After a busy couple of weeks in Parliament with Budget 2024 preparation and announcements, it was really good to be back on home-ground, and out and about in the electorate.

I put on my gumboots, jumped into my car and made my way to Clifton Station for the Farm Forester of the Year Field Day and celebrate 6th generation farmers Tom and Lucia Gordon who have diversified the land at the iconic, historic property.

It was so good to see a young, progressive generation of farmers, innovating and diversifying.

The woolshed is steeped in history and Angus Gorgon gave us a fascinating presentation of many decades farming the land.

BUDGET RECAP

For those who missed my last newsletter, Budget 2024 has delivered for Hawke's Bay's including: 

• Delivering responsible tax relief for the squeezed middle - 3.5 million New Zealanders will keep more of what they earn.
• Average income households with young children will get up to $102 per fortnight, plus FamilyBoost childcare payments of up to $150 per fortnight.
• $1 billion for NZTA to accelerate the delivery of the Roads of National significance, including four-laning of the HB Expressway, and other transport projects.
• $609.3 million over three years to complete state highway recovery works in areas affected by the North Island weather events, ensuring that roads are restored to their previous condition.
• $1.2 billion over three years, will be invested in new and existing infrastructure across regional New Zealand, focusing on resilience and enabling infrastructure.
• $330 million over two years to continue the response and recovery work on local roads that were affected by the North Island weather events.

NZTA has confirmed that over the next three years the agency will deliver a record $2.07 billion for State Highway Pothole Prevention and $1.9 billion for Local Road Pothole Prevention. Hawke’s Bay will receive $82,434,547 – an increase of 51% [Figures are indicative allocations for the 2024-2027 land transport plan (LTP) and difference is compared to the 2021-2024 LTP.

OUT AND ABOUT

I enjoyed getting out to one of our largest employers in Hawke’s Bay, Silver Fern Farms.

We had a tour through the Whakatu Plant, which is one of the largest beef processing plants in New Zealand. It was impressive to see the efficient, innovative operation as the company works hard to add value to the products we grow here in Hawke’s Bay and export it to the world.

Loved meeting Frank and Kahu who are both longstanding employees. Frank has been with the company for over 49 years and Kahu has been at Silver Fern Farms for over 10 years. It was impressive to see the career opportunities and the job pathways.

I was also stoked to see Minister Simeon Brown visit our region so soon after Budget 2024. It just goes to show our government's commitment to supporting, and investing in, the rebuild and recovery of Hawke's Bay.

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

Regards, Catherine

Catherine Wedd | MP for Tukituki

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