The House sat for the first time this year on the 11th of February and I was very excited to hear Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern deliver her opening statement – it always gets me fired up for the year ahead.

The Government hit the ground running this year, so there was plenty for her to reflect on. From to the launch of our Big New Zealand Upgrade infrastructure programme, to constructive discussions at Rātana and Waitangi, we’ve started the year as we intend to continue – with energy, enthusiasm, and determination.

This summer we’ve shared more of our plan to improve road safety and public transport, to help upgrade almost every public school in the country, to fix up hospitals, and to help lower our carbon emissions.

The Government has made good progress on many issues over the past two years, but there is still more mahi to do – and we’ll never lose sight of that.

Our second Wellbeing Budget is just around the corner, and the Minister of Finance has said his priorities this time will be: shifting us to an economy that’s set up to tackle climate change, helping us take advantage of new technologies, lifting Māori and Pacific skills and incomes, reducing child poverty, and improving our physical and mental health.

Over the break I’ve been conscious that we’ve had some tough times. There were bush fires across Australia and even a few here; and there’s been flooding in the South, and drought in the North. There is no doubt we’re seeing more extreme weather events, and each has the potential to devastate communities. It’s a striking reminder of the urgent need for action on climate change.

Over the summer we also learned the date of the next election – 19 September. This is an opportunity for New Zealanders to have their say; to share their thoughts, cast their votes, and ultimately shape their future. And it’s an opportunity for politicians to listen carefully, reflect on the three years past, and share their vision for New Zealand’s future.

But regardless of the election date, providing a strong and stable government comes first. Kiwis can trust that the Government will continue to serve its people; delivering on its promises, and making progress in tackling the long-term challenges facing New Zealand.

The Prime Minister has also made clear that it’s not just what we do – it’s how we do it. We’re going to be upbeat as we always are, because we know you prefer positive politics to bickering and negativity. We’ll be telling the truth, both about what we’ve achieved so far, and the work ahead of us. And we’ve committed to Facebook’s transparency rules, so you can learn more about how we’re communicating with people online.

There’s still plenty of mahi to do in the electorates as well. You can trust that I will continue with integrity; wearing my values on my sleeve, staying in touch with local people and local issues, and fighting hard for the things that matter to us here.

Because with a boss like mine, who leads by example every day, whether here at home or on the world stage, no other style of politics will cut it.

-Marja Lubeck