Schools are on holidays, but our office is still open for everyone. We’ve been busy this past month helping neighbours in the electorate and ensuring your voice is represented in Wellington.

This month, there’s been a lot of chatter about housing, intensification, and what it means for the local area. I hosted a Community Meeting that focused on Auckland Council’s plan for intensification and what the next steps are so local voice is considered. A huge thank you to outgoing Ōrākei local board member Penny Tucker for speaking and outlining the proposals at the meeting.

As a short re-cap for those who could not attend, Auckland Council voted to withdraw Plan Change 78 and proposed a replacement, Plan Change 120. This will go out for public consultation this year before moving through an Independent Hearings Panel process. Public notification is expected at the end of October, and opportunity for local submissions in November.

For more information on the plans for intensification, visit the Plan Change 120 page on the council’s website: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/unitary-plan/auckland-unitary-plan-modifications/Pages/details.aspx?UnitaryPlanId=293

I popped over to Stonefields to speak at the Stonefields Residents Association AGM as well as hosted street corner meetings to hear directly from people on their own doorsteps. Thank you to all who showed up and gave lovely words of encouragement, I’m constantly grateful to be representing such kind and thoughtful residents.

I also continued shop-knocking Mission Bay to see how businesses are getting on, and met even more cute local dogs. I think it’s fair to say the weather slowly improving is seeing an uplift in mood. Let’s hope it’s a good and busy summer, people are out walking, stopping in at cafes and restaurants, and maybe taking a kayak from Fergs Kayaks… legally.

It’s never easy to hear a local shop has been hit by burglarly, but well done to Police for catching the thief. I met Ed at Fergs Kayaks few days ago and heard about his plans for the business. I wish him all the best over summer, and I’m sure others will too! 

Every so often, I meet students who give me great hope for the future, increasingly they come from within our electorate. I met Young Enterprise students from Glendowie who pitched me their business products. From school sport enhancement products, to anti-anxiety squishies and notepads, the ideas and the marketing and delivery of these products was impressive.

I think we’re seeing the business leaders of tomorrow coming through and I’m doing my best to ensure they know they have a future right here in NZ. A huge congratulations to all the students I met and their passionate teacher, Pritika, who invited me along to critique their presentations.



This month coming, I'm delighted to be hosting the one and only Paula Bennett who will discuss her role at Pharmac. Recently, I have met with a local family who successfully applied for and received funding for their child’s rare condition.
Pharmac’s role of funding medicines, and its good performance, in New Zealand is essential for the wellbeing of our families and communities.

If you're interested in coming along, please do RSVP at link (https://www.brookevanvelden.nz/250825) I expect our fabulous speaker will not be one to miss! Details in the link or graphic below. 

As always, it's a pleasure to serve as your local MP.