I've got a public meeting tonight with Mark Mitchell in the Hutt

Law & Order Public Meeting, and an exciting week at Parliament
Dear John,

Normally I send the Bishop Bulletin on a Friday morning, but I wanted to get it into your inbox a bit early this week to remind you about my public meeting I've got coming up tonight with Mark Mitchell, National's Police Spokesperson, and Emma Chatterton, our Remutaka candidate. Mark will be talking about law and order and National's policies in this very important area. The meeting is at the Ricoh Sports Centre from 7pm tomorrow night (Thursday). No charge to attend - just come along!

I'm writing this on Wednesday night at Parliament, and it's been an extraordinary day. Late on Tuesday night word came through that Meka Whaitiri, a Labour Minister, was planning to defect to the Maori Party. She did this on Wednesday morning at a marae in Hastings and was immediately sacked as a Minister (yes, another one!). The big question on Wednesday was whether she would be forced to resign as an MP altogether, as it looks highly likely that she has triggered the "Waka Jumping" law (that, ironically, she voted for!). The Speaker has ruled, somewhat bizarrely, that despite being elected as a Labour MP, and her wanting to be a Maori Party MP, she is in fact an Independent MP.

It does feel like the government is falling apart - it all happened while Chris Hipkins was on a plane to London. While he was in the air, a Minister resigned, his Deputy started talking about a capital gains tax, and Michael Wood announced another tax on ute owners!

While the government dreams up new ways to tax people, National is getting on and announcing policy to get New Zealand back on track. I know health is a huge worry for many people in the Hutt Valley. We have a desperate shortage of nurses and midwives in particular - so that's why I was so pleased with our plan ([link removed]) to pay nurses’ and midwives’ student loan repayments up to a total of $4,500 a year for the first five years of their career, provided they remain working in their profession in New Zealand. This is a common sense bonding scheme ([link removed]) , which will make a big difference. We will also make New Zealand more competitive in the global competition for skilled workers, by allowing qualified overseas nurses and midwives to come here on a six-month temporary visa without a job offer to look for work and to bring their immediate family members with them.

The big local news this week of course has been the debacle on our trains, after KiwiRail's one and only rail safety car broke down and meant they couldn't inspect the tracks in the required timeframe. This has caused chaos ([link removed]) in the Hutt Valley and wider region, and National immediately called for an inquiry into exactly what happened. It was good to see the government do the right thing and the results should be interesting. The issue is not money - KiwiRail has had billions in the last few years - but accountability and oversight. I'll keep you posted.

Housing Policy: I've been in the media a bit in the last few days talking about housing. Did you see the TVNZ story ([link removed]) on Friday night about how Marama Davidson announced $75 million of money for homelessness a year ago, but only $900k has been spent? Shocker. I followed up with her in the House yesterday in Question Time ([link removed]) . It was certainly an interesting exchange. Click here to take a look ([link removed]) . On Thursday last week I announced that National will make two common sense changes to our rental laws - we'll bring back the ability for landlords to terminate a tenancy (with 90 days notice), and we'll stop the near-automatic roll over of fixed term tenancies to periodic tenancies. We need more Mum and Dad landlords
in the rental market, not less, and this will help with supply. It will also make it more likely landlords will take a chance on possible tenants that they might ordinarily say no to.

Around the Hutt: It's been a big couple of weeks around the Hutt, with ANZAC Day, the opening of Ignite Sport's new facility at Bell Park, and more. I'm looking forward to the Korokoro School gala on Saturday - might see you there!

Chris

P.S A quick reminder about my fundraising dinner coming up on Wednesday 10 May with Christopher Luxon and Emma Chatterton, our Remutaka candidate. This is our major annual fundraiser for the year and you're very welcome to come along. Please buy a ticket online here ([link removed]) or drop me an email (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Dinner)

P.P.S Sorry one more thing. I'm about to deliver my first piece of mail for the election campaign - can you help deliver it around the Hutt? As in the past, it's really easy - we either drop the mail off to you or you pick it up, and you just go and deliver it. Please sign up here. ([link removed])

Trying to figure out what on earth is going on in the House
Catch up with Chris - May

Drop by for a chat - look for the sandwich board - June dates will be out soon.

