I was on Q and A yesterday morning talking about housing

A big week for me as we launch our housing policy
Dear John,

A busy weekend for me as I launched our "Going for Housing Growth" ([link removed]'s%20Going%20for%20Housing%20Growth,of%20Build%20to%20Rent%20housing.) Plan on Q and A yesterday morning with Jack Tame, and on Saturday I had to make a dash to Parliament from the Petone v Wainuiomata game to get stuck into Labour ([link removed]) after some mischievous attacks by them on National (video here ([link removed]) ). I didn't have time to change... hence the muddy shoes. ([link removed]) Plus the Riverbank markets with Emma Chatterton on Saturday morning, my regular parkrun, and a few letters to deliver....busy times!

Housing Policy: Thank you to everyone who has written with kind words about my very long (25 mins) interview with Jack Tame on Sunday ([link removed]) . It really means a lot. I'm really proud of our policy, which will mean more houses get built in New Zealand. Housing has been a public policy disaster for New Zealand with huge social and economic ramifications - the sad case of Loafers Lodge is a symbol of our collective failure. Labour has made things worse in the last six years, not better (as this story ([link removed]) about the disgusting motels on the Hutt Road demonstrates). Our plan involves:
* Unlocking land for housing – Councils in major towns and cities will be required to zone land for 30 years’ worth of housing demand immediately. Councils will have more flexibility about where houses are built by being able to opt-out of the Medium Density Residential Zone law, however central government will reserve powers to ensure councils set aside enough land to meet demand targets. Our policy smashes urban limits that have inflated land values artificially and driven very high house prices.
* Infrastructure financing tools – The Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act will be reformed to reduce red tape for developers to fund infrastructure. Combined with targeted rates to fund greenfield developments, this will remove the need for councils to fund greenfield infrastructure from their balance sheets. Housing growth will also become a priority for transport funding through NZTA
* Housing performance incentives for councils – A $1 billion fund for Build-for-Growth incentive payments for councils that deliver more new housing – funded by stopping existing programmes like KiwiBuild.

It's comprehensive and detailed and will make a real difference. You can see the full policy here ([link removed]) and I'd welcome your feedback.

Budget 2023: Feels like a lifetime ago but it was only a couple of weeks ago that Grant Robertson delivered the 2023 Budget. National called it the "Blow-out Budget" because yet again Labour exceeded their own spending limits - for the 6th year in a row. The deficit is up - again - and the return to surplus has been delayed - again. Incredibly, government spending is up by $61 billion since Labour came to office, with very little to show for it. The Treasury says the scale of spending will mean interest rates stay higher for longer and it was alarming to see the OCR go up another 25 basis points to hit 5.5 on Wednesday last week - this is going to mean even more pain for Kiwi households. Some economists are saying it could go higher. National's focus is on fixing the economy through fiscal discipline, moderate tax relief, and tough decisions. That's the responsible thing to do.

Health Public Meeting: You've probably seen the signs up around the Hutt - Emma Chatterton and I are hosting a public meeting with National's Health Spokesperson Dr Shane Reti on Tuesday night at the Ricoh Sports Centre. Please come along if you're interested. I know health is a big issue for many Hutt voters, particularly the ongoing lack of information about Hutt Hospital and its earthquake issues. Dr Shane is an excellent speaker and he will be outlining some of National's plans and policies in this very important area. 7pm at the Ricoh Sports Centre - see you there.

Hutt Speed Limits: The Hutt Council is currently being forced by the government ([link removed]) to lower speed limits all over the Hutt - if you scroll below you can see the a huge number of streets going to 40 kph in the western hills, and many more going to 30 kph, all over the Hutt. My view is that lower speed limits around schools make sense, but blanket reductions don't make any sense. The government should focus on fixing and upgrading our roads, not slowing us down. Emma and I have launched a petition to oppose the changes - will you sign it? ([link removed]) The consultation runs until June 5 so you don't have long - please share with your friends.

Around the Hutt: A very busy couple of weeks. It was great to have Nicola Willis at the Hutt Chamber for a post-Budget breakfast last week, while it was was a sad afternoon at the funeral of Hutt identity John Bhula. The highlight was the Hutt Valley Sports Awards on Thursday night, which were amazing as always! If you'd like me to come and say hello to your business or an organisation where you work or have a connection, please let me know (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Please%20visit%20me!) - I'd love to drop by.
Have a great rest of the week.

Chris

P.S For those wondering, Jenna, Jeremy, Ladyhawke, Ziggy and I moved into our lovely new home in Days Bay last Saturday!

P.P.S Please vote for Fix Federation ([link removed]) in Capital Magazine's "Best of Wellington" awards!

Our vision is for thriving and productive cities and regions where everyone has a warm and dry place to call home. It means vibrant and growing cities, with good quality public transport and efficient and reliable infrastructure. Full policy here. ([link removed])

Our health system is in real crisis in the Hutt - please come by and hear about National's solutions with our Health Spokesperson, Dr Shane Reti.
Riverbank Markets

Another great session at the Riverbank Markets on Saturday morning with Emma Chatterton. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hello.
Visit to Diya's Delight

Have you checked out Diya's Delight yet in Wainuiomata? A new Indian restaurant on Queen St. Ganga and Vanu have been Wanuiomata locals for over two years. The name is inspired by their daughter, Diya.
Mine's a chicken korma (kiwi hot) with a cheese and garlic naan. What's yours?
Hutt Speed Limit Changes

Chris Hipkins said he was stopping speed limit reductions to focus on the most dangerous 1 percent of state highways. Lowering speed limits around schools makes perfect sense. Blanket speed limit reductions don’t. Please sign our petition. ([link removed])
First letter drop of the campaign!
Out delivering letters to voters in the Hutt about National’s plans to get NZ back on track. Flick me a message (mailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20can%20help%20with%20letters!) if you’d like to help me deliver letters and leaflets!
SuperBlues with Mark Mitchell
It was great to have Mark Mitchell in the Hutt at my SuperBlues morning tea a couple of Fridays ago. SuperBlues is a club for National Party-supporting seniors - please let me know if you'd like to be added to the mailing list. We meet every two months on a Friday morning.
Meet Manvir
Meet Manvir. He took me in a cab on Wednesday. When I went to pay, he looked through his phone and held up an email from me about MIQ about 18 months ago! Lovely to meet you Minvar and thank you for your support.
Wet Saturday morning parkrun!
Wet one for Parkrun on Saturday!
Hutt Valley Sports Awards
Thank you to the Hutt Valley Sports Awards organising committee led by the incomparable Ken Laban and all the sponsors for an incredible evening. Congratulations to all prize winners and nominees! Emma and I got the gladrags on.
Friday Funny

Oops 😂 . Give it a few months and change one word there... here's hoping.

Great to have Nicola Willis in the Hutt last week for a post-Budget speech hosted by the Hutt Chamber.
Photo of the week

11 months on Friday... where did the time go?
Regular Ladyhawke photo

Ladyhawke is back at Pucci (Daycare for Dogs) and she loves it!!!

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