Angie Warren-Clark Labour MP

Our thoughts are with community members affected by the recent deluge, especially families who have lost their homes.

We are thankful they weren't injured. Our neighbours in the Coromandel have declared a state of emergency, giving emergency services additional power to respond and our services faster and greater access to national resources.

The Prime Minister has announced a new direction with the Government's focus on the cost of living. The minimum wage has been increased by rate of inflation to $22.70 from April 1.

The TVNZ/RNZ merger will stop entirely.

The social insurance scheme will not proceed this term; and neither will the Human Rights Amendment Bill, which will be referred to the Law Commission for guidance. The biofuels mandate will be stopped, and the Government will consider changes to Three Waters in coming weeks.

This year's Waitangi Day dawn service at Te Whare Rūnanga with our new leader and line-up was poignant. Raised in Northland, I've been going to Waitangi since I was a little nipper. The day Te Tiriti o Waitangi was first signed is always a time to reflect, listen and consider the relationship between the Crown and Māori. I consider how blessed I am to have benefited from my people coming here and our lineage being entwined in the various whakapapa of Aotearoa. With this privilege comes a duty to ensure equity. I'm optimistic that moving forward unity will be a theme in Aotearoa that we can look ahead to a collaborative future.