I hope you managed to grab a bit of a breather over Easter and the school holidays, whether that meant family time, keeping the kids entertained, or juggling it all with work (no small feat!).
With ANZAC Day just behind us, I’ve been reflecting on a couple of small, simple truths: that life, at its best, is about service, and that the peace we enjoy is not the norm in history, but the exception. We’re incredibly fortunate here in Aotearoa, and it’s something we should never take for granted.
On ANZAC Day, we remembered those who stepped forward - many no older than our own sons and daughters - and those who left behind the familiar to serve something bigger than themselves. It was a chance to reflect on how we carry that legacy forward in our own lives.
I’ve been hearing a lot locally about the pressure households are under with rising fuel prices. It’s not just what you pay at the pump - it’s getting to work, getting the kids to school and activities, and the cost of moving goods around the country. It all adds up. The Government is keeping a close eye on fuel markets, supply chains, and pricing pressures, while making sure we’re well prepared for any global shocks. I know that doesn’t make things easier overnight, but it is important work happening in the background.
On a more positive note, New Zealand has just signed a once-in-a-generation Free Trade Agreement with India. This opens the door to a market of 1.4 billion people, with real potential for more jobs and higher incomes here at home. I’ve been talking with local businesses who are genuinely excited about what this could mean.
I recently shared a short video breaking it all down. Have a watch HERE.
Closer to home, I’ve launched two “Have Your Say” campaigns on things I keep hearing about out in the community. One focuses on improving pathing and lighting around the Panmure Basin with support from Local Board Chair Debbie Burrows, and the other looks at what a community centre in Mt Wellington could be. If you’ve got a couple of minutes, I’d really value your input:
Lastly, if you’re in Panmure, you should’ve recently received my latest community newsletter. I’d love your feedback, including what’s useful, what you’d like more (or less) of. There’s a short survey on the back, and I’d really appreciate you taking a moment to fill it in. A big thank you as well to the volunteers who delivered these. Without volunteers, it simply wouldn’t be possible. If you’d like to help out, flick me an email!
What else is happening? A few quick updates you might be interested in:
- There’s some great health news...starting in June, community pharmacists will be able to treat a wider range of common conditions. That means quicker, more affordable care, closer to home for many families.
- We’re also seeing more people moving off benefits and into work, with 5,580 more people making that shift in the year to March compared to the year before.
- And importantly, serious youth offending is down compared to 2023, when we first took office - progress in an area that matters a lot to community safety.
Have a great rest of the week.
Ngā mihi nui,
Greg
Yesterday, my Modern Slavery Bill passed its first reading in Parliament. Co-sponsored with Camilla Belich, this is the first Private Member’s Bill in New Zealand’s history to bypass the biscuit tin with bipartisan support.
The bill will require large companies to report modern slavery risks in their supply chains and the actions they are taking, with strong penalties for those who fail to comply.
It was an honour to take part in the Onehunga ANZAC parade and service, where I shared a few reflections on what had been on my mind in the lead-up to this commemorative day.
This year carried added meaning. For the first time, all who have served New Zealand in times of war were formally recognised under the amended Anzac Day Act, including those who served beyond 1966, civilians in medical units, the Merchant Navy, and those who lost their lives in training.
Pictured with the Onehunga High School Head Boy and Head Girl, before heading to Panmure to spend the afternoon with the community.
My Northern Region colleagues and I were pleased to join the Prime Minister for dinner, with discussions focused on the Iran conflict, rising oil prices, and key regional priorities.
At the Onehunga Festival, hosted at Waikaraka Park for the first time. Classic Auckland weather brought sun, thunder, and rain, but the energy never dipped.
Awesome to see the strong turnout and plenty of community pride on display. Big thank you to Onehunga Business Association and the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board for making it happen.
Another Coffee with a Cop, bringing locals and Police together to hear directly how the community is feeling on the ground.
These sessions are a simple way to have open, honest conversations, raise concerns early, and stay connected to what matters most in Maungakiekie.
Police confirmed at our last public meeting that offending has decreased over the past year — a positive shift for our community, alongside broader progress seeing 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime.
Recently took two of my boys — Willis and Tobs — on a tour of Parliament, taking it all in and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how it works. They even managed to spot this Auckland Grammar book in the Parliamentary Library!
From the summit of Te Ahumairangi on Good Friday - what a view!