Just finished up a lovely dinner with the new Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. He was kind enough to gift me Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and Powderfinger on vinyl, so we left him with a few Flying Nun treats in return. Looking forward to the formal meeting we have scheduled for tomorrow, there’s a lot on the agenda!
Just finished up a lovely dinner with the new Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. He was kind enough to gift me Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and Powderfinger on vinyl, so we left him with a few Flying Nun treats in return. Looking forward to the formal meeting we have scheduled for tomorrow, there’s a lot on the agenda!
This year was my turn on the birthday cake (or what I’ve come to know as the ‘stress bomb’) Neve requested a Ladybug, and after several disasters underneath A LOT of icing, this was the result. All edible aside from the eyes (I resorted to sharpie on lollipops 😳) Happy Birthday Neve Te Aroha!
Early start here in Sydney. Couple of media interviews (and a chance to promote NZ tourism!) and then into meetings with the Australian Prime Minister.
Yesterday we shared our next steps on Iran, including suspending indefinitely our human rights dialogue with them and calling for Iran to be removed from the UN Commission on the status of Women. I’ve written a few thoughts on why it’s so important we all keep speaking up on behalf of women there, and everywhere that women’s basic rights and liberties are denied. (I’ll pop the link below if you’re interested!)
This weekend marks the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a milestone we’re acknowledging here in New Zealand too.
Since her coronation at just 25 years of age, the Queen has dedicated her life to public service, including to us here in Aotearoa. In fact she has visited New Zealand many times beginning in 1953 with her last visit in 2002. In my time in this role I’ve had the privilege to speak with Her Majesty several times, and on every occasion I’ve been struck by her intimate knowledge of our home, and her affection for it.
In different parts of the world, people are marking the Queen’s Jubilee year in different ways. We held a service in Wellington yesterday but we also have two projects that will mark this historic occasion. The track to Observation Rock from the settlement of Oban on Stewart Island/Rakiura, will be formally renamed the ‘Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Path’ or the ‘Platinum Path’ for short!
The Queen has also encouraged anyone who wants to mark the Jubilee to do so by planting trees, so to honour this, we are also embarking on a national tree planting project for 100,000 native trees across 14 native restoration projects around New Zealand. Two ways that we can say thank you for a remarkable 70 years of service.
Photo credits:
Gabrielle Dean – Queen Elizabeth II meeting the Stratford stationmaster, Jack Scott, on 8 January 1954.
Dominion Post – The Queen in the Debating Chamber during her 1995 visit.
Parliamentary Collection, Morris Hill photograph – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opening a session of the New Zealand Parliament on 12 January 1954.
This weekend marks the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a milestone we’re acknowledging here in New Zealand too.
Since her coronation at just 25 years of age, the Queen has dedicated her life to public service, including to us here in Aotearoa. In fact she has visited New Zealand many times beginning in 1953 with her last visit in 2002. In my time in this role I’ve had the privilege to speak with Her Majesty several times, and on every occasion I’ve been struck by her intimate knowledge of our home, and her affection for it.
In different parts of the world, people are marking the Queen’s Jubilee year in different ways. We held a service in Wellington yesterday but we also have two projects that will mark this historic occasion. The track to Observation Rock from the settlement of Oban on Stewart Island/Rakiura, will be formally renamed the ‘Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Path’ or the ‘Platinum Path’ for short!
The Queen has also encouraged anyone who wants to mark the Jubilee to do so by planting trees, so to honour this, we are also embarking on a national tree planting project for 100,000 native trees across 14 native restoration projects around New Zealand. Two ways that we can say thank you for a remarkable 70 years of service.
Photo credits:
Gabrielle Dean – Queen Elizabeth II meeting the Stratford stationmaster, Jack Scott, on 8 January 1954.
Dominion Post – The Queen in the Debating Chamber during her 1995 visit.
Parliamentary Collection, Morris Hill photograph – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opening a session of the New Zealand Parliament on 12 January 1954.
This weekend marks the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a milestone we’re acknowledging here in New Zealand too.
Since her coronation at just 25 years of age, the Queen has dedicated her life to public service, including to us here in Aotearoa. In fact she has visited New Zealand many times beginning in 1953 with her last visit in 2002. In my time in this role I’ve had the privilege to speak with Her Majesty several times, and on every occasion I’ve been struck by her intimate knowledge of our home, and her affection for it.
In different parts of the world, people are marking the Queen’s Jubilee year in different ways. We held a service in Wellington yesterday but we also have two projects that will mark this historic occasion. The track to Observation Rock from the settlement of Oban on Stewart Island/Rakiura, will be formally renamed the ‘Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Path’ or the ‘Platinum Path’ for short!
The Queen has also encouraged anyone who wants to mark the Jubilee to do so by planting trees, so to honour this, we are also embarking on a national tree planting project for 100,000 native trees across 14 native restoration projects around New Zealand. Two ways that we can say thank you for a remarkable 70 years of service.
Photo credits:
Gabrielle Dean – Queen Elizabeth II meeting the Stratford stationmaster, Jack Scott, on 8 January 1954.
Dominion Post – The Queen in the Debating Chamber during her 1995 visit.
Parliamentary Collection, Morris Hill photograph – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opening a session of the New Zealand Parliament on 12 January 1954.
Grant Robertson’s farewell speech to the New Zealand Parliament was not just a collection of great stories, jokes, and political history – it captured who he is as a person. Warm, funny, caring, values driven and with a deep commitment to work on behalf of the most vulnerable. He will always be one of the finest politicians I had the privilege of working alongside – but more importantly, one of the finest humans. I was so sad not to be there to farewell him in person, but I know my colleagues will have given Grant the send off he deserves. See you for that beer soon my friend!
