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NZ has its first deaf MP

14:55 Sat Dec 10 2011
AAP

The Greens are celebrating winning another seat in Parliament and their new member will be Mojo Mathers, New Zealand's first deaf MP and one of only five in the world.

Final election results released on Saturday, which included special votes, boosted the Greens' share of the party vote to just over 11 per cent and gave the party 14 MPs compared with the nine in the last Parliament.

Ms Mathers says she delighted to be an MP.

"There are many barriers to democratic participation for disabled people," she said.

"I hope my presence in Parliament will result in improved accessibility and access to political information for everyone, including those with a hearing impairment."

The mother of three says she's also passionate about representing people with disabilities.

"The recent Human Rights Commission review identified disabled people as the most disadvantaged minority in New Zealand," she said.

"As a deaf person who lives and breathes green issues, I am a strong advocate for inclusion for everyone."

Greens co-leader Russel Norman says the party was happy when it gained 13 MPs on election night and now it's ecstatic.

"It's a proud day for the Greens. The 2011 election has delivered us an historic result that cements our place as the third party in New Zealand politics," he said.

"We will work constructively in Parliament to advance our key issues of cleaning up our rivers, raising kids out of poverty and creating good green jobs, while also providing opposition leadership on issues such as asset sales, welfare reform and charter schools."

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