Lots happening around the Hutt and Parliament

Dear John,

I can't believe it's February already - where did January go? Kids are back at school and the work year is well underway. I've been head-down, bum-up, as they say, at Parliament plowing through my work across Housing, Infrastructure, Resource Management Act reform and Sport. Parliament goes back next week for a mammoth four week sitting period - the end of which brings to a close the government's 100 Day Action Plan. It's certainly been a busy time.

The focus of the last week or so has been Waitangi Day and associated issues around the Treaty of Waitangi. Alongside the Prime Minister and other senior Ministers, I met with the National Iwi Chairs Forum last week in Kerikeri and we had a very productive conversation. As the PM said, we aren't going to agree on everything but there's a real willingness to engage on both sides and listen to different points of view. The point I would make is that we actually agree on a lot. Many iwi want to make it easier to use their land for housing, economic development, and industry - we agree. Many Maori are concerned about educational underachievement amongst Maori kids and think a one-size-fits all state education system has failed them - we agree. Many Maori think a gigantic health bureaucracy doesn't serve them well, and services would be better delivered at the frontline by people who really know communities - we agree. And so the list goes on. So there's a lot we can get on with together - on
the basis of equal citizenship and equal rights.

I was back at Waitangi for the big hui on the marae at Waitangi the day before the big day itself. As always at Waitangi, there was a bit of shouting, a bit of theatre - but also plenty of good conversations. I've been there many times now as an MP (probably every second year or so) and I'm always struck by the sheer beauty and how history seems to drip from every tree and blade of grass. It's impossible not to feel moved as you stand on the big lawn looking out to the ocean, pondering the possibilities New Zealand has in front of it. All the way back in 1840, Maori and the Crown came together and agreed to forge a better future together. We've come a long way and there's more to do - but we should look back with respectful pride at who we are as a nation, and be constantly striving for better.

Fast track consenting: You might have seen in the news last week that phase two of our RMA reform agenda includes introducing a permanent one-stop-shop fast-track consenting regime. This will improve the speed and process for resource approvals for major infrastructure projects and unlock opportunities in industries such as aquaculture. For too long, New Zealanders have had to wait for progress in their towns and cities due to the overly-restrictive RMA. We're now taking the first steps ([link removed]) in cutting through this mess of red tape, so we can supercharge New Zealand’s potential. Watch this space for more! The aim is to have the Bill introduced into Parliament by March 8 as part of our 100 Day ([link removed]) Action Plan.

Around the Hutt: I had the pleasure of getting out into the community to visit some local businesses a couple of weeks ago. I love calling in and seeing what people are doing - let me know if you'd like me to visit your business!
* The team at Rockbond ([link removed]) Specialty Concrete Supply are based in Te Puni Street Petone - They're 25 years in and still going strong!
* I called into Bea DnD Games ([link removed]) located on Jackson Street Petone - they offer everything in miniatures, dice, boardgames, role playing games and more. I found some old favourites in there such as Magic - brilliant!
* Right in the heart of Lower Hutt in our very own Technology Valley a company called A44 Games ([link removed]) are developing and almost ready to launch a new video game called Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. I was able to sample the experience, and it's incredible. Can't wait for the launch!

Have a great weekend and if you need a hand with anything, sing out!

Chris

Special visitor to the Beehive
There's always time in my busy schedule for wee boy
Visit to Rockbond Special Concrete Products

Caught up with the team at Rockbond - 25 years in and still going strong supplying specialty concrete products.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Every year on 27 January we commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day to recognise the survivors and grieve of millions of lives that were lost. Here I am laying a stone on a brick from a concentration camp to mark. Holocaust Remembrance Day reminds us that we should never forget the Shoah, and never forget its lessons.
Visit to BeaDnD Games Petone

Called in to see Nikki and Shayne of BeaDnD Games on Jackson Street, Petone. An incredible store - Magic; Warhammer, Dungeons and Dragons, The Gathering and much more. Back in the day I played a lot of Magic - I still have a lot of cards somewhere! Might have to give Friday night Magic a go at the store.
Big Day Out - up North
My first time meeting with Iwi Chairs formally as a Minister in the new coalition government. Then a series of site visits around the area. So much potential in transport, infrastructure, housing, and energy. Our job is to unlock it.
Speaking as 'Leader of the House' to Phil Smith from RNZ

One of the many hats I wear at Parliament is 'Leader of the House'. It basically means I'm responsible for organising all the government legislation to be debated in Parliament and working with other parties to ensure the house runs smoothly. Having been a student (some would say nerd) of Parliamentary procedure for decades, it's a role I love. RNZ's The House is on at 6.55pm each weeknight and on Sunday mornings.
Visit to A44 Games

Did you know that right in the heart of Lower Hutt there's a world class video game being developed? A44 Games in Melling is making Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn and I got to try it out. It will be incredible when released later in the year and so cool that it's being made in Technology Valley, Lower Hutt!
Bit of history in our new(ish) house
Back in the 1990s the Parliamentary debating chamber was renovated and Parliament sold off the old chairs and lecterns, and a Hutt local bought one of them. He recently offered me the chance to purchase one and it now sits in our little reading nook. Ladyhawke and Jeremy both love sitting there.

The bench has "Tombleson and Brown" written underneath it, so as luck would have it I now have the bench belonging to former National MPs Esme Tombleson and Bill Brown.

Esme Tombleson was the MP for Gisborne from 1960-1972 and when she was elected, she was the only woman in the National caucus! She was National's third ever female MP (after Mary Grigg and Hilda Ross). Wikipedia tells me she was prominent as a campaigner for multiple sclerosis and was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services in the 1977 Queen's Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours.

Bill Brown became a National MP in 1960 as well and represented the seat of Palmerston North until he died in office in 1967. Palmy has traditionally been a tough seat for National to win - the only time since 1967 when National has held it was 1975-1978 when John Lithgow won it in the Muldoon landslide. Since then it's been held by Labour.
Date night with the Foo Fighters (and most of the Hutt)
Jenna and I were found in the middle of the pit with many other Foo Fighters fans enjoying their incredible performance.
TVNZ Breakfast
Catch me on TVNZ Breakfast every Thursday at about 7.45am. It's been Ginny and me for the past couple of weeks, but going forward it'll be me and Kieran McAnulty.

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