August 24, 2022
Rurawhe shows tough edge on road to Speaker’s chair
Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson says he’s proud of new Speaker Adrian Rurawhe – even is he did kick him out of the chamber last year.
Mr Rurawhe takes up the job as parliament’s referee today following the retirement of Trevor Mallard, who is to be New Zealand’s ambassador to the Republic of Ireland.
Mr Jackson says while he got ejected out three times during his first stint in parliament as an Alliance MP, this time it’s just the once – after he called the ACT Party “right wing fascists”.
“In a way it’s good he kicked me out because people might look at him as a bit ngawari but he’s got a bit of an edge as he showed in that video,” he says.
Mr Jackson will join other Maori MPs at Government House today to support the new speaker being sworn in by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro.