Dear John,

I hope you had a restful Easter break. After an intense couple of weeks it was good to kick back and spend some time with Jenna, Jeremy and Matilda at home - we did venture out to see the Bluey stage show though, which was a real hit!

This week I've been in Tauranga and Auckland, making a series of transport announcements. I'm really enjoying the job as Minister of Transport - it's such an important portfolio for New Zealand's future and it is good to get stuck in. Thankfully it's been easy transition as Simeon Brown did such a good job last year.

I'm writing this from Auckland where I've made two major announcements for Northland and Auckland - and there's more to come later today. After Melling, the rest of the country needs a bit of love too!

ANZAC Day: Tomorrow is a special day and I encourage you to get along to one of your local ANZAC services if you can. I've posted the list below ([link removed]) with times and locations if you're looking for a handy list. I'll be at the dawn service at the ANZAC lawn in the Hutt, then the two Petone services, back to the official Civic ceremony, over to Wainuiomata and will finish off the day as the government rep at the Ataturk services in Breaker Bay. I reckon I'll be ready for a beer at the end of all that! Please say hello if you see me around.

Newsletter: Every year or so I send a letter to every household in the Hutt, with a newsletter showing what I've been up to as local MP for Hutt South, and a survey asking some topical questions so I can be a better representative. If you've got a couple of hours, I'd love your help to get this into every house in the Hutt! (mail is expensive!). It's super easy - click here ([link removed]) to sign up and one of my team will be in touch. All you need to do is stick mail into letterboxes (in order), you can do as few or as many as you like, and we'll even drop the letters off to you (or you can pick up).

"The La Bella Bill": you might remember a few years ago the problems La Bella Italia was having with its liquor licence - because it is both a restaurant (that you can eat in at) as well as a grocery store (where you can buy wine to take away). That's part of the whole experience, but it doesn't mesh well with our liquor laws. This is a problem not just for La Bella but also for many places around the country - although enforcement seems to vary wildly.

Back in 2018 I wrote a Member's Bill to change the Sale and Supply of Liquor Act to fix situations like this. The Bill will allow restaurants that hold on-licences to sell alcohol, to also hold off-licences under the same roof.

The Bill has sat in the Parliamentary "biscuit tin" since then but last week it was pulled from the ballot and will get it first reading in the coming months! It's not in my name anymore (you can't be in charge of a Member's Bill as a Minister) but I am sure my colleague Mike Butterick will do a good job with it.

Out and About: Lots of events in the last few weeks - another Hutt citizenship ceremony, Eastbourne Pie competition, Sri Lankan New Year, a BA5 on Jackson St with Small Business Minister Chris Penk, and more.

Hope to see you tomorrow at an ANZAC service.

Chris

An amazing day!
Easter Break

A real hit - isn't Jeremy growing!
Introducing Lucy Trenberth

Introducing the Youth MP for Hutt South 2025, Lucy Trenberth! Lucy is a Year 12 student at Queen Margaret College and lives in Waterloo. She used to attend my old schools, Eastern Hutt and Hutt Intermediate.

In 2023 she conducted a food drive for the Lower Hutt Salvation Army Food Bank and I was really impressed by her social conscience and determination to improve Lower Hutt for young people.

Lucy is a very talented sportswoman as well - she plays in her school's Senior A teams for Football, Futsal, Netball, Touch Rugby, and Volleyball. She is a Wellington representative in Futsal, Football and Netball. Where she finds the time I have no idea!
Who ate all the pies?

Who ate all the pies?

Me. Plus Laurent Loudeac, Brad Shields and Sean O’Sullivan. Together we judged the second annual Eastbourne Pie competition on Sunday afternoon at the ESSC.

24 pies in 30 mins was some effort. No need for breakfast today… or lunch.

Congrats to everyone who entered. The winning pie was a truly delicious Korean pork belly extravaganza!

What do you reckon? You can submit here. ([link removed])
The La Bella Bill

Erica and I catching up with Antonio a few years ago. Looking forward to the Bill to help them become law!
Collecting for Poppy Day

Collecting for Poppy Day at Bunnings Petone. Thanks to everyone who donated!
Thanks Wayne!

Rocked up for my normal long black last week from The Flying Bean and went to pay only to discover Wayne had already sorted it for me. Thanks Wayne - glad you like the granny flat policy!
BA5 with Chris Penk

A couple of weeks ago the Jackson St Programme hosted Minister for Small Business Chris Penk and me for a Business After 5 at Speight’s Ale House. Big turnout - thanks to everyone who came along and shared their views. Good conversations.
Sri Lankan New Year

I joined the Sri Lankan community at St Pat's Silverstream to celebrate Sri Lankan New Year (Aluth Avurudda) on Sunday.

The lighting of the oil lamp symbolises the dispelling of darkness and ignorance, ushering in light, prosperity, and new beginnings. It is a gesture of hope, unity, and renewal for the year ahead.

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Thursday Funny

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