'Realisation of a childhood dream' - Muller's maiden speech

Bay of Plenty National MP Todd Muller. PHOTO/FILE

Bay of Plenty National MP Todd Muller says coming into parliament is a realisation of a childhood dream, "and I commit to work for all of you, to advocate without fear nor favour and for the good of all our community".

Mr Muller acknowledged his predecessor Tony Ryall, during his maiden speech tonight.

"His extraordinary performance as Health Minister is well documented, but it is his integrity and work ethic for the people of the Bay of Plenty that is the benchmark I will seek to emulate," he said.

Mr Muller called the Bay of Plenty home, "I went to the local school at Te Puna, then Tauranga Boy's College, then to University of Waikato where I followed my passion for public service and its contribution to history".

Politics was a passion of his from a young age, admitting he even wrote a book about his political future at a young age.

"I even wrote a book as a 10 year old that saw me elected Vice- President of the United States as a very young man in my twenties, become President upon the very unfortunate death of the then President, then go on to serve 13 consecutive terms until I think I died of old age. My Mum still has the story hidden away in our attic.

"Mr Speaker, I have always wanted to serve my community, and for me the vehicle for that service is the National Party.

"The National Party has been an integral part of my life since 1989, where I was welcomed into my first meeting with open arms, encouraged to speak, to contribute and typical of National Party values, the more I did, the more opportunities opened up."

EARLIER: Bay of Plenty National MP Todd Muller will today give his first speech as a member of the 51st New Zealand Parliament.

The first-time MP is due to speak at 5.40pm to make his maiden address.

Mr Muller was sworn into Parliament on Monday, October 20, and said the event was "very special".

"This has been something I dreamed of doing since I was 10 years old and to finally be here is very humbling," he said.