Ibrahim Omer on Life in Parliament

Matthew Casey (he/him)

Ibrahim Omer is New Zealand’s first African MP, coming in 42nd on the Labour Party list in the 2020 election. 

The first time I met Ibrahim he was on the campaign trail for the 2020 election; a smiley unionist who was confident in his chances at becoming one of New Zealand's newest members of Parliament. Since taking office he still has hope in his eyes, and believes he’s in a good position to create change. 

Introducing himself in his maiden speech, Omer stated, “I'm an Eritrean. I'm a son, brother, a friend. I'm a Muslim. I'm a former refugee. I'm a trade unionist and living wage activist.”

After fleeing his home country, Eritrea, in 2003, and spending time in Sudan working as an interpreter for the United Nations, Omer made it to New Zealand in 2008. In the space of 12 years he has worn many different hats, being a former student and cleaner at Victoria University. Most recently, he was an organiser at the E Tū Union, as well as the chair of ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum, a Wellington based NGO advocating for former refugees.

Omer has previously featured in Salient, both as an interviewee and a writer. Asked by Salient in 2016 what he wanted to do when he finished university, he responded, “I don’t know if I want to work in New Zealand politics, it will be hard because of the language, even though I speak reasonably good English.” As for choosing his Party, he stated “I believe that Labour policy fits my aspirations as a refugee.” 

Omer wrote an article in Salient titled “Our Hidden Figures” in 2017. It included interviews with cleaning staff around the University, who “make this place tick”, and called for those staff to be paid a living wage. “One of the best things I did was documenting those stories of hardworking people and I was one of them, a lot of those people you have seen, we have worked together as cleaners.” 

Omer’s move into politics away from traditional activism was not something he always planned on. Although passionate about politics growing up, he didn’t want a part in it because he saw “what politicians do” in Eritrea and “if [politics is] about hurting people […] that’s not my thing”, he said. Omer admires the safety and collegiality of New Zealand politics: “although politicians may debate in this Chamber, they will then go afterwards and share a coffee and meal together.” 

He sees himself as representing those who do not have a seat at the table. When it comes to supporting those he’s fighting for, he draws upon his own experience, and “can't wait just to put it out there for the New Zealand public, as someone who has been in both worlds.”

The change hasn’t been too hard for Omer to wrap his head around, as he’s continuing the work he’s always done as an activist: “[...] like making working people's lives better, paying people enough, being paid the living wage, whether that’s in the private sector or the public sector [...] All the things that I was campaigning for are things that this government cares about.” 

Now that he is in parliament, Omer sees his role in the legislative chamber as his best way to help, by debating and passing legislation, expressing that in a governmental position “you can make a bigger impact.” 

After finding out that he was definitely going to be joining the sitting Labour government, the reality set in. But even when selected as an official candidate, he didn't see himself in parliament. “In such a short period of time, 12 years coming to New Zealand, graduating in 2017 [...] Even then I didn't see myself here.” 

Omer was still helping organise the team of cleaners at Parliament right up until the Friday before he started his new role. Walking in as an MP the next week represents a humbling collision of worlds. 

Before delivering his maiden speech, he hadn't “thought of the importance”, and had no idea that it would go viral—both locally and on a global scale. His speech was shared in outlets from The NZ Herald through to The Guardian. His speech was met with a standing ovation, and has lauded praise from the likes of former Prime Minister Helen Clark. Omer told his story about how he got to where he is now. From fleeing Eritrea and his time in Sudan, to starting work at Victoria University where he would “clean clean clean day and night.” As Omer admits, there are few politicians who have progressed from “scrubbing the floors 4-5 years earlier.” 

Being in parliament is far more than just a job for Omer. He does not necessarily see himself as a career politician but as someone who is “opening the doors [...] while I’m here I will try to open every door for people, who often have been overlooked, the Muslim community, refugees and migrant are groups that have been, I want to make sure that their voices are being heard and that we are talking to them [...] March 15 had a lot to do with my final call.”

Omer elaborated. “Sadly in the media, the way the Muslim community was represented, there are a lot of misconceptions and misguided views around Muslims in this country and all over the world. This guy had chosen New Zealand to make the point that no place is safe for us, for Muslims. So, I felt that not enough is being done to reflect the real image of Muslims and the contribution of Muslims, making New Zealand richer in terms of culture. I thought that the time has come, even though I knew it was such a big step for someone like me and someone needed to do it.”

Since starting his new job he has toured with Ministers “all over the country and met with communities, explaining what the report is about and what the government is planning to do.” He refers to the Royal Commission report into the March 15 attack, an 800 page document with 44 recommendations, all of which were accepted by the government. He says of this tour: “Instead of us just talking and explaining, it was also a time for us to hear from them and get feedback, how as we move on, is the best way to implement the recommendations.”

Despite his recent arrival to politics, Omer has certainly made a lasting and admirable impression. 

His closing message to students at Victoria is this: 

“I have seen what the students did after the March 15th Tragedy, [with the messages] outside of The Hub. It made me emotional, all those beautiful messages, the young people, the students, they are the most important people, they are the leaders of tomorrow. I want to urge them to open your minds and get to know people, from minority backgrounds and get involved in politics as well. 

Over the last few years we have heard stories about how young people are disengaged [...] I disagree with that, I think young people care but the access issue has been a barrier. Today when we talk about the issues, climate change, student accommodation, this is your life that we are talking about, you should come and have a say. 

Don’t let others decide for you because you are important people, you are the leaders of tomorrow. If we can support the young people today and make sure they are getting the right education, then we are safe tomorrow. In terms of minorities, Muslims, non Muslims, get to know them, they are just human beings like you, people who want to do well in life, people who love this country and would do everything to keep this country safe, get to know them.”