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Dear John National will get New Zealand back on track by creating a strong economy to stimulate higher incomes, reduce mortgage rates, lower the cost-of-living and enable New Zealand to afford quality public services like health and education. In this issue:
Christopher Luxon's PledgeAt his campaign launch this month, Leader of the National Party and Opposition Leader Christopher Luxon said: "I've spent my whole life sorting things out, solving problems, and getting things done. And should I have the privilege of becoming Prime Minister, I will dedicate every day that I am in government to making this a better country." His pledge for a National Government, if elected in October, is an eight-point manifesto:
For more details, see National's policies which explain how we will get New Zealand back on track here. National's Policy AnnouncementsRebuilding the Economy Getting the cost-of-living crisis under control and growing the economy so we can afford the infrastructure and services we need is a major focus for the next National Government. An opinion board at a recent Cambridge Market showed it is the most important issue for constituents.
Read National's comprehensive 100-point action plan to rebuild the economy, end the cost-of-living crisis, lift incomes, and give Kiwis a reason to stay in New Zealand here. The next most important issue was law and order. Yesterday National announced a plan for an extra 300 frontline constables for major CBDs over the next four years. See our law and order policies here. Reducing Benefit Dependency Under National, our welfare system will focus on supporting those who are able to work into jobs and supporting Kiwis in genuine need with benefits including the Supported Living Payment. Employment is the best way out of hardship. It gives individuals and families greater independence, choice and opportunity and relieves burden on taxpayers. There are now almost 60,000 more people on the Jobseeker benefit compared to 2017 when National left office. Almost 35,000 more people have spent a year or longer on a benefit. National will introduce a new traffic light system outlining clear consequences for those on the Jobseeker benefit who don’t meet their obligations to prepare for or find work.
New obligations such as additional check-ins and mandatory money management will be introduced. Jobseekers will have to show proof of job applications and interview attendance when they reapply for their benefit every six months. Stricter penalties for jobseekers evading arrest warrants will be enforced. Benefits will be indexed to inflation, but there will be a gap between benefits and potential earnings from fulltime employment to ensure an incentive for jobseekers to actively pursue work. One in five New Zealand children live in material hardship, most in benefit-dependent homes. A record high – 211,000 children – live in benefit-dependent homes. Over their lifetimes, their outcomes for health, education and income will be worse. Going for Housing GrowthNew Zealand is one of the least affordable housing markets on the planet, partly because it is so short of houses. We have the land to build them on, but our planning and infrastructure funding has constrained growth. If elected in just over two weeks’ time, National will unlock land in and around our cities for housing and build the infrastructure to encourage and support growth. National will require councils to zone enough land to meet demand for housing for the next 30 years. Instead of funding programmes like KiwiBuild, National will incentivise councils which deliver new housing with payments from a $1 billion Build-for-Growth fund. The Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act will be reformed, reducing red tape so developers can fund infrastructure. Targeted rates will be applied to fund greenfield developments so councils don’t have to. Housing growth will be a priority for funding through NZTA. You can read more details about our Going for Housing Growth policy here. Electorate NewsChristopher Luxon Visits
Taupō Christopher Luxon and I visited Contact's Te Mihi Power Station near Taupō on Saturday. Energy is essential to get New Zealand back on track. National plans to double to amount of renewable energy produced in New Zealand – essential for improving the economy, creating better jobs, higher incomes and a lower cost of living. Our Electrify NZ policy will allow large parts of the New Zealand economy to be powered by clean, green, renewable energy. Under National, New Zealand’s future is electric, involving electric cars, buses, trains and industrial processes powered by renewable power, not fossil fuels. National is committed to action on climate change. Cambridge Christopher Luxon and I also visited Giltrap Agrizone in Cambridge on Monday to meet staff and customers. Tim van de Molen (Waikato Electorate) joined us. Primary production is the mainstay of our economy. National will support farmers by cutting red tape, strengthening the economy and getting New Zealand back on track. See our policy here.
Golden Clam Invasion Waikato RiverI attended a meeting about the golden clam invasion of the Waikato River last week, and I want to reiterate a previous message. Check, Clean, Dry – everything! Thoroughly. The authorities have been slow to get the message out there, but it is the only way we will keep this pest contained. Meeting the Candidates Meeting
I joined my colleagues Barbara Kuriger (Taranaki-King Country), Ryan Hamilton (Hamilton East), Tama Potaka (Hamilton West), and Harete Hipango (Te Tai Hauauru) to answer questions from Kihikihi locals last week. It is always good to hear how people are feeling about the current state of New Zealand and to get feedback on our policies. Out and AboutCambridge Harriers and Athletic Club It was great to see so many out on Sunday morning to run the Cambridge Half Marathon, the 10km and 5km run/walk and the kids' 2km dash. It was such a pleasure to give medals to so many keen young runners.
Rural Women's Royal High Tea I enjoyed a high tea with Rural Women New Zealand (Greater Waikato) at the Olde Creamery Cafe on Sunday. It was nice to take a break and connect with some of our rural women at such a glamorous occasion.
Taupō Motorsport The 2024 ITM Taupō Supersprint will be in town 19-21 April next year. This will mean approximately 9000 overseas visitors which will be a great boost to our local economy.
Animal Protection Youth International Art Exhibition and China Theme Books Exhibition More than 100 Cambridge students entered an International Youth Art Exhibition held at the Cambridge Town Hall recently. It was so generous of local artist Carole Hughes to tutor the students and donate a painting for first prize which was won by Cambridge St Peter's Catholic School student Valentina de Maio.
National List candidate Nancy Lu and I were interviewed by Channel 33 (pictured above) about how books donated by famous Chinese publishers help New Zealanders understand contemporary China and Chinese culture and learn Chinese languages. Putāruru Business and Community Awards 2023It was an honour to attend the recent awards recognising excellence in business and community contribution in Putāruru. It's great to hear of owners and managers thinking outside the square to keep their businesses viable and strong. I acknowledge the hard work, determination, and smart decision making that has been required. Strong communities often rely on the generous spirit of volunteers, and it was great to see their selfless work celebrated too. Congratulations to the well-deserving prizewinners! Upcoming Engagement OpportunitiesMeeting ConstituentsThis time of the parliamentary cycle when the House is adjourned allows me to get out and meet as many of you as possible. I will continue to door-knock in the community over the next fortnight, so if you have any questions for me, please ask them when you see me on your doorstep. Facebook LiveJoin me online to discuss the issues that currently concern you on the second Tuesday of each month. My next live chat will be: Tuesday 10 October 8 p.m. You can watch my 12 September chat here. Election TimetableNominations for candidates have now closed and overseas voting started yesterday. Below is a brief timetable of the upcoming election period:
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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