Columns

It is the time of year when my office comes closest to processing more 18+ cards than the Rob Roy Dairy sells ice creams. And this is my last scheduled Critic column for 2014.

This column has been a great opportunity to communicate with you as your local electorate MP. But this is au revoir from me – not good-bye. You’ll still see and hear plenty from me over the coming weeks. The campaign is heating up. Election Day, 20 September is only about 10 weeks away.

The best part about the opportunity to connect with you each week through Critic has been the regular feedback I receive on campus.

Over the previous 13 issues I’ve canvassed many topics including: healthy housing; sign language; literature; technology; homelessness in Dunedin; Invermay; 7 Days; Facebook; the role of an electorate MP; religion and changing the world; and student representation on University Councils.

I’ve received most feedback on columns about: drug reform; my column on trends in climate change thinking; inequalities; democratic participation; access to education; and on my piece about community law centres – which seems to have travelled far and wide.

Editor Zane Pocock has pointed out that a column by the local MP is a great way to ensure accountability with constituents – as I report on trends in the electorate, share my views, and engage with your responses.

As I sign off from my column for the year, and as we enter deepest Dunedin winter, please rest assured, dear reader, that my office remains at your service.
We’ll continue to deal mostly with practical local issues. Between now and the election we’ll witness and sign many documents, assist with tenancy disputes, do certification of degrees, help with immigration and StudyLink issues and, of course, the 18+ cards.

And I’ll be on campus. Aside from casual catch-ups, I’ll be at my regular MP clinics – and on the hustings campaigning on the positive change a Labour Government will bring.

Please continue to stop me for a yarn when you see me on campus. Or drop by my office in Albany Street. I’m generally up for a chat about the issues that matter to you. And, naturally enough, I’m keen to share Labour’s story about the opportunity to make positive change.