On Friday I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with over a hundred senior locals from Papamoa in the local Community Centre to discuss a variety of concerns and issues in the community.
The response was so overwhelming that we've scheduled two more meetings in the coming months so that more people have the opportunity to participate. I also am planning similar meetings in Welcome Bay and Omokoroa.
Over a cup of coffee and biscuit we covered matters such as highlights of the Government's Budget, how the most vulnerable are getting more support, personal responsibility, the flag referendums, foreign investment and voluntary euthanasia.
I appreciated the robust questions, the reflective perspectives of those in the room, and the candour of the conversation. As the months pass in this role, I am benefitting immensely from listening and learning from those within our community. On Friday it reinforced again the power of experience. Thank you to all who participated.
These conversations are an essential part of my role as an MP as they help me best reflect the voice of the community when I advocate for the Bay of Plenty in Wellington.
