Nimon's News - May 2024

Kia Ora everyone!

Welcome to my monthly newsletter.

Your update about what's happening in the Napier electorate, New Zealand Parliament and across our country!

I am working hard as the electorate MP for Napier, alongside the Government who is working hard to get New Zealand back on track.  

I have been working alongside our neighbouring electorate MPs, MPs across the country, and ministers in order to connect our decision-making at the national level with our work in the Napier electorate and across the region. 

Our Napier electorate runs from Patoka, Napier, Tutira, Wairoa, Mahia to Matawai.  It covers an area of 10,000sq km. We share our electorate boundaries with four neighbouring electorates East Coast in the North, Tukituki in the South, and the Taupo and Rangitikei electorates in the West. Our rivers and mountains connect us and form natural boundaries to our electorates. 

Our Napier electorate as shown in the map below (purple boundary) covers parts of four local councils that is administered by the Hastings District Council, Wairoa District Council and Gisborne District Council and Napier City Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002 (orange boundary).

Our electorate is diverse with manufacturing, agriculture, horticulture and tourism-based industries.  We have more natural rural areas and two urban areas including Wairoa in the North and Napier in the South. I travel across the region and try to meet as many people as possible.

You can contact me at our Napier electorate office for any local matter or concerns. Our friendly staff at the electorate office are here to help and are able to support you. Our office contact details are here.

We’ll assist you with any information you seek and connect you with key organisations, Government departments, businesses and non-Governmental organisations who can further help. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.  

Napier electorate - our local news

Napier office opening

In late April, our Napier Electorate office officially opened at 16 Carlyle Street. We hosted regional leaders and key stakeholders to connect with us. Our key stakeholders and local community organisations are well connected with people within the electorate. Shared connections help us to better deliver our work and stay informed. 

Our electorate office will enable locals to share their views or get support. My team and I are here to work with people of all ages and abilities across the Napier electorate, from Puketitiri to Matawai. We are the link between the local community and New Zealand Parliament. Please do come and talk to us. 

People visiting our office

Our office gets visited by people from across our Napier electorate including residents, local businesses, community groups, schools, educational institutes, infrastructure and transport organisations, Cyclone Gabrielle affected residents and businesses, and the health sector.

One of the biggest emerging issues that people are wanting support with are Kainga Ora housing issues, Immigration advice on work and student visas, forestry and roading in the region, constituents being supported by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in Temporary Accommodation Support (TAS) and local council rates increases.   

Working with our local Councils 

I regularly meet with Mayor Kirsten Wise, Napier City Council to learn about local issues which our city is facing. We share information on our recent policies, initiatives and decisions. 

Napier City Council recently consulted on its proposed Three-Year Plan 2024 -27. The rates increase was a part of the proposal. We were approached by our local community on rates rise issue. The Government is concerned any time it hears about ratepayers facing large-scale rate increases, however, responsibility for setting rates sits with councils. Ultimately, the councils are responsible to their communities for setting rates under the Local Government Act 2002. I have made it clear to the Mayor that we have encouraged concerned local residents to submit their views on the plan.

I am part of the Napier City Council stakeholder advisory group that is working with people who are homeless and who have safety concerns around Clive Square Park. We are working closely with Whatever It Takes (WIT) to support them in their mahi.

I work with the Wairoa District Council as a part of the Wairoa Community Partnership Group. The monthly meetings provide regular updates on issues such as local school Nuhaka, Wairoa college, decline in retail business in the town centre, healthcare issues and general well-being of people. I have regular ongoing meetings with the Mayor of Wairoa, Craig Little.

One of my more unique regular meetings, is my drive with Deputy Mayor of Hastings, Tania Kerr. We travel around her Mohaka Ward of Hastings District, (the area of Hastings that is in the Napier electorate) and discuss the issues that face the communities, and how the government can address those.

Fast-Track Approvals Bill (FTAB) - Public Hearings at the Environment Select Committee

As a Member of the Environment Select Committee in Parliament, I am busy for the next 6 weeks, hearing public submissions on the Fast Track Approvals Bill which is before the select committee. In total we have received nearly 27,000 submissions. I am attending public hearings both in Napier via zoom, and in Parliament.  

The purpose of this bill is to provide a streamlined decision-making process to facilitate the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits. There is a high level of interest in this bill across our country from various stakeholders to local community groups. This bill was introduced on 7th March 2024.  

The Environment select committee gathers information and prepare a report on the bill for the House. The report is due on 07 Sep 2024. 

