Welcome to the first edition of News from Suze. This monthly newsletter is designed to keep you in the loop with what I'm up to in the Rangitīkei electorate, and in parliament, as well as let you know about community achievements and upcoming events. Please forward this email to friends and family who might like to stay in touch. I appreciate your help staying connected with the community. If you've had this email forwarded to you, you can sign up to receive regular updates here.

In this issue - 

• Local Updates and Events
• Budget 2024
• Upcoming Public Events
• Here to Help

Local Updates and Events

May has been a busy month. I've enjoyed connecting with local leaders, celebrating community achievements, and showing Ministers around the mighty Rangitīkei electorate.

Earlier in May, I had the pleasure of hosting the Hon. Chris Bishop. We started our day in Palmerston North where we met with local Mayors. We then joined the Rangitīkei Lunch Club in Feilding, where Minister Bishop's insights and sense of humour were greatly appreciated.

The visit concluded with a stop at Feilding High School. We were joined there by students from Nga Tawa School and Rangitīkei College, along with Sport Manawatū CE Kelly Shanks and Sport Whanganui CE Tania King, for a robust discussion on sport.

The following week, I spent a productive day with the Hon. Simeon Brown in the Rangitīkei and Palmerston North. One of the day's highlights was visiting the under-construction Te Ahu a Turanga - Manawatū Tararua Highway. This amazing feat of engineering features four lanes and a 10-degree gradient over 11.5 kilometres of highway. This will restore a vital connection and reduce travel time.

We enjoyed a lunch with community members and business leaders, hosted by my friend Ankit Bansal. The day finished with a visit to the airport for an enlightening conversation on hydrogen energy with PEC CEO Richard Coxon.

A personal highlight this month was joining a delegation of three visiting Ukrainian MPs and their Ambassador on a visit to Linton Military Camp. Alongside Otaki MP Tim Costley and Palmerston North's Tangi Utikere, we met with some of the military personnel who trained Ukrainian soldiers in England. Hitching a ride there and back in an NH90 helicopter with the Ohakea-based No.3 Squadron was an amazing experience.

Last, but not least, it was a privilege to debut for the Parly Ferns, playing alongside colleagues from across the House, in a netball match against the Federated Farmers. All for a great cause - a memorial match for Hon Parekura Horomia and a fantastic fundraiser for cyclone recovery with $500,000 raised to help farmers fix fences.

Budget 2024

Last week we delivered our first budget, fulfilling our commitment to be fiscally responsible while delivering on our promises.

By identifying savings across portfolios amounting to $23 billion over four years, we can responsibly fund tax relief and provide an additional boost to priority frontline services.

Starting 31 July, families will experience tax relief for the first time in 14 years. An average income family with two kids can expect up to $102 more in their pockets each fortnight, and families with young children will receive up to an extra $150 to help with childcare costs. If you haven't done so yet, use our tax calculator here to find out how much you could benefit.

The budget includes significant investment in frontline services, including:

• $8 billion for health services
• Nearly $3 billion for education
• $650 million for law and order, including funding for 500 new police officers

These investments are aimed at achieving tangible results like shorter emergency department wait times, fewer victims of crime, and improved educational outcomes for our children.

Budget 2024 will continue funding $2.6 billion of climate change initiatives to support NZ in adaptation and emissions reduction. Along with $200 million for flood resilience infrastructure from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Our government is dedicated to rebuilding the New Zealand economy. We inherited a challenging fiscal situation, with core Crown expenditure increasing nearly 70 percent between 2017 and 2023, and debt expanding from $60 billion to $155 billion. This year’s budget aims to get the books back in order, while delivering the frontline services Kiwis deserve. 

Upcoming Public Events 

National Fieldays:
I'll be at National Fieldays at Mystery Creek on Thursday 13 June. Come and say hi at stands 46/47 in the Rural Living Marquee if you are heading up for the event.

National Volunteer Week:
16 - 22 June is National Volunteer week - a chance to honour the collective energies and mana of volunteers in Aotearoa. I'll be out and about in the electorate spending time with volunteer groups, as well as hosting a thank you morning tea at the office later in June. If you know of hardworking volunteers in the Rangitīkei who should be included, feel free to drop me an email at [email protected] so I can invite them. 

Feilding Repair CAFE:
On Saturday 15 June, I'll be at the Feilding Repair CAFE at the Senior Hub, 14 Bowen Street Feilding, 10am-12pm. This is a fantastic initiative where a group of volunteers get together to assess and help members of the public repair small household items over a cuppa. All welcome.

Here to Help 

My team and I are always available to assist you.

Reach us by emailing [email protected], or calling 06 323 7253 (Feilding) or 07 896 8008 (Taumarunui).

Visit us in person at one of our office locations.

Feilding Office: 47 Manchester Street, Feilding - Monday to Friday,10:00am to 3:00pm.

Taumarunui Office: 1/101 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui - Monday 9:30am to 2:30pm and Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm.

Best wishes and keep warm,