Teanau Tuiono (he/him) Palmerston North

Being able to use parliamentary processes on behalf of the communities I love and the environment we all rely on is what motivates me as an MP. Passing a members’ bill as an opposition MP, despite having the most reactionary right-wing government in a generation, demonstrates my ability to get things done in difficult circumstances.

I am often stopped in the street by people whose grandparents had their citizenship stripped from them during the Dawn Raids period, who now express gratitude that their citizenship has been restored through the Green Party’s Restoration of Samoan Citizenship Act. I am also the first Green Assistant Speaker of the House which requires the ability to manage strong personalities and conflict between political parties which has given me a unique perspective of how Parliament works.