SpeechSTEPH LEWIS (Labour—Whanganui): Thank you Madam Speaker. Earlier today we heard the Prime Minister note how over the last two years we've seen our communities draw together to meet the challenges of COVID-19. Over that time we've heard many heart-warming stories shared from people across the communities who have come together to support one another. But there's one that stands out in my mind from the last 12 months and that is as a young mother hearing about the millions of Kiwis who have come forward to be vaccinated. So I want to begin my contribution today by acknowledging all those individuals who've come forward and been vaccinated. I thank you. I also want to sincerely thank our front-line health workers who have worked tirelessly at the coalface right throughout every stage of this pandemic.I have a three-year-old daughter. She's too young to be vaccinated and in a few short months my family of three is going to become a family of four when we welcome baby number two. As a mum throughout this pandemic my primary consideration has been: what can I do to protect my daughter and now my unborn baby? I've spoken to mums and dads right across my electorate in Whanganui who are equally as anxious about what they can do to keep their tamariki safe. That is why I want to acknowledge the millions of Kiwis who have been vaccinated. Because whether they know it or not they are helping us mums and dads to keep our babies safe. Whether they know it or not they're also helping hundreds of thousands of Kiwi families across Aotearoa to protect the vulnerable and at-risk members of their families.On Saturday my husband and I joined the over 1.6 million Kiwis who've gone out and got their booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. I got mine because I know from looking at overseas research that as a pregnant wahine this is the best way that I can protect myself and my unborn baby. It's the best way I can protect my three-year-old daughter. And it's the best tool I have to protect those in my electorate who I talk to who are at higher risk. It's a weight of responsibility that I feel heavily.Vaccination is also the best tool that we have collectively to ensure that our health system is not overrun by this virus. And while COVID has featured heavily on the agenda over the last few years our Government has continued to tackle the big issues head-on. We've been following our plan to protect jobs and that is that the best economic response is a strong health response. By putting health first we've not only saved lives but we've saved livelihoods investing $22.9 billion in the wage subsidy scheme resurgence support payment and Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme. We've invested in critical infrastructure projects which have contributed towards our goal of becoming a high-wage low-carbon economy.In my electorate we've been able to grow jobs through investment and the Whanganui Port revitalisation. Over the summer break it's been wonderful watching the progress of the repair of the North Mole. We're grateful for investment in our Sarjeant Gallery the Hāwera civic hub and the investment in the development of green hydrogen by Hiringa Energy. A large part of the Whanganui electorate is rural and we know that rural towns face barriers to accessing healthcare that those in urban centres don't face. We've seen firsthand how waiting times can vary depending on what district health board you're in. The healthcare you get in the 21st century should not depend on where you live. That's why I am proud of the health reforms that we will deliver that will be a genuinely national health service for all New Zealanders so the people in my electorate can get access to the same level of healthcare that their friends and family in the cities receive.Housing is another long-term challenge that we've inherited and I'm pleased to say that we're seeing progress on that front in my electorate as well seeing over 17 houses being built and more due to be completed at the end of this first quarter and another 30 units scheduled for the near future. I'm proud to be part of this team that is putting people first during this pandemic.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): I call Karen Chhour—five minutes.