In The House with Carl
Protecting young New Zealanders online is an issue we cannot afford to ignore. Parliament recently held a special debate on the report of the Education and Workforce Committee into the harm young people encounter online. It was a valuable opportunity to outline the Committee’s overall recommendations while the Government confirms the next steps. Here’s an excerpt of my speech from the debate.
“For many young New Zealanders, the online world is not separate from the real world; it is part of the real world, and that means the responsibility for how safe, healthy, and supportive that environment is does not sit with young people alone. It sits with all of us as legislators, as parents, as educators, as platform providers, and as a society more broadly.”
Carl Bates, 13 May 2026
A win for Whanganui - In the last Connecting With Carl I wrote that my colleague Dana Kirkpatrick (East Coast) and I had written to Associate Transport Minister Hon James Meager urging the Government to consider Regional Infrastructure Fund support for Air Chathams. On 24 April, Minister Meager announced that Air Chathams was receiving a loan of $17.2 million to restructure debt and continue servicing towns like Whanganui.
Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui came to Parliament last week for the First Reading of the Ngā Hapū o Te Iwi o Whanganui Claims Settlement Bill. This followed the signing of a Deed of Settlement at Kaiwhaiki Marae earlier this month. The National-led Government remains committed to settling historic Treaty of Waitangi disputes. Here’s an extract from my speech from the debate last week.
Anzac Day
Anzac Day holds a special place in Kiwi history. We remember the contributions of New Zealanders to two World Wars, and this year was first time our national commemoration formally recognises all those who have served New Zealand in times of war. I attended services in Otakeho (South Taranaki), the Whanganui Dawn Service, Ohakune and the inaugural service held by Whanganui’s Cook Islands community to remember the more than 500 Cook Islanders who served New Zealand with distinction in WW1, suffering great loss.
Rural life is a huge part of the Whanganui Electorate. In recent weeks rural engagement has included Federated Farmers AGMs in Ruapehu and Whanganui, and the centennial celebrations of South Taranaki Rural Women NZ.
Our Fire services, both professional and volunteer, provide outstanding service to their local communities. Thanks to the team at Whanganui for briefing me on the dispute with FENZ and to the team at Waimarino Volunteer Fire Brigade for a special renaming ceremony where the community turned out in large numbers.
Small businesses are the engine room of the economy in the electorate. Awawhiti Cress at Kakahi, near Taumarunui, grows hydroponic watercress, microgreens and edible flowers for businesses across the Central North Island. Eltham Farm Supplies is a one-stop shop catering to farmers, gardeners, farm animals and pets!
Delivering for you
The new India Free Trade Agreement is both good news nationally, and could deliver real value here in the Whanganui Electorate. Signed on 27 April, the agreement is a major achievement for the National-led Government and will help create further export opportunities to support our economic recovery. For our region, that could mean stronger prospects for products such as sheep meat, wool, timber, mānuka honey, kiwifruit, apples, bulk infant formula, and high-value dairy preparations. As one example, mānuka honey producers stand to benefit significantly, and readers can learn more in the video here.
Ensuring our students are set up for success - Education Minister Hon Erica Stanford has confirmed details of the replacement of NCEA as our major secondary school qualification. The new system is designed to provide clearer and more credible recognition of student achievement. Also included are industry-led subjects being developed by Industry Skills Boards; subjects like Building and Construction, Outdoor Education and Primary Industries. Readers can find more information in the official announcement here.
The National-led Government is committed to Teaching the Basics Brilliantly!
Coming Events
- Friday 22 May – Community Connect at City Mission Whanganui
- Thursday 28 May – Budget Day
- Wed/Thurs 10-11 June – NZ Fieldays
- Whanganui Chronicle - Whanganui’s Wakefield St Bridge to be replaced after Govt funding secured
- Ruapehu Bulletin - Investing back into our cycle trails (Page 5)
- Patea-Waverley Press - India FTA is good news for the region (May 2026 – Page 5)
- River City Press – Winning for the region (Page 3)
I look forward to seeing you out and about in the near future.
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