As we are getting close to the election date, there are many in-depth discussions on for example our MMP system and the two types of MPs (electorate and list). I have found that there is still a bit of mystery out there about the difference between the two, so I thought I would publish some thoughts on this.

All of us, as MPs, have secretarial support in parliament and are funded for an out-of parliament office and staff. MPs who hold an electorate seat, are provided with extra staff and resources to deal with the constituency workload.

But what exactly are our roles and functions? Unlike most other jobs, there is no formal job description of an MP.

In Parliament there is little to distinguish the two categories of MP. As Members of Parliament we all have offices in Wellington and we all appear in the debating chamber most days. Unless we have written leave, we must be on the Parliamentary precinct (ie Parliament House, the Beehive, Bowen House and the Library) when Parliament is sitting. We cannot set foot outside the precinct because it might result in a vote being lost. That means at a minimum being on precinct 2pm-10pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and until 6pm on Thursdays. Urgency can be taken by the government to sit outside of these hours; for several weeks during the last term, we have started the debates at 9am and finished at 10pm or even midnight.

Outside these hours, almost all MPs sit on select committees where much of the intensive legislative scrutiny and public hearings take place. These committees operate very differently from the adversarial exchanges between Government and Opposition during question time and debates.

The work in the committees is much more collaborative, because to pass legislation we need a high level of cross-party work and compromise. I am a member of the Education and Workforce Select Committee, and that has been a very busy committee due to the number of Bills coming through and a large number of petitions.

MPs also meet with groups such as lobbyists and community representatives. We attend many other meetings such as cross-party groups on a non-party political basis, these often meet with MPs from other countries. And as MPs we are members of several groups (rural caucus, women caucus, rainbow caucus, AKL MP caucus, union caucus, Maori caucus, Pacific caucus…) within our own party.

I believe that, in particular, the cross-party work is important when dealing with an issue that shouldn’t become a political football. Issues that will likely result in a conscience vote and human rights issues. Within my role, there is also the part where I lead the union caucus chairing meetings with the unions, and I have special connections with the Dutch and the Indonesian communities, frequently attending their special events. It has been a good way for these communities to have better access to and feel more connected to their elected representatives.

Probably the most well-known part of the MP role is speaking in the House. That can be asking questions of Ministers or speaking on a Bill (which I’ve done 165 times this term).

During this term my routine has been to fly home on Thursday night, after clocking up 45 or so hours since Tuesday morning. Then on much of Friday, Monday and weekends I travelled around the electorate. And that is really a role that has no boundaries. There is as much to do as you can take on; whether that is attending local events, commemorations, having a stand at local markets, A&P shows, helping with fundraising for good causes (shaking the bucket, or even a midwinter plunge), doing a shift at a hospice shop, helping out at food banks, marching in campaigns for local issues (Save the Dome hikoi in July was my most recent one), tree planting, visiting local businesses, NGOs, schools, rest homes, the list is endless.

It is a very busy role, every day is different and it’s a real privilege to serve. A time of reflection, with elections coming up..

-Marja Lubeck Labour List MP based in Rodney.