Thank you to all of those who attended my latest over-60s coffee morning at the Kaiapoi Club on Saturday morning. As expected, there were plenty of questions about tolling on the Woodend Bypass, and some good robust discussions around it. I encourage you all to take part in the consultation process by September 9. It’s important NZTA gets this right so they need to hear from residents in Waimakariri who will potentially be affected by it.
It was a privilege to speak at this year’s VJ Day commemorative service in Kaiapoi, attended by several members of the council, RSA and Gysselle Cox from Operation Deep Freeze. This year we acknowledged the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, remembering the sacrifices made by the small band of surviving Second World War veterans. They may be fewer in numbers each year but our respect and gratitude for them does not diminish.
In Wellington, as Minister for Mental Health, I recently announced a national promotion campaign focused on getting Kiwis to Top Up with everyday actions that promote better mental health.
The Top Up campaign uses the evidence-based 5 Ways to Wellbeing because we know it makes a difference in the lives of many New Zealanders. We want more Kiwis, and communities to take a proactive role in behaviour change that maintains and tops up their mental wellbeing.
This is about common-sense tools and proven techniques that anyone can use. Whether you’re on the farm, in the office, at school or at home with the kids, better mental health is something we all have a stake in. Applying the Five Ways to Wellbeing has been shown to aid recovery from tough times and the management of long-term mental health issues.
Lastly, well done to all my fellow jumpers in this year’s Big Splash last Friday evening. It was not difficult to choose my outfit for this year’s nursery rhyme theme – of course it had to be Humpty Dumpty! While it never gets easier to leap into freezing cold water in the middle of winter, it is all for a good cause, and this year’s recipient Rachel’s House Trust is a deserving reason to do it. Congratulations to the organisers for another successful event.