Dear John,
As I write, Wellington is in Level 2, after an Australian who visited over the weekend tested positive upon his return to Australia. I reckon the government did the right thing returning the region to Level 2 (even though it's disruptive to hospitality and events) - it's likely to be the Delta strain of the virus (more transmissible) and he had been to a lot of places, including a busy Te Papa. Hopefully all the tests of close and casual contacts come back negative and we can return to Level 1 quickly. Cabinet will meet on Sunday to decide.
This latest case is a reminder that COVID is still with us, and we need to be vaccinating people as quickly as we can. Sadly the vaccine roll-out continues to be shambolic, and I am being messaged constantly by people in group 3 who are frustrated at the lack of information about how and when they can get vaccinated. Unfortunately there are still 2400 workers at the border who are yet to be vaccinated, and they're in group one! As Stuff reported on the weekend, this is not the "front of the queue" that we were promised. Instead our roll-out is the slowest in the developed world. This continues to be a major focus for me.
So that's the bad news - but we had this good news this week of the Black Caps winning the World Test Championship after beating India. I have to admit I stayed up all night watching the final day, which made my 6.40am Morning Report interview on COVID-19 a bit interesting, as well as my Thursday at Parliament. What an incredible achievement by the Black Caps. I had the privilege of paying tribute to the team in Parliament on National's behalf on Thursday, which you can read or watch here. I also donned the "Steady the Ship" cap in the Chamber (see below). Mallard was away so I didn't get kicked out!
Public Meetings: I've got two interesting public meetings coming up. The first is on Thursday 1 July on the idea of a second access road for Wainuiomata. Join me at the Bilderbeck Hall at 7pm to discuss the idea. If we are at Level 2, the meeting will be postponed and I'll post to that effect on Facebook. You can read an op-ed I had in the Hutt News on this issue below. The second is on Sunday 4 July at the Ricoh Sports Centre (Fraser Park) on immigration. I'll be joined by my colleague Erica Stanford MP - come along and discuss current issues in this important area. Erica is working with me on the plight of migrants split from their families thanks to COVID - the government simply refuses to act here, to their shame.
Transport: The government's decision to spend $785 million on a cycle bridge across the harbour in Auckland has provoked a massive backlash. It really is a huge amount of money - here in the Hutt it would pay for the Cross Valley Link, a second access road into Wainuiomata, a new interchange at Kennedy Good/Kelson, and to fix the Moonshine intersection. And there'd be money left over for change! Truly unbelievable. Meanwhile, the shemozzle that is "Let's Get Wellington Moving" rumbles on - I revealed last week that the governance group didn't meet for nine months!
Fundraising Dinner: A reminder I'm hosting a fundraising dinner on Monday. Details below. Be great to have you along. Tickets here or email us.
Have a great weekend,
Chris
P.S Did you see me on the Nation on Saturday? I was interviewed by Tova O'Brien.
P.P.S Did you see the this cool profile of Jason at Arna Wnek of awesome Hutt bakery Fix Federation?
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Rocking the "Steady the Ship" cap in the House on Thursday afternoon. My speech can be viewed or read here.
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Immigration Public Meeting
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National's Immigration Spokesperson, Erica Stanford MP, will be in the Hutt on Sunday July 4 for a forum on immigration.
This is a chance for a discussion on issues in this important area for New Zealand's future, particularly in a COVID world.
Open to all - migrants, businesses, community organisations and more. Please RSVP to [email protected]
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Dinner with Judith Collins
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This is my major annual fundraiser and it would be great to have your support - tickets from here.
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We're falling behind on vaccines
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Imagining our progress to full COVID-19 vaccination in NZ as a journey from Cape Reinga lighthouse to Wellington Airport, this is how far we've come.
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Public Meeting: Wainuiomata Second Access Road
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Please come along and have your say on this important issue.
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Thanks to those who came along to my Kelson morning tea last Friday. If you'd like to come to a future morning tea in your area, let my office know.
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Back on the Jackson St Project on Saturday night. Jenna and I are trying every restaurant on Jackson St from west to east. A lovely meal at Adzuki Bean. Seafood chowder was one of the best I’ve ever had! Absolutely delicious. Jenna enjoyed her scallops too. Excellent service. Check it out!
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Do you have newborn clothing to donate?
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Can you help newborn babies in the Hutt Valley? If you have clean, good quality newborn clothing you would like to donate then please drop it into either of my two offices. Greenstone Doors and Hutt Maternity Action Trust have teamed up to make newborn clothing packs. Please phone head - details here.
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SuperBlues in East Coast Bays
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Big crowd for my SuperBlues morning tea in East Coast Bays with Erica Stanford recently.
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Valiant Pro Wrestling in Wainuiomata
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Not something you get to do every day - award a pro wrestling belt! I enjoyed the Valiant Pro "Over the Top" event recently at Wainuiomata Intermediate. I had the honour of presenting the winning belt to the New Zealand All Star Wrestling Champion, NIWA. Fun night!
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A couple of weeks ago I posted a photo of these KFC shoes which someone sent to me.... and the post on Facebook exploded. The reach of the post is currently 2.2 million people... unbelievable! Here's the post here so you can see for yourself.
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