Hi John, Happy New Year!

I hope you enjoyed a good break over Christmas. I had one week away with my family in terrible weather, but some great family time around home in the sun. I've also been out and about at many local events, as I've always done for the last three years. I'm the one candidate you can be sure will actually turn up!

2023 is a year of real opportunity for us in Horowhenua and Kāpiti, but it also feels a bit like 'now or never' to me. I'm standing this year because I believe New Zealand is heading in the wrong direction, and I care about the country my kids are growing up in and will one day inherit. Think about how affordable a house will be, or even just basic groceries, think about the divides growing in our community that simply don't need to exist, think about how our kids might struggle to compete on the world stage with a Kiwi education; I'm concerned about what the future holds if we don't change the Government this year. That's why I'm standing, and that's why I'm asking for your support.

I'm smart enough to know I'm not going to do this on my own. It will take a huge team this year, so here are three simple ways you can be involved and help us make a real difference:

Sign up to help

It will take a huge team of volunteers to win this year. We need people to help with some admin behind the scenes, join teams who help at markets and waving signs and knocking on doors, and people to offer space for a sign on a fence or in a shop window.

If you can lend us just one or two hours this year, please sign up here.

Turn up to support

Simply being there counts; it makes a real difference. Sign up here (and share this with family and friends) to get my regular emails and find out about the next event I'll be at, or follow me on facebook and instagram. We'd love you to come along and support.

If you get good photos of me while I'm out and about, please email them in to us: [email protected].

Join up and belong

If you're a current National Party member, please renew your membership today. If you haven't thought about joining us before, perhaps this is the year. We need a strong team locally because the National Party is a grass-roots party, controlled by local members. We are the sum-total of all those members, so there is no better way to shape or grow our party than to join it.

You can do that online, or contact our membership coordinator, Lorraine, 027 201 2504.

The next event

My next event is the Levin AP&I Show, this weekend at the showgrounds in Levin on Saturday and Sunday. I'll be there with MP Todd Muller. Please come and join us at our blue tent opposite the wood-chopping.

One thing we need

Do you know anyone who could lend us some shop-window space or a fence to put a sign on? We'd love to start building some good sign locations.

And finally, if you're aware of an event coming up you could invite me to, please let us know and we'll add it to the diary.

I'm really looking forward to catching up with everyone over the next few months of summer events, and as I make my way from door to door.

Kind regards,