We started the year facing drought conditions across our region, and then winter arrived with a different set of challenges. Heavy rain brought rising rivers, slips, and flooding caused major disruption in the electorate and beyond. Watching the Huatoki River surge up to the plaza seating was a sharp reminder of how quickly things can change. These events underscore just how important it is to be prepared and to ensure our infrastructure and communities are resilient in the face of whatever comes our way.
It’s been a busy and rewarding few months around the electorate. I’ve had plenty of great conversations at constituent clinics, coffee catch-ups, and community events. Our office has also had the privilege of welcoming several Ministers and fellow MPs to Taranaki. It’s always valuable to bring my colleagues here and show them firsthand the opportunities and challenges we’re working through.
I have had very positive feedback on Budget 2025, many businesses in particular are going to be making use of Investment Boost which can claim 20% deductions for the costs of new (or new to New Zealand) business assets that they bought - or finished constructing. SuperGold Cardholders were very positive on the news of rates rebates too. In education, principals I have spoken with were welcoming investments in learning support. Of course there is much more to do, and the indicators are we are heading in the right direction.
In Wellington, as a mark of respect parliament came together to pay tribute to Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp who sadly passed away after a long battle with kidney disease. Tragically, this is the second passing of a sitting MP in this term after Green Party MP Efeso Collin’s died unexpectedly in February 2024. In moments like these, politics takes a back seat. No matter our party colours, we come together as colleagues and as people.
Our young leaders experienced a bit of Parliament’s reality recently through Youth Parliament. It was a pleasure to host Jasper Rhodes, our Youth MP for New Plymouth. Jasper did a fantastic job co-chairing the Working Group on Online Safety, and I was hugely impressed by his professionalism and commitment. He’s written about the experience in a column, which I’ll be sharing with you in a special edition of this newsletter once it’s off to print.
Locally, roading safety is once again front of mind. I have been in touch with Minister of Transport Chris Bishop and with NZTA in recent months regarding safety improvements throughout the electorate, including the Egmont Road and State Highway 3 intersection. NZTA has since moved this up the priority list and will be conducting a fresh safety analysis.
Other sites I have raised with the Minister and NZTA following public feedback include both entrances to Ōakura, and the northern entrance to Rahotu, outside Rahotu School and Playcentre. Traffic speed at these sites poses risk to children, pedestrians, and other road users. I hope to be able to provide further update soon.
We’ll be seeing some changes in the New Plymouth Electorate Office soon with both Ricky Malcolm and Casey Martin leaving us. Ricky has secured an amazing opportunity as Marketing Manager for Madd Gear that will see him travelling the world, and with the new development at Eagars Funerals nearing completion, Casey is stepping back into the business. They have provided excellent support to me on a day-to-day basis and will be missed.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the photo montage below—a look at what I’ve been up to around the region lately.
School Visits
A fantastic recent visit to Highlands Intermediate School ! What a great vibe. Thank you to head students Jessica and Maxwell for the informative tour. I was very impressed at your leadership on display. I’m sure teachers love the coffee at Hi-Brew as much as I did. The student baristas in training are doing a great job. What a skill to have before you reach high school! Principal Mark Luff and I had a great discussion before catching up briefly with teachers in the staffroom and around the school. I was not expecting to be a guest judge at a special MasterChef event in the food-tech block, but really enjoyed taking part and loved the food made by students too.
Equally impressed at how all of our schools are doing across the electorate. I also enjoyed popping into St. Joseph's Waitara to catch up with Principal Rachel Hunt (also handing out books to juniors as part of Duffy Books) and brief catch ups with Merrilands School principal James Willson and Vogeltown School Principle Ryves Hunt.
Minister and MP visits to our electorate
Minister of Health, Hon. Simeon Brown spent a day in Taranaki at the end of May. He announced a $59.2 million boost to ensure the completion of Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment. The additional money was required to meet cost pressures that have emerged since 2022 - Ensuring we can complete Stage Two of the project on schedule by the end of 2025 and opening in stages from April 2026.
