Vietnam vets recognised. The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial and divisive that New Zealanders have served in. Nearly 3260 Kiwis saw action in Vietnam, and after enduring the horrors of war they returned to shabby and unacceptable treatment by a succession of governments and by some New Zealanders who decided to take out their opposition to the War, on the defence personnel who had served their country with courage and with honour. The service they carried out in the name of this country has often gone unacknowledged or been conveniently forgotten. Veterans have had to suffer the indignity of two flawed reports that tried to write off the serious long-term health effects that resulted from service in Vietnam.

I wholeheartedly support the apology from the Crown for the treatment of Vietnam veterans and the failure to acknowledge or address the results of their service. I was particularly pleased that all parties represented in Parliament, offered apologies to the veterans and their families.

Friday 30 May saw me travel to speak on welfare and family issues in the Bay of Plenty at a dinner in Oropi. Even though it was a long weekend, there was an excellent turnout.

After a long drive back to South Auckland, I was on an early flight to Wellington where I attended Tribute 08 , a series of events to recognise the efforts of New Zealand soldiers who served in Vietnam. This was both a moving and thought provoking event. It was great to be able to be part of the occasion. It seems a long time since I first saw the US Army map showing some of the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam. This is the map I was able to use to secure the Health Select Committee inquiry into Agent Orange and its effects on our service personnel and their families.

This last week, on Wednesday I was at Beachlands School to see them presented with a GreenGold Award from Environschools Foundation. This national award recognises Beachlands School’s commitment to becoming a sustainable community and living the guiding principals of the Enviroschools Programme in all aspects of school life. 540 NZ schools participate in Enviroschools and Beachlands is the sixth school in the country to reach the GreenGold level. Well done Beachlands School!

Wednesday evening I attended the opening function of “Walsh Brothers to War Birds” exhibition which is a partnership project between the Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum and the Papakura District Historical Society. This exhibition is extremely well put together and the opening function was well attended. It runs from 5 June to 24 July 2008 and is located on Level 4, Accent Point Building, Papakura.

On Thursday morning I attended a Business Breakfast, in Papakura, as part of the Matariki Festival of Events. Matariki is a celebration of the New Year and the Papakura Marae has a number of fabulous events that will run through to 19 July 2008. For further information you can contact the Papakura Marae on 298 3877 or Papakura District Council on 295 1300.

This weekend on Saturday I will be in New Plymouth addressing the YMCA New Zealand Convention. Then on Sunday I will be back in the electorate to join in the celebration of the 21st birthday of The New Zealand Kennel Club – Auckland Exhibition Centre at Ardmore. On Sunday evening I will attend the dedication and opening of the Harvest Christian Church Ministry Centre in Beach Road, Papakura.

It was wonderful to see the former Mayor of Papakura, John Robertson, receive a well deserved Queen Service Order in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2008. Congratulations John.

There are a lot of wonderful events happening in our community and it is heartening to see the results of the volunteers that dedicate so much of their time to their chosen cause. Volunteering is one of the cornerstones of New Zealand culture and as I go around our electorate and the rest of the country, I am extremely lucky to meet a number of wonderful volunteers