I wanted you to know that I only ever tell the good stories about Wairoa. I love talking about the Lake to Lighthouse race, the Wairoa Races, the “Longest Day” in the Cactus Program, the High School Stage Challenge Team, the Wairoa Ross Shield Team, the Anzac Service at Kaiuku, the A&P Show, the hundreds if not thousands of great things that go on day in day out in Wairoa which are not portrayed in the national news.

I recall campaigning in Wairoa at the last election. I’ll never forget the friendly way I was greeted at each place that someone was home. Even if people didn’t care for National Party politics, they gave me the time of day, said “Gidday” and smiled. Many front doors were open as I walked up proof that people felt safe in their community. It reminded me of growing up in Taradale when we all used to leave our windows and front doors open.

While we can talk about the great side of the community we have to deal with crime because it impacts on us all.  It does affect our community.  It does affect our economy.  But the biggest impact is on the victims of crime and their families.  They have to deal with the emotional, physical, and financial effects of crime long after it’s been committed.

Victims have been neglected for too long.  So I am pleased that our Government is putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

Two weeks ago, (1 July) on-the-spot safety orders came into effect.  These ensure that victims of domestic violence get immediate protection from dangerous situations.

Police will now be able to remove an alleged violent person from the home for a period of up to five days.  This will provide a period of safety in which victims can consider their options.

National is also improving services for victims of violent crime.  These include a range of initiatives that will help address the financial and emotional costs that victims face.

From 1 July, all convicted offenders will pay a $50 offender levy.  This levy will be imposed automatically on offenders at sentencing – regardless of the crime they commit.  The levy will collect an estimated $13.6 million over the first four years.  It will support additional entitlements and services for victims of serious crime.

These include:

• Increased grants for families of homicide victims.
• Assistance with expenses resulting from sexual violence.
• A High Court attendance grant of $124 per person per day for up to five adult members of a homicide victim’s family.
• Increases in travel, accommodation, and childcare assistance for victims attending court proceedings.
• Funeral grants for families of homicide victims.

National is committed to addressing the impact of crime on victims.  We can’t take away the pain of victims’ loss or injury, but we can help to smooth the way.

Our new on-the-spot safety orders, the new offender levy, and extra victim support will help ensure offenders contribute to addressing the harm their behaviour causes, and put victims at the heart of the justice system.

This aside – let’s all focus on the many positive things that occur day in and day out in Wairoa. We know it’s a magic town. Rest assured I’ll be doing my bit to tell the world.

 Chris Tremain – MP Napier/Wairoa

No more so than last Friday. Leaving home early I first drove up to Raupunga and then down to Mohaka School at the mouth of the River. What a great school. I was welcomed with a Powhiri and then had the chance to reply and discuss parliament and the role of an MP. This is a school making a real difference to the lives of their kids. They teach strong values and expect big things of the children which was great to see. We spoke about the state of their classrooms as the hall has been condemned. I’ll be following up to see what the Ministry’s plans are for its replacement.

From Mohaka my Wairoa Electorate Agent, Mary Crarer, and I drove back to Raupunga and then up to Putere School. Once again a great little school but in this case wonderful new school buildings with all the mod cons. Putere are planning a trip to Parliament so once again I was able to talk to the children about Parliament and what to expect.

Driving back down the Putere Road we came across a QRS truck stuck in a ditch.  I had some rope but we broke that pretty quickly so went to one of the local farms and borrowed some chains.  Back to the truck and with a combined effort we had it pulled out quick smart.

Go the “Backing the Bay” Ford Ranger!

From Putere we headed to Wairoa on our way to Mahia. Called into the Northside Dairy to check on the owners after last week’ hold up. Good to hear that all involved are OK albeit still shaken by the event.

Upon arriving at Mahia we ducked in for a quick visit with a couple of constituents to chase up a complaint before heading to a public meeting at the school. Mahia residents are concerned about changes to the bus service particularly for services out to Onenui Station at the end of the peninsula. It’s all very well to front the good news (eg Matahoura Gorge) but it’s probably more important to front up at the tough meetings like this one so that locals can tell you exactly how they are feeling.

From Mahia school we grabbed a quick meal at the Sunset Bar. Fantastic fish and chips! The terakihi was superb and I can definitely recommend it.

Last on the agenda for the night was a trip to Frasertown for another public meeting with local farmers who are concerned about the impact of the ETS. It’s been tough for sheep and beef farmers over the past 4 to 5 years and the last thing they want is more costs added to their farms. This aside, I was able to explain the Governments position. I think many took heart from Minister of Agriculture, David Carter’, recent comments that it is unlikely that farmers will be brought directly into the scheme unless other nations (18) and US states (11) have done so. To date none have so the likelihood is low. There are reviews in 2011 and 2014 before farming directly enters the scheme in 2015 so there are plenty of opportunities to assess where the rest of the world is at.

Following the meeting it was great to enjoy a beer and a few games of pool with a couple of  young shepherds, Jeremy and Sam, from up Ohuka way. I smelt a rat when after Jeremy let me win the first game he thought it might be a good idea to put $100 on the next. He even said he’d accept a credit card! Good on ya mate!

