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President's Notes
From Co-President Warwick
Meeting and hearing from Greg Fleming, MP for Maungakiekie, at our Tuesday meeting at OTHC was a pleasant surprise: no electioneering, no egotistical behaviour; just a sincere, modest, well-thought through presentation on life as an MP, his achievements and his aims for the future of NZers and the Parliament.
It is clear that Greg is a compassionate, caring person with his background in charity work and now as an MP to better the life of his electorate and all kiwis. His major achievement in his two and a half years in Parliament is to have his Private Members Bill accepted.
The Modern Slavery Bill aims to combat modern slavery by requiring large entities to report on their operations and supply chains, and, as a first in NZ, have it co-sponsored by the Labour Party.
We can look forward to seeing more of Greg in future Parliaments, providing, as he said, National can convince 51% of NZ voters to support the work that has gone on so far to right the economy, and not be influenced by the negative impacts of the Iran war.
Newmarket Rotary was represented at the St Johns Rotary Golf Tournament last week by Boyne Drummond, Bill Strand, Colin Lucas and myself. In a very enjoyable day, we picked up the final big prize of golf balls and Wedderburn bathroom scales and cap (one each) for "Best Effort" (wooden spoon!).
Please heed my email on Wednesday regarding GoMedia parking help and let Shaun know when you can assist.
Don't forget to enrol for the Petanque Tournament at Epsom Bowling Club next Tue 24th. Peter Corner is the member to contact: cornerp2@gmail.com.
And Richard Solomon is also seeking a few more volunteers for St Peter's RYDA.
Last, RYPEN needs a volunteer for accommodation and transport for a student from Rarotonga on Thurs 26 March and Sun 29 March. Please contact Warwick 0275662679.
Warwick
Co-President
Club News and Notices
Speaker: Greg Fleming MP
Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming explained that his electorate is large and diverse, running from Hillsborough to Panmure. Bringing a business/charitable background, he has lived in the Onehunga/Greenlane area for 25 years, becoming involved in the establishment of more than 10 charities, while his wife is a member of the Guidance team at One Tree Hill College.
He really enjoys the role of a local MP, helping families and communities to overcome barriers – and also welcomes the chance to reach across party lines. Greg gained national prominence, when luck allowed him to advance a private member’s bill on Modern Slavery, which he co-sponsored with Camilla Belich. He also ruefully noted that his greatest claim to fame appears to have been the destruction by fire of his office in Onehunga Mall – which apparently has gained 160,000 views! Greg took this opportunity to save $50,000 dollars per annum, by meeting constituents in local cafes.
His presentation then moved into responses from questions, where he noted that most NZ governments get 2-3 terms but an earlier oil crisis when people cannot meet necessities, had produced a one-term government. He does expect the unique 3 way coalition to return, but probably “with bigger wings”.
Greg shared interesting information about a possible alternative crossing of Cook Strait to Clifford Bay – a shorter voyage and closer to Christchurch, that would also protect the environment of the Marlborough Sounds. As a Te Reo speaker and member of the Maori Affairs committee, Greg then provided valuable insights into Crown/Maori relationships, that represent the greatest area of divergence between parties.
Fortunately there is universal agreement on the need to complete Treaty settlements, which allow iwi to turn their eyes from history to the future – and Greg believes that the current sticking point of sovereignty can be overcome by using the term tino rangatiratanga, to achieve in the North the arrangement between government and iwi that has worked so well elsewhere.
Greg is optimistic that retiring Labour MP Peeni Henare, will become a pivotal leader in that settlement. He cited the success of Ngai Tahu in relieving pressure on the government – and that tino rangatiratanga is about communities looking after themselves. Greg sees Treaty settlements as investments, delivering an incredible rate of return – but knows that Cost of Living is always the decider of elections!
Rotary Newmarket needs you to help out with carparking at Mount Smart stadium.
Each game, this activity raises up to $2,000 for the club, or around $60,000 a year. This forms a major part of the funds for the club's youth programmes including RAP and RYPEN. Recently, Go Media Stadium has started blocking the road around the stadium when large crowds are expected meaning we need more volunteers, and the number of volunteers is beginning to fall below a sustainable level.
Each game requires 8 volunteers, 3 at 23 Maurice Road and 5 at 5 Maurice Road. We don't expect you to show up every week, that would be silly. However, the more people who volunteer, the less of a commitment it is for each person and the more funds we can raise for the youth programs.
You would be expected to arrive 2.5hours before the game starts and help with taking money via cash and EFTPOS and guiding drivers. Usually both parking lots are filled within two hours and after that almost everyone can go home. One or two volunteers would need to stay at 5 Maurice Road until an hour after the game to lock the gate. We'll provide safety vests and EFTPOS machines. We recommend bringing a water bottle.
This crucial fundraiser can't continue to exist without your help, so please contact Shaun Peacock (email: shaun_peacock@windowslive.com Phone: 027 631 0065) to sign up.
