Meager Matters

05 May 2025

Welcome to my May Newsletter.

I'm writing this month's newsletter fresh from attending the Mainland Conference in Dunedin. The theme of this year’s gathering was strongly focused on economic growth. I had the opportunity to speak about unlocking the South Island’s potential as part of these discussions, particularly timely as we look ahead to the upcoming Growth Budget announcement later this month.


There were plenty of constructive conversations about policy, investment, and the future of our regions. It’s clear there’s a strong appetite for bold thinking and real progress, especially when it comes to driving regional development.  This supports the Governments agenda, and the key items for The Growth Budget, to get the economy growing, improve the cost of living, restore law and order, and invest a sensible public service spending.


While in the South, I also had the chance to join NZ Fish and Game and spent the early morning at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands for the opening day of the game bird hunting season. It’s a stunning part of the country, and we had a successful morning in the maimai. But for me, this wasn’t just about recreation, it’s about sustainably harvesting food, teaching the next generation essential skills, and playing a part in responsible game bird management. It’s another way we stay connected to the land and to each other.


The Government has made a series of important new education announcements that demonstrate our commitment to lifting student achievement and supporting those who educate our young people. One initiative is the introduction of a new digital Parent Portal that will provide parents with a breakdown of each school year’s curriculum in reading, writing and maths.


It will include easy-to-use practical resources, tools and activities, so parents can support their child's learning at home.  We're also taking financial pressure off teachers by covering the cost of annual teacher registration fees and practising certificates, recognising the value they bring to our communities and reducing unnecessary barriers for those entering or staying in the profession.


We're also taking bold steps to close the equity gap across the education system and ensure every student has access to quality learning, no matter where they live. Financial education will be introduced in all schools, giving young New Zealanders practical life skills to navigate the future with confidence. We’re backing a strong focus on lifting literacy and numeracy, setting higher expectations, and investing in targeted support to raise achievement across the board.


On top of that, new infrastructure investments are underway to upgrade and expand schools where it's needed most, ensuring that our growing communities have modern, fit-for-purpose learning environments. These changes are about delivering better outcomes for every learner and investing in our young people for a better future for all Kiwis.

Photo: James and Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education


Recent Key Announcements

Backing teachers: Teacher registrations funded: The Government is backing New Zealand's teaching workforce by funding teacher registrations and practising certificates, acknowledging the vital role educators play in driving positive change in classrooms (Beehive PR)

Women’s Refuge receives funding boost: Women’s Refuge is the latest recipient of the Government’s Mental Health and Addiction Innovation Fund (Beehive PR)

Accelerating building projects with self-certification and inspection targets: The Government has agreed on a new scheme allowing trusted builders to sign off their own work and will set a mandatory target to tackle building inspection wait times (Beehive PR)

Health Infrastructure Plan released: New Zealand’s first-ever Health Infrastructure Plan sets out a national, long-term approach to renewing and expanding the country’s public health facilities (Beehive PR)

Government surpasses violent crime reduction target: New data shows Kiwis are becoming safer with the Government tracking ahead of its violent crime reduction target (Beehive PR)

Tourism turbocharge takes New Zealand to the world: A major drive boosting New Zealand as an international travel destination will kick off with a $13.5 million turbocharge for global marketing activity (Beehive PR)

A better path for apprentices and trainees: The Government is making changes to work-based learning so that industries have more influence over how they train apprentices and trainees (Beehive PR)

New partnerships for social housing: The Government is on track to deliver the 1,500 social homes funded through Budget 2024 and has confirmed strategic partnerships with five Community Housing Providers (Beehive PR)

Medicines funding boost: Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are set to benefit following the Government’s funding boost to Pharmac (Beehive PR)

Moves to improve freshwater farm plans: The Government is delivering on its commitment to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable (Beehive PR)

Backing NZ wool producers: The Government is backing New Zealand sheep farmers and the wool industry with a change to government procurement rules (Beehive PR)

More former defence personnel to be recognised as veterans: The Government will introduce legislation to recognise more former soldiers, sailors and aviators as veterans (Beehive PR)

Developing a new Action Plan for unpaid carers: The Government is taking action to better support unpaid and informal carers (Beehive PR)

If you are interested here is a link to read the PR Releases relating to my Ministerial portfolios.

