As we head into the final quarter of the year with flash flooding, storms and wild weather hitting Auckland, we can also take stock on the issues affecting our city and
New Zealand.
In earlier columns I’ve talked about the cost of living crisis, the serious crime hurting our communities and the harm New Zealand is experiencing because of a lack of investment into a positive future for our country.This month, I want to talk about aspiration, and how New Zealand and our city can move forward.
We have so much creativity and imagination across New Zealand. Grey Lynn is a hotbed of media, broadcasting, gastronome, and entertainment talent. Sandringham is a culinary delight and a cultural experience every New Zealander and visitor to our great country must try at least once (a week)!
Our central city, despite all the road closures and the impact of the last two years, shows a beautiful resiliency in business prowess that will weather the impacts of five years of underinvestment under Labour. Western Springs, Meola Creek and Ōwairaka, Mount Albert remain shining jewels in our central city’s environmental landscape thanks to the many volunteers who help with the cleaning planting and beautification of our city.
I’m writing this column having returned from a visit to South Korea. I’ve been humming through an energised week of meetings, workshops, forums and engagements, big and small across Seoul. From meeting with cabinet ministers and senior parliamentarians, locally and internationally, to visiting global business and talking constantly about New Zealand, the entire time I have been looking at the big picture of the future of our economic and societal outlook in the aftermath of one of the hardest experiences the current global community has faced.
I’ve been to Samsung Town seeing the latest in digital innovation and thinking how we can bring these new technologies on shore to benefit New Zealand. I’ve been to celebrations of Korean identity and culture as part of the annual Gwangbokjeol commemorations that this year also heralded in the recent inauguration of a new President of South Korea. The future is positive for us all both economically and in our societies if we choose to embrace it and if New Zealand chooses to be a part of a post-Covid world.
Here in New Zealand, our government has decided to get caught up in not thinking about the big picture, and not looking to the best future for local New Zealanders. It has chosen to look past local communities in many ways; for instance, taking away their say over 3 Waters. It has ended the local independence and say of our District Health Boards. The really important concern though, it has stopped listening. They need to listen again to New Zealanders and, like many Kiwis regardless of our politics, I’m concerned they don’t want to, despite the country crying out to be heard.
Labour think they know best when the world is now telling them there is a real risk New Zealand will soon be left behind in our international rankings and obligations. Local communities are feeling unheard in their government. Let’s hope this changes soon before we return to more strikes on our streets and crime gets even worse in our suburbs.
We are now steering the course into spring, so I’m really excited for the upcoming Onam, Mid-Autumn Festival, Nepalese Teej and Chuseok celebrations happening across our city in the coming weeks. These celebrations are an integral part of Auckland’s multi-ethnic values and community spirit. I hope to see you at one of these special celebrations at least. These are ways we all can come together to acknowledge the beauty in our diverse and exceptional city.
Keep safe! (MELISSA LEE MP) National Member of Parliament
National Spokesperson for Broadcasting & Media| Digital Economy and Communications | Ethnic Communities
E: mplee@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Melissa Lee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
www.melissalee.national.org.nz
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay #westernsprings #Nationalpartynz #melissaleeMP