Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

Two years as an MP has challenged me and opened my eyes to the best and worst of what's going on in New Zealand.

When December 2015 arrived, I didn't want to take a break, because there was so much to do, and I still believed that common sense would prevail in policy-making and the voices of New Zealanders had to be listened to.

We've seen more pandering to the divisive agendas of the minor coalition partners of this blue government, and an increase in income inequality, hyper-immigration, crime, un-debated legislation, and behind-closed-doors deals.

What has been amazing, have been the relationships I've been able to build with community groups, local government, non-profit organisations, and with real New Zealanders.

I'm proud of our calls to halt separatist, race-based and divisive politics and legislation. We stand for a New Zealand where everyone is treated equally under one law, regardless of race, gender or religion.

We have consistently been the party calling for action on the working homeless and fixed-income homeless, on infrastructure investment in the regions, on increased police numbers and resources, on free education, and New Zealanders keeping sovereignty over New Zealand.

We know that this blue government cares most about protecting their multi-national corporate cronies, and that New Zealanders are getting the message, that New Zealand First is the only party going to make these multi-national corporate giants pay their fair share of corporate tax.

We showed, with the Northland by-election victory, that the regions are calling out for change, and that they know New Zealand First has heard them loud and clear.

2017 is going to be a huge year for us, as we continue to be the fastest growing political party in New Zealand, and leading the movement of real New Zealanders calling for real change for the better.