Dear John 



In this issue:



- Policy update: Delivering More Nurses and Midwives Policy

- Policy update: Getting Back to Farming Policy

- Community Safety

- Erica Stanford Visits Cambridge

- Roundabout at Piarere

- Youth Advisory Board

- Local Events

- Out and About

- Upcoming Engagement Opportunities



National's New Policies



Delivering More Nurses and Midwives



New Zealand is not training enough nurses and midwives to meet demand. Under Labour, almost 19,000 nurses have resigned, many to take up positions overseas.







If elected in October, National will incentivise New Zealanders to train as nurses and midwives, bond them for a period after graduation, and change immigration settings to attract more healthcare workers from overseas.



National would pay up to $22,500 off student loans in the first five years that bonded nurses and midwives remain in the profession. It would also adjust immigration settings and help up to 1000 qualified overseas nurses and midwives with a relocation grant of up to $10,000. See our policy here <[link removed]>.



There is also a critical doctor shortage across the country. A third medical school in New Zealand is becoming an increasingly urgent need and the University of Waikato, with its proximity to one of the largest hospital campuses in the Southern Hemisphere, is the ideal location. 



Waikato Hospital is already a teaching hospital with facilities for learning and research and provides all services except organ transplants.



It makes sense to train more of our talented students in medicine rather than relying on attracting qualified immigrants who then need further training to meet New Zealand-specific requirements. 



My New Zealand Public Health and Disability (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill would see all mothers become eligible to receive a minimum of three days in a postnatal facility after the birth of their child. This is a fundamental first step to improve the health of mothers and children immediately after birth and is part of our focus on the first 1000 days.



Getting Back to Farming







National recently announced its Getting Back to Farming <[link removed]> policy which recognises that farmers should concentrate on what they do best – producing 63 per cent ($41 billion) of New Zealand's goods exports and the majority of dairy, meat, wool and horticulture consumed domestically. 



Growers, farmers and trainers tell me they receive no recognition for what they contribute to the economy, or to improving the environment. Instead, Labour has tied them up in red tape, imposing more than 20 new or adapted rules and regulations since taking office. 



National knows our farmers are innovative and efficient and produce some of the highest-quality and lowest-carbon food and fibre in the world. Our policy is designed to support them conduct their business while meeting our environmental goals.



Community Safety



Unfortunately, more businesses in the Taupō electorate have been the victims of ram raids recently – this time in Putāruru and Taupō. 



Retailers in Cambridge have probably suffered the most in recent years. Additional CCTV cameras have been installed, but the Safer Community Trust is also looking to set up a daytime patrol and is seeking 25–30 community volunteers to work closely with Police. Volunteers would be provided with training and equipped with radios and uniforms.



Contact Kelly Bouzaid at the Cambridge Business Chamber (07) 823 3460 if you would like to help.



Erica Stanford visits Cambridge







National's Spokesperson for Education, Immigration and Associate Ethnic Communities Erica Stanford visited Cambridge recently to talk to principals about the challenges they are facing in the education sector and our Teaching the Basics Brilliantly <[link removed]> policy. 



All agreed that we must focus on getting students back into the classroom and lifting achievement. 



Roundabout at Piarere



Waka Kotahi recently received approval from the Environment Court to build a roundabout slightly northwest of the intersection of SH1 and SH29 at Piarere.



It is a positive step towards reducing the number of deaths and injuries on the notorious Cambridge to Piarere stretch of SH1, and will hopefully reduce the long queues of traffic waiting to turn right from SH29 onto northbound SH1.



This work will take 18 months to complete, but no start date has yet been publicly notified. 



While this is only a sticking plaster for the Waikato Expressway extension to Piarere that Labour cancelled, it is better than nothing.



Local events



Budget Breakfasts



Taupō Post-Budget Business Breakfast, co-hosted by Amplify, Thursday 25 May, 7:30am-9am,Taupo Cosmopolitan Club, 5 Taniwha Street, Taupō



South Waikato Post-Budget Business Breakfast, Friday 26 May, 7:30am-9am, South Waikato Sports and Events Centre, 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa



Youth Advisory Board – Participants Wanted



I'm continuing the Taupō Youth Advisory Board, which brings together young people in the electorate to discuss issues that matter to their peers in our communities, and to find solutions to those issues. 



I am calling for students aged 16–18 in the Taupō electorate to join in. You can register your interest by contacting Jane Matthews at [email protected]



Out and About



ANZAC Day



Photo credit: Michael Jeans



I attended the ANZAC Day dawn service in Tokoroa this year and the Cambridge service later in the morning (pictured above). It is always a special time to remember the fallen and pay tribute to those who have fought for our freedom.



Centenarian



I recently visited Kenneth Hanlon on his 100th birthday (pictured below).



He flew a Lancaster in WWII. He looks back on the war as "a waste of time". He says thousands of people were killed for no benefit – all the promises of a better world were just not achieved.







He says, "Our war was to end all wars but it's been nothing but scraps ever since. Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaya . . . the list goes on and on."



Our conversation ranged over many subjects. Kenneth attributes his longevity to eating vegetables. He was charming, lively and entertaining and had a very sharp wit. He was a real inspiration!



Taupō Winter Festival  30 June – 16 July







The Taupō Winter Festival <[link removed]> was launched last week. There is a fantastic line-up of events <[link removed]> from ice rinks and ice slides to craft, comedy and concerts. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 4 May. 



Coffee Catch Ups



Circus Eatery Leamington  



It was lovely to meet so many new faces at my recent Coffee Catch Ups throughout the electorate and get your feedback on what is concerning you and how we can move New Zealand forward.  



Hydro Eatery Tūrangi



While in Tūrangi it was encouraging to see the progress on the iwi-led Penny Homes development. Already five of the 14 new rental homes have been completed in time for families to get a roof over their heads before winter.







Live with Louise



You can watch my Live with Louise April chat on my Facebook <[link removed]> page. I hold these on the second Tuesday of every month at 8 p.m. (details below).



<[link removed]>



Upcoming engagement opportunities



Facebook Live



Join me online to discuss the issues that currently concern you. My next chat will be: 



Tuesday 9May 8 p.m.



Facebook@louiseupstonmp <[link removed]>



Friendly Forums



My next round of Friendly Forums is in June:



Cambridge: 2 June 2023, Taylor-made Space, Taylor Street, Cambridge



- RSVP to [email protected] (07) 827 5572



Taupō: 9 June 2023, Lake Taupo Rotary Club, 12 Story Place, Taupō



- RSVP to [email protected] (07) 376 5563



South Waikato: 26 June 2023, The Plaza, 50–56 Kensington Street, Putāruru



- RSVP to [email protected] (07) 886 5554



Electorate Assistance



If you need help from my team, please get in touch.



Phone 07 8275572 or email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>



Phone 07 8865554 or email [email protected]



Phone 07 3765563 or email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>



Kind regards,



Hon Louise Upston

<[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]>[link removed]







-=-=-

National Party Taupo - New Zealand

This email was sent to [email protected]. To stop receiving emails: [link removed]

-=-=-



Created with NationBuilder - [link removed]