john --

It's been a busy fortnight in and out of Parliament.

I've been concerned by more indicators that New Zealand's economy is going backwards, with Stats NZ confirming economic output is performing worse than forecast, having shrunk in the last three months of 2022. Meanwhile our current account deficit is the worst it's been in more than 30 years, showing we're not paying our way in the world and prompting international credit agency Standard and Poors to note their concerns. It's clear that now, more than ever, New Zealand needs a Government focused on economic management and growth. That's what a National Government will bring.

I've been enjoying getting out and about in Ōhāriu, doorknocking and catching up with locals. I'm determined to run a highly-visible and high-energy local campaign and I'd love your help. If you can attend our fundraiser please do or else click here to volunteer other support.

Read on for updates on my work inside and outside of Parliament.

Ōhāriu fundraiser

On Wednesday 5th April I will be hosting a dinner alongside National Party Leader Christopher Luxon. We want to change the Government this year and turn Ōhāriu blue and we need your help. Further details are above.

If you are interested in coming along, you can email [email protected]

Tax calculator

Our new tax calculator, launched this week, shows how much more income Kiwis would get under a National Government and how much they are putting at risk with a Labour one.

National knows Kiwis are paying too much tax – and our tax calculator shows just how much extra money they would have in their back pockets if National is elected this year. Try it for yourself below:

FamilyBoost policy

This is Vijay, an Uber driver I had in Auckland a few weeks ago. Vijay is a hardworking Dad who will be welcoming a second baby in September. He was so delighted to hear about National's Family Boost policy to help with childcare costs - he literally fist-pumped when I told him it was worth $75 a week… rest assured, his other hand remained on the steering wheel!

National's new policy will make a difference to Vijay's family and to so many other Kiwis working hard to get ahead and give their kids a great start in life. I'm wishing Vijay and his wife all the very best for their expanded family. National is backing you to succeed.

You can read more about National's FamilyBoost tax rebate here:

Question Time - Stuart Nash

While Christopher Luxon was sick with COVID last week, I got the chance to ask Labour why Stuart Nash remained in Cabinet. The PM has shown he’s not only soft on crime, he’s soft on Ministers too. Watch my question in the house below:

Teacher strike

I know some parents would have been feeling torn last week: frustrated by another day off school for your kids but also keen to see teachers valued properly.

I received an email from a teacher outlining his concern about where precious education dollars are ending up.

The writer detailed two especially startling observations in his attached letter:

First, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has expanded dramatically.

The number of staff working there has multiplied ten-fold since 1989. Since that time, not only has the number of schools reduced, there have also been legal changes that were meant to devolve management responsibilities away from central Government and onto school boards.

Meanwhile, staff recruited to work at the Ministry are typically being paid much better than frontline teachers. By one measure, salaries at MOE average around $140k per annum -vastly more than the average teacher.

It makes you think.

National is committed to focusing education resources where they can make the greatest difference in lifting student achievement. We will reduce back room bureaucracy so we can prioritise teachers on the front line in our classrooms.

Health Public Meeting with Dr Shane Reti

Join us for a public meeting to discuss your views on hospital and other health services in Wellington. We’re looking forward to sharing our plans to reduce waiting times, better support front line staff and to reduce backroom bureaucracy. We’d love to see you there.

When: Wednesday 22nd March, 7:00pm

Where: The Village Church, 33 Ganges Road, Khandallah

Auckland Chamber of Commerce

I really enjoyed catching up with Simon Bridges at the Auckland Business Chamber a few weeks ago.

We talked about issues facing Auckland’s small and medium businesses including worker shortages, cost pressures, the need for resilient infrastructure and ongoing flood and cyclone recovery efforts.

Can you help in Ōhāriu?

I am getting stuck in as National's candidate in Ōhāriu, with campaigning already well underway. It was great to do some doorknocking in Newlands over the week.

If you want to volunteer on my campaign, help change the Government and help turn Ōhāriu blue, then click the link below:

Upcoming events

If you wish to come along to any of the below events, please let me know.

22 March 2023: Health Public meeting with Shane Reti, 7pm, The Village Church, Khandallah. 

5 April 2023: Ōhāriu fundraising dinner with Christopher Luxon, 1841 Bar & Restaurant, Johnsonville. 

20 April 2023: Wellington Metro Superblues with Chris Bishop, Wilton Bowling Club, 122 Wilton Road, Wilton.

If you have any issues you think I may be able to support you with in my role as a List MP, or have ideas on where we can improve as a city, I would love to hear from you.

I’m continuing to enjoy getting out and about in the Ōhāriu community and I’m always keen to be involved in local events. If you know of any local community events I should attend, please do not hesitate to let me know.

In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you.

Kind regards

Nicola Willis