Brooke van Velden delivers final speech in Parliament
Tuesday 22 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story NZME, ACT Party, David Seymour, Brooke van Velden, Public Service Commission
Outgoing ACT MP Brooke van Velden has delivered her valedictory speech, describing Wellington as a "dark bureaucracy". During her address, she defended her previous use of a profanity and called for the abolition of the Public Service Commission. Van Velden is leaving politics at the upcoming November election.
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Outgoing ACT MP Brooke van Velden has delivered her final speech to Parliament, describing Wellington as a “dark bureaucracy”. The Tāmaki MP is leaving politics at the November election. She is also expecting her first baby early that month, though she stated her pregnancy was not the reason for her departure.
During her speech, van Velden called for the abolition of the Public Service Commission, arguing it preserves the status quo rather than serving the public. She suggested that ministers should instead hire chief executives directly to improve accountability and transparency. Van Velden noted that if she had listened to officials, she feared she would have achieved only half of her goals.
Van Velden reflected on her career, naming the End of Life Choice Bill as a major highlight. She also cited the reform of the Holidays Act as her proudest achievement as a minister.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times.