Local column – Rowing and airport
The recent attack and vandalism at the Horowhenua Rowing Club was devastating, but I believe the public response has shown our community at its best.
This weekend I plan to spend some time at the community working bee to help fix some of the damage caused. I urge you to come down to the Lake and show your support.
I’ve been in touch with Rowing New Zealand to seek their help, and I’m hopeful that we can get some special support for our young rowers to get back on the water again.
In other news, this week sees the one-year anniversary of Air New Zealand flights beginning from Paraparaumu.
It was a proud day cutting the ribbon a year ago with Sir Noel Robinson and other dignitaries, just a day after the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup.
I’ve caught flights to Auckland many times and it is a great service. For the catchment area of around 100,000 people, it is much more convenient than driving all the way to Wellington. We now have much quicker access to New Zealand’s biggest city, and our international gateway.
The Kapiti Airport Business Park is open, and once Transmission Gully and the Kapiti Expressway are complete, the airport and our region will be more connected than ever.
The challenge now is to encourage more visitors from Auckland to make use of the service and explore what our region has to offer. As long as people keep supporting the service, a new connection to Christchurch is a goal worth aiming for.
From my diary
*After Labour Day on Monday, Parliament resumed again on Tuesday and Cabinet also met.
*Wednesday I am in Auckland giving a speech on immigration policy at Massey University.
*Friday I have a series of electorate visits.
*Over the weekend I’ll be spending some time at the Lake Horowhenua working bee.
*Saturday I am speaking at the Shannon Volunteer Fire Brigade Honours Evening.