Lithuania. Less fun was when our entire delegation's luggage went missing and it chased us across [00:27:30] Europe for the last week. I was also part of the New Zealand Parliamentary Population and Development Group and supported events by the Commonwealth of Women Parliamentarians. A highlight for me was the combined celebration we held last year for being the first parliament in the world to get 50% women representation. But I am most proud of being chair of the Wāʻat committee. Shout out to Tasha Fernandes and the crew for their stellar work. We opened Te Papakura gallery and increased the representation of women and Māori [00:28:00] artists in the collection with the purchase. of six new major works. This is a workplace unlike any other. Being in Parliament leaves its mark on all of us. Like I never used to work with the TV on, but now Parliament TV has been the soundtrack of the last three years. Now, Not only can I recognise every single voice in this house without looking, I don't know how I will function without hearing the dulcet tones of Andrew Bailey or Grant Robinson, or hearing the Honourable [00:28:30] Ginny Anderson tell the Honourable Mark Mitchell one more time, including today, uh, quote, how the 1, 800 extra police will help New Zealanders feel safe. I have never taken this job for granted. Because the goal was never to be an MP, the goal was to do what only an MP could do. Now I know how everything works, I can operate better as an advocate, advocate in the future. I said in my maiden [00:29:00] speech that I would work respectfully across the House, and I hope that my colleagues have found this to be so. And that regardless of who is in government after the dust settles, those MPs who remain, We'll take my call if I ring. And to be clear, I'm not starting my own lobby company. Only because none of the communities I represent can afford to pay me. After parliament, I will put my energy back into my [00:29:30] research and ensuring Paiora actually delivers everything it claims it will for Maori, Pacifica, women, rainbow people, people with disabilities and rural areas and with rare disorders. Now I promised a triumphant end to the story. When I became an independent MP, we heard the horror stories of previous independents who struggled without the machinery of their party. I aimed to, number one, be the best independent MP ever in this Parliament, and number two, to go out in style. [00:30:00] History will decide the first, and I would like to thank all of you here today for helping create the second. My colleagues, you are all welcome to join our party tonight. There will be food, drink, a cashless cash bar, and dancing. Shout out to, uh, my favorite band, White Chapel Jack, who have come down from Auckland to perform for us. Because if you want to catch up with me, you will need to go onto the dance floor. Finally, as I like to say, why do we get up in the morning [00:30:30] if not to change the world? I've done that in every other part of my life, and with all of you. I've done it here and I'll strive to keep doing it after I leave because this Is not the end of my story.[00:31:00] [00:31:30] [00:32:00] [00:32:30] [00:33:00] [00:33:30] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah. Oh yeah, yeah. Mm hmm. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, Kia ora, ko Talia[00:34:00] tōku ingoa. I am [00:34:30] the co chair of the Wellington Pride Festival and it was really emotional in the house. Tonight. Um, fire is so inspiring and you know, it, it hurts to see that she hasn't had, um, the most peaceful exit that she could have had from Parliament. She's been such a leader and such a strong person in the community. She's made so much happen, especially for Wellington Pride. So yeah, it was really emotional tonight. What do you think her, uh, biggest legacy will be? Oh, [00:35:00] her works. The writings that she's done, uh, her thesis, yeah. The Hitsakata voice stuff is just inspiring. And.. Pioneering! Yeah, she's the first to have done works like that and it really has like opened doors for a lot of other takatāpui. That was amazing to hear. I hadn't realised that takatāpui was the first time in legislation due to Elizabeth Kepeke. Yes. Yes, very much so. And, uh, you know, I [00:35:30] think that any leader in the community, you know, you stand on the shoulders of those who come before you. And, um, I stand on the shoulders of Elizabeth and, and she opened many doors for me to be able to do the work that I've done in the community. So yeah, I'm just really proud of her and really thankful for her. If you could describe Elizabeth in three words, what would those words be? Hilarious comes to mind first. She's so cheeky, um, hilarious, intelligent, [00:36:00] advocate. Kia ora, I'm Laney, um, and I'm a member of, um, Te Whanau Whanau. And, um, we went in as a group and sat together. It was, um.. Strange seeing her on the side of the opposition, seeing Elizabeth come in and sit. But she, uh, uh, her speech was amazing and she handled the whole situation so well. And