We welcomed a new member of the family on Friday afternoon

Dear John,

Hope you had a good long weekend - our family certainly did! On Friday afternoon at 3.10pm we welcomed Matilda Grace Raeburn Bishop ([link removed]) to the world. Jenna was a champion and she and Matilda are doing very well. Jeremy is just delighted to be a big brother and we've had a lovely weekend at home. Thank you to everyone who has sent kind messages (and food!). I'll be taking the next few weeks off work on paternity leave to be with Jenna, Jeremy and Matilda - so if you don't see me in Parliament or around the Hutt that much, that's why! I will still be clearing emails and some paperwork and my offices are open of course, so if you need a hand with anything, please let me know.

Speaking of happy news - how about those Black Caps?! On Saturday they knocked over India, at home, to go 2 nil up in the test series - unbelievable. On Facebook I said it is the greatest achievement ([link removed]) in the history of NZ cricket and I stand by that. Tough to top the 2021 World Test Championships - but we've never won a test series in India before (in fact two weeks ago we'd only won two tests at all!) and this is a full strength Indian team, one of the best of all time. Great to see the Hutt Valley's own Rachin Ravindra doing well!

The last couple of weeks have actually produced an extraordinary amount of sporting success by Kiwis here at home and offshore. Aside from the cricket of course, Team New Zealand won the America's Cup, the White Ferns won the Women's T20 World Cup, the Silver Ferns have won 3/3 against Australia in the netball (somewhat out of nowhere), the Paddle Blacks won the Women's Canoe Polo World Cup, and let's not forget Hayden Wilde, Ally Woolaston, and Liam Lawson either. It was a privilege to move a motion in Parliament ([link removed]) on Tuesday last week acknowledging our incredible sportspeople.

There's quite a bit of debate now of course about Team New Zealand defending the Auld Mug at home. The government's perspective is that we're up for a conversation about helping that happen, but fundamentally it's a decision for them to make. We also need to be cognisant of the tough financial times we're in - there's lots of things for taxpayer money to be spent on, and we're a government focused on value for money and making sure we good "bang for buck". Let's see where it goes - but for now, let's celebrate an awesome sporting triumph! W (mailto:[email protected]?subject=America's%20Cup) hat do you think? (mailto:[email protected]?subject=America's%20Cup)

Wellington Council: The other big news of the last week or so has been about the shenanigans at Wellington City Council. The government's decided to appoint a formal Crown Observer to the Council, following advice from the Department of Internal Affairs to Simeon Brown, the Local Government Minister. I think this is the right thing to do. I've lost count of the number of people who have a complaint about the Council - it is raised with me regularly, both via email and in person. It's really clear that there is deep frustration out there amongst Wellingtonians, and that the Council is really struggling to grapple with its issues. I welcome your feedback on this! (mailto:[email protected]?subject=WCC)

Ashley's Law: ([link removed]) Last week was a special one for me, as a law change I've worked on for a few years passed its final reading! Around three years ago ago a woman named Ashley came to see me to help with a petition she was organising to change the law so that victims of family violence don’t have to wait two years to get a divorce. I presented the petition to Parliament and started working on a law to make it a reality. It turns out that separately to me, Angie Warren-Clark from Labour was also working on it - and then the Bill got pulled from the ballot! It had its first reading just before the 2023 election and passed Parliament unanimously last week. ([link removed]) with Ashley there in the gallery to see it. Thanks to Deborah Russell MP for shepherding the Bill through its final stages after Angie lost her
seat at the election. Most importantly thanks to Ashley and other brave women who had the courage and bravery to stand up and create an important social change.

Have a great week.

