Welcome to my first annual newsletter as the MP for Southland. What a ride it has been to get here today. This week I have officially been sworn in as the MP and I’m looking forward to being a strong representative for this great electorate in Wellington.

Firstly, we must reflect on the recent election and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me and put their trust in me this election.  I could not have done it without everyone who helped me in some way throughout the campaign.  From my campaign chair Jeff Grant and the campaign team, to the incredible National Party volunteers - thank you all for your hard work over the past few months.  Over the campaign 14 National Party MPs travelled south to listen and learn about what is important to us.  I must also thank my amazing family who have been on this journey with me every step of the way and continue to offer me their support every day in my new role.

It’s been a busy month since the election and I’m already well in the swing of things. It’s been great to get around the electorate and catch up with some of you since being elected. With the house sitting and the festive season fast approaching it’s going to be a busy end to 2020. As we continue our battle with Covid-19 there are some big issues our electorate is facing and I’m working hard to assist where I can. Don’t hesitate to reach out, as my Gore and Queenstown offices are now up and running. I look forward to hearing from you.

It was great to run into St Joseph’s Catholic School from Queenstown in Wellington in my first week in the role. I had just been chatting to parliamentary staff about how cool it would be to host Southland kids at Parliament when they came to visit. If your school is interested in visiting Parliament, let me know.

I managed to pop over to Central Otago for some mountain biking. There is an awesome 4 wheel drive road called the Hawksburn Road behind Bannockburn skirting the Cairnmuir Range that goes over to Clyde. It has a great drop down into Clyde, some fantastic Grade 4-5 tracks with amazing views over Lake Dunstan, the Clyde Dam, and the Alexandra basin.

I was thrilled to be announced National’s Spokesperson for Treaty Negotiations and Associate Spokesperson for Defence and Tourism recently.

Queenstown was bustling with the Marathon and West Indies versus NZA cricket matches over the past week. I stopped in to to see the West Indies cricket team training at the John Davies Oval at the Queenstown Events Centre.

Businesses throughout the electorate are struggling with staffing recruitment, and I have written to the Minister of Immigration about the problems faced by our horticulture, viticulture, hospitality and retail sectors.

It was a pleasure to attend the Gore Community Awards recently to celebrate some of the wonderful people in the Eastern Southland community. Congratulations to all the deserving award winners.

Congratulations also to the Southland Electorate of the National Party who were awarded the Membership Cup for the most members at the recent National Party AGM. A special mention to our wonderful secretary Bridgette Smith who was recognised for the incredible job she does with the Sir George Chapman Cup. 

This week I was officially sworn in as the MP for Southland. Thank you to everyone for your support to date. It’s going to be a busy term and I will do all I can to be a strong voice for you in Wellington.

Enjoy the next few weeks preparing for the festive season. Until next time.