Maggie's Messenger

Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Maggie Barry MP, 15 Anzac Street, Takapuna

1 www.maggiebarry.co.nz

In a tough and uncertain global economy, this John Key led National government is firmly focused on rebuilding and strengthening New Zealand. I’m proud of the great progress we’re making for our North Shore community:

• Taharoto announcement- $25 million for the construction of a new acute mental health unit making a total of $150 million allocated to North Shore Hospital including $48 million for a new Emergency Department, a $9.2 million state of the art Dialysis Centre, an $8.5 million Cardiology Centre, a $24.5 million carpark building and a $39 million dollar Elective Centre due for completion by mid 2013

• 150 extra doctors and 190 extra nurses for Waitemata DHB since 2008

• Around 2400 extra patients a year now getting elective surgeries at Waitemata DHB

• $7.5 million to upgrade and modernise 18 schools in the North Shore electorate

• Rolling out faster broadband to schools, hospitals and communities across the North Shore

• Early completion of the Victoria Park tunnel to improve traffic flow over the Harbour Bridge

• The lowest crime rate in 15 years with a 2.3% drop in recorded crime per person in the North Shore area in the year ended June 2012

Working on your behalf for the North Shore electorate and representing you in Parliament has made for a memorable and rewarding year for me as your local MP.

Building a Brighter Future for North Shore

Summer 2012

Boost for mental health services on the North Shore

Page 2

Time to welcome neighbours

Page 3

Positive signs for business in Devonport and Milford

Page 5

Crime falls to 17-year low

Page 4

“Fair winds and following seas”

Page 6

Inside this issue:

Maggie’s Messenger

John Key & Maggie Barry.

Across our community and around the country we’re seeing positive signs in business, declining crime rates and improving health services and we’re managing the Government finances sensibly.

When we take a closer look at business, not only is annual growth at the highest level it’s been since before the Global Financial Crisis hit in 2007, but last month Forbes placed New Zealand as the number one country in the world to do business. They highlighted a stable and transparent business-friendly environment that supports entrepreneurship and we need look no further for proof of that than the impressive local talent taking out the prizes at both the AIMES and Westpac business awards.

With summer now in full swing, our fantastic beaches and the playground of the Hauraki gulf are a magnet for visitors and locals alike, enjoying all that the North Shore has to offer. I hope that you can take the time to relax with family and friends during the holidays and recharge for 2013.

Thank you for making me welcome and for your support in my first year as your North Shore MP.

Cheers,


2www.maggiebarry.co.nz

Your voice for the Shore – here to help you Your voice for the Shore – here to help you

Boost for mental health services on the North ShoreThe most significant gain for the North Shore occurred a few weeks ago when I announced on behalf of the Health Minister Tony Ryall that $25 million has been approved to replace the acute psychiatric facility Taharoto.

From my first months in the job I heard from constituents who were deeply unhappy with this old converted maternity home which by all accounts fell woefully short of the standard needed and despite the best efforts of the staff, many acute patients were failing to get well in such a grim environment. Personally, I was shocked and saddened by what I saw and concluded that the dark, cramped conditions were not fit for purpose and that some of the most unwell in our community deserved better.

Construction starts early next year and it will be ready for the first patients within 18 months. The new gender segregated unit will provide an extra seven beds making a total of 46 beds and a further 17 beds will ultimately be provided in the community for acute mental health residential care.

Don MacKinven, Operational Manager for Adult Mental Health Services WDHB, Helen

Wood, Taharoto Unit General Manager, Murray Patton, Clinical Director Taharoto Unit, Dr

Lester Levy Chairman of Waitemata and Auckland DHBs on future site of the Mental

Health Inpatient Unit.

Presenting the Award for Outstanding Achievement to Waitemata DHB Chair Dr Lester Levy and Waitemata DHB Head of Surgery

and Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr John Cullen.

