Many Aucklanders took the opportunity of the regional border closures ending over the holiday break to see loved ones around New Zealand while others from outside Auckland finally had the chance to get back to work and play in our largest city.
It was a tough time for hospitality business through this Christmas with Queen Street and other main thoroughfares near deserted at times when just two years ago it would have been thronging with an array of international visitors off cruise ships and airplanes, descending on the viaduct for a great afternoon in the sun.
This summer I had the pleasure of welcoming a new member of the family to my house, Basil, a miniature Schnauzer who has been nearly as much effort to train as babysitting a child!
Looking ahead with Omicron bearing down on New Zealand it’s going to remain uncertain times for many around the country. The borders remain closed but our hearts are with all those stuck offshore, particularly our cousins over the ditch in Australia.
There are many hard questions to put to the Government over the ongoing MIQ debacle, the unacceptable way so many Kiwis have been left in the lurch during Covid-19 and how we as a nation can move forward and I look forward to championing these and other issues for you in Parliament when we return to the House in February.
However, with more positive news 2022 means the 10th Triennial Youth Parliament has now begun and I am thrilled to introduce my Youth MP, Yoonie Park to you all.
Yoonie has a fantastic background as a diverse young leader of our city and I can’t wait to get stuck in supporting her championing the issues of young New Zealanders throughout the year in our House of Representatives.
I’ve asked Yoonie to say a few words about herself and what she hopes to accomplish throughout the year:
"Kia ora! My name is Yoonie Park, a 16 year old Korean-Kiwi who loves public speaking, meeting new people and am very honoured to be representing Melissa Lee MP as her Youth MP for 2022.
"My summer this year has been filled with family and friends. I spent most of my time finding new places in the city, (while everyone had left Auckland) to eat, take a break, and chat with friends. Our conversations are usually filled with excitement and little worries for the upcoming year 12 of high school and sixteenth year of life.
"We have many different aspirations and goals - reading more books, getting our learners, doing something to give back to our community. My goals as a Youth MP this year are to learn by expanding my knowledge and experience and to be able to raise my voice for the issues that are currently affecting Rangatahi of Aotearoa.
"I believe that being a Youth MP will give me a great opportunity and foundation to speak up as an individual of New Zealand to raise awareness, particularly about racial injustice and mental health of youth.
"I am looking forward to the great journey ahead, which will be shared with like-minded young people like myself, and amazing mentors!"
"As the summer rolls into autumn I hope you all get the opportunity to get to the beach, our beautiful regional parks or golf courses and have some fun with friends and family – you’ve earned it and you need it!" (Melissa Lee MP)
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Published 4 February 2022