I was part of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation team with Maggie Barrie and Sophie Lawson.

The event was part of Breast Cancer Action Month which runs through October.

We are very clear that this Part 2 of the legislation is about setting up the Rugby World Cup Authority, but we are hearing a lot of contradictions coming from the other side, as well. Yesterday those members said that they supported the process for the establishment of the authority. In fact, Mr Mallard even said yesterday that he supported the fact that Mr McCully was consulting members opposite regarding that membership. But we just heard from Mr Lees-Galloway that—actually, no—because of the provisions about urgent consents, it is Labour’s position that it does not support the legislation, at all. Complete contradictions are coming from the other side of the Chamber. We know what is happening here. We know that this is about wasting New Zealand taxpayers’ money, and we have just seen it via an hour of filibustering. That is not good for New Zealand, particularly when we have had pretty hard economic times.

I come back, again, to Part 2 of the legislation. We on this side of the Chamber want to be very clear that we are supportive of the authority that is being set up. A very reasonable process has been undertaken in relation to Part 2. There is a very clear process about the membership of the authority, in terms of consulting the Minister of Justice, the Minister for Economic Development, and the Minister for the Environment. They are all elected people. Again, it comes back to some of the arguments that have been raised by the Opposition, in regard to not having an urgent consent process whereby there is a power of veto by the Minister. We on this side of the Chamber would prefer to have elected representatives, rather than unelected people, accountable. That goes to the core and heart of a number of the discussions that have happened so far.

I say that we on this side of the Chamber support New Zealand, support the Rugby World Cup, and support this legislation going through, compared with a Labour Opposition that is filibustering, that is wasting the Committee’s time, and that does not support the Rugby World Cup. Those members show a lot of contradictions in terms of what they are saying. We are supportive of the Rugby World Cup, and I commend this legislation.

See my submission on the Schedule 4 Stocktake – Outlining the results of by Great Barrier Island Survey here.

December 2 2009

Marine Protection

This year I have been working with the community board on Great Barrier to discuss ways to improve marine protection. Some of the discussions I am involved in with the community relate to fisheries regulations.

Fort Stony Batter

I am working with government departments trying to secure more resources for the Fort Stony Batter protection and restoration project.

The Department of Conservation administers Stony Batter Historic Reserve on Waiheke Island.

The Stony Batter reserve and tunnels are a very special place, part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, important for historic protection, recreation and a valuable tourism asset for Waiheke Island and Auckland.

If you would like more information, or would like to contribute to either of these projects, please contact my office on 09 378 2088.

Photo attribution: Nikki-G

I wrote to the Auckland City Council earlier this year expressing my support for this project.

There are many talented artists on the island that will benefit from the Village. Many artists survive on the income they receive from selling their crafts over the summer. I support this initiative as it provides a community hub for these artists.

The Community Board has endorsed the allocation of $100,000 from the HGI Outer Gulf Islands financial contributions budget to be used for the relocation of the GBI Community Heritage and Arts Trust’s buildings.

Officers have commenced the preparation of a lease to the Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Trust.

I am pleased to have supported the Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts village which is set to open later this year.

If you think you could support this project, please contact my office on 09 378 2088.

Young people make up a significant amount of my constituency and I consider it to be very important that I keep them informed.

18- to 24-year-olds are also the fastest growing age group on the Unemployment Benefit.
They represent a third of all those who receive it. Since June 2008, the number who want to work but can’t get a job has more than quadrupled from 4000 to 17,000.

We are determined to provide young people with opportunities during this recession, to help them get the work experience, training, and education they need. That’s why we have launched our Youth Opportunities Package.

This package contains a $152 million set of initiatives designed to create opportunities for young people in work, education, and training.

Details of the nine separate initiatives are here.

If you would like further information, you can contact my office on 09 378 2088, or alternatively call Work and Income on 0800 559 009.

The project is to provide a ‘one stop shop’ or Integrated Family Health Centre for the people of Waiheke Island which is central, accessible and able to house the services and facilities currently scattered in buildings on the island.

I hope that this project will help to eliminate some trips to Auckland by residents for minor surgery and clinics and to provide short stay beds for observation and or rehabilitation. This may decrease hospital admissions to Auckland. It would also help to alleviate stress associated with these trips for some families.

Waiheke is a unique island community with unique needs, so close to Auckland, but being separated by water means we need to be more innovative in ways to deliver healthcare services.

Recently I gave a speech at the RoadSafe “Share the Road” Campaign Launch, which you can view here. It is clear we need to do better in terms of cycling safety in New Zealand.

You can find more information about the National Cycleway Project here. It is important to realise that the primary objective of this project is on regional development not commuter cycling, whilst there may be complimentary benefits of some of the cycle trails that is not the main focus. I believe that in order to improve cycling Auckland we need to make sure all the government agencies or initiatives are working together.

Here is an article on the Waiheke Cycleway here. I believe the Waiheke Cycleway would increase tourism on the island and provide locals with a safer option for commuting.

I am also supporting the Great Urban Rides initiative, which you can find more on here.

For any further information or if you would like to contribute, please contact my office on 09 378 2088.

Several stadiums around the country are being revamped with Government investing $190 million in Eden Park and $35 million in other stadiums.

Come 2011, we will not only be showcasing our national game but we also have an unprecedented chance to show off our beautiful country and what we do well – from our food and wine, our fashion design and film-making, our science, to our tourism. We need to turn 2011 into a year of showing our very best to the world.

As a part of this showcase, I am working with Government departments to ensure that our local businesses benefit as much as possible.

If you are interested in business procurement opportunities and becoming a supplier to RWC 2011 or supporting activity, you can view opportunities here.

One project I support is the “Mission in the City” Project which aims to help homeless people as well as solo mums that may be struggling in to supported housing.

The City Mission, and all these groups do an incredible job working hard to help those in need of physical and emotional support.

The Mission in the City project is about establishing an inner city haven for people making a new start, people to whom fortune had tossed a curved ball, people wanting to find their way back from the margins.

It will require all the parts of Auckland’s society to pull together. It will take the philanthropy of Auckland’s citizens, the co-investment of other social service providers and the broad support of the city; an investment by us all.

The Mission in the City Project carries on this legacy to provide opportunities to a number of excluded groups. For the homeless it will provide accommodation in a caring and supportive community in which to live. For the inner city low income flat dwellers, it will provide open space, cafes, shops and health facilities in the midst of the city. For solo parents wanting to attain tertiary qualifications and contribute to society, it will shorten their journey from 13 years to 3 years in achieving this.

This project is a shared vision of statutory agencies, social services, corporates, and St Matthew-in-the-City and will only be realised through the generous support of New Zealanders.

If you feel you would like to get involved or can support this project, please contact my office on 09 378 2088 or at nikkikaye.haveyoursay@parliament.govt.nz