The year has begun with its fair share of contrasts across New Zealand and in the mighty Rangitīkei, especially over the last week as severe weather rolled through our towns and rural communities.
It’s been a tough time for many, and the clean-up will take a while yet. My thoughts are with all those dealing with damage and uncertainty. Farmers, local businesses and families have been severely impacted and left with significant damage to infrastructure and crops. The wind certainly took its toll.
We’ve also seen the best of the Rangitīkei. Farmers clearing access to reach stranded motorists, contractors and council crews working long hours to reopen roads, lines teams working through difficult conditions, and neighbours looking out for one another.
Thank you to everyone supporting their community, and to our outstanding emergency services, council emergency management teams, contractors and volunteers whose hard work has been critical to keeping people safe and restoring essential services.
On a personal note, I’m excited to be confirmed as National’s candidate for the mighty Rangitīkei at this year's General Election on 7 November. Representing everyone who calls this great electorate home is a real privilege and, with Horowhenua now included, we have an even mightier Rangitīkei. Watch my candidacy announcement reel here.
There's plenty of work ahead, and if you want to be involved as we head toward the election I'd love to hear from you. Our campaign is powered by local people who care about the future of Rangitīkei and Horowhenua. If you’d like to help, whether it’s delivering flyers, making calls, hosting a cottage meeting, putting up a sign, or supporting the team behind the scenes, we’d love to have you involved. Every contribution makes a difference. Please send me an email at: Suze.Redmayne@national.org.nz
It was wonderful to celebrate National Lamb Day in mid-February and the hard work of our outstanding farmers, shearers, truck drivers, processors and exporters who keep our local economy strong and help drive growth across Rangitīkei and New Zealand.
In Wellington Minister for Agriculture Hon Todd McClay hosted MPs and industry leaders at the annual Parliamentary Barbecue on the Speaker’s Lawn. At home we enjoyed delicious lamb rumps for dinner.
This year marked 144 years since the first shipment of frozen lamb left for the UK, launching our world-class reputation for top-quality meat exports. Last year lamb exports topped $4 billion for the first time, and total exports have gone beyond $80 billion – with more than three quarters coming from the food and fibre sector.
In Rangitīkei these numbers are not just headlines. They reflect the hard work happening on our farms, in our woolsheds and in our processing plants every single day. I want to say a big thank you to everyone working across the food and fibre sector. Your hard work is fuelling our economy, supporting local jobs, businesses and families in our towns and rural communities.
At the end of January, I joined Education Minister Hon Erica Stanford, Finance Minister Hon Nicola Willis and MP for Wairarapa Mike Butterick at Queen Elizabeth College (QEC) for the announcement of two new specialist schools, including one for Palmerston North to be built at QEC. These schools are the first of their kind to be built in almost 50 years and are a hugely significant milestone for specialist education in New Zealand.
It was a pleasure to spend time with QEC principal Chris Moller, senior students and dedicated staff, along with SEPANZ president Maureen Poulter and teachers from specialist schools in Whanganui and Wellington - currently our closest specialist schools.
Opening in Term 2, 2027, the Palmerston North Specialist School will serve the city as well as wider Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Horowhenua. It will provide modern, purpose-built learning spaces, therapy areas and support facilities designed around students and their needs. This new school will give local families greater choice and confidence their children can learn in an environment which suits them.
You can watch a highlight reel from the announcement here.
Construction is underway on a major expansion of the Emergency Department at Palmerston North Hospital. Backed by a $14.4 million investment, it's the largest upgrade to the ED in 25 years and will deliver real benefits for people across Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Horowhenua who depend on Palmerston North Hospital for urgent care.
The project will add 15 new points of care, improving patient flow, privacy and safety while giving hardworking staff the space and facilities they need to deliver timely treatment. Once complete, capacity will increase by around 40 percent, helping the hospital keep pace with growing demand. The Emergency Department will remain open throughout the build.
Alongside this, our communities will also benefit from two new CT scanners which will be up and running at Palmerston North Hospital this month, providing an extra 3,000 scans every year.
It was a privilege to attend the Pōwhiri for our new Manawatū Area Commander, Inspector Matenga (Marty) Gray at Kohuturoa Marae in Levin. I'm looking forward to working alongside Marty as he steps into this significant position.
Keep up with all the latest announcements at Beehive.govt.nz
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced a $3.5 million investment to restore Tongariro National Park after fires last year. Read Beehive PR
The Government is providing police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places. Read Beehive PR
Anzac Day 2026 will be the first Anzac Day where all those who have served New Zealand in times of war will be officially commemorated. We’ve passed long-overdue updates to the Anzac Day Act which will recognise all our veterans, including those who have fought in conflicts since 1966. We will remember them. Read Beehive PR
New Zealand’s future prosperity depends on high quality infrastructure, like roads and public transport. Delivering and maintaining better infrastructure is a key part of our plan to fix the basics and build the future New Zealanders both need and deserve. Read Beehive PR
The Government will contract to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility in a critical step to strengthen New Zealand’s energy security and support economic growth. Read Beehive PR
Thousands more plumbing and drainage products already used widely in Australia can now be accessed easily by Kiwi tradies and do-it-yourself homeowners. Read Beehive PR
Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced a significant change designed to assess students and give parents clearer, more consistent information about how their children are progressing at school. Read Beehive PR
The Government is updating New Zealand’s Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) to make it cheaper and easier for young people to get their driver’s licence. Read Beehive PR
New Zealanders with stable, long-term conditions can get a repeat prescription for up to 12 months instead of just 3, saving time and money. Read Beehive PR
Pasifika Celebrations Day
7 March, 3pm-7pm at the Levin Show Grounds
Ford Ranger Rural Games Friday
13 -14 March at the Square in Palmerston North
Ōtaki Kite Festival
14-15 March, from 9:30 am at Ōtaki Beach
Central District Field days
19 - 21st March at Manfeild in Feilding
My team and I are available to assist you.
Reach us by emailing Suze.RedmayneMP@parliament.govt.nz or calling 06 323 7253 (Feilding) or 07 896 8008 (Taumarunui).
Visit us in person at one of our office locations.
Feilding office: 51 Fergusson Street, Feilding - Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 3:00pm.
Taumarunui office: 1/101 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui - Monday 9:30am to 2:30pm and Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm.