Greg Wilton from Australia. A proud Magpies supporter.

http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/local/news/hawkes-bay-schools-win-milk-cash/3954924/

Labour is desperate to score a cheap political point that it has launched a bizarre and unwarranted attack on New Zealand’s farming sector.

Craig Foss MP for Tukituki said “We need to be encouraging and growing our exports, not running down our productive economy and vital primary sector. The figures Labour are using to beat up on our farmers are misleading and display a frightening level of economic illiteracy. Both Business NZ and DairyNZ have stated that these figures are wrong.

“This illiteracy is a good reason why Labour is not fit to govern,” says Mr Foss.

“To claim that farmers should be paying tax on turnover, not profit, is absolutely ridiculous” says Mr Tremain. “I wonder if this is Labours new policy to raise tax for their many unfunded spending pledges”. “Labour’s figures don’t include any of the costs or expenses incurred, such as debt servicing costs, payments to staff, fencing, fertiliser, or equipment. Our farming sector is the backbone of Hawke’s Bays economy. Agriculture and forestry contributes 67 percent of our total exports at a value of $28 billion.

“Labour once famously described farming as a sunset industry but it is the sector that is pulling our economy out of recession and helped provide the bumper surpluses that Labour squandered in the good times, adds Craig Foss. “Clearly Labour’s views on the farming sector have not changed and they are still very much the anti-farmer party.

“Unlike our opponents we are backing our rural economy to work hard and find new and innovative ways to compete in a global market where food and commodities are in growing demand, said Napier MP, Chris Tremain. “Initiatives such as the Primary Growth Partnership, which in under two years has already invested over $470 million in primary sector research, show National’s support for our farming community.

“Labour’s attack on the farming sector comes just days after they talked up the need to grow exports. This misguided attack serves to widen the urban/rural divide and generate resentment. Labour should be ashamed.”

Today I helped Mayfair School with their fortnightly lunch BBQ fundraising treat.

The perfect manners of the students combined with the great weather and of course the “culinary skills of the chefs” made for an excellent school visit.

With the increasing age of our population and the frightening increase in the prevalence of diabetes we need to take a proactive approach to treating people in the community before they arrive at hospital in a critical condition. This is the fence at the top of the cliff approach as opposed to the ambulance at the bottom.
Under this Government you’ll increasingly see a focus at the frontline of health services. This has been exemplified by 1000 more nurses and 500 more doctors delivered over the last 3 years. This has come at the cost of 1000 back office jobs around the country.

We inherited a health system on-track to financial crisis with many services at risk. Despite the recession National has invested an extra $1.2 billion in the public health service since 2008 such that we now spend around $13.2 billion a year on health.

A real priority over the last three years has been improved access to elective surgery. Now, more people are getting the operations they need with an extra 20,000 patients getting operations per year or 400 more every week.

In addition we’ve funded an extra 1.8 million prescriptions for 150,000 more people. This year, it’s expected 382,000 more people will benefit. Importantly more children under two are being immunised with 57,287 two-year-olds immunised last year, a record 87%. Hawkes Bay lead the way in child immunisation which is superb.
So despite a pretty tough period in Government we are working to improve Health services and delivering some very tangible results.

Chris Tremain

The Minister of Trade Tim Groser and I toured this fabulous facility today. Needless to say, the wine, food and company were stunning.

Where there were empty paddocks just four years ago, there is now a tourist destination, winery, restaurant and most importantly many new jobs for Hawke’s Bay families.

“Hawke’s Bay takes environmental issues seriously and this is an opportunity to honour people and organisations at the 21st Green Ribbon Awards that are committed to protecting and improving our environment,” said Chris Tremain MP for Napier. “Hawke’s Bay has been successful in the past with the recognition of Napier resident, Garth Eyles, for his work in ‘land use capability and soil conservation.’ Garth continues to work tirelessly for the Hawke’s Bay environment and is a very worthy past recipient of this award.”

“Nominations are open to all individuals, businesses, community organisations, media and public sector organisations that show noticeable results from work committed to the environment. We as the local MPs encourage nominations for the different categories available.”

Craig and Chris are sure that there will be a worthy recipient of a Green Ribbon award amongst the many good people from The Bay who are helping protect our stunning Environment

Nominations close on 15 April 2011 with winners announced on 9 June 2011.

For more information and to access the Green Ribbon nomination form, visit www.mfe.govt.nz/green-ribbon .

Over 70 students and Principals heard about from Hamish Whyte, CEO of Furnware. Hamish gave a key message of look, listen, learn and never be afraid to ask.

This event not only allows us to say “Thanks” to our younger leaders, it is also a networking opportunity for the leaders to gain strength from Leaders in other schools.

“As we all take to the roads, respect for and by riders and for and by drivers is paramount. We all share the roads, follow the same road rules and have to be aware of each other at all times.

I urge us all to share the road, respecting each other to ensure that we all have a great experience out cycling, walking or driving around our great region.”

Friday 4th March is the final day for the iWay Commuter Challenge. The breakfast stop is at the office of Craig Foss MP, cnr of King and Queen St Hastings.

While I was there I was treated to a viewing of their vegie garden.

The liquid fertilizer used on this pumpkin is sure to win them a prize!!

Go the Paul Hunter team!