“BOTANY, OURS TO WORK AND GROW TOGETHER”

"Time flies like arrows" - this was a phrase that dominated my school essays, but it wasn't a saying that became real until I started to work and accelerate in politics.

It has been eight months since I became the Botany electorate MP under the National-led Government in last year's elections.

Earlier this year I resumed my much-loved practice of door knocking in the Botany area and it brought many inquires as to what happened to Pansy Speak - my fortnightly newsletter.

I found it really flattering that the newsletters were missed and I'm sorry that it has taken me a while to resume this regular communiqué, but time simply flies by.

Secretly, I thought the monthly columns I write in Botany Times, Her Magazine and my various ethnic columns would bridge the communication gap but I am now determined to write Pansy Speak on a twice monthly basis and I look forward to your feedback.

The 2009 Budget has dominated Parliament for the last fortnight in politics and will continue to dominate for a while and if you would like to know more, please visit http://www.beehive.govt.nz/.

The budget has been aptly signalled as the road to recovery and is the signpost of a future direction, balancing social well being and fiscal responsibility.

By and large, when I knock on the doors of Botany, residents are realistic and pragmatic about the current economic environment. Many of you have had encouraging words for the Government to carry on making pragmatic decisions.

As well as discussing how we can set New Zealand on the road to recovery, I also pick up on many local issues through this interaction as well as through phone calls and visits to my electorate office at 735 Chapel Road (near the corner of Kilkenny Rd and Chapel Rd).

Some issues that have surfaced include buses making turns in residential streets where they shouldn't be, cell phone cabinets, skateboarders in local areas, a lack of venues for local groups as well as issues about immigration, IRD, health care and law and order.

I would like to acknowledge the patience of the complainants who sometimes have to wait a while for the process for issues to be sorted out.

I encourage anyone with any concerns to call my electorate office on 265 2121 and we will do our best to help you.

My other favourite local pursuit outside of door knocking is visiting schools and right now I am embarking on the second round of school visits to coincide with the Minister of Education's consultation on the national standards for literacy and numeracy.

Even though Mission High is just outside of the Botany electorate, I was privileged to be invited to the opening of the school with our Prime Minister, Hon John Key and I was impressed by the young people, who were in charge of the opening ceremony.

It was a pleasure to witness the confidence of the youngsters as they put on a lively and enjoyable opening ceremony. The song about how proud we are as New Zealanders was a tune that galvanised everyone in attendance and I would like to see that happen much more often.

I have also been impressed by the work on the Barry Curtis Park and if you haven't been there recently, it is well worth a visit to see the progress of the park. I am looking forward to seeing the skateboard park built there - build to address some local concerns.

The past eight months has been one of highs and lows in the electorate, where we have had great success - like the opening of the new Metal Skills factory on Lady Ruby Drive - which was attended by the Prime Minister.

Metal Skills is a company that has bucked the trend of the recession and is going from strength to strength. I would like to congratulate the staff for their success.

On the other side of the coin, an extreme low was in February when the power line came down on Whetstone Road, trapping some of our residents inside their houses.

I was shocked when this happened and that is why I went out to visit the affected residents while the ordeal was unfolding. I was heartened by the community spirit in the area - which saw residents working together to help each other.

Community spirit is strong here in Botany and that is why I am proud to be your representative in Parliament.

Visit my website at http://www.pansywong.co.nz/ for snappy shots of our beautiful Botany electorate.