June has been a month of progress across Hawke’s Bay, from major investments in healthcare and maternal mental health, to spending time with communities across Napier and Wairoa.
Whether it was hosting a public meeting, meeting with local organisations, supporting initiatives like Jammies4June, or advocating for practical investments that strengthen our region, the focus has remained the same, listening to local people and delivering positive outcomes for Hawke’s Bay.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to attend events, share feedback, or simply stop for a chat. Your ideas and experiences continue to shape the work I do both here in the electorate and in Wellington.
As always, if there is anything my office or I can assist with, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
· Fieldays 2026: Backing Our Rural Communities
· Investing in Community Safety
· Listening to Our Community
· Supporting Maternal Mental Health
· Cancer Care Closer to Home
· Highlights this month
· Recent Policy announcements
· What’s happened in the house
· Upcoming events and important dates
As always, I’m committed to keeping Napier and Wairoa front and centre. I'm here to listen, and here to help.
Katie
Fieldays is always a fantastic opportunity to connect with the people who keep New Zealand moving. It was great to spend time with farmers, growers, rural businesses, and industry leaders, hearing firsthand about the opportunities ahead and the challenges they’re facing.
Agriculture is the backbone of Hawke’s Bay, and this week National announced a strong package of initiatives to back our rural communities. That includes doubling funding for QEII covenants, investing in rural school drinking water, supporting young farmers through new Agriculture Future Leaders Scholarships, improving fuel security, investing in AgriZero technologies, and funding projects that lift productivity while supporting environmental outcomes.
These are practical investments that back our farmers, strengthen rural resilience, and help ensure Hawke’s Bay continues to grow and thrive.
Thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat over the week. Your insights are invaluable, and I’ll continue advocating for the people and industries that make our region so strong.
It was fantastic to officially open the new Taradale Police Station alongside Police Minister Mark Mitchell. This modern facility is a significant investment in community safety and will provide our frontline police with the resources and facilities they need to continue serving Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay. Supporting our police means supporting safer communities, and this new station is an important step in ensuring officers can continue their vital work close to the people they serve.
One of the highlights this month was hosting a Public Meeting in Napier, bringing together local residents to discuss the issues that matter most to our community. It was a valuable opportunity to answer questions, hear different perspectives, and have open conversations about local and national issues. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come along, ask questions, and share your feedback. Hearing directly from the community is an important part of representing Napier, and those conversations continue to shape the work I do both in the electorate and in Parliament.
It was a pleasure to welcome Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey to Hawke’s Bay to announce new support for mothers as part of the Government’s $100 million investment in mental health through Budget 2026. A key part of this investment will expand access to peer support workers, connecting mothers with people who have lived experience and understand the challenges they may be facing.
Alongside Minister Doocey and Catherine Wedd, I visited Te Ara Manapou, which has been recognised nationally as a leading example of maternal mental health peer support. It was fantastic to see a Hawke’s Bay organisation acknowledged for the incredible difference it is making for local mothers and families, providing compassionate support when it is needed most.
A significant milestone for Hawke’s Bay was the official sod-turning of the new Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre alongside Health Minister Simeon Brown. This marks an important step toward delivering cancer treatment closer to home for local patients and their families.
Backed by a $44.8 million Government investment, the new centre will include Hawke’s Bay’s first Linear Accelerator (LINAC), enabling around 500 patients each year to receive radiation treatment locally instead of travelling out of the region. This investment will make a real difference for patients, ensuring more people can access world-class cancer care while remaining close to their loved ones during treatment.
Parliament’s Scrutiny Week is an important part of the democratic process, giving Select Committees the opportunity to examine Government spending and hold public agencies to account for the way taxpayer money is being used.
As Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, I led questioning on Budget expenditure, ensuring agencies are transparent about how funding is being invested and the outcomes being delivered. Accountability matters, and New Zealanders deserve confidence that every taxpayer dollar is being spent wisely and delivering real value.
This month we officially kicked off the campaign, bringing together an incredible group of volunteers who care deeply about the future of Napier. From delivering leaflets and knocking on doors to helping at events and talking with neighbours, every contribution plays an important role in connecting with our community.
