By Cameron Brewer – MP for Upper Harbour
It's clearly election year. February ran at full speed both in Wellington and Auckland.
It's great to see a lot of infrastructure well underway in the Northwest. Several schools have got new classrooms going up, the new primary school under construction in Redhills is running to time and budget, and Hon Chris Penk has done well to secure a site for a future Northwest high school in Huapai.
We showed the PM the new Westgate Bus Station, set to open in August. Importantly, it's not being built in isolation. It's effectively stage one of the Northwest Busway. What's more, NZTA has locked down a 'park & ride' site closer to the Brigham Creek roundabout. An application for the fast-tracking of the dedicated busway along SH16 has also been submitted. $500m has now been allocated to progressing the project - a project which showcases a strong economic return or BCR (Benefit-Cost Ratio).
Many polls point to a very close race nationwide. We can't be complacent, and notably Upper Harbour's boundary changes mean I will be a brand-new face and name to nearly 30% of our electorate's voters.
Thanks for your ongoing support. And here's to some nice autumn weather.
Cameron
PM Visits fast-growing Northwest
Our MP, Prime Minister, and Minister Chris Penk recently visited the new primary school under construction, off Fred Taylor Drive, near Westgate.
They also visited the Westgate Bus Station under construction. Set to open in August, it marks the first stage of the Northwest Busway project.
The two local MPs then joined Hon Chris Bishop for the ribbon cutting of Spedding Road - the massive light commercial development near Whenuapai.
Year of the Horse celebrated
Cameron and his electorate office team had fun hosting their inaugural Upper Harbour celebration for Chinese New Year at Sunderland Lounge in Hobsonville Point.
Nancy Lu MP was the special and popular guest speaker. The Waitakere Chinese Association provided the entertainment, while Hobsonville's own W Restaurant served up a delicious supper.
Dan Bidois popular at first SuperBlues
Cameron and his SuperBlues team were thrilled to host neighbouring MP for Northcote, Dan Bidois, for Upper Harbour’s first SuperBlues of the year.
Dan attracted a good crowd at the Hobsonville Bowling Club. He was very well received, particularly given his esteemed background in economics.
A couple of weeks later, Cameron spoke at the Northcote Bowling Club for Dan’s SuperBlues.
Special school celebrates new facilities
Wairau Valley Special School hosted a high tea to celebrate a new hall, swimming pool, and two new playgrounds. Principal Natalie Todd and her team do an amazing job. Past leaders present included Pam King, now principal of our Scott Point School.
Maori lessons now offered locally
Unsworth Heights: Cameron was delighted to speak at the powhiri to launch Monday night te reo lessons at the Meadowood Community Centre. The Meadowood team do a brilliant job, and always welcome volunteers and new ideas to bring locals together.
New birthing unit for Waitakere
Cameron attended the sod turning for the new Waitakere Primary Birthing Unit at the back of Waitakere Hospital with Minister for Health Hon Simeon Brown and Mt Roskill MP, Carlos Cheung. Most new mothers in the Upper Harbour electorate will soon be able to take advantage of this new facility.
Bayview community hosts picnic
For the second year running, our MP set up a stall at Bayview’s popular ‘Meet the Neighbours Picnic' at Lynn Reserve. The team at the Bayview Community Centre are incredible connectors!
MP visits Westie legend
West Auckland identity, Mr Antoon Hendriks QSM, recently turned 100. Cameron had a wonderful time visiting Tom and his wife Else at Hobsonville's Summerset village.
After leaving school at 14, living in Nazi-occupied Holland and carrying out perilous work for the Dutch Resistance, emigrating in 1949, and marrying in 1952, Tom and Else have built an incredible legacy through sheer hard work.
Now with nearly 70 direct descendants, the Hendriks celebrated their patriarch's 100th in style.
Newsflashes
National is fixing the basics
Northern Busway applied for fast-track
NEWSFLASH: NZTA has applied for statutory approvals for the Northwest Busway project under our Government's fast‑track regime. What's more, "the Northwest Busway project has received around $550 million, covering statutory approvals, design and site investigations, construction of the Westgate Station and Brigham Creek Station and Park & Ride, and targeted property acquisition."
Upcoming events
Seniors' Morning Tea with Hon Chris Penk
If you live in Upper Harbour and are over 60 years, come along for a free cuppa, morning tea, and Q+A with our special guest speaker, Minister Hon Chris Penk.
As MP for our neighbouring electorate, Kaipara ki Mahurangi, Hon Chris Penk is Minister for Building and Construction, Minister for Land Information, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing & Minister for Veterans. Recently, the PM also appointed him, Associate Emergency Minister.
Cameron and Chris want to hear what is important to you!
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