Te Ururoa Flavell MP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz

Tēnā tātou katoa. Well, things are finally back to normal now that the Olympics are over.

Like all of our other fine sporting achievements, when we have wins in the Olympics the whole country gets a huge psychological lift!

I'm just old enough to remember the night in 1964 when Peter Snell brought home double Olympic gold from Japan. Every child relived the glory at school the next day, imagining what a victory like that would be like. Nearly 50 years later, Olympic pride is just as strong, whether it be for the gutsy Kawerau girl, Sarah Walker, fighting the fear and winning silver on her BMX; or the many spectacular efforts of our teams on the water – rowing, kayak, sailing.

Fortunately we are a nation lucky to experience that winning feeling on a regular basis – the most recent being the big All Blacks versus Wallabies or Waikato Magic versus Melbourne Vixens game. So a big thanks to all of our athletes who keep the Kiwi sporting spirit alive. We are a nation punching way above our weight and so our successes outweigh our losses. Here's hoping that trend continues!

Recently I was interviewed by a newspaper reporter in Tauranga – one of the questions she asked was about my view on the current key issues for Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. A natural response is to say that each area of Waiariki is different and so issues are not always consistent through the constituency. For me, one identifiable key issue right now is our shared concern for the environment. The implications of the Rena and its clean-up linger today and are still felt throughout Waiariki as settlement of costs is negotiated.

Equally important but conceptually different is a new local bill making its way through the channels of Parliament. The bill is concerned with the Mount Maunganui Borough Council and its plan to rescind a law which took land rights from Tauranga iwi. The matter of dredging the harbour is a festering sore for Tauranga tribes as they anticipate severe damage to the harbour ecosystem, particularly the destruction of prized pipi beds. The Psa disease killing our kiwifruit has meant that people in Waiariki have resorted to ways to save crops and livelihoods – along with this comes concern to do with the spraying of kiwifruit crops. As I say, environmental issues are definitely to the fore in Waiariki at the moment and though our issues are varied, our respect for the land and desire for harmony with our environment is the same throughout our region.

We have our unique problems at times but right now it's also clear is that Tauranga is not so different to the rest of Aotearoa in having to deal with the burden of unemployment. A recent report indicated Tauranga is set to fare better than it has been over the past year, with jobs becoming increasingly available in certain sectors. The report noted however that while more jobs are becoming available, fewer applicants are succeeding after failing to pass drug tests. The issue of drugs as part of a lifestyle is a grave matter. Being on drugs compromises personal safety, the safety of our work mates, and of course the safety implications for whanau and extended family – it must be treated seriously. The message is so clear – being drug free is in everyone's best interests. Keeping it clean and green is what New Zealand is internationally known for – in our love for the environment and our commitment to sporting excellence. Valerie Adams could tell you that it's the only way for us to ensure gold!