With the first two months of 2025 now behind us, I hope you have had a chance to enjoy the summer and sunshine as the colder months loom ahead. This year is all about going for growth, and I'm proud to be part of a Government taking real action to grow the economy and reduce the cost-of-living for Kiwis, and I remain community-focused as your local MP.
The Reserve Bank recently reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by another 50 basis points, demonstrating that our Government has New Zealand heading in a positive direction, with inflation firmly under control. The OCR has now fallen 1.75 points since August last year to 3.75 per cent, and the Reserve Bank expects further reductions as the year goes on. Falling interest rates mean real relief for Kiwis with mortgages, while business and consumer confidence are also trending upwards with employment expected to pick up over the coming months.
It’s good to see inflation and interest rates coming down, but there is more work to do. Our Government is working hard to strengthen the economy so we can reduce the cost of living and keep inflation under 3 per cent. To keep up-to-date with the latest news from our Government, visit the Beehive website at www.beehive.govt.nz.
Ministerial Update - Health and Auckland
This week, I made some major announcements as Health Minister to make it easier for New Zealanders to see a doctor or other health professional. Many Kiwis are finding it too hard to get an appointment with their GP, which puts pressure on our emergency departments. Our government is committed to ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare for all, with this week's announcements including:
- 100 clinical placements for overseas-trained doctors to work in primary care.
- An increase in the number of training placements for doctors at medical schools by a further 25 each year, totaling an extra 100 since we took office.
- Up to 50 NZ-trained graduate doctors a year to train in primary care settings.
- Incentives for primary care to recruit up to 400 graduate registered nurses per year for three years.
- A new 24/7 digital service for all New Zealanders to be able to access online medical appointments.
- Health NZ providing a $285 million uplift for general practice over the next three years.
As Minister for Auckland, I was pleased to join my successor as Transport Minister, Chris Bishop, in announcing $200 million of new funding for the City Rail Link (CRL) project to remove level crossings in Takanini. This work is in preparation for an expected uptick in train services once the CRL opens next year, which will boost Auckland's productivity and public transport options. The removal of these level crossings will also help reduce congestion and enable Aucklanders to get where they want to go, quickly and safely.
You can read more about my work as a Minister by checking my recent press releases on the Beehive website.
Highland Park Pak'nSave Opening
The new Pak'nSave at Highland Park opened its doors last week, something I know local Pakuranga and Howick residents have been waiting patiently for. It will provide greater competition in our local grocery shopping, 250+ jobs for East Auckland, and a new retail space that will reinvigorate the surrounding community. You may have seen the news of some challenges faced between Foodstuffs and Watercare that threatened to delay the opening, but I was pleased to help facilitate a meeting alongside local Councillor Maurice Williamson that saw the two parties reach a deal to ensure everything could move forward as planned.
Congratulations to all involved in our community's newest supermarket!
Pakuranga Pizza & Policy
On Thursday 20 March the Pakuranga National Party will be hosting a Pizza & Policy evening for local members to discuss policy ideas, alongside my good friend and colleague Rima Nakhle, MP for Takanini. We hold such events on a regular basis in Pakuranga to seek a wide range of opinions in major policy areas and ensure we are best representing the interests of our community, while making positive decisions for New Zealand.
If you would like to attend, you will need to be a member of the National Party. If you aren't already a member but would like to learn more and sign up, information on membership can be found in the next section. There is also a small fee of $10 collected at the door, to help cover the cost of pizza and light refreshments.
Once you have signed up, or if you are already a member and would like to attend this Pizza & Policy evening, please email us at pakuranga@national.org.nz to RSVP for the full event details. We hope to see you there!
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