Netball wins mark start of drier winter

Sometimes you just assume things are going to get worse, only for the world to surprise you. Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator, and Donald Trump have been getting on like a rocket on fire, even if they can’t agree on how to put it out.

Theresa May, the Tory prime minister negotiating Britain’s exit from the European Union, and Jeremy Corbyn, Britain’s opposition Labour leader, finally agree on something. Cross-party compromises on Brexit.

Miracles happen, and so maybe this year the New Zealand National Party will finally settle its leadership question.

That one’s tongue in cheek, but you have to agree the contrast between the National Opposition under Simon Bridges and the coalition Government under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is, well, pretty stark. We’re getting the business done.

With winter around the corner we’re bringing in new rules to ensure all rental homes are warm and dry. From this winter rentals are going to have to include insulation, a fixed heating source such as a heat pump or wood burner, a rangehood in kitchens, and an extractor fan in bathrooms.

The aim is to help ensure all Kiwi homes are warm (everyone needs to the ability to heat their home), dry (no-one should live with toxic mould), and healthy.

I remember back in the day the usual solution to a cold, damp home was grabbing a jersey or blanket.

It seemed absolutely normal back then, but the more you think about it the more you realise it isn’t good enough.

Across New Zealand 6000 children are admitted to hospital each year because of diseases such as rheumatic fever and asthma that are caused by inadequate housing.

I’ve heard stories from locals about their kids being admitted to hospital with respiratory problems because of toxic mould in the whanau home.

These are the kinds of stories that put it in perspective and confirm for me that action can’t happen soon enough.

Of course not everyone can reach into their back pocket and grab a spare few hundred or thousand dollars they need for, say, insulation.

That’s why we’ve also made funding available to help people who own their own homes but can’t afford to insulate. I really do encourage you to check out the Energywise website to see if you’re eligible for funding support.

It’s important to do this because, to borrow a phrase from Game of Thrones, winter is coming. We know that because it’s netball season and last week it was our pleasure to host the Aotearoa Maori Netball Oranga Healthy Lifestyles tournament at ITL Stadium Southland.

It was great to watch the country’s teams go head to head. Particular acknowledgements to Tainui, the premier winners, and Ikaroa ki te Tonga, the aggregate winners.

Shout out to all of the other players, coaches, umpires and supporters, too. Our local hosts did us proud, and so too our local Te Tai Tonga winners.

Check if you’re eligible for insulation funding help via Energywise: www.energywise.govt.nz/ tools/warmer-kiwi-homes-tool/