July has been another busy month across Hawke's Bay, with plenty of opportunities to connect with our communities and celebrate what makes our region so special. It was fantastic to welcome Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Hawke's Bay and celebrate Winter Art Deco, while also spending time in communities across the electorate.
The month also reminded us of the resilience that defines our region. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the severe weather and flooding in Wairoa. Once again, we saw neighbours, emergency services, iwi, volunteers, and local organisations step up to support one another, demonstrating the strength of our community.
As we continue recovering from these events, it's encouraging to see progress on initiatives that will strengthen Hawke's Bay for the future. From work advancing at Hawke's Bay Hospital to the Emergency Management Bill progressing through Parliament, these are important steps towards ensuring our region and New Zealand are better prepared for future emergencies.
As always, thank you to everyone who has welcomed me into your schools, businesses, community groups, and events over the past month. Those conversations continue to shape the work I do in Wellington, and it remains a privilege to represent our incredible region.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Nimon's News. As always, if my office or I can help, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
· Prime Minister Visits Hawke's Bay
· Minister Visits Hawke's Bay's Primary Sector
· A New Chapter for Fairhaven School
· Winter Art Deco Weekend
· Supporting Families
· 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
It was a pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Hawke's Bay this month for a series of visits showcasing the strength of our local economy.
We visited Bremworth to see firsthand why backing New Zealand wool matters not only for our farmers, but for the jobs, innovation, and manufacturing it supports right here in Hawke's Bay. We also visited ABB in Napier, where world-class technology is being developed and exported from our region, demonstrating the incredible talent and ingenuity we have on our doorstep.
The visit concluded with a Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce business lunch, providing a valuable opportunity for local business leaders to hear directly from the Prime Minister and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing our region. It was a fantastic chance to showcase everything Hawke's Bay has to offer and the confidence we have in its future.
Welcoming Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick to Hawke's Bay provided a great opportunity to showcase the innovation and investment happening at Hōhepa Hawke's Bay and Hineuru Iwi Trust.
From Hōhepa's commitment to organic farming, meaningful employment, and education, to Hineuru Iwi Trust's investment in Māori agribusiness and thriving orchards, these visits highlighted the diverse ways Hawke's Bay is creating opportunities and driving economic growth.
Hearing directly from those growing, producing, and investing in our region is always invaluable. Thank you to both Hōhepa and Hineuru Iwi Trust for your warm hospitality and for sharing your vision for the future. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss how we can continue backing productivity, innovation, and sustainable growth across Hawke's Bay.
The Government's investment in Fairhaven School's new satellite classroom is helping create a modern, inclusive learning environment where every young New Zealander has the opportunity to thrive.
It was a privilege to join the Fairhaven School and Onekawa School communities to celebrate the opening of this wonderful new space, which will support up to 12 learners. What stood out most, however, was the strong partnership between the two schools and their shared commitment to ensuring Fairhaven students are not only supported in their learning but are fully part of the wider Onekawa School community.
Congratulations to everyone who helped bring this project to life. It's a fantastic example of what can be achieved when Government, schools, families, and the wider community work together to create better opportunities for our young people. I'm looking forward to seeing the positive impact this investment has for many years to come.
Napier was alive with style, music, and community spirit as Winter Art Deco Weekend returned for another fantastic year. Blessed with beautiful winter weather, thousands of visitors filled our city to celebrate the unique heritage that makes Napier so special, creating a welcome boost for local businesses, cafés, restaurants, and accommodation providers.
From vintage fashion and classic cars to live entertainment and bustling streets, it was wonderful to see so many people embracing the occasion. A huge thank you to the Art Deco Trust, the dedicated volunteers, performers, sponsors, local businesses, and everyone who helped bring the weekend to life. Events like these not only celebrate our history but also showcase the very best of Hawke's Bay to visitors from across New Zealand and beyond.
This month has been a reminder of the incredible kindness and support that exists across our community. Following some untrue public comments made about me, I was overwhelmed by the encouragement I received from people across Hawke's Bay and around New Zealand, as well as from my colleagues in Parliament.
The messages I received from parents, grandparents, friends, colleagues, and complete strangers were incredibly humbling. Many shared their own experiences of balancing work and family life, reinforcing something I have always believed: every family is different, and every parent deserves the flexibility to make the choices that are right for them.
That is why I was proud to stand alongside the Prime Minister and my National colleagues this month to announce our commitment to extend Paid Parental Leave from 26 weeks to 30 weeks if we are re-elected. Every extra week gives parents more time to bond with their baby, recover, and settle into family life.
