The Green Party has sworn in its newest MP, Marama Davidson, who will take on the Māori development portfolio and sit as the fourth member of the party's Māori caucus.
New Green Party MP Marama Davidson after she was sworn into Parliament today. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
A powhiri was held for the Auckland-based mother of six at Bowen House this morning and she was sworn in before question time this afternoon.
"I'm really excited, nervous, but mostly honoured," she said.
Ms Davidson, who worked for the Human Rights Commission for 10 years, is known as a progressive voice for Māori aspirations.
"Just realising how big a deal this is actually for my family and the communities who have supported me to be here. This is huge. This is an incredible honour."
Her brother, Boyd Broughton, travelled to Wellington with his whānau in tow for the event. He said it was no surprise his sister had come so far.
"She was born arguing and has continued arguing throughout her entire life we've known her. So it's no surprise she's ended up in a place where arguments happen daily."
Ms Davidson came to prominence as the Green Party candidate in the 2013 Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election, where she came fourth.
She'll take on Māori development as her lead portfolio, and the social housing, human rights and Pacific peoples portfolios.
"I've loved being on the ground with people fighting for these issues because they are really important.
"Now that I'm in Parliament, I hope that I can be a voice at a different level."
Ms Davidson is from Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Porou and her arrival in Parliament means at least 25 of Parliament's 121 MPs are Māori.
She said she hoped it showed young women and Māori women they deserved to be heard, and that they had a valid contribution to make to politics.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said she was delighted with Mrs Davidson's arrival.
"She has a particular focus on community advocacy and on whānau. She's been deeply involved in huge issues like domestic violence but also cleaning up the whenua and Te Reo restoration."
Ms Davidson would be an incredible advocate for the Greens, as well as for Māori, Ms Turei said.
She will give her maiden speech at 5.15pm tomorrow.
