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Dear John In this issue:
Merry Christmas
I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to some relaxing time over the summer to recharge for an exciting 2024. In the HouseAs promised, we are already ticking items off our 100-day plan to restore economic confidence and relieve financial stress on struggling families, whānau and businesses. We have passed legislation to focus the Reserve Bank solely on lowering inflation, we've removed the 'Ute Tax', repealed the Natural and Built Environment Act and the Spatial Planning Act, revoked the mandatory union-driven Fair Pay Agreements legislation and extended the availability of 90-day trials to all businesses. The economic shambles created by the past six years of government mismanagement is being exposed. Stats NZ data shows GDP declined by 0.3 per cent in the three months up until the end of September. The economy shrank in three of the last four quarters. Labour ministers committed billions of dollars to projects with insufficient due diligence or clear documentation. We're looking forward to a New Year restoring the mojo of battered New Zealanders and realising the country's potential. We will focus on strengthening the economy to ease the cost of living, provide income tax relief for lower- and middle-income workers, restore law and order, deliver better services like health and education, and drive the skills, technology and infrastructure needed for growth. Half Year Economic Fiscal Update and Mini-Budget In her first mini-Budget, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed the 'snakes and snails' left in the Government coffers after Labour slithered out of the Beehive door. The HYEFU shows the state of the books prior to the new Government taking office – a shrunken surplus, bigger borrowing requirements, greater fiscal risks (like cost blow-outs in government infrastructure projects) and higher debt than forecast pre-election. New Zealand is grappling with persistent high inflation, high interest rates and reduced economic output. This government has committed to more transparent and responsible fiscal management. Ms Willis's mini-Budget has identified $7.47 billion in operating savings and additional revenue over the forecast period. We've stopped the Lake Onslow Project, the Income Insurance Scheme and the commitments to Auckland Light Rail and Let's Get Wellington Moving. We are managing expectations around funding "cliffs", where government funding for programmes or policies has been provided for a limited period, but the public expects it to continue. An example is the annual $8.1 million funding for period products in schools which ends after 2024/25. Further information about tax relief, the brightline test for residential property and interest deductibility on rental properties can be found here. This government will manage taxpayers' contributions responsibly by stopping wasteful spending, improving value for money and diverting resources from back-offices into frontline services. We are also working to upgrade the Public Finance Act to ensure better outcomes for Government spending in future. Further work includes:
We will get New Zealand back on track. Acting Minister for Women I have been made Acting Minister for Women until April. House Sitting ScheduleA draft sitting schedule has been drawn up for the 54th Parliament and we will resume Parliament in the last week of January. Electorate NewsStudent AchievementCongratulations to students across the electorate who have been recognised in recent school prizegivings. Water SafetyIf you're spending time on, or in, the water this summer, Water Safety New Zealand has some great resources on its website about how to protect you and your whānau from drowning. There have already been 86 drownings in New Zealand this year. Most drownings occur in rivers. I will echo Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board’s warning: Kia tūpato, kia ora! Be careful, stay alive! Unfit and inexperienced swimmers attempting to float down the Waikato River with pool toys or when intoxicated risk their own lives and those of rescuers. Wear proper life jackets and use appropriate steerable floatation devices. Don’t forget to Check, Clean and Dry all equipment before taking your boat into the water to prevent the spread of the invasive Asian gold clam pest. Roadworks Please take care on the roads this summer. Exercise patience at known pinch points like the end of the Waikato Expressway and the intersection of SH1 and SH29. It is not worth risking life and limb for a few extra minutes in a queue. Visit the NZTA Waka Kotahi Journey Planner to find out where road works are and allow extra time for your trip if needed. Upcoming Engagement OpportunitiesElectorate Clinic AppointmentsClinics are by appointment, so please call the office for available slots in February next year. Taupō: Friday 9 February from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please call 07 3765563 for an appointment. Cambridge: Friday 16 February from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please call 07 8275572 for an appointment. Friendly Forums are planned for March. 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 13 February 8 p.m. Electorate AssistanceMy electorate offices in Taupō and Cambridge will be closed from 22 December to 22 January and my team will take a well-deserved break. If you need urgent assistance from my team over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, please phone or send an email as messages will be checked during this period and urgent messages will be responded to. 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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