Wedd's weekly 19 June 2026

SCRUTINY IN ACTION

It's been a full-on scrutiny week down in parliament, as I chaired the Environment Select Committee, where we heard from all our ministers including Ministers of Climate Change, Conservation, Environment and RMA Reform!

We have a big agenda to reform our planning and resource management system to get renewable energy, housing and infrastructure built, while also protecting our environment for future generations.

We are committed to meeting our climate change targets, while also making better use of our Department of Conservation land.

Our Ministers clearly laid out our government's vision and direction for our country.

We are laser-focused on fixing the basics and building the future.

OUT AND ABOUT

Raureka School is getting new classrooms

It was exciting to call and talk to Raureka School principal Keryn Burns about our government's announcement around a significant upgrade and redevelopment of the school which would result in the school getting new classrooms.

Budget 26 is delivering more classrooms and better school facilities for growing lower North Island communities.

This investment will help make sure students are learning in safe, warm, dry and fit-for-purpose classrooms as communities grow.

We are planning ahead, so schools are ready for the young families arriving in growing communities.

By using more standard and modular builds, we can deliver classrooms faster, at lower cost, and make every dollar go further.

This is about investing in students, backing growing communities, and making sure school property is fit for the future.

Close Game With the Diplomats!

Some amazing netball and a great way to strengthen our relationships with many different embassies represented on court.

Thank you to the Diplomats for an amazing game.

It was good to get out on the court again for the Parliament Ferns and play the Diplomats. It was a nail biting last quarter. We were two goals down with a minute on the clock and got two quick turn overs to draw the game 29-29.

Shout-out to all volunteers

Celebrating all our amazing volunteers across Hawke’s Bay - and Volunteering Hawke’s Bay’s 20th anniversary.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the volunteer awards. We appreciate all the time and work you do for our community every day. A special mention to Nourished for Nil, winning the organisation award, Rizwaana Latiff, winning individual and to Khushi Bijalwan for winning the Youth Change Maker category.

Your generosity, dedication and willingness to help others make a really positive difference.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, it's a great reminder that strong communities are built by people who give their time and energy to support others.

Thank you to all our volunteers - you are truly appreciated.

Elder Abuse Awareness Week

I caught up with the amazing team at Age Concern Hawke’s Bay to acknowledge Elder Abuse Awareness Week.

Approximately 1 in 10 older people in New Zealand experience some form of abuse and often it goes hidden and unreported.

Dee and her team in Hastings do an incredible job to support our seniors across Hawke’s Bay and work with families to support those elderly who have been abused.

Thank you for all the work you do in our community to keep our seniors safe.

Building a better future

It is always a pleasure to visit Hastings Boys High School and be shown around the Building Academy, and meet the students undertaking the programme.

It has been successfully running for the past five years and this year they have three, two-bedroom houses under construction for Kainga Ora. This is done in a secure, purpose-built area with all the necessary tools and equipment to allow the boys to build from the ground up before the houses are lifted and transported away.

It gives these students the skills to go out into the workforce and is an extremely successful programme.

Our Government backs the trades and we are doubling the trades academy places for young people across the country. We know that for many young people, vocational education provides a direct pathway into skilled careers and lifelong opportunities.

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Injuries cost New Zealand's economy $8.7 billion

ACC’s latest injuries report underscores the importance of injury prevention, with lost productivity costing the economy an estimated $8.7 billion each year.

Every day someone is not at work due to injury, is a day their workplace doesn’t have their skills and experience. That loss in productivity has a significant impact on New Zealand's economy.

ACC cannot shift these outcomes alone. We all have a role to play in reducing injuries and this will take a collective effort from providers, employers and all New Zealanders.

Boost for predator control to protect endangered wildlife

Threatened native wildlife will get a reprieve from predators with a $14.1 million boost to predator control funding.

The investment from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will support the Department of Conservation to scale up its predator control work to protect native species facing increased threat from a major South Island beech mast.

The IVL funding enables DOC to scale up to deliver its largest predator control programme ever across one million hectares or 12 per cent of public conservation land in 2026/27.

Longstanding defence deployments extended

The Government has approved two-year extensions for five existing international New Zealand Defence Force.

For years, New Zealand has worked with our partners to contribute to international peace and security efforts. As the global security situation continues to deteriorate, we are committed to continuing our longstanding efforts to promote stability in our region and beyond because New Zealand’s prosperity relies on our success.

Additional $14.5 million support for rough sleepers

More support is on the way for people experiencing homelessness, with the Government expanding outreach and support services to six new locations including Napier.

This additional funding will continue funding for existing services in our main centres with a proven track record of helping people experiencing homelessness.

$2.7m of this funding is to extend the support to six additional locations: Tauranga, Whakatāne, New Plymouth, Napier, Whanganui and Waimakariri. Support will be tailored to local needs, recognising that different communities face different challenges.

This additional investment allows us to expand immediate support services for those who need a home right now, while longer-term work continues to address the underlying drivers of our housing crisis.

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