In the House with Carl

If the success of a government is based on effective policy delivery, the National-led Government will be judged positively. Check out the paragraphs about the visits of Hon Chris Bishop and Barbara Kuriger MP in the Around and about the electorate block. It was really good to be able to demonstrate two examples of recent policy initiatives having a direct and positive impact here in the Whanganui Electorate.    

The triennial Youth Parliament was held at the start of July, with around 140 young people from all over New Zealand taking part. It was with pride that I watched and listened as Taiko Edwards-Haruru, the Whanganui Youth MP, spoke in the General Debate. In a speech which resonated with many, Taiko spoke about some of the issues facing youth today, including mental health issues and youth suicide. Well done Taiko, you brought credit to our community, your whānau, your school and yourself.  

The Education and Workforce Committee recently launched an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online, and how this can be addressed. Whanganui Tech Network held an open forum on the inquiry last week.  You can make an online submission here. 

Around and about the electorate 

Housing Minister Hon Chris Bishop visited the Whanganui Electorate in July and we took him to visit Bremworth Carpets and Rugs. Bremworth recently signed a contract with Kāinga Ora to supply New Zealand wool carpets in new builds, and the Castlecliff plant produces yarns to be used in those carpets. It was fantastic to show Minister Bishop a company benefiting directly from a significant government initiative. 

It gets better; the day before we took Barbara Kuriger to visit Daryl and his team at Sharp As Group in Whanganui, who contract to Open Country Dairy to pick up milk from farms and deliver to the Open Country milk powder plant in Whanganui. As a result of the Investment Boost policy announced in Budget 2025, Daryl has ordered seven Scania cab and chassis units, taking the opportunity to reinvest the tax he will save directly back into Sharp As. 

There’s been a whole range of activity in the electorate. I attended the Nukumaru/Pakaraka Neighbourhood Support Group’s Mid-winter Christmas, the 100th birthday celebrations of the Whanganui Harrier Club, the 10th birthday of Love and Learn Childcare at Hakeke Street Community Centre where Marie is a community superstar, and Taiko and I took part in the Polar Plunge at Castlecliff Beach – check out the video here!

Last week I held a Community Connect in Eltham then visited the Stratford Racing Club and several Stratford businesses. Recent heavy rain brought significant flooding throughout the Whanganui Electorate, especially in the Stratford and South Taranaki Districts. I kept in touch with the three Mayors regarding the situation in their districts. 

Delivering for You 

The National-led Government continues to deliver policies to benefit every New Zealander. Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown recently announced the largest increase ever in funding for GPs. Elective Boost will see an additional 21,000 New Zealanders get the surgery they have been waiting for over the next twelve months, using extra capacity in both the public and private health sectors. 

Law and order remains a huge focus. The Three Strikes policy is now law, as is the restriction on judges applying discounts on sentences. New laws are coming to deal with retail crime, assaults on first responders and coward punches.

Stop Press! 

Baby Bates, Bonnie-Ann Elizabeth arrived on Tuesday night healthy as anything. Bubs came into the world with an extra chromosome – a little something extra to make her particularly special to us. 

Candice is recovering well. We are incredibly grateful to the midwives, doctors and nursing staff who are looking after both Mum and Baby.

Coming Events: 

Saturday 19/7 - Ranfurly Shield Rugby, Taranaki vs Thames Valley at Manaia 
Monday 21/7 - Hon James Meager visits the Whanganui Electorate 

Links to recent news items 

 Delivering for farmers - Ōpunake and Coastal News 19 June 2025 (Page 8) 
Supporting our GPs – River City Press 3 July 2025 (Page 19) 
Mobile connectivity for Patea a step closer – Pātea-Waverley Press July 2025 (Page 2) 
Housing Minister Chris Bishop says Kāinga Ora needs to be ‘responsive to need’ - Whanganui Chronicle 5 July 2025

Thanks to everyone for their continued support as we work hard to get New Zealand back on track.