Shane's Newsletter Summer 2023
Shane Reti 
February 28, 2023
Highland Games & Waitangi
New Year’s Day – It was an honour to open the 150th Waipu games. The second oldest cultural festival behind Turakina Highland Games. A marvelous day. I notified the Scottish government and read out a letter of congratulations.
Waitangi Day – This year I was privileged to give the reading at Waitangi Day 2023. A few firsts. I chose a brief reading from the Book of Mormon, the first time it has been read on our National Day, and MP Ibrahim Omer offered the first Muslim prayer heard from Te Whare Wananga.
The traditional Waitangi dawn service was followed by the flag raising ceremony accompanied by the accomplished lone piper - 2023 Waipu Highland Games Chief Bain McGregor.
4 Lanes and Cyclone Gabrielle
While the Hawkes Bay was hit particularly hard Northland also had floods and road closures that isolated us from the rest of New Zealand. On some days we had more cell towers down than the Hawkes Bay. As for the Brynderwyns, what a mess. Northland Labour MPs have been completely useless with the Labour MP for Tai Tokerau saying we shouldn’t expect gold plated roads, and the Labour MP for Whangarei saying we don’t need a new highway. Even the PM didn’t drive into Northland but flew in. The Northland voice for roading is not being lobbied for in Wellington by local Labour MPs. Time for a change.
WELLINGTON
Resignation
In January PM Ardern resigned and was replaced by PM Hipkins. This looks very much like the “same team different jerseys”. The new PM did his time in Trevor Mallard’s office and has baggage around the Polytech disaster and MIQ stopping kiwis from coming home. All of that was on his watch and in his hands. Time for a change.
Three Waters
On February 25th Chris Luxon announced our policy on Three Waters. We will repeal Three Waters and return council assets to council rate payers and let local people make local decisions. We will not support cogovernance of national water infrastructure. Time for a change
https://www.national.org.nz/national_will_scrap_three_waters_and_deliver_local_water_well
Health
Labour Failing New Zealand Women
Reports that New Zealand’s breast cancer screening programme has failed to meet its target for the third year in a row is putting New Zealand women at risk. Read the full press release here: https://www.national.org.nz/labour_failing_new_zealand_women
ED Wait Times Hit New Record
Former Health Minister Andrew Little stopped publishing emergency department (ED) wait times, and now we know why. Read the full press release here: https://www.national.org.nz/ed_wait_times_hit_new_record
WHANGAREI ELECTORATE
Dargaville Field Days – March 2,3,4. Come and visit our indoor site in the Lifestyle Pavilion #LP302. At this point Chris Luxon is hoping to be at the Field Days on Saturday morning
MP Hour: Friday March 10th 12noon – 1pm:
Please come down to my office for a chat with others and with me on Friday March 10th. It is a good chance to raise any questions and any suggestions and to bring friends and neighbours
Whangarei A&P show
It was fantastic to see so many of our friends and supporters at the A&P show. I want to thank all the hardworking people that made the show a success! Bill and I also want to thank our that helped at the National Party booth. Belis the “issues board” from the Whangarei A&P show. Everyone walking past put a blue dot on what they thought was the biggest issue. The issues were: Economy/Cost of Living, Housing, Health, Education, Environment, Law and Order. A very effective tool.
Membership
We have all had a busy start to the new year, but it is now time to join the team and pull on a jersey. Please renew your membership today and let’s send this Labour lot packing.
Thank you, again to members – you are the cornerstone of the National Party!
Regards
MP Dr Shane Reti QSM
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