Our family has always been intensely political. Much of my grounding was from my mother and father, who always took an interest in what they could do to make things better for our community and iwi.
Growing up on our marae in Rähui Pōkeka [Huntly], I had many dreams, from being a hairdresser to a mechanic, a lawyer and an accountant.
But in 1996, I stood against five other mature Māori men for the [Te Tai Hauāuru Māori seat] Labour nomination.
I felt I was an outsider, that all these men had lived their lives and done things, and I was relatively new, with limited life experience by comparison.
I got in as a list MP in 1996, but stood again in 1999 for the Māori seat and held it until 2023.
The induction new MPs get now is fabulous, but then we basically got a few pieces of advice breathe through your nose, look and learn, and operate as if it were to be on the front of the Sunday newspaper.' The rest was learned by doing and, as the youngest, it was sometimes hard to figure out what this place was all about.
This was during the time Tainui was going through its [iwi Treaty] settlement.
It wasn't a positive process and my dad, who was very involved in negotiating, wasn't popular.
There was a view he was pushing me into politics.
He was proud of me, but I remember him saying, 'This is a choice only you can make because if you get in, you'll have to accept responsibility for your choices.' My own tamariki [children], Waiwaia Nukutawhiti, 14, and NiuaCybele, 11, haven't known anything else except Mum in politics. My husband Gannin Ormsby, 55, has kept home a very stable base so our kids have not been negatively impacted by me being in Parliament.
We got together in 2001. It was challenging because we are first cousins and society has a view about that. But in many of our whakapapa Mäori [ancestry], it's not an unusual situation.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The perfect GETAWAY
From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes
Message in a BOTTLE
Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills
Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE
Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills