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Hōngongoi/July Update from Grant

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. As COVID, flu and winter illnesses are moving across the country, we’re asking people to be extra vigilant by wearing a mask as often as you can, especially in indoor spaces when you are not at home, staying home if you’re sick, and getting vaccinated if you’re not already.
Read on for what my Youth MP’s been up to at Youth Parliament, support we’re providing to help ease the cost of living pressures, some photos from the Sustainability Expo, and how you can have your say on LGWM.

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Youth Parliament

Last week my Youth MP Isabella Hargreaves was one of 139 rangatahi who attended Youth Parliament – a two day event where young people learn first-hand about our democracy, have their voices heard, and represent their communities. I was really proud of Isabella’s general debate speech on Wednesday. Isabella spoke about the harms that the everyday parts of social media can cause – like and follower counts, the use of algorithms to foster addiction and radicalisation – and then talked about the need for regulation of social media companies.
Youth Parliament may be over, but Isabella’s got one more project. She’s organised a forum on climate change for young people in Wellington to attend in late August. The forum will be a chance to talk with local representatives about what we can do at all levels to tackle climate change. The RSVP form is here if you’re interested, or forward it to a young person you know here.

Watch Isabella's speech here!

Cost of Living

We’ve recently extended the 25c/litre cuts to the Petrol Excise Duty and Road User Charges until the end of January next year. We’ve also extended half price public transport fares until then – something I know Wellingtonians are enjoying. After that, Community Service Cardholders will have half price public transport fares permanently. Next week, the first instalment of the Cost of Living Payment will be paid out to an estimated 2.1 million New Zealanders. The $350 payment, split over three months, will be paid to people over 18 who earn less than $70,000/year (based on last year’s tax info) and aren’t eligible for the Winter Energy Payment. There’s no silver bullet to fix the cost of living, but we’re taking a range of actions to ease the pressure on families.

Sustainability Expo

Better late than never! I want to acknowledge how great it was to host the Sustainability Expo at Parliament early last month! It was lovely to see good support from the public and to chat to some of the stall holders about all the exciting initiatives on offer. The theme for the event was the circular economy. A particular highlight was seeing so many practical and creative solutions operating around Wellington to reduce waste and minimise our impact on the planet. Thanks to the team at Sustainability Trust, especially Polly, Susie and Georgie for their mahi in organising this Expo.

LGWM

Let’s Get Welly Moving is welcoming feedback on the detailed design for the Golden Mile revitalisation. This is your chance as Wellingtonians to influence some of the finer details of the designs before they are finalised later this year. Some areas they’re looking for feedback on are streetscape designs, locations of the proposed loading zones, walking and people spaces, and locations that might need special lighting to improve safety. You can give feedback here.

How I can help

My electorate office on Willis Street is a great place to get help if you are having difficulties with agencies such as Work and Income, ACC, Inland Revenue, Housing New Zealand or Immigration.

Don't hesitate to get in touch:
Ph: 04 801 8079 Email: [email protected] Address: 220 Willis Street

Wellington Central Electorate Office
220 Willis St, Wellington 6141
Ph: 04 801 8079
[email protected]

Authorised by Grant Robertson, 220 Willis Street, Wellington.

Our mailing address is:
220 Willis Street
Wellington 6141

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Hon Grant Robertson MP · 220 Willis Street · Wellington, Wgn 6011 · New Zealand