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Dear John In this issue:
In the HouseIt’s been a busy August in the House as we make progress on delivering the 40 actions contained in our Government’s Quarter 3 action plan. We delivered on our promise to New Zealanders with much-anticipated tax relief for hardworking Kiwis that came into effect on 31 July. This relief is part of our ongoing efforts to support Kiwi families and make everyday life a bit easier. We have successfully delivered the three actions in the Q3 plan that fall under my portfolios. We've begun the rollout of community job coaches to support 18–24-year-old jobseekers to get off welfare and into work, and we've completed the design of a traffic light system to strengthen jobseeker obligations and consequences for non-compliance. The Government has finalised a framework that will strengthen the oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system by ensuring the independence of the children’s monitor and creating a stand-alone Children’s Commissioner, replacing a 5-person board. The Independent Children’s Monitor will also become an Independent Crown Entity instead of a departmental agency within the Education Review Office, enhancing its monitoring role by making it truly separate from government. Cabinet has also agreed to bring forward an independent review of the Children and Young People’s Commission Act 2022 and Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022 to align with these changes. This will now be completed early next year, and public consultation will be sought. I was also pleased to announce the publication of our Government’s Employment Action Plan which sets our vision to support people into work and lift economic outcomes. I’m energised by the work we have ahead of us as we continue to deliver on our commitments. Minister's NewsIt has been a busy month across my portfolios with several meetings, events and engagements. August highlights include:
I was honoured to welcome Indian President Droupadi Murmu to Wellington on behalf of our Government during her three-day state visit to New Zealand. It was a typical chilly and gusty morning in Wellington on her arrival, but that didn’t stop us from warmly welcoming her to the Capital.
It was special to meet the six athletes who graduated from a year-long athlete leadership programme with the Special Olympics. What an outstanding achievement!
I visited Birdwood School to celebrate 15 years of Kickstart breakfasts in schools. This is a long-standing partnership between Government, the private sector and local volunteers. Thanks to this programme, more than 42,000 children now get a healthy breakfast to start their school day!
Disability Support Services An independent review has found the delivery of disability support services is in a dire state. The review also found that the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha does not have the capability to deliver these services, and there are huge differences in the quality and consistency of support that disabled people are getting in different parts of the country right now. The previous Government rushed the establishment of the Ministry, leaving it ill-prepared to deliver on promises that were made to the disability community. Our Government is committed to supporting disabled people. We have provided a record $1.1 billion funding boost for disability support services over five years in Budget 2024. Immediate measures are being taken to stabilise the disability support system in order to provide sustainable, equitable, and transparent disability services. The changes, including shifting the delivery of disability support services to the Ministry of Social Development, are about putting better financial controls in place so that this funding for essential services, equipment, and support gets to those who need it most. These changes do not change the support services that are available to disabled people, nor will anyone’s current funding allocation change. We will be making sure access to flexible funding is fair and reasonable, and disabled people will be given the opportunity to have their say on the best approach to this before any decisions are made. There will be more information coming soon about this public consultation. If your support needs have changed, I would suggest getting in touch with your local Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) organisation. The needs of disabled people continue to be a high priority for our Government. We are committed to building a fairer, sustainable support system that delivers better outcomes for disabled people, based on need. Te Pūkenga Consultation Vocational education and training is a critical part of New Zealand’s education system and a major contributor to our economic prosperity. In 2020, the Labour Government merged 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPS) and nine industry training organisations (ITOs) into a national organisation – Te Pūkenga | New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. It is not financially viable, and we need a more sustainable model that restores regional decision-making and builds connections between Industry Training Providers and their local communities. Hence, we are seeking feedback from our regional and industry partners and stakeholders. You can find out more information and make a submission at: 2024 Vocational Education and Training Reforms – Education in New Zealand or email your submission to [email protected] by 12 September 2024. We expect to make final policy decisions in November this year and the first changes will come into effect from 1 January 2025. Paris 2024 Paralympic GamesI wish
the Paralympians heading to the 17th Summer Paralympic Games
(or Jeux paralympiques d'été de 2024) in Paris all the
best of luck!
I look
forward to watching our athletes complete over the next week (until 8
September).