Made a quick trip from the Beehive to Wainuiomata School today, to enjoy a very special Matariki Kapa Haka performance. Tomorrow, for the very first time, New Zealanders will mark the start of the Māori New Year with a new nationwide public holiday….and I’m very excited about it!
I hope this day brings families together to remember those who’ve passed in the last year, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. If you already have Matariki traditions, or if you’re planning on starting a few, I’d love to hear about them! Till then, I’ll share more from the events happening tomorrow. Mānawatia a Matariki!
Busy morning in Christchurch!
Also, reel number four. I’m not convinced they’re improving.
A busy day in Sydney! Now heading home…but not before I had my first real go at a reel. I am feeling very old right now….
So many highlights from Matariki celebrations today. Being part of the ceremony and events this morning was amazing, and show cased so well all the many experts who have been so generous with their time and knowledge. But also, just spending time with family was so lovely. We ended the day watching the fireworks as Neve (who hasn’t seen many big displays in her 4 years) yelled “take a photo mum” and “will the fishies underneath be ok?” Bless. I hope you all enjoyed your day too – Mānawatia a Matariki!
So many highlights from Matariki celebrations today. Being part of the ceremony and events this morning was amazing, and show cased so well all the many experts who have been so generous with their time and knowledge. But also, just spending time with family was so lovely. We ended the day watching the fireworks as Neve (who hasn’t seen many big displays in her 4 years) yelled “take a photo mum” and “will the fishies underneath be ok?” Bless. I hope you all enjoyed your day too – Mānawatia a Matariki!
So many highlights from Matariki celebrations today. Being part of the ceremony and events this morning was amazing, and show cased so well all the many experts who have been so generous with their time and knowledge. But also, just spending time with family was so lovely. We ended the day watching the fireworks as Neve (who hasn’t seen many big displays in her 4 years) yelled “take a photo mum” and “will the fishies underneath be ok?” Bless. I hope you all enjoyed your day too – Mānawatia a Matariki!
One of the great privileges of this job is the honours process – the chance to see up close those who represent the very best of us. Once again the Queen’s Birthday list is full of amazing people, amongst them are the likes of Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O’Regan who join the Order of New Zealand. Amongst our new
Dames are two I’ve had the privilege of seeing in action, and their tireless work in the service of others – Dr Judy McGregor and Judge Carolyn Henwood.
This years list also includes Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who have been tireless in their campaign for better workplace health and safety protections for all New Zealanders, all while dealing with their own personal loss at Pike River.
There are many, many others who deserve mention, but I’ll let the list speak for itself!
One of the great privileges of this job is the honours process – the chance to see up close those who represent the very best of us. Once again the Queen’s Birthday list is full of amazing people, amongst them are the likes of Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O’Regan who join the Order of New Zealand. Amongst our new
Dames are two I’ve had the privilege of seeing in action, and their tireless work in the service of others – Dr Judy McGregor and Judge Carolyn Henwood.
This years list also includes Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who have been tireless in their campaign for better workplace health and safety protections for all New Zealanders, all while dealing with their own personal loss at Pike River.
There are many, many others who deserve mention, but I’ll let the list speak for itself!
One of the great privileges of this job is the honours process – the chance to see up close those who represent the very best of us. Once again the Queen’s Birthday list is full of amazing people, amongst them are the likes of Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O’Regan who join the Order of New Zealand. Amongst our new
Dames are two I’ve had the privilege of seeing in action, and their tireless work in the service of others – Dr Judy McGregor and Judge Carolyn Henwood.
This years list also includes Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who have been tireless in their campaign for better workplace health and safety protections for all New Zealanders, all while dealing with their own personal loss at Pike River.
There are many, many others who deserve mention, but I’ll let the list speak for itself!
One of the great privileges of this job is the honours process – the chance to see up close those who represent the very best of us. Once again the Queen’s Birthday list is full of amazing people, amongst them are the likes of Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O’Regan who join the Order of New Zealand. Amongst our new
Dames are two I’ve had the privilege of seeing in action, and their tireless work in the service of others – Dr Judy McGregor and Judge Carolyn Henwood.
This years list also includes Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who have been tireless in their campaign for better workplace health and safety protections for all New Zealanders, all while dealing with their own personal loss at Pike River.
There are many, many others who deserve mention, but I’ll let the list speak for itself!
Such a privilege to host the Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, at Parliament today. This year marks 60 years of the treaty of friendship between New Zealand and Samoa, and I can’t think of a more important time to mark such an anniversary. Today we talked about climate change, recovery from the impacts of COVID, the challenges for our region, and the upcoming Pacific Island Forum. Great talks, and a good day.
(PS this is only my third go at making a reel…I’m not sure my creativity on these things is improving much!)
This weekend it’s our annual Labour Party Conference. I was talking to the team a few weeks ago about how hard it is to sum up the last five years. But why say it with words, when you can say it with this….
I first met the wonderful Jan Tinetti when I was a brand new member of Parliament. I had the job of teaming up with a few other MPs to cover the wider Bay of Plenty area. Jan was the Principal at a school I visited in Tauranga. I can still remember the pride she had in her school and the students, and her passion for education. I was thrilled when she later joined us in Parliament as an MP. Since then she’s become a Minister and recently picked up greater responsibilities in Education, all while running in the by-election in Tauranga which concluded tonight. Congratulations to Sam Uffindell on his win tonight. But I also want to acknowledge Jan who has returned one of Labour’s better results in Tauranga in recent elections.
Jan has always been a huge advocate for the community she lives in, and we’ve seen that in her campaign. She told me yesterday how much she’s enjoyed the opportunity to meet with so many people over the past few weeks. Thank you Jan for your tireless work!
It’s Labour Conference this weekend! Grant Robertson gave a cracking speech this morning. I’ll pop a link in my story in case you want to see it for yourself!