Connecting With Carl
Issue 24 - December 2025
In The House with Carl
The interim report of the Education and Workforce Committee’s inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online was released on Wednesday 10 December.
It is clear many young New Zealanders have suffered online harm. There is cross-party support to continue exploring significant options, including banning social media for under-16s and establishing an online regulator. The social media ban was first introduced to Parliament as a Member’s Bill by Catherine Wedd MP earlier this year.
The Committee has more work to do and will release our final report early in the New Year. It was a privilege to chair the Education and Workforce Committee through the course of this inquiry. You can listen to an interview with Heather du Plessis-Allan here.
Around and about the electorate
Retail Crime has decreased and retailers are pleased with the work being undertaken by the Ministerial Advisory Group on Retail Crime. These were two key takeaways from the Retail Crime Forum in Whanganui. The presenters included Mainstreet Whanganui, the local Police, Mayor Andrew Tripe and Sunny Kaushal, who chairs the Ministerial Advisory Group on Retail Crime. The forum was very well attended by local retailers, who appreciated the opportunity to discuss their concerns.
Throughout our electorate there is a strong culture of volunteering. Last Monday I attended Volunteer Whanganui’s International Volunteer Day lunch where I spoke briefly to the guests and volunteered to carve the ham! It was an opportunity to acknowledge some of the many volunteers who provide wonderful service in Whanganui.
The Christmas Parade season is in full swing, and so far I have judged the Stratford and Pātea parades and taken part in Whanganui’s. Our family attended Carols by Candlelight in Whanganui, organised by Rotary Whanganui North, where I am an honorary member. It has been lovely to see so many families out and about and enjoying a taste of Christmas over the last couple of weekends.
Our regional economy is resilient and visits to a number of small businesses around the electorate have reinforced this. Many of these businesses have been operating for lengthy periods. Holdaway's Brake and Clutch in Whanganui is more than 80 years old and has been owned and operated by the Johnston family since 1995. Schuler Concrete in Kaponga is a second-generation family business and already has strong bookings for 2026. Bevans's recent purchase of a new digger was made easier by National's Investment Boost policy which provides additional tax relief on new equipment purchases.
As well as presenting medals to competitors in Whanganui’s Three Bridges Marathon, I thoroughly enjoyed completing the Quarter Marathon, just over 10km. 3 Bridges received funding from the Regional Events Promotion Fund, helping the organisers bring more domestic visitors to Whanganui. Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade is running a Toughest Fire Fighter Challenge in February and I called on them on Monday night to help to promote the event.
Delivering for you
We are replacing the Resource Management Act with a new planning system that is faster, simpler, and easier to work with - lowering costs and letting farmers and growers get on with the job, while still protecting the environment. We promised reform, and now we are delivering a once-in-a-generation overhaul of planning rules to unlock economic growth and help build a stronger New Zealand.
The Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill had their First Readings in the House on Tuesday and were referred to Select Committee for public submissions. It is the National-led Government’s intention to pass these Bills in 2026.
In the meantime, farmers will be relieved that we have listened to them on the subject of current consents. Legislation has been passed ensuring existing consents will be rolled over to 2031 to enable an orderly transition to the new laws.
Here’s a brief video clip of me talking about these vitally important reforms.
Christmas in the Offices
Both my Whanganui and Hāwera offices will close on Friday 19th December and reopen on Monday 12th January 2026 to allow my team a well-earned break. If you need to contact me, send an email to carl.batesmp@parliament.govt.nz and we will respond as soon as possible on our return.
A big Thank You to my team, both in the electorate and in Parliament for their support and for their responsiveness on behalf of constituents. It would be impossible to cover the kms, visit the schools, businesses and community organisations I do, as well as support constituents and host other MPs and Ministers to showcase our electorate were it not for my team. The phenomenal work they do to listen to the concerns of constituents, provide advice and encouragement and refer people to the right place is often unglamourous, although it is always appreciated.
Links to recent news items
- River City Press – An event-filled summer (P8)
- Southern Star –
- Patea and Waverley Press – Christmas is the winner (December 2025 P3)
- Whanganui Chronicle – Whanganui City Mission and MP launch $750k bid to buy Park Place base
- Ōpunake and Coastal News – The busy life of Carl Bates MP (4 December 2025 – P9)
- Ruapehu Bulletin – The best for learners, says Bates (p13)
A Christmas Wish
As 2025 draws to a close, from my family – Candice, Angus, Logan and Bonnie-Ann – to yours, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year. May you get a touch of the miracle of Christmas.
Connecting With Carl will be back in February 2026; we will see you next year!
