Blue&Gold: July
OTAGO RESCUE HELICOPTER TRUST
Last Monday I had the pleasure of visiting the Otago Rescue Helicopter base at Taieri Airfield with Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean.
Jacqui and I were there to present the Trust with a cheque for $78,159 of Government funding.
It was a great privilege to be able to present this money to a Trust to further support the work they do in the southern South Island. The Trust is one of 16 centres across New Zealand that provides life-saving service transport for critically ill or injured people to medical facilities.
It was a great afternoon where we got to meet the staff, be shown the air ambulance and helicopter base and I, along with two of my daughters, even had the opportunity to be winched up into the training helicopter.
DUNEDIN HOSPITAL
Health Minister Tony Ryall brought great news with him when he visited Dunedin last month.
The Minister confirmed funding for Dunedin Hospital’s new NICU as part of a $24.4 million development of the Southern DHB's Dunedin facilities.
The current unit is dilapidated and over-worked which is why I am so pleased that this funding has been confirmed.
I have been advocating to the Health Minister over the past few months the need for these upgrades so was very pleased to be with him when he made this announcement at the Hospital.
The total funding package is being invested in:
- NICU plus enabling project - $5.3 million
- Wakari developments - $15.2 million
- Infrastructure projects at Dunedin - $3.9 million
YOUTH PARLIAMENT
On 6 & 7 July Parliament was overtaken by 122 Youth MPs.
I was in Wellington for the annual event which sees the Youth MPs from all around the country attend caucus meetings, select committee meetings, debate in the House and ask oral questions of Ministers.
My representative was Katya Curran from St Hilda’s Collegiate School. I was extremely proud of Katya who represented Dunedin and me extremely well.
Katya was on the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee and took a call in the general debate in which she delivered a great speech.
It was a fantastic couple of days and it was great to see the potential future leaders of this country debating current issues and learning how parliament works.
PARLIAMENTARY SPORTS
The parliamentary netball and rugby teams were hosted by National MP Hekia Parata in Porirua last weekend.
The parliamentary netball team consisting of MPs, staff and spouses played the Porirua Invitational Team at Te Rauparaha Arena. The locals proved too good, winning 25-19 at the end of what was a great game.
The parliamentary rugby team then took on the North’s Presidential team at Porirua Park. I had a great time refereeing the game, where once again the locals proved too good – with the score 46-28 at the final whistle.
A fantastic weekend all round and a great way to raise funds for the Porirua Youth Grants Fund.
FRIDAY FORUMS
Last month I hosted the inaugural Friday Forum at Mornington Presbyterian Hall. The forum was attended by MPs Chester Borrows, Tim Macindoe, Eric Roy and Jo Goodhew.
There was a great public turnout for the morning tea and discussion.
I will be hosting forums throughout the year, with the next one scheduled for:
Friday 23 July
10.00 – 11.30am
Mornington Presbyterian Community Centre, Maryhill Terrace
Guest MPs will be Melissa Lee and Jacqui Dean.
It would be great to see you there for a catch up or if you have any issues you would like to discuss with me and my colleagues.
Please RSVP to my office on 477 7330 or email blueandgold@parliament.govt.nz
Morning tea will be provided.
I hope to see you there.
ETS MEETING
The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) came into effect on 1 July.
There has been a lot of misinformation around the ETS and so I have invited the Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith to a public meeting to discuss the scheme and what it means for you.
This is your chance to get all the facts and ask any questions you may have.
The meeting is on:
Monday 26 July
7.30pm
Coronation Hall, Gordon Road, Mosgiel
I look forward to seeing you there.
OTAGO RESCUE HELICOPTER TRUST
Last Monday I had the pleasure of visiting the Otago Rescue Helicopter base at Taieri Airfield with Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean.
Jacqui and I were there to present the Trust with a cheque for $78,159 of Government funding.
It was a great privilege to be able to present this money to a Trust to further support the work they do in the southern South Island. The Trust is one of 16 centres across New Zealand that provides life-saving service transport for critically ill or injured people to medical facilities.
It was a great afternoon where we got to meet the staff, be shown the air ambulance and helicopter base and I, along with two of my daughters, even had the opportunity to be winched up into the training helicopter.
DUNEDIN HOSPITAL
Health Minister Tony Ryall brought great news with him when he visited Dunedin last month.
The Minister confirmed funding for Dunedin Hospital’s new NICU as part of a $24.4 million development of the Southern DHB's Dunedin facilities.
The current unit is dilapidated and over-worked which is why I am so pleased that this funding has been confirmed.
I have been advocating to the Health Minister over the past few months the need for these upgrades so was very pleased to be with him when he made this announcement at the Hospital.
The total funding package is being invested in:
- NICU plus enabling project - $5.3 million
- Wakari developments - $15.2 million
- Infrastructure projects at Dunedin - $3.9 million
YOUTH PARLIAMENT
On 6 & 7 July Parliament was overtaken by 122 Youth MPs.
I was in Wellington for the annual event which sees the Youth MPs from all around the country attend caucus meetings, select committee meetings, debate in the House and ask oral questions of Ministers.
My representative was Katya Curran from St Hilda’s Collegiate School. I was extremely proud of Katya who represented Dunedin and me extremely well.
Katya was on the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee and took a call in the general debate in which she delivered a great speech.
It was a fantastic couple of days and it was great to see the potential future leaders of this country debating current issues and learning how parliament works.
PARLIAMENTARY SPORTS
The parliamentary netball and rugby teams were hosted by National MP Hekia Parata in Porirua last weekend.
The parliamentary netball team consisting of MPs, staff and spouses played the Porirua Invitational Team at Te Rauparaha Arena. The locals proved too good, winning 25-19 at the end of what was a great game.
The parliamentary rugby team then took on the North’s Presidential team at Porirua Park. I had a great time refereeing the game, where once again the locals proved too good – with the score 46-28 at the final whistle.
A fantastic weekend all round and a great way to raise funds for the Porirua Youth Grants Fund.
FRIDAY FORUMS
Last month I hosted the inaugural Friday Forum at Mornington Presbyterian Hall. The forum was attended by MPs Chester Borrows, Tim Macindoe, Eric Roy and Jo Goodhew.
There was a great public turnout for the morning tea and discussion.
I will be hosting forums throughout the year, with the next one scheduled for:
Friday 23 July
10.00 – 11.30am
Mornington Presbyterian Community Centre, Maryhill Terrace
Guest MPs will be Melissa Lee and Jacqui Dean.
It would be great to see you there for a catch up or if you have any issues you would like to discuss with me and my colleagues.
Please RSVP to my office on 477 7330 or email blueandgold@parliament.govt.nz
Morning tea will be provided.
I hope to see you there.
ETS MEETING
The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) came into effect on 1 July.
There has been a lot of misinformation around the ETS and so I have invited the Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith to a public meeting to discuss the scheme and what it means for you.
This is your chance to get all the facts and ask any questions you may have.
The meeting is on:
Monday 26 July
7.30pm
Coronation Hall, Gordon Road, Mosgiel
I look forward to seeing you there.
