It's nearly showtime! I'm super excited to be at the Hawke's Bay show. If you're going along, make sure you come and visit as I'm keen to have a friendly chat. I always love this time of year where we celebrate Hawke's Bay anniversary and the long weekend.
It was certainly a windy Tuesday, which made it difficult getting into Welington, but it was good to arrive for more busy times in the house where we pushed through more important legislation.
Out and about in the electorate, I've been visiting lots of our local schools and businesses - a big shout out to Room 12 at St Mary's school who hosted me for a very special visit. I just love hearing from our youth to direct policy for future generations. Always inspiring!
OUT AND ABOUT
Visit to St Mary's School
I got to drop off a very special present to the students in Room 12 at St Mary's School.
A few weeks ago, the students sent a well-written letter to the Prime Minister and, to their surprise, he personally responded.
I got to deliver his signed response and a silver fern pin for each student, which is the same kind of pin that the Prime Minister wears every day.
They came full of great questions for me - we even had a few budding politicians in the mix, which is always exciting to see!
I was very impressed by their knowledge of politics, as they gave me feedback on the issues they're passionate about, such as fixing the potholes that impact their commute to school, encouraging more kids to engage in grassroots sport, and the need for a strong economy.
I can't wait to see where this bright bunch goes in the future.
Congratulating Erin Marsden
I'm very proud to acknowledge Erin Marsden's heroic service to our community.
Erin has just received his 25 Year Gold Star for his volunteer work with the Havelock North Fire Brigade.
A special moment to see Erin walk into the Havelock North Fire Station, to a guard of honour of fellow firefighters, with his family at his side.
Thank you, Erin, for your dedication and service.
Celebrating 150 Years of the Gisborne Show
I got the chance to spend time with the rest of the Rural Nats and the local MP for East Coast, Dana Kirkpatrick, at the iconic Gisborne A&P Show.
I saw many familiar faces - seems like half of the Hawke's Bay made the trip to Gisborne to support the work of our rural sector! It was great to catch up with everyone who popped in to say hi.
This year was special, as the show celebrated its 150th year, bringing together generations of farming families, showcasing the best of rural innovation, and highlighting the strong community spirit that makes events like this so special.
The Prime Minister also joined us at the Gisborne A&P Show, taking the time to meet with the crowds and see firsthand the resilience and strength of rural New Zealand.
Our government is standing with farmers and rural communities — their hard work is the backbone of our economy.
It was great to see so many people out enjoying the sunshine. A fantastic day celebrating everything that makes the regions so special!
Celebrating the International Day of Rural Women
Here in Hawke’s Bay, we’re surrounded by incredible rural women farmers, growers, business owners, and community leaders who keep our region thriving.
From the orchard to the boardroom, they show grit, leadership, and heart.
This year, we also mark 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand, an organisation that’s stood the test of time by adapting to the evolving needs of rural women and their communities.
In Budget 2025, the Government committed $250,000 to support their grassroots work.
We know rural women face unique challenges, from access to services and connectivity, to representation in leadership but we also know they should be supported to lead and thrive.
That’s why we’re backing initiatives that strengthen rural wellbeing, leadership development, and economic empowerment.
When rural women thrive, our entire country benefits.
Discussing My Post-Natal Bill with Hon Simeon Brown
It was great to sit down and talk with the Health Minister, Hon Simeon Brown, to discuss how my Post-Natal Bill is progressing.
My bill gives mothers a legal entitlement to a 3 day stay, after having their baby.
No one should be pressured to leave hospital or a birthing unit before they are ready.
By guaranteeing every woman up to three days to rest, recover, and bond with their baby, women will have the choice to be where they feel most comfortable.
Originally, my bill was put forward as a members' bill and was luckily pulled from the 'biscuit tin' ballot.
However, adopting this as a government bill means planning can begin and it can be adopted a lot faster.
I’m delighted the government is backing my important bill, as the change will make a real and lasting difference for mothers, giving them the time and support they need in those precious early days.
We're delivering better care for kiwi families, right from day one.
Honouring the Legacy of Dame Hilda Ross with Hon Erica Stanford
Dame Hilda Ross was a pioneering political leader for the National Party during the 1940s and 50s.
She was the second woman ever appointed to a cabinet minister position and was a fierce advocate for gender equality- her legacy is inspiring for women such as myself working in politics.
It was an honour to talk to a room of like-minded, driven women beside Hon Erica Stanford and Dana Kirkpatrick.
A huge thank you to Erica Stanford for joining us at the breakfast and sharing her insights on the exciting changes happening in education.
Her passion for lifting outcomes for every learner is inspiring, and it was powerful to hear her speak so openly about the challenges and rewards of being a woman in leadership.
Erica’s honesty, warmth, and determination are exactly what we need more of in politics, and we’re lucky to have her leading the charge in such an important portfolio.
Rest in Peace Rt Hon Jim Bolger
Jim Bolger was known for his strong leadership - as prime minister, Jim Bolger created a legacy of sensible economic, social, and constitutional change that built New Zealand up after the difficult 80's.
Hailing from the King Country, you were an inspiration for a generation of King Country kids, of which I was one.
I was always inspired by your strong leadership and saw a family man from small rural New Zealand, standing up to make a positive difference in all our lives.
This inspired my own journey to politics, and I will be always grateful for your leadership and guidance.
IN THE MEDIA
RNZ Radio Interview on My Social Media Bill
I recently joined Ingrid Hipkiss on RNZ’s Morning Report to talk about my Members’ Bill, the Social Media (Age Restricted Users) Bill, which I introduced to help protect young people from the growing harm we’re seeing on social media.
