AMY ADAMS MP for Selwyn

As we approach the end of our long, hot summer and start to feel autumn’s chill creeping into the mornings, it is a busy time with lots on the agenda. In this newsletter I summarise what the Education Minister’s February announcement on Christchurch schools means for our electorate and update you on recent Government initiatives to combat welfare fraud and establish a new stand-alone agency to focus on workplace safety. I am also looking for a Youth MP to represent the Selwyn electorate, so if you know anyone aged between 16 and 18 who would be interested in representing their community at Youth Parliament 2013, please read on for more details.

Happy New Year to you all!

Now that schools are starting back for the year, the summer holidays will soon be a distant memory. I hope that you have all had an enjoyable break and a chance to relax with family and friends.

I am looking forward to another busy year with lots on the agenda for me including the Fresh Water reforms aimed at ensuring we make the most of our most valuable natural resource, and changes to the Resource Management Act to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.  In addition, I’ll be continuing to focus on the continual roll-out of enhanced broadband around New Zealand.

As the Minister for Communications I have recently put out a discussion document from New Zealand Post where they seek to make changes to our mail service including reducing deliveries to three days per week in response to massive drops in mail volumes.  I want to know what the residents of Selwyn think about these changes. To find out more and make a submission, visit http://med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/postal-policy/consultation-on-proposed-changes-to-new-zealand-posts-deed-of-understanding. Submissions close at 5pm March 12, 2013.

Hello to you all!

It is hard to believe that it is less than 2 months until Christmas, and the year is nearly over.

I had the pleasure of attending the Ellesmere A&P Show a couple of weeks ago, the first of five A&P Shows in my Electorate. It’s always a great day out and I really enjoy the chance to chat with many of you over the day. I am constantly amazed at how smoothly these events run, and give credit to the hard work of the many organisers involved. Unfortunately for the organisers at Ellesmere the weather was atrocious to say the least however those that attended boxed on regardless.

Hello to you all!

As Winter draws to a close, I am so pleased to be able to bring you my latest newsletter. It has been a busy two months and I have enjoyed meeting with some of you whilst out and about in Selwyn.

It is hard to believe that it has been two years since the first devastating earthquake in September 2010. In this newsletter I want to touch on the Government’s commitment to rebuilding Canterbury, let you know about meetings that you may want to attend if you are living on TC3 land, and remind you about some of the services available to you in you are still battling through the process of repairing or rebuilding your home.

I welcome your thoughts and feedback on all matters so be sure to contact me at selwyn.office@parliament.govt.nz or “like” my Facebook page and tell me what's on your mind.

Kind regards 

Amy Adams MP for Selwyn

It has been a busy few months with visits around Selwyn, Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City, but I have enjoyed catching up with old and new friends and constituents. I am thrilled to be the new Minister for the Environment, despite being sad to leave some good stuff behind in Internal Affairs As Minister for Communication and IT I have made some exciting announcements in the last few weeks also with broadband being extended in our rural communities.

Weedons School gets a new classroom block

It was a privilege to open a new classroom block at Weedons School, made possible by funding provided by the Ministry of Education. The school is thrilled to have the extra space and it is putting it to great use with a new classroom, a music room and teacher aide facilities. Thanks to the Weedons children for the warm welcome and the beautiful singing.

I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year, and managed to find time to rest, relax and recharge despite the rude reminder on 23 December that these earthquakes aren’t quite done with us yet.

Since being sworn in as Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister for Communications and IT, as well as Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, I have been flat out getting familiar with my new roles. It’s hard to believe autumn is here already, but I am enjoying getting stuck in and continuing to build the brighter future our community and all New Zealanders deserve.

Earthquake Recovery

The anniversary of the devastating February earthquake was a good chance to take the time to remember those we have lost, those who are still recovering from the serious physical injuries caused on that day and the damage done to so many homes, facilities and services in our region. It also gave us the opportunity though to focus on the incredible strength of our region and take a positive outlook on the years ahead.

Update on EQC

It is great to hear that the Earthquake Commission (EQC)/ Fletcher Construction EQR process, for homes with damage under $100,000, has now completed the repairs to more than 1500 homes in the Selwyn electorate, with another 3500 currently in progress.

The EQC has been working hard to get through the more than 400,000 claims it has received since 4 September last year, both completing assessments and repairing those with damage estimated to be between $10,000 and $100,000. It’s encouraging to see the results of this in this electorate.

We have been fortunate that in Selwyn we have avoided the worst of the land damage, meaning that for most of us we are now able to get on with repairs. To date, the EQR process has paid $45.4 million for repairs to Selwyn homes, including $11 million in August alone. These payments are helping people in our electorate to get on with rebuilding their lives.

EQC has announced it has set a target of completing all of its full assessments by December 2011, and is working towards the same deadline to complete all contents claims.

EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY PROGRESS

EQC recently advised me and the Selwyn District Council they believed they had assessed all claims in Selwyn for the September quake.

It has been very helpful to get feedback from a number of people to say that was not the case for them.

It has enabled us to go back to EQC on behalf of those people and follow up on their claims from the September event.

I’m continuing to work with EQC on these outstanding claims as well as other earthquake related issues.

Any September earthquake claimants who have not yet had any assessment should contact my Templeton electorate office on 344 0418 or by email at selwynoffice@parliament.govt.nz.