COVID-19 has resurfaced in the community and New Zealand is back to alert level 2.

This time around COVID-19 has hit close to home with the news of our local towns of Tokoroa with 2 positive cases and Taupo being exposed by visits to the area by a family who have tested positive for coronavirus.

I've been in touch with the organisations involved and am very proud of how well they are holding up and their prompt response to the unexpected situation they find themselves in to mitigate any risks of the virus potentially spreading. Like them, for many of us, this has come as a shock. However, I am encouraged by our collective resilience shown so far.

In Tokoroa, residents and councillors say its a town that "takes care of each other". I’ve always said the heart of the Taupō electorate is Tokoroa and it has a huge heart. People look out for one another and the first lockdown proved this.  The recent outbreak is another opportunity to show New Zealand Tokoroa’s phenomenal community spirit.  If you are someone affected and need assistance, please get in touch.

Despite our restrictions, I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can safeguard Kiwis from COVID while ensuring our economy gets through this as best possible. I value your emails and please keep an eye out for my fortnightly newsletters.

National has announced its border protection policy and you can read more here.

We may well need to adjust to living in a COVID world and one where your business’ sustainability – economic, environmental, social and cultural – will be more important than ever.  My recent meetings with business owners certainly highlighted that the challenges facing businesses are very real and confronting.

The need to rethink how we do business came across strongly as imperative to the longer-term survival of many.

If you prefer to read my newsletter online, it is available here.

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Election date and Parliament rising

There have been other consequences for New Zealand as a whole too. For example, the election date has moved out to 17 October which is fortunate as I had received lots of feedback from people concerned about their ability to participate in our democracy with significant restrictions in place.

Parliament has also been extended and the Parliament will now be dissolved on Sunday 6 September instead. Recalling Parliament after the House had already risen was the right decision as the country is in a difficult situation at the moment.

The political decisions the Government makes to get us through this should be scrutinised by Parliament. All voices must be heard if we are to move forward as a united team.

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Out and about

The past few weeks have been inspiring meeting many of you and hearing your stories of how you have been surviving the past few months.

We recently hosted National Leader Judith Collins in the electorate. Following an awe-inspiring public meeting in Taupo, we went to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari for an important conservation policy announcement. Read more about it here.

We enjoyed a coffee stop at Enchanted Cafe and walkabout in Tirau (albeit in the refreshing rain)! The day was well rounded up with a visit to a Professional Farm Services construction site in Cambridge.

And we had lots of cups of tea! Judith likes her tea... I'm shown here with my son Mac and Judith.