To everyone who reached out, thank you. Your kindness and support meant more than I can express. I feel incredibly privileged to represent Napier and Hawke's Bay, and I'll continue working hard every day to serve our community.
It was an honour to join Napier Boys' High School as it celebrated 100 years at its Te Awa campus, marking a century since the school's move from Clyde Road in 1926. Seeing 312 students march into the quad, matching the number of boys who made that historic journey 100 years ago, was a fitting tribute to the generations of students who have called the school home.
The celebrations continued on the rugby field with the annual Polson Banner Rugby match against Palmerston North Boys' High School. Congratulations to the Napier Boys' First XV on an outstanding performance to reclaim the Polson Banner and bring it home to Hawke's Bay after several years in Palmerston North. It was a fantastic result and a proud moment for the players, coaches, old boys, and the wider school community. Here's to another century of excellence, both in the classroom and on the rugby field.
It was a privilege to join the congregation of St Paul's Presbyterian Church for the rededication of Asher Hall to Bay Vineyard Church. The service marked an important milestone for both church communities and was a wonderful celebration of faith, service, and the role churches continue to play in bringing people together.
The occasion also held special personal significance for me. St Paul's was my late grandmother's childhood church, and after returning home to be with my family following her passing, it meant a great deal to be able to honour her memory by singing her favourite hymn, How Great Thou Art, and connecting with people who remembered her and her family's history with the church.
Thank you to everyone at St Paul's Presbyterian Church and Bay Vineyard Church for your warm welcome and for allowing me to be part of such a meaningful day.
I joined the Lower North Island Young Nats for a morning out on the doors before stopping for lunch at one of Napier’s iconic spots.
It was great to have so many positive conversations with people taking the time to share what’s going well, as well as the areas they’d like to see us keep focusing on. Those conversations are incredibly valuable and help shape the work I do as your local MP.
A big thank you to the Young Nats team for all their enthusiasm and hard work. I certainly didn’t complain about the beautiful winter sunshine either!
A heartfelt congratulations to the 85 people from 24 different countries who proudly became New Zealand citizens this week. 🇳🇿
Becoming a New Zealand citizen is a significant milestone and a celebration of the journeys, friendships, and contributions that each new citizen brings to our communities.
It was a privilege to join you as you took your oath or affirmation. Thank you for choosing to make Napier your home, and congratulations on this wonderful achievement. Welcome to our community!
Lots of policy announcements have been made this month. Please click on the links below to learn more.
New charter school opens doors – read the Beehive PR here
Term 3 begins today, and with it the opening of Te Whare Kounga, a new charter school in Wairoa, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.
Calmer, quieter classrooms - as walls go up – read the Beehive PR here
Nearly 200 schools have begun the process of replacing open-plan classrooms with enclosed learning spaces to create quieter, calmer spaces more suited for learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today.
Faster access to FASD support - read the Beehive PR here
New Zealand is investing $9 million, the single biggest investment ever made in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), to establish community-based hubs in Rotorua/Kawerau, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Home test will unlock lower bowel screening age – read the Beehive PR here
A home test rolling out nationwide will mean more New Zealanders can get faster assessment of bowel symptoms, while also helping free up specialist capacity needed to safely bring down the bowel screening age, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Select Committee report on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill welcomed – read the Beehive PR here
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Select Committee report on the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill is a significant step forward for the primary sector.
Over 97,500 families benefiting from FamilyBoost – read the Beehive PR here
Over 97,500 New Zealand families have now received FamilyBoost payments to help with the cost of early childhood education, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
"Raising young children comes with significant costs, and this Government is committed to backing working parents with practical support that makes a real difference,” Nicola Willis says.
Additional $14.5 million support for rough sleepers– read the Beehive PR here
More support is on the way for people experiencing homelessness, with the Government expanding outreach and support services to six new locations, and extending proven initiatives already underway in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
Partnering to support Māori-led housing solutions – read the Beehive PR here
Ownership of 11 temporary homes at Ōmāhu Marae in Hawke’s Bay has been transferred from the Government to Ōmāhu 2R Māori Reservation and Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāi Te Upokoiri me ōna Piringa Hapū Authority Trust in a move to support Māori-led housing, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka announced today.
Youth Hubs to deliver faster access to support – read the Beehive PR here
Young people in Hamilton, Nelson and Hawke's Bay will soon have faster access to mental health and addiction support through three new Youth Hubs, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
"The Government is investing $3 million to establish three new Youth Hubs that will make it easier for young people aged 16 to 25 to access mental health and addiction support, delivering on our plan for faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response," Mr Doocey says.
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Thanks,
Katie Nimon
Member of Parliament for Napier