Even though it is only February, the National-led Government is focused on fixing the basics and building the future.
Yesterday was the first Members’ Day of 2026 and my Juries (Age of Excusal) Amendment Bill had its third and final reading, passing unanimously. It will now be easier for our Courts to fill the required number of jurors for jury trials, part of our focus on restoring law and order in New Zealand. This was my first Member’s Bill to pass through the House and has been an invaluable learning experience, especially in terms of seeking the support of parties and MPs across the Parliament.
Not being someone who stands still, my next Member’s Bill lodged into the Biscuit Tin is the Employment Relations (Mediation Services) Amendment Bill. TVNZ’s Q+A programme featured this Bill last week; you can view the segment here.
For those who like to watch speeches in the House, I now have a YouTube channel where we will be posting videos of my speeches. You can view my speeches here.
It was another fantastic summer for our region - Whanganui Vintage Weekend and the Aero Day at Whanganui Airport were huge successes, and the following week the PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic athletics meeting at Cook’s Garden got international attention. Both Whanganui Vintage Weekend and the Cook's International Classic were supported by the Government’s Regional Events Promotion Fund.
Paepae in the Park in Pātea is a Waitangi Day institution, and it was a privilege to attend the opening powhiri. Last Saturday Waverley Summer Jam attracted a good crowd. Both these events were free to attendees.
Hawera Christian School opened their new premises in January, which I attended along with Mayor Phil Nixon. It was an honour to have the efforts my team and I put into supporting them securing a new location recognised as part of the opening. I support the right of parents to exercise choice in how their children are educated.
Labour’s oil and gas ban increased energy prices, cut jobs, and made New Zealand more reliant on overseas coal. New Zealand is currently experiencing an electricity generation boom, and the National-led Government’s reforms will accelerate even more renewable energy projects.
Rapidly declining gas supply has left our electricity sector exposed during dry years – when the sun does not shine, the wind does not blow, and we cannot fill up our hydro lakes. That is why the National Government will contract to build a new LNG facility which will make power prices cheaper for Kiwis. The lack of gas supply is what causes spikes in energy prices that make your power bills more expensive. LNG will provide a backup source of energy when there is not enough renewable energy, preventing those spikes and therefore driving power bills down.
You may have heard Labour describe this as a ‘fuel tax’. Unlike their capital gains tax, which will tax every New Zealander, this policy will save you money.
- Friday 20/2 - Hon Scott Simpson visits Whanganui
- Saturday 21/2 - Waimarino A&P Show at Raetihi and Egmont A&P Show at Hawera
- Tuesday 24/2 - Carl’s Community Connect at Trafalgar Square, Whanganui
- Thursday 26/2 - Carl’s Community Connect at Stratford Community House
- Saturday 7/3 - Normanby School 150th Anniversary
- Whanganui Chronicle - Petition started to save Lindsay’s Lotto post centre in Whanganui East
- River City Press – Repealing the RMA (P9)
- Opunake and Coastal News – The state of the nation (P8)
- Patea Waverley Press – Summer fun and serious business (P3)
- Southern Star – Great family events in South Taranaki (P2)
Look forward to seeing you around the electorate.