It is my dad's working class values and work ethic and my mum's vision and compassion that inspire me about what's possible for Aotearoa. These values of my parents have also shaped my children. Last year, my teenage son Marli made headlines when he courteously challenged his school's rules about tattoos and tā moko—a cultural taonga that he was told to cover with an arm bandage. When the school wouldn't change its stance, he changed schools. Feiaksia, Marli, you make me proud. So that's why I swore my parliamentary oath of allegiance in the Rotuman language—for Marli, my songbird daughter Lily, and our Rotuman community. 