An update from special leave from parliament to return to the electorate and Simon O'Connor see the impact felt after yet another major storm. MP for Tamaki BUDGET 2023 - HOPE OR DESPAIR? As I write, Budget 2023 is about to be presented to Parliament - the government's annual statement on how it intends to raise money and spend it. While I don't yet know what is in the Budget, there are already some worrying themes I can highlight. Our economy is in poor shape. Every day in our electorate, we see the cost of living going up and the pressure on our household budgets increasing. The government is recklessly borrowing money and there is now a real risk our credit could be reduced, meaning even higher interest rates. We have a government spending more than $1 billion dollars more a week (yes, you read that right - $1 billion a week) and yet we are having poorer outcomes. Crime is worse; inflation is increasing; our health system is breaking; education outcomes are declining, and the list goes on. National in contrast wants to see kiwis keep more of their hard-earned money and restore fiscal discipline to government accounts. We remain keen to reduce the regulatory hurdles that limit businesses and improve education so that our next generation have the skills they need. More locally, following recent floods I immediately took I visited local businesses once again flooded out, some who no longer can access insurance. A number of local homes were also flooded and I have visited many of them too. Paid for by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Simon O'Connor, Parliament Buildings, Wellington In all cases when asked, I am assisting around insurance claims and also beginning to engage with the Council to see what future mitigations can be put in place, specifically around drains and culverts. Can I say a particular thanks to our local Eastern Bays Community Patrol. On my TAMAKI HIT BY MORE first night back as the storm HEAVY RAIN was easing, they took me around the electorate to see the flooding and damage first-hand. The Patrol KEEPING TAMAKI SAFE COMMUNITY PATROL does an incredible job in our community and I am pleased to support the work they do. Perhaps consider joining the patrol yourself or supporting them to run their vehicles, and of course, to say thanks when you see them out and about! NAUTI Simon O'Connor MP for Tamaki Phone (09) 575 9842 MP.Tamaki@parliament.govt.nz 16 Goldie Street, St Heliers, Auckland 1071 An update from special leave from parliament to return to the electorate and Simon O'Connor see the impact felt after yet another major storm . MP for Tamaki BUDGET 2023 - HOPE OR DESPAIR ? As I write , Budget 2023 is about to be presented to Parliament - the government's annual statement on how it intends to raise money and spend it . While I don't yet know what is in the Budget , there are already some worrying themes I can highlight . Our economy is in poor shape . Every day in our electorate , we see the cost of living going up and the pressure on our household budgets increasing . The government is recklessly borrowing money and there is now a real risk our credit could be reduced , meaning even higher interest rates . We have a government spending more than $ 1 billion dollars more a week ( yes , you read that right - $ 1 billion a week ) and yet we are having poorer outcomes . Crime is worse ; inflation is increasing ; our health system is breaking ; education outcomes are declining , and the list goes on . National in contrast wants to see kiwis keep more of their hard - earned money and restore fiscal discipline to government accounts . We remain keen to reduce the regulatory hurdles that limit businesses and improve education so that our next generation have the skills they need . More locally , following recent floods I immediately took I visited local businesses once again flooded out , some who no longer can access insurance . A number of local homes were also flooded and I have visited many of them too . Paid for by the Parliamentary Service . Authorised by Simon O'Connor , Parliament Buildings , Wellington In all cases when asked , I am assisting around insurance claims and also beginning to engage with the Council to see what future mitigations can be put in place , specifically around drains and culverts . Can I say a particular thanks to our local Eastern Bays Community Patrol . On my TAMAKI HIT BY MORE first night back as the storm HEAVY RAIN was easing , they took me around the electorate to see the flooding and damage first - hand . The Patrol KEEPING TAMAKI SAFE COMMUNITY PATROL does an incredible job in our community and I am pleased to support the work they do . Perhaps consider joining the patrol yourself or supporting them to run their vehicles , and of course , to say thanks when you see them out and about ! NAUTI Simon O'Connor MP for Tamaki Phone ( 09 ) 575 9842 MP.Tamaki@parliament.govt.nz 16 Goldie Street , St Heliers , Auckland 1071