Amongst the many lessons Covid has taught us, perhaps the most important is how much we should value the freedoms we have. And while the rest of the world struggles to contain the virus and its devastating impact on health and economic systems, we should take nothing for granted.

Happy New Year everyone - I hope all of you had good break over the summer. My holiday this year meant the chance to spend quality time with my family and friends, resting, recharging my batteries and planning for what undoubtedly will be the challenging year that lies ahead.

At this time last year, none of us had any idea what was waiting for us just a few short weeks later or just how much our lives would alter. Covid-19 has changed us forever. This year, it looks likely to present us with even more challenges as we come to grips with the logistics of mass vaccinations and trying to prevent the virus breaching our fragile borders.

Amongst the many lessons Covid has taught us, perhaps the most important is how much we should value the freedoms we have. And while the rest of the world struggles to contain the virus and its devastating impact on health and economic systems, we should take nothing for granted. We have so much to be grateful for but we must be vigilant and make sure we maintain the systems put in place to protect us all.

For me another challenge this year will be focusing on my new roles of Shadow Treasurer and National’s Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Statistics. I’m looking forward to tackling some tough issues and making what I hope will be a valuable contribution.

I’ll also be devoting a lot of time to really getting to know the new electorate of Port Waikato and the issues that affect its people. As an electorate MP, it’s important to me that I represent an area well. I will be working hard to get to know the various new communities I now have responsibility for. Each has its own characteristics and qualities and I’m enjoying getting to know them and establishing connections with them.

This year I will continue to hold regular constituency clinics at the electorate office in Pukekohe, but for those of you who might find it difficult to travel there, I’ll also be holding mobile clinics in other parts of the electorate.

If you’d like to make an appointment to see me or to find out when the next clinics will be held, please call the electorate office on 09 238 5977.