Channel Magazine Columns
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Make 2021 the year that we all remember
Simon Watts
March 01, 2021 Share
The last lockdown blip derailed numerous plans, mine included. I was scheduled to deliver my maiden speech in Parliament on the Tuesday, and was delighted to see that friends and supporters from last year’s election were flying down to Wellington for the day – that didn’t happen.
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Your local voice in Wellington
Simon Watts
February 01, 2021 Share
I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that it's been a great summer to be in New Zealand. Even if you didn't get a chance to visit other parts of the country, there were still our amazing local beaches to escape to... as long as they weren’t polluted.
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It's down to the business of being your MP in Wellington
Simon Watts
December 01, 2020 Share
As someone new to the Beehive, I can say that the predominant feeling I have is a sense of responsibility. During the election campaign, I emphasised the importance of local issues and that focus hasn’t changed. Even though the mechanics of national governance are gaining the headlines, it’s my job to make sure that what’s happening here on the North Shore receives attention too.
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Future generations are depending on us to make the right decisions
Simon Watts
October 01, 2020 Share
It’s fair to say that the winter of 2020 has been a time like no other for the Watts household, with dad immersing himself in his first election campaign just as a pandemic pulls apart the fabric that binds our communities together. Lockdowns, job security, closed schools and an economy on its knees are issues that have played out at our breakfast table, just as they have in homes throughout the country.
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Without a robust and dependable health strategy there is no fixing the economy
Simon Watts
September 01, 2020 Share
It’s not surprising that concerns about our health and wellbeing are two of the leading issues I hear about as I meet people around the Shore.
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No second chance for a second harbour crossing
Simon Watts
August 01, 2020 Share
National Leader Judith Collins’ announcement that the second harbour crossing will be included in National’s infrastructure package will finally get this vital project out of the realms of fantasy and onto the agendas of government and business.
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The future can be bright - let's make it happen
Simon Watts
June 01, 2020 Share
Looking back on the past six weeks, I’ve found that previous experiences have provided powerful guidance on how to respond to unprecedented challenges.
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Why leaving Lockdown is just beginning
Simon Watts
May 01, 2020 Share
When I was chosen to follow on from Hon Maggie Barry after she retires in September, and campaign in the General Election, I had no idea that 2020 would claim a permanent place in my memory for anything other than a hopefully successful campaign.