I come from a Labour Party, union, and service-to-community strong whānau. My dad is a past vice-president of the Service Workers Union and could often be found at the end of a picket line or campaigning for the Labour Party. My mum would often spend her evenings sewing clothes from factory offcuts and deliver these to those in our community that needed it. Mum even managed to make little stuffed toys, which she would take to Birthright, as well as more clothes for babies. Both of my parents reinforced to my two brothers, William and Kieran Watters, and I the importance of having a voice, standing up for your rights, and service to community. Regardless of the colour of your skin, your gender, your age, who you love, how much money you may or may not have, and your level of education, in our household, we knew we had a voice, that it was valid, and we were worthy too. 