Wednesday was a day of highs and lows...

Dear John,

It's been a bittersweet week, filled with highs and lows. On Wednesday morning I had the privilege of turning the first sod ([link removed]) on the Mill St stopbank upgrade, part of the RiverLink project which is going to be transformational for the Hutt. The same morning, my colleague Efeso Collins collapsed at an event in Auckland and tragically lost his life. All of Parliament is in shock at his death. I didn't know him well, but it's clear from the tributes from his friends and colleagues that Parliament and New Zealand has lost someone special, and far too soon. As a mark of respect, I adjourned the House on Wednesday and so we didn't have Question Time on either Wednesday or Thursday. Efeso is the first sitting MP to lose their life since the late Parekura Horomia.

Melling and RiverLink: Much of my political life has been spent campaigning for this important project, so it was a really special morning on Wednesday. RiverLink will significantly upgrade flood protection in the Hutt Valley - raising protection from a 1 in 65 year event to 1 in 440 years. Mill St is the weakest link in the network, as Daran Ponter put it on Wednesday, so that is where work is starting. The wider project involves a new interchange (grade separated), a new bridge across the river, shifting the train station south and connecting it to the CBD, better walking and cycling, and urban regeneration. It's a giant jigsaw puzzle and involves multiple parts of central and local government all working together.

The new government is committed to delivering Melling and RiverLink. There's been some recent media that the cost is currently unaffordable ([link removed]) , which is true. Sadly, on many infrastructure projects the new Coalition government has inherited a real mess. The last government simply didn't budget enough money for the project, so all the partners in the project are currently working hard to strip cost out and bring it back within budget. I'm leaving that to the experts, but I'm confident it can be done and we will see construction commence! I'll keep you posted.

100 Day Plan: The government's first 100 days comes to a close on March 8, and we are full steam ahead to make sure we tick off the 49 actions we said we would deliver. I'm responsible for many of these and so I'm working nearly around the clock at the moment. The big one coming up in the next couple of weeks is a one-stop-shop fast track consenting bill for major infrastructure and development projects.. This will cut through the red tape holding us back as a nation and let us get on with actually building things. It's provoked a bit of controversy but we simply have to cut consenting costs - over $1 billion a year and rising!

State of the Nation: On Sunday Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivered a fantastic "State of the Nation" speech, his first as Prime Minister. It can be read here ([link removed]) . As a government we are taking tough decisions in the national interest. Frankly, we've inherited a real mess but with the right decisions and the right leadership, we can make New Zealand the best country in the world. I'm enjoying the job so far and can't wait for the rest of the year!

About the Hutt: Despite the big Parliamentary workload I've been busy around the Hutt in the last couple of weeks. I really enjoyed the Petone Fair on Saturday - thanks to everybody who stopped by to say hello and buy a sausage. We raised over $200 for the Kitten Inn, a great Hutt charity. You can read a bit more about what I've been up to below.

Enjoy your weekend. I'm off to Sydney for a couple of days to see Taylor Swift with Jeremy. Back on Sunday. See you soon!

Chris.

RiverLink underway!

With Mayor Campbell Barry and Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter at the sod turning for RiverLink. Exciting times!
Signing the book of remembrance

Signing the book of remembrance for Efeso Collins MP.
With the boss for the 61st Halberg Awards

The Prime Minister and I attended the 61st Halberg Awards last week. Congratulations to all of the individual and team finalists and winners!
Petone Rotary Fair

Petone Fair was brilliant as always.
Curator's Breakfast

I was invited to speak at the Seddon Cricket Club "Curator's Breakfast" as Minister of Sport. Event finished with all the attendees hearing a talk from the curator of Seddon Park, talking about the pitch in the recent NZ v South Africa cricket test. I was gifted a piece of the turf - how cool is that!
What's going on in this picture... Guess the caption (clue below)

Question 1 in the House is from the Greens...
Pride Parade Auckland
I've marched in the Pride Parade in Auckland almost every year since 2015. Enjoyed walking down Ponsonby Road with Nicola, Dan and other colleagues again this year.
Ladyhawke update
Ladyhawke loves to visit the Beehive
Sri Lankan Food Fair

The Sri Lankan Fair held in Petone is an awesome event and the food is always spot on. This dish is a chicken Kottu and it's delicious!
New Abandoned Brewery Tap Room
Abandoned Brewery is a true micro-brewery located down the road in Epuni. They've recently opened up a tap room in Petone at the old OnTrays site on Fitzherbert Street and they are offering the Scheckters' famous Reuben sandwich among other things. A great compliment to Baylands Brewery & Tap Room just round the corner

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2024 Chris Bishop MP, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this as a supporter, friend or colleague of Chris Bishop MP.

Our mailing address is:
Chris Bishop MP
66 Bloomfield Terrace
Hutt City
Lower Hutt, Wellington 5010
New Zealand
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]