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09 Oct 2024
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What a great recess week it’s been to be out in the electorate. The sun was shining brightly across Tukituki earlier this week, with spring upon us. I have been out meeting our amazing Hawke’s Bay locals, businesses amping up innovation, and I got to see first-hand what large-scale water storage can do for the economy.
I also got to speak on behalf of our Immigration Minister Erica Stanford at the RSE conference in Tauranga. It was a privilege talking about our government’s work to support our horticulture industry and Pacific neighbours.
I would also like to congratulate Te Puhi Ariki Ngawai Hono i te Po Paki, now Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, on her appointment as the head of the Kiingitanga movement. I wish her all the best in carrying on the legacy of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII.
There were also some big government announcements which are incredibly positive for our region.
We are a government of action and moving in the right direction.
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Full steam ahead for Hawke’s Bay Expressway:
Our government is progressing the HB four-lane expressway to begin construction in the next 3 years!
The first stage of the four lanes will begin between Pākowhai/ Links Rd and Taradale Road, the 6.5km of stretch of highway which is the most congested.
This is welcome news for our region as it will help drive productivity and get people around safely and efficiently.
Cyclone Gabrielle showed how important it is to have a resilient state highway between our two cities.
The Expressway is the life blood between our two cities and relieving the congestion with four lanes is going to make a significant difference.
Our government is working extremely hard and at pace to ensure we deliver the four Lane Expressway for Hawke's Bay in the next three years.
Action plan to get more people into employment:
Our economy is stronger when more people are in work and a well-performing labour market is critical for giving New Zealanders more opportunity to realise their potential.
I visited PurSuit NZ who are doing an amazing job to get 18- to 24-year-olds into long-term employment. They focus increasing increase the quality of life in all aspects with their pre-employment services, digital pathway into employment for rangatahi Te Ara Matihiko and the wellbeing tool NOHI which I also got a chance to try.
The Government’s Employment Action Plan sets out how people facing different challenges will be supported to contribute to the economy and improve labour market outcomes.
Mana Ake:
Our government announced mental health support to primary and intermediate school pupils in Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti regions will continue, despite the programme being set up by the previous government without sustainable, further funding.
Once fully rolled out, Mana Ake will provide in-school wellbeing and mental resilience support and be available to around 25,500 students across more than 130 primary and intermediate schools in the regions.
Back to basics for local government:
We need to get our councils back to doing the basics brilliantly and delivering quality services for ratepayers. These are simple but important things like picking up rubbish, fixing pipes and filling in potholes, and maintaining local assets.
Ratepayers should no longer have to foot the bill for distractions and experiences that aren’t important and don’t deliver value for money.
There is no magic money tree thanks to Labour’s economic mismanagement and vandalism.
That’s why we are making some big changes, to make sure that local government gets back to basics and delivers their key services well.
We are- refocusing the Local Government Act, investigating performance benchmarks for local councils, investigating options to limit council expenditure on non-essentials, reviewing transparency and accountability rules.
Bill strengthening Firearm Prohibition Order passes:
An important milestone in the Coalition Government’s commitment to restoring law and order was reached with the passing of the Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill.
This Bill is the first phase of our work programme to reform New Zealand’s outdated firearms law, with the priority of keeping our communities safe. The Bill addresses the unacceptable levels of gang-related violence, public intimidation, and crimes involving firearms that have so concerned New Zealanders.
Taking a stand on gangs:
It is great to now see the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council upholding the law to stop gang members from entering the premises by putting up signs.
Earlier this week I communicated my disappointment that the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council couldn’t be more out of touch with our region.
In Hawke's Bay, we have one of the largest gang populations in New Zealand, and under the previous Labour Government, our gang population continued to grow. As a result, crime ran rampant, and our communities felt unsafe.
Seeing our elected Council members inside the council chambers dancing and celebrating with patched gang members was incredibly disappointing.
Our government communication has been clear. Gangs inflicting harm on our communities is unacceptable, and we are cracking down on gangs so we can create safer communities in Hawke's Bay.
We have introduced legislation to go a step further than banning gang patches in public buildings with a full ban on wearing gang patches in public entirely.
OUT AND ABOUT
Our government is backing provincial NZ! I loved visiting Nelson with our amazing National Party Representative Blair Cameron- visiting King Salmon and seeing the huge opportunity for growth in our Aquaculture Sector and the Waimea Dam which is opening up so much economic potential and opportunity for the region.
I am a strong advocate for large scale water storage in Hawke’s Bay, so it was great to look around the Waimea Dam, which opened in March this year and was a saviour for many growers across the Tasman region who were suffering drought.
Water storage unleashes economic potential, has positive environmental impacts and creates jobs and opportunities for our regions.
I will continue to work for water storage in Hawke’s Bay and across NZ.
Cape Sanctuary is just breathtaking, and I had the privilege to visit it with my Tukituki office team and meet the guides and the hapu liaison who look after the sanctuary and the endangered species found there.
I am in awe of all the amazing work done by the Sanctuary team. Keep up the great work guys!
I visited the winner of Judges’ Choice Award at the recent Hawke’s Bay Export Awards ‘NZ Frost Fans’.
New Zealand Frost Fans provides innovative frost protection solutions to growers around the world, with its range of FrostBoss Frost Fans.
From its base, right here in Hawke’s Bay, the business specialises in Frost Fan design and manufacture, as well as the subsequent field placements, consent applications (if required), installation and servicing.
Our youth are our future and I loved going to the youth council meeting at Hastings District Council chambers and learning about all the work they have been doing including setting up a Youth Grant and putting together a Long-Term Plan.
The talented bunch also had a chance to pose some questions to me and hear what we, as the government, have been doing in the area, and what we could work on
Looking forward to our next session!
Congratulations to Brendan, Kirsten, BBI and the Tumu team on opening your new Building Futures Building.
Building Futures is a programme which changes lives, and shapes futures. The programme gets people off welfare and into work. A good example of private sector working together with the public sector to get the best outcomes.
I am looking forward to participating in the Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Women's tri 2024, alongside our other local leaders to fundraise for all the good work the centre does to empower and support women.
If you are interested in taking part in the event you can enter here.
https://raceroster.com/events/2024/80459/harcourts-hawkes-bay-womens-tri
IN THE MEDIA
Inside the Beehive: 10 minutes with Catherine Wedd | The Post
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I look forward to seeing you out in our Tukituki community soon.
Regards, Catherine
Catherine Wedd | MP for Tukituki
- [email protected]
- 06 873 3819
- 129 Queen Street, Hastings 4122
