I was lucky enough to have the Rt Hon Helen Clark as a Prime Minister growing up. The little bit of extra help my mother got from Working for Families was put towards my piano, flute, then eventually double bass and tuba lessons. Music played a huge part in my upbringing. It gave me a platform to build my confidence, to search for the deeper meaning of beauty, and to make lifelong friends. I'm deeply passionate about the arts sector, and, borrowing what my colleague Rachel Boyack said to the youth choir who sang so beautifully at our State Opening last week, when the arts are strong, then our nation is strong. Thank you, Helen, for the leadership you showed in supporting Kiwi talent. I hope to continue your legacy in the promotion of our unique New Zealand identity through music and the arts—and thank you for always replying to my Instagram messages.