Industry in the spotlight 

As the face of industry revitalisation, Shane Jones has been copping some flack from the "lefty luddites" again over the past week. When it comes to progressing the economic interests of New Zealand though, you can be certain that he won’t be deterred from his mission. 

“We've reached tipping point in relation to this green hysteria. We've reached tipping point in respect of this religious piety that riddles our public discourse because people are too afraid they're going to be cancelled, they're going to be shouted down. Well let me tell you, these green frogs have met their match in me”. – Shane Jones 

Over the weekend Shane announced the Government’s intention to repeal the ban on oil and gas exploration in New Zealand. With rapidly declining natural gas reserves, our country’s energy resilience is waning and Shane is spear heading the Government’s move to rectify this as soon as possible. 

The Coalition Government is proposing further changes to re-establish New Zealand as an attractive and secure destination for international investment, and we cannot ignore the significant economic contributions the petroleum and resources sector delivers. 

To hear directly from Shane, you can listen to his interviews with TV1 Breakfast, The Platform or Newstalk ZB from earlier today. 

“Do you want to be lead by the lotus eaters, or do you want a hard-headed, economically pragmatic view? Our country is a 'garden of Eden'. We're not living in a climatic purgatory put around by the green sisterhood, and Kiwis have got a clear choice over the last 72 hours; which way do you want to turn?” – Shane Jones 

Still talking money 

Post-budget coverage continues as we celebrate the New Zealand First commitments that were announced. And if you missed it, party leader Winston Peters speaking in the house on budget day is an absolute must-see. 

New Zealand First will always advocate for equal citizenship and true democracy, and we will not kowtow to the ramblings of other parties in parliament who don’t even turn up to hear details of the very topic they are protesting against. 

You can find the replay of Winston’s speech here.

Fieldays on the horizon 

“The 2024 Field Days is another stellar opportunity to showcase all areas of New Zealand’s first-class rural sector. New Zealand First recognises the critical role of a thriving primary sector as the engine room of New Zealand’s economy.  Of special interest to me is reviving our nation’s strong wool sector and I am relishing the task of helping revitalise this iconic kiwi industry” – Mark Patterson. 

• Six months to turn wool around, MP  

So passionate is our resident agriculture MP about wool, he got on the tools over the weekend and spun a few yarns of a different kind. Mark loves being out and about in the community talking all things rural and grass roots.

Mark and the New Zealand First team look forward to seeing you at Fieldays this week. Make sure you stop in at the New Zealand First stall to hear the latest updates on what we have been achieving in Wellington for provincial New Zealand.