One of Te Pāti Māori's newest MPs has spoken about how she feels as though the new Government "has attacked my whole world from every corner".
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who won the seat of Hauraki-Waikato in October's general election, was one of several MPs who gave their maiden speeches at Parliament on Tuesday.
Tākuta Ferris from Te Pāti Māori, plus National's Tim Costley also delivered their speeches.
Maipi-Clarke opened her passionate kōrero with a rousing haka.
"I was given some advice before making it into Parliament - to not take anything personally or it'll eat you up."
She said she can't help but take everything said in the House personally.
"In only a couple of weeks, in only 14 days, this Government has attacked my whole world from every corner."
The 21-year-old then listed off several Government policies she considered to have done so.
"Health, taiao (environment), wai (water), whenua (land), natural resources, Māori wards, reo, tamariki," she said.
"How can I not take anything personally when it feels like these policies were made about me?
"I am not fearful of this place, or this debating chamber."
She also said becoming an MP was never in her plan.
"I was perfectly fine growing my kūmara and learning maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), but this House kept tampering with things they shouldn't be touching, and that's why I left the māra (garden) to come here."
Watch the full speech above.
This article was amended on December 13 because it incorrectly stated Maipi-Clarke is the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP. She is in fact the MP for Hauraki-Waikato and the story has been amended accordingly.