she spoke so, oh, holistically for, uh, every aspect of, of her life. [00:36:30] Beautiful to hear, really. What was the feeling like inside the, um, the house? I thought people, I don't know how they knew that you, you were not permitted to clap or look like that, but you could click, and I can't, but people can, eh? So, um, there was a lot of, uh, clicking. in support of what she was saying and, um, Ah, I'm blown away by her speech. I thought that it was, it covered every aspect, [00:37:00] um, of her, of getting there, of what had changed for her, of the incident that led to her now leaving, um, and she spoke. So clearly about that, and, and, uh, um, vigorously, and you could hear the passion in her voice, eh? But, um, but she then moved on and recaptured, and I thought that was a wonderful way to finish, to recapture, um, um, hope and, um, the things she'd enjoyed [00:37:30] about being in Parliament. I thought, um, the, what do you call it, the holism, holisticness of her speech was, was lovely. Um, and it was wonderful to be with, just to see the whole gallery full of people that knew her from every aspect of her life. Her whanau, um, her wife's whanau, uh, Lofa's whanau, uh, some of us friends that go back. Decades and decades, uh, Te Whanau [00:38:00] Whanau that she, she started, um, other groups that she's, uh, um, supported, uh, and have, and have come to support her tonight. It was just, um, a beautiful. Uh, crowd, uh, in the gallery, wasn't it? And, uh, it was lovely to be there. And to have come to her, what do you call it? When she was welcomed. To come when she first arrived, and then come back. Uh, that's [00:38:30] the least we could do, is come and take her away. From a place that, she talked about the support, but from a, from a, a place that's also caused a lot of hurt, eh? Anyway, I'm blown away by her dignity, so. Kia ora, it's Tabby Besley here from Inside Out Koaro. I've just been in the house to watch, um, Elizabeth Kirikiri's final. Hurrah, shall we say. Well, hopefully not the final. Um, so we've been here, lots of [00:39:00] us wearing purple in support in the gallery to watch her, and I guess thank her for all the work that she's done. And, yeah, I guess it was mixed, mixed emotions, um, pride. Yeah, being able to see, see her and what she's contributed and, um, have someone that's been such an incredible figure in our communities, um, you know, in this place that is Parliament, um, and also obviously, yeah, sadness and anger at kind of, yeah, obviously what, what's happened, um, that's led to her being, having to leave.[00:39:30] I thought it was very interesting, her final comments around about that she wasn't here as a, uh, she wasn't here as a Member of Parliament. She, she came in to do work, not be a Member of Parliament. Absolutely, and I remember actually, oh, I don't know what year it was, years ago, before Elizabeth, um, ran. Ran for the Green Party the first time. I remember being at a hui and she asked a few of us our opinions on whether we thought that she should run for Parliament and join, kind of, join the Green Party in that way. Um, or not [00:40:00] kind of stay in the community. I remember, um, I remember saying I thought she should stay working in the community realm and that, um, you know, that we can do so much change in this realm. But she was, um, Yeah, obviously took a lot of time to think about it and, and gave, gave it a go and we've been so lucky to have her, um, in here doing that community work, um, it hasn't felt like she's, you know, changed as a person, she's still been so accessible and, um, always in support of what we're, what we're doing in our kind of organisations and communities.[00:40:30] Now, Elizabeth was organising, um, kind of queer youth whoies way back in the early 2000s, maybe 2008, 2009. Did you go to any of those early works? I absolutely did. Yes, um, the SS4Q and Kaha um, Hui that happened in those days. Um, and that, yeah, it was definitely a big inspiration of, yeah, that led, led to, um, the Shift Hui that Inside Out does now. And so when you think back about those early youth Hui's to today, [00:41:00] um, what are the kind of key things you think of when you think of Elizabeth and her activism? Uh, it's just phenomenal, like how much she has.. has done and, um, the quality she has as a person, just that kind of relentless dedication and passion, um, and she likes to call on her, you know, her Scorpio strategic mind, um, and her ability to, yeah, to get things done and to, um, yeah, always kind of follow through with what she believes in and I think she's always, yeah, from [00:41:30] the time I've known her, always, um, been like that and it's just got stronger and stronger, um, in it. Now, Um, If you wanted to say something on tape to Elizabeth, what would that be? Oh, just, thank you. Thank you so much for, um, everything, and for what you've had to put up with, um, you know, being in this kind of colonial.. Probably inherently quite queerphobic system, um, but you've been a voice for us, um, [00:42:00] and that's, yeah, hasn't gone unnoticed, it's been so appreciated, um, and there are so many people that, yeah, have seen what, the work that you've done, um, here, but more so out in the wider Thank you. In the wider communities and, um, yeah, we're just so grateful and we'll continue to stand by you and work with you and yeah, we're incredibly lucky to have had you and even if it was just this three years kind of in Parliament that has made a difference and an impact and it will give so many [00:42:30] people coming forward that, um encouragement, I think, as well, and that strength that, um, they can be someone that enters these spaces, too. So, my name is Will Hanson. I am a trustee of Tipuranga Takatāpui o Aotearoa, Um, and at the moment, I'm at the, uh, after party, I guess you'd call it, for Elizabeth Kirikiri's, uh, valedictory speech. Um, there's a whole bunch of people dressed in purple, lots of very lovely, friendly faces, lots of chatting. I think there's a, um, sense of [00:43:00] excitement. Everyone's waiting to see Elizabeth. She's just, I think, being hounded by the media downstairs. So, uh, yeah, it's a really lovely warm atmosphere. So what was it like, uh, hearing, uh, Elizabeth's valedictory actually in the, in the gallery? Uh, it was really cool to see her speak in the gallery and I, I guess I was there for her maiden speech. So it's kind of exciting to be there for her valedictory speech. And aside from her maiden speech, you know, this is the second time I've been to the gallery. So it's really cool to just see in the flesh [00:43:30] her and this is where she's been for the last three years and been doing so much advocacy for queer people and other communities. So it was really special to be there in person and support her and show up in all the purple. So if you had to sum up Elizabeth in three words, what would they be? Oh, that's a lot of pressure, three words. Um, courageous, um, fabulous, and kind hearted.[00:44:00] Yeah, I'm pretty proud of her. I'll just share a little story. I was, I sort of said to her, I'm going to look for a rubber microphone so that when you finish, I'll drop the mic from the gallery. You can imagine what she said to that. So, um, that didn't happen. Um, and I'll just share another story. Thank you to all those who have traveled, those who were delayed in Auckland and still made it. If you missed her speech, it'll be, [00:44:30] um, online. We'll post up the link. But I'm going to share a story. You know, I was thinking, why am I nervous? Why am I so nervous? And I'm going to take a line. I was celebrating a friend's PhD and her cousin did a line where she said her cousin's PhD is her PhD. And I thought, why didn't I use that? So, I'm going to use that line. The reason why I'm nervous is because this valedictory speech is my valedictorian speech. [00:45:00] So thank you, whanau. Thank you for coming and listening to our speech, our statement. Um, thank you for supporting my wife. Um, we're a team. She always says that she can't do anything without me, and vice versa. So, she will join us. Hey, there she is![00:45:30] Hey! Hip hip, hooray! Alright, so a lot of people are going to want a group photo as well, so don't disappear. Um, and so, and we'll get the, I'll get, we've got a couple of speeches, that's right, we've got a couple of speeches, so grab a drink, grab some food, and I'll get directions from my wife. Thank you, kia ora. Okay, we're gonna start off with [00:46:00] a dear friend. Remember I told you the story about the cousin who was at the PhD of a friend? This is the friend. So, um, the newly, um, Dr. Megan, um, is gonna say a few words first, and I'm gonna hand her the mic. And listen carefully, I'm, I'm gonna hear this for the first time as well. So here you go, Megan. And after Megan, who have you got, Elizabeth? George! Excellent! Okay, here you go. Kia ora koutou katoa. Uh, thank you for this [00:46:30] opportunity to speak and to be here tonight to celebrate you, Elizabeth. Um, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Megan Brady Clark, and I'm talking tonight, uh, on behalf of a group, um, of amazing women, scattered throughout the room, I thought they might be in a cluster, um, called the Kick Us Wahine Crew, so dubbed by Elizabeth. Um, we're a group of friends who met through the Green Party, having all been actively, very actively involved at one time or another. [00:47:00] Back in 2021, near the start of this electoral term, the Kick Ass Wahine crew decided to meet up. We'd been working together online for a while, but we decided to have a full two day workshop to plan, talk and strategise. Now the first thing that has to be said about this is that it was January. Parliament didn't start sitting until mid February, so most MPs were as far from the beehive as possible, resting and relaxing [00:47:30] on holiday. Not Elizabeth. On those beautiful sunny days, Elizabeth had flown in from Gisborne to sit inside, pull out the felt pens and the post it notes and get on with the mahi. She turned up with an absolute determination to