The countdown to Christmas has begun, and I’m enjoying seeing all the Christmas decorations around the electorate. Thank you to everyone who has put in the effort to spread some Christmas cheer this season. Just a reminder that my office in Ferrymead will be closed from December 24, 2025, until January 12, 2026, so my office team can have a well-deserved break.
November Update:
- Joined the local National MPs at the A & P Show, meeting heaps of people from all over. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat with me, Nicola Grigg, Hamish Campbell, and the Prime Minister.
- Hosted Gerry Brownlee, Speaker of the House, at my SuperBlues morning tea event. Everyone enjoyed hearing Gerry’s stories about his time as an MP and a Minister.
- Attended the National Party Canterbury–Westland annual Christmas Party. It was a privilege to hear from special guest Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance. It was great to catch up with our members and many of our MPs. There is a strong sense of positivity about what the National Party has achieved in government in such a short time.
- Had a meeting with Rural Area Commander Peter Cooper and Superintendent Todd Lane, Metro Commander for Canterbury District, about crime rates around the Banks Peninsula electorate. Next year, I plan on having Minister of Police Mark Mitchell in the electorate and will host a public meeting on what the Government has been doing to bring down the crime rate and what else we have planned to tackle crime.
- Spent a week in the Republic of Colombia for a conference on women’s health and population.
- Took Simeon Brown, Minister for Health, to meet the clinical team at WeCare in Wigram. They spoke about how they have grown and boosted access for patients and provided good ideas for Simeon to challenge officials with.
- Met with Mayor Phil Mauger and spoke about how we can work together to get part of Banks Peninsula registered as a Dark Sky Reserve. I will have more updates on this early next year—watch this space!
- Celebrated the Master Builders House of the Year awards along with Hamish Campbell, MP for Ilam, and Penny Simmonds, Minister for Vocational Education and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment. Big congratulations to all the finalists and winners. Thanks to Master Builders NZ for supporting excellence in our building industry and celebrating the people who keep it moving forward.
Community Update:
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage has announced Cracroft Reserve as the most suitable location for the new National Erebus Memorial.
The Ministry will now work together with the Council as it engages the local community.
I had my last Community Drop-in Session at the Little River Library. It was great to catch up with Lyn Leslie from Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Community Board about a few projects happening in the community.
I also had my last Pub Politics for the year at The Halswell. Andrei Moore, Councillor for Halswell, came along, and we discussed how we can future-proof infrastructure plans for the growing Halswell community. I will have more updates on this early next year.
On that note, Nathaniel Herz Jardine, Councillor for Heathcote, came into my office for a catch-up since becoming the newly elected Councillor for the Heathcote Ward. Looking forward to working together to make the Heathcote Ward even better.
National News:
- National marks two years of fixing the basics: National marks its second anniversary in Government and is proudly looking back on two years of hard work fixing the basics in the economy, law and order, education, health, and infrastructure. (National PR)
- National to lift KiwiSaver Contributions: A National Government elected next year will ensure Kiwis are more financially secure in retirement by gradually increasing KiwiSaver contributions to match Australia’s 12 per cent rate. (National PR)
- Focus on basics delivers groundbreaking maths results: New data from a nationwide maths acceleration trial for Year 7 and 8 students who needed extra support, shows students made, on average, a year to two years of progress in just 12 weeks in developing fundamental maths skills. (Beehive PR)
- Simpler, more cost-effective local government: The Government has announced proposals that would fundamentally simplify how we plan our cities and regions and make it far easier to build the future New Zealanders deserve. (Beehive PR)
- Positive Reserve Bank outlook heartening: The bank is forecasting falling inflation and rising growth. Its forecasts support the widespread consensus that the economy is strengthening. (Beehive PR)
Media Update:
Banks Peninsula MP Vanessa Weenink says she has worked with young people on puberty blockers and knows how sensitive the issue is, while Duncan Webb said treatment decisions should be left to doctors, not politics: Facebook
Out and About in Banks Peninsula:
- Had a meeting with some of the members from Halswell Residents Association. Great to catch up with the dedicated members about everything happening in Halswell. They never miss a beat.
- Went along to St Augustine AGM. Fantastic to hear about all the support services they offer—especially at this time of year, which can be tough for many.
- Headed along to Battle of the Bays fun/grudge match fundraiser between Sumner and Redcliffs. The curtain raiser between the school teams was a nail-biter!
- Joined the Whakaraupō Network end-of-year hui. Brilliant to hear from community organisations about how much they have achieved this year. Special thanks to Linda and Paul from Community Patrol, who are leading the volunteers in the local area.