Community organisation visits, events and fundraising

I have met with key representatives from eight NGOs/Government agencies. The purpose of these visits was to get to know the work of each institution, current programmes and what the issues and opportunities are going forward. A few highlights below.  

Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) - Hawke's Bay polytechnic

I met with key officials at the EIT, Taradale campus who gave us a tour of the whole campus showing different departments, facilities and parts of campus which are under demolition/reconstruction due to damage from Cyclone Gabrielle last year. EIT plans to have their campus fully functional in 2025 when students enrol. 

Emergency and Disaster Resilience pods (EPOD)

It was inspiring to meet with an innovative team who have developed these self-contained emergency and disaster resilience point of distribution (EPOD) for making our communities resilient. The EPOD was first developed and delivered to communities before Cyclone Gabrielle and have further adapted as a result. Here is how EPOD describe themselves:

An innovative range of modular readiness and resilience solutions any local community can rely upon during natural disasters, emergencies, and climate change events.  These purpose-built emergency and disaster resilience pods (EPODs) are built with our communities in mind and work to establish an accessible and centralised emergency response capability directly within the community.

EPODs are designed and built by professional engineers, made from high-quality materials and fittings, and can be delivered to local community, anywhere in New Zealand.   

Christian LoveLink - churches helping people 

Christian LoveLink, a community charity organisation helps local people in need with donated household goods such as beds, furniture, appliances, duvet, blankets, linen and kitchen items. I was fortunate to visit them and see the amazing work they do for our community from their office in Onekawa. They run their storage and delivery operation of goods from an old building which was affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Ian Jones, Operations Manager gave us a tour of their office and warehouse where all donated goods are stored. Donated household items come from both Napier and Hastings. Charity receives referrals from central government organisations and helps to put together household items for families that are moving into new houses from transitional and emergency housing, as well as temporary accommodation post cyclone. 

I supported them with their annual Blanket and Duvet Drive from May 13 – 17 by collecting blankets on their behalf at our Napier electorate office. We received good quality thick duvets, woollen blankets and pillows. We had a very kind and generous donation of 12 brand new blankets from one of our Napier locals. 

Minister of Agriculture visiting Woolshed in rural north Napier electorate (south of Gisborne)

Our rural north region in the Napier electorate region was recently visited by the Government Agriculture Minister Hon Todd McClay who started their national woolshed roadshow, kicking off in the Wairarapa in April. We are working on setting up a woolshed meeting in Wairoa in July. More details to come. 

Hohepa Poraiti School 

I visited Hohepa Hawkes Bay, a special character school that supports people with intellectual disabilities to live life to the full. We met with General Manager - Santiago De Marco at Hohepa Hawkes Bay who showed us the entire Poraiti campus and the newly constructed houses.  We visited the Hohepa shop in Taradale where local produce from Hohepa farm is available for purchase. Hohepa provides services for a number of government agencies, it is important for us to help them deliver for those they support. 

Events 

Citizenship Ceremony at the Napier War Memorial Centre

I recently attended the New Zealand Citizenship Ceremony held at the Napier War Memorial centre.  Receiving citizenship is a very special occasion. I felt proud in welcoming 62 new citizens to my Napier electorate. This was my second ceremony, and something I enjoy celebrating with our newest kiwis!

Additional to news citizens, we had nine new constituents who have moved into our Napier electorate from Tukituki, Christchurch and Gisborne East Coast. We welcome them all!

The Salvation Army fundraising 

I helped with fundraising for The Salvation Army at our local Countdown supermarket on Munroe St. I look forward to this collection drive each year, as well as collecting for Cranford Hospice and the Cancer Foundation. I am always heartened by the generosity of our locals.  

 

CHICAGO - a musical production by Napier Girls High School and Napier Boys High School 

I attended “Chicago” the musical at the Napier Municipal Theatre. An action-packed performance from start to the end. A fully booked event which was enjoyed by all. 

 

 

The Charity Rugby and Netball Tournament in Gisborne

Some other great events and meetings that I've attended over the last month.

