Rt Hon Jim Bolger ONZ
Rt Hon Jim Bolger. the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand and seventh leader of the New Zealand National Party died yesterday. As a Young National I first met him as Prime Minister in 1996, and later that year he officially opened the Whanganui branch of the Young Nationals. Jim was a man of integrity, with strong beliefs, and served New Zealand with distinction. Sincere condolences to his wife Joan, his children, grandchildren, and the wider family.
In The House with Carl
Imagine Whanganui as the next training ground for New Zealand’s future doctors — that vision just got a whole lot closer. Local Health providers and the Whanganui District Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Waikato for Whanganui to be a training location.
This is potentially a significant benefit for Whanganui Health services, and for our ability to recruit and retain doctors in the future. A meeting at Parliament last year led to me inviting Professor Jo Lane, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Health at the University of Waikato to visit Whanganui and meet key stakeholders, and the signing of the MOU is the result of that invitation. A final decision will be made in mid-2026.
On the legislative front, my Juries (Age of Excusal) Amendment Bill has been reported by the Justice select committee with one amendment, and a unanimous recommendation that it proceeds. It will now have its Second Reading at an upcoming Member’s Day.
Talking of Parliament, the Whanganui Cook Islands community visited Parliament last week. We toured Parliament, called in to see Pacific Peoples Minister Hon Dr Shane Reti and before leaving they adorned me with ei katu, traditional flower garlands and asked me to wear them in the House that afternoon, which I proudly did.
Around and about the electorate
Ministerial and MP visits to the Whanganui Electorate have continued over the last month. Hon Matt Doocey held a Rural Health Roadshow event in Hāwera, where he announced that South Taranaki had been chosen to host the first of four Rural Training Hubs nationwide – see the Whanganui Chronicle story below. The day also included a visit to Ngati Ruanui Healthcare in Hāwera.
Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Local Government and Revenue, the Hon Simon Watts, then visited the following week. Neighbouring MP’s Barbara Kuriger and David MacLeod were present along with Phil Nixon and Neil Volzke, Mayors of South Taranaki and Stratford respectively. We also planted native trees on a farm adjoining Taranaki Maunga and visited a Greymouth Petroleum drilling site
A highlight of the month was the visit by British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Iona Harris to Whanganui, who I invited after we met at Parliament. Her Excellency’s visit focused on trade and tourism – this was highlighted through a visit to Fleet Line Markers, who will begin exporting their robotic line marker to the UK in March 2026, and a tour of Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery.
Whanganui’s Lotus’s Indian Group put on a fantastic Diwali celebration for all to attend. The next day Angus and I attended a lunch to celebrate the Chinese Moon Festival as guests of the Whanganui Chinese Association. There is such diversity in the Whanganui Electorate and it is always a privilege to attend these cultural celebrations.
Other highlights of the month include attending Neil Walker’s investiture at Government House, honouring Order of St John Dame Betty Simpson for 75 years of service to the organisation, attending Veronica’s 100th birthday party and leading a session for Cancer Society volunteers encouraging them to use Lego to stretch their imaginations!
Delivering for you
There have been two recent announcements of particular significance to the Whanganui Electorate. Firstly Building and Construction Minister Hon Chris Penk announced significant changes to the Earthquake-prone Buildings regulations, which will save some building owners millions of dollars in remediation work. You can read the details here.
On Sunday, Agriculture Minister Hon Todd McClay, and Climate Change Minister Hon Simon Watts announced the results of a review into New Zealand’s methane targets. The National-led Government has accepted a range of advice and worked closely with industry to agree a practical target that protects food production whilst substantially reducing New Zealand’s farm emissions. We are delivering a practical, fair pathway that recognises New Zealand agriculture efficiency, protects jobs and production, and upholds our climate commitments, and there will be no tax on agricultural methane emissions. Read more here.
Coming Events
- Thursday 16th October – Whanganui North Rotary Food Drive for the Whanganui City Mission Foodbank
- Monday 20th October – Cafe Catchup along with Suze Redmayne at Utopia Cafe, Ohakune
- Friday 24th October - Hāwera Primary School 150th Anniversary
- Saturday 25th October – Aramoho-Whanganui Rowing Club 150th Reunion
- Tuesday 28th October – Carl's Community Connect at Trafalgar Square, Whanganui
Links to recent news items
- River City Press – 2 October 2025 - Another win for Whanganui's health services (Page 13)
- Pātea and Waverley Press – October 2025 - Rural Training Hub coming to South Taranaki (Page 2)
- Whanganui Chronicle – 8 October 2025 - New Zealand Graduate Medical School could send students to Whanganui
- Opunake and Coastal News – 11 September 2025 - NCEA - An opportunity to all be on the same page (Page 8)
- Ruapehu Bulletin – 8 October 2025 - Building and powering the economy (Page 4)
Thanks once again to everyone for their support and encouragement.