'Stay grounded and connected to the community' - Aupito William Sio
The Labour MP for Māngere, Aupito William Sio is leaving Parliament after a sixteen year-stint which encompassed nine years in Opposition bookended by spells in Government.
If you're thinking of becoming an MP, there are some things that are ideal in helping you prepare, including experience in the public sector or local government. But once you're in Parliament, the best way to become a better MP is to take time to learn how the system works, ideally from the opposition benches.
These are insights from Aupito William Sio, the Labour MP for Māngere, who is soon to leave Parliament at the end of the term. After almost sixteen years in this place, he knows how the system works as well as anyone, and sat down with The House to reflect on a career in Parliament which has been concurrent with breakthroughs for Pasifika.
Aupito's time in Parliament encompasses a long stint in opposition, which he describes as invaluable to an MP's development, bookended by two spells in government. The Samoa-born MP entered Parliament at the tail end of the Helen Clark-led Labour Government in 2008.
"I spent about six or seven months as a backbencher, observing what they were doing in government. And as they exited, I then spent nine years in opposition - probably the best time of learning, although at times you feel like 'what am I doing here?'. And then having spent five years as a minister, as the Minister for Pacific Peoples, and then honing in on what I wanted to be able to do for Pacific communities across a number of portfolios, I just think that was the absolute privilege."
Learning the ropes
Before Sio entered Parliament, there had only ever been a few Pasifika to be MPs in this country. But now there are over a dozen in the same Parliament. He has taken on a mentor role for younger Pasifika MPs coming through, reaching out across party lines to be supportive in this way.
"It was always important to be able to show the others the ropes, if you like. Local government did help me. Others also took that path. When people are asking me how do you prepare yourself to be a member of Parliament, well I say serve your community but local government does help. Understanding the politics, and understanding what's really important," he explains.
"I think for any person coming through, they should cherish the opportunity of being in opposition, and cherish the opportunity of just taking their time and learning how the system works. It helps if you understand the public sector. I've always said to those who have asked me where can they get the experience before coming here that they can work for an MP, or they can spend some time in local government."
Parliament culture…