Growing up and living in the Wigram electorate throughout my life has ensured that I have the knowledge and experience to effectively represent the people of Wigram. As a former mayoral candidate, community board member and member of Jim Anderton’s electorate team for more than a decade, I have a good understanding of the challenges faced by those living and working in Wigram. I have a strong and successful track record in advancing the interests of local people. I am committed to continuing Jim’s legacy of fighting for local people and serving local interests.

Christchurch and its people have a huge job ahead to rebuild our city. While sometimes a daunting prospect, we have to remember that we have a unique and special opportunity to rebuild the city that we want. With the right support from central government we can build a modern, vibrant and sustainable city, a city that offers opportunities for all its people, a city with strong and vibrant communities, and a city that is built on the values of fairness and inclusiveness where all residents are treated with dignity and respect. These are our values; Labour values. I want to ensure that Wigram people are a vital part of our new city.

To achieve this I believe there are three priority areas we need to work on:

1. Plan our new city for its people and their lives

Some neighbourhoods and communities in the Wigram electorate have not been as badly hit as some other parts of the city, but there is no doubt the earthquakes of the last year have left their mark on us in the Wigram. Having spent a week in February helping people in Spreydon and Hoon Hay shovel silt from their homes and streets I know that we did not escape the destruction. However, we are relatively fortunate and now because of this we have an influx of people and businesses moving into our neighbourhoods and communities. There are some exciting opportunities for us with this, and I am committed to ensuring that local people and communities benefit from development in Wigram and that the opportunities of the new Christchurch are there for local people.

2. We must create well-paid jobs and provide training opportunities:

One of the many reasons I am proud to be a Labour candidate is that I want to see people in Wigram paid a decent wage for a decent days work. I am committed to active government involvement in skills training, and am proud to stand for Labour’s commitment in this area. In 2002 I completed a PhD thesis that looked at the Maori trade-training scheme of the 1950s and 1960s. As part of this project, I had the privilege to interview many men and women who had been apprentices and hear first hand how a real commitment to training young people in skilled-trades not only benefited the country but also the individuals who went through the scheme.

For the last five years I have worked with industry, identifying research, science and technology needs for business and the community in my role at a Crown Research Institute. I understand the need for high value, highly skilled and well-paid jobs to improve the social and economic wellbeing of the people in our electorate. There is no doubt in my mind Research and Development tax credits are vital if we are to create opportunities for innovative businesses to thrive in Christchurch as we rebuild our city.

3. Address the spiralling cost of living

Too many people are feeling the strain every time they get to the supermarket check-out, or collect their bills from their letter box. We have to do something about this and I am proud of Labour’s plans to do just that.

· We will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour

· We will remove GST from fresh fruit and vegetables

· Make the first $5000 of income tax-free

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