It was wonderful to see both familiar faces and new supporters join the team. Thank you to everyone who came along and offered their time and energy. If you'd like to get involved, I'd love to hear from you. Every conversation and every helping hand makes a difference as we continue working to fix the basics and build the future.
A re-elected National Government has announced further changes to KiwiSaver, helping more New Zealanders build financial security for the future. The policy includes automatic KiwiSaver enrolment for every baby born in New Zealand, with a $1,500 Government contribution to help kick-start their savings.
National will also provide KiwiSaver contributions for parents while they are on paid parental leave, make KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers, and require employers to continue KiwiSaver contributions for employees aged over 65 from 1 July 2027. These changes build on the commitment to gradually increase KiwiSaver contribution rates to 12 per cent by 2032, matching Australia and helping more Kiwis save for a stronger financial future.
Health Minister Simeon Brown visited Hawke’s Bay this month to see the progress being made on the new 28-bed short-stay ward at Hawke’s Bay Hospital. Since construction began in January, work has moved ahead at pace, with the additional capacity set to improve patient flow, reduce pressure across the hospital, and support better care for patients. The ward forms part of the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme, delivering 140 new beds nationwide, including right here in Hawke’s Bay. It’s another practical investment as we continue fixing the basics and building the future of healthcare.
Lots of policy announcements have been made this month. Please click on the links below to learn more.
Solar on schools to boost future resilience – read the Beehive PR here
Schools will save money, have greater energy security, reduce school energy bills, and reduce their carbon emissions through a $30 million Government initiative to put solar panels on up to 500 schools across New Zealand, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Education Minister Erica Stanford say
Investment in Lower North Island Classrooms – read the Beehive PR here
Education Minister Erica Stanford announced $10 million to deliver new classrooms across the lower North Island, taking the total spend on new classrooms to over $1.2 billion over the past 3 years.Porritt School in Napier, will also receive significant upgrade and redevelopment funding to address long-standing condition issues.
New doctors to train in the regions that need them most - read the Beehive PR here
Hawke's Bay: Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital; communities including Hastings and Wairoa will host clinical training for the University of Waikato's new medical school from 2028 have been confirmed, alongside a new nationwide approach to clinical placements for medical students, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey say.
Sod turned on Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre – read the Beehive PR here
Hawke’s Bay patients will soon be able to access radiation treatment closer to home, with today’s sod-turn marking the start of construction on the new Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Today marks a major milestone in improving access to cancer care for people in Hawke’s Bay,” Mr Brown says.
Boosting returns for Kiwi wool growers – read the Beehive PR here
A partnership between Government and industry will help turn New Zealand strong wool into high-value cutting-edge products and boost returns for growers, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson announced at Fieldays today.
Government books reflect improving economy – read the Beehive PR here
The latest set of government accounts supports other evidence that the economy is strengthening, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Financial Statements of the Government for the 11 months to May show core Crown revenue up $1.7 billion on the forecasts in the Budget and core Crown expenses $900 million lower than forecast.
Additional $14.5 million support for rough sleepers– read the Beehive PR here
“Today we are pleased to confirm that the Government will provide an additional $14.54 million over the next year for support services to help people sleeping rough. This additional funding will continue funding for existing services in our main centres with a proven track record of helping people experiencing homelessness. $2.7 million 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"
International visitor numbers continue to climb – read the Beehive PR here
New data out today shows tourism is continuing its positive trajectory, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. Stats NZ data out today shows 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.
During sitting weeks, the House of Representatives meets in the Debating Chamber to debate legislation, ask and answer questions, and more. Click here to view Sitting Calendar 2025
Daily progress in the House is a summary of what Parliament is doing. This report is updated throughout the sitting day. Read what's been happening in Parliament today.
To see bills at varying stages and find out the status, follow this link.
Parliament's decisions affect all New Zealanders. Have your say and influence the laws passed by Parliament. You can get involved by making a submission.
Please feel free to share my newsletter with your friends and family who might like to stay informed or get in touch. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Nimon’s News at the link here.
Thank you for taking the time to read Nimon's News.
I look forward to seeing you around.
Thanks
Katie Nimon
Member of Parliament for Napier