Key issues raised at Waipu meeting

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Though his duties took him to Whangarei recently to turn the first sod in the construction of the Hundertwasser Arts Centre, Prime Minister John Key also made a whistle stop in Waipu.

A warm reception saw several hundred locals gather to hear a short address and take part in a question and answer session – though there was still one lone protester with a message for the PM.

The gathering at the Celtic Barn was hosted by local company Good Ground Real Estate who had also sponsored other similar meetings of dignitaries, giving locals an opportunity to add faces to names and form perhaps a more personal view of MPs and local body officials.

The PM gave a brief summation of ‘the flag’ and New Zealand economy before fielding some emotive questions from the floor.

Two matters of significance dealt with drugs. Firstly the realistic availability and affordability of the melanoma drug Keytruda. Despite the government putting more money into drug funding it is up to Pharmac how this is used.

The other matter of grave concern was the production and availability of illicit drugs, predominantly P.

The PM stressed this was gang-related and gangs, previously at war with each other, now often worked together in the production and distribution of drugs. In conjunction with police a harder line was being taken to deal with the problem.

Rail in the north was also discussed but at present is something of a stalemate, though roading is proceeding with the prospect of improving access and therefore industry.

In conclusion a young lady from Waipu Primary School asked John Key: “If you were PM of the world what would you change?” To which he answered “I’d make New Zealand the capital and I would endeavour to promote peace. If we could get that part right then lots of other things would change naturally for the better.”

UP CLOSE: Waipu Primary School pupils meet PM John Key during a recent whistle-stop town meeting.