Chris Finlayson, National party, List

Chris Finlayson

You won the second-highest list ranking among new National candidates, virtually guaranteeing you a seat in Parliament. What do they like about you?

I think they value my experience. I'd been in the party for 30 years and held office at every level other than president. Over the past few years I've chaired the policy consultation committee and worked closely with the caucus policy committee.

You're a high-profile barrister. Why give up a better-paying job with greater privacy and probably fewer working hours to become an MP?

I've been in the practice of law for 25 years. It has given me a lot. I could go on living a very comfortable life but I want to do something for my country.

You're tipped as a future Attorney-General. Are you after the job?

I'd love to be Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. I'm very interested in the energy area and infrastructure issues. Because of my background as chair of the arts board of Creative NZ, I'm very interested in arts and culture.

How do you rate current Attorney-General Michael Cullen and his predecessor, Margaret Wilson?

Margaret Wilson suffered from a lack of understanding of litigation, which is why she mucked up the Ngati Apa decision. Michael Cullen suffers from the fact he's not a member of the profession.

What would you have done with Ngati Apa?

I would have filed a motion on appeal to the Privy Council and shut the thing down for a couple of years.

You appeared before the Privy Council many times. What was your most memorable experience?

Appearing for the British Government ... defending a judgment of the Court of Appeal enforcing a confidentiality contract against a former member of the British SAS who wanted to publish a book contravening it.

You worked for Ngai Tahu for many years. What did you do and how did that inform your views?

Treaty settlement and general litigation. One of my proudest days was when Jim Bolger and Tipene O'Regan signed the deed of settlement. I think the Treaty settlement process can work and National can be proud of what it's done.

Tell me about your friendship with Bill English.

I've known Bill for many years. I think he's an extremely able man. We share very similar values and very similar educational backgrounds except he went to (St Pats) Silverstream and I went to St Pats town (Wellington).

What is the one thing you would most like to achieve in politics?

I'd like to help finish the Treaty settlements so New Zealand can truly be one and we can move ahead as one country. The Ngai Tahu settlement is a sign of what we can achieve.

You've been actively involved in arts promotion for many years.

Do you have one true love and do you have a favourite work?

The NZ Symphony Orchestra is my overarching love. My favourite work: Beethoven's Seventh Symphony.

You're gay but you've never involved yourself in the battle for gay rights. Why not?

It's just never been an issue, really. People are many things. I'm a conservative, I'm a Roman Catholic. There are many parts to my person. Sexuality is only one take on a person.

What were your views on the civil union legislation?

It's flawed. Marriage is a heterosexual institution and I would not want to think that anything would be done which would harm that institution. I think it's [civil union] marriage using a different term.