Dear John,
Three quick pieces of good news to the start this edition of the Bishop Bulletin!
The first is around the future of the Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre at Melling. You might remember that this closed down earlier in the year after the government refused to extend funding to it - despite huge community support and over 6000 people signing my petition. After the news about the seismic issues with the Heretaunga Block, I launched a renewed campaign to get the government to partner with the owners of the centre to make use of the purpose-built facility, and it looks like it's been successful! An announcement will be made on November 3. Details are being kept under wraps until then, but I'm cautiously optimistic we will see the centre utilised. As I've said to the media and to anyone who will listen, it just makes sense. Watch this space.
Secondly, a couple of weeks ago I reported on young Hutt chef Josh Ross, who was off to the International Young Chef of the Year competition in Mexico. Well, he came third in the world! An incredible result for this Hutt legend. Josh is the owner of Twenty Eight in Cornwall St (check it out if you haven't already) as well as the Head Chef of Bellamy's at Parliament (also worth going to!). If you're wondering, the meal he cooked was an entrée of river prawn crudo with tomato, chive and avocado salad, Jerusalem artichoke chips and green lemon dressing, followed by Canada beef strip loin, braised short rib, roasted mushrooms, raisin purée, fennel salad and potato foam. Sounds delicious!
Third, it would be remiss of me not to mention the announcement yesterday of nearly $100m in government funding for infrastructure for RiverLink and housing on the valley floor. This is good news for the Hutt and will help fund storm water upgrades, including approximately 2 kilometres of new stormwater pipeline, pumping stations and outfalls, enabling more housing. I just wish the funding application for infrastructure to enable greenfields development in Wainuiomata North had been approved as well...
And now for some bad news. I was devastated to learn on late Wednesday night of the death of Wainuiomata legend Bill Sharp. Sharpie, as everyone called him, was one of the best people I've ever met and I learned so much from him. Sharpie ran the Futures programme at Wainuiomata High school for many years - picking up young kids in the morning, putting them through a session of fitness work, feeding them breakfast and then helping with homework at the end - all before school started! I did one of the sessions once and it was punishing - as you'd expect from someone who trained the Wainuiomata Lions rugby league team. He had such an impact on so many people in his 80 plus years and I will miss him terribly. My sincere condolences to Elizabeth and the wider Sharp family.
Local Body elections: I hope you remembered to cast a vote in the local body elections! Turn-out was pathetically and worryingly low around the country. While in Parliament I've sat on two Justice Committee inquiries into local government elections and both times we recommended that the Electoral Commission take over the running of the elections, and I think that's more urgent than ever. I also think there'd be merit in moving back to "in-person" voting rather than postal voting - I don't know many people under 40 who even know where a post box is! What do you think? Change is needed and it looks like there is cross party consensus on that, so let's see what happens next.
Locally here here in the Hutt there was no change to the mayoralties with both Campbell Barry and Wayne Guppy being re-elected. I have a good working relationship with both Campbell and Wayne and I look forward to working together with them and their new Councils. There's plenty of things to get on with!
SH2 Protests: Were you caught up in the congestion this week on the way into Wellington caused by the idiots who put a sign on an overbridge and then sat on the road on the Terrace offramp and refused to move? Twice in one week! A totally counterproductive protest - selfish, reckless, and irresponsible I reckon just about covers it off.
Out and About: Parliament's been in recess for the last couple of weeks, so it's been great getting out and about in the Hutt - and I've also managed to fit in trips to Hamilton, Tauranga, Auckland (twice), and I'm in Nelson today! Last night it was a pleasure to attend the opening of the new Dress for Success store and hub in Margaret St, and I enjoyed Nepal Day festivities on Sunday last weekend as well as Diwali celebrations on Saturday. We even left Jeremy for a few hours last Saturday and enjoyed seeing Shihad up at Victoria Uni.
Have a great weekend!
Chris
P.S Do you enjoy receiving the Bishop Bulletin? I've been writing every fortnight for 8 years now since I became an MP, and I get positive feedback about it out and about. If you think you know someone who might enjoy it - please forward it on, and get them to email me so I can them to the distribution list.
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Absolutely devastated on Wednesday to learn about the sad passing of my friend Bill Sharp. Sharpie, as everyone called him, was one of the best people I have ever met. He was humble, selfless and inspirational. To spend time with him was a joy and I always came away having learned something about myself and about the world. A mighty totara has fallen. Wainuiomata and New Zealand will miss him. My sincere condolences to his wife Elizabeth and the wider Sharp family.
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Dress for Success Opening
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A real pleasure to be at the opening of the Dress for Success in the Hutt last night. An amazing organisation that has supported clients in Wellington for 21 years. The hub in Margaret St is brand new and is a fantastic space. Make sure you check out the new store - dressed in the hutt - as well.
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Totally selfish and irresponsible.
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A wonderful evening celebrating Nepal Day with the Nepalese Society of Wellington on Saturday night at Victoria University.
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Massive congrats to Lower Hutt legend Josh Ross who has just placed THIRD in the world in the international Jeunes Chefs Rotisseurs (the Young Chef of the Year competition) against 17 other young chefs from Europe, Asia and the Americas. Amazing achievement. Josh is the owner of Cafe Twenty Eight in the Hutt and the Head Chef at Bellamy’s at Parliament. Well done mate. The Hutt is proud of you!
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A wonderful afternoon on Saturday at Namaste Wellington run by the Wellington Indian Association who do so much for the community. A stunning day and some wonderful performances. Happy Diwali!
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13 years of Shihad mosh pits together 
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Great chats at one of my regular catch ups at the Riverbank Markets last Saturday. Thanks to those who came and said hello.
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Under Labour:
- the average house in NZ has increased in value by $300,000
- average rents are up $140 per week
- the state house waitlist has increased by 20,000 applicants. People now wait much longer for a house (10 x longer for those in the most serious need)
- 4000 families live in motels including 4000 kids
- the number of families living in cars and tents has quadrupled.
- out of the promised 100,000 KiwiBuild houses, 1368 have been built.
But sure yeah, we’re ‘on track’…
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New Policy: A National Government will extend free breast cancer screening to those aged up to 74 years. 80% of women who succumb to breast cancer are aged 50 or older. Currently free screening only extends to those who are 69 years old. This proposed increase to those aged 74 could save 65 lives per year.
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One of the funnier local body election monikers!
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