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Dear John, Groundswell Protest Although it wasn’t widely reported in our Media the Groundswell Protests across New Zealand were a success. They showed a united farming community who were following all the Covid-19Delta safety rules with great respect. At the same time they were reminding all New Zealanders that farming is currently the primary industry for our country’s income from exports, as well as being the industry that feeds us. Farming is also a big employer and offers jobs at all skill levels. Farmers are innovative and recently we have seen and read of the new technologies that they are supporting and developing to improve productivity while protecting our nation’s natural resources. National has released a paper this week called “Growing the tech sector” which is available on the website. The Groundswell Protests demonstrated clear opposition to Three Waters, and over-zealous, unworkable regulations relating to freshwater, indigenous biodiversity, climate change and the Crown Pastoral Land Reform bill. These were the key focus areas as thousands of protesters across the country took to the streets to air their frustration. Tractors and farmers filled the streets of our towns and cities calling for greater consideration for farmers. It is unfortunate the real story of the Groundswell protest on 21 November was not picked up with greater enthusiasm by the media. I can report that the event I attended in Drury in my Papakura electorate created a real country comes to town feeling of goodwill. It was a great opportunity to mix with the community that has worked so hard all through the lockdowns to keep the rest of us supplied with dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables. Traffic Light Protection Framework It is hard to predict what the Traffic Light system is going to bring next week because there is such a lack of clarity around the measures that will apply to businesses like restaurants and organisations like gyms. We hear that hospitality and tourism operators already have hundreds of bookings for summer but many people are hoping Aucklanders will stay home. I expect that Auckland businesses especially in hospitality, hope that their reopening three weeks before Christmas will be worth the wait. These business owners have been left to wonder what the rules will be and how they will enforce vaccination checks for customers and staff, in their busiest period of the year. The traffic light system is difficult to navigate as for example under “Orange” businesses that are able to open today under level 2 will not be able to if they are unable to confirm the vaccination status of clients. But the reality is that we are still waiting for the Prime Minister to announce a move to the traffic light system after November 29 and the policy is still not complete. All businesses across New Zealand but especially in Auckland need to be able to plan their staffing and order stock now before the run up to Christmas. At the moment Kiwi businesses have once again been left to fend for themselves. The National Opposition will continue to hold the Government to account and to uphold democracy and freedom of choice. We want to live in a country where the truth prevails and where corruption is something that happens somewhere else. You will have seen that I am no longer the Leader of the National Party. I feel very privileged to have been asked to take that role for the last 499 days. It has been a very difficult challenge because of a number of factors. I am pleased that I will now be able to spend more time with my electorate, my family and friends. Best wishes, Judith
Hon Judith
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