August has been another busy month across the Napier electorate, with plenty happening from Wairoa to Napier and in Parliament.
A real highlight was welcoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Napier for a packed public meeting, with hundreds of locals turning out to hear directly from the Prime Minister and ask questions about the issues that matter to them.
We’ve also seen new funding and investment coming into our local communities, supporting businesses, schools, essential services and organisations doing important work on the ground. It’s always rewarding to see Hawke’s Bay securing its share of Government investment and to advocate for projects that will make a practical difference locally.
I’ve continued to spend plenty of time out and about meeting with businesses, schools, community organisations and residents, as well as welcoming Ministers to Hawke’s Bay to see firsthand the opportunities and challenges across our region.
Thank you, as always, to everyone who has stopped for a chat, welcomed me into your workplace or community, or contacted my office. Your feedback continues to shape the work I do and ensures our region’s voice is heard in Wellington.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Nimon’s News.
In this issue:
· A Packed Public Meeting with the Prime Minister
· Putting Young People First Online
· Minister Potaka Sees Local Housing Progress
· Expanding Early Support with Minister Stanford
· From Member’s Bill to National Strategy
· 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.
You’re Invited! Join Katie Nimon MP & Hon Todd McClay for a Special Woolshed Meeting
Join Katie Nimon MP and Hon Todd McClay, Minister for Agriculture, Trade and Forestry, for a woolshed meeting at Springvale Station.
This is a great opportunity to hear directly from the Minister about the Government's priorities for the agriculture sector, discuss the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, and share your own experiences. Woolshed meetings are an informal and relaxed way to connect, ask questions, and have open conversations about the issues that matter most to the rural sector.
Date: Wednesday, 9 September
Time: 12.00pm
Location: Alexander's Property, Springvale Station, 741 Puketapu Road
A light afternoon tea will be provided.
Please RSVP to Katie.NimonMP@parliament.govt.nz by Tuesday, 8th September.
A Packed Public Meeting with the Prime Minister
More than 400 people packed the room for our public meeting with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, bringing together people from across the Napier and Tukituki electorates.
It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the Prime Minister about his priorities to fix the basics and build the future, and importantly, what that means for Hawke’s Bay. The questions were genuine, the conversations were open, and people had the opportunity to raise the issues that matter to them.
Thank you to everyone who came along, asked a question, or joined the conversation. It was fantastic to see so many people engaged in the future of our region and our country.
Putting Young People First Online
Parents are doing their best to keep their kids safe online, but they shouldn’t have to take on the world’s biggest technology companies alone. That’s why we’ve introduced the Online Safety Bill, raising the minimum age for high-risk social media platforms to 16 and putting greater responsibility on platforms to protect young people.
With one in three young New Zealanders spending at least five hours a day on social media, the Bill will require platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s holding accounts and reduce the risks their services pose to children.
Messaging, video calling, gaming, education and health services are excluded, so this isn’t about stopping young people from staying connected. No single law will eliminate online harm, but doing nothing isn’t an option. It’s time Big Tech was held accountable for helping keep our kids safer online.
Minister Potaka Sees Local Housing Progress
It was great to welcome Minister Tama Potaka to the electorate and showcase some of the important work happening in our community.
We visited Āhuru Mōwai, where Whatever It Takes Trust provides a safe pathway for men experiencing homelessness. In its first year, the shelter has supported 48 men, helped 24 into housing, and maintained 100% occupancy since its ninth week. Hearing directly from those who have been through the programme was particularly powerful.
We also visited the Pukemokimoki development, a partnership between Mana Ahuriri and Hāpai Housing delivering 24 new one- and two-bedroom apartments for low-income whānau. It was valuable to have the Minister here to see these initiatives firsthand and discuss how we can continue supporting better housing outcomes in Napier.
Thank you to everyone who welcomed us and shared the work you're doing for our community.
Expanding Early Support with Minister Stanford
It was fantastic to join Minister Erica Stanford and Catherine Wedd MP at The Pudney Hub to see firsthand the difference specialist early intervention support is making for children and their whānau.
The Government is expanding specialist provider placements from 668 to 1,000 nationwide, helping more young children with high and complex developmental needs access support earlier, while giving families greater choice and helping reduce wait times.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. This investment means more children and families will be able to access the specialist support they need, at a time when it can make the greatest difference.
From Member’s Bill to National Strategy
New Zealand’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Action Plan has officially launched, marking an important step towards better mental health outcomes for New Zealanders.