Three years ago Waitemata was the poorest performing DHB in the country and was in the news for all the wrong reasons, with patients parked up on trolleys in corridors and lengthy waits in A&E.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has now allocated an extra $150 million to the Waitemata DHB which has resulted in some very welcome improvements, including North Shore Hospital’s Emergency Department exceeding the national target with 95% of patients being admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours. It’s significant that this target is up from 61% and has been achieved despite patient numbers growing from 78,000 in 2009 to over 100,000 last year.

In addition to the new Emergency Care Centre, the Government has also funded a new Dialysis Centre and a new Elective Surgery Centre as well as employing 149 more frontline doctors and 189 extra nurses.

The announcement in November of $25 million being approved to rebuild the Taharoto facility capped off a great year for North Shore Hospital.

Better local healthcare services & facilities

In September I visited North Shore Hospital where I had a full tour of the premises and spent time with the hardworking frontline teams. Dr Lester Levy, Chairman of both the Waitemata DHB and Auckland DHB, has led an outstanding team effort, and I had the honour of presenting him and his staff, on behalf of Health Minister Tony Ryall, a certificate recognising their ‘outstanding performance’.

Last year Waitemata had 592 patients waiting longer than six months for either a specialist’s appointment to assess whether or not they needed treatment, or for the operation itself.

This year no-one waited longer than six months.

These improvements are an important and very welcome development for patients. Faster treatment improves recovery and gets patients back to their normal lives sooner.

I’d like to personally thank the theatre teams and North Shore Hospital staff for their hard work and dedication in improving health services for those of us on the Shore.

Waitemata DHB is also to be congratulated for its outstanding effort in delivering 2,108 more operations in 2011/12 than the year before.

Outstanding Achievement Award for North Shore Hospital

With Health Minister Tony Ryall in the Beehive.



Your voice for the Shore – here to help you

Time to welcome neighbours Third reading of Ngati Whatua Orakei Settlement Bill passed into law in November

At the end of November I hosted the Honourable Jo Goodhew on the North Shore. Jo is the Minister for Senior Citizens, Women’s Affairs and for the Community and Voluntary Sector. I was fortunate to accompany the Minister to several local events, including an electorate Christmas lunch, a meeting with North Shore Grey Power members and a celebratory event to recognise the efforts of Aged Concern volunteers.

The Minister led discussions around a range of issues with a particular focus on the Positive Ageing Strategy and the retirement age – which National has promised will remain at 65. The SuperGold Card scheme initiatives announced earlier this year were commended, because of their expansion under this John Key-led government to cover a further 2,000 businesses nationwide.

There are now 3,600 participating businesses in the scheme, in total operating 7,900 outlets. The Minister set a target to double the scheme in May, that was achieved two months later in July and I congratulate her on that commitment and remarkable progress. I look forward to seeing more and more businesses becoming connected with the SuperGold Card scheme.

The tribe is to be commended on their patience and very generous spirit throughout the long and frustrating 170 years of inaction, through robust negotiations over some 13 years that have led to this historic settlement. Following the chiefs’ signing of the Treaty, around 32,000 acres of land was transferred to the Crown, much of which was then sold on for a vast profit. Although that land allowed European settlers to build their lives here, there were too few benefits for the tribe and with almost all of their land lost, they became impoverished and suffered terribly.

Their financial and commercial redress recognises their loss because of the Crown’s breaches of the Treaty. Ng ti Wh tua Or kei will receive $18 million and using this and their own funds, they can now purchase two properties, and to purchase and lease back six more. This includes the Narrow Neck block, which is currently used by the Defence Force. It will be leased back to the Navy for a minimum of 15 years and for a maximum of up to 150 years.

Now that the settlement has now passed into law, I urge everyone to put aside any past differences and to warmly welcome Ng ti Wh tua

Grey Power meeting with the Minister for Senior Citizens

At Devonport with the Minister for Senior Citizens, Hon Jo Goodhew.

Or kei with open arms. I have met with them many times and I know they are completely sincere in wanting to be constructive members of our community, and as your local MP I believe they will be great neighbours and we are fortunate to have them.

At Parliament for the Third Reading with Treaty Negotiations Minister Hon Chris Finlayson, Ng ti Wh tua Or kei Whai Maia Chair Peter Drummond, Ng ti Wh tua

Or kei Whai Rawa Chair Michael Stiassny, Rear Admiral Tony Parr.




