Dear John --

Yesterday I marked Anzac Day by attending the dawn service at Auckland War Memorial Museum before joining veterans and locals at a service in my Botany electorate.

I was moved – like I am every year – by the number of people across our country who showed up to reflect on the service and sacrifice of New Zealanders who’ve served in military conflicts.

From young Kiwis wearing the medals of their great-grandfathers, to new New Zealanders attending their first Anzac Day, to veterans who’ve attended every year for decades, there are few things more special in our shared national culture than standing together at a dawn service as the Last Post is played.

Anzac Day is also an opportunity to acknowledge the families of our Defence Force personnel, past and present. We are grateful for the sacrifices they have made to support their partners, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers in their service.

A quick update on some progress we made as a Government this week on one of our priority areas: boosting our international relationships to rebuild our economy.

Last Saturday I returned from a week in South East Asia with a delegation of Kiwis businesses. We travelled to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines to share the best of New Zealand and push for stronger economic ties so we can create jobs, lift incomes and grow our economy here at home.

These markets are hugely important to the future of our economy and I’m committed to bringing more energy and more excitement to strengthening our relationships with this part of the world.

Thank you,
Christopher