Of Glittering History and a Shining Future
Parliament has recently returned after a three week recess for Easter and then Anzac Day. April still was a rather busy month for MPs.
The commemorations around the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli were especially moving, with Parliament playing host to the Gurkhas. We were lucky enough to witness a performance of the Gurkha pipe band both in Parliament and during the Anzac Day street parade in Wellington. The newly refurbished $120 million Pukeahu National War Memorial Park was at the centre of these events, with the Prime Minister and Tony Abbott attending a joint service and thousands of people attending the Dawn Service – it was an incredible sight.
I was lucky enough to attend the local Anzac day service at the Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall and it was great to see the local community get out and support these events. Special mention should go to the local schools for taking part in the Fields of Remembrance. I also attended the Anzac day centennial commemoration service at the Ranfurly Hospital and Veterans home.
Everyone knows the long history the Indian community has had here in New Zealand, but you may not know that an Indian citizen served under the New Zealand flag during the First World War. His name was Bir Singh and he had arrived in New Zealand along with his brother in the late 1800s, and served as a cook at Trentham Military Camp in the early stages of the War. His story is a fine example of the close connection between India and New Zealand which continues to this day.
The Government has also been busy rolling out some of our major policies announced during last year’s election, namely the HomeStart initiative. The feedback I have been getting from the public on this policy has been positive. The policy took effect from 1 April this year, and will help tens of thousands more first home buyers and young families into a home of their own over the next five years. This is a great policy and I encourage everyone who is eligible to take advantage of the scheme.
The month ahead will be very busy with the Government delivering its budget. Finance Minister Bill English has said the Government’s careful control of its spending will continue, along with a determination to do a better job of providing improved public services, especially to those who most depend on them. As he said to an audience in Wellington recently you wouldn’t open your presents before Christmas Day so he’s not spilling the beans just yet on what will actually be in the Budget. I look forward to meeting more of you throughout the next month and chatting about the great things this National-led Government continues to achieve for Mount Roskill families.
Parliament has recently returned after a three week recess for Easter and then Anzac Day. April still was a rather busy month for MPs.
The commemorations around the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli were especially moving, with Parliament playing host to the Gurkhas. We were lucky enough to witness...
Parliament has recently returned after a three week recess for Easter and then Anzac Day. April still was a rather busy month for MPs.
The commemorations around the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli were especially moving, with Parliament playing host to the Gurkhas. We were lucky enough to witness a performance of the Gurkha pipe band both in Parliament and during the Anzac Day street parade in Wellington. The newly refurbished $120 million Pukeahu National War Memorial Park was at the centre of these events, with the Prime Minister and Tony Abbott attending a joint service and thousands of people attending the Dawn Service – it was an incredible sight.
I was lucky enough to attend the local Anzac day service at the Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall and it was great to see the local community get out and support these events. Special mention should go to the local schools for taking part in the Fields of Remembrance. I also attended the Anzac day centennial commemoration service at the Ranfurly Hospital and Veterans home.
Everyone knows the long history the Indian community has had here in New Zealand, but you may not know that an Indian citizen served under the New Zealand flag during the First World War. His name was Bir Singh and he had arrived in New Zealand along with his brother in the late 1800s, and served as a cook at Trentham Military Camp in the early stages of the War. His story is a fine example of the close connection between India and New Zealand which continues to this day.
The Government has also been busy rolling out some of our major policies announced during last year’s election, namely the HomeStart initiative. The feedback I have been getting from the public on this policy has been positive. The policy took effect from 1 April this year, and will help tens of thousands more first home buyers and young families into a home of their own over the next five years. This is a great policy and I encourage everyone who is eligible to take advantage of the scheme.
The month ahead will be very busy with the Government delivering its budget. Finance Minister Bill English has said the Government’s careful control of its spending will continue, along with a determination to do a better job of providing improved public services, especially to those who most depend on them. As he said to an audience in Wellington recently you wouldn’t open your presents before Christmas Day so he’s not spilling the beans just yet on what will actually be in the Budget. I look forward to meeting more of you throughout the next month and chatting about the great things this National-led Government continues to achieve for Mount Roskill families.
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