KEY POINTS:
First-term MP Kate Wilkinson was a Christchurch lawyer before she entered Parliament rather nervously. She tells Ruth Berry the House now holds no such fears.
Kate Wilkinson
Single, 49.
She entered Parliament as number 38 on National's list, is now ranked 28 in caucus.
Christchurch MP.
A lawyer, she has the industrial relations portfolio, retained consumer affairs and associate justice.
You've just finished your first year in Parliament. What has surprised you?
I've actually been surprised that I've enjoyed it so much, every aspect of it; the House, the select committee work and the electorate work. I must admit I was a wee bit nervous about the work in the House but that doesn't frighten me at all any more.
What's been your most embarrassing moment as a fledgling MP?
Getting lost on my first day and not being able to find my office and being shown to Georgina Beyer's office by mistake.
How does being an MP compare with your previous job?
In many ways it's similar to being a lawyer, the electorate work especially, because I'm used to helping people and now I don't have to fill in timesheets. It's a job I feel very privileged to have, there's so much variety but it's harder work.
What are you passionate about achieving in Parliament?
The one thing I'm passionate about is this country. I would like to try and make a difference when it comes to raising some of the standards - by not getting into some of the personality politics. I think there are more than enough issues out there we should be debating.
Why were you given a portfolio promotion recently?
I think I got lucky. I have been enjoying what I have been doing. I think I've been getting a wee bit of profile in my work in relation to the courts. I'm totally flattered by the responsibility that's been placed on my shoulders.
What portfolio issue are you most interested in and why?
In my role as associate justice spokesperson, I'm actually interested in the legal aid issue and the court delays issue. In my role as industrial relations spokesperson, I'm very much in listening mode and getting to grips with the intricacies of the portfolio.
You've raised a lot of concern about domestic violence protection orders?
I'm disappointed the minister hasn't listened to those concerns. When battered women have to defend themselves in court because they can't get a lawyer on legal aid to look after them, I think that is a sad state of affairs
That's not access to justice as we've come to expect. The legal aid issue needs to be addressed.
As of March, another 435,000 people will be eligible for legal aid, yet our figures show family legal aid lawyers have halved in the past 12 months and the minister just doesn't see that there's a shortage of lawyers willing to do legal aid.
What stands out about National's new leadership team?
I think it's a great new team; it has been called the dream team. They're relatively young, the caucus is full of energy. I think John Key is a special leader and he'll make a great prime minister.
Does the party need to be more centrist and if so why?
I think you have to be careful when you use terms like centrist. We've got core National Party principles and philosophies and that's what we were founded on and I don't think we should depart from those principles. Having said that we also have to have policies that are wanted by the voters, so it's important to get that balance right without departing from those core principles.
Which MPs outside of National have you made friends with and/or have respect for?
I respect the MPs in the Maori Party and some of that is that we went to baby MP training together and you get to know them in that sort of orientation time and you go into the House together full of ideas and full of ignorance as well. I was on the regulation review select committee and that's more of a non-partisan committee and I've enjoyed working with the other MPs on that.
What's the best book you've read this year?
It's not The Hollow Men. I can't remember reading a book that hasn't been a text. I've got Margaret Thatcher's biography to read, I'm looking forward to that.
Are you a Thatcher fan?
Not necessarily, no. I've read Churchill's biography. I enjoy biographies of successful statespeople.
