LOCAL NEWS
CHLÖE SWARBRICK: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP While the temperature drops and Auckland’s infamous patchy downpours become all the more frequent, May also brings temptation to keep getting outdoors: it’s NZ International Comedy Festival and New Zealand Music Month. While I’ll reserve comment on whether politics is sometimes a bit of a joke, I can at the very least promise you’ll be able to find a bunch of local musicians playing at our official Auckland Central office launch party at Karangahape Road’s First Thursdays this coming Thursday 6th May! After we won the privilege of representing our Auckland Central electorate, I spent time talking to a number of politicians, electorate staffers and officials about how best to establish an office that truly served our community. To my surprise, many spoke of the importance of having a space that was out-the-way. Initially intrigued about this being a budgetary constraint that a little DIY and creative thinking could overcome, it became clear that in fact, we were actually being warned that visibility generates more work, more walk-ins, more community engagement.
Chris Farrelly & Chlöe Swarbrick
I’d always thought that was the entire point of the job. For that reason, you’ll find our electorate office on Karangahape Road, between Queen Street and Symonds Street. A mere stones’ throw from Ponsonby, we’re right in the thick of so many of the things that make our city what it is: the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s the kind of approach I hope we become known for over the next three years of service: celebrating local innovators, businesses and creators, while confronting head-on - literally staying street level with - the problems and growing pains in our communities. While my office can play the connector role in bringing people together, advocating local solutions through the privilege of this platform, it’s important to acknowledge that change, for better or worse, is rarely an individual feat.
Please get in touch if we can help you with local issues 09 378 4810 chloe.swarbrick@parliament.govt.nz Auckland Council - 09 301 0101 COVID-19 advice from Healthline 0800 358 5453 Healthline: General health advice 0800 611 116 Inland Revenue - 0800 257 777 Ministry of Social Development 0800 559 009 Need to talk? Free counselling helpline - Phone or text 1737
Chlöe Swarbrick MP for Auckland Central
Authorised by Chlöe Swarbrick, Parliament Buildings Wellington
20 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2021
Helen Robinson & Chlöe Swarbrick
That said, leadership in all its forms is critical in plotting a pathway forward. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible service of our outgoing Auckland City Missioner, Chris Farrelly, who I’ve known well since walking into his office as a plucky and precocious twenty-something Mayoral candidate back in 2016, wanting to know how we ended homelessness once and for all. In Chris’ five year tenure, we’ve seen a shifting of heaven and earth to bring about the near completion of Homeground, the largest project in the Missions’ history, to provide beds, food, treatment and advocacy for those who’ve fallen through the cracks. Picking up the reigns is Helen Robinson, whom I’ve been privileged to know for the past year or so in her last role as the Mission’s Social Services General Manager. I’ve always admired her honesty and openness in the challenges we face, but more than that, the solutions in championing the dignity of all people to live a good, contributing life. Here’s to the mahi ahead. As the opening of our Trans-Tasman bubble allows us to reconnect with Aussie friends and whanau, we’ve not only got an awesome opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been over the ‘unprecedented’ last year, but where we want to go, and who we want to be. The Team of Five Million have, so far, knocked Covid-19 out the park. This month, we can celebrate coming together to support local talent, solve local problems (drop me a line if you’ve any ideas or insights!) and continue building an ever-stronger community along the way. Chlöe Swarbrick’s Auckland Central Office opening party is 7pm, Thursday 6 May, 74-76 Karangahape Road. The evening will be based primarily in their next-door neighbour’s, Monster Valley, as a well-equipped location for live music, equipped with a small craft beer bar. All welcome. PN (CHLÖE SWARBRICK) www.greens.org.nz/chloe_swarbrick PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
