A good day at the office…
June 27, 2010
I really enjoy my monthly trips to Wairoa and Mahia. It’s a chance to leave the hurly burly of Parliament behind and to get back to the real world. It’s great to talk to people who are working hard to get ahead in life, who are aspirational for their kids, who love their slice of New Zealand with a passion.
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…
