Diplomacy meant a special tie at battle for Shield

SOME days a member of Parliament is asked to perform many a delicate and precise task.

Saturday was a day for dancing on the head of a pin as I watched Taranaki and Wanganui battle it out for the Shield.

I was the guest of the Taranaki Rugby Union so kept my head down. I wasn't wearing a Taranaki or a Wanganui tie but a Parliamentary one, as the electorate I have been chosen to represent covers both provinces and they are equally rugby zealots, whether wearing amber and gold or shades of blue.

I was man enough to admit to my hosts that the Shield could do with a tenure in the second division so, in spite of protocols etc, I was hoping for a Wanganui victory. They were magnanimous to concede that if they were to lose the Shield to another province then Wanganui was their preference.

In the end, the log of wood stayed in Taranaki who had shown equally good will by offering King Country a challenge last week. I dropped off a crate of "long necks" to the Wanganui men in grateful thanks, something that has become a tradition over the past seven years.

Parliament is in recess this week, so I have been in the electorate where I visited the Koromiko Kindergarten in Hawera. I saw first-hand the very cramped conditions and the need to expand the building space to allow for better teaching and learning for the children and a better space for teachers and parents to meet.

On Tuesday I was in Masterton to open a new courtroom, which will fill the gap while the existing building is strengthened and refurbished. On Wednesday I host Nathan Guy in the electorate. It will give us the chance to showcase Wanganui to yet another Cabinet minister, concentrating on matters of primary industry and racing in line with his portfolio interests. Nathan has strong connections to the Whanganui Electorate and Wanganui City in particular and has for many years been tipped as the next Minister for Primary Industry.

Thursday and Friday will see me in Wanganui again, meeting with constituents and over the late morning and early afternoon on Friday I will host the Kate Wilkinson, who is in Wanganui with regard to her Conservation portfolio.

On Friday afternoon I am going to attend an afternoon tea at the Ngahuru Rest Home in Hawera to celebrate and mourn the service to South Taranaki of a very caring aged care facility that we have been unable to rescue.

Saturday will mark the 100th Anniversary of Plunket in Wanganui. This incredible institution has been the backbone of early child rearing in New Zealand and we owe so much to Plunket for the teaching and learning it gave young mothers. Many, like my wife, were away from their homes having a first child. They were excited but scared stiff, and I'm sure I was not the only husband feeling pretty useless. Plunket stepped up and educated us all.