It has been a busy week- first week back at school and parliament and up at Waitangi. I also had the privilege to attend the 1931 Earthquake Commemoration.
Both Waitangi and the Earthquake commemorations represent significant turning points in New Zealand history, and both are connected to identity and heritage.
I had the honour of commemorating the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake in Civic Square in Hastings, remembering the 256 lives lost, acknowledging the survivors and their families and reflecting on the significant impact it had on our region.
Ninety-five years on, we remember not only the devastation caused, but also the resilience of those who rebuilt Hastings and our communities.
It was special to lay a wreath on a bench made from the rubble of the earthquake.
I also had a chance to meet and stand alongside our Hastings new school leaders at the commemoration.
Seeing these young leaders step forward with empathy, to understand the history of our community was very inspiring.
Their voices and their commitment to our region show just how bright the future is looking in Hawke’s Bay.
Waitangi Day commemorations
I attended the Waitangi commemorations at Waitangi, along with fellow National MPs. It was a privilege to hear our PM speak about Waitangi Day. All parties were warmly welcomed onto the Treaty grounds, acknowledged with due respect and were invited to participate in the proceedings.
Construction begins!
Construction has now started on the new 28 bed ward at our Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
I was excited to visit the team week to see the positive progress.
This new ward will ease the pressure on beds in our hospital and shows our commitment to better health care in Hawke’s Bay.
The team are hoping to have the ward ready later this year.
It was exciting to get a tour of Tūpore’s new asphalt plant which will supply asphalt for roads and infrastructure across the East Coast Region.
Our government is focused on getting infrastructure built faster and more efficiently so we can grow our economy and create more jobs and opportunities.
The new plant will be able to produce 1500 tonnes of asphalt a day to meet the growing demand.
It’s great to see local businesses like Tūpore investing in growth and supporting so many jobs in our region.
The Parly Ferns took to the court against Northland’s Kauri Districts Team raising money for ReSport - a charity which enables more Northland children the opportunity to play sport, through the repurposing of donated sports goods! It is such an amazing cause to enable more kids to participate in sport.
It was also great to support our Parliamentary Cricket Team and catch up with a few former Black Caps!
I was humbled to receive player of the match and receive a beautiful trophy handmade and designed by the Whangarei Men’s Shed.
Also, a big shout out to Jean Hansen, who is Whangārei’s Netball Patron - she has given to the sport for more than 60 years. What a legend!
It's been an amazing fundraising event - thanks to Whangarei Netball and the Northland Cricket Association for organising the event and all the work you do in our community.
Easier prescriptions put more money in patients’ pockets
Starting February 1 New Zealanders can receive prescriptions for up to 12 months' saving them money and simplifying access to medicines.
If your GP or other prescriber decides it’s appropriate and safe to provide 12-month prescriptions, these patients won’t have to get a new prescription every three months from their GP.
They will visit their usual pharmacy to collect the repeats, and they will only pay a single prescription charge of $5 when they collect their first supply. Patients won’t need to pay a charge for the remaining repeats over the 12-month period.
This is a commonsense change that will make a real difference to patients who have stable, long-term conditions like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and high blood pressure.
Changes to drivers licence
We are making it easier and cheaper for young people to get their driver’s license – overhauling the system for the first time since 2011.
Our changes provide practical, common-sense improvements to the driver licensing system; while still ensuring it keeps road safety front and centre.
Under the current system, the total cost of getting a Class 1 car license is $362.50. It will be $282.50 under the new system, a saving of $80.
We are removing the second practical test, reducing costs and making it easier to progress to a full license provided drivers demonstrate safe driving behaviour while on their restricted.
To replace the removal of the second practical test, there will be a 12-month learner period for under 25s, with the option to reduce to six months through recording practice hours or undertaking an approved practical course.
All learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age, will now be subject to a zero-alcohol limit.
Most changes will take effect from 25 January 2027.
Changes to school reporting system
Parents deserve to know how their kids are progressing at school. That’s why we’re rolling out a nationally consistent approach to reporting students’ progress to parents.
Parents of Year 0-10 students will receive consistent reports across reading, writing, and maths, making it easier to understand progress.
This will also support consistent reporting of progress for children who move schools.
Each report will describe current progress using one of five progress descriptors, as well as progress over time, guidance on next leaning steps, and attendance information.
Reporting will be informed using nationally consistent assessments for all students at primary and intermediate schools.
In 2026, schools will be able to use the new SMART tool, PAT or e-asTTle to assess progress for students in Years 3-8. The new SMART tool will provide reliable, nationwide data on student achievement in the basics.
The new reporting and assessment tools are designed to support, not replace, teachers’ expertise, while ensuring parents are informed about and involved in their child’s learning.
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I look forward to seeing you out in our Tukituki community soon.
Regards, Catherine
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