Chris

P.S A big shout out to Arna and Jason, owners of Janus Bakkerij ([link removed][0]=AZXJnMLVYAmeuwUrkZiqexnnL89wkMPHh6n2PE2vq0-dPi5b5NtI1oq2HUUiGWdVjlHNyq-eHLOOCBaw4JB5tFv8BRNbf1th8aA4dYBCv47ahNV2KGVoHdgR23D7_0Z9wc7Q8dZOZpTwWoS3GQvg2F4Fysb-VBS80xTj7K-3U3i3lUFNDejg0_zpUIOUEBxwysAsruv6bNwSZ8gsFrobIT7-frY-otk5ffdvaJPvZYuCog&__tn__=-]K-y-R) and Fix Federation ([link removed][0]=AZXJnMLVYAmeuwUrkZiqexnnL89wkMPHh6n2PE2vq0-dPi5b5NtI1oq2HUUiGWdVjlHNyq-eHLOOCBaw4JB5tFv8BRNbf1th8aA4dYBCv47ahNV2KGVoHdgR23D7_0Z9wc7Q8dZOZpTwWoS3GQvg2F4Fysb-VBS80xTj7K-3U3i3lUFNDejg0_zpUIOUEBxwysAsruv6bNwSZ8gsFrobIT7-frY-otk5ffdvaJPvZYuCog&__tn__=-]K-y-R) . They're in the book for the BEST pies in New Zealand because they're phenomenal!

P.P.S Well done to the Lions - NPC Champions in a nail-biter against the Steamers!
WELCOME MATILDA!
ASHLEY'S LAW
A very special day!
ROCKQUEST
Erica Stanford and I visited my old school, HIBS, on Wednesday last week to announce that the government will be continuing funding for the Smokefree Rockquest! Such an important cultural institution which has laid the foundation for so many brilliant Kiwi bands and artists. Thanks to HIBS for hosting us and Cloud 9 for the great performance.
HAPPY DIWALI!
Celebrating Diwali with the Punjabi Sports and Cultural Club at the Indian Hall in Petone on Sunday night. Standing room only!
ONE YEAR SINCE THE ELECTION!
Just over a year ago Kiwis voted for change! It’s a huge honour to serve as the MP for Hutt South and as a Minister in the Coalition government. I am working hard every day to improve lives for people in the Hutt and across New Zealand.
CATCH UP AT RIVERBANK MARKETS
Down at the Riverbank Markets last weekend. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello!
FERNDALE FURNITURE VISIT

Dropped into Ferndale Furniture in Seaview last week. A local family owned Hutt company doing cabinetry, joinery and furniture manufacturing, for projects all around New Zealand. I drive past here almost every day, it’s incredible what goes on in the mighty Hutt Valley!
MORE GOOD NEWS, OUR PLAN IS WORKING...
Stats NZ reported today that the inflation rate had dropped from 3.3 per cent in the year to June to 2.2 per cent in the year to September. That is down from 5.6 per cent just a year ago and over 7 per cent in 2022.

Our plan is working, with inflation coming down as well as interest rates!
FUTURE PROOF
A great day in Hamilton on Wednesday meeting last week with Future Proof, the partnership driving growth in Hamilton, Waipā and Waikato. There is huge potential in this incredible region and the government is determined to work with the region to unlock growth and prosperity!
ON TRACK FOR KIWIRAIL UPGRADES
This investment will enable KiwiRail to carry out critical work on rail assets across the network. This includes upgrades to level crossings, retaining walls, points equipment, sleepers, and tunnels. Culverts will also be replaced, and improvements made to bridges and critical drainage infrastructure.
BIG WEEKEND FOR NZ SPORT!
An epic weekend for New Zealand sport on the world stage! Read more here ([link removed]) .

KĀPITI EXPRESSWAY GOES TO 110km/h
In November, there's an increase to the speed limit to 110km/h which is safe and appropriate on this section of State Highway 1.
MY SPECIAL VISITOR
Ladyhawke was a special visitor to the Beehive last week!
FRIDAY FUN
This post ([link removed]) of mine attracted a bit of attention last week - for the record, it is delicious! Peanut butter, chili, stout... what's not to like?

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