Final update from Hon Amy Adams

Hi John

As this will be my final e-newsletter as your local Member of Parliament for Selwyn, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support you have shown me during the past 12 years. It has been a privilege to represent the people of Selwyn in Parliament and to meet so many of you in my office, at coffee meetings and out and about at events in the region.

In this newsletter I look back at some of the highlights of my time as the Member of Parliament for Selwyn.

Local infrastructure

I have enjoyed witnessing the astonishing expansion of our schooling network here in Selwyn during my time as the local MP, as new schools were planned, built and opened to meet the needs of our growing population. When I was first elected as MP in 2008, Rolleston had one school, Rolleston Primary, and there are now five primary schools and one high school in Rolleston alone. Halswell and Lincoln also have new primary schools and many other schools around our region have benefited from new classrooms and other facilities such as libraries and administrative blocks.

Chatting with students at Chertsey School in 2014

Other infrastructure that Selwyn has benefited from thanks to the previous National-led Government has included the roll-out of Ultrafast Broadband and Rural Broadband around the district. I am proud to have played an important role in this nationwide project during my time as Communications Minister.

Another vital infrastructure project that is now making a huge difference to travelling in the Selwyn District is the National-led Government's Southern Motorway (Stages I and II). This project has not just reduced travel times but is also making commuting in our region safer. Road safety has been an important issue for me during my time as the local MP and one I have spoken out about on many occasions.

With Mayor Kelvin Coe and Dan Harker launching a new road safety initiative in 2016

As a strong advocate for the Akaroa Health Hub I am also delighted that the community's dedicated support has resulted in the completion of this excellent facility during my term as local MP.

Visiting the Akaroa Health Hub in 2019

Our economy 

During my time as the MP for Selwyn our local economy continued to be one of the fastest growing in New Zealand and I was honoured to be invited to open many new businesses and celebrate milestones with many others over the past 12 years.

Visiting businesses in I-Zone with PM John Key in 2015

Our environment

I have always considered Selwyn's incredible natural environment as one of our region's most treasured assets and protecting the environment while supporting local jobs has been a critical aim for me during my time as local MP.

I was very proud to announce along with my colleague Nick Smith the creation of the Akaroa Marine Reserve in 2013. While I was the local MP the National-led Government also announced significant funding for improving water quality in our local lakes, streams and rivers.

One of the highlights for me while in Parliament was having the opportunity as the Minister for the Environment to work with freshwater experts and stakeholders to develop New Zealand's first ever freshwater standards.

Our safety 

As Justice Minister I am most proud of the work I started with my colleague Hon Anne Tolley around tackling our country’s shameful rates of family violence. The changes we put in place included developing a new delivery model for family violence to get agencies to work together. The integrated safety response pilots we set up in Christchurch and the Waikato are already making a difference and those working in the sector have told me that they believe many lives have been saved as a result of this new way of working.

Thank you Selwyn!

Presenting an award to Clara Tanner as Chieftain of the Hororata Highland Games in 2017

In the end the only measure that counts is the difference that our actions make for people and it is pleasing to know that as the local MP I have managed to help many people tackle difficult issues and have their voices heard. Thank you again Selwyn for the past 12 years and best wishes for the future.

I welcome your thoughts and feedback on all matters so be sure to contact me at a[email protected] or like my Facebook page www.facebook.com/MPAmyAdams and tell me what's on your mind.

Kind regards,

Hon Amy Adams
http://amyadams.national.org.nz/