Dear John 



In this issue:



- Happy New Year

- In the House

- Minister's News

- Electorate News

- Upcoming Engagement Opportunities



Happy New Year!



I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year and all the best for your endeavours in 2024. 



In the House



We kicked off our year with a caucus meeting in Christchurch.



Parliament resumed last week and I'm energised by the work we have ahead, beginning with continuing to deliver on the coalition government's 100-day plan to get New Zealand back on track and ease the cost-of-living crisis. See my Facebook video <[link removed]>. 



You can watch a segment of question time here <[link removed]>.







I was pleased to see the Corrections (Victim Protection) Amendment Bill, drawn on Thursday, which would protect victims of crime by preventing their perpetrators from contacting them.



It complements my Rights for Victims of Insane Offenders Bill and the Victims of Crime Reform Bill.



Youth Advisory Board



If you, or someone you know, would like to be involved in the Youth Advisory Board on 21 June this year, please email Jane Matthews [email protected] for further information. 



Minister's News



The start of 2024 has been busy with my ministerial duties. I have attended many meetings and visits around the country with organisations and partners to discuss pathways forward, and my expectations.



It was great to see some new innovations like virtual reality enabling MSD job seekers to 'experience' different jobs before applying for roles or enrolling in further training.







It will be a tough job to refocus the welfare system and get people into work as seen with the release of the Stats NZ data this week. 



Read the breakdown here. <[link removed]>



I am determined to ensure that the efforts of Ministry of Social Development are driven to reduce the vicious cycle of welfare dependency and the affect this has on families and children. 



I made my annual pilgrimage to Ratana and last week the Government had a significant ministerial presence at Waitangi. It is always an honour to attend. There was a lot of debate, as well as a lot of positive discussion about the future. I took a lot of value from the meetings I had with Iwi Chairs and look forward to working together to improve outcomes for Māori and non-Māori.



Have a look here. <[link removed]>



There seems to be some confusion about National’s stance on the Treaty of Waitangi.



Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has repeatedly made it clear that National has a record of delivering for Māori, and will continue to deliver for Māori and non-Māori by lowering the cost of living and providing better healthcare and education, for example.



We will honour Treaty settlements and continue working to negotiate those not yet completed.



Our coalition Government commitment is that National will support ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill to the first reading, but not beyond that.



Electorate News



Whakapapa



I visited Whakapapa and the Chateau Tongariro Hotel in Whakapapa Village with neighbouring Rangatīkei MP Suze Redmayne and Minister for Conservation Tama Potaka.



The Chateau is a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Historic Place. It closed a year ago due to earthquake risk and is now in the hands of the Department of Conservation.



DoC educated us on challenges faced by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. What happens on the maunga has flow-on effects in Tūrangi and the Taupō electorate, especially for businesses reliant on tourism, as well as the Ruapehu District which is in the neighbouring Rangatīkei electorate.



Despite this, it is heartening to see Taupō businesses reporting increases in tourism spend this season. Events like the Hydro Thunder racing and the Summer Concert Tour certainly boosted visitor numbers.







Waipā District Council



In January I met with Waipā District Mayor Susan O'Regan and Chief Executive Garry Dyet to discuss issues we can all work on for the benefit of the district.







New Roundabout at Piarere



What a great way to start the year by joining five MPs (including Transport Minister Simeon Brown) and the Mayors of Waipā and Matamata Piako to 'turn the sod' at the site of the Piarere roundabout <[link removed]>!



I've fought long and hard for safety improvements on the notoriously dangerous section of SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere, so it is gratifying to see progress being made.



The next step is extending the Waikato Expressway from Cambridge to the roundabout. Watch this space!



Turning the sod for the Piarere roundabout L-R Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell, Taupō MP Louise Upston, Minister of Transport Hon Simeon Brown, Waikato MP Tim van de Molen, Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford, Hamilton East MP Ryan Hamilton, Matamata-Piako Mayor Adrienne Wilcock and Waipā District Mayor Susan O'Regan



New Year Honours List



Congratulations to Ian Peter Carr JP <[link removed]> (Cambridge) QSM (Queen’s Service Medal) for Services to the Community and Bruce Alexander Nairn JP <[link removed]> (Tokoroa) QSM for Services to the Community and Sport. Both are very deserving recipients!



New Businesses



As always, it is a pleasure to visit new businesses like The ToolShed and Big Save Furniture in Taupō which add to the vibrancy of our towns. 



Upcoming Engagement Opportunities



Electorate Clinic Appointments 



Clinics are by appointment, so please call the office for available slots.



Cambridge: Friday 16 February from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please call 07 8275572 for an appointment.



Friendly Forums



Taupō: Friday 1 March from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Lake Taupō Rotary Club, 12 Story Place, Taupō.



Cambridge: Friday 22 March from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Cambridge Bowling Club, 37 Thornton Road, Cambridge. Note the change in location.



South Waikato: Friday 22 March from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., The Plaza, 50 Kensington Street, Putaruru.



Facebook Live



Join 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.



Facebook@louiseupstonmp <[link removed]>



Electorate Assistance



Phone 07 8275572 or email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>



Phone 07 8865554 or email [email protected]



Phone 07 3765563 or email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>



Kind regards,



Hon Louise Upston

<[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]>[link removed]







-=-=-

National Party Taupo - New Zealand

This email was sent to [email protected]. To stop receiving emails: [link removed]

-=-=-



Created with NationBuilder - [link removed]