I want to give a big shout-out to our bus drivers. We are lucky to have amazing drivers for the Southlink that connects coastal communities on SH45 from Ōpunake to New Plymouth, and the Connector linking Hāwera with New Plymouth on SH3. From my personal observation as a regular public transport user and looking at the Taranaki Regional Council reports, passenger numbers have grown significantly over recent years which has led to increased services - because many of us have been asking for a better public transport system for a long time. There is still a lot to do in this space. Evening and weekend services are still missing so there is room to expand. Given the obvious benefits that public transport brings to the region - such as lower emissions, reducing congestion, enhancing community connections, particularly for the elderly, youth and those who are financially struggling - it is important that we have councillors who value, understand and prioritise public transport. And tell our drivers they are awesome!
To find out more about public transport options in Taranaki, head to the TRC website for information on routes and timetables: https://www.trc.govt.nz/buses-transport/routes

First Meet the Candidates hui tonight in Te Hāwera, hosted by Ngāti Ruanui. Great crowd, awesome kōrero around the importance of the Māori wards and informative presentations from lots of candidates from across South Taranaki and Whakaahurangi. In the words of Dinnie Moeahu: no stress, vote YES to KEEP the Māori wards. I talked about my vision for change: for regenerative agriculture and increased public transport, to stop seabed mining and Te Tiriti justice.
I love these kinds of events: debate, discussion, expanding the political discourse and raising the collective consciousness. Unfortunately, there is only one more event planned for South Taranaki at this point: the Eltham Lions Club are hosting a Meet the Candidates evening on Tuesday 2nd September, 7pm at the Eltham Fire Brigade. If your community group, your workplace, your hapū or whānau is interested to hear from me, please let me know. Hopefully, some more events will be added over coming weeks.
Photos by Te Aorangi and Ali - chur

UPDATE: The petition has almost 1500 signatures!
​I have long been an advocate for public transport. Bringing back long-distance passenger rail to Taranaki is a no-brainer. Please support this petition: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/bring-back-long-distance-passenger-rail-to-taranaki 
South Taranaki communities currently have a few a public transport options that are run by the Regional Council: the Connector between Hāwera and New Plymouth, the upgraded daily services connecting coastal communities between Ōpunake and New Plymouth and the other Southlink services. While the addition of more services for South Taranaki in recent years has been welcomed by locals - and looking at the numbers, they are indeed well used - I am pushing for an expansion of the public transport network with more urban and rural services.
Public transport connects people, lowers our emissions and congestion and crucially provides transport options for the elderly, youth and the poor.
Until the 1950s, Ōpunake had daily train connections to Whanganui and Wellington. I support the call to reinstate regular passenger rail services between New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington, reconnecting communities across the North Island with safe, sustainable, and inclusive public transport.

An action shot from last summer, harvesting potatoes for Te Matatini. We grew over 2 tonnes of Agria spuds for this event. Here, I am on the two-wheel tractor lifting up the spuds at a new garden in Pungarehu, on the old primary school rugby field. South Taranaki - is it time you elect a potato farmer onto the Taranaki Regional Council?
​Photo: RNZ / Emma Andrews​

Climate justice campaigner Urs Signer will go head-to-head with dairy stalwarts Donna Cram and Neil Walker - just two South Taranaki constituency seats are up for grabs.
Walker hopes to extend his time at the table to 30 years, despite being undermined by a scathing report about his plot to quash debate on the Treaty principles bill.
From RNZ: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/568816/small-town-surge-tops-growth-of-taranaki-council-contestants

A few of my quotes made it into the Taranaki Daily News today. I am standing against two incumbents: Neil Walker (who has been on council for close to 30 years) and Donna Cram (who was first elected three years ago).
In the South Taranaki constituency, which has two seats, climate advocate Urs Signer has thrown his hat in the ring against Neil Walker, who is hoping to get in for what would be his 10th term. Current councillor Donna Cram is also standing.
The council urgently needed "progressive and environmental" voices committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Signer said.
"It is time that we shake up the Taranaki Regional Council with radical ideas and solid actions for a better future for the next generation."
For too long the council had played catch-up when it came to looking after the environment, he said. "Given the state of our planet, it is time for transformative change. We need grassroots and collective solutions for a just, fair and regenerative future."