This year's budget is focused on rebuilding the economy, easing pressure on households, and investing in the frontline services New Zealanders rely on most. It delivers targeted tax relief and cost of living support while also backing major investments in health, education, law and order, and infrastructure to help set our country up for long-term growth. Importantly, it continues the Government's focus on responsible spending and getting better value from every taxpayer dollar.
There are some fantastic announcements that will make a real difference for families and communities across New Zealand - including stronger support for healthcare, more investment in roads and infrastructure, action to improve school attendance and educational achievement, and reforms designed to grow the economy, attract investment, and create more opportunities. It's a budget focused on practical outcomes and economic confidence, we are fixing the basics and building the future.
Three years ago in the run up to the election there were heaps of headlines devoted to ram raids, and potholes were being talked about by everyone. We fixed the pot holes and people have forgotten about them. Ram raids have dropped by 85%, the number of victims of violent crime is down by 49,000 and youth offending is down by 22%. As always happens, when the highest profile issues are resolved, the next issue on the list becomes highest profile, so we never get free of pressing problems to be fixed, and we rapidly forget what the issues were before. In this context it is important to reflect on our successes and remind people of how far we have come.
· Education changes – phones banned in schools and focus on the basics – result significantly higher achievement levels in maths, reading and writing.
· The number of people in emergency housing reduced from 3141 in December 2023 to 591 a year later
· Free trade agreement with India – the world’s biggest population and rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse
· The road of national significance - Cambridge to Piarere - is now funded with an $1.8 billion injection which will improve safety, productivity, travel times and boost employment in the region.
· Fiscally responsible policies resulting in strong economic growth and had us on track for an enviable 3% GDP growth until things went pear-shaped in the Middle East.
As we gear up for the election it is important to remind people of the things we have achieved rather than dwelling on the ‘next item on the list’ that has risen to the top because we’ve fixed the more pressing issues.
Thank you to those who attended the Central North Island National Party conference. We were lucky to hear keynote speeches from the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Hon Todd MacClay (Minister for Trade) and Hon Simeon Brown (Minister fix-it) and party President, Sylvia Woods.
It's been all go as usual. These are a few of the things I been attended recently.
The Filipino basketball community is thriving in Hamilton with 24 teams playing at this event. It's great to see the energy from the players and the enthusiastic volunteers who organise their events.
The members of the Korean Society put on a fabulous festival showcasing their culture, food and traditions. We are so lucky to have such strong ethnic communities who keep their heritage alive while embracing and giving so much to our wider community.
Hamilton is continuing to produce outstanding students with 5 top scholars receiving awards in Parliament. Congratulations to Annabelle Stokes, Te Kanawa Wilson, Nikash Lanka and Takere Hapori and Conor McCormack (pictured), these young people are sure to have success in the careers they have chosen to pursue.
It is so exciting to see the medical school taking shape.
Our next electorate meeting is 6:30pm on Monday 8th June, at Settlement Centre, 46G Boundary Road, Claudelands. Come along and join us.
Public Meeting
Building the Future – 2nd July, details to be confirmed
Superblues
Morning Tea with Hon Chris Penk 10:45am Thursday 4th June, Chartwell Cooperating Church, 126 Comries Road, Chartwell. Cost $10pp. Contact Barb Harrison, Chair, Waikato SuperBlues superblues@national.org.nz .
Helping constituents
Please feel free to contact me to if you have any issues where you think I can help navigate or if you have any concerns about our community. I promise I will listen to you.
My Senior MP Support team are Carina Fraser, Yan Liang and Lya Haveman. We can all be contacted on 07 853 5640 or Ryan.Hamilton@parliament.govt.nz .
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2026 Electorate Contacts
Thanks to all of you who attended our AGM. and special thanks to the team who have signed onto the committee for another year, especially Sarkaw, Ron and Katie for taking on their roles.
Electorate Chair: Sarkaw Randhawa sarkaw@hillcrestspinal.co.nz
Electorate Secretary: Ron Williams hamiltoneast@national.org.nz
Membership: Anne Aitken anne@stillaitken.co.nz
Treasurer: Katie Simpson katie.simpson@auctus.co.nz
Campaign Chair: Marie Hamilton marie@hamilton4hamilton.co.nz
Kind regards,
Ryan Hamilton
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