hope you've survived the wild weather earlier this week. A lot has happened recently and I want to give a very brief summary below.
This month:
- TG is 110km/hr!!
- Business After Five with Sally Duxfield
- Why I'm standing again this year
- Weekly updates
- What's trending this month?
- Anzac Day law changes
- Over-60s Morning Tea with Simeon Brown
- Where I've been locally
- Fixing the Basics and Building the Future in Kapiti
- Join my team for 2026
TG is 110km/hr!!
Did you see the news? If you drive on the road you will have. Transmission Gully is now at 110km/hr. This is fantastic!
TG is a world-class, safe expressway built to be safe at 110km/hr. No one has died on National's new local expressways, and after I collected thousands of signatures to support this change, I'm so proud that we have delivered.
I want to encourage you to consider this event next Thursday (26th). It's only $10 at the Kapiti Boating Club at 5.30pm. The club are running a cash bar and aside from networking, there will be a chance to hear from Sally Duxfield and some Q&A (note this is not a political event and any proceeds to charity).
Sally’s passion lies at the intersection of neuroscience, wellbeing, and performance. Here’s what she says:
“People struggle with constant distraction, interruptions and the pace of modern life. Many of us sit in a place of overwhelm. Humans don’t need more medication-they need to know how to sleep, control their environment and routines, and understand the correlation between technology and their performance and wellness. Through 40 years of leading people and integrating 9 years of neuroscience, I have created methodologies that help people unplug their brain.”
Save these BA5 dates:
- May 7th with former-Black Cap Grant Elliott
- June 4th with economist Brad Olsen
- August 13th with Massey Chancellor Alistair Davis
I have to say it’s been an absolute privilege to serve as our local MP, and I’m asking you to give me three more years at the election this year.
I’m motivated by people, by community, by our country, and by service. They are what matter to me the most.
I’ve always said that I know I can’t change the world but I can make a world of difference to the people I meet each day in our region. I think of the woman who came to my office with nowhere to live, and had keys to a house that afternoon. I think of the gentleman who had been waiting years for an operation and I got him the appointment. I think of the young mum who needed a bit more support at home, or the boy who couldn’t get transport to school on time. You won’t know who they are walking down the street, but I know the difference that my advocacy and support made in their lives. I believe that all adds up and slowly changes our community for the better.
I believe our country is at its best when our community is at its best. It’s an honour for me to visit so many groups and organisations that do amazing things in our community. I don’t believe that government holds the answers to every problem. We hold so much potential in our region, we just need to unlock it and that’s where Government can often step in. I’ve supported initiatives from the new mini golf to charities like coastguard and hospice, and I regularly put my own time, energy, money and sweat into helping local causes. We have the best community here and we should celebrate it more.
My 23 years of military service at home and in conflict zones around the world leave me with a deep passion for New Zealand. There is no other place I want to raise our family, or to live. We may face challenges but I’ve seen enough other places on earth to know that where we live is the best little country on earth. I’ll continue to dedicate my life to serving this place we call home.
And service really does drive me. It could be the Air Force, it could be the charity I founded, it could be the school board, or it could be as MP. My life revolves around service and always will.
It is our country, our community, and our people that matter most to me, and that’s why I want to keep serving as your local MP.
Have you seen I'm putting out a weekly video update, explaining one current issue each week? They come out every Tuesday at 5pm, they're only two minutes, and you can find them on TikTok, Instagram or Facebook.
Watch the last month here:
Here are a few stories that got lots of attention locally. If you missed them, have a look:
Anzac Day law changes
We have modernised the law around Anzac Day so it officially commemorates all those who have served in war and conflict zones, and all those who died, whether overseas or in New Zealand.
At one level, it doesn't matter what the law says, we will always stand and remember those who served, the enormous sacrifices made, and particularly those we knew and loved. But it is significant that we have chosen to update the law. Officially, until Tuesday, Anzac Day only commemorated those who served in six specific wars up until the Vietnam War. Now it is far more inclusive and represents modern service.
I sat on the Select Committee to hear every submission, read all those that were written to us, and worked closely with the RSA to ensure the updated law would reflect.
Over-60s morning tea with Hon. Simeon Brown
Join us on March 13th, 10am at the Whitby Bowling Club, for morning tea and a chance to speak with, and hear from, special guest Simeon Brown. These are always popular events, and we'd love you to join us (even if you're under-60!). RSVP helps with catering numbers: email Lorraine pollockl@outlook.com.
