Happy Summer, Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year season!
It’s been a whirlwind since 14 October being returned to Parliament and I want to acknowledge everyone who took the time to go out and vote in this year’s election.
The cost-of-living, concerns around the future of education, water, health, and our law and order have seen National chosen as the leading voice for the next Government of our country.
I am thrilled I’ll again be a member of this amazing Caucus with great new voices in Auckland including Carlos Cheung in Mt Roskill, Greg Fleming in Maungakiekie, Cameron Brewer in Upper Harbour and Rima Nakhle in Takanini. It’s great as well to welcome back Paulo Garcia to our Caucus as the new MP for New Lynn and Dan Bidois who has been successful in re-gaining the seat of Northcote. I also want to pay tribute to those who stood for election and were not successful. Here in Auckland, it is clear on the data so far released by the Electoral Commission that we were the region that saw New Zealand choose a new Government. I am looking forward to being a part of the new National voice in whatever role I have the opportunity to be in.
As I write this, Government formations are still underway, and we don’t yet know what time Parliament will resume, so for now I’m getting stuck into local events around our beautiful city including fantastic Diwali celebrations from Freemans Bay to Manukau. The story of Diwali, the tale of light, hope and happiness tied so delightfully to New Zealand’s summer sun and number eight wire spirit, is truly a part of our nation’s multicultural identity.
As we head into the season of cheer and joy, I know many New Zealanders this year will be worried about their future, the economic outlook, the crime on our streets, the constant stories of youth harm and infrastructure failures across not only our city, but around New Zealand. National will address these issues. In 2021, in my Christmas message to Ponsonby News, I worried about the growing numbers of New Zealanders leaving our country. I am sure in 2024, the trend will finally reverse and our friends and loved ones will come home back into a growing and restored economy in New Zealand.
Finally, I want to take a moment to acknowledge those who we’ve lost this past year. For many of us the Christmas table in recent years has felt a seat or two short with the passing of cherished loved ones, some of whom we were unable to see for a final farewell due to the trials we faced in recent years. At Christmas and New Year, we remember them, in both joy and sorrow, but above all in glad remembrance for the life we shared and may yet share with them still. This Christmas I will be remembering friends like Alice Wylie, Wally Wyatt and Eileen Rolf. I’ll also be remembering the growing number of Korean War veterans leaving – their watch here now has ended.
This Christmas, wherever you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful summer. Happy Holidays! (Melissa Lee)
Melissa Lee, MP
National List MP
Authorised by Melissa Lee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
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Published: November 2023