This week I'm writing to you from Wellington, where I'm back in the House after a fantastic couple of weeks spent in the electorate during recess.

On the first Wednesday in July, I had the privilege of hosting a very special guest in the mighty Rangitīkei – Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon. That same week, my Youth MP Patrick Coogan did an outstanding job representing Rangitīkei at Youth Parliament 2025.

Tomorrow, Friday 18 July, I’m hosting Cameron Brewer, MP for Upper Harbour, in Feilding. We’d love you to join us for morning tea at 10am at the Feilding Public Library. Cameron is an excellent speaker and a lot of fun. He also chairs the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee, which – along with the Primary Production Select Committee I sit on – is overseeing the Banking Inquiry. Please note, there is a cost of $5 per person, RSVP to rangitikei@national.org.nz

Our Prime Minister Visits the Mighty Rangitīkei

It was a pleasure to host our Prime Minister in the mighty Rangitīkei and showcase some of the outstanding businesses powering our region – from high-tech innovation at PEC in Marton, to the remarkable family story of Hautapu Pine in Taihape, and the sustainable success of Honest Wolf in Hunterville. We rounded off the day with an after-work function hosted by the Rangitīkei National Party Executive. The Prime Minister told me he had an awesome day – and it certainly showed. I wrote a column about his visit for the Feilding Rangitīkei Herald which you can read here.

The Prime Minister's visits were covered by local media:

PEC visit by Stuff/Manawatu Standard - Prime minister praises PEC’s premium production
Hautapu Pine visit by District Monitor (see issue 10 July, page 2) - A visit to the Rangitikei for Prime Minister
Honest Wolf visit by Farmers Weekly - Strong wool, strong women celebrated in Hunterville

Patrick Stands Up for Rural NZ at Youth Parliament

I am so proud of my Youth MP, Patrick Coogan, who did an outstanding job representing Rangitīkei at Youth Parliament 2025. Held every three years, Youth Parliament gives young New Zealanders a taste of how democracy works. Patrick delivered a standout speech in the House, highlighting the impact of carbon farming on our primary industries and rural communities – an issue close to my heart. I shared a clip from his speech on Facebook and Instagram last week – it’s been my most popular post ever, and it’s easy to see why. Take a look for yourself here.

Farm-to-Forest Ban Passes First Reading

Seeing an end to carbon farming is an issue I'm passionate about, which is why I'm pleased our Government has taken a major step towards this with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme – Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill. The Bill, which seeks to put an end to the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, received unanimous support in Parliament.

We are not prepared to sit back and watch more hectares of farmland sold off for carbon credits, putting our long-term food security and potential export dollars at risk. National backs our farmers and rural and provincial New Zealand 100%. Read PR from Hon Todd McClay here for more.

Hon Paul Goldsmith Visits Palmerston North

I had a great day in Palmerston North with Hon Paul Goldsmith last week. Paul is Minister for a range of portfolios (you can see them all here) and it would be fair to say we touched on all of these. First up, we met with Chair of the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiations Trust, Ken Mair. Next we headed to the Palmerston North Police Station to talk community safety with Inspectors Ross Grantham and Brett Calkin. We visited Inspire Net and then Radio Control at Massey University. After lunch, hosted by the Rangitīkei and Palmerston North National Party Executives, it was off to our final stop for the day – Creative Sounds Society Inc (The Stomach).

Fieldays 2025

While Mystery Creek Fieldays in the second week of June does feel like a while ago now, as a proud Rural MP I can’t let a newsletter go by without giving it a mention. It was fantastic to spend time celebrating the best of rural and provincial New Zealand – surrounded by the innovation, energy, and passion driving our primary industries.

Minister of Agriculture, Hon Todd McClay, shared some great news at Fieldays. This included NZ wool carpets being rolled out in all state homes from July, and that our food and fibre exports were on track to hit $60 billion by the end of the year. A testament to the hard work of our farmers, growers and producers who are powering New Zealand’s economic recovery.

Congratulations Ian McKelvie (MNZM)

A huge congratulations to my mentor, friend and former boss Ian McKelvie on becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). An outstanding and well-deserved recognition for Ian and Sue’s decades of community service and endeavour. From local government to Parliament, Ian’s steady leadership, generosity and tireless work for rural New Zealand have left a lasting impact.

We’re all incredibly proud of you, Ian.

Government Announcements

Households to get extra FamilyBoost help

Families can now get larger FamilyBoost rebates on the early childhood education fees they pay, with rebates increasing from 25 per cent to 40 per cent of weekly fees, and those with household incomes of up to $229,000 now eligible to apply. Read more here.

Driver licencing wait times shortest yet

The Government’s work to deliver better public services for New Zealanders is paying dividends for people working to gain their driver licence. National average wait times are now just four days for a full licence test and seven days for a restricted licence test, down from a peak of up to 90 days in some regions. Read more here.

Kiwis can now access 24/7 primary healthcare from anywhere in New Zealand

A new 24/7 digital health service means people can now have virtual consultations with New Zealand-registered doctors and nurses, anytime, anywhere. You can access the 24/7 online GP service now at info.health.nz/onlinegp, with full details on pricing and how to access care through approved providers, including their operating hours. Read more here.

Getting more trainee teachers into rural schools

For most new teachers, school placements play a significant role in deciding where they choose to teach once they qualify. We know rural and isolated schools struggle to fill these rolls. Up to 123 student teachers in their final year of study will be eligible for a payment of $4,000 through a 'Go Rural: Isolated Placements Fund' if they take up a professional experience placement in a rural or isolated school. Read more here.

$33 million into more classrooms for Central North Island Schools - including Taihape Area School

The Government is delivering 32 more safe, warm and dry classrooms and a major school redevelopment for Kiwi kids living in the Central North Island. Taihape Area School will benefit from a major redevelopment, getting 19 new classrooms, including a hard technology classroom, and the multipurpose hall and gym space will be strengthened to improve its seismic performance. Read more here.

Keep up to date with all the latest government announcements at Beehive.govt.nz

Upcoming Events and Dates to Note

Morning Tea with Cameron Brewer, MP for Upper Harbour

18 July: You're invited to morning tea – 10am at the Feilding Public Library. Cost is $5 per person. Cameron is an excellent speaker and a lot of fun. RSVP to rangitikei@national.org.nz

Taihape Cafe Catch-Up

28 July: Taihape locals, I'd love to see you at Le Café Téléphonique, 8 Huia Street in Taihape. Call in anytime from 10am-11am. Grab yourself a coffee and share your thoughts about what's going on in the electorate and in Parliament.

Marton Cafe Catch-Up

26 August: If you are in or around the Marton area, come and catch-up with me at Three High Street Coffee House, 3 High Street in Marton. Call in anytime from 10am-11:30am. I'd love to see you there.

Here to Help

My team and I are available to assist you.

Reach us by emailing Suze.RedmayneMP@parliament.govt.nz or calling 06 323 7253 (Feilding) or 07 896 8008 (Taumarunui).

Visit us in person at one of our office locations.

Feilding office: 51 Fergusson Street, Feilding - Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Taumarunui office: 1/101 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui - Monday 9:30am to 2:30pm and Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm.