Scott aims to inspire success

HUMBLED: Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott says he is humbled by Wairarapa's support for him.PHOTO/FILE

Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott presented his maiden speech to Parliament on Wednesday, saying he was "humbled" by the voting support of Wairarapa.

He described his background as coming from a family of "doers" who believed that anything was possible.

"Make your opportunities and take them," said Mr Scott.

"Say yes before no, and then pedal hard, because I believe everyone has an obligation to have a go, to take opportunity and use their skills and experience to the best of their ability."

"I am here today because I wish to contribute my bit to the well-being of New Zealanders.

"I want to assist this Parliament to raise the standard of living for all.

"To do this, my goal is to encourage our young people to be winners, to take on the world, to believe that anything is possible and to take opportunities."

He said the welfare system, the "safety net", needed to be a "bouncy one" to get people back into the workforce.

"Not a hammock that becomes comfortable, and once you're on it, it is difficult to get off."

Mr Scott said New Zealand's tall poppy syndrome was a "handbrake" to the success of the country.

"Mediocrity is too often accepted, even demanded.

"There is a sense that success is not cool.

"We don't ask Richie [McCaw] to slow down or miss tackles so that a bench player can get on the field, we don't ask Valerie [Adams] to throw a shorter distance because we feel sorry for her competitors.

"We want them to win.

"The celebration and expectation of sporting success must be transferred to business and academia."

New Zealanders are not all equal, but "we can all do our best ... to achieve our dream."