You have achieved so much and you’re still so young!  Can you give us a brief overview of your career history?  How did you get to where you are today?
A combination of kindness, luck and work! While I was studying, I remember thinking that I'd really love to understand how politics worked from the ground.  I'd spent a few years as a volunteer for the Labour Party and was really lucky when an MP offered me a chance to be an intern in Wellington.  That experience eventually led to my first job. But I also spent a good chunk of my working life in London and the Cabinet office working on regulation and its impact on small business- which was probably down to some kind Brits believing that someone from the other side of the world could do the job. 
 
What made you decide to become an MP?
I don't ever remember having one moment when I thought "that's what I must do" but I definitely remember when I first realised what a privileged role being an MP was.  I was still at high school and volunteering for an MP when an elderly gentleman visited his office. I was sitting there as be told his story. He was unwell, but caring for his grandson who had bad asthma.  He couldn't afford to buy him the medication he needed, or his school books. I remember thinking two things; that I wanted to live in a country that tried to prevent people finding themselves in situations like that, but also that MPs see people at their most vulnerable and have a real chance to help. It was a really memorable moment for me.
 
You are a spokesperson for youth affairs/youth justice.  What do you see as the key issues affecting our youth today?  Why were you drawn to this area of politics?
 If we don't provide good and strong beginnings for our children and young people, all sorts of things can go wrong, making both youth affairs and youth justice such incredibly important areas of work. There are currently more than 70,000 young people not in work, education or training. The longer those young people aren't furthering their education or careers, the tougher it will be for them and for all of us. We're running the risk of losing an entire generation of young people, and very little is being done about it.
 
Is there a ‘typical’ day in your professional life? Or is every day different?
The most constant thing about my day is that there's never enough time in it- something I know a lot of people suffer from!  The thing I enjoy most about what I do is how diverse my job is. In Wellington there's a bit more routine- reading before select committee meetings in the morning, question time in the afternoon, speaking on bills, and portfolio work until the House rises at 10pm.  When I'm in Auckland Central I spend most of my time out meeting and talking with people in the community.
 
What have been your career highlights so far? 
I really enjoy the little things- resolving issues for people in my neighbourhood, or getting the government to move on an issue or at least compromise a little at select committee. Naming one highlight is tough- but I do remember the first time I sat in the debating chamber and in my seat for the first time and feeling incredibly lucky and overwhelmed to be there, and to have a chance to make a difference.
 
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people- from those I work with, to the volunteers and community organisations in my neighbourhood. I get to meet amazing people every day. It's a really nice counter balance to the daily news!

What are your interests outside politics?  How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Poorly!  Work/life balance is on my to-do-list. When I do get time I try and do pretty normal stuff- cooking, watching films, reading. I try and get to the pottery studio from time to time- can't say I'm an artist by any stretch but concentrating on trying to make something out of a hunk of clay is a really nice distraction!

What advice can you give young women aspiring to get into politics?
If politics is what you want to do, don't let any of the reasons why it might be a bit hard get in the way- instead turn them into extra reasons to try and get into it.  Women make a lot of either-or choices when it comes to their lives and their careers. Part of the reason I do what I do is in the hope that we can make this a job that women choose, without sacrificing quite as much.

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