get the most out of those two days, holding tightly the weight of responsibility for all those whom she represented in Parliament. We covered a lot in that hui. We talked about parliamentary [00:48:00] processes, Green Party internal processes, policy, media, members bills, admin, the Green long term strategy, constitutional change, you know, your normal fun summer holiday topics. And it could easily have been utterly overwhelming and daunting. But Elizabeth has a remarkable clarity of vision, an ability to see past the noise and the game playing, and to just get on with what needs to be done. No matter the topic, Elizabeth [00:48:30] kept us grounded on what matters. She was there to make change, to advocate for things larger than herself. That is what she had done before her time in Parliament, and that is what she continued to do throughout her time in Parliament, tirelessly and fearlessly. And despite the rather dry topics, we actually had a wonderful time. We told stories, we laughed, we commiserated, we shared food. Elizabeth was there [00:49:00] to work, and we were there to support her work, but we were also there to support each other as people. That weekend and every other time that I've worked with her, Elizabeth has made space for us to bring ourselves fully into the room. Values like aroha, justice, compassion and dignity get thrown around a lot in left politics. But Elizabeth lives them. I've felt first hand her love and her upholding of my [00:49:30] complex messy humanness and I've witnessed it in her relationships with others. I also see it in her political work, where she fights to improve the lives of people, particularly those marginalized by the current systems, never forgetting that behind all the numbers and policy and jargon of parliament, there are real people with real lives being impacted. Today, thanks to Elizabeth's work, the world is a safer [00:50:00] and brighter place for so many of us. I'm in awe of Elizabeth's bravery. To live with such integrity. To be so true to herself and her values. And yes, that does include the ability to somehow rock sequins and feathers even during the daytime. I'm not exaggerating when I say that there have been times when faced with a difficult situation, I've asked myself, what would Elizabeth do? And I don't [00:50:30] claim to have always channeled her perfectly, but the answer is always consistent. Find what matters, and be true to it. In your maiden speech, and again tonight, Elizabeth, you put forward a question. Why do we get up in the morning if not to change the world? You made incredible, important changes during your time as an MP, but you also changed the world before you arrived in Parliament, and I know you'll keep changing it after your time here too.[00:51:00] And so I want to thank you, Elizabeth. For your relentless courage and integrity, for being an indefatigable champion of justice, dignity, and aroha for all of us. We love you, and we're so excited to stand alongside you as you continue to change the world. And I have a small token on behalf of Kick Ass Wāhine, Greens, and a few other community people of our love for you. Tēnā[00:51:30] koutou katoa, ko George Parker, tōku ingoa. I was so honoured and admittedly a little bit petrified, uh, when I was asked to speak this evening, uh, because nothing could mean more to me than the opportunity to honour you, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere. When I was thinking how I might put into words my [00:52:00] feelings of awe and deep appreciation for you, Elizabeth, My hand reached, as it is, uh, want to doing these days, to my chest, where the toro, the albatross, hangs, uh, that you gifted me after an intense day of Trans Pregnancy Care Project research hui in the hills of Otokonui on a spring day last year. A precious taonga that reminds me every day what it means to do the work we [00:52:30] do so that rainbow lives can flourish. Grounded, uh, in relationships that are based on trust, respect, and aroha. That has been my experience of you as we have continued to travel down the braided river of work and friendship, Elizabeth, and I thank you for it. The mighty tōrua. Signifies beauty and power, splendor and strength, but [00:53:00] also freedom, stretching traditional boundaries and territories, as this mighty bird explores uncharted waters. Though it circumnavigates the globe, the to is uniquely of Altura and always returns home to the OTA harbor. A place where Elizabeth and I are both very fortunate to share whanau connections. Elizabeth, on behalf of [00:53:30] our vibrant rainbow communities of Altura, so, uh, many of whom are represented in this room tonight. You are our mighty tōrua. Your enduring leadership in uplifting takatākuitanga and our rainbow communities in Aotearoa is beyond outstanding. Your contributions during your term in Parliament have been phenomenal. Your matauranga ti Wharetaka Tātui is [00:54:00] world leading, opening powerful new pathways for rainbow flourishing through the decolonisation of knowledges about gender, sexuality