May was a huge month for National as we celebrated 90 years since our founding in 1936! We also saw the release of Budget 2026 which is all about fixing the basics and building New Zealand’s future in a more uncertain world.
Families and businesses are still facing pressure from higher living costs, global instability, and economic challenges. That’s why this Budget takes a responsible approach—investing in the services and infrastructure New Zealand needs while keeping a firm grip on government spending.
Our Government is focused on growing the economy, creating jobs, and helping Kiwis keep more of what they earn. Budget 2026 forecasts stronger economic growth, rising wages, and a return to surplus sooner than expected. It also reduces government borrowing and continues the work of restoring fiscal discipline.
At the same time, we are investing where it matters most. This Budget delivers significant funding for hospitals, schools, roads, rail, defence capability, and regional infrastructure. It supports energy security, strengthens frontline public services, and helps ensure New Zealand is prepared for future challenges.
We know there is more work to do, but New Zealand cannot borrow its way to prosperity. Our plan is focused on long-term results, not short-term headlines. By making responsible decisions today, we are building a stronger economy, better public services, and a more secure future for all New Zealanders.
Budget Day with my colleague James Meager, MP for Rangitata
Some key announcements from the Budget include:
- $69 million to double the number of Trades Academy places to 20,000, providing free trades training to year 11 to 13 students.
- $33 million to further extend eligibility for the National Bowel Screening age to 56.
- A $50 per week increase to the In-Work Tax Credit for up to a year to help families with increased fuel costs.
- $34 million to fund three-day postnatal stays, and $16 million for specialist paediatric palliative care.
- A $5.5 billion increase in funding for frontline health services.
- $131 million package of measures to strengthen teaching and learning to help students meet standards in reading, writing and maths.
- $400 million to introduce a new financial incentive for councils to encourage housing growth.
You can check out some of the other announcements on the Treasury website's Budget at a Glance page.
- It was a pleasure to feature again on Canterbury Mornings' Politics Friday with John MacDonald where we talked about some of the key issues from that week. You can listen to the episode on the Newstalk ZB website.
- We farewelled Hon Judith Collins after 24 years of dedicated service to our country. Judith is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. She is a formidable intellect and a generous and supportive colleague. I wish her well in her future endeavours!
- I hosted a public meeting with Energy Minister Simeon Brown in Christchurch where we talked about all the things happening in the energy sector. The event was attended by around 80 people.
- I attended a Pink Ribbon Morning Tea in Selwyn, in collaboration with Selwyn Parenting Network and Nicola Grigg to help raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation - nearly $3000 was raised for breast cancer research.
- I featured on Chris Lynch to share my thoughts on the announcement by Christchurch City Council that they were considering using public money to fund the Christ Church Cathedral rebuild. You can watch the interview on the Chris Lynch website.
- Myself, along with MP's Matt Doocey and Kahurangi Carter, donned a pink shirt to help promote Pink Shirt Day - an initiative aimed at preventing bullying.
- We held a special debate on the Education and Workforce Select Committee’s inquiry into online harm at Parliament. There was strong agreement across the House that addressing online harm will take action from all of us including government, online platforms, educators, businesses, parents, and the wider community.
At the Breast Cancer Foundation's Pink Ribbon Morning Tea in Rolleston with my colleagues Barbara Kuriger, Nicola Grigg and Maureen Pugh
The Government has announced new funding for e-bike charging infrastructure across New Zealand’s cycle trail network, including support for Canterbury’s Little River Rail Trail! The Little River Rail Trail will receive $180,000 for three charging stations as part of the latest funding round. This will be an economic boost for the region and make it easier for travellers to visit our beautiful part of the world.
It was pleasing to see that Budget 2026 invests an additional $69 million to double the number of Trades Academy places from 10,000 to 20,000. This will be a boost for educational institutions like the Ara Institute of Canterbury campus at Woolston. More young people living on the Banks Peninsula will be able to access hands-on learning, gain industry experience, and develop the skills and knowledge they need for apprenticeships, further training, and employment while they are still at school.
I’ll be hosting some Seniors' Morning Teas throughout June and July at the following times:
- Tuesday June 9, from 10am-11:30am at Woolston Community Library
- Thursday June 11, from 10am-11:30am at Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre
- Friday July 3, from 10am-11:30am at Halswell Community Hub
- Wednesday July 8, from 10am-11:30am at St Martins Community Centre.
If you'd like to come along, please call my office on 03 384 5717 or email me at vanessa.weenink@parliament.govt.nz to register.
With my colleagues Matt Doocey and Kahurangi Carter to celebrate Pink Shirt Day
I've presented to the Christchurch City Council to seek their support for my Dark Sky Project to establish a Dark Sky Reserve on the Banks Peninsula. This project will provide an economic boost for the region, requires little investment, offers environmental and health benefits, and has received positive feedback from the majority of people I have spoken with.
Presenting my Dark Sky Project to Christchurch City Council
Submissions for the Fisheries Amendment Bill have now closed. I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to complete my survey which had 178 respondents. I used your feedback to form my own submission to ensure the voices of the Banks Peninsula were heard on this important issue. If you would like a copy of my submission, please email me at vanessa.weenink@parliament.govt.nz
Chatting with local fishers at Birdlings Flats
1. Building a more secure future for New Zealand: Budget 2026 demonstrates the economic and fiscal discipline needed to steer New Zealand through an uncertain global environment and into a brighter, more secure future. (Party PR)
2. Record health funding with patients at the centre: The Government is fixing the basics and building the future of New Zealand’s healthcare system, focused on delivering for patients and supported by record investment in health. (Party PR)
3. Surplus forecast reduces debt burden: The earlier return to surplus forecast in this year’s Budget shows the benefits of disciplined economic management and a government taking its responsibilities seriously. (Party PR)
4. NZ and Singapore agreement protects fuel supply: New Zealand and Singapore have today signed a major agreement to protect the movement of essential goods such as fuel and food. It guarantees neither country will impose export restrictions on the other, and formalises practical cooperation on supply chain resilience. (Party PR)
5. Boost for law and order: Budget 2026 builds on the Government's back-to-basics approach to law and order by investing a total of $1.3 billion in policing, corrections and other law and order agencies. (Party PR)
6. Next step taken to lower bowel screening age: More than 200,000 additional New Zealanders will gain access to life-saving bowel cancer screening as the age of eligibility for free bowel screening is lowered further. (Party PR)
With my National Party colleagues following a special debate on the Education and Workforce Select Committee’s inquiry into online harm
- I was at the local markets in Mount Pleasant and Lyttelton where it was great to see so many people out and about!
- It was a pleasure to visit Cholmondeley Children’s Centre last week. Cholmondeley is an independent charity who provides 24/7 short-term emergency or planned respite care for whānau with children aged 5-12 in times of stress or crisis. They do such an incredible job providing a safe haven for kids from around Canterbury. It was lovely to hear the children share some of their positive experiences from their short stay, including seeing dolphins out in Lyttelton Harbour during their Pirate Day boat trip.
- I collected for Aviva at New World Halswell. Aviva supports people of any age, gender, sexuality or experience of violence to not only become safe, but achieve a fulfilling, violence-free life. Thank you to everyone who stopped to donate and have a chat.
- I attended the Architectural Designers New Zealand quiz night at Blue Smoke. It was a great night with lots of prizes and my team won the coveted ADNZ trophy!
- As always, I was out door knocking again in May. It is not long now until the election so you'll be seeing plenty more of me over the coming months!
Collecting for Aviva at New World Halswell
Checking out the goods at the markets