Viewpoint – Vaccine issues raised

It’s hard to imagine we are already halfway through the year. 

As I write I am preparing to head back to Wellington after Parliament’s winter recess. It has been a great opportunity to hold constituent clinics and get around our beautiful, but very wet, electorate.

One of the issues that has been raised with me a lot is the concern around the slow vaccine rollout and access to local vaccination facilities. The closest DHB clinic to the Coast is located on Oaklands Road in Albany. Fortunately we do have some medical clinics here on the Coast that are offering vaccination services. 

They are Ōrewa Medical Centre, which is now open to the public by appointment only, and Silverdale Medical Centre, which is currently vaccinating its own patients, and will expand its service when capacity allows in the future (HM June 16).

In other news from Wellington it is good to see the Government looking as if they may back down on the $785 million proposed cycle lane in favour of building a second harbour crossing. I am continuing to apply pressure on the Government to ensure the commitment to build Penlink is followed through with actual action and delivery. 

The Government is on notice and I will continue to question Ministers and NZTA on timelines and start dates through the Transport and Infrastructure select committee of which I am a member. 

Construction on Penlink should already be underway but it has been pushed back to late 2022 (HM August 2). I will be doing all I can to make sure the Government doesn’t delay again.

Last week I met with our Police Area Commander Mark Fergus and Senior Sergeant Steve Pivac. We discussed the plan that has been developed and implemented to deal with gangs on the Coast and I was pleased to see that our local Police are being proactive and responding strongly to gang presence and activity.

In the meantime, stay safe and warm. I’m extremely proud to continue to serve the Whangaparāoa electorate and remain on call for any assistance that you require. 

If you do need help, please get in touch on 09 426 6215, or at Mark.MitchellMP@Parliament.govt.nz