Viewpoint – Looking back on a tough year

Reflecting at the end of the year is something I’m sure we all do. Looking back at 2020, we will all have mixed feelings about the year that’s been and many have been doing it very tough.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank our essential workers who kept New Zealand going under the most stressful of circumstances – our health workers, security guards, cleaners, supermarket workers, bus drivers and many more. And the businesses and workers who had to work through the challenges and complexities of a vastly changed world.

But at a time when other countries are still reporting tens of thousands of new Covid-19 cases and hundreds of Covid-related deaths each day, here we are able to mix and mingle – meeting  up with family and friends, being able to go out and see a movie, watch the kids play sports, live life.

I worry about my family on the other side of the world in the Netherlands, where Covid-19 – like in so many other countries – is still very present, with hundreds of new cases every day. In a country not much bigger than Northland, more than 8000 people have died. My parents have been pretty much confined to their home since March, as are many of the elderly and vulnerable, who do not feel safe to go anywhere. Contrast that with New Zealand’s very low infection and mortality rates.

We went hard and early with our health response, because we knew from the start that the best economic response was a strong health response. Thanks to everyone’s hard work and sacrifices, we now have the chance to get our economy moving faster than many other countries. And while the global economic impact will flow through to the New Zealand economy, we are well placed to weather the storm due to paying down debt and running surpluses from the moment we came into office.

It’s given us a head start, and we continue to accelerate our economic recovery, recently announcing changes to the small business cashflow loan scheme. Close to 100,000 businesses have received the loan, with a total lending of $1.6 billion. The average value of each loan is modest at $17,000, but it’s much needed working capital to help businesses who have been in a tight spot. We have now extended the scheme for a further three years, also extending the interest-free period from one to two years. And we are broadening what the loan can be spent on. Supporting small businesses remains an essential principle in our five-point plan to keep New Zealand moving and keep up the momentum of recovery.

It is a real privilege to be back at Parliament starting my second term as part of one of the most diverse governments in New Zealand history. So while 2020 has been a year like no other, I wish you all the best for 2021 and the ability to conquer any challenges this year brought. As we are working on building back better together, I wish you hope and silver linings for the coming year, time to relax and Christmas cheer.

Marja Lubeck, Rodney-based MP
marja.lubeck@parliament.govt.nz