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Dear
John
Since the 52nd Parliament resolved on 2 September, the rest of the
month certainly has been a hive of activity.
This rollercoaster month out and about saw me meeting up with many
of you locally, while also getting a feel for the pulse of the land in
my role as Spokesperson role of Social Development and Social
Investment supporting colleagues across both north and south
islands.
I do hope you enjoy reading a little more about my adventures over
the past few weeks in this newsletter, it is also available
online.
There will be one more newsletter before the election and then I'll
resume monthly newsletters in November. You can always stay in touch
with me via my Facebook
Page or Instagram.
In the meantime, happy reading!
Out and about
In Taupo, Greening
Taupo's planting day was well supported by many a helping hand
young and old, including the lovely ladies of Girl Guiding NZ.
We all have to do our bit to help our environment survive and
thrive and it's always a privilege to support such a worthy
initiative.
I also regularly visit the Cambridge
Farmers market, it is important we support our local farmers and
producers, they are vital to our economy.
A woman's got to eat so at the Manaaki Cafe, Toi
Ohomai Institute of Technology in Tokoroa, Pete Skelton and his
team of chefs certainly laid it out there with their The Farmacy -
Food is Medicine Lunch!
This specially crafted 4-course lunch menu aims to highlight the
healing properties of ingredients that one can use in food for the
brain, heart, digestive and respiratory systems. A wonderful concept,
highly recommend if you are travelling by.
I also met the amazing men at the South
Waikato Menzhed. Their motto "shoulder to shoulder" certainly
shows in the many projects and ventures they are involved in to
support their community.
In Cambridge, the Community Menzshed
shared insights into their great initiative for companionship and
learning new woodworking skills like making tunnel boxes for rat
traps.
During my many walkabouts in town, I am regularly checking in with
small business owners to hear how they are holding up.
From what I'm hearing, businesses are concerned about what the
future holds but my advice is that confident businesses will take
important steps to adjust, invest, and employ. This is what will help
our local economies get growing again and ensure businesses thrive
again.
Education
Our children are our future and advocating for our young ones in
Wellington to ensure they receive the quality education and in quality
school buildings that they deserve remains a focus for me.
People tell me that they are worried about tough times for youth
ahead trying to find apprenticeships.
Our younger generation needs our help and investment in them to
help them live to their fullest potential. Our decisions today will
affect them for years to come, so we should decide and plan
wisely.
At Tokoroa
Intermediate School I met the students of Room 17, one of twelve
classes taking part in the new Graeme Dingle Foundation Waikato pilot
programme Stars Teina.
This term they have been working on the theme Respect, in
Communication, Communities, the Environment and sharpening their
listening skills. Loved the enthusiasm and can't wait to see you all
develop into our next generation leaders!
At Cambridge
High School students were proud to show me around their school
library, as part of the campaign "School Libraries Transform". It was
clear the students love their school library, a safe, collaborative
space to enjoy.
Coffee catch-ups
I've enjoyed our many chats over coffee the past month.
No topic is off-limits and it's been really enlightening to hear
your thoughts about issues ranging from GDP figures, job security, the
Bledisloe Cup, domestic holidays and accommodation difficulties,
border controls, funding for cancer drugs, hospital waiting lists, to
our youth and their wellbeing to name a few.
A big thank you to everyone who came along, coffee catch-ups will
resume in the new year.
Pulse across the country
It was good to see other worthy causes coming to town like the Anti-P
Ministry.
This fantastic group support people suffering from methamphetamine
addiction and their families and friends and you can learn more about
their activities and vision here.
I've really enjoyed supporting some of my colleagues across both
islands and being part of some really great initiative
announcements.
From left to right: Tania Tapsell
(East Coast), Nuwe Samarakone (Manurewa), Liam Kernaghan (Taieri
Dunedin South) and Michael Woodhouse (Dunedin North), William Wood
(Palmerston North), Leader Judith Collins, Denise Lee
(Maungakiekie)
Contact me
Stay in touch!
Hon Louise
Upston
http://louiseupston.national.org.nz/
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