On the beat with the North Shore Tactical Response Team

Crime falls to 17-year low Business Breakfast with Hon Judith Collins

It was an eye-opener joining the boys in blue on the beat in Takapuna and Albany on a Thursday night in July. North Shore’s Tactical Response Team described it as a fairly quiet night with a couple of arrests at a local bar and on the whole good-natured crowds and a very fair and reasonable Police attitude to the odd larrikinish behaviour. I was impressed with the high level of cooperation between Police and bar staff and patrons. No one was out to cause trouble and a highly visible Police team was a very effective deterrent to the few who might’ve been tempted to look for trouble.

Experiencing first-hand how the Police address these challenges on the ground highlights the quality work and commitment our enforcement officers do on a daily basis and the outstanding leadership of the North Shore Area Commander, Inspector Les Paterson. The North Shore policing team including Takapuna Community Constable, Gavin Leonard, are to be commended for well-executed community initiatives which continue to contribute towards the North Shore having one of the lowest crime rates in New Zealand.

Joining the Tactical Response Unit for a Thursday evening on the beat in Takapuna and Albany.

I don’t think there can be much argument that the North Shore’s policing team does an exceptional job for our local community. I’ve regularly met with Area Commander, Inspector Les Paterson, to discuss a range of law and order issues. Among the most encouraging developments are the positive police statistics for the year ended

June 2012 which again showed that crime in the Waitemata district is continuing to fall, and has hit a 17-year low. Our local results are in line with the national statistics that this year revealed the lowest recorded crime rate in 30 years. If this trend continues then it will put police well on target to meet their goal of reducing crime by 13% by 2014/15.

With the Government committed to delivering better frontline services the results are evident on the North Shore and while there are still pockets of undesirable activities I believe we are fortunate to live and work in one of the safest communities in the country. Inspector Paterson is a strong leader for the North Shore unit; some of his initiatives have been finalists in the National Public Sector Innovation Awards and it’s encouraging to see these approaches being led from someone in our neck of the woods. Full credit must go to the police teams and their support staff in the Waitemata district for continuing to achieve outstanding results for our communities.

I was delighted to host the Hon Judith Collins, Minister of Justice, at my business breakfast in August. The Minister joined 70 locals for breakfast at the Takapuna Boating Club, for a very enjoyable start to the day listening to insights from the highest ranked woman in John Key’s Cabinet.

Minister Collins also took questions on a number of issues including new efforts to counter cyber-bullying, tougher bail and sentencing plans, and the positive signs of steadily reducing court appearances.

The number of people being prosecuted and sentenced in court has continued to decline in 2011. This is tangible proof that progress is being made towards the better public services targets of reducing total crime, violent crime, youth crime and reoffending.

The Bail Amendment Bill, progressing through Parliament, will make it harder for those accused of serious offences to get bail and will improve the integrity and operational effectiveness of our bail system. New Zealanders deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. Our proposed changes will make it harder for the worst alleged offenders with a high risk of serious offending to get bail.

On Takapuna Beach for my business breakfast with Minister of Justice,

Hon Judith Collins.




Opening the monthly Milford Craft Market.

Strong retail growth has been on the agenda in Takapuna, Mairangi Bay, Devonport and Milford lately and I have spoken with many business owners who have expressed optimism about the future.

The Milford business community has not been sitting idly by and waiting for opportunities to come their way but has been actively encouraging visitors with imaginative initiatives. Their latest figures show that they are tracking strongly with three per cent sales growth. Milford has 24% more customers than traditional shopping meccas such as Remuera and it has rapidly closed the gap in sales.

Encouraged by the successes of their annual themed events they’ve started monthly Saturday craft markets in their ‘Heart of Milford’ Village Square. In their own creative twist on the popular Farmers’ Markets formula, the craft stalls are arranged around the splendid Geoff Thompson sculpture panels.

