Will you help me fight for the Airport Flyer?
Parliament finishes its first sitting period for the year
Dear John,
I hope this finds you well on a grey and drizzly Lower Hutt Friday. Parliament has just finished its first sitting period for the year (three weeks in a row) and I'm pretty exhausted after a busy period in the House. It's been a slightly surreal few weeks - being referred ([link removed]) to Parliament's Privileges Committee by Trevor Mallard over a funny video (I won in the end), the distraction of whether MPs can wear ties (now we don't have to), our ongoing no confidence ([link removed]) in the Speaker... and some serious work too, on things like our COVID response ([link removed]) , transport, and housing. I was on Q and
A on Sunday morning talking about our proposal for a purpose-built quarantine facility - thanks to those who have sent positive messages about the interview; I enjoyed it!
The big local news of the last couple of weeks has been the launch of a joint campaign ([link removed]) between me, Mayor Campbell Barry, Cr Deborah Hislop and Ginny Andersen, to restore the Airport Flyer between Lower Hutt and the airport. The Flyer is coming back, run by the Regional Council, but only from the airport to Wellington railway station. We need it back to the Hutt! Please make sure you submit if you think so too.
There are new housing statistics ([link removed].) out today showing a record number of people waiting for a state house - the number has grown from 6182 households in December 2017 to 22,521 in the December 2020 quarter. Here in the Hutt we see skyrocketing house prices, rising rents, homelessness, and a record state house waiting list too. I've been banging on about this for a while, and I'll continue to do so - including criticising decisions ([link removed]) like giving the Boyd Wilson flats in Wellington heritage status. We simply must do better as a community, as a city, and as a country. Nicola Willis is leading the
charge on this for National and her and I will have plenty more to say in coming months.
Locally in the last couple of weeks I've enjoyed getting out and about at the opening of the new Kelson Playground, the Petone Fair on Saturday, and the Belmont Scouts mudslide. I am looking forward to the Boulcott School twilight gala tonight - check it out from 4pm. I'm on the "dunk the teacher" stand which should be fun - come by and say hello if you're around.
Have a great weekend. I'm playing in the Parliamentary Cricket team against the Media on Sunday, and then on Monday we're playing ex BlackCaps Dan Vettori and Matthew under lights in Hamilton! Should be great fun.
Chris
Fight for the Flyer
The Airport Flyer is coming back - run by the Regional Council - but only from Wellington railway station to the airport, leaving the Hutt out entirely. Last week Mayor Barry, Ginny Andersen, and Cr Deborah Hislop and I launched a joint campaign to get the Regional Council to make sure the Hutt is included in the new Flyer service.
Please head to: hutt.city/airportflyer ([link removed]) to add your name and submit to the Regional Council as part of their consultation on the new Regional Public Transport Plan.
You can also fill out a submission form at any library or community hub in Lower Hutt, or my or Ginny's offices.
On Q and A on Sunday
On Sunday I appeared on TVNZ's Q & A to discuss National's approach to COVID-19. In particular we canvassed our proposal to set up a purpose-built quarantine facility on the outskirts of Auckland. The reason for this is straightforward. While we have done well with COVID-19, the risk at our border remains. At the moment people who fly into New Zealand are bussed (together) into the middle of our largest city to stay in hotels that were simply not built for what they are being used for. Read more here. ([link removed]) What do you think?
Petone Fair
Great to see many people out and about at the Petone Fair last Saturday. We sold a LOT of sausages at my stall - a nice fundraiser for Greyhounds as Pets. Do you like my new apron?
New Kelson Playground
Raced Councillor Brady Dyer down the new slide at the opening of the new Kelson playground last Monday! A fantastic facility for the Kelson community. Partnership between Council, school and community to raise the funds. Nice to be there see it officially opened - the kids swarmed in!
Thanks Cr Andy Mitchell for the snap
Ladyhawke and Zephyr
Ladyhawke met her friend Zephyr the other morning while getting her morning coffee!
The man who forced the Bishmullet
Connor Molloy is the legend at Vic who got thousands of likes for a post to make me get the Bishmullet last year! Nice to run into him at Vic earlier this week.
So. Much. Fun.
Belmont Scouts mudslide on Sunday. Check out the video here! ([link removed])
On the barbie... again!
Serving up some sausages on the barbie after the opening of the new Kelson playground on Monday. Alert Level 2 so had the masks and gloves on.
Berocca, anyone?
The now infamous video can be viewed here. ([link removed])
O Week at Vic Uni
It's Orientation Week for uni students and I enjoyed spending some time up at Vic this week with the young Nats.
Rare Bird in Percy's Reserve
Something to brighten up your day. Local photographer Louise Thomas sent me this lovely photo of a male brown teal/pāteke (Anas chlorotis) in the lagoon at Percy's Reserve, just hanging out with all the mallards. Louise says it is likely it has come from Zealandia ( or one of the offshore islands (Mana or Kapiti). Also, she says please don't feed the ducks bread as it can make them sick - sweetcorn, lettuce, and peas are good alternatives!
Friday Funny
Too cold for a streak in Dunedin I reckon!
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