Spring is in the air!

Spring is in the air. The days are getting longer and we’re starting to see daffodils popping up in gardens, and the countdown to the election really gaining on us (only 10 weeks away). Last Friday, I donned the yellow jacket and collection bucket for the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day at the Meadowbank Shopping Centre with a lovely local volunteer to help raise funds for cancer research and support. It’s always wonderful to see people out while bucket collecting and having short chats with people enjoying their day in our community.

I had the pleasure this month of hosting Shae Ronald, CEO of Youthline for one of the electorate’s non-political community meetings where we hear from interesting people about the work they do and are passionate about. Shae told us all about the work Youthline is currently doing to help mental health in younger Kiwis. I was interested to learn that the most common reason a young person will call Youthline is due to family issues, showing the importance of a child having someone to talk with and listen, even outside of the home. Most of all, I was impressed by the community discussion we had and how engaged people were in learning more about the service, whether it was from the place of people caring about their own children or our wider society.

It was wonderful to see students from Selwyn College’s Year 13 Social Studies class while they were down visiting Parliament, a long way from the electorate! The questions that the students had were very thoughtful, and I’ve already had students email through requesting more information and help with their understanding of Parliament and advocacy under our democracy. This is awesome to see!

The electorate office remains open and able to help assist any local constituent with concerns or help point you in the right direction. If you’d like to pop in for a quick chat, we have open hours at the following times over the next month, alternatively, you can call Jaden and Cynthia in the office on 09 574 1345. They are always available to help at Level 1 Meadowbank Mall.

Friday 4 September, 1-2:30pm

Thursday 10 September, 12:30-2:30pm

Friday 25 September, 12:30-2:30pm 

Our next, and final, community meeting is 9 October, 6:30-7:30pm with Dame Ranjna Patel at the St Heliers Community Centre. Dame Ranjna has a very interesting background as an entrepreneur and community leader having co-founded Tamaki Health, a primary healthcare group, and founding Gandhi Nivas, a family violence prevention programme. She has received the Community Hero award at the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards for her work reducing family violence, and Innovator of the Year award at the New Zealander of the Year awards in 2021, as well as being given the great honour of becoming a Dame last year. Make sure to hold this time in your calendar.