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Newly elected MP Nick Smith celebrates with family and friends on election night 1990. First elected in October 1990 as the MP for the former Tasman electorate, Smith was part of a group of four dubbed the “brat pack” that included fellow caucus newbies Tony Ryall, Roger Sowry and Bill English. The quartet became firm friends and still holiday together. The senior politicians of the day were former prime ministers David Lange (Labour) and Rob Muldoon (National). Smith recalled the sharp-tongued Sir Robert saying: “So you’re a doctor. Are you one of the ones that makes you well or one of the ones that make you sick?”