As March draws to a close and the days get a little shorter, I thought it time to provide a little update on where we are at and what we have done in the beginning of 2025.
Many of you have contacted me recently to discuss policy issues and I am always really happy to provide as much info as possible to set the record straight. There is so much information out there that is not correct or doesn't tell the full story. So please email me if you want to know more about a topic, we can fire out the info to you really quickly. The other thing you can do is see all our actual media releases on the Beehive website - Releases | Beehive.govt.nz
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Don't forget the meeting with Chris Penk - Minister for Building and Construction and focused in on the issues around how long it takes to get a consent, the cost of building and development and how we can get rid of red tape in the construction sector. Please come along, bring a mate and have a yarn. Note the email address to reply to - if you have rsvp'd please email again lindajanebonne@gmail.com - there was a hiccup with the email address previously.
We have more Ministers and MPs visiting over the course of this year and will be inviting you to come along to have a chat.
IN THE ELECTORATE
We are doing all we can to support our farmers and growers. And it was awesome to see the Gold Kiwifruit harvest get underway. It's been a very good season.
Yesterday Tolaga Bay Fire Chief Andrew Shelton and I launched the new First Responder vehicle. Awesome effort from Uāwa
THE PAST FEW BUSY WEEKS
The National-led Government has sent a clear message that New Zealand is open for business, and that message has been received at the first Investment Summit which was a real hit.
Our Prime Minister and Ministers also spent time in India launching a Free Trade Agreement discussion which is now open for consultation - if you have a contribution to make you can send it to https://www.mfat.govt.nz/have-your-say before 15 April 2025.
And today's announcements included this for all who get a pension:
- An inflation adjustment to Superannunation of about $25 per week. Read the release below.
LAST WEEK WE ALSO MADE A RAFT OF HEALTH DECISIONS
- Healthcare boost means seeing a GP, faster: The Government is delivering on its commitment to fix New Zealand’s broken healthcare system by ensuring Kiwis get better access to healthcare. (Beehive PR)
- More locally trained doctors in primary care: Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced further initiatives as part of a package to tackle shortages in general practice and improve access to primary care and health outcomes. (Beehive PR)
- Greater role for nurses in primary care: Boosting our nursing workforce will deliver immediate benefits to people seeking care (Beehive PR)
- Bowel screening changes to save hundreds of lives: The Government has agreed to progressively lower the age of eligibility for bowel cancer screening tests to align with Australia. (Beehive PR)
- Health Minister outlines 5 key health priorities: Health Minister Simeon Brown has released his five key priorities for Health New Zealand in a speech to the BusinessNZ Health Forum in Auckland. (Beehive PR)
Please call in and see us or email us if you have any queries or events you would like us to attend.
73 The Strand, Whakatane
60 Ballance St, Gisborne