Whanganui will soon have a co-response team comprising health professionals and police responding to 111 mental distress calls. It means people in crisis can get the right support from the right people.
Earlier in July, Parliament passed the Mental Health Act 2026, the biggest change to our mental health framework in more than 30 years. The way mental health services are delivered has changed enormously since the passage of previous legislation in 1992 and the new Act reflects this.
Parliament recently passed the Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Act, which gives police greater powers to deal with antisocial road users, up to and including crushing their cars. Here’s my brief but heartfelt contribution to the Third Reading debate.
The Whanganui Land Settlement is currently working through the select committee process. Last week, I joined the Māori Affairs Committee at Putiki Marae to hear submissions the bill, having previously attended the signing of the Deed of Settlement, and having spoken during the First Reading debate.
Numerous economic indicators have shown signs of a significant improvement since Budget 2026, supporting the decisions made by the National-led Government. Finance Minister Hon Nicola Willis visited the electorate in early July for post-Budget briefings. Following well-attended meetings in Whanganui and Hāwera, Minister Willis and I attended the Practical Day at the FMG Young Farmer Grand Final, which was held at Stratford A&P Showgrounds.
Last week Hon Mike Butterick, Associate Minister of Agriculture visited as part of the Rural Nats on Tour. Over five meetings including woolsheds, cowsheds and rural supply stores Minister Butterick and I spoke to and listened to a large number of farmers. Rural folk appreciate that the National-led Government has their back through our policy agenda to let farmers get on with what they are good at; producing the world’s best food and fibre for markets that want our agricultural and horticultural exports.
The National-led Government is working hard to improve the literacy and numeracy of our young learners to prepare them for secondary schooling. During Government Book Week, I presented books from Duffy Books in Homes to students at Waverley Primary School and Carlton School in Whanganui.
This morning, Kāinga Ora celebrated the completion of seven two-bedroom homes in Gonville, Whanganui. Unlike the 138 homes promised by the previous government but never funded, these houses were allocated funding by the National-led Government and have now been completed. Further developments in Gonville and Aramoho will go ahead in coming months, fully funded.
The India Free Trade Agreement has the potential to give Kiwi exporters access to a market of 1.4 million people. 57% of New Zealand’s exports to India will be tariff-free from Day One of the FTA coming into force. This FTA will level the playing field for Kiwi businesses in the India market because it will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India, when fully implemented.
In addition, National has signaled its intention to negotiate seven new trade deals over the next five years, giving exporters access to a further potential billion customers.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an historic visit to New Zealand last week. During that visit he and PM Christopher Luxon announced a Strategic Partnership. Included in this is a goal to double two-way trade between New Zealand and India by 2030.
- Saturday 18 July – Filipino Community Cordillera Day Celebration at Hāwera
- Thursday 23 July – PM Christopher Luxon visits Whanganui
- Tuesday 11 August – Public Forum on Stalking legislation in Whanganui
- Whanganui Chronicle - Finance Minister Nicola Willis says 2026 Budget delivers major Whanganui boost
- Ruapehu Bulletin - Focus on trade provides opportunities, says Bates (P9)
- River City Press – Co-response teams a welcome mental health addition (P3)
- River City Press – Finance Minister comes to Whanganui (P2)
- Stratford and South – “Come to the regions for the best food” - Willis serves up optimism in Hāwera (P5)
Looking forward to seeing you around the mighty Whanganui Electorate!
Carl.
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