APRIL 2021 IPR PĀNUI The latest from New Zealand Parliament’s Inter-Parliamentary Relations team FROM THE TEAM Welcome! Haere Mai! IN THIS EDITION... Inter-Parliamentary Organisations The New Zealand Parliament was formally opened in in the 53rd Parliament ........................ 2 November 2020, and in the last few months legislators have been busy in the Chamber and committees. Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the 53rd Parliament ............................ 4 Inter-Parliamentary activities have got off to an amazing start - we launched a new Inter- Tai a Kiwa update ................................ 5 Parliamentary Strategy, held an exhibition celebrating our Tai a Kiwa Pacific connections, and Wāhine o te Paremata Women of released a short filmWāhine o te Pāremata Women Parliament film release ...................... 6 of Parliament. Cook Islands Prime Minister meets In this edition of the pānui we introduce you to NZ MPs ................................................. 6 the new Chairpersons of our Inter-Parliamentary Our IPR portfolios ............................... 7 Organisations and Parliamentary Friendship Groups! Thank you for your support. Ngā mihi nui! The Inter-Parliamentary Relations team CONTACT Get in touch with IPR at [email protected] Follow New Zealand Parliament on social media: /NZParliament @NZParliament @NZParliament CWP New Zealand Co-Chairs, Nicola Grigg MP and Ingrid Leary MP at the International Women’s Day Celebration Breakfast. 1 INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ORGANISATIONS IN THE 53RD PARLIAMENT The New Zealand Parliament participates in the activities of three key inter-parliamentary organisations: the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum. These are global or regional forums that bring together parliamentarians to discuss global issues, propose solutions to international devel- opments, debate world events, and promote democratic ideals and practices. Membership of these organisations provides opportunities for New Zealand members to engage with the international parliamentary community, contribute to global debates and solutions to international issues, to build networks, and to develop professionally. Participa- tion also contributes to getting matters of importance to New Zealand and the Pacific Region on the global agenda. Full membership lists are available in the links to each group and we will update with news and events throughout the Parliament. INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION NEW ZEALAND Louisa Wall MP Chairperson Louisa Wall MP (Labour Party) is committed to promoting human rights and equality, and developing initiatives that benefit our society and protect the rights of our most vulnerable. Louisa is a passionate member and advocate for the LGBTIQ+ Rainbow community. One of Louisa’s proudest moments was helping achieve marriage equality in New Zealand with the Marriage Amendment Act in 2013, and she continues to work with and for our community to ensure LGBTQI rights are upheld in New Zealand and globally. Louisa also served for 8-years as Co-Chair of our cross parliamentary women’s group advocating for legislative reform to end all forms of female genital mutilation in NZ which was achieved in August 2020. Louisa’s goals for her time as IPU New Zealand Group Chair include advancing the role of parliamentarians in championing human rights defenders, protecting and realising human rights for LGBTIQ+ citizens, indigenous peoples and women with relevant stakeholders. Louisa believes that all of Parliament has a responsibility to hold governments to account. Louisa is also the Deputy Chair for Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) New Zealand and a member of Parliamentarians for Global Action. COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION NEW ZEALAND Hon Gerry Brownlee MP Chairperson Hon Gerry Brownlee has served as a Senior Cabinet Minister in both the John Key and Bill English led Governments, including as the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister soon after a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch on September 4 2010. His role expanded following 22 February 2011 when a 6.3 magnitude quake hit the city, killing 185 people and resulting in widespread residential and commercial prop- erty destruction. The earthquakes, and subsequent rebuild of New Zealand’s second largest city, are the country’s costliest event. Hon Gerry Brownlee has represented New Zealand as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and as Minister of Defence and had developed strong relationships with the Pacific. He is the Deputy Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee and serves on the Intelligence and Security Committee. 