The picture paints a thousand words.

Well done Team!

Craig Foss MP for Tukituki is honoured to be part of history this Wednesday when the new Governor General of New Zealand is sworn in.

“Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae will be sworn in as New Zealand´s 20th Governor-General on 31 August 2011 and I have been honoured with an invitation to mark this occasion,” said Craig Foss.

Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae replaces out- going Governor-General The Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, who completed his term as New Zealand´s Governor-General on 23 August 2011.

“Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae has risen through the ranks, starting as a private in the army nearly 40 years ago and going on to serve and command in a wide variety of roles. He was the first person of Maori descent to become Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Being the Queen’s representative is an amazing feather in his cap, and one that he will tackle head on,” said Craig. “This role is about community leadership and I’m sure LT GEN Sir Jerry Mateparae will undertake this role with humour, ingenuity, practicality and without bias.”

 Guilford and Dagg in Rugby World Cup Squad.

 Now all we need is the All Blacks to bring home the Cup

Chris Tremain and I work as a team for all of Hawke’s Bay. That is very powerful when we are fighting for The Bay in Wellington making sure The Bay’s case is heard around the cabinet table.

Our united efforts enabled our DHB to be reappointed after they were outrageously sacked by the last Government. We have extended the airport runway, creating growth and job opportunities in The Bay. We have secured $2.6m of funding for our cycle ways, our apples will have now have access into Australia, and we managed to make the air quality standards more balanced to reflect The Bay’s unique environment.

Our past, present and future is linked to what we grow on our land. The world trusts our safe food production, they trust our environmental integrity, and they want to visit Hawke’s Bay. They want to buy our produce. The future is so bright.

I am confident that the building blocks are being put in place to achieve our potential. McCain’s, Heinz Watties, Pan Pac, Furnware, the Napier Port and many others are investing millions into our economic future creating additional jobs. We are investigating a possible $200m+ investment in water storage for the plains. That would be a massive boost for our economy and environment.

Of course there are challenges to achieving our potential. Some say that our aging population is an issue. Yet I value our older citizens as a tremendous opportunity for new business growth and community spirit. And by the way, it is not our older citizens who race around the street, wear patches or Graffiti our community!

Our Prime Minister John Key has had to deal with the challenges of the global financial crisis and the Canterbury earthquakes. Our focus on rebuilding our economy, national standards, helping victims not criminals
first, are the foundation blocks for an even better New Zealand.

The opposition wants yet more new taxes and to use GST to attack our food producing and processing jobs and industries. This is a direct attack on Hawke’s Bays core economic base and our jobs and families.

Their ongoing personal attacks, silly sideshows and ignoring the endless deficits they created from their 9 years of rampant increased taxes and spending polices inflicted upon our country, shows they have not changed.

Meanwhile, Chris Tremain and I are Backing the Bay and concentrating on the issues that matter.

That is exactly what students from across Hawke’s Bay have done. The Governor General will present these young people with their Gold Awards on Saturday at Government House.

High Tea with the Governor General. What a deserved treat.

Come on the Bay!

 Foss said ” this one should look good on the mantelpiece!”

  From left to right: Freedom Cup, Bledisloe Cup, Tri Nations.

Craig Foss MP for Tukituki is rapt with the feedback form the “Shoe Boxes of Love” sent to Christchurch back in March.

“Aaron Gilmore List MP for National based in Christchurch has sent through these photos showing that the love sent from Hawke’s Bay was very well received by Christchurch residents.”

“I am really proud to be part of such a caring community.Thanks Hawke’s Bay…you have done it again.”

Wayne is not alone by any stretch. This great country of ours is made up of volunteers. As you read this column there’ll be 1000’s of Kiwis volunteering with sports teams, scout groups, charities, meals on wheels, and all manner of other activities to help fellow New Zealanders. Right now the “Farmy Army” are once again gearing up for another day of clean ups in Christchurch.

On this note can I especially acknowledge all those who joined the “Magpie Army” just a few short weeks ago to help out the flood affected residents of the Waimarama community. This showed just how ready Hawkes Bay people are to put their hand up to volunteer.

This week, the 19-25th June, is Volunteer Awareness Week so it’s a great time to reflect on all the good work that volunteers do. Please take the time to thank all those people who help in your own or your family’s life on a voluntary basis.

Locally I’ll be joining with Volunteer HB this Friday night at the Taradale Town Hall to celebrate and thank our community of volunteers. We’ll be holding a take-off of the TV programme “7 Days” with a focus on volunteers. Should be fun! If you’d like to join us call Renata at Volunteer HB.

Chris Tremain

Mr Tremain has been a member of PNND, Parliamentarians for Non Proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament, since 2006. PNND is a non partisan forum for parliamentarians nationally and internationally to share resources and information, develop co-operative strategies and engage in nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament issues, initiatives and arenas. The New Zealand PNND group is chaired by Labour MP, Phil Twyford. 

Tonight’s forum is one such arena where we can share the work of PNND with our Australian colleagues” says Mr Tremain. “New Zealand is a leader in this network around the world. Most recently (5th May, 2010) we were one of the first Parliaments to unanimously adopt a resolution calling on the New Zealand government to work with other nations to support the UN Secretary General’s Five Point Plan for nuclear disarmament which endorses the goal of a Nuclear Weapons Convention.”

“It’s a privilege to be able to represent the New Zealand Parliament and the people of Hawkes Bay at this forum” says Chris. “I believe totally in a world without nuclear weapons and if I can play a small part in bringing this about then that has to be a good thing.”

Mr Tremain departs Napier this morning and returns on Tuesday evening. While in Canberra Mr Tremain will also attend an Australian Parliament Question Time and meet with the Whips of three different political parties.