Following the National Partys landslide win in New Zealands recent government elections, list MP Alfred Ngaro has become the first Cook Islander in Aotearoas parliament.

Ngaro (45), who was born in Auckland to Cook Islands parents, delivered his maiden speech in the Beehive on December 21, New Zealand time.

Chanting a pe'e and honouring his Cook Islands roots, Ngaro received a standing ovation from fellow MPs following his 15-minute address.

Ngaro is a list MP for the National Party and a member of the justice and electoral select committee as well as the social select committee.

He lives in Auckland with his wife Mokuina Fuemana Ngaro, with whom he has four children between the ages of 32 and 17 years Roxcie, Winona, Aquila and Shalom.

Ngaros parents are Taniela Ngaro Tau, who was born in Aitutaki to Papa Ngaro Tau Yitiri from Pukapuka, and Mama Rite Tepaki Goldstein who was previously married to Tau Simiona from Tautu in Aitutaki.

Ngaros mothers parents are from Mangaia.

Her father was Kirianu who was the son of Orometua Rutera from Pukapuka, but his mother was Mangaian. My Mothers mother was Tanielaiti from Taia and Tararea she was born in Temakatea, Mangaia, Ngaro says.

He is extremely proud of being the first Cook Islander in New Zealand parliament and a representative for all Pacific people.

I have been humbled by the response and am truly honoured to represent our people. I acknowledge that this opportunity was made possible by those who have gone before me to pave the way (the late Te Tika Mataiapo) Dorice Reid who was a candidate for the National Party, Dr Joe Williams (a former Cook Islands prime minister and president of the Cook Islands Health Network Association in New Zealand) and other Pacific members of parliament.

Ngaro's National Party profile references his strong governance and community development background.

He has international experience in community development, with work in Canada as well as the Cook Islands.

Ngaro says he initially intended to live and work in Rarotonga and has regularly attended the annual Cook Islands health conference to support the development of capacity building.

I have contributed to the conference at times, especially in the governance area of health with my governance roles with the Auckland District Health Board, chairman of the Pacific Health Advisory Committee, and member of the Community and Public Health Advisory Committee.

Ngaro says he has also helped send parenting material to the Cook Islands, from the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development.

I was also looking to support the family violence work in the Cook Islands. The development work was not extensive but we were beginning to explore those opportunities and had contributed to a number of developments.

Ngaro also has experience sitting on a number of other New Zealand, Pacific and Auckland-based governance boards and advisory committees.

He has helped co-pioneer and support a number of Auckland community initiatives to address issues of education, health and social concern including the Tamaki Pathway Achievement.

Ngaro is also a founding member of a National Party collaborative called the Inspiring Communities Exchange Network, which focused on community-led development and was sponsored by the Tindall Foundation.

In 2009 he was awarded the Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award for his contribution to the community.

- RM