Hon Heather Roy speech to Parliament regarding the appointment of the Rt Hon Helen Clark as Head of the UN Development Programme; Wellington; Wednesday, April 1 2009.

Mr Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise on behalf of the ACT Party to support the motion on the appointment of the Right Honourable Helen Clark to 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 Miss Clark's own words about ACT:

"a clear set of principles to guide decisions - not ones that we subscribe to, but principles nonetheless."

However, that hasn't 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 in consensus politics.

I think all New Zealanders were proud - 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 US; and gaining international recognition of New Zealand's respect for the rule of law - both in terms of peacekeeping, and diplomatically.

And so 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 UN 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 Organisation; and Don McKinnon serving 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 UN.

All have made their mark, and we have no doubt that Helen Clark will do so leading the UN Development Programme.

There is much work to be done by this and similar organisations - particularly in this time of economic crisis. Wallets are closing, and belts 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 - most importantly - stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS.

Around four billion people worldwide are living on less than $2 a day; infection rates for AIDS in Southern and Eastern Africa are around 25 percent, while steadily rising in Asia and the Pacific; and 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 Head of the United Nations Development Programme.

Ms Clark - Nga mihi nui mai te arohanui. Congratulations and best wishes.

ENDS