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It’s been a very busy month across my ministerial portfolios – and the wider Government – as we hurtle through the year – I can barely believe it’s almost July. We have had our heads down getting on with the job as the general election on 7 November nears.
This month has heralded some great news for tourism and hospitality. Tourism is New Zealand’s second-largest exporter earner, and employs one in nine New Zealanders. Good news for tourism is good news for economic growth – and we’ve seen some incredibly positive progress.
At the beginning of the month new Stats NZ data showed 288,500 international visitors came to New Zealand in April 2026 – up 8 per cent on the same period last year, and 94 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
It also reported a record number of visitors from the United States (25,800, up 14 per cent on the same time last year), Australia (138,000, up 4 per cent) and India (8,000, up 17 per cent).
Visitor numbers from China also reached 32,500, up 52 per cent compared to the same time last year.
I am intent on getting tourism numbers back up to 2019 levels, and we’re now 94 per cent of the way there. The growth has been driven by good policy that makes sense.
For example, this month new figures revealed the Government’s 12‑month visa waiver trial for eligible Chinese and Pacific people travelling from Australia has paid dividends. In just six months, travellers on this visa have already brought $215 million into the economy. This tweak has made it faster and cheaper for a key market like China to come, visit, and spend their tourist dollars in New Zealand businesses.
We are putting the pedal to the metal on this growth – I recently announced Tourism New Zealand will get a boost to expand marketing in China, as well as our other key markets the United States and Australia. We’re also investing in attracting more business events. Those events bring people who spend more, travel outside peak seasons, and bring skills and connections to New Zealand.
This month we also launched the Tourism Policy Statement, which sets a clear pathway to grow tourism so New Zealand businesses, workers and communities enjoy its benefits. It sets a clear direction for how central government, local government and industry will work together to set priorities. It sets a long‑term direction to guide decisions on policy, investment, infrastructure and marketing across the tourism system.
And a big shout out of course to Tūrangi’s own Olive Rabbit Bed & Breakfast – a stellar example of the tourism and hospitality excellence available right here in the Taupō electorate. They took out Exceptional Bed & Breakfast, and Supreme Bed & Breakfast of the Year Award at the B&B Association's annual conference recently. Well done!
The Government has listened to public concerns regarding its Conservation Amendment Bill and will remove provisions around the disposal or exchange of conservation land.
Like all Kiwis, our Government cares deeply about conservation. We know how dear our pristine landscapes are to the hearts of New Zealanders and we will never dispose of those iconic landscapes. However, we were not clear enough about how the Bill improves outcomes for conservation, so we are fixing it.
The Bill remains the most significant reform of conservation legislation in nearly 40 years. Its aim is to improve the conservation system for all New Zealanders. But to achieve that we need to be very clear about what we’re doing, and why.
We have listened and we have acted.
After the Budget, I had the opportunity to review the Budget in more details including economic and fiscal trends.
Budget 2026 shows New Zealand back on a growth path with wages growing faster than prices, spending under control and a return to surplus a year earlier than planned.
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Post-Budget Breakfast
I spent a couple of fantastic days at Fieldays, meeting farmers and growers who were keen to talk about the promises we have delivered in our first term in government.
It was also a good opportunity to catch up with businesses across the electorate who were exhibiting.
It was great to meet the new citizens at the Cambridge ceremony recently. It's easy to see how our communities are growing.
Students across the electorate attended my annual Youth Advisory Board last week and they shared their ideas with me so I can better represent them in Parliament.
It's great to hear their thoughts and experiences and see them engaged in the democratic process.
They participated in a mock debate on social media content and who is resposible for content.
I'm having an early Coffee Catch Up (at Fran's Cafe) this month so if you have a chance, pop in before work. Anyone is welcome to come and share their ideas and concerns. Details below.
It was great to meet with those who attended my recent Coffee Catch Up in Tīrau. Keep an eye out for future coffee catch ups.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2026 as International Volunteer Year, and New Zealand celebrated Volunteer Week from 14–20 June. This month it has been lovely meeting so many volunteers across the electorate who selflessly give their time for a huge variety of causes and projects.
Over 53 per cent of adult New Zealanders volunteer, either for organisations or directly helping others, and 89 per cent of community organisations are volunteer run. Formal volunteering is worth $6.4 billion to the economy, and when you add people who volunteer directly, it’s worth $14.4 billion.
Volunteering is vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities, supporting aged care, disability services, community programmes, the arts, sports, emergency response, and the environment.
Thank you all!
Fabulous Tokoroa volunteers!
Note: Dates are subject to change so please RSVP so we can advise of any changes.
Building the Future Tour - Waikato
Join Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Hamilton as he shares Government's vision for our future.
Thursday, 2 July, 7pm - 8.30pm
Hamilton Boys High School, 47/45 Peachgrove Road, Hamilton East
Email to register: taupo@national.org.nz
South Waikato (Tokoroa)
Friday, 24 July, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
South Waikato Sport and Events Centre, 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa.
Please call 07 886 5554 or email upston.sthwaikato@parliament.govt.nz to RSVP.
Taupō
Friday, 31 July, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Lake Taupō Rotary, 12 Story Place, Taupō
Please call 07 376 5563 or email upston.taupo@parliament.govt.nz to RSVP.
Clinics
South Waikato (Tokoroa)
Friday, 24 July, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Please call 07 886 5554 or email upston.sthwaikato@parliament.govt.nz for an appointment.
Cambridge
Friday, 7 August, 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Please call 07 827 5572 or email upston.cambridge@parliament.govt.nz for an appointment.
Electorate Assistance
Cambridge Office:
Please call 07 827 5572 or email upston.cambridge@parliament.govt.nz
South Waikato:
Please call 07 886 5554 or email upston.sthwaikato@parliament.govt.nz
Taupō Office:
Please call 07 376 5563 or email upston.taupo@parliament.govt.nz
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Kind regards
Louise Upston
https://www.national.org.nz/