and sex characteristic diversity. So this journey in Parliament, uh, this flight of the tōrua may be over for now, uh, but the next journey awaits you, and you have our love and support every mile that you travel. And in honour of our mighty tōrua, [00:54:30] the albatross, I wanted to read a poem by the very beautiful Hone Tūwhare. Day and night, endlessly, you have flown effortless of wing over chest expanding oceans far from land. Do you switch on an automatic pilot? Close your eyes and sleep, Tora. On your way to your home ground at Otago Heads, you tried to rest [00:55:00] briefly at Wai o te mata. But you were shot by ignorant people. Crippled, you found a resting place at Whanganui a Tara, found space at last to recompose yourself. And now, without skin and flesh to hold you together, the division of your aerodynamic parts lies whitening, lit clean by sun and air and water. Children will discover narrow corridors of eeriness [00:55:30] between the suddenness of bulk. Naked, laugh in the gush and ripple, the play of light on water. You are not alone, Taurua. A taniwha once tried to break out of the harbour for the open sea. He failed. He is lonely. From the top of the mountain nearby he calls to you, Hare mai, hare mai, welcome home traveller. Your head tilts, your eyes open to the world.[00:56:00] We love you, Dr. Elizabeth. Kia ora, Megan and George. Awesome. Now, last but not least, we've got our, um, whānau who have travelled, um, here to.. Yeah, I'm just going to give you the mic. Howie, um, you can come up here and do your stuff. Love you long time, brother. Thank you so much. Thank you. Um, [00:56:30] tēnā tātou Um, Elizabeth, tēnā koe. Um, I'm just going to be very short and very sharp. Um, Elizabeth's already sort of touched on, um, a kaupapa that she worked dearly with one of our aunties, um, Aunty Aki Piper, who sadly passed away just a month ago. So thank you for acknowledging her in the house tonight, um, Elizabeth. Um, it really means a lot to our whānau that are here tonight, but also to the rest of our hapū, our whānau back home, and [00:57:00] especially her sister, our mum. Um, so, marere tēnā. Um, 15 years ago, this is about you. Um, but 15 years ago, um, Operation Pātiki was launched with a profound vision, and that was to, quite simply, restore the mauri of our taiao. Led by Hori ki Heretaunga, sisters Aki, Akinihi Paipa, And Margie McGuire knew that this meant starting with the wai.[00:57:30] Te Awau o Mokotuararo became Aunty Aggie's swan song, so to speak. And three days before her passing, she convened what would be her final hui, which just happened to be with a whole lot of Ngati Kahungunu reo tohunga. And as the meeting went, Aunty sort of told them that this kaupapa, and what it meant to not just the hapu, but to the rest of us in our community. But also to the rest of us throughout [00:58:00] Aotearoa. And it is something that she was truly passionate about. Um, and that was the naming, the changing of the name from Clive to.. Um, but, to be very honest, without your help, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, that would not have happened. I don't want to be a bit of a waterworks. Um, this is [00:58:30] a quote from Aunty Aggie, um, when she first met with you. This is her quote. I met this lady, and she was the thing of the thing of the thing. She was fabulous. She reigns ignited in me. The true essence of what it means to be mana whenua, to be mana wahine. Woman doing kaupapa for our people. So, with that, um, on behalf of [00:59:00] our hapu, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, we'd like to present you with a taonga just recently woven by our sister Ani. The name of this kete, Ani can present it to you, is Te Awa o Mokotuararo. Thank you so much. We'd also like to acknowledge, and this is about [00:59:30] Dr. Elizabeth, but there's one other person that Aunty wanted to adopt. She said to us, uh, three days before she passed, when we rang her, I'm going to find my who, she's going to be my daughter. Um, and Elizabeth's going to be my other daughter. Um, and Kerry, could you come forward please?[01:00:00] This kete we would like to present to you on behalf of our whānau, our hapū. And the name of our kete is Pātiki. That's it. Thank you so much. Kia ora whānau. [01:00:30] Yeah, I'm crying. Um, just in case you didn't realise, um, Kerry.. Uh, Kerry Papey has been my wife's, um, rock in this place. Um, she's my best mate, and yeah, um, I said, If I can't be in that place to look after my wife, I need someone that I can completely trust. Who I know will take multiple bullets. And um, and that's my mate Kerry. Uh, don't be fooled by her [01:01:00] size. Um, back in the day when we played softball, and I used to drink a lot, and we used to go party, and I used to ring up Elizabeth and say, well I'm just gonna go out with the team. And Elizabeth used to say, is Kerry going? And I go, yep. And she goes, okay then. Um, and, um, yeah, so, love you Kerry. And what you probably, some of you may know and don't know, Um, with Elizabeth leaving