February has been a month of reflection, remembrance, celebration, and strong community connection. It’s been a time to pause and honour our history, while also showcasing the very best of Hawke’s Bay on the national stage and to look ahead with clear purpose.
I marked Waitangi Day across the region an important opportunity to reflect on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and what it means for us today. This month also marked the anniversary of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, where we remembered the 256 lives lost and the resilience that rebuilt our city. And three years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, we continue to acknowledge the long road of recovery, while recognising the real progress being made across the region.
February also brought celebration and momentum. The Art Deco Festival once again filled Napier with pride, visitors, and energy delivering a significant boost to our local economy. It was a privilege to welcome Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Ministers Louise Upston, Chris Bishop and Paul Goldsmith to Hawke’s Bay, giving them the opportunity to see firsthand the strength of our community, the progress underway, and the opportunities ahead.
As always, the highlight has been connecting with locals at commemorations, festivals, community meetings, and events right across the electorate. Hawke’s Bay’s history has shaped us, but it’s our resilience, unity and ambition that defines us. I’m proud to stand alongside you as we continue building a strong future together.
· Prime Minister Visits Deco Magic
· Delivering Homes with Minister Chris Bishop
· Minister Louise Upston Showcases Napier
· Justice Minister Visits Hawke’s Bay
· Highlights this month
· Recent Policy announcements
· What’s happened in the house
· Upcoming events and important dates
As always, I’m committed to keeping Napier and Wairoa front and centre. I'm here to listen, and here to help.
Katie
It was such a privilege to welcome Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Napier and show him firsthand just how special this festival is for our city. He absolutely loved it, and you could feel the pride right across the community.
From the Soap Box Derby to cruising in a vintage car, wandering through the Gatsby Picnic and finishing with the flyover, it was pure Art Deco magic. Beyond the atmosphere, events like this deliver a real boost to our local economy supporting businesses, hospitality, and jobs across the region.
So proud of our community; we truly put on something extraordinary. ✨
Such a special day in Flaxmere celebrating six new affordable homes delivered by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated through their Kahungunu Kāinga programme.
It was fantastic to have Minister Chris Bishop in Hawke’s Bay to see the impact firsthand and support the work being done for local whānau. Standing alongside Mayor Wendy Schollum of Heretaunga Hastings was a strong reminder of what’s possible when iwi, local government and central government work together.
This is real momentum, partnering to deliver warm, healthy homes for our region.
We were delighted to welcome Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, to Hawke’s Bay and what a way to showcase our region. From riding in the iconic Art Deco Vintage Car Parade to attending the Mayor’s Lunch alongside local leaders and businesses, it was a wonderful celebration of everything that makes Napier so special.
Events like this aren’t just a great day out (although they certainly are) they draw visitors, support local businesses, and give our region a valuable national spotlight.
It was great to welcome Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Justice, to Hawke’s Bay.
We began the day on Radio Hawke’s Bay, giving locals the opportunity to hear directly from the Minister and discuss the issues that matter most to our community.
At our Justice Community Meeting later on, the focus turned to the concerns I hear every week - retail crime, youth offending, and ensuring Police have the right tools, including move-on orders, to step in early and keep our communities safe.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation.
Three years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, the memories remain close for many across Hawke’s Bay. My thoughts are with every whānau still carrying the weight of that time and continuing the long road of recovery.
Since coming into Government, we’ve been focused on backing our region cutting through red tape, investing in critical infrastructure, and ensuring Hawke’s Bay gets the support it needs. Good progress has been made, but there is still more to do. We’ll keep advocating until the job is done.
We stand together, and we keep moving forward. 💙
I loved visiting Little Lifestyle Flower Farm. After suffering cyclone damage, Kristin has transformed her property into a beautiful pick-your-own flower field a truly uplifting comeback story. It’s a wonderful example of the heart and creativity behind our local small businesses, creating affordable, special spaces for our community to connect. And with Valentine’s Day here, it was the perfect reminder to support local and pick something beautiful. 💐
It was great to be at the pre-season Captain’s Run in Napier alongside Mayor Richard McGrath. Hosting the New Zealand Warriors is a fantastic boost for our region, bringing energy for fans, support for local businesses, and a real buzz across Hawke’s Bay.
Waitangi Day was marked across our region with reflection and connection.
We began the day with a meaningful hikoi from Waitangi Park to the banks of the Clive River — a place of deep significance in our shared history, where Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed here in Heretaunga.
Thank you to Ngāti Kahungunu and the Waitangi Trust for once again bringing our community together for.
At 10.47am on 3 February 1931, Napier’s world changed forever. The Hawke’s Bay earthquake took 256 lives and reshaped our city and our community in an instant. Nearly a century on, that moment remains part of who we are. On Sunday, we gathered at Waiapu Cathedral — including five earthquake survivors sitting alongside younger generations, a powerful reminder of loss, endurance, and the resilience that rebuilt our city. Today, we pause to honour those we lost and the strength that continues to define us. We remember together.
Lots of policy announcements have been made this month. Please click on the links below to learn more.
Education
Assessment and reporting changes for parents shine light on learning – read the Beehive PR here
Students returning to school this week will benefit from a significant change designed to give parents clearer, more consistent information about how their children are progressing at school.
Māori education package and draft curriculum release as school starts – read the Beehive PR here
As the draft curriculum in te reo Māori is released for Term 1, Education Minister Erica Stanford is announcing a set of Māori education resources and the launch of a new te reo Māori training programme for 50,000 teachers.
Health
Easier prescriptions put more money in patients’ pockets- read the Beehive PR here
Starting today, New Zealanders can receive prescriptions for up to 12-months, saving them money and simplifying access to medicines, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Nearly 12,000 online GP consults delivered over the holidays – read the Beehive PR here
Thousands of Kiwis stayed connected to health services over the holiday period thanks to the Government’s new Online GP Care service, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Agriculture
Sheep farmers come to parliament to celebrate record year – read the Beehive PR here
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has today hosted a celebratory barbecue for farmers, industry representatives and MPs to mark the upcoming National Lamb Day on 15 February.
Finance
Government invests to support energy security – read the Beehive PR here
The Government will set out its financial intentions for the coming year on 28 May when it delivers the 2026 Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Mental Health
Faster access to ADHD support coming – read the Beehive PR here
Following the changes made today, more New Zealanders with ADHD will have faster access to support as a result of changes to who can assess, diagnose, and start ADHD treatment, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Housing
Tails wagging as over 1,700 pet bonds lodged – read the Beehive PR here
More than 1,700 pet bonds have now been lodged with Tenancy Services since the pet bond system started on 1 December 2025, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
Kāinga Ora’s Turnaround Plan is working – read the Beehive PR here
One year on from the announcement of Kāinga Ora’s Turnaround Plan, the agency is getting its books back in order and improving performance – delivering lower build costs, a strong renewals programme, less rental debt, and higher tenancy satisfaction, Housing Minister Chris Bishop, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
Tourism
Tourists through new pathway triple in two months– read the Beehive PR here
A new travel option that enables eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors to cross the ditch to New Zealand visa free is bringing in a considerable boost in tourism and revenue, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston say.
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Thanks
Katie Nimon
Member of Parliament for Napier
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