Maori Party clown show continues

Dear John,

I've had the pleasure of a couple of bits of (very quick) overseas travel in the last couple of weeks - first to Chicago for the All Blacks v Ireland game where I hosted a range of functions and events to promote "NZ Inc" in the USA, and then a flying visit to Sydney to see one of my favourite bands, Oasis (would have been even better at Eden Park!). Back into it now and ready for the final few weeks of the year. A lot of things I've been working on for a long time like the replacement to the RMA, new infrastructure tools, and a new housing investment system, will all be revealed in the coming weeks. I'm excited and nervous and I look forward to your feedback about them all!

The big story of the week was of course the shocking revelations about the appalling behaviour by our most senior Police officers. I'm sure you've seen the extensive coverage of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report into the Police handling of complaints against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. The report reveals that there was a terrible culture at the heart of the former senior executive of the Police. A female complainant has been badly let down by the system, which failed her utterly.

The sad thing is that this appalling episode will inevitably tarnish the reputations of the vast majority of hard-working, excellent police officers who do great work in our communities every single day. I hope that that isn't the case and it is imperative the government moves swiftly to restore confidence in the Police. The government has accepted all of the IPCA recommendations. Most notably, we will be establishing an Inspector-General of Police, the strongest statutory oversight mechanism.

The other story that's had people filling my inbox is the clown show that is the Maori Party, who this week booted out two of their MPs (they say they've gone "rogue", their biggest crime seems to be disagreeing with Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer). To be honest there's a new development every day and it's become very hard to keep track of who's staying, who's going, who is thinking about going, who is in trouble, and so on. All I know is that you don't want these guys anywhere near government! I also worry about the effect on our Parliamentary democracy. They treat Parliament with near contempt - they are barely ever there, rarely speak on Bills in the House, often don't vote, and basically use the House as a platform to shoot videos for social media. We deserve better, as do their voters.

My little jibe at their expense in the House has now been seen by nearly 500k people - check it out here.

Some of my announcements you may be interested in from the last couple of weeks:

Construction has started on the Hawke's Bay Expressway upgrade! I turned the first sod with local MPs Katie Nimon and Catherine Wedd yesterday.
Time of use (congestion) pricing is a step closer after Parliament unanimously passed legislation to allow schemes to be developed.
Drug driving testing will start in mid-December!
We're investing $94.2 million for long-overdue maintenance and renewals in the Wellington metro rail network
Our Bill to create an "express lane" for consents for new supermarkets has entered Parliament. We hope to have it passed by Christmas.

Around the Hutt: We're coming to the end of the year, and I really enjoyed attending the St Bernard's College prizegiving recently, as well as celebrating with over 140 graduates at the BCITO building and construction graduation ceremony yesterday.

Have a great weekend!

Chris

Hawke's Bay Expressway is all go!

Turning the first sod on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance with Katie and Catherine. The Expressway corridor includes 7km of four-laning between Links Road/Pākōwhai Road and Taradale Road. The project is due to finish in 2029 and is part of the Government’s $7 billion of infrastructure projects starting by Christmas this year.

We’re replacing sleepers and key track infrastructure like turnouts, especially on the Hutt Valley and Kāpiti lines. It also includes refurbishing bridges, improving drainage, and upgrading culverts to keep trains moving reliably.

New homes for the Hutt

New social homes coming to Lower Hutt!

On Friday I helped turn the sod on a Kāinga Ora project that will replace eight old homes with 18 brand new ones in Taita. More warm, dry, and safe homes for people in Lower Hutt.

Hi from Chicago

There are so many amazing Kiwi companies and individuals doing incredible things in the US, from meat, kiwifruit, wine, tech and more. It was great to connect with them as well as Irish ministers and civic leaders including the Mayor in Chicago. Joining us at the game were Congressman McCormick and Congresswoman van Duyne, both members of the NZ-US Congressional Friendship group. Congressman McCormick in particular is a huge All Blacks fan - he says attending this game has been on his bucket list for years.

Visit to Kenepuru Science Centre

On Thursday Dr Shane Reti MP and I visited the Kenepuru Science Centre, a major new facility in Porirua supporting forensic and public health science. Once complete, the 4,000m² centre will include PHF Science’s Wellington Forensic Service Centre, an innovation hub, and more than 1,500m² of specialised labs. The centre will enable faster, more accurate testing and research in disease surveillance, water quality, forensics, and emergency response. This project is a great example of Crown Infrastructure Delivery working with agencies to deliver important infrastructure.

Drugged drivers are a danger to everyone on the road. National is cracking down with roadside drug testing starting this December and rolling out nationwide by 2026. Police will be able to test for cannabis, meth, MDMA and cocaine - holding dangerous drivers to account and saving lives on our roads.

New Cupcake Sweeties!

Not all heroes wear capes. Honoured to attend the opening of the new SuperGrans office in Lower Hutt and celebration of 30 years serving the Hutt. Thank you for all you do.

Did you see this?

Just looks like ridiculous red tape gone mad to me. What do you reckon?

Chris Bishop MP

66 Bloomfield Terrace

Hutt City

Lower Hutt, Wellington 5010

New Zealand

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