Listen Now: 
National’s new Northcote MP Dan Bidois has made his maiden speech in parliament, highlighting his Ngāti Maniapoto connections and setting out his political philosophy
The former butcher turned economist and business executive took the seat in a by-election on June 9 brought about by the resignation of former Health Minister Johnathan Coleman.
He credited his affiliation to National to his late grandmother Millicent Harding, who became a staunch supporter of the party after her local MP, Rob Muldoon, helped her into a state house in Glen Innes in the 1960s.
He says his adoptive parents gave him an appreciation for the value of hard work, personal responsibility and private enterprise.
His own story, that a high school dropout can graduate with a Masters degree from Harvard, speaks to the promise of growing up in a free and equitable country like New Zealand where any kid, no matter where they come from, whatever their skin colour, or which school they attend, can succeed if they have the determination, aspiration and work ethic to do so.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
