Dear John,
There's just three days to go in the New Zealand election campaign - and to say I'm tired would be an understatement. My team and I have delivered over 100,000 letters, leaflets and advertisements, we've knocked on thousands of doors (I think I've worn out at least two pairs of shoes!), we've called thousands of people, waved signs all over the Hutt.... and now all we can do is wait. I won't lie - it's a nerve-wracking time! Thank you to everyone who has helped out on the campaign. Last night we had a fantastic rally in Wellington with all the National candidates in the region, plus Christopher Luxon. A brilliant turn-out.
If you haven't voted yet, then please do so, and I would really love your support for National and for me. I think the country is heading in the wrong direction, and we need a change. Fundamentally, things aren't better now than they were when the government changed to Labour six years ago. Even though there's been a big increase in government spending (up 80%), the cost of living is out of control, our economy is in poor shape, our health system is falling apart (including locally), education standards are falling, major transport projects have been on again/off again, and crime is up. If you want a government focused on the cost of living, rebuilding our economy, and improving health and education, then please vote National. We have a positive plan for the future and have released 50 policies to get the country back on track. Sadly, Labour has spent the entire campaign making up lies about National and personally attacking Christopher Luxon. I hope people see it for what it is.
Locally, if you want a local MP who works damn hard for the Hutt and who gets things done, then please vote for me. I'll work hard every day as your local MP and try to make the Hutt the best city in New Zealand.
You can find out where to vote in advance of election day - and on the day itself (Saturday!) here.
Gaza: New Zealand - including me - has been focused this week on the election campaign, but I've also been keeping the people in Israel in my thoughts as well. The stories coming out of Hamas' invasion of Israel are absolutely horrific. It was very upsetting to see our Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta initially issue a very passive statement, well out of step with our traditional allies in the US, Australia, and the UK. Chris Hipkins eventually followed Christopher Luxon and condemned the attacks. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend either the vigil in Wellington tonight, but I encourage you to if you can. It's from 6pm at the Wharewaka.
Birthing Centre: Just on a local matter, you might remember the Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre at Melling which closed in 2021 despite a big community effort to save it. Late last year, it looked like some progress had been made – Te Whatu Ora announced that they would take over the lease for the centre from the Wright Family Foundation (the founders of the centre) and the centre would be repurposed as Wellington’s first standalone community-based transitional care unit.
I went to the big announcement at the Birthing Centre and an exciting vision was painted of families and babies being supported while transitioning from neonatal intensive or specialist care to primary care, and families not having to stay as long – if at all – in Newtown.
The new transitional care unit was meant to be up and running in “mid-2023”, according to the November 2022 press release. Well, we’re now in October 2023 and the centre isn’t up and running. In fact, it’s not even clear it will happen at all! I have a written question answer back from the Minister of Health, Ayesha Verrall, which says that “a business case has been submitted” but that “a decision date on this investment proposal is yet to be confirmed.”
To say I’m angry would be an understatement. The centre should not have closed in the first place. All the government had to do was allow women to choose to give birth at the centre and allow funding to follow them for maternity services. Having consciously let the centre close, the government has now let people down AGAIN by announcing something that is clearly not even actually confirmed as happening.
This is infuriating, and I’ll be following it up as a priority after the election – I hope as your local MP.
Stay in touch, and I’ll write again after the election.
Chris
P.S Did you see the Black Caps v England match at the Cricket World Cup? Local Hutt lad Rachin Ravindra smashed it out of the park. So proud of him.
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