Motions

Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister) Link to this

I seek leave of the House to move a motion without notice to express endorsement of the appointment of the Rt Hon Helen Clark as head of the United Nations Development Programme.

Hon PHIL GOFF (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this

It is a very rare occasion in this House when we get a unanimous standing ovation for a member who has served this country so well and who will go on to serve not only New Zealand but the whole of the international community in the job she is about to undertake. On behalf of the Labour Party I warmly support the motion moved by the Prime Minister. The nomination by Ban Ki-moon, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the confirmation by the General Assembly of the United Nations this morning, of Helen Clark as leader of the United Nations Development Programme is a singular reflection of the very high regard in which Helen Clark is held internationally. Everyone in this House has already demonstrated this, but I am sure, overwhelmingly, New Zealanders would wish to show their congratulations to Helen Clark as well, and to wish her well as she meets the challenges of this new job.

Helen Clark’s job is one of the most important jobs in the United Nations. It has a large budget of $5 billion. I am sure that she will be working very hard to make that budget even larger than it is, because of the scale of the task that she has to fulfil: to meet the development needs of all of the countries in the developing world. The task is consistent with the values that Helen Clark has pursued throughout her long political career. Those values are ones of support for development, social justice, sustainability, democracy, and good governance. Helen Clark brings to the job skills and integrity. She brings to it her renowned commitment and determination, her mastery of detail, and her international knowledge and networks, which make her an ideal choice for this position. As a small country of 4.3 million people, we can be truly proud that a New Zealander has been chosen ahead of others from countries much more powerful and much larger than our own to head such an important international agency.

I join the Prime Minister in thanking the people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They do a huge job. When given a task of this nature they do it with skill and they do it with diplomacy, and they have delivered for us. I also thank the Government for continuing a bipartisan tradition that has seen both major parties and other parties in this House endorse New Zealanders for international positions—people such as the former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Mike Moore, and the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon. I think it is important that our country shows our unanimity in support of people who seek such high international positions.

Finally, I thank you, Helen, personally for the contributions that you have made through the Labour Party to New Zealand over a long political career spanning some 27 years. Helen, we are proud of what you have achieved for New Zealand, and we know that you will represent our country with distinction in the position that you will hold. Thank you, Helen.

JEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader—Green) Link to this

The Green Party is very pleased to be able to congratulate Helen Clark on her appointment to the position of Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. What a pleasure it is to see the House in accord about something.

Helen Clark has served this country well in many ways. We are delighted that she now has the opportunity to serve a wider constituency: the hungry, the homeless, the very poor, the sick, and the illiterate in the world’s developing countries. In the 9 years that I have worked with Helen in party to party discussions, although we have not always agreed, I have observed her keen intelligence, her vast knowledge of international affairs, her commitment to her principles of social democracy, and her considerable diplomatic skills. Her appointment is a great honour for Helen, and it is a great honour for New Zealand. It is a signal that our country is well-regarded in international circles for making a constructive contribution well beyond our size. It is an indication that we are not too small to count, and that we can make a difference.

And a difference urgently needs to be made. The opportunities and the challenges that Helen will face in this new job are daunting. Since 1980, world GDP has increased nearly sixfold. In the same time, the number of people living on less than $2 a day has declined only marginally. Current policies are not working. There is no way that people can be raised out of desperate poverty by business as usual. For everyone to aspire to the level of consumption of resources of the United States would take some seven planets, and we have only one. And that one planet is so seriously degraded that it is limiting the development prospects of much of humanity.

In the year 2000 the United Nations Development Programme adopted the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which included halving poverty by 2015. In 2005 its Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was published; it showed that degradation in ecosystem services was a major barrier to ever reaching those goals. This substantial report by dozens of authors and peer reviewers found that there will simply not be enough clean, fresh water, water purification by wetlands, or fisheries—to name just a few examples—to permit the basics of a decent life to be met over coming generations, unless we adopt a radically different tack.

Since then, we have watched the effects of the early stages of global warming melting the Himalayan glaciers, on which a quarter of the world’s people depend for their drinking water. We have watched it worsen droughts in countries already struggling to produce enough food. We have watched it increase the risk of tropical diseases, from which mainly the poor suffer, and threaten to inundate the homes of millions in communities in the Pacific Islands, Bangladesh, and South China. Stopping, and then reversing, the degradation of ecosystems is a precondition to international development, and must become a core part of the United Nations Development Programme. I am heartened by the fact that I know that Helen understands that.

