Todd Talks By Todd Muller

Much of the talk about our country's progress revolves around economic growth: 72,000 new jobs added to the economy and a 2.3 per cent increase in average hourly rates in the last year; unemployment is down to 5.4 per cent, and so on.

Yet, while I wholeheartedly celebrate the positive indications National's policies are working, we need to remind ourselves how important our day-to-day experiences in our community are.

I'm referring to the role played by our schools, community centres and events; and, more specifically, how we look out for each other on a day-to-day basis.

Last week I attended the Omokoroa School Gala, which was crammed full of fun activities, stalls and entertainment, including the iconic lawnmower races!

There I saw something which serves as a great example to us all: Each classroom created something for the day, and so, as every Mum and Dad knows, for each student and teacher there are the families with get recruited in to support.

Yet for all the hard work it's clear that a community thrives because of families and groups getting together around a common purpose.

The reason I value a strong community so much is simply because it enriches our lives, gives us a sense of belonging and will be the best security when hard times fall upon us.

Our Cantabrian countrymen know this all too well, as they deal with the rebuild of their city and lives.

The social fabric of our region is worth protecting, and that is why I'll be supporting White Ribbon Day on November 25 and stand against family violence.

On that morning I will gather with other MPs in the Wellington railway station to hand out white ribbons and spread the message that family violence is not okay.

This message is particularly important as we approach Christmas, where family violence rates notoriously spike.

We stand for creating a healthy, supportive environment for our children to grow up in and for a tight-knit community, which can withstand the shocks that life throws our way.

No matter how good our economic growth is, we must always remember we ultimately and collectively shape the communities in which we live.