I’ve enjoyed working alongside the local business associations, and I keep a close eye on activities in Takapuna where my electorate office is, and I know the Takapuna Beach Business Association has many exciting projects on the horizon.

We should be proud of the contribution our local businesses are making to our economy. I have been impressed by the ingenuity of these businesses; their “can do” attitude in these times extends well beyond the expected. They are world class businesses delivering world class results to the local and international market.

White Paper on Vulnerable Children and Children’s Action Plan

Positive signs for local business

We face serious challenges when it comes to looking out for our most vulnerable. The steps being taken to solve these problems are much bigger than party politics. Far too many babies and young ones are being hurt, abused, and neglected. The statistics make for chilling reading: around New Zealand, nearly 163,000 children are considered to be vulnerable and on average, every hour, a child is physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.

The Children’s Action Plan is the result of months of comprehensive research, discussion and policy development. It’s based on nearly 10,000 submissions on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, and consultation with key experts in health, justice, education and social services, and what international best practice shows keeps children safe from harm.

What is evident is a focus deliberately targeting resources, interventions, and support to those children who need it most. Across the world experts agree that targeted investment is vital to enhancing the development of the most vulnerable. This does not mean we sacrifice universal services, but that we make an extra effort to wrap every support we can around those children who are most in danger of neglect and abuse.

I’m a Caucus Champion for the White Paper on Vulnerable Children and I’m drafting a Members’ Bill around protection for at risk children. If you want to know more detail you can read the White Paper and the Action Plan online at www.ChildrensActionPlan.govt.nz

At my October Business Breakfast, where as a White Paper Caucus Champion

I hosted the Minister for Social Development the Hon Paula Bennett.




So the Naval saying goes, to wish the new graduates the best for their new voyage. It was an honour to be the Reviewing Officer for the graduation of sailors from the Basic Common Training Course 12/1 at Devonport Naval Base.

The Course is 13 weeks long and full of great challenges, great learning and the sharing of some great experiences. The graduating group was a large intake, and ultimately of the 75 sailors who arrived at the start of the course, 13 recruits did not make it through.

The 62 sailors who remained were obviously proud of accomplishing such a significant milestone in their lives by graduating from the Navy’s recruit training. At the morning tea after the Parade many of the Cadets parents and wh nau were clearly impressed and often emotional about the difference the Navy had made and the bright future it offered their young people.

Shooting down Killer Tomatoes, rescuing a man overboard and putting out a fire in the engine room are all in a day’s work for the naval personnel on the HMNZS Te Mana but somewhat out of the ordinary for an MP. Signing up for the Defence Force Parliamentary Scheme in September was an outstanding opportunity to experience the daily work and long term concerns of the Navy rank and file. As MP for North Shore I now have a much better understanding of the impressive work being achieved at the Devonport Naval Base.

“Fair winds and following seas”

Joining the Navy for a week as part of the Parliamentary Defence Scheme

Annual Bluegreen Forum – Lake PupukeI was very proud to host the 13th Annual Forum along with a dozen MPs and four Ministers. The Prime Minister joined us to announce nearly $8 million in funding towards the freshwater clean-up of four of New Zealand’s most badly polluted rivers, lagoons and wetlands. The Forum also saw the launch of National’s new Environmental Policy Paper ‘Building a Bluegreen Future’.

One of the many reasons I joined the National Party is because this government recognises how important the environment is to New Zealanders and our quality of life. As the Prime Minister said at the opening of the Bluegreen Forum, “we’ve focused on practical solutions to improve our environment and stimulate growth.”

With the largest attendance in the Forum’s history, around 100 people attended, it’s obvious that the North Shore is a perfect location for this event. We are a community who value and understand our great outdoor environment.

As an active member of the Bluegreens Caucus, I believe that environmental issues are too important to be left to the fringe of

politics and should be a mainstream issue for all New Zealanders. Our environment and our national heritage hold the key to our nation’s future prosperity.

