Story: Koreans

Melissa Lee gives her maiden speech

Melissa Lee gives her maiden speech

National Party list MP Melissa Lee gives her maiden speech to Parliament in 2008. Born in Korea, Lee came to New Zealand with her family in 1988 and had a long career as a journalist before entering Parliament. She concluded her maiden speech: ‘I’m grateful that the Korean community is always behind me to support me, as I take my baby steps as the very first New Zealand member of Parliament of Korean heritage.’

Using this item

New Zealand Herald
Reference: NZH-1040207
Photograph by Mark Mitchell

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Inshil Choe Yoon and Hong-key Yoon, 'Koreans - Employment', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/46751/melissa-lee-gives-her-maiden-speech (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Inshil Choe Yoon and Hong-key Yoon, published 8 Feb 2005, reviewed & revised 1 Oct 2015, updated 1 Apr 2016