Support the police, says Taupo's new MP

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National's new Taupo MP, Louise Upston, urged people to support the police when she made her maiden speech in Parliament today.

She listed her priorities as law and order and education, and said a police force supported by politicians was much stronger than one that was attacked by them.

"It seems everyone is presumed innocent – except the police," Ms Upston said.

"They act courageously and make terrible decisions in the line of duty and we repay that by hounding them in the media, launching immediate inquiries and subjecting them to intense scrutiny.

"Let's not be mistaken. The police are good. The criminals are bad. It's that simple."

Ms Upston said the laws around sentencing, bail and repeat offenders needed to be changed so that known criminals were stopped from committing even more crimes.

She said New Zealand needed a change of attitude.

"Dream big dreams, set big goals, nurture tall poppies," she said.

"Political correctness has invaded our homes, lives and minds. Mediocrity has replaced excellence and fear has replaced courage."

Ms Upston said too many people were having to fight the systems that were put in place to help them.

"There are too many rules and regulations, policies and procedures, and not enough common sense."

She said all children deserved a great education and the system was failing the one in five who failed.

-NZPA