Dear John,
Well what a last few days it has been for the National Party. Let's not beat around the bush - it's been a tough time. At times like this your resilience is tested and how you come through the other side is critical. On Tuesday night we met as a caucus and elected our new Leader, Judith Collins. Gerry Brownlee was elected as Deputy Leader. I will be proud to serve under and campaign for both of them. Judith is a formidable politician. She has vast experience across multiple different portfolios in both government and opposition and she will resolutely but respectfully hold the government to account, and set out National’s policies. In welcoming Judith, we say farewell to Todd Muller. Todd is a mate and this is very tough on him. I will be giving him the space he deserves as I'm sure everyone will.
This morning Judith announced a small reshuffle and I was really pleased - delighted actually - to be promoted to number 7 in the rankings and get given the role of Shadow Leader of the House in addition to my transport and infrastructure responsibilities. These are big jobs and I will give them my all.
There are just 66 days to go until the election and things are hotting up in the local Hutt South campaign. My slogan for my local campaign in the Hutt is "Getting things done for the Hutt." That's been my key focus for the last three years and I've been working hard on Melling, getting new housing underway, saving the Airport Flyer, getting the Petone to Ngauranga cycleway funded, to name just a few. You can check out my first campaign video here! If you'd like to help out on the campaign then please let me know - there's lots to do!
This weekend the election signs start appearing! I'm looking for fences around the Hutt to put my face and name - could you host one? Flick me an email.
Speaking of getting things done, it was good to see news this week that Kainga Ora (the old Housing NZ) has dialed back their plans for emergency housing in Wood St, Wainuiomata. I've been working with local residents, led by Sam Bason, to get Kainga Ora to build more permanent housing on the land, which they've now agreed to do. Not perfect but much better than the model before.
I was also able to confirm with the Regional Council this week that a bus stop is going in on Parkway, Wainuiomata, near the Parkway Rise development. Good news for residents of this growing area.
Transport remains a key focus for me and there are lots of exciting announcements to come from National. We've already confirmed our plans for a four lane expressway from Ashburton to Christchurch and for Cambridge to Piarere in the Waikato, and soon you'll hear about our plans for Auckland and Wellington. The latter has been in the news recently with my revelation that the Petone to Grenada Road has had no work done on it in three years after the government hit pause on it. Not good enough, particularly after a bit of dirt caused SH2 and the Hutt to basically be cut off a couple of weeks ago.
Public Forum: Finally, just a reminder about my public forum tonight on our COVID-19 recovery. Really looking forward to this. We did really well in the lockdown. But the recovery will be hard on all of us. This is an attempt to start a bit of a community conversation about what we need to change and do differently, and what we need to keep the same. Got an awesome panel of people - Helen Down from the Chamber of Commerce, Paul Matthews from the IT Professionals Assn, Tesh Kells from the Youth Council, and Kaz Yung from the Petone Community Board and general awesome person. Come along - quick speeches followed by korero/Q and A. All ideas gratefully received and will be discussed/followed up by decision-makers there.
Have a great day.
Chris
P.S Did you see my appearance taste-testing Atrium Cafe's entry in the Hot Chocolate challenge on Newshub?
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Out on the campaign trail
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The campaign is hotting up! I've had a lot of people ask me how they can help with the election - so if you'd like to assist me, please click here to sign-up as a member of "Team Bish". There's lots of ways to assist - everything from delivering leaflets, letters, phone calling, door-knocking, and more. If you can host a sign on your fence, please let me know. I am deeply appreciative of all the support I get from people in the Hutt, and I'd love to continue as your MP - so if you can help out please let me know.
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Bit of dirt cuts off the Hutt
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Shocker a couple of weeks ago when a slip on the Hutt motorway basically cut off the Hutt. I heard of people taking four hours to get back from Wellington. We need more resilience in the network and we need the Petone to Grenada Link Road to connect SH2 to SH1.
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Friends of Hutt Emergency Department
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Called in at Hutt Hospital a couple of weeks ago to say thanks to the very hardworking ‘Friends of Hutt Emergency’ led by St John. The volunteers there do a great job providing support and comfort to patients in the emergency department. Real unsung heroes. I dropped off a morning tea pack to say thanks!
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SNUGGLE TIME! The last few weeks have definitely been made for snuggling. Jodie from the Hutt has just started her new business called Snuggle Me. Brilliant giant winter hoodie blankets. As you can see they are huge! Chuck them on over your clothes and snuggle up in the couch. Order online at snuggleme.co.nz. I’ve picked up a couple for Jenna and me!
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A fun morning on Monday in the rain helping local schoolchildren including from Hutt Intermediate plant beetroots, onions and lettuce at Parliament! A cool project run by Garden to Table, which helps kids learn how to grow, harvest and prepare fresh food. Schools in Wellington have been growing vegeta which have been pickled and preserved for use in the Bellamy's by Logan Brown burger for Wellington on a Plate this year. Can’t wait to try it - made by Hutt local Josh Ross of course.
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Wellesley College Speech Competition
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Huge pleasure to judge the Wellesley College Year 7 and 8 speech competition a couple of Fridays ago. 8 incredible speeches. Very tough to pick the winners!
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New look for the Bishmobile. Great work by Dzine Signs! What do you reckon?
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First Parkrun post lock-down
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First post lockdown Lower Hutt parkrun for months! Thanks Glynis Ng for the photo
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How good is ESSC Eats?! A delicious meal last Friday at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club. Bao buns, chicken burger, brisket burger, truffle fries. Rebecca and Mark operate Thursday through Sunday. Great food and excellent service.
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Here's the National Party team for the Lower North Island electorates at Election 2020! Nicola Willis MP (Wellington Central), Brett Hudson MP (Ohariu), Mark Crofskey (Remutaka), David Patterson (Rongotai), Katie Nimon (Napier), Lawrence Yule MP (Tukituki), William Wood (Palmerston North), Jo Hayes MP (Mana), Harete Hipango (Whanganui), Ian McKelvie MP (Rangitikei), Tim Costley (Otaki), Mike Butterick (Wairarapa).
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ThrowbackThursday to my senior Ball 2001....I did really like black back in the day.
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Speaking of School Balls...
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What a fantastic idea. School balls/formals are a highlight of high school - but they can be really stressful. If you've got old ball dresses, suits, ties, etc - flick me a message and I'll put you in touch with the awesome team behind this community initiative. You can also drop them into either of my two offices and I'll make sure they go to the right place.
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Spotted in the wild... did I serve in WW1?
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Someone said they saw me at Te Papa... what do you reckon?
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