Tamati Coffey, the Labour Party MP for Waiariki, will draw on inspiration from family for his maiden speech. Photo / File
Tamati Coffey, the Labour Party MP for Waiariki, will draw on inspiration from family for his maiden speech. Photo / File
Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey will be drawing inspiration from his grandfather George Te Roro o Te Rangi Hori when he makes his maiden speech in Parliament on Wednesday.
A maiden speech provides new members an opportunity to set out their backgrounds, their values and ideals and what they want to achieve as MPs.
Coffey admits he is at ease in front of large audiences but it is a trait possibly inherited from his mother's father.
"I wouldn't say that either my mum or dad are big on public speaking but my grandfather represented his iwi on the paepae all over Rotorua. I will be drawing on his skills when I make my speech."
Coffey will speak ahead of the other new MPs, something he is grateful for.
"It's a real privilege to have been chosen by Jacinda to speak first. Hopefully it means she thinks I can spark things up from the onset while also leaving a good impression, and that she has confidence in my ability.
"No pressure or anything," he laughed.
Coffey said he has always felt confident when speaking in front of a crowd and his experience in front of a television camera has also helped. But asked if he was a little nervous before the event, Coffey initially said he wasn't sure, but then admitted the answer was yes.
"I spent the weekend penning some thoughts and writing a draft. I also viewed other maiden speeches and have borrowed a few tips from the people who have gone before me.
"I have a fair idea what I'm going to say. Am I finished? No. Will I be before Wednesday? I hope so."
Tamati Coffey, the Labour Party MP for Waiariki, will draw on inspiration from family for his maiden speech. Photo / File
Coffey says he plans to weave in and out of te reo Maori during his 15-minute speech.
"An MP's maiden speech is somewhat of a tradition and one you hope to make an impression with. Not everyone gets to say something on their way out but we all do when we begin."
He said the past few weeks since election night had been busy but the hard work was just beginning.
"We've almost been in limbo since September 23 but, as of the past two weeks things have moved quickly. We [the Government] have a meeting room for caucus and I have an office where I can actually put my bag down.
"The feedback I've been receiving from people is that they are impressed about how quickly things are moving. There can be a perception, or a danger, that MPs are constantly in a hui or going from one hui to the next, but that's not what we are doing.
"We've hit the ground running."
Coffey said plans were being put in place to deliver on what had been promised and what can feasibly can do within three years.
"You have to have a list and you have to have a deadline."
