Tough year tells us it’s good to plan, be agile

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is upon us, it feels like not so long ago that we celebrated the start of 2020. Who was to know what the year would have in store for us then!

With Covid-19, an election, several adverse weather events all in one year, 2020 was bound to be extreme. The beginning of the year was full of flurry and activities and then suddenly it wasn’t. Things that we planned for were either cancelled, postponed or rearranged and it almost seemed that the year would go on forever.

I’m so pleased that Taupo¯ pulled through. We are a resilient bunch. While there have been many lessons learned and challenges faced, there have also been opportunities gained.

Each year at this time I start planning for the next. Not only do things work better when one has a plan, with certainty also comes a degree of comfort and a sense of accomplishment. One of my lessons this year was the reminder that nothing is ever certain or set in stone and agility is a valuable commodity.

However, that does not mean we need to stop setting goals. Some of my goals for Taupo¯ include ensuring schools across the electorate like Tauhara College get the school building upgrades that teachers and students deserve.

While the school was dealt a massive blow through water and other structural damage during a recent storm, the fact remains that an across the board upgrade of Tauhara College school buildings is very long overdue. I will be working hard with the school and the Ministry of Education over the coming days and weeks to ensure that the school will not only be ready to house our students in January 2021, but that the ministry is held accountable for their undertakings of a wider upgrade of the school over the next few years.

Other goals for Taupo¯ include making sure that maternity services through our district health boards are adequately funded and there is greater consistency in the maternity department at the hospital.

I will also continue my pressure on the Minister for Transport to ensure the Taupo¯ to Tu¯rangi piece of the state highway is upgraded.

Finally, 2020 has been a test but it has made us even stronger. It’s time to press that reset button for a fresh new year with new opportunities.

Put up that tree, plan that holiday with family, go to that festival. Because we deserve it!

My offices will be closed for the annual parliamentary shut down between December 24 and January 6, however, in the event of an emergency, you can reach me by email upston.taupo@parliament. govt.nz or call 376 5563.

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter at www. louiseupston.co.nz to stay in touch.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.