We met with staff and were shown around the new building. We also got to meet Louie the therapy dog! Dr. Louie is an asset to the team, helping reduce anxiety amongst many patients during their time in hospital.
After the hospital visit, we went out to the formal opening of Coastal Medical Healthcare Hub in Waiwhakaiho. An amazing new facility!
This afternoon we went to Hawera for a hospital tour, met with health professionals and attended the South Taranaki Health Forum at the STDC chambers with Carl Bates, MP for Whanganui and Mayor Phil Nixon.
The day after Minister Brown visited us, I had the pleasure of hosting List MP Nancy Lu. We started off the day at More FM with Ken followed by another interview with Crez at The Most FM – Great discussions about budget 2025 and the roles of List MP’s. We then had a few brief visits to local businesses, a supporter’s morning tea and wrapped up the day at Egmont Honey.
At the end of June I joined Minister for Mental Health Hon. Matt Doocey at the official opening of Te Puna Wai Kātea, our new mental health facility based at Taranaki Base Hospital.
The new unit is designed to help people in need of mental health and addiction support get back on their feet and transition safely back into everyday life.
It’s part of Health NZ’s wider investment in mental health services across the country. With four short- to medium-term stay rooms, a whānau area, kitchen, dining and living spaces, and a dedicated activities room, it offers a much more supportive and dignified environment for recovery.
Out & about in our electorate
Being an MP means a lot of conversations happen over coffee. I’ve honestly lost track of how many coffee catch ups I’ve had this past year but it’s always great connecting with such a wide mix of people. Last month I dropped in to see the local Codgers group at Stumble Inn.
I’ll admit… I had to google what a codger was! Such a fascinating bunch of guys, including a few familiar faces. One of them even worked in the press gallery at Parliament during the Muldoon era. I shared a bit about my background and life in parliament, then we got stuck into a solid Q&A. We covered everything from MMP and three year terms to immigration, education and the value of diverse thinking when it comes to infrastructure and more!
Volunteering also plays a part in our social connection. In May, I had the pleasure of visiting Waitara Menz Shed to see what the blokes were up to. These legends volunteer their time and skills to craft top quality products for our local kindergartens and schools. Beyond their craft, the banter and comradeship on display at this place is what really stood out to me. Real talk, from all walks of life. It It's evident that volunteering greatly contributes to our overall wellbeing.
I went to the opening and sponsors night of New Plymouth Operatic Society's show "Chicago" at TSB showplace. Despite the wild weather, with more rain than we've had in a long time here in New Plymouth, the theatre was packed.
The show was fantastic. So much local talent on stage and a really polished production as we've come to expect from the Operatic Society. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Huge thanks to the local businesses who continue to support productions like this. These shows wouldn’t be possible without you, and your backing makes a real difference to our community.
I was pleased to attend the All Blacks squad naming event held at Coastal Rugby in Rahotu. Great to see occasions like this at grassroots rugby locations. It’s fantastic to have such a significant national announcement made right here in our electorate, celebrating the local clubs and communities that help shape our national game.
Youth Parliament
Kia ora, it’s Jasper here - David MacLeod’s Youth MP.
I ventured down to Wellington to represent the New Plymouth Electorate at Youth Parliament 2025, which is a programme that supports and develops the country’s future politicians and leaders.
I had the privilege of co-chairing the Online Safety working group, which is like a select committee. After experiencing parliament like a true politician by working until midnight, we presented our recommendations to Ministers, CEOs and senior government officials, who will use these proposals to shape policies and decisions.
I was lucky enough to once again met the Prime Minister, the Children’s Commissioner, the European Union’s Ambassador to NZ, and hundreds of MPs and young leaders from around the country.
It was an honour to represent the New Plymouth Electorate’s constituents in parliament. Though this event was the highlight, my tenure as your Youth MP spans this year.
My thanks extends to David - I am very humbled by being selected for this role.