Wedd's Weekly - Happy Easter

As we head into the Easter weekend, I finish another busy week in Parliament and want to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and happy Easter.

As the Middle East Conflict continues and global oil supplies continue to be disrupted. We remain focused on securing fuel supply for New Zealand.

We are also acutely conscious the conflict in the Middle East is causing pain for Kiwis at the pump, and is leading to increased costs for businesses, and goods and services across our economy. We have been upfront in acknowledging that the fall-out from these global events is likely to drive New Zealand’s inflation rate higher and our growth rate lower than previously forecast.

We know that responding with large, untargeted government spending programmes, could make things worse for Kiwis by adding even more pressure to inflation and debt. We are making careful choices in order to protect New Zealand’s economic stability.

While we can’t control global oil prices or overseas conflicts, we can take steps to ease the pressure on working families with targeted, responsible support, which is why we are providing $50 per week to 143,000 low to middle income earning families from 1 April.

We also announced today increased mileage rates for home and community support workers, with a temporary 30 percent increase to mileage rates.

OUT AND ABOUT

Fundraising for a good cause

I got the chance to support Cranford Hospice for the street appeal.

The care and comfort Cranford provides to our Hawke’s Bay families is truly amazing.

Every little bit of support helps them continue their vital work.

Thank you to the Cranford team and to all the incredible volunteers who do amazing work in our community.

Capturing history

Steeped in 122 years of history - Hastings Boys High School has shaped the lives of so many.

And now they have opened a special Akina room, which shows what it means to be an Akina Boy - showcasing the history and the identity of the school.

It was very special to spend some time with Principal Mason and understand the power and significance of this history.

Making inroads in crime reduction

Welcome to our new Eastern District Commander, Superintendent Joel Lamb!

It was great to catch up with Joel and Hawke's Bay Area Prevention Manager Inspector Caroline Martin and discuss the work of our local police to create safer communities and Joel’s focus on recruiting more police to the beat in Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti.

We discussed the success of banning gang patches in public and the reduction in violent crime.

Our Eastern Police Team do such an amazing job keeping our communities safe.

Investing in predator-free New Zealand

We are excited to be investing more into Predator Free work - with Wellington set to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city.

As Chair of the Environment Select Committee I stood alongside our conservation minister for the announcement.

The Department of Conservation will invest $5.5 million to target introduced predators across 18,500 hectares.

This phase focuses on predator elimination that can work at scale, creating a model that can be applied across New Zealand over time.

We are committed to protecting our environment and being predator free by 2050!

Celebrating kiwifruit industry

I was thrilled to be celebrating our kiwifruit industry at Parliament this week and celebrate the massive contribution it makes to regional communities.

Zespri’s record season says it all, over $5 billion in global sales, 220.9 million trays sold, and more than $3 billion returned to the New Zealand industry.

A good news story for our economy, and with the India Free Trade Agreement creating incredible new opportunities, long may it continue.

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

1 April boost for superannuitants, families and other Kiwis

From 1 April, more than a million New Zealanders will see extra support in their pockets.

We know the conflict in the Middle East is putting more pressure on your household budget with higher fuel prices.

Superannuitants will see increased payments – for example, NZ Superannuation for a married couple who both qualify will lift more than $50 to $1,708 a fortnight.

Low-to-middle-income working parents get an extra $50 a week, for up to a year, from the in-work tax credit – helping 143,000 families, with 14,000 more now eligible.

Working for Families changes give about $14 extra a fortnight, on average, to 142,000 families.

And the family tax credit, benefits and student allowances will also rise on 1 April.

Increased mileage rates for home and community support workers

Our Government has announced a temporary 30 per cent increase to mileage rates for home and community support workers to help ease the pressure of rising fuel costs driven by global instability.

This is timely, targeted, and temporary support, focused on frontline workers who must travel daily to deliver essential care in people’s homes.

Home and community support workers play a critical role in supporting some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people, and this measure helps ensure continuity of essential healthcare services.

From today, mileage rates increase from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre, recognising the real-world costs workers are facing at the pump.

The increased mileage rate will apply for up to 12 months, from 2 April 2026, or until the price of 91 octane petrol falls below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks, whichever comes first.

Government calls for regulatory feedback to boost fuel resilience

Businesses, fuel users, freight operators, and the wider public should report any regulatory barriers that might be hindering the government's response to global fuel uncertainty.

Submissions should be made to the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline (the Tipline). Submissions can be made here.

New Zealand’s fuel supply is stable. We’re focussed on keeping it that way. This Government has responded well to the potential of conflict in the Middle East leading to shortages.

We can’t control what happens in the Middle East. We can control how we get fuel flowing through New Zealand pumps. If red tape is getting in the way of that goal, we want to hear it.

Pharmac funds lifechanging cystic fibrosis medication for all ages

Beginning 1 April Pharmac will:

• Widen funded access to Trikafta for all children with eligible diagnosis (currently only funded for children 6 years and older)

• Widen funded access to Kalydeco for everyone with eligible diagnosis

• Fund access to a new treatment, Alyftrek

These treatments are lifechanging for Kiwis living with cystic fibrosis and their families. Children can now access to these lifechanging treatments as soon as clinically appropriate. Cystic fibrosis can cause harm very early in life, so waiting to meet age-based eligibility criteria is not an option.

This has been made possible through Pharmac’s commitment to working with the cystic fibrosis community. It is a great example of what is possible when Pharmac works alongside patients.

We’re making the system work better for the people it serves. When people can access their medicines easily, they stay healthier for longer. It also reduces pressure on other parts of the health system.

Open Banking to power business growth

Open Banking will be extended to business banking channels, opening the door to a broad range of tools and services for businesses.

It means businesses can share their banking data with trusted providers, unlocking faster loan comparisons, automated accounting, and smarter cashflow tools to boost competition and productivity.

This is about making life easier for businesses. It means fintechs can develop new tools for businesses which can mean less time on paperwork and admin, and more time focusing on customers and growth.

Purchasing rules lifted for disability support

From 1 April disabled people with flexible funding will gain more choice and control over their supports, with purchasing rules removed and guidance available to help people manage their budgets.

Here are the changes-

Flexible funding budgets will stay at each person’s current allocation level.

Flexible funding must still be spent in line with people’s funding plans, but people will have more choice about what works for them.

People still need to keep their spending within their allocated budgets.

Flexible funding still cannot be used for prohibited items such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling and illegal activities.

A small number of purchases will need pre-approval. For example, international travel equipment, complementary therapies or one-off purchases over a set limit.

There will be extra guidance to plan and manage budgets for people with Individualised funding and some hosted Enabling Good Lives personal budgets. The guidance people get depends on their situation. Hosts will be in touch with each person from 1 April onwards about this.

More information can be found here- Flexible funding from 1 April | Disability Support Services.

Happy Easter!

Wishing you all an egg-stra special Easter break with family and loved ones

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