JO GOODHEW MP for Rangitata

As I write this, my first newsletter for 2012, the New Year is already one month old and my work as MP for Rangitata for another next three year term has started in earnest.

My electorate offices in Ashburton & Timaru are up and running and already I have been able to meet with several constituents and community leaders. The community leader meetings have been helpful to discuss their priorities for 2012 and to talk about how we can combine and advance local agendas.

Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew is delighted Mid and South Canterbury residents will have an opportunity to visit the Green Paper on Vulnerable Children camper van when it rolls into Ashburton and Timaru this week.

As I write this, my first column for the Ashburton Guardian in 2012, the New Year is already one month old and my work as your MP for the next three years has started in earnest.
My electorate offices are up and running and already I have been able to meet with several constituents and community leaders.

In Jo's first video for 2012 she talks a little about her new Ministerial role and reaffirms her commitment to the electorate before going on to discuss an impending visit to Ashburton by the team collecting public submissions on the Government's Green Paper on child abuse. If you're in the area, be sure and stop by and share your thoughts with the team. In closing she asks viewers to get in touch with her about issues affecting the dairy industry - including the sale of the Crafer farms. For more on the Green Paper, see: http://www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz/

This last column for 2011 gives me the opportunity to look both forward to next year and the challenges it will bring and also to look back at what has been a very busy year.

During the 50th Parliament which commences with the swearing in of MPs tomorrow and the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, I will embark on new challenges. On Wednesday 14 December I was sworn in as a Minister outside Cabinet and this will replace my role as Junior Government Whip.