Paris 2024 Summer OlympicsWhat an awesome result – New Zealand’s best ever at an Olympic Games with nearly a quarter of athletes bringing home a medal, and half of them were gold! Congratulations to all our medallists and our athletes selected to represent New Zealand. Many had a connection to the Taupō electorate. I’d also like to acknowledge the hard work and support of coaches, sponsors, support crews, families and the community who make it possible for our athletes to compete. The NZ Olympic Committee, High Performance Sport NZ, and Sport NZ also worked hard to get our team to Paris. Electorate NewsFriendly Forums
Tokoroa Friendly Forum As always, I enjoyed meeting some of you at my Friendly Forums last week. Thank you for bringing your issues to discuss. It is helpful for me as your representative in Parliament to know how policies are affecting you and also whether I can offer assistance at a local level. Thank you also for interacting so respectfully. Constructive discussions are necessary for democracy (and communities) to work well and can only take place in a courteous environment. This includes social media forums, and I encourage you to respectfully call out disrespectful communication when you see it. The next Friendly Forum will be in Taupō on the 13th of September (details below). SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Upgrade NZTA Waka Kotahi recently announced it will complete maintenance and rehabilitation to nearly a quarter of SH1 between Tīrau and Waiouru by the end of 2025. This state highway is rated third worst for quality in the country. NZTA is condensing four years of maintenance into one, but will require full block closures and disruptions to travellers. You can find out more about the programme here. Taupō Hospital Maternity UnitMP for Hawke's Bay Catherine Wedd and I visited the Taupō Hospital Maternity Unit. Maternity care is close to our hearts. Catherine's member's bill, which aims to increase support for new mothers to three days of postnatal care, was pulled from the ballot box this year. This was originally my bill and I'm thrilled it is progressing.
Matt Doocey Visits CambridgeMinister for Mental Health, ACC, Tourism and Hospitality, Youth, and Associate Minister of Health and Transport Matt Doocey visited Cambridge recently to talk about some of his portfolio areas. It is important for ministers to visit other electorates to hear how things are on the ground, and we had a very productive meeting with Cambridge principals focussing on mental health.
School Property Review The Ministry of Education has recently reviewed its project delivery schedule for new schools. The review found existing Cambridge Schools can currently provide sufficient capacity for the needs of the community at this time, so the Cambridge West School project has been paused. The site, designated for delivery of education, will be ringfenced for this project. Detailed design for the school has been completed, and the Ministry will continue planning for it. Timing of delivery depends on budget. The former Government had not budgeted for this project (and others) and other areas have higher needs at this time. Cambridge: The School Property Review shows Cambridge High School will receive new teaching and non-teaching spaces as well as the completion of weathertightness work already underway. Cambridge Middle School has two teaching spaces currently under construction which will be completed in October this year. Taupo: Te Kura o Waitahanui, Taupo Intermediate and Tauhara College will each receive new teaching spaces and Tauhara College will also receive new non-teaching space. SWIFT Scholarships OpenIf you’re living in the South Waikato District and want to further your studies, take a look at SWIFT’s (South Waikato Investment Fund Trust) website. Applications for the SWIFT Education Scholarship Scheme open on 1 September and close at the end of October. SH1/SH29 RoundaboutNZTA Waka Kotahi says the new roundabout at Piarere will be in use in less than a month. To make it happen the southbound lane on SH1 will be closed for a day from 7a.m. on Tuesday 24 September (subject to weather). This will impact Hamilton to Tīrau traffic. Detours via SH29, SH27, to SH1 will be in place which will add about 12 minutes to the journey. Northbound lanes won't be impacted, and residents, school buses and emergency services will still have access. Line marking will happen overnight on Monday 23 September from 7p.m. until 7a.m. and stop/go controls will be in place. The speed limit remains at 60km/h around the project site to keep workers and travellers safe. Upcoming Engagement OpportunitiesTaupō Friendly Forum Friday 13 September, 10:00–11:30a.m. Lake Taupō Rotary Club, 12 Story Place, Taupō Please RSVP by calling 07 3765563 or emailing [email protected] Clinics Cambridge Clinc: Friday 27 September 2024 10:00–10:30a.m. Please call 07 8275572 or email [email protected] for an appointment. South Waikato Clinic: Friday 27 September 2024 2:00–3:30p.m. Please call 07 8865554 or email [email protected] for an appointment. 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 September 8 p.m. See this month's Facebook Live here. Electorate AssistancePhone 07 8275572 or email [email protected] Phone 07 8865554 or email [email protected] Phone 07 3765563 or email [email protected] Kind regards Louise Upston Funded by Parliamentary Service |
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