Hi John, here’s your August update.
A reminder: TOMORROW you can join Rima Nahkle (MP for Takanini) and me for our
annual 'Soup and buns' lunch in Waikanae:
* 12pm
* Waikanae Baptist Church, Te Moana Road
* $20 to cover venue and a 'soup and buns' lunch
IN THIS MONTHS UPDATE:
* New electorate boundaries
* NCEA changes
* In the news
* Ō2NL contracts signed
* Cost of living update
* Local events
* Join us for lunch
* Upcoming events
NEW ELECTORATE BOUNDARIES
Welcome to the Kāpiti Electorate!
The short answer is, there are no changes in the final boundaries from what the
draft boundaries proposed. If you live in the Horowhenua Council area, then
you'll become part of the Rangitikei Electorate. If you live in the Kāpiti
Council area, or as far south as Whitby, then you'll be part of the Kāpiti
Electorate. That means Ōtaki, Te Horo, Peka Peka, Waikanae, Paraparaumu,
Raumati, Paekākāriki, Pukerua Bay, Plimmerton, Paremata, Camborne, Pāuatahanui
and Whitby.
I already work across this whole area as the buddy MP for the Mana Electorate,
so no real change for me, but the Kāpiti Electorate is where I live, and this is
where I'll be staying and offering to keep serving as MP come the election next
year.
WHAT DO THE BOUNDARY CHANGES MEAN FOR YOU?
Firstly, I'm still the MP for Ōtaki until the election so I'll still be working
across Kāpiti and Horowhenua, and both my offices remain open for another year.
Secondly, I need to rebuild a team to work with me in the new electorate. That
means supporters, volunteers, people to take me to their business, their
community group, their school. I need fences to put signs on (next year) and I
need the chance to meet lots of people.
So if you live in, or know anyone in, the new Kāpiti Electorate, I'd love to
hear from you. Please reply to this email and let's connect.
NCEA CHANGES
As a dad, I've wanted to see change at NCEA for years. And here it is: we are
proposing to replace NCEA with a new national qualification that ensures young
people have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
I think we want all our kids to receive a world-leading education that sets them
up for life. That’s what NCEA is meant to do, but right now, it’s not doing that
well enough.
Parents like me are highly ambitious for their kids; so are National. We are
proposing to replace NCEA with new national qualification. The national
qualification will be underpinned by a new internationally comparable curriculum
for Years 9–13, bringing structure and consistency clearly outlining what
students should learn in each subject and when.
These changes will help New Zealand students build strong foundations for their
futures, ensuring the next generation have the knowledge and skills they need to
succeed.
The proposal is that these changes would apply to children currently year 8 and
below, but those already at high school would continue
You can read all the details here
[link removed] including some easy-to-read
summaries, and then please HAVE YOUR SAY HERE.
[link removed] We need as many
parents and grandparents as possible to have your say. It only takes a minute so
please take the time,
IN THE NEWS
Here's a few headlines you might have seen:
* Treasury report that around half of Covid money wasn't spent on Covid.
Probably not a surprise to many, but of the $66bn in "Covid spending," about
half did not go to covid, vaccines, health initiatives, MIQ or anything
related. Instead it fuelled inflation, drove up prices, and that's exactly
what we're working on now because of wasteful spending by Labour. They should
be answering for this but they won't.
* Labour won't front at the Covid Inquiry. They were quite happy to have daily
1pm slots at the podium of truth, but they're not even willing to have an
independent panel look at the lessons we can learn from the prolonged
lockdowns, MIQ and vaccination mandates. That's weak. Really weak. Chloe
would call it spineless.
* It's all about Chloe. Don't be mistaken. This weeks theatrics in the House
where, having seen someone else get kicked out, it looked to me like Chloe
kept pushing until she could "happily" get kicked out and then hold a press
conference. She then refused to apologise or listen to the speaker when asked
to leave. This gave her the opportunity to grandstand for a week. In my view,
the goal for Chloe isn't shining a spotlight on the Middle East, it's shining
a spotlight on Chloe.
* Recognising Palestine? We are focussed on peace in the Middle East. We have
called for an immediate end to the fighting, we've imposed travel bans, and
we're calling for immediate delivery of humanitarian aid. There is no
scenario in which I can see us recognising a state run by a terrorist
organisation like Hamas, but I can see the PM laying out a clear pathway to
recognising both states so that a two-state solution is a very real thing.
Ō2NL CONTRACTS SIGNED
NZTA has signed construction contracts with two alliances to build the new Ōtaki
to North of Levin (Ō2NL) Road of National Significance, with construction set to
get underway this spring.
National are committed to delivering safe new roading infrastructure that helps
boost economic growth and productivity, improves resilience, reduces travel
times, and supporting much needed housing. The 24km Ō2NL project is critical for
Kāpiti and Horowhenua and is a step forward for these priorities. Projections
show up to 15-minute travel time savings.
The two alliance teams will each deliver a section of the new highway and
associated works, with Downer, McConnell Dowell, Beca and Tonkin+Taylor focused
south of the Ohau River, and Fulton Hogan, HEB, WSP and Aurecon focused to the
north.
I'm excited to bring you another update soon showing work fully under-way. The
new road is expected to be open to traffic before the end of 2029.
COST OF LIVING UPDATE
I know it’s been tough ever since the high inflation, high interest rates and
big rent and grocery price increases of 2021-23 (if only Labour would front the
inquiry into this!). Since 2024 those price increases have got back to the
target (just over 2% annually, not 7.3%), but that doesn’t unwind the damage
that was done by high inflation in 2022/23. What goes up doesn’t tend to come
back down.
So this is what we’re doing:
* Interest rates have come down more than 2%, which saves the average family
mortgage more than $300 per fortnight. It also makes business loans more
affordable.
* Rents have dropped for the first time since 2009.
* Delivered tax relief, with the average family is $1,560 better off each year.
* Increased the rates rebates for seniors, helping 66,000 Super Gold Card
holders. We’re also focussed on getting rates and rates increases under
control.
* Scrapped the surcharges on paywave and credit card so you pay a little bit
less at the till.
* Increased ‘Working for Families’ and ‘Family Boost’ payments to help those
with kids.
* Cancelled the new petrol taxes Labour had planned; petrol is cheaper now than
2023.
LOCAL EVENTS
Out and about in the electorate this month you may have seen me brave the chilly
ocean temperatures for the Mid-Winter Dip at Waikanae Beach. A few other
highlights were visiting L’Arche (disability support), Postgate and Adventure
schools in Whitby and Pāuatahanui School, the Ōtaki races, Raumati businesses,
and I attended the Little High Tea Soiree, a brilliant event run by the Ōtaki
Kids Market for Wellington On a Plate 2025 at Anam Cara Gardens.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Still plenty to join in at:
* September
* 20 - Levin dessert evening
* October
* 6 - Quiz night, Kāpiti
* Special dinner club fundraiser
* November
* 7 - Super blues morning tea
* 23 - LNI Christmas lunch, Palmerston North
* 29 - Levin Christmas lunch
* Special under 60s drinks fundraiser
* December
* 6 - Kāpiti Food Fair - join us at our stall
That's it for this month.
Best wishes,
[link removed]
www.national.org.nz [link removed]
41 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand
Authorised by Tim Costley, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
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