This new site gives me the chance to keep you updated on local news and what’s happening in Parliament. It also gives you the opportunity to keep in touch with me.

The last month has been an incredibly busy one with hearings for the Auckland Local Governance Select Committee. Spending hundreds of hours hearing views about the Government’s proposed changes to local governance has given me a far better understanding of what people think is the best way to make Auckland greater.

My electorate office in Freemans Bay is incredibly busy, and my staff and I are working hard to help you.

Since I have been elected, over 2000 people have approached my office with various issues. I have helped constituents on a diverse range of matters including temporary housing, benefit entitlements, victim support, small business opportunities, and local governance queries.

I have been involved with some great local events recently, including the Smokefree Schools Rockquest at Auckland Girls Grammar, and the Great Barrier Black Tie Ball. I’m also looking forward to the upcoming launch of the Grey Lynn Farmers Market on Sunday 6 September.

I look forward to seeing you around Auckland City.

Nikki

See the link below for the article and video clip:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3886286/McCully-opens-World-Cup-transport-hub

You can watch the episode by clicking on the link below:

Young Guns Show

Donating makes a real difference as every blood donation can save up to three lives.

New donors are needed in Auckland to ensure blood is readily available.

For more information visit www.nzblood.co.nz, call 0800 GIVE BLOOD or text ‘NEW’ to 515.

I will touch on some of the key policies that we are delivering, particularly in the area of Auckland. If we fast forward 20 to 40 years, we will see that the role of the Government is not only to deliver to the people now but also to deliver to the New Zealanders who will come after us. We must ensure that Auckland has a quality of life that makes it not only the fifth-best city in the world but also, one day, the best city in the world. That is why I am very proud to stand here and be confident that we have delivered a system of local government in Auckland that will enable us to finally deliver the infrastructure it needs. We recently passed legislation that delivers a system of local governance that will enable us to compete successfully with Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane for both people and investment. There is a very good Queen song that reminds me of our reform in local government—and I know that Mr Speaker likes to sing:

One dream, one soul, one prize, one goal

One golden glance of what should be

It’s a kind of magic

The waiting seems eternity

The day will dawn of sanity

It’s a kind of magic.

One place, one council, one mayor, one plan—finally, for Auckland, it’s a kind of magic. Opposition members were all over the place in terms of their position, but history will show that one regional entity will finally deliver positive change in Auckland.

With over 2 million people expected to be living in Auckland by 2050, we need to make sure that we have the housing to support them. I will touch on the rotting homes situation that we have in Auckland. The previous Labour Government failed to deliver for many New Zealanders who have suffered through having rotting homes. I am very proud that I can tell members that in the Auckland City area over 2,000 people will possibly be eligible to have their houses finally fixed. We are very proud of that as a Government. We are also delivering in transport for Auckland, with over $2.8 billion going into Auckland transport. I know that Mr Twyford is smiling there on the back row because he knows how much money we are spending in Auckland in terms of transport. That transport is reflected in local projects like the Victoria Park tunnel in central Auckland. It is reflected in the huge amount of money that we are spending on rail, including over $500 million for rail electrification and $500 million for electric trains.

We are also investing in people, which is reflected in tax cuts. Members opposite have said today that we are not investing in some of our most disadvantaged people. Labour members say that our policies are for the rich. Well, I can tell members that, within my electorate, I am confident that nearly 19,000 people who are on incomes between $14,000 and $48,000 are getting a tax cut under our Government, from 21 percent to 17.5 percent. That is not about delivering for the rich; those people need that cash to get through in these times. Under National, we are connecting with New Zealanders. We are delivering on policies for areas like Auckland, and those policies are transformational in terms of Auckland’s local governance. They are fixing historical problems like the leaky homes issue. People’s houses have been rotting for a very long time, but that issue was ignored under the previous Labour Government. We are delivering in terms of infrastructure spending on transport, and we are delivering to ensure that New Zealanders have a fairer tax system. I am very proud that we are delivering for areas like Auckland to ensure that people there have a better quality of life. This Government is connecting with New Zealanders, and that is why we are doing so well. I am proud to be part of a National Government.

They were a finalist in the NZ Music Month Write a School Song competition.

You can hear the song by clicking on the link below:

Sweet Bare-footed Dreamers

Extra funds for Waiheke Youth Development

Nikki Kaye, National MP for Auckland Central, is delighted that Piritahi Hauora Trust and Waiheke Youth Centre have been awarded funding from the Ministry of Youth Development’s Services for Young People Fund.

“Recently I wrote to the Minister for Youth Affairs raising issues around better support for Youth on Waiheke island. Funding grants to these organisations shows the Ministers response will help us better support our young people who live on Waiheke.”

“Living on an island means there are unique challenges for young people. Being more isolated makes it much harder because of the added cost and time for young people to access services and other recreational activities in Auckland. The reality is a lot of young islanders miss out compared to other Aucklanders.”

The Waiheke Youth centre will receive $5,000 which will help deliver after school programs for young people.

“The money for the youth centre is a recognition of the huge role they play in developing our young islanders through their programs.”

The Piritahi Hauora Trust will receive $10,000 to deliver the Waiheke Island Rangatahi Waka Ama programme that is aligned with Whanau Ora.

“The program will be focussed on youth and developing employment pathways through components including; Waka Ama, nutrition, exercise, Haoura Maori, and Enviromental Education & Guardianship.

The Services for Young People Fund is designed to help young people reach their potential, stay on track for success and have a say in their local communities.

“I am delighted that our government is investing in young people on Waiheke. These funds will make a real difference to a small community.” Ms Kaye says.

-ENDS-

Extra funds for Waiheke Youth Development

Nikki Kaye, National MP for Auckland Central, is delighted that Piritahi Hauora Trust and Waiheke Youth Centre have been awarded funding from the Ministry of Youth Development’s Services for Young People Fund.

“Recently I wrote to the Minister for Youth Affairs raising issues around better support for Youth on Waiheke island. Funding grants to these organisations shows the Ministers response will help us better support our young people who live on Waiheke.”

“Living on an island means there are unique challenges for young people. Being more isolated makes it much harder because of the added cost and time for young people to access services and other recreational activities in Auckland. The reality is a lot of young islanders miss out compared to other Aucklanders.”

The Waiheke Youth centre will receive $5,000 which will help deliver after school programs for young people.

“The money for the youth centre is a recognition of the huge role they play in developing our young islanders through their programs.”

The Piritahi Hauora Trust will receive $10,000 to deliver the Waiheke Island Rangatahi Waka Ama programme that is aligned with Whanau Ora.

“The program will be focussed on youth and developing employment pathways through components including; Waka Ama, nutrition, exercise, Haoura Maori, and Enviromental Education & Guardianship.

The Services for Young People Fund is designed to help young people reach their potential, stay on track for success and have a say in their local communities.

“I am delighted that our government is investing in young people on Waiheke. These funds will make a real difference to a small community.” Ms Kaye says.

-ENDS-