On a more serious note, Webb said his decision to begin his political career was not sparked by “some big policy goal”, but a desire to transform the lives of New Zealanders, and particularly Cantabrians after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
Webb launched a petition calling for a Royal Commission into the Earthquake Commission, and as Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister created a Claims Resolution Service to assist people after natural disasters.
“We changed the focus to what it should be, which is on the people,” he said.
Webb was a litigation lawyer, and a professor at the University of Canterbury before being elected as Christchurch Central MP in 2017.
He served as the Junior, and then Chief, Whip from 2020 to 2023. He was a member of the sixth Labour Government, and served as the Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the Minister of State-owned Enterprises in 2023.
In his speech, he advised current and future MPs to value community, culture, recreation, and art – things that “really matter”.
He said bringing empathy, humility, and humanity back into politics was the kind of democratic socialism he hoped to see in Parliament again.
“Where you start, someone’s circumstances of birth: should not be determinative of their course in life.
“Sometimes we spend far too much time sitting down, and not enough time standing up.”
He also gave thanks to numerous people.
Notable names included his partner Suzanne, his three sons, as well as other work colleagues.
Webb also emphasised the privilege he had connecting with Christchurch schools, businesses, and community groups.
He later gave a special shoutout to the security guard who gave him a private hour and a half tour of the Beehive, after he got “hopelessly lost” on his first day.
