A quick update from me

Dear John,

I can't believe it's December - Christmas is just around the corner! It's been an intensely busy last couple of weeks in the Hutt and around the country. Next week Parliament returns for our final two week blast as we head into Christmas and it'll get even busier, particularly for me - we'll be passing our Fast Track Bill into law to make it much easier to build major infrastructure projects in New Zealand plus changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.

One year of the Coalition Government: Hard to believe it but November 27 marked the official one year birthday of the Coalition government. I still remember the day we were sworn in as Ministers in 2023 - I was very nervous and apprehensive, but very excited at the same time. One year on, I (and we) haven't got everything right but I'm proud of the progress so far. In infrastructure, we've started work on a 30 Year National Infrastructure Plan ([link removed]) , launched a new funding and financing agency ([link removed]) , published a new PPP framework and market-led proposals guidance ([link removed]) , we're making progress on school property, and there's more to come.

In housing, we've moved 1600 kids out of emergency housing motels into homes, started reforming Kainga Ora, made decisions on land supply and urban intensification, made progress on making it easier to build granny flats, reintroduced interest deductibility, and we're about to make sensible changes to our tenancy laws. And when it comes to the Resource Management Act, we've passed one Bill already to fix some immediate problems, we're about to introduce another one, obviously we've made progress on Fast Track and by mid-next year we'll have a replacement regime developed for the entire RMA.

To say I'm tired is an understatement and I'm looking forward to a break over Christmas and spending much more time with Jenna, Jeremy, Matilda, Ladyhawke and Ziggy. I must be looking tired (and/or old) because on the weekend someone asked me if Matilda was my first grandchild!!!!

I realise times are tough for many people right now, with the economy still struggling. We got the news last week that the recession is now deeper than the one post the GFC back in 2008/9. Sadly, we are bearing the consequences of massive poor quality spending allied with very low interest rates, and a failure to tackle the tough issues. This government is getting on with the job. We have much more work to do!

Naenae Pool: Onto happier news, it was great to be at the opening of the new Naenae Pool with Mayor Campbell Barry, Chris Hipkins and hundreds of Hutt locals on Wednesday morning. The pool closed in 2019 and has been being rebuilt since 2020, thanks to Council money and some shovel-ready money tipped in by the previous government. I was there in my Minister for Infrastructure and local MP roles and joined Campbell and Chris for the first manu/bomb into the pool (photo below and video here ([link removed]) ). I have so many happy memories of the pool growing up - including playing flippaball and waterpolo there most Wednesday nights during the winter.

Live Organ Donors Act: Yesterday marked the 8th anniversary of one of my proudest achievements in politics - the Compensation for Live Organ Donors Act. The Act ensures that any living person who is selfless enough to donate an organ (usually a kidney or part of their liver) receives 100% of their income from the government for 12 weeks while they recover from the surgery. Prior to the Act passing, people received the equivalent of the sickness benefit - that was it. Now people aren't worse off - at least financially - from the selfless act of donating an organ.

Christmas Drinks: To round the year off I'm hosting Christmas Drinks at the gorgeous home of Chris and Kathryn MacKay in Woburn in a couple of weeks. Would be great to see you there - there'll be delicious food by ESSC Eats (Eastbourne caterers), drinks, and lots of festive cheer. Tickets from here ([link removed]) - we do have a limit on numbers and tickets are selling fast so please get in quick!

It's been a frenetic last couple of weeks - you can read more about what I've been up to below. Have a great weekend and maybe I'll see you at the cricket. Go the Black Caps!

Chris

P.S Scroll down for a gorgeous pic of beautiful Matilda!
BEST OF LUCK TO THE BLACK CAPS!
The PM and I hosted the England and NZ Mens Cricket Teams at Premier House on Monday night ahead of the second test starting today. Will I see you at the Basin this weekend? It was a very special event and it was awesome to have 1st XI captains there from colleges around Wellington. I tried my hand at the batting crease. ([link removed]) .. couldn't get the PM there unfortunately.
NAENAE POOL OPENING
First manu/bomb in the new pool!
STOPPED BY FOR A SNARLER!
My Rotary club, Hutt City Rotary, was manning the barbie down at Bunnings Petone on Saturday. A fundraiser for Lifting the Lid charity.
LIVE ORGAN DONOR COMPENSATION
This is Gerard and Mike. Four months ago Gerard (pictured on the left) donated one of his kidneys to his mate Mike whose kidneys were failing. Without this incredible act of generosity, Mike’s prognosis was pretty bleak.
With three kids and a mortgage, taking up to 12 weeks off work to undergo and recover from major surgery would have been a huge barrier to Gerard giving his mate this extraordinary gift.

However, thanks to the Financial Assistance for Live Organ Donors Act, Gerard’s income was fully covered by the government during his recovery.

The Act which ensured this financial support for Gerard during his recovery was my actually first Member’s Bill, which I was proud to help pass into law eight years ago yesterday.

It ensures that any living person who, like Gerard, is selfless enough to donate an organ (usually a kidney or part of their liver) receives 100% of their income from the government for 12 weeks while they recover from the surgery, as well as assistance with childcare costs.

Four months on from surgery, Gerard and Mike were both in great shape when I met them a couple of weeks ago. Thanks guys for coming in to share your story with me. All the best to both of you and your families - and my heartfelt thanks to all Kiwis who’ve given someone the precious lifesaving gift of a donated organ.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Celebrating Christmas on Saturday afternoon with the Wellington Malayalee community. Christmas Ashamsakal! Wonderful function.
CHRISTMAS TREE GOING UP!
Christmas tree going up!
ARROWTOWN AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
Down in Arrowtown last Thursday opening a new affordable housing development done by the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust. A great local model and partnership with central government. Social houses, affordable rentals and shared ownership, in a community with real housing challenges.
SWORN IN AS MINISTER ONE YEAR AGO

A year ago, I was sworn in as Minister of Housing, Minister of Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Minister of Sport and Recreation, Leader of the House and Associate Minister of Finance.

Every day since I’ve tried to make Dad proud.
INFRASTRUCTURE SPEECH

Speaking at big Infrastructure Forum this week in Auckland hosted by Infrastructure NZ, The Post, and Chapman Tripp. We have a big infrastructure deficit and I’m determined to fix it.
WALKING THE BEAT
Mark Mitchell MP recently came to the Hutt and met local police officers from the Lower Hutt Police Station. It was great to experience firsthand the important work our dedicated police officers do in the community every day.
HI BORIS
Had lunch with Boris Johnson on Tuesday in Auckland!
BEAUTIFUL MATILDA
One month already!

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