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Dear John Parliamentary News from Louise
Hamilton West By-electionWe are thrilled to have Tama Potaka join us as a National candidate for the Hamilton West by-election on Saturday 10 December.
Tama will make a great MP and advocate for Hamilton West residents. He was the former chief executive of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and prior to that, he was a senior advisor to the NZ Super Fund. For more than seven years he was general manager at Tainui Group Holdings in Hamilton and played a pivotal role in many of Tainui’s developments in the city and province. 50% Women in ParliamentLast month I was proud to be part of the celebrations which marked a milestone of 50% Women in Parliament.
It was an honour to be photographed with the Right Honourable Dame Jenny Shipley (above). She has been a trailblazer for New Zealand women, not only in politics, but in business and the charitable sector as well. When she was elected to parliament in 1987, she was one of the youngest members in the house. In 1997 she broke the glass ceiling to become the first female leader of the National Party, and consequently the first female prime minister of New Zealand. As a young woman, I was able to look up to role models like Dame Jenny. Without women like her, it would have been much harder for all of us to see politics as a career path, never mind pursue it. InfrastructureWaka Kotahi NZTA Information Day Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency displayed some concept plans for the proposed Waikato Expressway extension from Cambridge to Piarere at the Cambridge Town Hall recently. I’m disappointed to report that the only way we will be able to travel this road inside a decade is with matchbox cars on a paper diagram. To date, Waka Kotahi only has funding for consents and planning for the expressway extension. Funding for detailed design and construction cannot be applied for before 2027 and the construction itself will take years. The only work the government has actually funded for this treacherous corridor is temporary safety measures like road signage and median barriers. A roundabout at the intersection of Karāpiro Road and SH1 is still in the design phase. The thousands of vehicles that use this highway everyday will have to endure this narrow and slow substandard stretch of road for another ten years at least. A large roundabout that can accommodate multiple cars has been designed for the junction of SH1 and SH29 and funding is secured for it. This vital connection between Hamilton and Tauranga, two of the three largest cities in the upper North Island, is no more than a blueprint until the Environment Court gives its approval for the Resource Management Act applications and the land acquisition process is completed. Waka Kotahi is negotiating to buy land for the project but can’t proceed with purchase until the court’s decision is passed. Cambridge Third Bridge Site Working with the Waipa District Council to secure a location for a third bridge in Cambridge is still high on my list of priorities. The town continues to grow rapidly, and so does the need for a new bridge. See my video here. Out and aboutNew Cambridge Police HubI was fortunate to have a guided tour of the new Cambridge Police Station by Waikato West Area Commander Inspector Will Loughrin (pictured below right) and Sergeant Ben Joll (officer in charge of Cambridge Police station) recently. It’s a fabulous modern building purpose-designed to meet the needs of our local police officers. They appreciate the details—from the intercom to cubby holes—that have been carefully incorporated to make it a well-functioning space. It was good to hear their perspectives on issues like the state of our roads and the flow-on effects of lack of hospital staff which hinder them in their roles.
School PrizegivingsIt is always a pleasure to attend secondary school prizegivings and celebrate the talent and commitment of our young students. The future will be bright under their leadership. Gumboot Friday
It was great to see so many youngsters out supporting Gumboot Friday. Free counsellors and therapists provided for our young people by I AM HOPE is such a worthy cause. Upcoming engagement opportunitiesIf you have issues you would like to discuss with me, there are several options for making contact below. Fieldays
Facebook Live
Electorate AssistanceIf you need assistance, please call my team. Cambridge – 07 8275572 Taupō – 07 3765563 South Waikato – 07 3765563
Kind regards, Hon Louise Upston |
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