Mayor welcomes government that knows our region

Labour Party leader and now prime minister elect Jacinda Ardern addresses assembled media after the election 2017. New Zealand Herald photograph

MAYOR Meng Foon said the new Parliament is the most representative of Gisborne and the East Coast in New Zealand history.

Anne Tolley (National) had been re-elected MP for East Coast, Meka Whaitiri (Labour) re-elected in Ikaroa-Rawhiti and Kiri Allan (Labour) was a new list MP.

“The partner of our new Prime Minister, Clarke Gayford, is a Gisborne boy. I used to work for his parents picking apples and harvesting grapes.”

Gareth Hughes (Green list MP) is from Gisborne.

“James Shaw, leader of the Greens, has a Gisborne uncle who grows and sells plants and use to be a tenant at Kaiti Mall.”

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is “our cousin with Chinese blood, he claims, and was confirmed by the late Dr Apirana Mahuika, who studied anthropology including Maori origins from Taiwan”.

“It is great they know our region, our people and our needs. There are so many local connections and I have established relationships with them over many years.”

Mr Foon offered his congratulations to the new coalition Government and his thanks to outgoing Cabinet Minister Anne Tolley “for her good work”.

“I will move seamlessly to the new government and work closely with them to advance Tairawhiti's needs.”

Roading was a large issue.

“There were 8900 trucks going to the port in 2004 and today it is 109,000. This will continue to grow fast. We need a big injection of money — $40 million-plus.

“I am keen to get on board with Labour’s promises of financial support for wood processing to create more value, more jobs and higher value jobs for our people.

“Mr Peters is very keen on regional development, with promised support for roading and rail. He supports regional growth and says he is keen on creating jobs in the regions like Gisborne-East Coast.

‘‘As I have said previously, we in Tairawhiti have growing pains. This is a good challenge for us going forward. I’m sure the Greens will balance growth with sustainable environmental policies.

“Water is a key issue for us in Tairawhiti. We hope the new Government will continue to support the Makauri aquifer recharge project and better water quality.

“I and the council look forward to a positive and supportive relationship with the new coalition government, building on Mrs Tolley’s good work for us.

“I think that MMP is a good moderator of policy and provides a better allocation of resources for us all,” Mr Foon said.