I was asked about what I'm hearing from constituents across our community. I’ve heard from countless parents, teachers and young people in Hawke’s Bay who are deeply worried about the impact unrestricted social media content is having on the mental health, learning, safety, and self-esteem of our youth.
The harmful impacts linked to social media use are becoming too serious to ignore.
This bill is about setting clearer boundaries — ensuring that under-16s are not exposed too early to the risks that come with these powerful platforms.
You can listen to the full interview from RNZ here: Bill to restrict social media for under 16s introduced | RNZ
New Zealand Herald Discussion on My Post-Natal Bill
I was grateful for the opportunity recently to discuss my Three-Day Postnatal Stay Amendment Bill with the NZ Herald.
This bill would give new mums the option to stay in hospital for up to 72 hours after giving birth, providing crucial time to rest, bond with their babies, and build confidence in those first important days.
I’ve heard from many parents and midwives here in Hawke’s Bay who understand just how vital this support is.
I will keep working closely with health professionals and our community to find practical ways to make this happen to put mums and babies first.
You can read more about the bill and the discussion in the NZ Herald here: Catherine Wedd’s Three-Day Postnatal Care Bill
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Extending Free Breast Screening
We’re extending the free breast screening age to 74.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting New Zealand women and this extension will support thousands of women.
Extending the free screening age from 69 to 74 means an additional 130,000 Kiwi women will be eligible for screening every two years.
Regular screening saves lives, and this extension is part of our commitment to improving women’s health and ensuring more New Zealanders can access the care they deserve.
Next Steps for Roads of National Significance
The government is getting on with building the Roads of National Significance, critical transport projects that will boost regional economies, improve safety, and reduce travel times across the country.
These major highways are designed to better connect our cities, ports, and rural communities, making it easier for businesses to thrive and for Kiwis to get where they need to go.
We're focused on building the infrastructure New Zealand needs to grow — with high-quality roads that support productivity, resilience, and regional development for years to come.
$1.2bn funding has been confirmed for these projects to move to the next phase of development, including the upcoming Hawke's Bay Expressway. I, along with many others in the Hawkes Bay, can't wait for the road to be finished.
Our aim is to make sure that people and freight can get to where they need to – quickly and safely.
Our Roads of National Significance programme does that, creating jobs and powering economic growth.
Supporting People on Benefits
Research shows that young people who receive job seeker support will spend an average of 18 years or more on a benefit during their life, but National has far more ambition for young people than a life on welfare.
That is why we have introduced a range of measures to help young people and others into work or study including a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their benefit obligations, a new phone-based employment case management service, job coaching, and regular work seminars.
We're not just stopping young people from getting straight into a life on a benefit immediately after of high school and encouraging people to find long-term stable employment, we're also providing them with the support and skills they need to get ahead.
The change adds two new commonsense criteria to meet benefit obligations. They are:
- Report Job Search: a requirement to undertake and report on a minimum of three job-search activities every week for four weeks. This sanction supports increased accountability for beneficiaries who are meant to be looking for work.
- Upskilling: a requirement to attend and participate in one or more employment-related training courses or programmes for a minimum of five hours per week over four weeks. This sanction supports beneficiaries to build the skills they need to get into work.
Delivering More Classrooms and Schools
Every child deserves to learn in a warm, dry and safe classroom.
Our effective use of funds has freed up $100 million to reinvest back into our schools, with 82 new classrooms being built across New Zealand and an entire new school.
This comes on top of the $713 million we’ve already invested in school buildings.
Under National, we've cut the cost of building a new classroom by half, down from $1.2 million to $600,000 by using commonsense designs and building solutions.
We’re committed to ensuring every child has access to a quality learning environment, no matter where they live.
This funding will support the construction of school infrastructure in areas where demand is rising, helping to reduce overcrowding and future-proof our education system.
Not only will kiwi kids benefit from the new classrooms, but our investment will create jobs for local construction firms, contractors, tradespeople, and suppliers, boosting local economies.
It’s all part of our plan to lift student achievement, back teachers, support students, and provide our provinces with economic growth.
Boosting Farmers' Options
The Government has invested $8 million into methane dairy genetics research to lower emissions.
The Government is working with Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (LIC) new ‘Methane Barn,' a cutting-edge research facility focused on reducing methane emissions from our dairy herds.
This world-leading initiative will help identify and breed lower-emitting, more climate-efficient cows, supporting our farmers to meet environmental goals without compromising productivity.
It's a great example of how science and agriculture can work together to deliver practical, future-focused solutions, and shows our commitment to backing rural innovation that benefits both the economy and the environment.
What this means for farmers is that there are more choices when it comes to selecting livestock with lower-emitting genetics.
This way, we can meet our climate obligations through world-leading innovation and providing farmers with choice instead of closing down farms and sending jobs overseas.
National Adaption Framework
New Zealand faces growing risks from natural and climate-fuelled disasters, such as flooding, storms, and cyclones.
Communities in our region know firsthand the impacts of extreme weather and climate-related events after surviving the devastation that Cyclone Gabrielle brought.
This framework is about giving people clear, practical information on the risks they face and setting out a plan to respond to them.
It’s a crucial step in building greater resilience across the country, and I’m proud to be part of a government that’s focused on proactive, locally informed solutions to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure for generations to come.
The Framework includes four pillars designed to ensure New Zealand is prepared for the effects of climate change. These pillars include:
- Risks and response information sharing
- Roles and responsibilities
- Investment in risk reduction
- Cost-sharing pre-and post-event
It’s a common-sense approach that gives local communities like ours more certainty and support as we prepare for the challenges ahead.