Cameron's Column
Most of our local schools in Upper Harbour have been crying out for more learning support, greater access to professionals, and more teacher aides.
Thanks to Budget 2025, our Government is now delivering the most significant investment in learning support in a generation.
This includes substantial annual increases to teacher aide hours, Learning Support Co-ordinators for all schools with Year 1-8 students, expanding early intervention services, and an historic overhaul of the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS). The well-received changes to the ORS funding model will ensure that all demand is met with guaranteed funding. All ORS students with high and complex needs will finally receive the support they need.
“Parents across the country should know - if your child needs extra help, they're going to get it," declared Minister of Education Hon Erica Stanford on Budget Day.
The Minister is a good friend of Upper Harbour’s (and neighbour). She recently turned the sod on a brand-new school at Red Hills, near Westgate, as well as announcing an additional block of 10 classrooms for Scott Point School. Both local investments are due to be open for Term 1 2027.
For more information on our Government’s record learning support package, please visit: www.education.govt.nz/budget-2025
It’s been a very busy first half of my first term, accelerated by the fact I was made chair of the Finance and Expenditure select committee in January.
My member’s bill to make lifejackets mandatory for children on small boats was drawn from the ballot and is now tracking through Parliament. What’s more, this week National’s caucus supported my second member’s bill going into the ballot – this time to reduce the number of local boards in Auckland from 21 to 15.
Keep warm and well this winter!
Cameron
Minister attends local Principals’ Forum
Upper Harbour is very fortunate to have a great team of local school principals. Almost all met with Education Minister Erica Stanford at my office on 9 May providing some solid updates and a lot of practical feedback for our Minister of Education.
… And guest speaker for Brigham breakfast
It was Breakfast at the Brigham! Upper Harbour's Business Club hosted the outstanding Hon Erica Stanford who delivered a brilliant speech and Q&A.
Budget 2025: Investment Boost and KiwiSaver
All Upper Harbour businesses now qualify for National's Investment Boost. When you purchase a new asset - large or small - you get 20% of its cost off your taxable income! This policy is going down very well with local businesses.
National is also lifting the KiwiSaver employer and employee default contributions from 3% to 4%, enabling 16 and 17-year-olds to get both employer and government contributions, and for those earning over $180,000, we've axed the government contribution. Labour and Greens voted against all!
Youth Advisory Board meets
Upper Harbour's Youth Advisory Panel met in the electorate office recently. There were great discussions on advancing a survey, hosting a public meeting, and helping to inform our awesome Youth MP and chair, Harveer Talwar, of youth issues before he heads to Parliament in July. Thanks to regional policy guru, Shelley Pilkington.
Out and about
Upper Waitematā Marine Centre going up
The Upper Waitematā Marine Centre is taking shape, with its opening scheduled for early 2026. This will be a wonderful community facility at Hobsonville Point's Catalina Bay thanks to many contributors and its trustees. www.uwmc.org.nz
Ismaili Muslim representatives present t-shirt
Friends from the Albany-based Ismaili Muslim community presented me with a very cool framed t-shirt to mark the upcoming 2025 Global Encounters Festival. Hosted in Dubai this July, it will bring together Ismaili athletes, artists, and leaders as a celebration of creativity, culture, and unity, including 30 Kiwi Ismaili artists and athletes.
Supporting the Salvation Army
Cameron recently joined local Salvation Army Auxiliary Captain, Ian Wells for this year's Red Shield street appeal. The work the Sallies do locally from their revamped Westgate headquarters on Don Buck Road is considerable.
Newsflashes!
Member’s bill now in the ballot
My Local Government (Auckland Council) (Alignment of Local Boards) Amendment Bill is now in the Member’s ballot.
It will reduce the number of local boards from 21 to 15, effectively actioning the work by Auckland Council’s Joint Governance Working Group's ‘Local Board Reorganisation Plan – next steps’ report. It was sadly, however, voted down by a majority of councillors last year, despite the potential efficiencies estimated at $6.9m per annum.
My Member’s Bill would amend section 10 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 to set a statutory cap on board numbers at 15. Importantly, it allows for the continued successful use of subdivisions and for the council to still ultimately decide the number of board members at between five to 12.
Currently, Auckland has 21 local board areas but 13 councillor ward areas. My bill would see 13 local boards aligned with the 13 existing council wards, plus two additional boards for the unique needs of Waiheke and Great Barrier islands.
It supports National’s mandate to achieve efficiencies, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, while ensuring strong local representation. It now just needs to get drawn!!
King acknowledges local luminary
Congratulations to our own Linda Cooper for recently receiving her MNZM for services to the community. We are super proud of Linda for her long and ongoing contribution in the West.
Pictured here with Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, at her investiture at Auckland's Government House, Linda was joined by her mother, husband, and three daughters.
Upcoming events
Meet your MP – Tuesday 10 June
If you have any issues or feedback you would like to discuss with your local MP, he will be at these locations on Tuesday 10 June. No appointment is needed!
If these times don’t suit you, you can make an appointment with the office. We look forward to meeting you!
SuperBlues with Greg Fleming MP – Monday 23 June at 10.00am
Monday, 23 June, 10.00am
The Hobsonville Bowling Club
$10 Entry Fee
RSVPs to Lesley Monk: upperharbour@national.org.nz
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If you live in Upper Harbour and require assistance, contact my office on:
P: (09) 416 3249
A: Unit 15/102c Hobsonville Rd
Office Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm or by appointment