Dear John,
Voting for the 2023 General Election is now open! I've had a few people ask me where they can vote. The list is on the Electoral Commission website (click here) and I'll also be posting regular reminders on Facebook over the next couple of weeks. If you're in the Hutt, the biggest and most central polling places are Queensgate (up on the first floor, next to Subway), the Petone Working Men's Club and the Petone Library. Don't forget to vote... and don't forget to vote two ticks blue!
I've also had a few people ask me about voting from overseas - fear not, you are covered too! Click here to see National's website dedicated to exactly this, which will walk you through how to do it. We're making a special effort with the overseas votes this year - so far people have voted for National from over 60 countries around the world!
My last couple of weeks has been dominated by the election campaign both here in the Hutt and locally. At one point last week we had four Meet the Candidates' events on consecutive nights. I reckon I can recite the stump speech of each of my opponents by heart now - and they can probably do the same for me. All over now, and we're into the final, manic two weeks.
I'm proudly running on my track record of getting things done for the Hutt, my hard work in the community and my vision and plans for the future. I've been out door-knocking each weekend over the past few months and the support on the doors has been very humbling. I'll be going out all out between now and Election Day to meet as many voters as possible and earn their trust and support - so look out for me around the Hutt! If you're keen to help out on in the final couple of weeks of the election campaign, then I'd love your assistance. If you'd like to help out in any way, please let me know. There's lots to do and there's lots of ways to be involved.
Blanket Speed limit reductions: National has been announcing a lot of policy in the last couple of weeks - too much to cover here - but one I did want to point out is our "Accelerate NZ" policy which will stop Labour's blanket speed limit reductions around the country. Chris Hipkins said he was doing this at the start of the year, but never actually did it. National will undo Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions, returning many state highways to 100 km/h from 80, and many local roads to 50 km/h from 30, while designing new highways for 110 km/h. Transmission Gully and the Kāpiti Expressway will both rise to 110 km/h under us!
Nationally, the election will be very close. MMP elections always are (the system is basically designed that way). Frankly, we don't want a repeat of 2017 with Winston Peters and NZ First in the middle again. NZ First has not put National into government since 1996 - 27 years ago - I was 13 and still at Hutt Intermediate! There seems to be a view out there that the election is a foregone conclusion - but nothing could be further from the truth. It's close. If people want change, they have to vote for it. Obviously, I'm encouraging a party vote for National to get the country back on track!
RIP Chloe: A quick note before I go about the sad passing last week of my friend Chloe Wright. Such devastating news. Chloe was the founder of the Wright Family Foundation which has done so much good in New Zealand, including the establishment of the Birthing Centre at Melling. I got to know Chloe through the fight to keep the centre open, and she became a good and loyal friend. She touched the lives of so many people, and the country is definitely poorer for her going. Vale, Chloe.
Have a great week and don't forget to vote!
Chris
P.S The media didn't cover it much but National has released an economic plan with 100 initiatives to get us going again - click here to check it out.
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Wet & Wild in Wainuiomata
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The weather's been atrocious but that hasn't stopped us!
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Please party vote National for change!
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Collecting for Heart Kids
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Took a couple of hours off to collect for Heart Kids on Friday at Queensgate.
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National will end Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions
A National government will undo Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions, returning many state highways to 100 km/h from 80, and many local roads to 50 km/h from 30, while designing new highways for 110 km/h.
Read more here.
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My hoardings crew made a quick stop on their route yesterday to fix a Labour sign that was about to blow away. It’s windy out there!
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First ride in a fire engine!
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Jeremy enjoying his first fire engine! Thank you to the Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade for the open day.
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That moment when you’re door knocking and a supporter pulls up and gives you some dokhla! (steamed lentil and rice cake).
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Wainuiomata Grey Power MTC
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This was our final Meet the Candidates of the election... I think.
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A quick visit to Brewtown for the boss last Sunday before his sojourn over the hill!
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Semi-regular Ladyhawke photo
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Had a few requests for photos of Ladyhawke... well here you go!
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