Valedictorian speech

So Helen Clark is gone from Parliament. She's been there for 27 years: more than my entire life, and for almost my entire voting life she's been Prime Minister. She's off to be the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and I wish her all the best for it.

The descriptions which come up when talking about her tend to be words integrity; hard-working; determined; respect; I would add honourable.

I am proud that she lead my country for so long.

I would have liked to have heard her final speech in the House. The full text of it is here.