The Aotearoa NZ (RNZ TVNZ) Public Media Bill is now up for submissions.

Melissa Lee August 19, 2022 Share

You know already National opposes the $370million wasteful spend that the Government thinks is the future of New Zealand’s public broadcasters.

Every submission highlighting your concerns is welcomed by me and the National Team so please write into the EDSI Committee and have your say.

The legislation is vague. The cost is massive.

We don’t even have the benefit of knowing what the financials will be for any revenue gains long-term with the Minister hiding behind the wall of OIA redactions and Commercial sensitivity when hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are spent as inflation continues to hit our pockets.

The reality, a Public Media monolith, is dire and the Government’s own independent advice from Sapere has made it clear it’s not needed.

The merger and blurring of RNZ and TVNZ into ANZPM will not only ensure, during a cost-of-living crisis, that the Labour Government re-prioritised consultants for their mates over actual content, actual decisions and real outcomes for New Zealand’s media future but also permanently change New Zealand’s media landscape in a way that it will take years to unravel.

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75 Years of NZ India and Pakistan Friendship

Melissa Lee August 18, 2022 Share

The commemoration of the 75^th Independence Day anniversaries of India and Pakistan over the last 12 months have, like their respective journeys to freedom, been marked with endurance and adversity due to the global health situation of the past two years. The tryst of COVID-19 has meant, no matter our differences in cultures or ideas, a global unity and continued destiny has been forged as we work together in friendship for the betterment of the world.

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Pakistan’s heritage extends to the wider Commonwealth and New Zealand

Melissa Lee August 18, 2022 Share

What greater ideal could there have been but that the people of your nation should be free of domination of all!

Free.

[Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz 1947]

This month as we acknowledge the 75th year of (Pakistan’s) Independence and Pakistan taking its seat as a sovereign country in the congress of nations is important to reflect on the endeavours, hopes and dreams of its people and how they have benefited our world for the better over many generations forged through a history of struggle, determination and resolve for a brighter future.

The heritage of Pakistan is global. It now transcends the borders not only of its geographical frontiers from the Himalayas to the shores of the Arabian Sea, but also now extends into the communities of the wider Commonwealth and New Zealand.

The Pakistani Community of New Zealand is valued for its contributions to our country from the sprawling suburbs of Auckland City to the Western Hills of Lower Hutt. Our Pakistani neighbours are doctors and shopkeepers, they are teachers and they are students. They all have something to contribute to New Zealand and their cultural value is fundamental, like all our 213+ ethnicities, they are vital to the Kiwi way of life.

In reading the early accounts of the Pakistani National Assembly in the days after independence a single word keeps being repeated across the many diverse representatives of the newly born Federation of Pakistan.

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The spirit of entrepreneurship and determination for the next 75 years

Melissa Lee August 18, 2022 Share

As the National Party Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities, I want to acknowledge the 75th anniversary of the Independence of India and the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations that have been taking place globally over the year.

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Melissa Lee's August Update

Melissa Lee August 02, 2022 Share

Welcome to August!

As I write this newsletter we've just gotten the word that the Government's cost of living debacle has reached new heights with people living overseas qualifying for the Labour's Cost of Living payment, a scheme that was meant to be directly targeted at those hit hardest by their failure to rein in inflation and get our economy on track.

This weekend I'm heading down to Christchurch for the Annual National Party Conference. I'm looking forward to joining National supporters from around New Zealand in sharing our vision for a better New Zealand with you all. 

Remember my Auckland and Wellington Offices are here to help.

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Melissa Lee's Winter Update

Melissa Lee June 23, 2022 Share

It's Winter!  🌨️❄️⛄ 

As cold snaps hit across New Zealand and we face Power Grid Emergencies before the coldest weeks of the year start so now is a really important time to take stock of your supplies so you can get through when disaster strikes. Whatever you plan this long weekend now is a great opportunity to spend time going over the Civil Defence Get Ready Checklist so you can get through no matter what New Zealand faces this winter.

Remember my Auckland and Wellington Offices are here to help.

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Melissa Lee's Autumn Update

Melissa Lee June 23, 2022 Share

Welcome to Autumn!

As the colder months begin to settle in I hope you are all well prepared for Autumn and the Winter ahead. Over the past month I have commemorated ANZAC Day around New Zealand, been visiting Stakeholders from Mosgiel to Westport and championing your concerns in Parliament. 

Remember my Auckland and Wellington Offices are here to help.

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Eid Al Fitr signals time for celebration

Melissa Lee May 09, 2022 Share

After the trials of Ramadan for Muslim New Zealanders from across the continents of the Earth, Eid Al Fitr is a grand celebration of faith and identity.

Whether from the date-palm sands of Arabia to the rain forested shores of the Indonesian archipelago, Eid festivals will be flourishing around the Islamic world and joined in equal measures in New Zealand suburbs, towns and cities where families and communities will gather together in joy.

The time of Eid is a celebration for many reasons, from the ending of the fast, to the heralding of a new time of the year, we see in Eid a spirit of identity for all New Zealanders to build on as part of our multicultural nation. Our social connectivity through celebrations like the Eid festival grow our economic and national prowess just as formidably as trade deals and commercial endeavours. Our multi-faith and multi-ethnic society must be a priority as we look towards New Zealand’s future as a leading global economy and as a prosperous country.

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Eid Mubarak!

Melissa Lee May 09, 2022 Share

With the passing of the month of Ramadan comes the joy and celebrations of Eid across the Muslim world!

The stoic determination and efforts of our New Zealand Muslim brothers and sisters as they commemorated the heritage of their faith through weeks of fasting, prayer and commemorations should not be underestimated, particularly as COVID-19 has shaped our abilities to engage with one another in the ways we would like to best. The time of the year is special for followers of the Islamic faith. For people of other faiths, like myself, we should always be conscious of the importance these occasions are for identity.

It’s a timely opportunity to remind all people that diversity and differences can only add value to our country and will not hinder our identity as a multicultural nation.

National Party values our Muslim community and the important contributions they make to New Zealand. As a country, we should always reflect that religion, ethnicity or language differences should not be a barrier to our values but instead be recognised as an advantage to work together with others and celebrate our unity as New Zealanders.

Eid celebrations come as the country borders re-open, families re-unite and communities are able to gather once more. Eid al-fitr will be a truly special occasion this year for our Muslim community. The solemn dates of Suhoor and Iftar now transform into Sweet Eid cuisines of Knafeh, Balaleet and Halwa amidst Songs and Eid Prayers to acknowledge the year ahead.

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