When I hosted Ōtaki MP Tim Costley recently, he was so impressed with New Plymouth he was willing to overlook the fact that our famous sunshine took the day off. After joining our striking firefighters in the rain, we took shelter at Coastal Services and heard from Venture Taranaki about the Taranaki Alliance.
Bringing together more than 80 local engineering, manufacturing and industrial businesses, the Alliance helps Taranaki companies compete for major projects around New Zealand and the world. With some of those opportunities in the defence sector, Tim's RNZAF background made for plenty of questions. More than anything though, he was in awe of the scale of the expertise, ingenuity and ambition that's driving Taranaki forward.
It's something I get to see all the time, and part of why I'm so proud of our region.
Here’s some of what I’ve been up to lately:
16 Select Committee meetings
16 Community engagements
9 Days in Parliament
3 Protests attended
2 Political panels and debates
2 Constituent clinics
1 MP visited New Plymouth
1 School visited Parliament
Tonnes of constituent appointments
Permits, prospects and potential in oil and gas
Recently Australian exploration company EnZed Energy was awarded a 12-year permit for the Kaheru prospect, a 546sq km area east of the Kupe gas field. It was one of the now eight applications that had been received for permits since the Government overturned the oil and gas ban, and shows that investors have responded to the steps we have taken to make sure exploring here is an attractive option. As we all know, exploration doesn't guarantee discovering anything, but if you don't look, you definitely won't find.
Taranaki was again cut off from its main northern route after bad weather and torrential rain hit and sent 500 cubic metres of earth cascading onto the road in the Awakino Gorge a couple of weeks ago. One New Plymouth family were driving north right as the slip came down and only narrowly managed to turn around and get out thanks to a roadworker warning them. I'm happy that story had a happy ending, but it really highlights how unstable and dangerous the road and the land around it is. The government has committed $50m to much-needed strengthening and resilience upgrades for the Gorge, but we need to be taking a more proactive approach and prioritising finding an alternative route.
There is also an upcoming full closure of the Awakino Gorge planned from 6am Saturday 22 August to 6pm Tuesday 25 August when NZTA will install several large culverts beneath the road to help direct water away from the cliff. This is not part of the strengthening and resilience work, which is still in the planning stages. More details here.
People gathered near the port to protest LNG.
One thing I take seriously as part of my role as an MP, is listening to people and making sure Taranaki's voice is well represented in Parliament. To this end, on a chilly Sunday afternoon I headed down to Ngamotu Beach where people had gathered to protest LNG. I heard fear, for lives and homes and health and safety, and for the environment. I heard the same thing from a group who stood outside my office waving signs last week. All valid concerns. When a developer is selected and they will consult with the community and prove they can meet the strict health and safety standards our laws require, and hopefully provide detailed information and reassurance around many of these issues.
Port Taranaki have an excellent resource which gives factual and clear information about LNG - you can read it here.
In the space of a week I hosted SHGC students visiting Parliament and talked with them about politics and government; met students involved in the Strengthening Democracy programme, where they're tackling big questions about the future of New Zealand's democratic system and MMP; took a look at the Science and Technology Fair entries at NPBHS; and visited Egmont Village School with principal Tracey Priest. Thanks to strong growth in the area, the school continues to expand and welcomed two new classrooms last year.
Great to see so many young people learning, asking questions and thinking about the future.
If you haven't already, you are able to submit on the proposal to merge TSB and Heartland banks until midnight on Wednesday 12th August.
With Zoe Hobbs when she won the Taranaki Sportsperson of the Year in 2023.
What an incredible showing our Taranaki athletes made on the world stage at the Commonwealth Games. Zoe Hobbs claimed gold in the 100m sprint, Kelly Jackson helped the Silver Ferns to gold, Kurt Smith won silver in para bowls, and Eva Langton secured bronze in 3x3 basketball. Along with swimmer Carter Swift, who narrowly missed the podium, and Silver Ferns travelling reserve Parris Mason, all deserve a hearty congratulations and to be celebrated for the dedication, hard work, and determination and tenacity it takes to get to the games and compete on such a high level.
The 100
Leasa (my wife) and I thoroughly enjoyed attending The 100: History Re-imagined at the TSB Showplace. Celebrating 100 years of musical theatre, the production brought together talented local performers for a spectacular journey through some of the greatest musicals ever staged in New Plymouth. It was a celebration of the generations of volunteers, performers and other supporters who keep the arts thriving, and a fantastic reminder of the depth of talent we have in Taranaki and the important role the arts play in bringing our community together.
Congratulations to Shining Peak who were named the Champion NZ Small Brewery at the 2026 New Zealand Beer awards. They also came away with a huge haul of medals for their beers and I can tell you it is well deserved.
- August 10th, Cameron Brewer, Minister of Small Business and Manufacturing, visits
- August 14th, 8am, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce: Business Breakfast with Energy Minister Simeon Brown
- August 12th, 1pm - 2pm, Drop-in clinic at my office
- August 21st, Sam Uffindell, MP for Tauranga visits
If you’d like me to visit your business, school, community organisation, retirement village, or attend a local event, I’d be glad to hear from you. Please feel free to get in touch by emailing david.macleodmp@parliament.govt.nz.
Hope you’re keeping warm and well!
Cheers,
David MacLeod
MP for New Plymouth
Office address:
37 Gill Street (Corner of Gill & Liardet), New Plymouth,
PO Box 8064, New Plymouth 4340
Phone: 06 759 2580