"At 21 years old, I can definitely say this was not the plan," Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke says.
"I was perfectly fine growing my kūmara and learning maramataka, but this House kept tampering with things they shouldn't be touching.
"And that's why I left the māra to come here."
New Zealand's youngest MP for over 170 years has given her maiden speech, saying the new government "has attacked my whole world from every corner".
Three MPs gave their maiden speeches in Parliament today, including Maipi-Clarke, Ōtaki MP Tim Costley, and Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris.
Maipi-Clarke, 21, is the youngest person to become an MP since 1853.
She stood for Te Pāti Māori in the Hauraki-Waikato electorate, winning an upset victory over long-standing incumbent and former senior minister Nanaia Mahuta.
The new MP said she felt she gave her maiden speech over a year ago when she spoke on the steps of Parliament for the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition.
"We can say we have made it inside the House. And we have arrived. We are here. We are sailing. We are navigating," she said.
"Just like our ancestors once did, in the biggest ocean in the world - Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) - even though some others aren't even jumping on the waka kotahi."
Before being elected, Maipi-Clarke said she was told to never take anything personally in Parliament or otherwise, "it'll eat you up".
"Well, Mr Speaker, I can't help but take everything personally that has been said in this chamber.
"In only a couple of weeks, in only 14 days, this Government has attacked my whole world from every corner.
"Health, taiao (environment), wai (water), whenua (land), natural resources, Māori wards, reo, tamariki, and the rights of me and you to be in this country under Te Tiriti. How can I not take anything personally, when it feels like these policies were made about me?"
She continued: "I am not fearful of this place, or this debating chamber.
"Trust me. I've been to marae AGMs all my life."
The MP then spoke of the struggle faced by her grandparents and ancestors.
Maipi-Clarke added: "To Hauraki-Waikato, I am at your service in and outside of Parliament. I will die for you in these chambers but I will live for you outside these four walls.
"I will be a constant sponge soaking up and listening to our kōrero tuku iho (history) and the needs of our people straight from the soil.
"Your job for me is to keep me in line and in check.
"The first thing Te Pāti Māori taught me is to believe in myself and to always keep grounded. We do not own the seats. We are kaitiaki for our people."
She concluded her speech: "Every time you hear my voice, it will echo of my ancestors. Every time you look me in the eyes, you will see the children that survived.
"Over the next three years, you will see history rewrite itself without a pen."
National MP remembers Air Force 'brothers'
In his maiden speech today, Ōtaki MP Tim Costley spoke about his childhood and his roots as "the chubby kid that came last in the fourth-form road race".
"My story is not one of getting everything first time up at the plate, but rather one of perseverance, of determination of character refined in the fire of failure and forged through adversity," he said.
"I found there are very few challenges that cannot be overcome with hard work, with perseverance, and most fundamentally with character, which always plays the long game.
"And if that chubby 14-year-old kid can go on to run a few marathons, join the Air Force and deploy on operations all around the world, then there must be hope for everyone."
Costley served for nearly 20 years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and he teared up as he spoke about Lance Corporal Leon Smith, who died while in service.
"To the Defence Force, tēnā koe, kei te mihi. I acknowledge all of you and the life-shaping journey that you've taken me on for the past 23 years.
"In Afghanistan, I served with decorated heroes like Lance Corporal Leon Smith.
"Leon paid the ultimate price. I want to acknowledge all of my brothers that I served with, who lost their life serving their country, while in New Zealand or overseas.
"They shall not grow old, but I will not forget them."
Tākuta Ferris speaks on Māori sovereignty
In his maiden speech, Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris spoke to Māori sovereignty, returning throughout to Te Tiriti o Waitangi's place in modern Aotearoa.
Ferris, who stands for Te Pāti Māori, said: "I am not here to service the needs of this House, I'm here to contest it - the manner in which it exercises authority over things, it has no authority over,"
"I'm here to represent the 12,800 Māori in Te Tai Tonga, who voted me into this position. To represent their views, give voice to their aspirations, and be a light for them.
"Te Pāti Māori does not presume to speak for Māori. We understand perfectly well there are many colonised Māori trapped out there. But we do speak from a purely Māori perspective, for and on behalf of a purely Māori constituency.
"I have to ask the House, is that not a pure democratic process in action? Te Pāti Māori continues to be unapologetic championing Māori issues. We are continually called out as radical racists promoting apartheid. I must say the irony of it is not lost on me."
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