Since the beginning of economics, world leaders have relied on generalised and indiscriminate economic growth to lift the poor out of poverty. The saying is that a rising tide lifts all boats, but some boats are chained to the bottom by poor health, a lack of education, living in war zones, discrimination, and violence, and they will not be lifted unless those impediments are tackled directly. Beyond even that, world economic activity is already bumping up against the limits to resources, whether they be oil, gas, fresh water, land for food growing—as shown in recent grain price rises—fish stocks, or climate. Relying on generalised economic growth in these circumstances will simply allow the better-off to capture even more of those limited resources, leaving even less for those at the bottom.

A story that has stuck in my mind for decades, since I was a young woman, is that when thousands of people in Ethiopia were dying of hunger in one of their recurring droughts—I think it was in the 1960s—their country was exporting canned beef grown on their land by multinational companies. That, of course, showed up as GDP growth, but it was the very opposite of development.

Most fish stocks in the world are now depleted, and some have crashed. They have not, in the main, been crashed by poor people trying to feed themselves from coastal fisheries, but by global companies with the technology to strip the coast bare. Only when local fisheries are returned to local control will coastal communities be able to feed themselves.

This job will need massive resources. It is frightening to me that the total budget of the United Nations Development Programme is only NZ$9 billion, compared with our GDP of about NZ$177 billion. The budget that Helen was in charge of to run the New Zealand Government was very much larger than the budget she will be in charge of in New York. Levels of international aid need to be significantly increased, not least in New Zealand, if the world is to meet this challenge. Until hard negotiations forced the last Budget to increase New Zealand’s development aid budget, it had been less than 0.3 percent. We hope that will not be an obstacle as the new administrator goes begging to other Governments for more funds, and we hope the New Zealand Government will increase our aid budget, to show support for our top international representative.

Helen, the opportunity beckons to support all those who are working for a new model of development based on strengthening local food and renewable energy production, returning land to those who live there, community and women’s development, resource-conserving technologies, and protection of natural resources. That new model cannot succeed unless global efforts to tackle climate change also succeed. You have the capacity to drive that agenda further. You go with the very warmest best wishes of the Green Party. What we wish most for you is that in the endless round of cocktail parties, travel, and high-level meetings and negotiations, to which you are no stranger, the most desperate people—who rely on the United Nations Development Programme to eat, to be housed, and to be healthy and educated—are always top of your mind.

Hon HEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader—ACT) Link to this

It is a pleasure to rise on behalf of the ACT Party to support the motion on the appointment of the Rt Hon Helen Clark to be the head of the United Nations Development Programme. I think it is fair to say that Helen Clark and ACT have often not agreed, politically, over the years. Our political relationship is perhaps best put in Ms Clark’s own words about ACT: “A clear set of principles to guide decisions—not ones that Labour subscribes to, but principles nonetheless.” However, that has not stopped ACT MPs, past and present, from gaining a healthy respect for her ability and work ethic. Helen Clark is widely acknowledged as a leader of consensus politics.

I think all New Zealanders were proud of, and moved by, what she claims as her greatest achievement—the return of the Unknown Warrior to New Zealand soil. There are many other achievements too numerous to count, but those that stand out for me are the free-trade deal with China, progressing a similar deal with the United States, and gaining international recognition of New Zealand’s respect for the rule of law, in terms of both peacekeeping and diplomacy. It is appropriate, given these achievements on the world stage, that she has now been given a lead role in international affairs.

On becoming head of the United Nations Development Programme—the third-ranked position in the UN—Helen Clark joins an exclusive list of New Zealanders appointed to top international posts. In recent memory, we have seen another former Labour Prime Minister, Mike Moore, lead the World Trade Organization, and Don McKinnon serve two terms as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. In the UN also, New Zealanders have reached the highest levels. Currently, Sir Kenneth Keith sits as a judge on the International Court of Justice, the judicial organ of the United Nations. All have made their mark, and we have no doubt that Helen Clark will do so in leading the UN Development Programme.

