July certainly threw a few curve balls our way, not least the one-in-500-year flood to hit Whangārei and other parts of Northland. 
I captured this video of the wave of water sweeping through the central city at around 11pm on the Friday night. It has received a huge number of hits on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/drshanereti/videos/996694060783836/

Wild Weather

The storm which hit Northland on the 17th July will have a lasting impact on Whangārei and surrounding areas. Homes and businesses were flooded, roads damaged and slips have destabilised land. On the night of the 17th and into the days following I worked hard to secure sandbags and ensure people who needed a hand with clean up received one. Thank you to all of those people who responded to calls for help, who checked on neighbours and supported business owners. Thank you also to the emergency services, council staff and Civil Defence for their clear communication and for rescuing people and protecting properties where possible. I am proud to be part of a great community. 

Cannabis and Euthanasia Referendums

The country is voting on two different referendums this year at the General Election. These are two significant referendums which I am very passionate about, as a doctor, a parent and grandparent, and as a citizen. I spent time at the end of July as a guest of Deaf Action NZ to discuss the cannabis referendum. I encourage you to read the information on each referendum in your election voting pack, and consider different views presented as you weigh up how you will vote. 

Health Spokesperson

I am very privileged to now be the spokesperson for Health for the National Party and at number 5 I am the highest ranked MP to hold the Whangarei seat. This means your needs gets closer to the decision makers. I have a strong background in health as a GP in Whangarei for 20 years, Northland Health Board member for 3 consecutive terms and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. I am hitting the ground running as we respond to the COVID pandemic and holding the government to account so that the bar is raised for all of us. In my new role I look forward to working with you to develop innovative and thoughtful policy to lift the health system and the health of New Zealanders. 

The Pitch

One of my first one on one interviews was recently with Newshub's The Pitch. By all accounts this has been very well received.
I appeared on Newshub's The Pitch in early July and answered a wide range of questions. You can view the segment by clicking on this link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=303298841078182