National's plan to beat lockdowns and reopen

We've released our COVID plan - did you see it?

Dear John,

On Wednesday I was very proud to launch National's new COVID plan. It's something I've spent a huge amount of time on in recent weeks and the result is a 17,000 word, 55 page document called "Opening Up". It's a comprehensive plan to tackle COVID, end lockdowns and reopen to the world. Judith Collins and I launched it at Wellington Airport alongside Dr Shane Reti, Simon Watts and Erica Stanford. Check out the launch video here.

National's Plan is centred around three pillars. The first pillar goes into a lot of details about things we should be doing as a country, but largely aren't, to tackle COVID - expanding saliva testing for example, using rapid antigen tests, ordering next generation COVID-19 treatments, building purpose-built quarantine, to name a few. We've also proposed a dedicated agency to manage the response - in Manukau, not Wellington.

The second pillar is about getting quickly to a vaccination target of 70/75% to stop lockdowns. The Auckland lockdown continues still, and it happened because we didn't vaccinate people quickly earlier this year, something the PM now admits. The PM's excuses on this are incredibly weak - we were told we were at the "front of the queue" for vaccines but then when they didn't arrive, we were told that we'd taken our "rightful place in the pecking order." I think it is fair to say our slow vaccine roll-out has been a public policy disaster.

The third pillar of the plan is to get to a target of 85% and then start to reopen to the world. At that point, we think we should allow fully vaccinated Kiwis overseas to come back (with a negative COVID-19 test before they leave and when they arrive). There are tens of thousands of Kiwis offshore who can't come home because of the lottery in human misery that is the MIQ system. This would be a massive step forward for them, but also our tourism industry, international education, business travellers, and of course would allow many families to be reunited.

Let's be realistic: elimination as a strategy worked while we didn't have vaccines, and delta didn't exist. But now we have highly effective vaccines, delta is here in the community right now (another 19 cases yesterday, 45 the day before) and it's unlikely to ever go away. Our view is we should move to a vigorous suppression strategy of using vaccination, testing, tracing and isolation to make sure we manage COVID rather than try and eliminate it. And then let's reopen to the world - we can't live in splendid isolation forever.

A reminder that if you haven't been vaccinated, please go and so! Last week I launched a "Vaccinate the Valley" campaign to get as many people vaccinated as possible. If you want to feature on my Facebook page, drop me a short video featuring you and explaining why you got the vaccine. I'll load them all up soon!

The launch event on Wednesday did produce a humorous moment - I accidentally insulted drum 'n bass music listeners. Cue being inundated with messages, some of them unprintable. Later on when back at Parliament I apologised to everyone and then yesterday afternoon George FM had me on to play me some tracks. They've even made me a Spotify playlist. All good fun.

In terms of the Hutt Valley, I bring good and bad news. First the bad news - the Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre at Melling closed last week and I attended the closing ceremony. Very sad to see a purpose-built birthing centre close after just three years. The centre provided choice for women and has closed because the government wouldn't step in to make sure that maternity funding could follow women to the centre and obtain a contract for service with the DHB. 6000 people signed my petition urging the government and DHB to act but they were ignored. I will be working to get it open again. Sadly, despite big promises from the government two years ago, things have got worse.

In good news, the Cross Valley Link transport project business case has been approved by the NZTA Board. This has been a top priority for me since being elected as a MP and it is good to see progress. You can read my op-ed on the subject below or in this week's Hutt News.

Finally this week, I ticked over 7 years as an MP! Election Night 2014 seems like yesterday. Thank you for your support - I work hard every day to try and better Lower Hutt and New Zealand and it is a privilege to do what I do.

Have a good weekend.

P.S Did you see this cool story about Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Wellington and the Hutt?

I'm incredibly proud of our plan. Please check it out here and I'd love your feedback.

Grounded Kiwis

Thousands of Kiwi Expats have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister asking her to fix the broken MIQ system. The PM hasn’t bothered to read it.

Seven Years a MP!

7 years since election night 2014, when I was privileged to be elected as a Member of Parliament. I still remember like it was yesterday.

It’s been a fun 7 years and I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me along the way for their support. Every day I get up in the morning keen to make a difference for the Hutt and New Zealand and I work as hard as I can. Like with every job there are ups and downs but it is just such an honour to be an MP and to help shape the future of our country.

Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre

The Government didn’t even bother to investigate saving the Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre. Disgraceful.

Jackson St Project continues

Continuing our journey on the Jackson St Project - trying every restaurant from west to east. Recently we enjoyed a lovely meal at First Choice. Great roast pork and orange beef and friendly service. Worth checking out next time you’re heading to Petone for a meal out.

Cross Valley Link is go!