Welcome to my April newsletter.
This month has underscored just how challenging the current economic environment remains. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to create uncertainty in global fuel supply, driving higher prices at the pump and increasing transport and energy costs. Combined with prolonged adverse weather across parts of New Zealand, these pressures are being felt acutely by households, farmers, contractors, transport operators and local businesses. While the Reserve Bank has recently confirmed the Official Cash Rate remains unchanged, cost pressures from fuel and logistics continue to weigh heavily on day to day budgets.
In response, the Government is taking a targeted and measured approach to support those most affected, without adding unnecessary pressure to inflation. The updated National Fuel Plan strengthens New Zealand’s preparedness by setting out clear response phases. The current focus is on close monitoring of global developments, working directly with fuel suppliers, increasing flexibility where possible and encouraging voluntary fuel conservation. Importantly, the plan allows for escalation if supply risks grow, ensuring fuel can be prioritised for emergency services, freight, food supply chains and key industries that underpin regional economies like ours.
Support for households is being delivered where it is needed most. From early April, low to middle income working families with children are receiving a temporary $50 per week boost through the In‑Work Tax Credit, helping manage rising costs while maintaining fiscal discipline. Annual adjustments to key payments have also come into effect, increasing support for superannuitants, families, students and people receiving benefits, providing certainty and stability during a volatile period.
Alongside this, targeted investment is strengthening community wellbeing, particularly in rural areas, with funding supporting mental health services, outreach programmes and essential workers who rely on daily travel to deliver care. These deliberate, focused measures are designed to ease immediate pressures while protecting jobs, safeguarding essential services and keeping our economy on a stable footing.
Recent Key Announcements:
Unlocking economic potential for high country farms: Rule changes freeing up high country farmers to make the most of their land will unlock economic opportunities, support job creation and strengthen regional economies (Beehive PR)
Fast-track approved project could deliver New Zealand’s largest wind farm: Fast-track approval has been granted for New Zealand’s largest wind farm project (Beehive PR)
Increased mileage rates for home and community support workers: Home and community support workers will receive a temporary 30% increase to their mileage rates to help offset rising fuel costs (Beehive PR)
Science funding to focus on national impact: The Government is backing a shift in science spending to areas that will have the greatest national impact, with a stronger focus on advanced technology (Beehive PR)
$50 a week for lower-income working families: The Government is moving quickly to provide extra support for low-to-middle-income working families as conflict in the Middle East drives up fuel prices and adds pressure to household budgets (Beehive PR)
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 (Beehive PR)
NZ and trade partners working together on trade disruptions: A new joint statement on keeping supply chains open with fellow Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership members (Beehive PR)
1 April boost for superannuitants, families and other Kiwis: Superannuitants, working families, students and beneficiaries are among the New Zealanders who will receive additional support from 1 April (Beehive PR)
Fuel plan to protect economy amid disruption: The Government has today released updates to the National Fuel Plan to respond to fuel supply uncertainty driven by the conflict in the Middle East (Beehive PR)
Next steps on secondary qualification to replace NCEA confirmed: The Government has taken the first major step in rebuilding New Zealand’s senior secondary qualifications system, with Cabinet agreeing to the structure of a new qualification system to replace NCEA following consultation (Beehive PR)
All wartime service now honoured on Anzac Day: Legislation to formally recognise all those who have served New Zealand in times of war as part of Anzac Day commemorations has passed in Parliament today (Beehive PR)
If you are interested here is a link to read the PR Releases relating to my Ministerial portfolios.
