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MARTY SHARPE / Things
Napier Port’s Michael de Vos took Judith Collins on a tour of a penguin sanctuary developed by the port.
Methamphetamine, no blue penguins, and friendly talks on the finer points of mechanical engineering.
Judith Collins’ visit to Napier’s electorate began with a meeting with representatives of organizations that deal with the impacts of methamphetamine addiction, after which she announced her party’s methamphetamine policy.
The stories were tragic and sadly familiar. Some of those who spoke were former addicts, another had a son who was addicted.
Collins, his health spokesman Shane Reti, and justice spokesman Simon Bridges listened and asked questions.
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The most interesting exchange, of the entire day actually, was when Collins asked ex-addict Chris Jenkins about what kind of message might prevent someone from trying meth in the first place.
MARTY SHARPE / Things
Judith Collins and former methamphetamine addict Chris Jenkins at Napier.
Jenkins responded, in a polite but concise way, that when children and youth were faced with real trauma at home, they were not actually paying much attention to the messages.
While discussing the subject of the messages, Collins interrogated by the NZ Drug Foundation website would include advice on how to use methamphetamine safely. Jenkins said that if it was a measure that could save someone’s life, it was worth it.
Politicians, except for a few, are always nicer and more agreeable in person. Collins is no different. It’s hard not to care for him.
In a press brief after his meeting with the methamphetamine people, he outlined National’s methamphetamine policy. More detox beds, a disputable $ 50 million harm reduction fund, and more to prevent drugs from entering the country.
MARTY SHARPE / Things
Collins answers one of the many questions asked by dockworker Koru Wilson.
Former Minister of Corrections and Justice, one gets the impression that there isn’t much Collins hasn’t heard about the impact of methamphetamine.
The next step was a visit to the port of Napier, where construction of a new pier is in full swing. A quick tour of a new penguin sanctuary (built by the port for penguins displaced by construction) was a bit disappointing as there were no penguins at home.
There were puddles and mud on the harbor construction site and Collins’ bright blue leather slip-ons got a good hammering. But he was in his element amongst all that heavy machinery and huge steel shafts.
He talked to the workers about all the “great fun” they must have in their “giant Tonka toys all day.”
“Basically, we want to build a lot of infrastructure,” he said, rocking from heels to toes, swinging his arms on either side. He seemed very happy.
MARTY SHARPE / Things
EIT mechanical engineering student Hannah Nelson answers questions from Judith Collins.
It drew a large crowd. It wasn’t until her entourage left that it became clear that she was speaking in the canteen and everyone had arrived because it was lunchtime.
He married head goalkeeper Koru Wilson, who told him he looked much better in person. She was happy about it. “I’d like to bottle you up,” he told her.
Wilson saw an opportunity and spent the next few minutes quizzing her on water quality, learning plans, the loss of young talent in Australia, the Tiwai smelter, and coastal erosion.
She had complete answers for each one, but she may have been less inclined to bottle it up at the end of her visit.
The port visit was followed by a whirlwind tour of the Eastern Institute of Technology, where he engaged in a series of humorous conversations with budding merchants before a leisurely cup of coffee with CEO Chris Collins.
Tomorrow he hits Tukituki (Hastings).