Eastbourne – Café Tartine Courtyard, Eastbourne Shops
Friday 5 May. 12.30 to 1.30

Wainuiomata – Library
Friday 12 May. 3.30 to 4.30.
ANZAC Biscuit Fail
Oops. I seem to have invented a new dish, called Anzac Bishtle. Too much baking soda. Or maybe sugar. Or maybe coconut. It's not clear. Let me know if you have answers.
ANZAC Day 2023
Anzac Day for me in the Hutt is always a whirlwind mixed with moments of quiet reflection and contemplation. Always start with the Dawn Service on the Anzac lawn at 545am. The steady beat of the parade always cuts through the chilly morning air. Then off to the very special Petone Railway service at 7am, which marks arguably NZ’s first ever Anzac service back on Anzac Day in 1916. It was attended by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The story is that railwaymen from Hornsby in New South Wales has proposed that railwaymen on each side of the Tasman exchange their national flags to honour the Anzac connection. Thousands of rail workers served in the war. In 1916 a commemorative flagpole made from kauri and Australian hardwood – symbolising ‘the unity of Australian and New Zealand railwaymen in peace and war’ – was unveiled outside the Petone railway station and workshops. Thank you to local historian Gerald Davidson for his amazing work researching and documenting this fascinating history, and thanks also to the Petone Community Board for keeping this service going each year.

Then down the road to the Garden of Rembrandt for the traditional Petone service. I can’t remember a morning when it isn’t still and clear, even if a bit cold. This service is marked by the big participation of local scouts and other youth and service organisations. Always awesome to see.

Then off to the Hutt Civic Ceremony, on the Anzac lawn. I was struck this year by the excellent singing by Chilton St James School’s Seraphim Choir.

Finally over the hill to Wainuiomata for the 11am service. Sadly the Wainuiomata RSA is no more, but Tracey and a group of volunteers have taken on organising the service. This year due to the work digging up Queen St the service was held in the car park around the back - we look forward to returning to the cenotaph next year. A lovely speech by Dame Winnie Laban.
Fundraising Dinner
Please come along to my annual fundraising dinner with the Leader of the National Party on Wednesday 10 May. Ticketsfrom here ([link removed]) or please email us. (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Dinner)
Ignite Sport Opening
A huge privilege to be at the opening of Ignite Sport's new facility in Bell Park last Saturday alongside Mayor Campbell Barry and Hutt Councillors.

Ignite is an amazing charity who do incredible work with our young people. I’ve been a long term supporter and it’s been brilliant to see them go from strength to strength in recent years led by the incredible Kevin Goldsbury.

Their new facility in Bell Park will be an outstanding new home and has required huge fundraising from the local community. Thank you to everyone who has donated to make it happen. Your money has been well spent!
Hindu Council Marae Visit
On Saturday last week it was my huge pleasure to visit Te Kakano O Te Aroha Marae as part of a visit organised by the Central Region of the Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) and the Hindu Youth New Zealand (HYNZ).
I did enjoy this cartoon...
Back in 2017 rents were $175 LOWER nationwide ($225 per week in the Hutt), the state house waiting list was 20,000 lower, there were 3000 fewer people living in motels, and far fewer people living in cars. Things weren’t perfect, but things have got demonstrably worse under Labour in the last five years thanks to their counterproductive policies.
Well done Chris

Last year at Anzac Day in Wainuiomata young Chris was handing out poppies he’d made - great to see him doing it again this year. A lovely thing to do for the community Chris - well done!
Photo of the week

Snapped in Petone on Monday this week. Spooky clouds!

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