Dear John,

Welcome back to Alert Level 2! Or more accurately, Level 2.5!

For some of you this means your first week back in the (physical) office, or your kids are back to school. I hope you are coping with what has been a crazy year to date. If there’s something I can do or if you just want to chat, please let my office know as we’d be happy to help.

Just like last time, remember to support our local bars, restaurants, cafés and other small businesses and shops at this time. Many of them continue their struggle for survival as the impact of the lockdown is felt.

If you’re feeling déjà vu about this whole thing, don’t worry - many in our community are too. After Kiwis did our part to stamp out COVID-19 the first time, all we expected is for the Government to do its job to keep it out by effectively managing our borders.

We now know that it’s been anything but effectively managed. Reports of botch-ups in quarantine management, inconsistent border staff testing, and inadequate contact tracing is deeply disappointing for many millions of Kiwis whose lives depend on COVID-19 staying out and the economy staying open.

We cannot afford to keep yo-yoing in and out of lockdown - the Auckland lockdown cost our economy roughly $440 million a week.

National's Border Policy

National's Leader Judith Collins recently announced our border protection policy, which includes:

• Establishing an agency to provide comprehensive oversight and management of COVID-19 at the border
• Requiring incoming travelers to provide evidence of a negative test before boarding
• Compulsory contact tracing tech for all staff and those who treat and test patients
• Bluetooth tech to enhance contact tracing
• On-demand COVID-19 testing with a wait of less than 60 minutes
• Regular testing of aged care workers.

National’s view is that the Government’s ad-hoc approach to managing COVID-19 at our border has failed New Zealanders. It’s disappointing to see this resurgence, which will cause more stress and anxiety at a time when many are already worried about their jobs and families.

Achievements This Term 

I’m proud of what my team and I have been able to achieve for our community in the short space of time I’ve been your representative. Here’s some highlights for you:

Transport

• Secured commitment from Auckland Transport to trial new solutions to reduce Onewa Road congestion
• Successfully pushed back against T3 lanes on Birkenhead Ave
• Successfully lobbied Auckland Transport to invest in an upgrade of the Northcote Point Ferry
• Held Auckland Transport and Council to account for poor service delivery
• Worked with the Government on projects important for our community

Community Advocacy

• Lobbied the Minister of Education on behalf of local schools to ensure funding for extra classrooms
• Lobbied Minister Eugenie Sage on behalf of locals to review the governance structure of Awataha Marae to ensure it is run by the community, for the community
• Strongly advocated to Council against freedom camping at Little Shoal Bay

Community Engagement

• Assisted with over 1,000 constituent issues related to housing, immigration, social welfare and other such matters
• Visited over 500 local businesses and 9 churches and the mosque in our local community
• Visited all 21 local schools at least once per year
• Visited all major retirement villages at least once per year
• Visited half of our community’s 57 registered early learning centres
• Attended regular residents’ association meetings, community group meetings and other important local hui
• Consulted our community on conscience issues like the End of Life Choice Bill and abortion reform
• Held public meetings on education, crime and jobs to engage our community’s feedback

COVID response

• Assisted over 300 locals with access to income support and community services
• Ensured local businesses and employers received important information

Parliamentary

• Became the Opposition Spokesperson for Workplace Relations, holding the Government to account for policies that will hurt employers, reduce incomes and create fewer job opportunities for Kiwis
• Served on the Education and Workforce, Māori Affairs, and Social Services Select Committees
• Spoke 121 times in Parliament on behalf of the Northcote community
• Asked over 400 written and oral questions to ministers
• Questioned 9 different cabinet ministers in select committee on various issues important for our community

Local Updates/Events

Here’s a few local events coming up related to this year’s election:

• Information on the Upcoming Referendum (held by local residents) - Monday 21 September, Beach Haven Residents Hall, 336 Rangatira Road, Beach Haven
• Advanced Voting begins - Saturday 3 October
• LinkedIn Local North Shore business seminar – Thursday 17 September 2020, 6:00pm at Backyard Bar – tickets here

Meet the candidates meetings:

• NORTHCOTE RESIDENTS’ ASSOC. MEET THE CANDIDATES MEETING - TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER AT 7.00 PM
  Northcote Senior Citizens Hall, 119 Queen Street, Northcote Point
• NORTHCOTE BAPTIST CHURCH MEET THE CANDIDATES MEETING - SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER AT 6.00 PM
  Northcote Baptist Church, 67 Eban Avenue, Hillcrest
• BIRKENHEAD RESIDENTS ASSOC. MEET THE CANDIDATES MEETING - THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER AT 7.00 PM
  Birkenhead Yacht Club (beside the Birkenhead Ferry Terminal, Hinemoa Street)
• BEACH HAVEN/BIRKDALE RESIDENTS ASSOC. MEET THE CANDIDATES MEETING - MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER AT 7.00 PM
  Beach Haven Residents’ Hall, 336 Rangatira Rd, Beach Haven

Help Our Campaign for Northcote

We’re getting back into the campaign now at Alert Level 2 and I need your help to secure a strong re-election win for us and deliver a solid party vote increase.

If you want to help – whether it’s delivering leaflets, door knocking, human hoarding down Onewa Road, or by donating - please do. I really value any contributions to my campaign to be re-elected to represent our community, and it’s great to be part of a team that shares our values and vision for Northcote.

Let me know if my team or I can help you with anything. See you in our community soon!

Dan Bidois
MP for Northcote