I’m so excited to share a huge milestone for our community — Hawke’s Bay Hospital is getting a big upgrade with a new ward being built and a recent investment of $35.8 million into new radiology facilities!
These improvements will mean faster scans, better care, and less waiting when it matters most.
It’s fantastic to see investment in the health of our region, and I can’t wait to see the difference this will make for so many local families.
I look forward to sharing more of what’s to come as we continue to build crucial health infrastructure across New Zealand.
OUT AND ABOUT
Hawke's Bay Wine Awards
I'm very proud of the dedicated growers and winemakers who continue to put Hawke's Bay on the map for our world class wines.
The Hawke's Bay Wine Awards are an opportunity to recognise the hardworking winemakers who pour their heart into every bottle.
Congratulations to Alchemy Wines for taking out Champion Wine of Show at the Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards for their Alchemy Chardonnay 2024!
I loved catching up with owner Cairn Coghill to get a taste of the champion wine and learn some tips about the secret to their success!
Congratulations Cairn and Rebecca Coghill for all your hard work - another amazing business putting Hawke’s Bay on the map!
PGG Wrightson New Research and Development Unit
It’s shaping up to be another bumper horticulture season!
This week, I was so impressed to see the innovation and development at PGG Wrightson’s new Research and Development Unit.
It’s important we have the products in NZ to grow our crops quickly and efficiently.
This new research facility will enable trials and testing to help our Hawke’s Bay Growers to grow the best produce and get the best yields!
Thanks to the PGG Wrightson Team for the tour of the fantastic new facility.
Our Government is backing and supporting our Hawke’s Bay growers and horticulture businesses all the way.
Regional Young Enterprise Scheme Competition Winners
The Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) is an incredible opportunity for young entrepreneurs to get national recognition for their inspiring ideas and outstanding innovation.
Congratulations to Baril from St John’s College for winning the Regional YES Competition - they are now off to the Nationals in Wellington!
Sean, John and Tom produced a range of furniture from old wine and oil barrels, including bean bag chairs and bar leaners - what a genius way to recycle some of the byproducts from winemaking!
Good luck team, make the Hawke’s Bay proud!
Congratulations Erin
I couldn’t be prouder of my 1st cousin, Erin James, - professional athlete and Super Mum!
An absolute legend - mum of three and nearly 40 she’s back rowing for New Zealand in a new world sport, the Beach Sprint World Rowing Champs in Turkey.
20 years ago, I watched Erin and Emma Twigg row together at the world championship in Munich and now these two mums are representing NZ together in this new sport!
So inspirational and I am so proud of this incredible mum and athlete, proving what is possible - smashing those glass ceilings!
Congratulations to Hawke’s Bay’s Emma Twigg for another world title in the beach rowing sprints.
An absolute legend, still at the top.
IN THE MEDIA
Hawke's Bay Hospital Upgrades
I’m so thrilled to share some fantastic news for our community — Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s radiology department is getting a major boost!
With a $35.8 million upgrade now complete, the hospital has added a second MRI and CT scanner, along with a big new space for these services - this means over 10,000 extra scans every year!
It was so exciting to officially open the radiology department at Hawke’s Bay hospital alongside our Minister of Health Simeon Brown and Katie Nimon, the MP for Napier.
This will deliver faster and better healthcare for Hawke’s Bay families and take the pressure off our emergency department.
This is one of the largest developments at the Hawke’s Bay Hospital in years, and it’s so positive to see this progress as our Government works hard to deliver better healthcare in Hawke’s Bay.
It was so uplifting to see the excitement from all the staff and the team who have worked on this project, congratulations to everyone involved.
We have recently had some broken bones in our family, so we have spent the last few weeks in and out of X-rays and appreciate the work, expertise and technology that is so important for achieving the best outcomes for patients at Hawke’s Bay hospital.
On top of this huge radiology upgrade, a new rapid-build ward is on its way as well!
This 28 Bed Unit is set to open in 2026 and will support patient care across our region and help free up surgical and medical inpatient beds.
These additional beds will make a real difference, supporting frontline staff and helping hospitals admit, treat, and discharge patients more efficiently.
