It was a privilege to attend the Stevenson Papakura Youth Awards in the electorate recently and to present one of the awards. I am most impressed and proud of our young people in the electorate and their superb achievements.

The Deputy Mayor, Peter Goldsmith, who spoke on behalf of the Mayor who was absent, talked about how difficult it was as a judge, to choose a winner in each category. So difficult, that in some of the categories there were joint winners. Like many other parents present, I was overwhelmed at the depth of talent and hard work displayed by these outstanding residents of Papakura. It is such a shame that so little attention is generally given to the good that our young do while so much media attention is given to bad behaviour.

The dedicated Auckland Governance Legislation select committee has now set a preliminary timetable for hearing submissions. Submissions can be made from now until 26 June 2009. Submissions can be sent to the Select Committee at ALG@parliament.govt.nz or posted (Freepost) to:

Clerk of the Committee, Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee, Select Committee Office, Freepost Parliament, Wellington.

People have been telling me they want to have a voice on how their local area is represented and I have been listening. My office receives calls on a regular basis as to how difficult it is working with Council and compliance issues. Businesses in our area need encouragement and assistance to stay in business.

The Papakura District Council and Manukau City Council submitted in favour of one unitary authority. The details still need to be agreed, so I urge you to put in submissions and have your say. Hearings will be held throughout Auckland in July. You can ask to speak to your written submission , if you wish.

Remember: This is your opportunity to have your say as to how your local area is represented.

A few years ago, Papakura had a great shopping precinct. Today, unfortunately, many businesses have shifted to Pukekohe or just closed. We really do need to be able to focus on keeping and attracting good businesses to Papakura. Like many others, I'm sorry to see $2 shops taking over Papakura. It's even worse to see so many empty shops including most of the Council - owned Accent centre. I understand that there are concerns that some good Councillors might lose their positions and that several staff might be made redundant. The Mayor has led a hikoi from Papakura to protest in favour of Maori seats on the Council. If these matters or any others concern you, then please make them known to the Select Committee.

It has been a thrill for me that our election promise of 300 more Police in Counties Manukau will be delivered by a National- led Government. For 9 years under the previous Government, Papakura was ignored when it came to Policing. During that time, I took a petition to Parliament calling for more Police for Counties Manukau. Over 5,000 people signed that petition. The previous Government's response was Nothing. During the 2008 election campaign, National promised 300 more Police specifically for Counties Manukau policing district that includes all of Papakura and Pukekohe. We are currently delivering on that promise, despite the previous government's refusal to target resources to our area. That's in addition to the other 300 Police for the rest of New Zealand. Former Labour Police Ministers should be ashamed with their unwillingness and inability to deliver for our area , which has been under-resourced for years.

I'm sure delivering our correct share of policing resource will go a long way to helping to make Papakura more friendly to business and to shoppers.

There is a Police recruitment drive at Manukau's Westfield Shopping Centre this week. I have previously asked Papakura City to help with making space available for the Police to recruit in Papakura. If you support this, please let the Mayor know.

I'm sure that we will all want to wish local Sir John Walker congratulations on his knighthood. Sir John's contribution to local government and in particular, his efforts for the youth of Counties-Manukau region, has been outstanding. Congratulations to the Papakura Electorate's Mrs Chris King QSM and Ms Sandra McLean QSM. Many locals will have been pleased to see that former Papakura and Vietnam Veteran, Ross Miller was awarded the MNZM in this year's Queen's Birthday honours.