It's been a fulfilling last week of recess, as I have been out and about in the electorate meeting the wonderful people who call Hawke's Bay home.

I had a great time connecting with the Sikh community at the Sikh Parade. I also practiced my catwalk for a good cause at a 'Dress for Success' fundraiser. 

I was inspired by the official opening of Woolworks in Awatoto, just over a year since their wool scouring facility was devastated by the cyclone.

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti visited Hawke's Bay Hospital to understand the issues staff and patients are facing with infrastructure and workforce.

And I wrapped up the week at the Anzac Day commemorations in our Tukituki electorate.

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OUT & ABOUT

It was incredible to see the vibrancy and colour of the Sikh Parade attended by thousands including myself and MP Nancy Lu. The celebrations which took place over three days saw people from across the North Island arriving at Hastings in droves.

Celebrating the birth of Khalsa Panth (the worldwide community of Sikhs), a Nagar Kirtan Sikh parade started on Eastbourne Street and proceed through Hastings, Heretaunga, Russell, Queen, and Market Streets.

I also loved being part of the 'Dress for Success' fundraiser and hitting the catwalk with HDC Mayor Sandra Hazlehurt, NCC Mayor Kirsten Wise, and fellow MP Katie Nimon.

The mission of Dress for Success Hawke’s Bay is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. They offer long-lasting solutions which enable women to break the cycle of poverty.

Dress for Success Hawke’s Bay is part of a global movement for change, empowering women to obtain safer and better futures.

It was great to celebrate Woolworks' investment and commitment to our NZ Wool Industry and Hawke’s Bay. Woolworks is New Zealand's only wool scouring service provider, operating the largest wool scouring facility in the world.

Hawke’s Bay is the heart of the NZ wool industry, and I was proud to speak as the local Tukituki MP, where we have some of the highest sheep numbers in the country.

Loved also catching up with the Hastings Rotary and speaking about my journey to becoming an MP and what the job involves.

This year marks the 109th anniversary of Anzac landings at Gallipoli. On Anzac Day we respectfully remember and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all New Zealanders who have served in military conflicts.

We acknowledge the service of New Zealand Defence Force personnel currently deployed on missions supporting global peace and stability. We gratefully acknowledge the support of families who make sacrifices every day as their partners, sons, daughters, fathers and mothers serve New Zealand.

The courage, comradeship and commitment shown by New Zealand servicemen and women in conflicts over the past century remain the foundation of the Defence Force today.

The Anzac spirit forged during the landings at Gallipoli continues today and the broader defence relationship is one that is open, based on mutual respect and is enduring.

It was also great to have Health Minister Hon Dr Shane Reti here to walk around the Hawke’s Bay Hospital to understand the challenges and issues staff and patients are facing with infrastructure and workforce.

It's good to have our Minister progressing plans to redevelop Hawke’s Bay hospital as a priority for our government, with a business case for a new hospital being developed, as well as existing programmes to improve the performance of the existing hospital.

We visited ICU, ED and cut the ribbon on the recently commissioned Theatre Eight. This new theatre will have a positive impact for staff and patients, but we recognise there is a lot of work to do in our hospital to improve the standard of care.

 

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I look forward to seeing you out in our Tukituki community soon.

Regards, Catherine

 

Catherine Wedd | MP for Tukituki

 

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