  • Graham Dingle Foundation working with youth 
  • Foodeast Haumako where food production is key
  • Greenmeadows Rotary Club 
  • Whatever It Takes and NGO which looks after wide-ranging areas such as social issues and housing
  • EIT Graduation
  • NZEI Public Forum on Early Childhood Education
  • The O'Shea Shield Pōwhiri at Sacred Heart College
  • Pōwhiri for New Chief Executive of Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotu  

Wellington Events

The New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards for 2023

The Surf Life Saving Hawke’s Bay SAR Squad received the Gold Award (Operational) for their efforts during Cyclone Gabrielle. They rescued more than 200 people from Esk Valley and Pakowhai during Cyclone Gabrielle on February 14, 2023.The Awards ceremony was held in the Grand Hall at Parliament, Wellington.

The announcement of a further funding boost of $63.64m for Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand is most welcome news for those in our Hawke’s Bay region who rely on the critical services that they provide.

Firefighters Challenge 2024

 

Policy Announcements 

Few big policy announcements

1. Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law, read the Beehive PR here

We’re bringing back Three Strikes as part of our plan to restore law and order.

2. Simplifying the lending process for Kiwis, read the Beehive PR here

New changes will make it easier for first home buyers to access lending and strengthen customer protections.

3. Urgent changes to Resource Management Act (RMA) to support development in key sectors of the economy, read the Beehive PR here

We’ll introduce our first RMA Amendment Bill next month to cut red tape in key sectors like farming.

4. Prime Minister’s South East Asia mission does the business, read the Beehive PR here

New opportunities to create jobs, lift incomes and rebuild our economy here at home are on the cards thanks to a successful mission to South East Asia. 

5. Prime Minister’s pre-Budget 2024 speech to the Auckland Business Chamber - read theBeehive PR here

The Prime Minister delivered a keynote pre-budget address this week where he outlined our commitment to prioritise investments in the public services that matter most, deliver personal income tax relief, and deliver durable savings to support investment and get the Government books back into balance.  

6. Charter Schools - read the Beehive PR here

Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced that the upcoming budget will include $153m in funding over four years for up to 50 charter schools. 

7. Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS) - read the Beehive PR here

Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the establishment of our Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS) programme, to ensure that our cities and regions are well connected, and our economy thrives. 

8. Establishment of the National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units - Beehive PR here

Police Minister Mark Mitchell this week welcomed the announcement of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. This new unit will make maximum use of the new tools brought in by this Government to suppress and contain the misery that gangs cause. 

9. Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard - read the Beehive PR here

Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Minister Matt Doocey announced that Budget 2024 will boost funding for Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand by $63.44m over four years. 

10. Relief for today, hope for tomorrow - Budget 2024 released on Thursday read the Beehive PR here 

Budget 2024 is a critical step in our plan to rebuild the economy and deliver New Zealanders cost-of-living relief. 

11. Gumboot Friday - read the Beehive PR here 

We are providing $24 million over four years to contract the I Am Hope Foundation to provide young people aged between 5 and 25 years with free mental health counselling services through Gumboot Friday.  

12. 1,500 more social homes - Beehive PR here 

The Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced that we will end the First Home Grant in order to provide $140m in funding for 1,500 new social housing places.

13. Roadside drug testing - read the Beehive PR here 

We will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order. 

14. Kāinga Ora review -read the Beehive PR here 

The Government announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities.

 

What's happened in the House?

New Zealand House of Representatives (the House) has many responsibilities in addition to making new laws and updating old ones. 

Bills are proposals to make a new law or to change an existing one. Only Parliament can pass a bill. Each bill goes through several stages, giving MPs and the public the chance to have their say. 

The NZ House of Representatives (the House) meets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during a sitting week to progress the matters in the house. Each day has an order paper listing all agenda items that will be discussed. Please refer to our sitting calendar 2024 for details on when the House meets and goes into a recess period. 

Parliament's decisions affect you. 

Get involved and Have your Say to select committees at www.parliament.nz

Progress in the house

This month we had bills at varying stages. To find out the status, follow this link. 

There are many bills that have gone through the various stages in the house, and I’ve contributed to a lot of them. One in particularly important bill is my members bill that I adopted from Hon Matt Doocey when I became an MP (the Pae Ora Healthy Futures Amendment Bill).

 

Countdown to the budget!

Tax relief is coming! The Prime Minister along with Nicola Willis will announce our 2024 budget on Thursday May 30th.

So, what can you expect?

We will cut wasteful spending. We will get money out of the back office and into the front line. We will invest in infrastructure, and we will deliver tax relief.

Hope you have enjoyed reading our newsletter and if there is anything I can do to help - please give my office a call on 06 835 2569 or email me at [email protected]  

I look forward to seeing you out in our Napier community soon. 

Thanks,

 

Katie Nimon

MP for Napier