Upcoming events:
11 Apr NZ Gardens Trust Conference, Timaru
13 Apr South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Event, Timaru
13 Apr National Party Morning Tea, Timaru
17 Apr Transporting NZ event, Ashburton
17 Apr Lions NZ Convention, Ashburton
18 Apr NZ Ploughing Championships, Methven
25 Apr ANZAC Day ceremonies, South Canterbury
28 Apr Arable night out, guest speaker Willie Apiata VC, Dunsandel (free event register here)
29 Apr Arable night out, guest speaker Willie Apiata VC, Ashburton (free event register here)
30 Apr Arable night out, guest speaker Willie Apiata VC, Timaru (free event register here)
3 May JP Association 75th Anniversary Luncheon, Ashburton
Visit the following sites for more information on events happening in our region:
Highlights:
March saw three busy weekends spent across the electorate at some of our much‑loved A&P Shows: from the Temuka and Geraldine A&P Show in Winchester, to the Methven A&P Show, and the Mayfield Show. A&P days remain such an important part of rural life, bringing together farming families, town visitors, volunteers and community organisations in a genuine celebration of what our rural communities do best. This year’s show season was a welcome reminder that these events are about celebrating rural success, catching up, sharing stories and checking in on one another after another demanding year for many in the sector. The strong turnout reflected that enduring connection between our rural and urban communities.
(Photo: At the Temuka and Geraldine A&P Show in Winchester)
It was great to see so many smiling faces at the Weet‑Bix Kids TRYathlon at the EA Networks Centre, a much‑loved event that has been encouraging young people to get active and give sport a go for many years. From first‑time participants to confident competitors, the morning was all about fun, perseverance and participation. It was a privilege to join Jan Cochrane and Mayor Liz as a medal presenter and help celebrate the effort and achievements of these young athletes. An awesome community event that does a brilliant job promoting health, exercise and confidence in our kids.
(Photo: With Jan Cochrane and Mayor Liz McMillan at the Mid Canterbury Weet‑Bix Kids TRYathlon)
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Year 7 and 8 students (and one determined Year 6!) from Waihi School to Parliament. They learnt about how laws are made and what it means to represent regional New Zealand. Thank you for the visit and the great questions, it was a privilege to show you around Your House. I’m always happy to welcome schools from across the electorate to Parliament. If your school is interested in visiting, please reach out to the electorate office for details.
(Photo with: Year 8 Waihi School students in the Parliament Post Press Room)
I recently hosted a Rural Nats catch up meeting in Westerfield. While held in Ashburton, around 50 people attended, contributing to an open, constructive, and frank conversation about the challenges facing rural New Zealand. It was great to be joined by Rural Nats Chair and Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick, whose perspective helped guide a wide‑ranging discussion.
There was strong appreciation for the work currently underway to restore confidence in the farming sector, fix the basics, and provide greater certainty for rural communities. Resource Management Act reform featured prominently, with clear interest in a system that is more practical, consistent, and aligned with real world rural conditions. Participants spoke about the importance of clearer legislation, a sensible balance between national direction and local decision‑making, and longer-term certainty for essential infrastructure, particularly water storage and distribution.
As Minister for Hunting and Fishing, I was pleased to officially open the newly restored McIntyre Wetland on Glenariffe Stream, providing a significant boost for the Rakaia salmon fishery. Glenariffe Stream produces around 18% of the wild Chinook salmon returning to the Rakaia, and restoring the stream to its natural course has revived a critical spawning habitat. The project has exceeded expectations, protecting more than 380 hectares of high‑country streams and wetlands, and stands as a strong example of what can be achieved through partnership between landowners, conservation groups, scientists and government.
(Photo: Fish & Game and landowners at the McIntyre Wetlands official opening)
Recent Interviews:
I have a regular interview with Gareth on The Breeze every second Wednesday at 8:45am. You may also hear me on Hokonui Ashburton with Luke from time to time, often at short notice, so if you’ve got the radio on in the mornings across Mid Canterbury, tune in to Hokonui.
Contact the team:
Any issues or feedback to do with my portfolio areas, contact my ministerial team at j.meager@ministers.govt.nz
If you need help with a local electorate issue (Mid Canterbury or South Canterbury) contact my electorate offices at james.meagerMP@parliament.govt.nz
Call: South Canterbury 03 683 2009 or Mid Canterbury 03 307 1729.
Drop in: Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm. (Note: Mid Canterbury office closed Wednesdays).
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Take care,
James
MP for Rangitata
Follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JamesMeagerMP.