Dear John,

Last week I hosted a public meeting in Rolleston with National Party Leader Christopher Luxon. 

It was great to see such a huge crowd turn out - and enthusiasm towards National's plans to get New Zealand back on track - it's very clear there's a huge appetite out there to change the Government. 

Thanks to everyone who came along to listen, meet Chris, and ask all your questions. If you didn't get a chance to attend, some of my National Party colleagues are hosting Chris at a public meeting in Christchurch this Thursday 3 August at 7:00pm at the Aldersgate Centre, 309 Durham Street North. Click here for more details.

Policy Announcement - Transport for the Future

Under a National-led Government, infrastructure will be a priority. Today, we have announced our comprehensive transport programme that will see significant investment made into key connections so Kiwis can get where they want to go faster and safer.

As part of our long-term plan to deliver a modern transport network that will reduce congestion, drive economic growth and lift incomes, I am very excited to announced that National will task NZTA and KiwiRail to work with our local councils to progress investigations into a four-lane expressway from Christchurch to Ashburton – a much-needed project that Labour cancelled in 2017.

National has also committed to continuing to fund the Rolleston Access Improvements and the SH73 Weedons Ross Road Intersection in West Melton.

Read our full transport plan here.

Policy Announcement - Hunting and Fishing

We believe that conservation and recreation can work in harmony. That's why last week, National's Hunting and Fishing spokesperson, Todd McClay, announced that National will support the rights of New Zealanders to continue to hunt and fish while protecting and enhancing our natural environment. 

Under our Creation, Culture and Food package, National will:

• Establish a Minister for Hunting and Fishing
• Strengthen the Game Animal Council and designate ‘herds of special interest’
• Change the law so game animals are not pests
• Guarantee access to public land for hunting and fishing
• Establish the ‘Huts of Recreational Importance’ Partnership to maintain huts in the DOC estate
• Support Fish & Game New Zealand and protect trout and salmon fishing
• Not introduce recreational licences for game animal hunting or sea fishing

National recognsies that tens of thousands of New Zealanders have grown up hunting and fishing. Hunters help control animal numbers, protect biodiversity by eradicating pests, and provide food for their families. Hunting and fishing also foster tourism and are part of Kiwis’ DNA.

This package supports recreational hunters and fishers across the country and will be achieved within existing resources by partnering with community groups.

Read more about our hunting and fishing plan here. 

Out and About

Parliament's been in action for the last couple of weeks, but I've still managed to get out and about as much as I can. 

Last week, I joined the Young Nats and several of my National Party colleagues at Lincoln University for their re-orientation week to kick of Semester 2. 

I spoke to NZPork's annual conference as National's spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Biosecurity and Food Safety - and it is always a pleasure to get along to these events to hear how things are for farmers at the coal face.

New Zealand’s pork industry, much like our other agri sectors, is in a tough place at the moment - with Labour continuing to pile on more and more unworkable regulations, creating an overburdened environment that only negatively impacts on farm profits and animal welfare outcomes.

I also paid a visit to Darfield High School and Ellesmere College to talk to some of their Year 13s to explain everything from a day in the life of an MP to how parliament works - and also to listen to the biggest issues concerning them at the moment. With the election just around the corner, I think it’s really important to reach out to students to see what they want from a future government and, indeed, their local MP!

Hoardings

The first lot of our election hoardings went up over the weekend and over the coming weeks you will start seeing more popping up all over Selwyn. 

If you're keen to show your support for National and have a sign on your fence - we'd love to hear from you! We have three sizes available, small and medium ones for fences and large ones that go on frames. 

Please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we'll arrange to get one up at your property. 

Upcoming Events

I'll be at cafes around the region over the coming weeks if you want to come and talk to me about an issue, policy, or just want a chat!

Wednesday 9 August 2:00pm - 3:00pm

• Dunsandel Cafe & Store, 7 Kanes Road, Dunsandel

Thursday 10 August 11:00am - 12:00pm

• Coffee Culture Lincoln, 19 Gerald Street, Lincoln

Monday 14 August 1:00pm - 2:00pm

• Darfield Bakery, 60 South Terrace Darfield

Kind regards,

Nicola Grigg
https://nicolagrigg.national.org.nz/