Hi John, I hope you're well.

Firstly, Happy Mothers' Day to all the mums out there.

Our last chance to collect names for the petition to increase the Kāpiti Expressway to 110km/hr is this week. Please share this and ask everyone you can to sign the petition at this link (or click on the picture below).

In this update:

• Local update and community events
• PM visits our region
• Budget '24
• Upcoming public events

Local Update and Community Events

It's been another busy month in our community. Anzac Day was really special as I attended five different services from Levin to Paraparaumu. I spoke at each one, sharing local stories from local families and speaking about how I always feel in awe of the heroes of old and how my service never seems to compare to their service and sacrifice. We will remember them.

I've visited schools, a couple of farms, local businesses, charities, firefighters, police, and local markets. I've hosted Hon. Chris Bishop, Minister for Housing and Infrastructure, and we had a fantastic event with local businesses in Levin, as well as meeting the Mayor in Kāpiti. I hosted MPs Tom Rutherford (meeting with DOC, our local Fire Brigade, and Seven Oaks) and Dr Hamish Campbell (meeting with seniors and visiting Dawn Aerospace in his electorate).

PM's visit

The big highlight was hosting the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Chris Luxon. We went to Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki, Mills Albert in Paraparaumu, and some local media events. The PM spoke of the clear priorities for our Government: tackling the cost of living, restoring law and order, and improving health and education. We had a great reception and I'm so grateful for all the local support. If you'd like to come to the next event with visiting MPs, just email me and let me know.

Budget '24

This year's budget will be really important. Over the last few years we've gone from $5.4bn in debt, to approx $100bn. We simply cannot afford to go on like this. And while we've asked government departments to save 6.5%, you have to remember their budgets on average went up 84% over the last six years. So up 84% and then down 6.5%, it's still a HUGE increase, and one we can't afford to keep up unless we're getting results from all that spending.

There is great news. Those savings are not getting 'cut', they are getting returned to the frontline. On Friday we announced that $99m in savings from Defence will go back to Defence to increase pay and improve infrastructure and capability (like trucks and helicopters). We're topping this up to $571m.

In health we're investing in frontline services, and I've been visiting local health providers to work on how we can do better locally. We're funding new cancer drugs, and have increased the number of PET scanners and breast cancer screening.

In education we're bringing in structured literacy, because reading is a fundamental skill too many Kiwi kids are missing out on (only 54% of 12 year olds can read at the required level). We're also continuing to fund school lunches (Labour ended the funding at the end of this year) and will provide lunches for 10,000 kids in Early Learning Services.

In law and order we're investing more into police and corrections to keep our communities safe. And of course we'll deliver tax relief so you have more money at the end of the week.

To learn more about the budget, join me at the Electra Business Breakfast in June with special guest, Hon Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance. More details here.

Upcoming Public Events

Please join me, and visiting MPs, at these upcoming events.

Seniors' Morning Tea (aka 'Super Blues')

I'm holding another special morning tea for seniors (over 60s) with my good friend and colleague Carl Bates, MP for Whanganui. Carl has a fascinating story working across the world in business, in particular his work in Africa is worth turning up to hear about. Morning tea is included. Please join us on June 14th, 10am in Levin.

Save the date. More details to follow.

Pop-up meeting - Foxton

• Thursday May 16th
• 1 - 2 pm
• Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom
• Foxton.

Call in and have a chat. No need to book in advance.

Youth Advisory Panels

I'm meeting in all our local High Schools over the next week or so, giving our youth a chance to meet with me, share their views and get involved in the community. Please feel free to tell any students you know, and their school will have details.

Best wishes, and keep warm!

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