2 Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki MP CPW Pacific Steering Committee representative Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki is the Labour List MP based in Papakura who was first elected to Parliament in 2017. Tongan born and raised in New Zealand, Anahila has been able to act as a catalyst for action and change for women, social services and community groups. She is involved with Pacifica Inc, Tongan Language Year Committee, Radio Tonga, and is the VP of The New Zealand Tonga RFA. Anahila is also Chair on the Commonwealth Pacific Women Parliamentarians (CWP) where women delegates and MP’s unite to discuss causes affecting women in the Pacific regions and support representation of women in Parliament. Anahila will present at the CWP event in Uganda in September 2019. Wife and mother of five children and six grandchildren, Anahila has been a South Auckland resident since 2006. In her free time Anahila enjoys spending time with her family and cooking. Anahila is a member of the Environment Select Committee and the Social Services and Community Select Committee. COMMONWEALTH WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS NEW ZEALAND Nicola Grigg MP Co-chairperson Nicola Grigg is a first-term member of Parliament from the National Party. Nicola is not new to Parliament, however, with her career highlight to date being the years she spent working as a press secretary for both Hon Simon Bridges, and Sir Bill English during his tenure as Minister of Finance and Prime Minister. Nicola spent a number of years working as a reporter and newsreader for newsrooms around the country covering significant events including the Christchurch earthquakes, the Global Financial Cri- sis, and several elections. Member of Governance and Administration Select Committee. Party Spokesperson for Women, and Associate Spokesperson for Trade, Arts, Culture and Heritage. Ingrid Leary MP Co-chairperson Ingrid is a first-term member of Parliament from the Labour Party for the Taieri electorate which has drawn together urban Dunedin South with parts of rural South Otago. She has a strong, passionate voice representing the workers, beneficiaries, business people, superannuitants and farmers. Ingrid is a mother-of-three with proven experience in law, journalism, and public service. She has owned her own small business and understands the difference that stable leadership, health and safety, and economic security makes to the lives of people and their children. Member of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee and Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee. Ingrid is also the New Zealand Parliament’s Ambassador for Women Political Leaders. ASIA-PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM NEW ZEALAND Dr James McDowall MP Chairperson James is a first-term member of Parliament for the ACT party. James has a PhD, a young family, and speaks fluent Chinese. He has led the development of ACT’s Firearm Policy in the wake of the Government’s 2019 Arms Amendment Act. James owns several small businesses, including an immigration law firm. He has also worked for a large NGO in the mental health sector. James is a member of the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee and Party Spokesperson for Economic Development, Research, Science and Innovation, Immigration, Defence and Tourism. 3 PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUPS Parliamentary Friendship Groups help deepen New Zealand’s relations with other countries and assist in promoting parliamentary democracy. The groups provide members with opportunities for direct engagement with legislators from other countries and enhance understanding of re- gional and global issues, including through engagement with diplomatic and expatriate commu- nities. There are eight groups in the 53rd Parliament. Full membership lists are available in the links to each group and we will update with news and events throughout the Parliament. NEW ZEALAND - AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND - EUROPE Hon Louise Upston MP and Louisa Wall MP Marja Lubeck MP and Tim van de Molen MP NEW ZEALAND - LATIN NEW ZEALAND - AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA Ricardo Menédez March MP and Angela Roberts MP Andrew Bayly MP and Ibrahim Omer MP NEW ZEALAND - NEW ZEALAND - NORTH AMERICA NORTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Adrian Rurawhe MP and Nicola Grigg MP Melissa Lee MP and Tāmati Coffey MP 4 NEW ZEALAND - SOUTH NEW ZEALAND - PACIFIC AND SOUTH EAST ASIA Anahila Kanongata’a Suisuiki MP and Hon Gerry Brownlee MP Melissa Lee MP and Greg O’Connor MP TAI A KIWA New Zealand Parliament’s longstanding friendship and diplomacy with its Pacific parliamentary neighbours s celebrated in Parliament’s first exhibition of 2021. Tai a Kiwa: Stronger Pacific Parliaments is a New Zealand Parliament initiative which provides programmes, support and technical assistance to parliaments in the Pacific. Tai a Kiwa works with Pacific parliaments to build capability, capacity and efficiency.You