The start of this month saw our students starting or returning to school or university across Selwyn. I want to extend a warm welcome to those who are just beginning their learning journey in the area!
I've included some relevant government announcements, highlights from out and about the district this month, an opportunity for you to have your say on transport law and some upcoming event reminders.
The Government has classified the challenging weather felt by many crop farmers in mid Canterbury this summer as a medium‑scale adverse event.
This classification unlocks further support for farmers and growers, including tax relief, and enables MSD to consider Rural Assistance Payments and Enhanced Taskforce Green.
In Canterbury, ongoing wet weather and hailstorms have made this a very difficult season for arable farmers, with significant crop damage in some areas. I know how tough this has been and how much pressure people are under.
We’re working closely with Rural Advisory Groups and Rural Support Trusts to make sure support is targeted where it’s needed most. Events offering technical advice and practical support, including managing winter feed gaps and cashflow, are being planned.
If you’re feeling the strain or need support, please don’t wait - reach out early. You can contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254 for confidential help.
The new Military Health and Performance Centre, Tū Manawa Ora, at Burnham Military Camp is the first combined health and rehabilitation facility across the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) estate, bringing together a broad range of services under one roof.
The new facility includes:
- Comprehensive medical treatment centre
- Dental services
- Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and performance spaces
- Psychological resilience, pastoral care, social work, and counselling services
- Education, research, simulation, and training facilities
- Staff and logistics areas
- Emergency response, including ambulance facilities
This new centre demonstrates to our Defence people that while they dedicate themselves to serving New Zealand, we are committed to ensuring they have the health, wellbeing and working environments they need to perform at their best.
Anzac Day is one of our most important days of remembrance.
This week, Parliament passed legislation to ensure all those who have served New Zealand in times of war are formally recognised as part of Anzac Day commemorations. Previously, the legislation failed to acknowledge conflicts after 1966, meaning many service personnel were excluded from official commemorations under the law.
For Selwyn, this matters. Burnham Military Camp is a key part of our district, and generations of service personnel and families have served our country from here. This change ensures no one is left out of our national remembrance because of when or how they served.
From Anzac Day 2026, our commemorations will formally honour the full breadth of service and sacrifice.
The Government is continuing its work to fix the basics of New Zealand’s transport system, with public consultation opening this week on packages of practical rule changes to make every day travel safer.
Proposals include:
- Allowing children up to age 12 (inclusive) to ride their bikes on footpaths, helping keep younger riders safer and reflecting common practice.
- Introducing a mandatory passing gap of between one and 1.5 metres, depending on the speed limit, to give motorists clearer guidance when passing cyclists and horse riders.
- Allowing e-scooters to use cycle lanes.
- Requiring drivers travelling under 60 kilometres per hour to give way to buses pulling out from bus stops.
- Clarifying signage rules so councils can better manage berm parking.
If you want to have your say on what these rules could look like for Selwyn, I encourage you to make a submission.
Submissions can be made via the NZTA website: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/laneuse, https://www.nzta.govt.nz/hvp-phase-2
At the start of this month Principal Rachel Skelton and I opened Rolleston College’s new Senior Campus, which provides the facilities for students to focus, to grow and to thrive in their learning - with more to come with Stage Two next year.
The explosive growth that Selwyn and specifically Rolleston has experienced in the last decade has prioritised our focus on ensuring that we have the spaces to keep pace with growth.
It was a pleasure to be able to visit Lincoln University twice during O-Week.
Firstly, to speak at the Mihi Whakatau where I was able to welcome our future leaders and their new teachers to Selwyn.
I returned a few days later for the Lincoln University Student's Association Clubs Day. The gym was absolutely buzzing with activity, and it was a real pleasure to meet students and hear their aspirations as they step into this next chapter.
Lincoln University is an incredible asset to our region, and I am always excited to see what our students achieve both here and out in the big, wide world.
I spent an evening in Darfield for the Tasman Regional Young Farmers Regional Final - a fantastic event and a real credit to Selwyn’s rural community.
The finalists showed exceptional knowledge of the industry and a strong commitment to building long‑term careers in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. Congratulations to Bryce Win on taking out the win, and well done to all competitors.
With farming at the heart of Selwyn’s economy, it’s encouraging to see the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition backing skills, innovation, and farmer wellbeing - supported by the Government’s new partnership between ACC and NZ Young Farmers.
I accompanied Todd McClay MP and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chief Negotiator Vangelis Vitalis as they discussed the opportunities arising from the historic NZ-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at Business Canterbury.
Here in Canterbury around 16 percent of workers are in sectors set to benefit most from NZ’s improved access to the Indian market as a result of the FTA. These include agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food processing and manufacturing and general manufacturing.
SPN Children's Day 2026
A free great day out for the family in Rolleston.
- Foster Park, Rolleston
- Sunday 1st of March (this Sunday!), 11:00am-3:00pm
Lincoln Coffee Catchup
Have any concerns or want to chat with me? Swing by - no appointment needed!
- Robert Harris Lincoln
- Thursday 19th of March, 11:00am-12:00pm
Malvern A&P Show
The National Party team will have a stall, say hello if you're there.
- Sheffield Domain, 91 West Coast Road
- Saturday 28th of March
- $15 per adult, under 16 free
As always, my team and I are here and available to help.
You can get in touch with us by emailing Nicola.GriggMP@parliament.govt.nz, phone 03 344 2800, or pop into the office in Rolleston Square between Monday and Fridays, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Kind regards,
Hon Nicola Grigg
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