The government's got a plan to get us growing again.

Dear John,

It's tough out there - it's winter, the economy is struggling, interest rates are high and the international environment is increasingly unsettled. But as the saying goes, it's always darkest before the dawn, and this week we did see some good news cutting through the gloom. Food prices fell 0.3% ([link removed]) in the year to June, which is the first time they've fallen in six years. Home building costs fell ([link removed]) for the first time in a decade (and the government's got a plan to reduce them further ([link removed]) ). And the Reserve Bank signaled interest rate cuts are on the way (Westpac has lowered some of their rates already).

The government's resolute focus is to reduce the cost of living, get inflation and interest rates down, and get our economy growing again. On 1 July, the Auckland Regional Fuel tax was abolished, our FamilyBoost policy ([link removed]) kicks in to help families with the cost of early childhood education, and tax relief is on the way from 31 July this year. The amounts are modest but meaningful, and they will make a big difference to low and middle income earners. Kiwis haven't had a tax cut for 14 years and we think they deserve one.

Housing: One of the best ways we can get boost the economy and reduce the cost of living is by fixing our housing crisis. Last week I gave a big speech ([link removed]) in Auckland outlining the first pillar of our "Going for Housing Growth" plan. Our agenda to fix housing consists of five interlocking actions - opening up land, improvements to the rental market to make it easier to be a landlord, and easier to be a tenant, building and construction changes to improve competition and lower building costs, better social housing to better look after those who need support, and reform of the Resource Management Act.

In my speech I outlined six steps to change our planning system to open up land for housing:
1. The establishment of Housing Growth Targets for our major cities
2. New rules the make it easier for cities to expand outwards at the fringe
3. A strengthening of intensification provisions in urban planning
4. New rules requiring councils to enable mixed-use development in our cities
5. The abolition of minimum floor areas and balcony requirements
6. New provisions making the MDRS optional for Councils

Interested in your feedback! (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Housing%20speech)

Hutt Health: We've got a real problem in the Hutt with the High St Health Hub - over 9000 patients enrolled at the practice basically can't see a GP. This is a serious issue and I've made my concerns made very clear to Green Cross, the owner of the High St Hub, and also Te Awakairangi Health Network, the local primary care network (PHO). The situation is not acceptable, and Green Cross need to be moving heaven and earth to get more doctors practicing locally. I also understand the PHO is considering what options are available under its contract. Watch this space and I'll keep you updated.

Around the country... and around the Hutt: Parliament's been in recess for the last couple of weeks and I've been out and about around the country and around the Hutt. I enjoyed hosting one of my regular community morning teas at the Hutt Bowling Club last week, yesterday I opened the new Little Footprints early childhood centre in Melling, and this morning I'm speaking to Boulcott Probus Club. This week I've been in Kaitaia and Kerikeri talking housing and infrastructure, Auckland talking economic growth, and I'm finishing the week with a lot of constituency work in the Hutt. Sadly, I didn't get a time to watch Lulu Sun at Wimbledon... but what a performance! Haven't caught much of the Euros football either, but will be cheering on England on Monday morning.

Have a great weekend. If you need a hand with anything, please contact me.

Chris

CONGRATS CHRIS AND LIZ
A big congratulations to Chris & Liz Boon, owners of five McDonalds in the Hutt Valley including the iconic Lower Hutt restaurant. Chris & Liz recently received the McDonalds "Golden Arch" award from McDonalds worldwide convention in Barcelona. This places them in the top 1% of franchisees worldwide - a phenomenal achievement and richly deserved. Maccas Hutt Valley employs hundreds of people, including many young people, they sponsor many local sports clubs, and they have helped fundraise for many charities.
OPENING LITTLE FOOTPRINTS
Cutting the ribbon on the new Little Footprints early childhood centre in Melling yesterday alongside Mayor Campbell Barry and Daran Ponter, Chair of the Regional Council. Little Footprints was located in Pharazyn St but had to move because the land is required for the exciting RiverLink project. So they've relocated around the corner into new premises, which we opened yesterday. Was pleased to help them a couple of years ago as we worked through transferring the license (not an easy process) but we got there in the end.
Read my full speech here ([link removed])
MY WAINUIOMATA OFFICE TURNS 8!
Monday was the 8th anniversary of opening my Wainuiomata office in Homedale Village! A few things have changed since then…but what hasn't changed is my commitment to working hard for the people of Wainuiomata.
GRANNY FLATS
More than 1,300 people have submitted on the recent proposal to make it easier to build granny flats! Chris Penk and I visited Keith Hay Homes in Auckland to check out their modern prefab granny flats.
NEW CHRISTCHURCH STADUIM 'TE KAHA'
Checking out the build of 'Te Kaha'. This stadium is going to be such an asset once built in mid-2026!
HUTT CENTRAL MORNING TEA

Thanks to everyone who came to my community morning tea last week. Great discussions!
PARKRUN HUTT VALLEY
Cold morning for Parkrun last Saturday!
NATIONAL PARTY MULTICULTURAL EVENT
A fabulous National Party multicultural event held last Friday in Johnsonville. Thank you to everyone who came along!
HEY LOOK! IT'S DADDY!
CHOCOLATE FISH BANTER
Will you miss the choccy fish? Cadbury decided to discontinue the treat late last year and apparently stocks are getting low! As a bit of a laugh on TVNZ Breakfast, Kieran says the small ones mine.
LEARNING TO DIG
Wee boy enjoying the stunning winter weather at Eastbourne Beach.

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