We're now well into 2023, less than a month away from the Budget and less than 200 days from the General Election. 

This will be my second budget as a member of National's finance team and my third as your MP. Sadly, I don't see anything that has convinced me there will be anything in this budget for the North Shore.

As our community continues to recover from the floods and cyclone Gabrielle, as well as grappling with the cost of living crisis and increases in crime, we need a government that will put our communities first more than ever.

I'll keep pushing to take the North Shore forward.

Remembering those who served

Anzac Day is a time for every New Zealander to reflect on the service and sacrifice of all those who have served and continue to serve, so many of whom paid the ultimate price. The Devonport Naval Base is the pride of the North Shore, and as the home of our Navy, many servicepeople live in our community. Streets and landmarks across the North Shore bear the names of those with distinguished service from our community, including Cyril Bassett VC.

I joined veterans and Defence Force personnel at the ceremony in Devonport and laid a wreath created on the North Shore by one of our talented local businesses, Florienne. Anzac services are always special, and I was particularly moved seeing so many young people in attendance, proudly wearing the medals of their relatives who served and laying wreaths on behalf of their schools. 

Lest we forget.

Taking New Zealand Forward

Last month, I was named as National's Spokesperson for Climate Change and a member of the Shadow Cabinet of Christopher Luxon. 

Since then, National have announced Electrify NZ, which will cut red tape to drive investment in renewable electricity generation so New Zealand can double its supply of affordable, clean energy and become a lower emissions economy. The fact that it takes longer to consent renewable energy than it actually takes to build it is holding us back and is one of the reasons coal imports have increased to record levels under Labour. 

This government have it wrong on Climate Change, and a National government will be relentlessly focused on outcomes, not ideology. We will meet our goals by harnessing NZ energy and technology.

The innovation that is the true driver of our climate policy can be found right here on the North Shore; we're home to Auckland City Electric Vehicles in Takapuna who are leading the charge to electrify our transport system, making it easier and cheaper than ever to own an EV, and our local businesses are also already harnessing renewables, like Benefitz HQ, with more than 800 solar panels cranking out 250kwh of power. It was great to visit both of them recently. 

Crime is still out of control

Labour are now on their fifth Minister of Police since taking office in 2017, at the same time, increasing crime, particularly retail crime and ram-raids plague our community. It's clear that Labour has no real plan to tackle crime and are happy to let crime go unchecked while the North Shore pays the price. 

Meanwhile, families and businesses continue to suffer. Michael Hill in Takapuna have now announced they're permanently closing out of fears for the safety of their staff. That store was ram-raided three times in the last year alone. I've been to businesses on the North Shore after they've been ram-raided, and they have real fear for their safety, not to mention the livelihood they and their families rely on. I've also taken along Christopher Luxon and Mark Mitchell to meet with those affected. This is an issue that is front of mind for me and for National. Restoring law and order will be a key pillar of National's campaign for the upcoming general election. 

We cannot accept this as normal, and we need a government that isn't afraid to get tough on crime and its causes. We need to get serious about gang and youth offending. You can read about National's Policy to back police and tackle gangs here.