National Bluegreen Caucus 2012Back row (from left): Paul Hutchison, Ian McKelvie, Amy Adams, Scott Simpson, Nikki Kaye, Jacqui Dean, Chris Auchinvole, Nicky Wagner, Kate Wilkinson, Nick Smith, Todd McClay, Cam Calder, Louise Upston, Tau Henare. Front row (from

left): Tim Macindoe, Colin King, Maggie Barry. (Absent: Tim Groser)

Inspecting the graduates with the Commander of Leadership and Development Jason Haggitt.

Going through the ship’s maintenance plan with the Commander of the HMNZS Canterbury Sean Stewart.




Celebrating 40 years of friendship with ChinaIn Sunnynook the North Shore Chinese Society celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations and friendship between our two countries, with speeches and traditional performances by many from our local Chinese community. It was a great event attended by 100 guests including the Consul General Mdam Liao Juhua.

The 40th anniversary of relations with China is a milestone and I’ve attended many celebrations in Parliament and an excellent dinner at the Ambassador’s Lower Hutt home alongside another 11 other National MPs. The 40th anniversary provided many opportunities to reflect on the value and importance of our friendship. It’s an important relationship for us regionally, culturally and economically, particularly as China is our second-largest trading partner.

Chinese Ambassador Jianguo Xu and Maggie Barry at a dinner to celebrate 40th anniversary of relations with China.

The North Shore Chinese Society celebrates 40 years of diplomatic relations and friendship between our two countries

with speeches and performances. A great event attended by 100 guests including Consul General Madam Liao Juhua.

With MP Alfred Ngaro at the recent North Shore Pasefika Festival at Hato Petera College, the biggest and most successful North

Shore Pasefika Festival to date.

With His Excellency Ambassador Yongkyu Park at an event in Parliament organised by the Korea/NZ Business Council, a

voluntary group of New Zealand companies involved in promoting increased business between the two countries.

With National list MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi at the very colourful celebrations held at the Aotea centre, celebrating the 65th Anniversary of India’s Independence. The occasion

commenced with a flag hoisting ceremony and was co-ordinated by the Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust.




Over 90 student leaders from 15 North Shore high schools attended the inaugural North Shore Youth Leadership Forum that I hosted at Westlake Girls’ High School. It was a superb event and I thoroughly enjoyed the company of the many confident and positive young locals who were clearly passionate about their schools and wider community.

The students had the opportunity to hear international, national and local perspectives on community and political leadership skills. Notably American Ambassador, David Huebner, and Minister of Defence, Jonathan Coleman, were able to touch on their unique experiences with international leaders in sensitive political landscapes. Honoured twice with AIMES awards for his services to the community, Cam Calkoen engaged the students with a motivating speech about overcoming challenges and aiming high. Other speakers included Nikki Kaye, MP for Auckland Central, Emma Cavanagh for UN Youth and Joe Bergin, Member of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.

The Forum was a great success and another way of fostering the talents of young local leaders on the Shore. I intend to make this an annual event.

In early 2013 I will be calling for nominations for the Youth Parliament which provides a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the work of a Member of Parliament.

The digital future is fast becoming a daily reality on the North Shore with all of our state and state-integrated schools having received the School Network Upgrade, ready for Ultra-fast Broadband. The upgrade has provided the schools with high quality data infrastructure to an approved standard, allowing for future network expansion and for the use of Ultra-fast Broadband in teaching and learning programmes.

The last eight schools on the Shore to receive the upgrade were included in Stage Four of the rollout, which was only recently completed. The national project has been progressively upgrading schools’ electrical and data cabling infrastructure in readiness for fibre.

Some of the advantages of the Ultra-fast Broadband package include being able to connect to the Network for Learning, which will ensure e-learning resources and content are available to teachers and students progressively from 2013, at the click of a button. These areas only scratch the surface of the many exciting opportunities Ultra-fast Broadband can bring as an educational tool.

Aspiring young leaders step up

North Shore Schools ready for Ultra-fast Broadband

With US Ambassador David Heubner, Ashleigh Horne - Long Bay College and Jessie Medcalf – Westlake Boys’ High School.

Addressing the assembly at Carmel College.

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I’m looking forward to meeting with you

Maggie Barry onzmNORTH SHORE MP

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