My Account
I always enjoy the recess weeks from Parliament. It means I get a full week to dedicate to constituent clinics, local events and supporting community groups. I also take the opportunity to invite Ministers to our electorate to meet with groups relevant to their portfolios and to highlight and discuss issues I am working on.
In the last fortnight, I have hosted Amy Adams, Minister of Justice, Courts, Broadcasting and Communications and Anne Tolley, Minister of Social Development.
Minister Adams met with our local Police and lawyers to discuss and seek feedback on recent changes in the Justice and Courts sector. The Minister is also undertaking a review to identify ways to strengthen laws around the prevention of family violence. The review takes a hard look at the way the law prevents and also responds to family violence. This is a comprehensive rethink and provides an opportunity to challenge the way we have thought about family violence to date.
On Minister Tolley’s visit, we went to Springboard in Snells Beach. Gary Diprose and his team are inspirational in the way they deliver their programmes focused on high- risk families and youth within our communities. The genuine passion and care they bring to their role encapsulates the spirit and strength of our communities, from Silverdale in the south to Warkworth in the north.
We also visited Work and Income Warkworth. Bev and her staff are getting great results for clients and employers in the area. At the end of September this year there were 433 fewer Rodney people on a benefit compared to a year ago. The commitment from the Work & Income teams at both the Warkworth and Orewa branches play a key part in Rodney people gaining and staying in employment.
I meet people every week who have moved to Rodney and the Hibiscus Coast and when I seek feedback on how they are enjoying their new home, without fail they all comment on how friendly and welcoming our communities are. In a fast-moving world where people can sometimes feel invisible we shouldn’t underestimate how important this is.
As this is my last column for the year, I want to wish you and your family all the best for the upcoming holiday season. Remember to use our stunning beaches, regional parks or maybe even go for a snorkel in one of our two marine reserves.