You can also save these dates:
- May 1st, 10am
Katie Nimon, MP for Napier
Raumati Bowls Club
- June 5th, 10am
Catherine Wedd, MP for Tukituki
Plimmerton hall, 9 Sunset Parade
- July 3rd, 10am
Paulo Garcia, MP for Grey Lynn
Coast Community Church, Paraparaumu
- August 7th, 10am
Sam Uffindell, MP for Tauranga
Whitby Bowling Club
- September 4th, 10am
Stuart Smith, MP for Kaikōura
Venue tbc
The last month has been typically busy, Here's a taste of some of the places I've been this month:
Waikanae Lions Garden Trail, Reikorangi country fair, Hamish Macaulay Exhibition launch, Horowhenua AP&I show, visiting Kapiti shops, Riverbank Vets opening, Australia Day celebrations, Waitangi Day events, Birmingham Street Foodtrucks, Ōtaki Kids' Market, Kapiti Boating Club, Kapiti Health Advisory Group, Ōtaki Railway Station (meeting LINZ and GWRC), meeting the Porirua Mayor and CE, Brittons Housemovers, visiting Paraparaumu businesses, Tatai Koura Crayfish exporter, meeting local constituents one-on-one, met Kapiti College at Parliament, seniors morning tea, Pipi Learning Cove, Pacific Health Plus, Ōtaki Producer's Market, speaking to a men's breakfast, meeting with various councillors, visiting KYS, and visiting the Waikanae Boating Club.
Last month I talked about a few things that needed fixing up a couple of years ago. Here are some great local wins from the last two years:
- We have a permanent Breast Cancer Screening clinic in Waikanae,
- We got new funding for a health shuttle,
- Schools are getting a 50% increase in school property funding,
- Every school in Kapiti will have the Learning Support coordinator they asked for,
- Approx 474 less victims of violent crime in our electorate last year compared to two years ago,
- There are lots of local stories of people whose rents are slightly cheaper, whose mortgages are up to $200 per week cheaper, and whose businesses are benefiting from Investment Boost. I'll share some of these next month.
I can't win this alone; please help me.
I'm looking for people from Whitby out to Judgeford and Moonshine, from Plimmerton and Camborne, from Pukerua Bay and Paekākāriki, across Raumati and Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Te Horo and all the way to Ōtaki.
- If you like hiding behind the scenes, I need help
- delivering a few flyers later this year,
- making a few phone calls,
- offering fences I can put a sign up on come September, or help put them up and take them down.
- If you like being part of a big team we need people to
- stand on a street corner with us waving signs later in the year,
- join us at local events,
- walk with me as we knock on doors.
Secondly, I'm asking people to join the National Party. Local members get invites to extra events, can meet other MPs, and get to be part of the fun and exciting journey this year. You can do it online here or just message me.
Finally, some people like to donate just a little towards the cost of a campaign. You're very welcome to. I'll send you the bank details if you're interested, but as a guide you can cover the cost of:
- party membership - $5
- fence signs - $25
- large signs - $50
- a bundle of flyers - $100
- newspaper ads - $300
There is no pressure but it costs around $50,000 per campaign and we're grateful for all the support.
Ok, next month I'll be into my regular updates on what I've been doing locally, but check out a few upcoming events to get in your diary.
Upcoming events
- BA5 with Sally Duxfield
February 26th, 5.30pm
Kapiti Boating Club, $10 tickets at the link above
- Seniors Morning Tea
March 13th, 10am
Hon. Simeon Brown, Minister of Health
Whitby Bowling Club
- Seniors Morning Tea
May 1st, 10am
Katie Nimon, MP for Napier
Raumati Bowls Club
- BA5 with Grant Elliott
May 7th, 5.30pm
Kapiti Boating Club, $10
- BA5 with Brad Olsen
June 4th, 5.30pm
Kapiti Boating Club, $10
- Seniors Morning Tea
June 5th, 10am
Catherine Wedd, MP for Tukituki
Plimmerton hall, 9 Sunset Parade
- Campaign Gala Dinner
Friday June 26th
Details to follow
- Seniors Morning Tea
July 3rd, 10am
Paulo Garcia, MP for Grey Lynn
Coast Community Church, Paraparaumu
- Seniors Morning Tea
August 7th, 10am
Sam Uffindell, MP for Tauranga
Whitby Bowling Club
- BA5 with Alistair Davis
August 13th, 5.30pm
Kapiti Boating Club, $10
- Seniors Morning Tea
September 4th, 10am
Stuart Smith, MP for Kaikōura
Venue tbc
That's it for this month.
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