MEDIA STATEMENT

20 September 2010

New Zealand MPs make their presence felt at Commonwealth conference

Members of Parliament attending the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) annual conference in Nairobi, Kenya, have been making New Zealand's voice heard on issues of international importance affecting Commonwealth nations and the CPA as an organisation.

Metiria Turei, co-leader of the Green Party, Craig Foss, National, Party, and Hon Maryan Street, Labour, represented the New Zealand Parliament at the conference, which finished yesterday (19 September).

Moana Mackey of the Labour Party also attended the conference, representing the Pacific Region.

The CPA, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2011, is a key Commonwealth organisation, ensuring continuing discussion between parliamentarians with the aim of furthering democracy in its 54 member nations.

Moana Mackey, a member of the CPA’s Executive Committee, was appointed to the crucial position of Chair of a working party looking at the future of the organisation. The working party has a wide brief to examine all aspects of the running of the CPA to ensure it moves into its second century able to promote more effectively and efficiently parliamentary institutions and democracy throughout the Commonwealth.

Delegation leader, Metiria Turei, said that the New Zealand delegation was very active at this year's conference, participating in plenary sessions, workshops, and the general assembly meeting of the CPA.

“Our parliamentary system is respected and admired in many Commonwealth countries and delegates were keen to hear the views of the New Zealand delegation, and to learn from New Zealand’s experience.”

Hon Maryan Street made a presentation to a workshop on the global food and water crisis in which she encouraged an international approach, with multilateral discussions to develop responses to the worsening problems of food and water supply.

Craig Foss contributed to a workshop on how prepared the Commonwealth is for the emerging new world economic order, drawing upon his experience as Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee to share New Zealand’s perspective.

He shared New Zealand's experience of pursuing trade agreements and how the benefits of an FTA with China enabled New Zealand to avoid the worst impact of the recent global economic crisis.

The delegation’s women members also attended the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) conference, which took place on 12 September.

Metiria Turei made a presentation on enhancing the participation of women in the decision-making process, focussing on how electoral reform, such as that which introduced MMP to New Zealand, can lead to the increase in the participation of women in parliaments.

Moana Mackey also spoke at the CWP conference on enhancing the participation of women in the decision-making process, and the need to increase levels of women’s involvement in both parliament and in society.

“Our participation at the conference ensured that New Zealand’s perspective on the many issues facing the international community is heard and reflected in the work of the CPA going forward,” Metiria Turei said.

The delegation is now visiting the United Arab Emirates, holding bilateral discussions to strengthen New Zealand’s relationship in the region.

A copy of Metiria Turei and Hon Maryan Street’s presentations to the 56th CPA annual conference are available on request.

ENDS

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