Local events
It has been great to get out and about in the community over the last couple of weeks.
A few weeks ago I took part in the Great Forest Run at Waitarere Beach where I completed my first ever marathon (in 4 hours and 14 minutes). It was exhausting but hugely rewarding to cross the finish line. This has become an iconic event for Horowhenua and credit must be given to both the organisers and the thousands who participated. My whole family got involved in different running events and loved it.
That afternoon Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Hon. Sam Lotu-Iiga spoke to the Pacifica community in Levin. Sam was really well received where he talked about his vision for Pacifica people living here in New Zealand and how this related to the Horowhenua.
I had a busy Easter and popped into the Paraparaumu Beach Market, which has great locally grown produce. The fruit and vegetables found at the market is a reminder of why Kapiti and Horowhenua is the fruit bowl of the Wellington Region. The Waikanae Easter Fair at Mahara Place is a fantastic annual event that attracts hundreds of visitors and locals. It was great to have the National Party Stand at the fair and it provided a great opportunity for me to catch up with heaps of locals.
Local ANZAC day commemorations were really well attended. I spoke at the Dawn Service in Ōtaki, where I estimated over 1000 people attended. I then visited the Manakau community service, where Manakau school pupils and Scouts had spent a huge amount of time making fantastic looking wreaths for the ceremony.
There was a real buzz at the War Veterans Service in Levin. Many people talked about the reunion of my old Waiopehu College 1st XV (1987/88) at Easter which chose the War Veterans home to fundraise some cash for. Many of my old mates raised over $10,000 from donated auction items. It was great to hear about potentially developing new Bowls and Pétanque facilities that will really benefit the Veterans.
Lastly, I attended the Main Civic Service in Levin, which was shifted indoors to Te Takere because of the rain. The roll of Honour read out of by Head Prefects from our local colleges was a sombre moment, which reminded of us all of the people from our region who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
It has been great to have attended so many fantastic locally organised events. Connecting with our community is very important to me as your local MP.
From my diary:
*On Tuesday I was in Christchurch with the Prime Minister celebrating irrigation improvements.
*I am around the electorate this week.
That afternoon Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Hon. Sam Lotu-Iiga spoke to the Pacifica community in Levin. Sam was really well received where he talked about his vision for Pacifica people living here in New Zealand and how this related to the Horowhenua.
I had a busy Easter and popped into the Paraparaumu Beach Market, which has great locally grown produce. The fruit and vegetables found at the market is a reminder of why Kapiti and Horowhenua is the fruit bowl of the Wellington Region. The Waikanae Easter Fair at Mahara Place is a fantastic annual event that attracts hundreds of visitors and locals. It was great to have the National Party Stand at the fair and it provided a great opportunity for me to catch up with heaps of locals.
Local ANZAC day commemorations were really well attended. I spoke at the Dawn Service in Ōtaki, where I estimated over 1000 people attended. I then visited the Manakau community service, where Manakau school pupils and Scouts had spent a huge amount of time making fantastic looking wreaths for the ceremony.
There was a real buzz at the War Veterans Service in Levin. Many people talked about the reunion of my old Waiopehu College 1st XV (1987/88) at Easter which chose the War Veterans home to fundraise some cash for. Many of my old mates raised over $10,000 from donated auction items. It was great to hear about potentially developing new Bowls and Pétanque facilities that will really benefit the Veterans.
Lastly, I attended the Main Civic Service in Levin, which was shifted indoors to Te Takere because of the rain. The roll of Honour read out of by Head Prefects from our local colleges was a sombre moment, which reminded of us all of the people from our region who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
It has been great to have attended so many fantastic locally organised events. Connecting with our community is very important to me as your local MP.
From my diary:
*On Tuesday I was in Christchurch with the Prime Minister celebrating irrigation improvements.
*I am around the electorate this week.