Father's Day, new trains, the Maori Party, and more...

Dear John,

What a couple of weeks! Father's Day, my birthday, lots of Ministerial announcements, travel around the country, and plenty of activity around the Hutt too. Below is a quick run-down of what I've been up to, but first a couple of comments on the events of the week.

First off, like everyone, my heart has been breaking this week for the poor Phillips kids and of course the poor police officer who was shot. The details are almost too appalling for words. It was such a relief when the children were found on Tuesday night. I find it unfathomable how people think Tom Phillips was a hero. As Police Minister Mark Mitchell said this week, he was a monster. The kids' reintegration to society is going to be very tough and they'll need a lot of support.

On other upsetting matters, I was shocked this week to hear Maori Party MP Takuta Ferris say in relation to the by-election, "blows my mind!! Indians, Asians, Black and Pakeha campaigning to take a Maori seat from Maori". Having been condemned by nearly everyone, including his own leaders, he has now doubled down and is refusing to apologise. I just can't understand how someone could have such a mindset. I got stuck into the issue in the General Debate in Parliament this week, including Chris Hipkins' refusal to call it what it is - racist. I've had good feedback about the entire speech, which covers off Labour's first new economic policy which appears to be allow more inflation (just after we've worked so hard to get it down) and why on earth Ricardo from the Greens is writing letters of support for a person going around vandalising MPs' electorate officers. Check it out here.

In terms of work in my Ministerial portfolios, it's been a busy time. I was really excited to announce on Monday that the government is investing $800m buying new trains for the Manawatu and Wairarapa train lines. They'll be run by MetLink (Wellington Regional Council) and will replace the old 1970s trains. The new trains (there'll be 18 of them) will be battery electric and once they're operational from 2029/30 will deliver reduced travel times, better reliability and increased frequency. Can't wait to see them in action!

On Friday last week I announced a series of actions to expand support for rough sleepers. Despite the rhetoric from the Opposition on this, rough sleeping is a tricky issue and there's no silver bullet. Jacinda Ardern promised to end homelessness by Christmas 2018, spent billions of billions and homelessness actually increased between 2018 and 2023. Our package expands the Housing First programme, started under the previous National-led government, which supports people experiencing chronic homelessness into permanent housing. It also provides tailored support to help people live in the home and build a better life. We're also investing in additional funding for support services for people sleeping rough, delivered by frontline providers like the City Missions.

I'm quietly proud of the improvements we're making in social housing. It's gone unnoticed by most but we are driving quite significant and important change in this very important area. Our new system is centred on three principles – building the right homes, in the right place, for the right people. That's just not the case at the moment - homes the government builds are often in the wrong place, they're too big, and too expensive. Lots more to do but we're making good progress. One quick stat - around half of the people on the social housing waitlist need a one-bedroom home, yet only 12 per cent of Kainga Ora’s homes are one bedroom. But for the new homes we funded through Budgets 2024 and 2025, around 48 per cent of these new homes will be one-bedroom and around 42 per cent will be two-bedroom.

There's more I could mention like the reforms to Auckland Transport - but a quick mention of all the things going on in the Hutt and wider region. On the weekend I celebrated Onam with the Wellington Malayalee community, opened Novelty Sweets' first Hutt restaurant, and celebrated my birthday and Father's Day. It was good to get out and about too last week when Parliament wasn't sitting - I particularly enjoyed talking to the Wainuiomata Girls' Brigade about the local elections, plus one of my regular morning teas in the Hutt. More below.

Have a great weekend - go the All Blacks on Saturday night!

Chris

Happy Father's Day!

I am so lucky! Can't believe how fast the kids are growing up.

New Trains!

New trains are on the way for the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines!

These new trains will boost productivity, support economic growth, and help Kiwis get where they need to go—quickly and safely.

This upgrade will enable the doubling of peak services on both lines, along with additional off-peak services. I’m looking forward to being on board the first train when it arrives!

Onam

Celebrating Onam with the Wellington Malayalee Association and the local community on Sunday. Happy Onam!

Walk of Champions

Very special morning on Saturday unveiling two more plaques for the "Walk of Champions" on Jackson St, in Petone. In 1992, "Mr Petone", Roy Hewson (RIP) established this very successful initiative to celebrate and remember sporting legends from Petone who had attained NZ honours. Since then the street has been progressively filled out with these sporting heroes.

On Saturday we laid down two more plaques for Duncan McGregor (All Black 1903-1906) and Richard (Jock) McKenzie (All Black 1913-1914).

Seaview Wharf Upgrade

The Seaview Wharf is a critical piece of infrastructure for Wellington and actually all of New Zealand. Since 2021 the Seaview Resilience Project has been upgrading the wharf and the pipeline to improve resilience to natural events and address damage from the 2016 earthquake.

Seaview providers one million tonnes of fuel per year and supplies 20% of our population. It is critical to our supply chain and our economy.

Was great to be there to mark the completion of stage one and two!

New restaurant in Wainuiomata

Have you checked out the new Thai restaurant, Yathai, in Wainuiomata yet? The first Thai restaurant in Wainuiomata. The menu looks fantastic - can’t wait to try it out.

Property Council surprise

Not every day you get sung ‘happy birthday’ by 300 people. Nice surprise at the Property Council Annual Conference on the 4th in Queenstown!

Congrats Faisandier!

Celebrating the milestone of 500 new Faisandier homes in the Hutt Valley last week. This picture is with the Faisandier leadership team: Paddy, Sam, and Simon. Well done guys!

Gordon Wilson Flats

Liban Ali, the Vic Uni Student Association President, came by my office to get me to sign these! One lucky student will get a signed, framed picture for their flat.

The Gordon Wilson Flats are soon for the wrecking ball.

Visit to Wainuiomata Girls' Brigade

Really enjoyed talking to the Wainuiomata Girls’ Brigade on Tuesday last week about our democratic process, what Parliament is, and the difference between central and local government. Great to see such interest from our young people.

Chris Bishop MP

66 Bloomfield Terrace

Hutt City

Lower Hutt, Wellington 5010

New Zealand

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