LOCAL NEWS
Helen White: Why your choice of constituency MP matters Recently Auckland Central politics has been caught up in a little more drama than usual. Okay, that’s an understatement! I understand why the abrasiveness of politics gets people down and even stops them voting, but the decision as to who you elect to represent you locally and as an advocate for this electorate’s interests in Wellington this year really is an important one.
• It means I know how to work my socks off.
When the Honourable Winston Peters made his decision to support a Labour led government, he said it was because he trusted Labour to steer New Zealand through the rocky times he predicted were ahead. I presume even he has been shocked at how rocky the water became. I am grateful every day that it is Jacinda Ardern who is steering us through the pandemic. She does so with the consistent ethos of putting the well-being of its people first. I think we are all well aware it isn’t easy water to navigate and no government will get it all right, but I agree with most New Zealanders, that this has been a government which has earned the trust it now has.
• Being a full-time employment lawyer and running my own business gives me a realistic grip on the economic impact of Covid-19 on businesses and workers in our city.
At the time I write this we are still in level 3 lockdown and it is again apparent that it is important we move together in the clear and steady direction which is guided by putting the welfare of people first. ‘The role of a good constituency MP is representing all’ I see the local MP’s job is about making sure the same focus on the welfare of people at central government is available in this electorate to all its constituents. For me, the core role of a constituency MP is to listen, advocate and represent people, no matter what they earn, what walk of life they come from, or even who they vote for. That is what I will do if I am elected to this important job. What I offer • I grew up in Freemans Bay. I see the depth of my roots in this community as really helpful. It also means I really care that it thrives. • As an employment lawyer for over 25 years I have the advantage of real experience advocating for people. • It has taught me the importance of being pragmatic when solving people’s problems.
• It has also repeatedly taught me that sometimes we have to find the middle ground to make progress towards our goals.
• So far the part of this job I relish most has been the interactions I have with people I otherwise would have no opportunity to meet. I think that bodes well for my capacity to represent people in this electorate. I understand the strain Auckland Central is currently under. I am concerned the plans to tackle congestion through investing in public transport, the provision of green space and well designed, affordable and quality housing, are all under pressure due to the economic strain on the city. It is all the more important this city has an advocate to persuade the Government to step in and help realise these plans where it can. A strong voice for Auckland Central in Wellington Right now Auckland Central needs a committed community advocate with her feet on the ground about the impact of Covid and wanting to make this city a better place for us all to live and work. I see it as vital right now for Auckland Central to have an advocate taking every opportunity to gain support from government for practical projects that will support this community. I want to be a local MP advocating in Wellington on behalf of this community. Providing a strong voice for this electorate will hopefully be assisted by the advantage of being inside the government: that is my plea for two ticks for Labour this election! Election delay I hope an upside of this delay is that there will be more opportunities for me to meet more constituents at the many events and debates planned in our community. I look forward to that chance to meet you. (HELEN WHITE) PN www.facebook.com/HelenWhiteLabour Authorised by Dianna Lacy, 160 Willis Street, Wellington.
30 PONSONBY NEWS+ September 2020
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
