Waitaki MP Miles Anderson shared breakfast and a range of long-standing local concerns with Wānaka business owners yesterday morning (Monday April 29), followed by a chat with the Wānaka App.

Miles told the Wānaka App the biggest adjustment he’s facing now (just six months into the job) is “getting used” to parliament. He has plans for a Wānaka electorate office in Spencer House Mall, which he hopes will be open by June.

But while he’s getting used to the new routine, there are thorny issues waiting for his attention. 

Attendees at the Wānaka Business Chamber breakfast raised issues around infrastructure funding, immigration and employment needs, the lack of vehicle licensing facilities, and access to health services.

Wānaka is the largest community in the Waitaki electorate, Miles said, and he’s surprised at some of the gaps in service here.

Public/private health partnerships 

Miles was unable to attend a meeting in Wānaka last month which raised concerns about health services in the Upper Clutha, but ironically the same day (March 20) he met with health minister Dr Shane Reti in Wellington, along with Queenstown Lakes major Glyn Lewers, Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan, NZ First list MP Mark Patterson, and Southland MP Joseph Mooney. 

The group has been working on a public/private partnership proposal which will, if approved, “address the bulk of all the health issues” in the district, Miles said.

“Because it’s not about building a big building, it’s about utilising everything that’s here,” he said, adding that, for example, maternity services could take place in Wānaka, surgery in Clyde, and renal services in Naseby - using existing staff.

Joseph Mooney has been leading the project with the help of Queenstown business management consultant Helen Foot.

The group has another meeting with Shane Reti next month, to supply more details on the project first presented in March. He said the group has not been working with Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora.

“If the minister approves it he’ll take it to the health authorities,” Miles said. 

“We want the concept to be approved by September/October.”

Miles said the pressing issue for Wānaka of after hours care (which currently is supplied by local GPs only until 11pm) is an issue faced by other communities in the Waitaki electorate.

However, he said: “I think it’s ridiculous an area as large as this has to funnel toward Dunedin or Invercargill to get the health services that people get a lot easier in other centres.”

Miles told the Wānaka App he would apply pressure on Te Whatu Ora to its commitment made at the Wānaka health meeting to extend after hours care here by winter.

“But I don’t know where they’re going to magic up GPs from - that’s the problem.”

PHOTO: Wānaka App