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Dear John New Zealand is in recession and we have a cost-of-living crisis. We need a growing economy so we can lift incomes for all, restore law and order and deliver better health and education. In this issue:
Christopher Luxon Back on Track Visits
I know many of you have been wanting an opportunity to meet Leader of the National Party and Opposition Leader Christopher Luxon. I will be hosting him at a public meeting at the Great Lake Centre, 5 Story Place, Taupō on 6 July at 1 p.m. to outline how National will get New Zealand back on track. He will also hold a public meeting at the Cambridge Town Hall on 31 July at 5 p.m. National's Policy AnnouncementsInfrastructure
We rely on high-quality, modern and resilient infrastructure like roads, water and electricity. It is necessary for economic growth, enhances productivity and resulting incomes, and improves our lives. National has a track record for delivering world-class infrastructure. Our Roads of Significance programme, including the Waikato Expressway, is proof of that. If elected on 14 October, National will create a National Infrastructure Agency to coordinate public infrastructure investment and use innovative funding and financing tools to boost investment. We will create a 30-year infrastructure plan to give long-term certainty and reduce project costs, work in partnership with local government for regional projects, and fast-track the consents process. See our policy for more details. Restoring Law and Order National will end Labour’s soft-on-crime experiment. We will increase consequences for crime, give more support to victims, and ensure remand prisoners get proper rehabilitation.
New Zealanders have a right to be safe, but over the past five years, violent crime has increased by 33 per cent, gangs are growing faster than the Police, and retail crime has doubled. National will back Police to tackle gangs. We’ll ban gang patches and insignia in public and prevent gang members gathering in public spaces. Firearms Prohibition Orders will give police extra powers. Gang membership will be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing. Repeat, serious, young offenders will go to military academies to help them turn their lives around. Others will be electronically monitored or have intense supervision. They all deserve a chance at success. Young offenders will only receive reduced sentences for youth and remorse once. The Three Strikes policy will be restored for serious offenders. Taxpayers will no longer pay for written cultural reports about offenders’ backgrounds designed to reduce sentences. Eight were submitted in 2017. More than 2400 were submitted last year. Victims will be supported with counselling or transport to court hearings for example. Currently, not all remand prisoners who are locked up awaiting trial or sentencing have access to all rehab programmes. National will help prisoners turn their lives around by making all prisoners eligible for rehabilitation projects. There will be real consequences for crime. King's Birthday HonoursCongratulations to Shanelle Barrett, Taupō, who was recently awarded the Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to triathlon. The honour was well-deserved after such a significant contribution to the sport over such a long period – especially her work encouraging and enabling participants. Maraetai Road Intermodal Business Park TokoroaAfter advocating alongside elected members and staff of South Waikato District Council, Tokoroa residents and others in the Waikato region, I am delighted that the government has committed $3 million to South Waikato District Council for the Maraetai Road Intermodal Business Park in Tokoroa. New businesses bringing up to 200 new jobs to Tokoroa will be a boon for the town. It will give school leavers new opportunities to work in the district. It will help Tokoroa become the thriving hub it should be. Out and AboutFieldays
It was great seeing so many farmers and rural businesses back at Fieldays this year. Farming is so essential to our electorate's livelihood and communities. Agriculture contributes 11 per cent of New Zealand’s GDP, 14 per cent of employment and 81 per cent of our goods exports. It was clear from discussions that the cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll. Farmers and business owners are concerned about the impact of high interest rates and emissions policies. National is committed to reaching Net Zero by 2050. We need to lower agricultural emissions without decimating our most important economic sector or converting productive food-producing land to pine forests. National believes technology is the solution – particularly biotechnology – and we look forward to working with farmers to introduce new laws which will enable New Zealand to take advantage of its potential. Volunteer Week 2023: He wā pīataata – Time to shine
It was lovely catching up with so many of you over coffee during Volunteer Week when I hosted events in Taupō, Tokoroa and Cambridge to thank our volunteers. You are all stars! I visited Interlock New Zealand Trust, Riding for the Disabled, and the Salvation Army in Cambridge last week. I also visited the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Tokoroa, the Care NZ Community Animal Rescue Op Shop and Cattery in Taupō, and the Lake Taupō Hospice Shop. I came away inspired by your care and generosity. You represent the true Kiwi spirit. I also came away with a kitten! I recently attended the Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau's 40th birthday. Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau was one of the few bureaux which operated during the Covid-19 lockdowns, taking calls from as far away as Kaitaia and Invercargill. You should all be justifiably proud of your achievements! Opening of the new care suites at Arvida Lauriston Park It was a pleasure to open the new care suites at Lauriston Park retirement community. They provide an extra level of support, giving residents peace of mind that they can continue to be cared for onsite in familiar surroundings as their circumstances change. Friendly Forums We had some lively discussions at recent Friendly Forum meetings across the electorate. Struggling to pay for food, power, rates and petrol was one of the biggest concerns from superannuitants on fixed incomes. School truancy, youth crime and law and order, co-governance, growth of bureaucracy in government agencies, child poverty, 3 Waters and issues for dairy farmers were also discussed. You can read about National's plan to get New Zealand back on track here. Upcoming engagement opportunitiesFriendly Forums:4 August – Cambridge 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m., Taylor Made Community Space, 22A Taylor Street, Cambridge.
11 August – South Waikato 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m., South Waikato Sport and Events Centre, 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa.
18 August – Taupō 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m., Lake Taupō Rotary Club, 12 Story Place, Taupō.
Facebook LiveJoin me online to discuss the issues that currently concern you. My next live chat will be: Tuesday 11July 8 p.m. Electorate AssistanceIf you need help from my team, please get in touch. Phone 07 8275572 or email [email protected] Phone 07 8865554 or email [email protected] Phone 07 3765563 or email [email protected] Kind regards, Hon Louise Upston |
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