I was home in Napier by 11.30pm. A good day at the office…

Mr Foss said today “The is great news for Bridge Pa and Hastings. The Governments Capital Assistance programme will provide funding to enable drinking-water supplies to help provide safe drinking water”.

“The Government is committing funds – in the region of several hundreds of thousands of dollars-to the Bridge Pa proposal put forward by the Hastings District Council.”

“This is an exciting development for Bridge Pa residents: local MP Craig Foss said today. “ I am delighted that the Hastings District Council proposal for Bridge Pa has met the criteria.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says Bridge Pa residents will be relieved a solution has been found.

“For many summers Bridge Pa residents have adapted to the water shortages in their community and now after hard work by a number of agencies, and the efforts of local leaders such as Kevin Tamati, they will get a permanent clean and reliable water supply next year.

A recent visit to Wairoa took me from Te Reinga Falls through the famous Ruakituri valley to the Ohuka valley and up to Tuai and home. Wow what a stunner of a drive!!

Northern Hawkes Bay really has some breathtaking country side and it was a privilege to visit the locals up there.
We left Wairoa at 9.15am (after the drive from Napier) and headed for Ruakituri to visit the school and Board of Trustees. Accompanying us was an exchange student from Wairoa College, Percy Anez (from Bolivia) who has an interest in politics. Percy lives in the city of Santa Cruz with his family and Spanish is his first language so he is learning to speak kiwi (with a Wairoa dialect) – he did well to converse with both students and parents.

At 9.45am I reached Ruakituri School to discuss some problems they are having with the school bus route. What a great school Dianna King runs with fantastic parent and community support. Ralph Wichers was there as well and was reading to the kids. He travels all the way from Wairoa, visiting remote schools to teach the children religious instruction. I was humbled when Dave Withers gave me a copy of his book about the history of the valley – Thanks Dave!

At 11.30am I was welcomed onto Ohuka School and treated to some wonderful singing and a rousing haka from the students. Credit to Principal Julie Thelwell for a group of well prepared pupils. I was pleasantly surprised at their knowledge of parliament and they seemed genuinely interested in what we do. While at the school we discussed concerns for local School Bus Transport with parents and the board of trustees and hope to offer some assistance in solving their problem.

From Ohuka we raced out to Te Kura Waikaremoana School at Tuai arriving about 1pm. Once again I met the principal, Judith Morice, and learnt about the issues faced by students in the Tuai area.

On the way back to Wairoa we met with locals near Piripaua who were concerned about the continual dust from the remaining unsealed portion of the lake road. They have had years of frustration in trying to campaign to have the remaining 8 kms of unsealed road completed. I will try and support their case in this.

I left for Napier at 4.00pm to meet a deadline of 5.30pm where I had to make a speech to diners gathered for a meal before the Hawkes Bay versus Tasman Rugby match at McLean Park. What a nail biter that was with a narrow 28 – 26 victory over Tasman – COME ON THE BAY!!

A perfect finish to busy day.

Chris & Craig on the Apple march in June 05

“Getting our apples into Australia is something Craig and I have been strong supporters of.  It’s great to see some finality on this issue!”

Read the latest news on this issue from the Stuff website Apple dispute end in sight

‘It has been an enjoyable process and will serve to not only show children how fruit grows but give them hands on management practice as well. I am also convinced the children are going to enjoy eating the fruits of their labour,’ added Mr Foss

‘The project has been a team effort and I would like to thank all concerned for their efforts, the children will love it’

Craig laying the ground work for the Waimarama School orchard

“New Zealand’s rural communities are the backbone of our country and it’s important they have better access to vital services,” says National MP for Tukituki Craig Foss. 

Mr Foss notes that Budget 2009 has a number of initiatives to improve health and housing in rural areas, and it also provides for improved access to broadband and ensures the rural community stay well connected to main centres. 

“More than $15 million is being invested in our voluntary bonding scheme for health professionals who choose to work in hard-to-staff areas.  This programme also includes bonding for vets and teachers, which will be covered by separate funding; we’re also putting $4 million into training for health professionals working in rural communities.” 

Mr Foss adds that the Government is committed to supporting quality and affordable housing in rural areas 

“We’ve confirmed support for Housing New Zealand’s Rural Housing Programme – the funding had expired a year ago under the previous government. Ensuring all our communities remain connected is important.  We’re improving access to broadband and upgrading our state highways.” 

“I believe’, says Mr Foss, ‘that Budget 2009 will have a real and positive impact on the Hawke’s Bay community.  National is committed to working with you, to deliver what you need”.

Tukituki MP Craig Foss is gutted that we are having another drought.

 “I have been keeping a keen eye on what has been happening in the Bay. Sadly last weeks Drought Assessment meeting confirmed that in certain areas the situation is dire” said Mr. Foss.

He is pleased that the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon David Carter has offered drought relief assistance to Hawke’s Bay farmers.

Hawke’s Bay farmers will be offered the same assistance measures as those offered to Gisborne and Wairoa last week.

“Our regions economic security rests on land based industries. We really did not need this third drought in a row. The current international recession does not help matters. I am asking that Hawke’s Bay supports our farming community wherever practically possible.”