Advance voting is open now! You have from now until November 7th to Vote Nicola Grigg and Party Vote National.
Policy announcements:
National's Plan for Kiwi kids
If re-elected, National’s Plan for Kiwi Kids will:
- Introduce a $1,500 Baby Boost to kickstart KiwiSaver.
- Introduce a School Start check for every child.
- Develop clear milestones throughout ECE and reporting to parents.
- No screens in ECE and limit device use in Years 1-3 and introduce age-appropriate limits for older primary students.
- Keep teaching the basics brilliantly - one hour of reading, writing and maths every day, and expand the Maths Acceleration Programme.
- Keep the phone ban in schools.
- More warm, dry classrooms.
- Keep young people in school until the end of Year 11.
- Set consistent school start and finish dates.
- Replace NCEA.
- Have learning support coordinators in all schools and more teacher aides.
- Ban under-16s from social media.
Under our plan for Kiwi kids every child will get the best possible start in life. By sticking to National’s plan, we will deliver a future where children get the education they need to set them up for success, and an economy that has been responsibly managed, so they are not burdened with our debt.
National's Plan for young adults
A re-elected National government will also ensure young people’s future by:
- Lower student loan repayments: National will reduce the student loan repayment rate for Kiwis living in the country, leaving graduates with more take-home pay. This gives young people more income for rent, savings, a first home deposit or starting a business.
- Wider access to 5 per cent home loan deposits: National will expand access to the First Home Loan Scheme so more eligible buyers can purchase with a 5% deposit, rather than the conventional 20%.
- Paid Parental Leave extension: National is extending paid parental leave from 26-30 weeks to give parents more time with their newborn.
- Stronger KiwiSaver and $1500 Baby Boost: KiwiSaver will become compulsory, contribution settings will be higher, and a $1500 Baby Boost contribution will be made for each eligible newborn.
- A welfare system focused on work: Provide more intensive employment support for long-term jobseekers, alongside stronger expectations.
- No new taxes: Give workers, households and businesses greater certainty.
Under our plan for young adults, we’ll deliver a future where you have the best opportunity to get ahead in life, without having to move abroad. A future with a stronger economy, meaning more jobs and higher wages – where it is easier to pay off a student loan, buy your first home, and get the services you rely on, all with no new taxes.
National's Plan for retirement
Over the past three years, National has delivered for seniors.
We’ve lifted superannuation so couples have an extra $180 a fortnight in their back pockets, and we’ve protected the Winter Energy Payment to help with power bills.
Every SuperGold Card holder living on NZ Super with rates over $2,000 can now get the full rates rebate. We’ve also made it easier to build a granny flat by removing the need for building and resource consents in most cases.
We’re also rebuilding our health system. National invested a record $34.2 billion in health this year, delivering more cataract, hip and knee operations to cut waiting times, targeted free prescriptions to seniors, introduced 12-month repeat prescriptions that save time and money, and funded 33 extra cancer treatments and 33 additional medicines.
National will build on this success, by boosting housing choices for Kiwi seniors.
We will:
- Establish a dedicated pipeline of affordable housing for seniors, by ringfencing at least 20 per cent of places to seniors housing from the Housing Flexible Fund.
- Expand our successful granny flats policy so more can be built, faster, and cheaper.
- Make it easier to build tiny homes by expanding the granny flat rules to them, too.
National will also:
- Establish 0800 Seniors, a single free helpline to help seniors navigate government services and access the support they are entitled to.
- Strengthen protections against elder abuse and financial exploitation by reviewing the Enduring Powers of Attorney framework and considering further measures including law changes to better protect seniors from economic harm.
- Extend compulsory employer KiwiSaver contributions to contributing members aged over 65 from 1 July 2027, ensuring those who choose to keep working receive the same employer contributions as everyone else.
- Introduce no new taxes, protecting the savings seniors have worked a lifetime to build.
National will protect seniors’ savings and security, while Labour will hit them with higher taxes, higher costs, and a more uncertain retirement.
Out and about
Darfield Meet the Candidates
Thank you to the Darfield-Glenroy Rural Women for hosting their Meet the Candidates event in Darfield last week.
I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to people across Selwyn, including improving access to healthcare, backing our farmers, creating opportunities for growth, and ensuring New Zealand lives within its means.
Rural communities are the backbone of our economy, and I'm proud to be part of the National Party team that is focused on restoring fiscal responsibility while continuing to invest in essential frontline services.
Thank you to the audience for such engaging questions and great conversations.
NZIAHS Political Forum
The New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science (NZIAHS) hosted me as a part of their political forum at Lincoln University last week.
We had a robust discussion on productivity, agri-innovation, research, and the future of agricultural education.
New Zealand's agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy - thanks to the researchers and innovators who have driven scientific advances over the years.
Returning a National-led Government means continuing to back the farmers, growers and innovators who help our country lead the world in food and fibre production
Pub Politics
Thank you to all of the wonderful people who stopped by my Pub Politics events over the past week.
Not only was a great opportunity to hear directly about local issues, but also to be able to go explain some of our policies in-depth.
Check out below to see when my next Pub Politics is in your area!
Events
Coffee Catchup
Want to have a chat? I’ll be in Hororata this week if you want to have a coffee and talk to me - no appointment needed!
Hororata
🗓️11:00am Thursday, October 29
📍Hororata Village Bar & Cafe, 2 Hobbs Street
Pub Politics
I'm hosting my Pub Politics series to meet you at your local. Bring any questions about policy, concerns or issues, or even just to say hi!
Coming up:
Rolleston
🗓️6:00pm, Monday October 26 (Labour Day)
📍Rolly Inn, 2 Brookside Road
Lincoln
🗓️6:00pm, Friday October 31
📍The Famous Grouse, 2 Gerald Street
Selwyn Diwali
I'm joining the celebrations for Selwyn Diwali, come and join for a free family-friendly event.
🗓️2:00pm-9:00pm, Sunday November 1
📍Lincoln Domain, Meijer Drive
Here to Help
As always, my team and I are here and available to help.
You can get in touch with us by emailing Nicola.GriggMP@parliament.govt.nz, phone 03 344 2800, or pop into the office in Rolleston Square between Monday and Fridays, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
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