Nimon's News - September 2024

02 Oct 2024
Katie Nimon

Nimon’s News – September 2024

Welcome to my monthly newsletter.

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

In this issue:

  • Major announcement on Hawke’s Bay expressway
  • Highlights this month
  • Recent Policy announcements
  • What’s happened in the house
  • Upcoming events and important dates  

Few words from me...

September has been a busy and exciting month. Kicking off with a recess week, which means a break from being in Wellington, it was an awesome opportunity to get out in the electorate. My team and I headed north, spending time in Wairoa, Mahia, and Nuhaka. A huge thanks to everyone who hosted us and came to meet with the team and I. We look forward to getting back again soon.

September also saw Napier hit the news in a very fun way – the Hawke's Bay Airport ran a competition for the naming of its new fire truck. The competition was picked up by ZM’s Fletch, Vaughn, and Hayley, going global with votes from over 30 countries. Although I was unable to get leave from Parliament for the reveal of the name, I am thrilled to see my pick from the community submissions, ‘Judy Drench,’ get the backing of so many voters.

I would also like to acknowledge the passing of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. I joined with my colleagues from across the house in Parliament to mourn the loss of a leader who dedicated so much of his life to kotahitanga and his people.

As I reflect on nearly a year since being elected, I am proud of the incredible achievements we have made as a new government. It has been a privilege to be on this journey.

Looking ahead, October is set to be another busy and exciting month. With school holidays, the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay Shows, and local school prizegiving’s, there is so much to look forward to. I always enjoy attending these events and celebrating our community’s accomplishments.

Katie

 

Major announcement on Hawke’s Bay Expressway

A total of $657 million is forecast to be invested in the Hawke’s Bay in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) period. 

The Government is progressing the SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway as one of its first Roads of National Significance. Over the next three years, planning, design, and construction will start on the first stage of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, between Taradale Road and Pākowhai/Links Road. This will reduce travel times for motorists and freight on the most congested section of the expressway.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will continue to prioritise support for the Transport Rebuild East Coast Alliance to progress work across the state highway and rail network. Options will be investigated for SH2 Waikare Gorge, SH5 Napier to Taupō, SH2 Ōpōtiki to Napier, SH2 Devil’s Elbow and flood management at Eskdale.

 

Highlights this month

Environment Select Committee

As part of my role on the Environment Select Committee; the Fast-rack Approvals Bill is currently before the Committee. Cabinet has suggested changes to the Fast-track Approvals Bill to the Environment Committee for consideration. The report is due on 18 October 2024.

You can watch public meetings of the Environment Select Committee here. 

 

Education and Workforce Select Committee

I am the Chairperson of the Education and Workforce Select Committee; the Education and Training Amendment Bill is currently before the Committee which has reached Committee of Whole House stage. The House considers the bill in detail.

You can watch public meetings of the Education and Workforce Select Committee here.

 

Meetings and events 

It has been a busy and productive month, both in parliament and out in the electorate. Across the month of September, I attended 23 different events, engaged with a diverse range of individuals, organizations, and key stakeholders. These events provide a valuable opportunity to listen and engage with the aspirations of the electorate.

In addition to these events, I regularly meet with Mayor’s and government representatives from across the electorate. These meetings are crucial for discussing what’s working well in our communities, as well as addressing ongoing challenges.

 

Constituency work

Part of the role of my electorate office is to offer support to Napier constituents who are having difficulty navigating government agencies and often feel ‘stuck’. Usually, a constituent will approach my office for support, and either myself or a team member will have a conversation with them about what’s getting in their way. While we can’t always provide a solution, the team and I work hard to assist with further information that may help people make decisions.

Some of the themes from this month:

  • Immigration and visa issues
  • Health system improvements and support
  • Local council matters
  • Law and Order
  • Kainga Ora housing issues
  • Disability support 

 

Some meeting and event highlights

Commonwealth Youth Parliament 

During the first recess week, I got to spend time and mentor a group of incredible young people at the 12th Commonwealth Youth Parliament.

Delegates from all over the Commonwealth spent the week at the Beehive learning hands on the parliamentary process - what it takes to get a bill into law, select committee, question time and general debate. Thanks to the Commonwealth Parliament Association for a great week, I’m sure many of these young people will be the world’s future leaders.

 

ONAM – festival of Harvest

It was such a privilege to be invited as the Chief Guest for the Napier Malayali Onam Festival.

This was my first time wearing a Saree, which the committee kindly loaned me. I felt right at home with the traditional Kerala vegetarian feast known as Onam Sadya.

Kerala people make up a third of the Indian community in Napier and it was very special to see them come together to celebrate their culture and traditions.

We have a wonderful multicultural region, and I feel so lucky to be invited to these celebratory events. Happy Onam Napier!

 

Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Women’s TRI supporting Heretaunga Women’s Centre

I participated in the Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Women’s Triathlon along with 367 incredible women. This event was a fantastic opportunity to raise more than $11,000 for the Heretaunga Women’s Centre, enabling them to continue their programs and services for women in Hawkes Bay.

