Viewpoint – Grassroots campaigning

It was a pleasure to see so many locals turn out to hear from New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters in Warkworth recently. The packed public meeting in the town hall was reflective of the level of engagement we are seeing as both Winston and Shane Jones traverse the country in our unique style of grassroots engagement with communities across regional New Zealand.

Many political parties no longer prioritise public meetings, instead relying on social media to do the heavy lifting of political messaging. While some will say public meetings are an ‘old-school’ style of politics, I believe while social media has its place, it is no substitute for grassroots democracy and meeting voters face-to-face. New Zealand First has been championing the expansion of aquaculture as it plays an important role in our primary industries.

As the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, I had the opportunity to join Lynette and Trevor from Orata Oysters, on a tour of the Mahurangi Harbour to see the full range of farming operations from spat collection, stick farms, bag and flip farm technology across 100 hectares of our beautiful waterways. Thanks also to Phil, from Cowan Bay Oysters, who joined the trip and Jim, from Mahurangi Oysters, who explained his expansion into growing triploid oysters for year-round harvest.

Our local aquaculture farmers have shown incredible resilience over the past few years as they’ve navigated ongoing disruption to their businesses from failing wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. I strongly advocated alongside my colleague Shane Jones on their behalf and acknowledge Watercare’s financial support after numerous contamination events looked set to scuttle their businesses.

Our oyster farmers need continuing support from the community as they harvest their product and get it to market.

The reputational damage to the Mahurangi brand has been significant and anything we can collectively do to promote these delicious, locally-produced delights will have a positive flow on effect.

A big thanks to Rod, from Rodney Coastal Oysters, who donated dozens of oysters for a fundraising event held at Mahurangi College recently. Rod lost all his restaurant customers because of the contamination and as he rebuilds his business, what incredible generosity of spirit he has shown with his donation.

Fortunately, there has been a more positive start to this year’s harvest, and I wish all the local oyster farmers a successful season. Tom, at Matakana Oysters, is open for business and I can confirm the oysters are sensational – fat and delicious!

A quick update of the inter-tidal shellfish review consultation process being run by Fisheries NZ. The review is seeking public input into concerns of the overharvest of sea life across Auckland and Coromandel. Officials are currently processing the submissions and will have advice to Minister Jones this month, with any decisions late next month.

While there have been temporary closures to our local inter-tidal zones, a big thanks goes to Nicola Rata-MacDonald, from Ngāti Manuhiri, and Mark Lenton, from Protect Whangaparaoa Rockpools, for their continued advocacy on this issue.