A year of change
A lot can change in a year. I still remember arriving in Wellington for my first day as an MP to a howling southerly storm and being door-stopped by media on my way in – quite an introduction. I am still learning a lot, and enjoying both my work in Wellington (especially on the Justice Select Committee) and meeting constituents and engaging with the community in Christchurch.
The best and biggest change has been to the lives of New Zealanders and the fact that there is a bigger picture for the future as well. It was amazing to see more money for families, winter energy payments for the elderly, best start payments for new parents, paid parental leave improvements, a raise in the minimum wage, and much more, all in the first 100 days.
There is lots more work to do, and we want to get it right. We also want to make sure that we are listening to the community when we make big changes. That’s why things like the Criminal Justice Forum, the Tax Working Group, and the Mental Health Inquiry are really important. We want to change the direction of New Zealand in important ways and we want to have everyone on board.
We also want a welfare system that is fair and accessible. The Welfare Expert Advisory Group will hold a community forum on Thursday, October 4 at Aranui Community Centre. This will begin at 2pm. If you can't make it, you can have your say online.
A lot of my fellow MPs are dead keen to visit us here Christchurch. Ministers Grant Robertson and Kris Faafoi are confirmed visitors for events in November. The offer of the New Zealand Agricultural Show and then Addington Show Day Races was too much to resist for some “class of 17” MPs so if you see us there make sure you stop and chat.
I'm also delighted Tamati Coffey has accepted an invitation to visit Christchurch Central. For more information about these visitors - and how you can attend events with them - watch my social media or next month's WebbMail.
Ngā mihi,
Duncan Webb
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What a year it has been since I was elected MP for Christchurch Central. Here's a short video to mark this momentous occasion. Thanks for being part of the journey.
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We want to fix the Family Court. Recent reforms did not work. If you have experience with this, you can help.
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Renting needs to be fair for landlords and tenants. We're taking a look at the Residential Tenancies Act.
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I need a talented young person to represent me at the Youth Parliament 2019 – could it be you who gets this opportunity?
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