 

U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa visits Napier

I had the pleasure of hosting U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Thomas Stewart Udall, in the Napier electorate. Although I couldn’t attend his entire visit due to other commitments, the Ambassador had a great time travelling through the electorate from Napier to Gisborne via Wairoa. However, I did get to accompany the Ambassador to Kwetta, a Napier-based green tech leader in electric vehicle charging innovation. It was an incredibly exciting visit, and I felt proud at the tech and ideas coming right out of Onekawa. Kwetta is making massive waves in EV charging innovation and power grid connectivity. 

 

Tour of PAN PAC with Catherine Wedd MP for Tukituki

 

It was a pleasure to tour Pan Pac with Catherine Wedd, MP for Tukituki, and gain a deeper understanding of their pulp and sawmilling operations, as well as the substantial energy required for their export production. Witnessing the process of logs being stripped, dried, transformed into fluffy white pulp, and then compressed into 270kg bales was truly fascinating.

As the third largest consumer of electricity in New Zealand, Pan Pac plays a significant role in the industry, with China being their largest export market. The tour was incredibly insightful and informative.

A special thank you to Tony Clifford and Roger Jones for hosting us and providing such an engaging and educational afternoon.

Dame Georgina Kingi – St Joseph’s Māori Girls College visit with Minister Erica Stanford

It was wonderful to host Minister Erica Stanford to Napier. We had a very special morning with Dame Georgina Kingi, helping to celebrate her last day at St Joseph’s Māori Girls College after an astonishing 37 years as Principal. In the afternoon we went out to Poraiti to Hohepa for a tour of the school and a meeting with Steven and Santigo to discuss the holistic way they are working with the people they support. It was such a great visit – so great that the Minister requested to visit Hohepa’s shop in Taradale on the way to the airport to take some of the award-winning cheese home with her.

 

Other events and visits this month include – A visit to Napier Intermediate School, the opening of the Nourished for Nil site in Greenmeadows, a tour of Church Road winery, Napier City Council Citizenship Ceremony, Hawke's Bay Magpies vs Tasman game, the Napier Civic Awards Ceremony, Hawke's Bay Hospitality Awards, and many others. Such an exciting month!

 

 

 

Recent Policy Announcements 

Several policy announcements have been made this month. Please click on the links below to know more. 

Education

Law & Order, Social Development

Transport & Infrastructure

Health

Regional Growth and Economy

Environment, Climate change and weather events

For other policy announcements please click here. 

 

What's happened in the House?

During sitting weeks, the House of Representatives meets in the Debating Chamber to debate legislation, ask and answer questions, and more. Click here to view Sitting Calendar 2024

Parliamentary Business

Daily progress in the House is a summary of what Parliament is doing. This report is updated throughout the sitting day. Read what's been happening in Parliament today.

To see bills at varying stages and find out the status, follow this link. 

Make a submission

Parliament's decisions affect all New Zealanders. Have your say and influence the laws passed by Parliament. You can get involved by making a submission.

Social Workers Registration Amendment Bill - closes on 6th October 2024

Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024 – 25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill – closes on 9th October 2024

Consultation on the draft Critical Minerals List - closes on 10th October 2024

 

Upcoming events

Wairoa community drop-in-session 

Tuesday, 8th October at Heartland Services Wairoa 11:30am -12:30pm 

 

 

Community Pop-In sessions at Napier Electorate office

Monday, 7th October 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Friday, 1st November 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Friday, 22nd November 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Friday, 13th December 3.00pm – 5.00pm

 

Mike King’s RIDE FOR HOPE

Friday, 25th October 6:30pm at Esk Valley Winery, 347 State Highway 5, Eskdale

 

Important dates

Mental Health Awareness Week: 23 - 29 September 2024.

Police Remembrance Day: 27 September 2024.

Coalition Government’s Q3 Action Plan for New Zealand was launched on 1st July 2024 with a significant focus on restoring law and order. It ends on 29 September 2024.

Start of Q4 Plan focusing on the economy and agriculture starts on 30 September 2024.

FamilyBoost payout and Keytruda becomes available from 1st October 2024.

National Apology- Abuse in care: The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology to survivors of abuse in care on 12th November.

The Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) activated on the 9 July 2024 for the 25-26 June Wairoa flooding event. The TAS is currently accepting registrations from displaced residents in Wairoa who need assistance finding temporary accommodation.  

Temporary Accommodation Assistance for people who were displaced by severe weather events in 2022 and 2023 (Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland Anniversary Floods) is available until 30th June 2025. 

 

Links to recent news items and radio interview

Wellington Mornings with Nick Wills, Newstalk ZB - Politics Thursday

Hawke's Bay Today - Nourished for Nil and Salvation Army combine to open food rescue and distribution service in Napier

Hawke's Bay Today - Harcourts HB Women's TRI for Heretaunga Women's Centre

Hawke’s Bay Today - Hawke’s Bay Airport’s new fire truck name revealed: Dame Judy Drench

 

Share Nimon’s News!

Please feel free to share my newsletter with your friends and family who might like to stay informed or get in touch. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Nimon’s News at the link here.

Thank you for taking the time to read Nimon's News.

I look forward to seeing you around. 

Thanks

Katie Nimon

Member of Parliament for Napier                                                                    

 

Contact us:

  • Napier electorate office -16 Carlyle Street, Napier
  • Phone: 06 8352569
  • Email:[email protected]