Simeon Says! September Update

29 Sep 2024

Simeon Brown

Simeon Says! Email Newsletter

September Update

The Government continues to deliver on behalf of Kiwis as we work to get New Zealand back on track. In this newsletter, I will update you on some of our recent announcements including the $32.9 billion National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), justice reforms to update our sentencing laws and crack down on gang crime, and our plans to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) by the next election.

If you would like to get in touch with me, please don't hesitate to contact my office by calling 09 572 0000 or emailing [email protected].

Delivering for New Zealand

Earlier this month, a record $32.9 billion investment into New Zealand's transport infrastructure was announced through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) to create a more reliable and efficient transport network that boosts economic growth and productivity. Key highlights of the NLTP include:

Bringing back the successful Roads of National Significance programme started under National with a pipeline of 17 Roads of National Significance across the country.
Record investment and increased focus on preventing potholes.
Investment into reliable public transport services and the delivery of four new major public transport projects to increase travel choices in our main cities.
Ensuring councils are getting back to basics, with increased pothole prevention, reduced funding for cycle ways, and no funding for speed bumps.

For Auckland, the NLTP includes four new Roads of National Significance, including Mill Road which will be progressed as one of our first seven projects in the next three years. The City Rail Link, started by the previous National Government, will also be completed through the NLTP to double Auckland's rail network capacity. Additionally, we're progressing work on the Eastern Busway and have delivered a record 74% funding boost for pothole prevention on Auckland's local roads. For more details of what's included in the NLTP, click here.

I recently took a spin in one of these new data collection vans, which will survey 80,000km of local roads to aid with pothole detection and prevention.

The Government is committed to ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029. We recently passed legislation to crack down on gang crime and announced our plans to reform sentencing laws, to ensure our communities are kept safe and that criminals face real consequences.

From November 21, gang patches will be banned in all public places, courts will be able to issue non-consorting orders, and police will be able to stop criminal gangs from associating and communicating, while greater weight will also be given to gang membership at sentencing. Sentencing reforms will include capping the sentence discounts that judges can apply at 40%, and adding new aggravating factors into sentencing for adults who exploit young people by aiding or abetting them to offend, and offenders who glorify their criminal activities by livestreaming or posting online, among other measures.

I enjoyed turning the sod at Contact Energy's new Kōwhai Park Solar Farm in Christchurch, an exciting project that will help electrify New Zealand as we rebuild the economy.

Our Government wants to make it easier, cheaper, and faster to get things done in New Zealand. That's why we're taking action to scrap the Resource Management Act (RMA), because the current consenting system is a barrier to economic growth and productivity. We recently announced our plan to develop and implement two new laws to replace the RMA by the next election, and we have already started by repealing Labour's reforms that were more complicated than what they were trying to replace. We're doing this while introducing a fast-track consenting regime and short-term fixes to the interim RMA as work on a full replacement continues.

For more detail on our proposed replacement laws for the RMA, click here to read RMA Reform Minister Hon Chris Bishop's press release.

I enjoyed visiting the Massey University Aviation School in Palmerston North to try out their flight simulator - a fantastic training tool for our future pilots.

Upcoming events

There are a couple of upcoming events you may be interested in attending in Pakuranga, with the full details below.

Tradies Breakfast

On Wednesday 2 October I will be hosting a free fry up breakfast alongside Construction Spokesperson Chris Penk, to discuss the Government's plans for the building and construction sector. Bring your team along!

When: Wednesday 2 October at 7:00am
Where: Howick Bowling Club, 33 Selwyn Road, Howick, Auckland

This event is free to attend with a fry up breakfast provided, but please RSVP to ensure we have enough food for everyone.

Pizza & Policy

On Thursday 10 October, the Pakuranga National Party will be hosting a Pizza & Policy evening where like minded locals are encouraged to come along and share their policy ideas. This evening will have a focus on education, so if you have any ideas or thoughts about how we can improve educational outcomes in New Zealand, please come along.