Simon Bridges has given his last speech to Parliament tonight, signing off after 14 years in the House.
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'This job done well is tough' - Bridges
Bridges began his speech by saying it had been a privilege to represent the people of Tauranga, and serve in various roles including a cabinet minister and leader of the National Party.
"There have been highs and lows, and even the lows have provided good material," he said, joking that he would have another book in stores just before next year's general election.
He had enjoyed helping people get access to medical attention they need, such as infertility treatment, and had also enjoyed seeing many infrastructure projects come to fruition during his time as works minister.
However, he said many had declared his political career over during his 14 years in Parliament, especially after robust encounters with members of the media such as Morning Report's Susie Ferguson.
"And now it is."
Bridges had some advice for new MPs - not to lose sleep over what might happen because it usually doesn't.
He referred to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and all the "crazy s***" he had gotten away with and he still remained in his government's top job.
He called for the focus to be on holding the powerful - that was, the government - to account.
He also appealed to politicians not to be driven by focus groups and polls, because voters did not want robots or "shades of beige" in their MPs.
He also advocated for big wide-ranging policies. "Be bold."
"This job done well is tough ...we need the highest quality people here."
In his early days in Parliament, many politicians were prepared to share their strong views on subjects, however, now it was "over-sanitised", he said, adding that Speaker Trevor Mallard's efforts to turn it into a school library "hadn't helped".
Bridges said there were too many narrow viewpoints expressed in the media in Aotearoa, in contrast to the wide range of opinions expressed in countries such as the UK and the US.
The retiring member who has belonged to National for 30 years urged his party to relect the views of the entire country - not just those in Wellington and Auckland.
He acknowledged the hard work of his staff and the support of his family.
"I hope now I'm at home more you don't get sick of me."
He also said he was proud of his Māori ancestry, adding that in some ways he was out of step because he did not want Māori to be treated differently or as victims.
Bridges received a standing ovation at the end of his speech and many MPs moved forward to congratulate him.
'It's been a blast'
Heading into the debating chamber ahead of the speech, for what was likely the last time as an MP, Bridges said he was not sad or emotional about his move, but he would miss colleagues and staff in Parliament.
"It's been a blast and a real privilege to be member for Tauranga, a senior minister - even leader of the opposition - and I'd be lying if I said I'd enjoyed every single minute of it but I wouldn't swap anything out."
He said his speech would include "a little truth-telling" but not as much as Louisa Wall's had been.
"If we put Louisa at level nine, I'm a solid five and a half ... I haven't consulted my media law defamation text books, I'm not using Parliamentary privilege, my colleagues will come out okay."
He reflected that Parliament had been a more "frank, lively place" when he first arrived.
"There was a sense of great characters who really got up and did the business, if you like, but I think it has become - and perhaps it's societal changes, social media and media trends - a slight more timid place. I don't know that's entirely good."
"But I think the National Party is still the National Party, the way a Big Mac is still a Big Mac."
His leader Christopher Luxon offered a final acknowledgement this afternoon.
"Simon's been a great friend, he's been a really good support as I've come into politics and I just want to congratulate him and I know he leaves feeling incredibly proud about the contribution he's made over 14 years in a parliamentary career."
ACT leader David Seymour also had a few choice words.
"I understand he's moving into the Epsom electorate and he'll be a very welcome constituent," he said.
"I've always liked Simon Bridges, I've found how much I like him is proportional to how much he's grown his hair over the years. When he had his long locks he was very loveable, I hope he keeps that going."