This delivers on the intent of my Member’s Bill, requiring a long-term strategy, action plan and stronger accountability for outcomes. I’m proud to have helped champion this work and see it progress through Parliament with unanimous support from the Health Committee.
A special thank you to Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, who first introduced the Bill before becoming a Minister and has now launched the strategy. There is still more to do, but this is an important milestone and a great example of work coming full circle.
Highlights this month
Strengthening Ōmāhu’s Flood Resilience
A significant milestone for Hawke’s Bay, with main construction now complete on the Ōmāhu flood resilience project – the second of seven post-Cyclone Gabrielle projects to be completed.
The project delivered 2.1km of new stopbanks, upgrades to existing stopbanks and bunds, and raised 800 metres of road, providing greater protection for the Ōhiti and Ōmāhu communities.
Backed by Government and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council funding, it’s great to see another important step in Hawke’s Bay’s recovery and resilience delivered
Parliament Sport Raises Nearly $10,000
Hawke’s Bay hosted the Parliament Netball and Rugby Teams for the first time since 2018, and I even pulled on the bib for the Parly Ferns!
We took on Hastings High School Old Girls, who secured the win as they celebrate an incredible 100 years as New Zealand’s oldest netball club, while Havelock North Rugby Club claimed the Parekura Horomia Memorial Trophy.
Most importantly, the weekend raised nearly $10,000 for Cranford Hospice, including $2,500 from the Parliament Sports Trust. A huge thank you to everyone who played, supported and helped make the weekend such a success.
Hawke’s Bay Expressway Taking Shape
It’s exciting to see real progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, with multiple worksites now active as this major Government investment takes shape. Work is underway on the new lanes, Kennedy Road and Meeanee Road overpasses, and the new Tūtaekurī River Bridge as part of the upgrade to four-lane the busiest section of the Expressway.
Once complete, the project will mean safer and more reliable journeys, better connections between Napier and Hastings, and support the continued growth of our region. It’s fantastic to see construction happening on the ground and Hawke’s Bay getting the infrastructure it needs for the future.
Remembering To’osavili Nigel Bickle
The sudden passing of To’osavili Nigel Bickle has been deeply felt across Hawke’s Bay. I knew Nigel through his role as CEO of Hastings District Council, where his fierce commitment to the district and our wider region was always clear. I feel fortunate to have worked alongside him and seen the difference he made.
My thoughts are with Nigel’s family, friends, colleagues, Councillors and the entire Hastings District Council team. For those who knew him as a husband, family member, friend, neighbour and colleague, I know the loss will be immense. Nigel’s contribution to Hawke’s Bay will be remembered and talked about for a long time to come
Recent Policy Announcements
Lots of policy announcements have been made this month. Please click on the links below to learn more.
Education
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.
Health
Ending the decade-long wait for an endometriosis diagnosis - read the Beehive PR here
Women and girls with endometriosis will be able to receive a diagnosis and start treatment sooner under new clinical guidelines, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Women’s Minister Nicola Grigg say.
Eight new emergency helicopters now in service – read the Beehive PR here
The people of Hawkes Bay are the latest to benefit from a major upgrade of New Zealand’s emergency helicopters, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today.
Agriculture
Putting wine waste to work – read the Beehive PR here
The Government is backing a programme to turn a winemaking by product into a valuable resource, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
“Marlborough produces large volumes of winery lees – the organic residue from winemaking. Traditional disposal pathways are becoming more constrained and costly,” Mr McClay says.
Finance
Jobs data shows why economic growth matters – read the Beehive PR here
Today's labour market statistics confirm what many New Zealanders already know from experience: the second quarter of this year was a tough one, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
"April, May and June were difficult months for many employers. They faced real uncertainty and rising costs, and a lot of them made the hard call to hold off on hiring or expanding. Today's data, showing unemployment at 5.6 per cent, reflects that.
Housing
Achieving competitive urban land markets in new system – read the Beehive PR here
The government will establish an independent economic umpire to ensure councils achieve competitive urban land markets through the new planning system, Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
Improving infrastructure tools for Fast-track – read the Beehive PR here
The Government will strengthen infrastructure funding settings to ensure the costs of growth from incoming Fast-track developments can be recovered, Housing and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say.
Mental Health
Promised Mental Health Strategy launched – read the Beehive PR here
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today launched the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, setting a clear 10-year direction to improve mental health and addiction outcomes for all New Zealanders.
“In opposition, I said it was a huge mistake for a mental health strategy not to be included in the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Act, so I introduced a Member’s Bill that was pulled from the biscuit tin in 2023 to fix the previous Government’s shortsighted actions,” Mr Doocey says.
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