Articles in ‘People in Politics’

I am back in Auckland and have been out in a few different electorates catching up with small business owners and locals. · In typical Kiwi fashion, the people I meet put on a brave face. However, often after a few minutes of talking about their current reality inevitably tears flow. In my twenty years in politics the only time I have experienced a similar feeling of absolute devastation for New Zealanders was when I was a Minister visiting…

First I want to thank everyone in Auckland who is coping with another week in lockdown. Auckland is doing the hard yards to keep everyone else in New Zealand COVID-19 Delta free. This week we should think of the parents, teachers, principals and students who are struggling through another week of lockdown in Auckland. · I am also very aware of the huge pressure on all the business owners who cannot trade or operate in this situation and…

Small business owners need help urgently so that they can survive this Covid-19 lockdown and any future lockdowns so that they can continue to play a significant role in New Zealand’s economy as well as providing employment all over the country, National’s Shadow Treasurer Andrew Bayly says. · “I am hearing from small business owners and representative organisations everyday about the sky-high levels of anxiety and stress Kiwi business owners…

I hope you are safe and well at home as we continue this Level 4 lockdown. · I can imagine that some of you may be feeling anxious, fed up, even angry! This virus is virulent, unpredictable and brings challenges that affect us all. · It’s clear that decisive action is needed to prevent further community spread of Delta and it is better to contain it with a level 4 lockdown than play around with half-measures that ultimately don’t work. · In…

Judith Collins is the MP for Papakura, leader of the National Party, and leader of the opposition in the 53rd Parliament of New Zealand. She sat down with elocal to discuss the current direction of the Government, and why New Zealand desparately needs a change. MJ:__ The country – from what I can see it’s going down the gurgler. ·JC:__ I must say, everything seems to be going wrong, doesn’t it? · MJ:__ I’ve never seen a more inept…

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to be in Auckland for the 28th New Zealand First Party Conference. · It is our intention and mission to remain the most successful political party outside of National and Labour in the last three decades. · So many scribes have tried, and continue to, write our obituary. But we are here today, as always steadfast and resolved to put New Zealand First. · Of course, we cannot start without paying tribute to…

Good morning, delegates. It’s an absolute privilege to be speaking to you all here today as your leader. · I’d like to acknowledge National Party President Peter Goodfellow, my fellow board members, my lower North Island colleagues and all of you, the members of the National Party. It is great to see you all here today. · The past few years have been a challenging time for our party. The 2020 campaign was tough and the result on election night…

MP Andrew Bayly says his promotion to his new role as National’s Shadow Treasurer won’t impact on his constituent work. The Port Waikato MP says he won’t be forgetting his constituents despite his rapid rise up the party ranks to Number 3. · The third-term MP has been also been appointed as Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Statistics in Judith Collins’ Shadow Cabinet. · Collins has shared the responsibility of the finance portfolio between…

Dear Constituents of the Papakura Electorate, I would like to thank everyone who supported me and the National Party in the Papakura Electorate during the last Election. I am thrilled to be re-elected in Papakura and it will be a privilege to be your Member of Parliament for another three years. Nationally, the election result is disappointing but the National team will be back in force in 2023. In the meantime we will be holding the…

Port Waikato MP Andrew Bayly has issued a “massive and heartfelt thank you” to everyone who supported him at the 2020 General Election. Bayly says he feels honoured to have been elected as MP for the new electorate of Port Waikato and is looking forward to becoming part of its many communities. · “This will be my third term as a National Party electorate MP and I’m humbled so many people chose to support me at the election.” · For the past six…