There is much work to be done by this and similar organisations, particularly in this time of global economic crisis. Wallets are closing and belts are tightening, around the world. Considerable skill will be required to uphold the programme’s functions: poverty reduction, improving democratic governance, crisis prevention, alleviating environmental degradation, and, very importantly, stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS. About 4 billion people worldwide are living on less than $2 a day. Infection rates for AIDS in southern and eastern Africa are around 25 percent, and are steadily rising in Asia and the Pacific. In too many countries women are forbidden from involving themselves in even the most basic activities in society, let alone engaging in the democratic process.

So it is with good wishes and pride in the success of a fellow Kiwi that we congratulate and farewell Miss Clark on her appointment as the head of the United Nations Development Programme. Helen Clark, ngā mihi nui me te aroha nui. Congratulations and best wishes.

Hon TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this

Tēnā tātou katoa. I am delighted to stand on behalf of the Māori Party today to offer our congratulations to the Rt Hon Helen Clark on the prestigious honour she has received for herself and for Aotearoa. Her appointment as the head of the United Nations Development Programme is a tribute to her outstanding abilities and leadership experience. Our tūpuna used to say “Inā te mahi, he rangatira!”, meaning literally “See how he or she does; a leader indeed!”. For Helen Clark we can indeed say “Inā te mahi, he rangatira!”.

For all of her academic and professional life, and no doubt in her primary school days at Te Pahu School, Helen has been the consummate politician. She has researched political representation, she has lectured in political studies, she has held office at every level of the Labour Party, she has achieved the ultimate aspiration of wearing the warrant of Prime Minister of our nation, and now she is taking that political leadership to the world. We know she will serve well.

Helen has the most formidable capacity for work. In fact, I have always thought her passion for climbing mountains was absolutely true to form. Although for many of us the prospect of ascending Mount Kilimanjaro would be bordering on impossible, I can well imagine Helen literally leaping up the ascent and still being ready for some more. Such is the nature of her leadership that she has always been able to inspire followers to believe that the impossible could be possible, the improbable probable. She has commanded respect by her sheer energy for the role.

I must acknowledge, too, her commitment to connect with people. I remember her once flying in from London, immediately boarding a plane, and heading up north for one of the “engaging with Māori” hui. Our people appreciated that, Helen, and I mihi to you for all the personal commitment that I know it took. I think one of the most endearing qualities that our people will remember of Helen’s leadership was her impressive memory. I can recall her greeting someone whom she had met only once, at least 10 years before, at a hospital in Kawakawa. That sort of personal touch is remarkable, and I have no doubt that it will be extremely useful in the United Nations environment. Our people loved the ordinariness of the person some called Auntie Helen. They knew her to be an ordinary person who could enjoy a joke and laugh uproariously, while at the same time demonstrate extraordinary talents as the leader of our country. It was not all perfect but there was more that we agreed on than disagreed on, and I will always speak with the highest respect for a person who has made such a significant contribution to the future of Aotearoa.

Many aspects of Helen’s leadership have earned her international recognition. In 1986 she was awarded the annual peace prize of the Danish Peace Foundation for her work in promoting international peace and disarmament. We acknowledge her as the first elected woman Prime Minister and the longest-serving woman MP. While Prime Minister she was a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, whose mission is to mobilise the highest-level women globally for collective action on issues of importance to women in equitable development. I am sure that the council will be proud that one of its members is now heading the United Nations global development network, with a potential to advance knowledge and experience across the world.

We will remember the encouraging support that she provided to the arts community, and her role as Minister of Health in sponsoring the introduction of tobacco control legislation. Those in the House who have enjoyed her friendship, her leadership, her mentorship, her frequent text messages, her animated telephone calls, and her direct way of speaking will no doubt keep their memories alive in their own way. But for this moment I simply wish to place on the record our acknowledgment from the Māori Party of the dedicated role that she has played in shaping this nation.

We wish her well, too, on what will be colossal challenges ahead—the urgency of eliminating poverty, the desperate need to control the ferocious spread of HIV/AIDS, and the significance of getting it right for supporting developing nations into a position of much greater strength, which is a critical task for our global positioning. This is not goodbye; this is our time to be able to say ka kite anō. Nā reira, ka nui te mihi rawa atu ki a koe, Helen. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

[I will see you again. Therefore, Helen, I acknowledge you greatly. Greetings to you collectively, and to all of us.]

Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future) Link to this

I want to warmly join with other colleagues who have spoken this afternoon and say, on behalf of United Future, how much we congratulate the Rt Hon Helen Clark on this most worthy appointment, and endorse the sentiments that have been expressed. I have had the privilege of knowing Helen for just over 25 years, and in that time we have worked together on a number of things and we have worked against each other on a number of things, but there has been one constant throughout, which I think is relevant to this appointment: Helen has always displayed a huge sense of integrity, a deep sense of compassion, I think a real commitment to the underdog, and a determination not only to see what is right but to do what is right. I believe they are all qualities that will be critical in the role that she is about to undertake as the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

Much has already been said this afternoon about the challenges that Helen will face in that role. I do not want to rehearse those; this is not the time to give lectures on one’s view of international relations. But it is the time to acknowledge that this a signal honour for a very important, popular, and famous New Zealander. I think it is relevant to observe that only a few weeks ago a newspaper poll installed Helen Clark as the most significant living New Zealander. I think that that is a possible explanation of why this appointment has been so widely greeted.

Many people say many things about the United Nations and its organisations. They claim it to be inefficient, unfocused, and unable to deliver on objectives. If those allegations are true—and I suspect there is more than a moment of truth in them—then I also suspect very strongly that the United Nations Development Programme is about to undertake the first wave of change. I cannot conceive of the new administrator allowing the organisation to be unfocused—not to have a clear sense of purpose and a time line by which it will achieve its objectives, and not to have clear directives issued to those working on its behalf of the expectations that are placed upon them.

We like to think about New Zealanders occupying high places on the world stage, and it is true that many examples can be drawn to mind. But it is also true that this appointment is the most significant appointment that a New Zealander has yet occupied on the international stage, and I cannot think of a more appropriate person to take up that role than the Rt Hon Helen Clark.

Helen, you go with the blessings and the good wishes of this House, the eager enthusiasm of this country to see you do well, and the pride of our knowing that from this small nation such a prominent and successful person has emerged—one who will do good not just in the continuing interests of this country but on the world stage. My very best wishes to you.

Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Labour—Mt Albert) Link to this

I thank all the leaders who have spoken today for their very generous comments, and also the House for the vote in support of the Prime Minister’s motion.

It has been possible to mount a successful campaign for this position only because of very widespread support across political boundaries, and that started at home. It has been the tradition that candidacies of this kind—and others have mentioned those of the Rt Hon Don McKinnon and the Rt Hon Mike Moore—are handed in a bipartisan way. I want to thank John Key for his early, upfront, and enthusiastic support. I know, John, that you picked up the phone, and that you worked the international meetings you have been at, and that has been very greatly appreciated. Provided that you do not change your cellphone number, you will still be getting texts from me from time to time.

The New Zealand Labour Party, of course, has given me its total goodwill on this. After many years of service, I guess we are joined at the hip, and that will always be the case.

I want to particularly thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the incredible support it gave me, with the Prime Minister’s full blessing. It emanated out from head office in Wellington to posts around the world, but particularly in New York, where our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Rosemary Banks, led her team in an incredible, astute, and effective lobbying effort.

Many other Governments were supportive. The Pacific family strongly endorsed the candidacy from the time that our Prime Minister raised it at the Pacific Island Forum leaders’ meeting in Port Moresby. Kevin Rudd was particularly supportive, as was the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and other old friends, like the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and the Prime Minister of Norway, Mr Stoltenberg, were early out of the blocks, but there were many, many others too numerous to mention.

All who have spoken today have referred to the huge task ahead. Here in New Zealand we feel the effects of recession, we feel the effects of erratic climate, and we feel the effects of high food prices, high fuel prices, and water issues. How much more, then, do those who live in the poorest countries on Earth feel these pressures? They feel them tremendously, and particularly at this time of recession. Things are pretty desperate for many of the world’s people, and those are the issues to deal with immediately.

In the wider context, I am very grateful for the many leadership opportunities that New Zealand has given me. They have enabled me to be a credible contender for this position. I could not have done that if I had not had the opportunities that this small country has made available.

In the relatively near future, I will give my valedictory speech to Parliament. I am told that the convention is that for former Prime Ministers there is no limit on time. Of course, judgment will be exercised on that, as it is by me on all things. Other comments can wait until that time. For now, I thank everyone who has spoken for the kind words they have said, and that will be something special for me to take with me to New York. Kia ora.

[Applause]