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Wellington, March 29, 2022
Labour MP Louisa Wall has confirmed her intention to resign from Parliament, drawing to a close a significant 14-year Parliamentary term.
First elected in 2008 as a Labour List MP, she also held the seat of Manurewa from 2011 to 2020.
During her time in Parliament, among her many achievements, she championed and won marriage equality for same-sex couples, passed a law that establishes safe zones for women having abortions and in most recent weeks advanced legislation for Paige Harris.
“It has been an honour to represent and provide a voice in Parliament to those who are so often unheard. In both my Parliamentary and electorate work, I have focused on giving a voice to communities and the vulnerable. I am proud of the work I have led to make New Zealand a more inclusive country,” she said.
Marriage Equality Law
Ms Wall said that it was a privilege to lead the marriage equality law change. Not being able to get married to the person you loved unfairly marginalised members of the rainbow community and was unjust.
“As we said at the time that the sky would not fall in, and it has not. In fact, it is funny to look back at all the abuse we endured at the time. I have seen how it has helped to bring down walls of fear and discrimination. It is made a more inclusive and accepting society and that will always bring me a great sense of pride. As an MP my approach has been to identify problems and work to fix them with whoever I can. And that has often meant building-wide Parliamentary support from all parties in Parliament. When you look back at my successful Members Bills one thing that stands out is the cross-section of support, I often had to build to get them passed, often forming collaborative alliances,” Ms Wall said.
“I have loved working as a Parliamentarian and have enjoyed building relationships with colleagues across the house. Most recently, I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China and advocating for human rights. My resignation has come about following events during the 2020 election. Leaving Parliament is always tinged with some sadness, but I do so still passionate about serving New Zealanders. I have enjoyed the responsibility of service and I am looking forward to now serving in different ways.
Protecting and promoting Rights
“While I am resigning from Parliament at this time, I will continue to be involved in the issues I am passionate about; particularly indigenous rights, human rights, equality and the rights of women and the LGBTQI+ community,” Ms Wall said.
Labour Party Leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that Ms Wall has been a hero to many people throughout her Parliamentary career.
“Her commitment to human rights and equality has been absolutely unwavering. She has been relentless in her pursuit of human rights for all. Louisa was in the sporting arena previously and is internationally renowned for her work. I am sure that we will see her before too long continuing her advocacy in a new arena,” she said.
Ms Ardern wished Ms Wall the best on behalf of the Labour Party.
“I know that she will keep advocating for justice and does so with the support, Aroha and thanks of her Labour family and all she served,” she said.