To deliver this capacity really quickly, the modular ward will be constructed off-site and then installed at Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
This practical, cost-effective approach expands hospital capacity rapidly while minimising disruption to existing services.
To find out more, click the links to the New Zealand Herald articles below:
Social Media Bill Gaining Momentum
I’m thrilled to share that my bill to ban under-16s from social media is continuing to gain momentum and catch the media’s eye.
Earlier this month, my bill was pulled from the members' bill ballot.
However, the Government is also committing to continue working on this legislation as a government bill, with Erica Stanford leading the charge.
It’s inspiring to see such important conversations surrounding online safety gaining more attention in the mainstream media, especially as we continue to recognise what harms our children are being exposed to online.
I’m proud that my work to protect young people online has become part of the national discussion, and I’m committed to working hard to make sure this important change becomes law.
Here's some news articles below that have recently discussed my bill:
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Action Plan to Combat Methamphetamine Harm
Our Government is committed to creating safer communities, so we've created a strong and elaborate action plan to tackle the huge issue of methamphetamine.
Actions we're taking include:
- A nationwide media campaign over four years, to raise public awareness about meth-related harm.
- Allocating $30 million over four years to increase the services available to communities hardest hit by meth.
- Directing Customs, the Defence Force and GCSB to disrupt organised crime networks operating across the Pacific Ocean.
- Increasing Police presence and abilities.
- Enabling police to reclaim ill-gotten gains from organised crime groups as quickly and effectively as possible.
- Consultations with the maritime sector to strengthen border security and shut down opportunities for organised criminals to operate through our ports.
Express Lane for New Supermarkets
Our Bill to create a fast-tracked lane for new supermarkets, improving grocery competition, has passed first reading.
Our goal is a more competitive grocery market that delivers better prices and more choice for Kiwi shoppers.
Potential supermarket competitors have told us that standard resource consent processes can hold them back; with restrictive local zoning and lengthy approval processes adding cost, complexity and delay before new projects can get off the ground.
The Fast-track Bill will allow new supermarket developments to bypass the standard lengthy resource consent process and instead be referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to a fast-track expert panel for a quicker decision.
This will simplify what can be a years-long process into one that could be wrapped up in a few short months.
Cutting the Red Tape on Eden Park
The Government is taking action to draw more international acts and events to New Zealand.
Eden Park is a vital asset for Auckland and for New Zealand, hosting major sporting and entertainment events that inject millions into the local economy.
Restrictive local planning rules, however, are stifling Eden Park’s ability to drive economic growth and create jobs, according to the Government's recent investigative report.
A public consultation process on the proposed Eden Park rule changes will run until 19 November 2025 via the Ministry for the Environment’s online consultation hub.
Following the consultation, the Government will consider what changes are warranted to create local jobs and boost economic growth for the region and hope to make further announcements by the end of this year.
Herds of Special Interest Bill
At the recent Sika Show, the Prime Minister and Minister for Hunting and Fishing James Meager announced that the Government is seeking public consultations on the Herds of Special Interest (HOSI) bill.
The plans outline an efficient hunter-led approach to managing wapiti deer in parts of Fiordland National Park and sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks.
These changes will allow hunter-led conservation groups to sustainably manage herd numbers and create opportunities to drive economic growth in those areas.
The appeal for hunting in New Zealand is only growing, and establishing these herds as HOSI represents a logical and exciting economic opportunity.
As chair of the Environment Select Committee, I am proud of the work our Government has put into this legislation - I'm excited to see the positive impact it will have on our environment and our economy.
Michelin Adds New Zealand to the Menu
New Zealand is welcoming the Michelin Guide for the first time, showcasing our country’s incredible food and wine to an international audience, as well as boosting visitor numbers and economic growth.
While the Michelin Guides visited Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, this is huge news for Hawke's Bay winemakers as our region's world class wine is stocked across New Zealand's best premium restaurants!
Tourism New Zealand data estimates Michelin’s arrival to bring in up to 36,000 more international visitors.
The Government's announcement not only celebrates our talented hospitality teams, but marks New Zealand as a go-to destination for international visitors.
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