This week I had the privilege of attending the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) Regional Conference in Manila, Philippines in my role as vice chair.
At the forum we address issues impacting young girls and women, such as gender equality and reproductive health within the Asia-Pacific.
I was proud to be standing up on the global stage to speak about my bill to restrict social media for under 16-year-olds.
In my role I was asked to speak about New Zealand’s work to protect our kids from online harm as countries from across the Asia Pacific Region are also taking action to protect kids from the harms of social media.
Philippines is one of the largest social media users in the world with more than 11 million kids aged between 10 and 14 years old having social media accounts.
With growing concern, the Philippines Senate has also introduced a bill to restrict social media for under 13-year-olds.
There is a global movement with countries across the world taking action. I will keep working and advocating for change in NZ.
Thank you to AFPPD and the UNFPA for supporting and funding this opportunity for Parliamentarians to come together and align on these very important issues
OUT AND ABOUT
Celebrating Asian businesses in the Bay
It was great to celebrate our amazing Asian businesses and rising stars at the Asians in the Bay Awards.
A special mention to our Hastings businesses, The Star of India for Best Asian Restaurant, Bottle-O Hastings for best Asian Business and our amazing local police officer Ramandeep for best Asian Practising Professional!
Congratulations to all the nominees and well done to Rizwaana Latiff and the Multicultural Association Hawkes Bay Inc - Te Kahui Konarau for all your hard work organising another fabulous night for these stars to shine.
Local accessible support for addiction and mental illness
I visited Mapu Maia to learn more about their work, supporting people with addiction and mental health across NZ, mainly our pacific communities.
I spoke with the Hawke’s Bay team about online gambling and gaming, being an emerging issue among young people.
Addressing addiction and poor mental health in our Pacific communities is really important work in Hawke’s Bay.
We need local solutions for local needs, and the Mapu Maia team do an amazing job in Hawke’s Bay. Thank you.
Connecting communities as bridge opens
I had the privilege of attending the opening of the Moteo-Puketapu Bridge alongside hundreds of community members. It was great to see the north and south Puketapu communities connected once again.
It’s been a tough few years following Cyclone Gabrielle, but Puketapu has been strong and showed true resilience.
The opening was more than bricks and mortar it was a symbol of the heart of this special community.
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
NZ–UAE Trade Agreement enters into force unlocking billions in new opportunities
The New Zealand–United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is New Zealand’s fastest-ever trade agreement. Negotiated in just over four months, it delivers up to an estimated $42 million in tariff savings per year for Kiwi exporters and the wider economy.
We're making sure we do everything to support our exporters and advance Hawke’s Bay’s interests.
Key goods, such as apples ($34.9m) and kiwifruit ($7.8m) will all enter duty free.
The UAE is one of New Zealand’s largest markets in the Middle East, and a gateway into a US$500 billion economy that is growing and diversifying rapidly. With two-way trade already worth $1.44 billion a year the CEPA creates a platform to go much further.
Hawke’s Bay is a big trading region which relies on diverse international markets.
I am excited for our Hawke’s Bay Exporters and Growers, because the Trade Agreement is huge for our region.
Express lane for new supermarkets
We’re creating an express lane for new supermarkets to boost competition and deliver better deals for Kiwi shoppers.
Currently, restrictive zoning, slow consenting, and cumbersome regulations make it extremely difficult for new competitors to gain a foothold in the New Zealand grocery sector.
We will pass legislation by the end of the year to make it clear that new supermarkets which would improve grocery competition regionally or nationally will qualify as fast-track referrable projects under the Fast-Track Approvals Act.
This is part of our plan to grow the economy and help Kiwis get ahead by creating competitive business settings.
Changes to the foreign buyer scheme
We are allowing overseas investors who make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy to buy or construct a home over the value of $5 million – which equates to less than 1 per cent of New Zealand houses.
This will apply for overseas-based investors who hold an Active Investor Plus residency visa.
The ban on foreigners buying residential housing will remain. However, the Government wants to bring additional investment, skills, ideas and connections to New Zealand.
There have been 301 applications for the Active Investor Plus residency visa since it was relaunched at the beginning of April. If all these applications are approved and proceed, it means a potential total minimum investment of $1.8 billion in productive assets in the New Zealand economy.
Improved support for disabled New Zealanders
The Government is making significant changes to disability support services to give people more choice, fairness, and certainty.
These changes follow nationwide consultation with the disability community and aim to make services fair, consistent, transparent, and sustainable. From next year, disabled people using flexible funding will have more choice and control over how they use their funding within a clear budget.
People will have a personalised plan that reflects their needs and goals, making support meaningful and practical.
Families’ and carers’ needs will also be considered as part of assessments to ensure relevant and helpful support. Stabilising disability support services is a major programme. We know more needs to be done, and work will continue to strengthen the system.
For updates, guidance, and resources, visit the Disability Support Services website www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz
New investment for eating disorder services
This September our government launched New Zealand’s refreshed strategic approach to eating disorders, bringing a significant funding boost and valuable updates for Kiwis for the first time in over 16 years.
The announcement increases investment in eating disorder services by over $4 million each year. That’s a 20 percent increase which will bring the total investment in eating disorders services to more than $23 million annually.
The new funding package includes ongoing investment to:
Roll out peer support to all regional eating disorders services.
Create community-based support for families and carers.
Increase the capacity of specialist eating disorders services.
Expand prevention and early intervention support.
In the media
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