 

Upcoming events

5-11 May NZ Sign Language Week

8 May Positive Aging Expo, Caroline Bay Hall Timaru

14 May MyNextMove Expo, Timaru

15 May Empowering Women Conference, Timaru

12-19 May Road Safety Week

16 May South Canterbury Sports & Recreation Awards

17 May Mid Canterbury Sports & Recreation Awards

19-25 May Youth Week

22 May Budget Day

30 May-1 Jun EA Networks Glow in the Park 2025, Ashburton

Visit the following sites for more information on events happening in our region:


Highlights

This year on ANZAC Day we once again gathered in remembrance and gratitude. Across our communities, from dawn parades to quiet moments of reflection, we paused to honour the courage and sacrifice of all those who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force. ANZAC Day remains a powerful opportunity to connect with our history, our values, and the shared legacy of service that continues to shape our nation.

 

I had the privilege of attending services across Mid Canterbury this year, alternating between Mid and South Canterbury every two years. It was humbling to stand alongside veterans, families, and communities in honour of those who gave so much. These gatherings reminded me not only of the cost of freedom but of the deep connection we all share to those who serve. To all veterans in Rangitata and across New Zealand, thank you: Lest we forget.

Photo: Ashburton Dawn Service


I was privileged to join the Methven community to celebrate 100 years of education at Mt Hutt College. Mid Canterbury welcomed back hundreds of old boys and girls who attended Methven District High School, Methven High School, and Mt Hutt College over the past 100 years. Included in the celebration were 102-year-old Molly Middleton who joined the youngest students at Mt Hutt College to officially cut the centenary cake, an amazing 90-year age gap between the oldest and youngest cake-cutters.


We finished the day by planting a matai tree seedling in the school grounds. Sourced from Rakaia Island, it is said to have acted as a way-finder for many explorers and travellers in the past. The hope is this too will act as a way-finder for future Methven students over the next 100 years. The day reinforced my belief that education is the great leveller, that no matter your background, with a high-quality education and strong mentors, every child has the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

Photo: Mt Hutt College


Ironically on a wet and cloudy Mid Canterbury day I proudly opened the Lauriston Solar Farm. This project is a joint venture partnership between Genesis and FRV Australia. To date it is the largest operational solar farm in New Zealand. It consists of around 90,000 solar panels installed on land leased from a local farming family, the panels sharing the land with grazing livestock The panels can generate up to 100,000 MWh of electricity per year, enough to power around 13,000 households. We’ve farmed the sun for generations, turning sunlight into green grass, now we’re turning it into green energy as well. Well done to the team leading this project.


Finally, it was a pleasure to welcome Vanessa Weenink, MP for Banks Peninsula to the electorate as guest speaker at the Mid Canterbury Lunch Club. We enjoyed great conversation about the economy, education, and recent Government announcements. Vanessa is doing great work in Banks Peninsula, and now has a big community clean up ahead from the recent floods. Vanessa is a trained doctor and serviced in the New Zealand Army and Territorials, including deployments to Afghanistan and East Timor. Vanessa’s unique expertise makes her exceptionally well-equipped to support and guide the community through this challenging time.

Photo: James with Nicola Toki (Forest & Bird), and Vanessa Weenink, MP for Banks Peninsula


Recent interviews


Contact the team

Any issues or feedback to do with my portfolio areas, contact my ministerial team at j.meager@ministers.govt.nz
If you need help with a local electorate issue (Mid Canterbury or South Canterbury) contact my electorate offices at james.meagerMP@parliament.govt.nz


Call: South Canterbury 03 683 2009 or Mid Canterbury 03 307 1729.

Drop in: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm.

 

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