Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you and yours! I hope that wherever you were this long weekend that you had time to rest, relax and eat chocolate. In Parliament, the Government has ticked off its 100-day plan and I wanted to give you an update on important priorities that I’ve set for my term ahead in the Beehive and in Tamaki.

Firstly, it was fantastic to see many of you out and about at Round the Bays this month. Our electorate’s waterfront is well-known and well-loved by thousands who descend every year for the annual fun run. If you missed out this year, but would like to join in next year, consider signing up to our ACT team.

We are fortunate to have a wonderfully welcoming community. This month I had the chance to visit and speak with residents at the Men’s Shed on Abbot’s Way. It’s a community hub with over 200 members where people can craft and use tools. Pictured are some of the predator traps that the members make to help protect our beautiful environment. Great skills on display!

I also visited Kohimarama School and Glen Innes School to talk with Senior Leaders about the work they are doing to ensure a great education for current young New Zealanders in their classrooms. A good education is fundamental to giving the next generation choice and opportunity in their lives and I look forward to a strong relationship with local schools.

Back in the Beehive, I’ve been busy at work setting my priorities for the term ahead as Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, which I announced at the Auckland Business Chamber. I want to restore business confidence and certainty so that businesses can create more and better jobs. My priorities are to improve and simplify the Holidays Act, reform health and safety law and regulation, clarify contracting relationships, and set performance targets for the Employment Relations and Health and Safety systems. It will be a lot of work ahead, but I heard during the election campaign that getting the settings right so our economy and workers can thrive was a priority and I agree.

You can read my full speech here.

It was a privilege to lead New Zealand’s participation in the third Summit for Democracy convened by the United States in Seoul, Korea. Democracy around the world is under threat and it’s important for New Zealand as a small liberal democracy to stand with like-minded partners who share similar values. On the morning of the Summit, North Korea fired ballistic missiles showing the importance of standing strong together and the Summit. I met Korean President Yoon, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (pictured), UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and counterparts from other member states present.

As the first Minister in the coalition Government to travel to Korea, I spoke at a Business Breakfast hosted by the NZ Ambassador about this Government’s priorities. A confident business sector and healthy trade relationships are essential to meeting our goal to strengthen the economy.

The New Zealand-Korea relationship is a long one and we must not forget the Kiwi soldiers who fought in the Korean war and our troops who continue to keep peace around the world. New Zealand sent 6,000 troops to Korea. I visited the Korean War Memorial to pay my respects to the fallen soldiers and visited our troops who continue to serve in the Demilitarised Zone. We thank them for their service.

On April 12, I will be hosting Pet Refuge CEO Julie Chapman in Meadowbank as part of our Tamaki Community Meeting series to speak about the important work the Pet Refuge does to help Kiwis leave domestic violence. All are welcome, please RSVP to [email protected] to help us plan refreshments. Further details in the image below.

Once again thank you for your support, and Happy Easter!

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