The Good and the Bad

The Bad

I firstly wish to acknowledge the recent young victims in our community who have been harmed in senseless attacks on or around public transport. These attacks have no place in our community. Our electorate office is taking these incidents seriously.

I’ve spoken with Police, Auckland Transport, and several families impacted and will be hosting a Community Safety Meeting 7pm on Friday 13 September in the Sacred Heart College Theatre for members of our community to attend. Representatives from Police, Auckland Council, AT, Community Patrol, and Orakei local board have confirmed they will attend to listen to your concerns and provide more information on what their organisations can do and are doing.

If you are coming along and have a particular question to ask our guests, please submit it in advance to [email protected] to help with the running of the event.

The Good

It was a pleasure to host Her Excellency Iona Thomas OBE, the British High Commissioner, in Tāmaki to meet locals, many of whom had connections to the United Kingdom. The new principal of St Cuthbert’s College, Charlotte Avery, was also in attendance having only just arrived from the UK a few days before and I’m sure many in our community will join me in wishing her well settling in.

Her Excellency spoke of the close ties between our two countries and details of her remarkable career in the diplomatic service at St Heliers Community Centre. I’m thrilled with not only the guests who’ve accepted our office’s invitation to speak in Tāmaki but also the high attendance at these events. I aim to keep inviting interesting guest speakers, so please do share the meetings with your family and connections too.

I attended Glendowie College this month to discuss monetary and fiscal policy with the Year 13 Economic and Global Studies students. I was very impressed by the level of questioning and interest in understanding how Government operates. We need more of this across New Zealand! A large thanks to Aisha Somaratne who lead the questioning on behalf of the class and economics teacher Ms Georgina Sawyer for the invitation to share my love for economics and how it’s been useful for my current and previous roles.

I attended the Stonefields Residents Association AGM and talked about the role of being a local MP as well as a Minister in Cabinet and took questions from the floor. Stonefields is a beautiful part of our electorate and while in the area, I met Frances, one of the residents bringing the community spirit we love to Stonefields. In Year 11 at St Cuthbert’s College, Frances has established a Community “Borrow Box” in the area for anyone to share literature. If you know a young teen in Stonefields, encourage them pop by the Borrow Box on Fynes Avenue to borrow a book or add to the collection. Well done, Frances, for the initiative!

It was fantastic to attend the Eastridge Winter Market Day and bump into locals out supporting the local shops. We know retail has struggled post-Covid especially with cost-of-living pressures, so it was good to see people make the most of the event at the shops. The markets had sales, live music, face painting and old school games on offer, and of course, I couldn’t leave without buying a treat for myself from the wonderful staff at Bakers Delight!

Lastly, I’m just constantly amazed at how much time Tāmaki locals give to both our community and charities. It’s now spring (thank goodness!) and that means daffodil day. A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped the cancer society fundraise for cancer support last Friday, we applaud your efforts. If you missed out on Daffodil Day but may still wish to contribute, you can do so here.

There’s so much more to say, but that’s all for now. It’s been a busy and fulfilling month as your MP, bring on September!

Thanks as always for your support,

Brooke van Velden ACT Deputy Leader | MP for Tāmaki