In the House with Carl
The Budget Debate is one of Parliament's most significant annual debates, taking place after the Budget is delivered. This debate concluded at the end of the last sitting week, and I was given the opportunity to speak during it. You can watch excerpts from my contribution to the debate here:
There has been plenty of positive feedback since the Budget. A significant amount of this has focused on Investment Boost. Manufacturers, farmers, contractors and even the owners of an Early Childhood Education Centre have told me of their plans to invest in their businesses thanks to Investment Boost. At Fieldays last week, the response was really positive. The feedback reflected how appreciative farmers are that the National-led Government is working hard for them.
This week Parliament has held its first Scrutiny Week of 2025. I have been chairing the Education and Workforce Committee meetings where we have questioned Ministers and their officials about their estimates – in order words the Government’s spending plans for the upcoming financial year.
Around and about the electorate
Great news for the people of Pātea! It has just been confirmed that building for the cell site will commence in November 2025. It will bring significantly improved mobile connectivity to the town. Mayor Phil Nixon and I have advocated strongly for this with OneNZ Ltd and we are delighted that Pātea will finally have reliable mobile coverage.
In Budget 2025, extensions to after-hours services for Hāwera were confirmed. Health Minister Simeon Brown toured the hospital the following week and met local health professionals. In June, I also had the privilege of speaking at the opening of Living Waters Medical’s Whanganui East campus in the former All Saints Church building. It is great that Whanganui East residents once again have a primary healthcare provider on their side of the Whanganui River.
Another recent collaboration in the city is Whanganui Montessori Preschool who have moved into the former St Anne’s Catholic Church in Whanganui. The children now have a bright, spacious environment with a beautiful stained-glass window. Over the last month my school visits have also continued, with Faith City School, Castlecliff School (where I presented Duffy Books) and Cullinane College among them.
Schools are excited with the Government’s investment in high quality hands-on science kits to encourage Year 0 to 8 children to love learning about science. Teachers and parents have also been pleased with the extension of Early Intervention Services, extending support from ECE to the end of Year 1 at school.
The sporting highlight of the month had to be the NBL Basketball match between the Manawatu Jets and Southland Sharks at the TSB Hub in Hāwera. South Taranaki District Council offered the venue when Palmy’s stadium was double-booked, and it was a fantastic night of entertainment which was also broadcast live around New Zealand on Sky TV. Well done to Mayor Phil and his team.
Lastly, my colleague Suze Redmayne and I had a very informative visit to Whanganui Prison where we met with management and staff. As we roll out policies to keep New Zealanders safe and to make offenders responsible for their actions it was useful to talk with Corrections staff and to show appreciation for the professional way they do a difficult but important job.
Delivering for you
The National-led Government has worked at pace since Budget 2025 with numerous policy announcements. Here is a selection:
- Legislation to ban large-scale farm-to-forestry conversions has been introduced, backdated to 9 December 2024
- Public consultation is open on an overhaul of primary sector regulation and of the national freshwater direction
- The Parent Boost Visa, available from September 2025, will grant the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents multi-entry access for up to five years, provided they meet specific health, income, and insurance requirements
- Kāinga Ora has announced that from next month, a new supplier agreement will deliver New Zealand wool carpets for the fit-out of new state homes
- Five Whanganui events have received funding totaling $115,500 from the Regional Events Promotion Fund, helping them to bring more visitors to Whanganui and boost domestic tourism
Over recent months it has been a real privilege to work with my National Party colleagues on the Justice Select Committee as we heard from submitters on the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill. Through the Select Committee process a number of changes were identified and accepted. An improved Bill has now been presented back to the House where it will pass through its remaining stages.
Coming Events
- Fri 20/6 - Matariki/Puanga observance in Ohakune
- Sat 21/6 - Nukumaru/Pakaraka Neighbourhood Support Group Midwinter Christmas Dinner and auction
- Sat 28/6 - Prospero Market – Stratford – come and see me between 10am and 1pm
- Tues 1/7 and Weds 2/7 - Youth Parliament 2025
- Sat 5/7 - Te Mana Atatū Māori Business Awards - Whanganui
Links to recent news items
- Rates relief will help our seniors – River City Press (Page 13)
- Budget brings good news for South Taranaki - Pātea-Waverley Press (June 2025, Page 5)
- New cell tower set to improve coverage in Pātea - Taranaki Daily News
- Whanganui Police welcome legislation on new powers to deter street racers – Whanganui Chronicle
It is a real privilege to represent the Whanganui Electorate in Parliament, and I look forward to supporting my Youth MP Taiko as he takes part in the 2025 Youth Parliament.
Winter is here, so keep warm!