this place a bit earlier than we had expected, Um, I [01:01:30] had to go back and get a job. And yeah, someone hired me. Um, I got a job. But also, um, not only is Elizabeth's job no longer, Um, Kerry's job is no longer. Um, Kerry was able to look after my wife, um, but also meant that her wife, who's in, um, remission of stage 4 cancer, was able to leave her job. So there's repercussions. Repercussions that those [01:02:00] people that chose to do this. Um, still chose to do this. So Kia Ora, thank you for your support. Um, Kerry, got you for life, love you long time, mate. And, um, and the other shout out is, is to my family. Um, and to Elizabeth's family. Um, you guys, I, there's no words to my beautiful aunties and to my cousins. Um, over there, they're the really good looking ones. That's my family. Um, to my sister [01:02:30] and, and to the rest, they couldn't be here because they did what they needed to do. They stayed home because they got the flu. Uh, Elizabeth and I got the flu, but we managed to get rid of it before this speech. So, look, I'm going to see who's next. Um, the other ones that I will shout out to are all our green whanau. Um, those that are still part of the party, me, yes, under duress. Um, but also those who made us, who made us stand and left [01:03:00] the Green Party because they just could not stomach staying with a party that did this. Um, but as my wife said, still party vote green to get really good candidates in. Um, like the awesome official Collins, like the awesome Stephanie Rogers, like the awesome Darlene who's sitting over here. Uh, we still got really good candidates people, um, that can represent us in the house. Okay, so that is me. Who is next on the list? You, Elizabeth? We're gonna [01:03:30] get a few words from the lady, and then she will probably ask the band to start. And then, and then that's us, okay? Love yous, and um, here we go. Bye bye. Oh, kia ora koutou katoa. um, poa. I hadn't got so far as thinking about saying things right now. [01:04:00] I just want to thank.. All of you, everyone who's traveled, all our whanau, our friends, our community, people who are always here for me. And I hope you always know, I will be always here for you. I'm going to work my way around the town, around the room. Um, not the town. I was serious about dancing. We will be moving some of these tables further [01:04:30] back. Uh, but I'll come around, visit each of you, have a catch up. And, uh, I thought maybe I'd stay here for a couple of terms. And it's ended up to be one, but when we started, because of course, as soon as I employed Kiri, we sat down and had a strategic planning session for the two of us on how we're going to work, and we said, if we only have three years, if that's all we [01:05:00] have, what must we do? And we have ticked off all of the things that we needed to do. And as.. All of the legislation, all of the things that need to happen in this place that affects so many of us. Those of us who are Maori, who are Pacifica, who have disabilities, who live in rural areas. All of the things that need to happen here. I put out that [01:05:30] and the House, and I said, I hope you'll take my call. Several of the mps who came up, including National Enact people, said, I'll take your call. And it is no, it is a waste of time to be putting down people because they have views I disagree with. I will always look for what binds us. I will always look for how we move forward together. Uh, the stuff that happened, [01:06:00] uh, it was hard seeing, uh, all those kind of lies being told about me over and over again. But my communities came out in support. People I didn't know thought, that can't be true. And I'm so, so thankful for that, because actually in the end, like I care what they think. Seriously. Like I care. I got asked today, were you worried that the rest of the Green Party members weren't sitting in their houses? Like, I didn't [01:06:30] notice. I wasn't looking. Um, but in the future, this is still made up of people I care about and I will still be connected with all of these things. Thank you so much. This gift of the speech, my speeches in the house is as Thank you so, so very much. And the kete, oh my gosh. And the gifts other people have given me. Thank you. And all of this, just saying, I [01:07:00] might need to take some of this off to do my best dancing. Um, but thank you. I will treasure all of the things. The very last thing we would like to do is We've got someone, hopefully, with a camera, or get your camera up to you, is um, we would like you all to come into the central place, and just acknowledging that some of my parliamentary colleagues are here, so, and I expect some more of them to come later on, um, you're [01:07:30] always, always welcome. We'd like to invite all of you. To come into this middle and we're gonna look up here and get a photo, a group photo of all of us say, come on over, Koto. Love you, . Let's go people. Father space.[01:08:00] [01:08:30] [01:09:00] .
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