Wedd's Weekly 17 April 2026

It's been a busy few weeks out and about across the electorate as parliament has been in recess. This has been a great opportunity to meet with many of our amazing communities in Hawke's Bay including primary producers who are the backbone of our region.

Our government is laser-focused on creating economic conditions needed to support businesses, like primary producers, so they can create jobs and opportunity.

This is the reason why our work to bring down inflation, cut red tape, enable water security and drive more renewable energy is so important and it was great to be part of our recent announcement of an $18 million government loan investment in the Tukituki water security scheme.

I’ve been continually advocating for water storage and water security since coming into government, so the announcement shows real progress which will unlock growth, economic opportunity, and jobs in our region.

Hawke's Bay was also one of many regions across New Zealand, this past week, where a localised state of emergency was declared.

We were fortunate to not incur any significant impact post Cyclone Vaianu, with the localised state of emergency lifted on Monday.

Hawke's Bay has been through significant events in the past few years, and I acknowledge and thank the councils', Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management, and fire and emergency services for all their hard work.

OUT AND ABOUT

Celebrating success

Congratulations to Turfrey, a family business celebrating 50 years!

It was great to catch up with the Turfrey brothers, Brad and Thomas to learn more about the company's growth and innovation in roofing and plumbing and many other services.

It’s good to see businesses in Hawke’s Bay growing and creating jobs and opportunities for our region as infrastructure projects progress.

Awesome work Turfrey.

Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Awards

Congratulations to Hawke’s Bay farmers of the year Charles and Mandy Yule and to John Bostock for Industry Leader of the year and to all the amazing participants and winners at the Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards - so many amazing hardworking people to celebrate in our Primary Industries!

Championing race unity

Congratulations to Amanjot Singh for winning the Race Unity Hawke’s Bay Speech Awards!

Good luck at Nationals Amanjot - you are doing our region and Hastings Boys' High School proud!

Backing our farmers and growers

I recently met with a number of process vegetable growers.

They raised some useful suggestions, regarding opportunities to support New Zealand food producers.

I continually advocate and champion our horticulture sector and value this feedback as we work to ensure our manufacturing businesses can be more profitable.

The past several years have been challenging for manufacturers, due to inflationary pressures, high energy costs, and supply chain disruptions.

We are laser focused on creating the economic conditions needed to support businesses to be more profitable, so they can create jobs and opportunity.

This is why our work to bring down inflation, cut red tape, enable water security and drive more renewable energy is so important!

Nurturing our young minds

Opening Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Mayfair was a very special moment to share with whanau, staff and Tamariki.

The refreshed space is ready for tamariki, whānau and kaiako to connect and thrive.

We know the first 2000 days of a child’s development are critical, and our government is working hard to support our children in those precious early years.

Barnardos focuses on a whānau-centred approach that brings social and community support to children, when they need it most.

Well done to Di and the Barnardos team - it's an amazing new space.

North Island Volunteer Firefighter Challenge

North Island Volunteer Firefighter Challenge took place in Havelock North and hundreds of incredible volunteer firefighters put everything on the line!

It was amazing to watch and awesome to catch up with the winner and the fastest firefighter Aidan Grant from Ohakea, speeding through the course and carrying the 80kg dummy so effortlessly to the finish line.

We appreciate the amazing work of our volunteers every day, saving lives and risking their own lives to serve our community.

Thank you to all our incredible volunteer firefighters across the country.

Thriving export businesses

I love seeing our local export businesses thriving. Green Collar is growing Japanese Table Grapes here in Hawke’s Bay and exporting them to the world.

Last year they grew 1 tonne and this year they’ve increased to 7 tonnes.

We want to double the value of our exports in the next 10 years and it’s companies like this who are leading the way, creating jobs and opportunity in Hawke’s Bay - the best region in the world to grow premium produce!

I love celebrating our Fruit Bowl of New Zealand.

Welcoming Minister Nicola Grigg to the region

It was a pleasure to show Minister for the Environment, of State for Trade and Investment, for Women and Associate Minister for ACC, Nicola Grigg to Hawke's Bay.

I loved showing her the great work done in sustainability in our electorate through Sustainable Hawke's Bay Trust where we learnt about 'the Rinsery' as a solution to help event organisers deliver zero waste events.

The service will provide reusable serveware supported by technology that encourages returns and boosts engagement from both attendees and organisers. The project will leverage an existing mobile wash station, alongside new investments in water stations, reusable serveware, and trained staff. Data will be captured across all events through citizen science initiatives to inform future planning and support the long-term development of The Rinsery.

We also took a trip out to Henderson Road Transfer Station and also public collection site for Tyrewise, giving the Minister a practical view of waste diversion in action.

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Year-on-year increase in jobseekers finding work

It is great to see more New Zealanders moving off benefit and into work over the year to March 2026, even as economic conditions remain challenging.

5,580 more people left the benefit for work during the year ending March 2026 compared to the same period the year before.

Quarterly comparisons are also positive, with 24,615 exits from a main benefit into work during the March 2026 quarter – up 1,347 from the March 2025 quarter.

We’re facing tough economic conditions, both at home and internationally, but these numbers matter – they represent lives turned around for thousands of New Zealanders.

WoF and CoF A changes to save Kiwis billions

New Zealand’s Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and Certificate of Fitness A (CoF A) light vehicle inspection requirements will soon be significantly reformed, saving Kiwis time and money.

From 1 November 2026:

New light vehicles will require their second WoF after four years instead of three.

Light vehicles over 14 years, and motorcycles registered before 1 January 2000, will move to annual WoF inspections (up from six‑monthly for some vehicles).

Light rental vehicles will move from six monthly to yearly inspections.

WoF and CoF A inspections will be expanded to include certain Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features.

Light vehicles aged 4-14 years, and registered on or after 1 November 2019, will transition from annual to two yearly WoF inspections

From 1 November 2027:

Light vehicles aged 4-14 years, and registered on or after 1 November 2013, will transition from annual to two yearly WoF inspections.

Expanded role for community pharmacists

From June, it will be easier and more affordable for parents to get treatment for their children for a range of common health conditions, with expanded services proposed to be delivered through community pharmacies.

Health New Zealand is proposing that participating pharmacists be able to provide funded medicines for children and their families for pain and fever management, oral rehydration, and common conditions such as scabies, head lice, and conjunctivitis. The proposal also covers treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections and emergency contraception.

To support delivery, Health New Zealand has established a $5 million per year Extended Pharmacy Services Fund to help ensure these services are available nationwide.

Read more about it here- Expanded role for community pharmacists | Beehive.govt.nz

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