Tauranga's new Member of Parliament Sam Uffindell is set to give his maiden speech in Parliament this evening.

The speech will be live streamed on Parliament TV from 5.45pm.

"A big moment for me, and the official start of a journey to bring better outcomes to Tauranga," says Uffindell on his Facebook page earlier today.

"Today marks his official beginnings as Tauranga's MP and the newest member of the New Zealand National Party," says Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller.

When an MP enters Parliament for the first time, there is a lot of interest in how they start their parliamentary career.

The maiden speech is an opportunity for new Members of Parliament to make a strong start and set the tone for their time in Parliament. It's an important speech, and many MPs refer back to them when they make their valedictory speech at the end of their parliamentary term.

What do they talk about?

New MPs get 15 minutes for their maiden speech. This gives them time to cover a range of topics.

Typically, MPs talk about their hopes and aspirations for their time in Parliament and what they hope to achieve. Maiden speeches usually have a deeply personal element, with MPs mentioning their upbringing, the beliefs and values that prompted them to enter Parliament, and the character of the community they represent.

You'll see some MPs wear cultural dress or other items of personal significance to reflect their background.

When do new MPs give their maiden speech?

New MPs elected to Parliament after a general election deliver their maiden speech in the Address in Reply debate at the start of the new Parliament. This debate is a reply to the Governor-General's Speech from the Throne, and is the first major debate of the new Parliament.

New MPs entering Parliament at other times, for example when a list seat becomes vacant or after a by-election, deliver their maiden speech soon after entering Parliament.

The maiden speech is the first speech a new MP delivers in the House.

A blast from the past

Each maiden speech is special in its own right. We've picked some quotes from a selection of historical maiden speeches from years gone by.

Watch Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell's maiden speech here https://ondemand.parliament.nz