Working at Parliament is important of course but I have to say there is nothing like spending time in what must be the best part of New Zealand., Selwyn.
Surely one the best things about being the MP for Selwyn are the incredible parts of New Zealand I'm lucky enough to spend my days in.
Over the course of 5 days last week I racked up over 1000 kms traveling the entire length of the electorate marveling at the sheer beauty of the place from the coast through the plains and up to the high country.
One of the highlights of the week was the opening of the new predator-proof fence on Mark & Sonja Armstrong's property on the extreme eastern edge of Banks Peninsula. This fence is a testament to the dedication of the Armstrongs to protect the last mainland Sooty Shearwater colony which they have now done with the help of DoC, the Josef Langer Trust and the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust. As a part-farmer myself I can tell you that as well as a great initiative it is also a tremendous bit of extreme fencing!
The following day I headed up to Arthur's Pass and reminded myself how much I enjoy the high country and in particular our native Kea. Shoes, cars and almost anything else they fancy are at constant risk but it is hard to not admire such an intelligent and inquisitive bird. They are a hit with the tourists and certainly make sure you know they are there!
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