Good turnout to the Silent March on Saturday 12 April. Hundreds of Papakura residents marched to support our local Papakura Police, to ask for more visible Police and for the Police Station to be open 24 hours a day.

There was a good Police presence on the day and I noticed many residents giving the Police support.

Unfortunately, the allocation of Police is not within Papakura’s control. I am hopeful that the Police hierarchy will listen to the people of Papakura.

Papakura Meals on Wheels are seeking helpers and drivers to deliver meals in the Papakura area. If you have spare time from 11am to approximately 12:30pm, once a month or more, please contact Joyce 298 5891 or Dora 299 1956. This is a wonderful service and extremely appreciated by those recipients of the meals.

Royal Commission on Auckland Governance The Government has set up a Royal Commission to enquire into Auckland’s local government and how it is working. The Commission has called for public submissions which close on Tuesday 22 April 2008. Information about the Commission and the submission process is available at Papakura District Council offices and the Sir Edmund Hilary Library or on the Council website at www.papakura.govt.nz or through the Royal Commission website at www.royalcommission.govt.nz

This is your opportunity to have your say as to how you see local government in the future and whether you want Papakura to be amalgamated into a Supercity for the whole of the region a Counties-Manukau City in the South or to remain separate.

Dame Augusta Wallace Constituents will be saddened by the recent death of New Zealand's first woman District Court Judge, Dame Augusta Wallace. Dame Augusta was well known in the electorate and to the veterans' community. Her late husband, Neville Wallace, was a tireless worker for Vietnam Veterans and their children. Dame Augusta was a courageous person. I'm sure constituents will want to join me in acknowledging the passing of a fine New Zealander.