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In an exclusive interview with The Indian News, Editor Yugal Parashar spoke with Dr. Carlos Cheung, National Party MP for Mount Roskill, about his journey, challenges, and vision for one of New Zealand’s most diverse electorates.
Reflecting on his two-and-a-half years in Parliament, Dr. Chong described the experience as both rewarding and purposeful. He said his long-held ambition to serve the community has guided his work, allowing him to connect people with resources and introduce initiatives that directly benefit residents. One such effort was a student job fair aimed at helping young people explore career pathways and understand different industries. For Dr. Chong, the role of an MP goes beyond policymaking, it is about creating practical opportunities that improve everyday lives.
Mount Roskill’s diversity, he explained, is both its greatest strength and its biggest challenge. The electorate is home to a wide range of communities, each with distinct needs and expectations. While issues such as cost of living, education, healthcare, and law and order are widely shared, migrant communities often face additional hurdles. These include difficulties in accessing employment and services that are culturally appropriate and accessible.
A key issue Dr. Cheung has been advocating for is improved translation services in healthcare. He pointed out that although many residents can communicate in basic English, complex medical terminology can create confusion and lead to misunderstandings. This, in turn, can affect the quality-of-care patients receive. Strengthening communication within the healthcare system, he argued, is essential to ensuring equitable outcomes for all members of the community.
Economic challenges remain at the forefront of public concern. Rising living costs, inflation, and unemployment continue to place pressure on households, with fuel prices adding to the burden. Dr. Cheung acknowledged these realities but defended the government’s approach, stating that its focus has been on strengthening the economy and supporting job creation over the past two years. He emphasized that while some sectors are struggling, others, particularly in trade are showing growth.
Highlighting international trade as a key area of progress, Dr. Cheung pointed to ongoing work on Free Trade Agreements, including a proposed agreement with India. He described India as a vast and promising market where even small increases in demand for New Zealand products, such as fruits and aquaculture goods, could have a significant economic impact. He also stressed the importance of diversifying trade relationships to reduce reliance on traditional markets like the United States and China.
At the local level, Dr. Cheung sees strong potential for growth in sectors such as entertainment and hospitality. Events at major venues like Eden Park contribute to increased economic activity, benefiting local businesses, restaurants, and hotels. While acknowledging that some residents have concerns about noise and disruption, he emphasized the need to balance these concerns with the broader economic benefits such events bring to the city and the country.
Law and order continue to be a key focus for the Mount Roskill community. Dr. Cheung noted improvements in youth offending but acknowledged that retail crime and burglaries remain ongoing concerns. To address these issues, the government is exploring measures such as the use of facial recognition technology and granting more authority to store owners to protect their businesses.
Looking ahead, Dr. Cheung identified three priority areas: law and order, education, and healthcare. He stressed that education plays a crucial role in preparing young people to compete in a global environment, while healthcare reforms are needed to reduce waiting times and improve service delivery. These, he said, are essential to building a stronger and more resilient society.
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Despite recent polls that appear unfavourable for his party, Dr. Chong remains confident. He argued that polling often reflects short-term sentiment rather than the long-term impact of policy decisions. Many of the government’s initiatives, he noted, are designed to deliver results over time and may not yet be fully visible to the public.
In his message to constituents, Dr. Chong called for patience, unity, and a collective approach to addressing challenges. He emphasized that progress requires collaboration between government and the community, with a shared focus on long-term goals. New Zealand must be cautious about reducing taxes. He warned that doing so could increase borrowing, raise national debt, and lead to higher interest costs, ultimately slowing economic growth. -as told to
Yugal Parashar
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