Dear John,

In this issue:

* In the House

* Minister's News

* Electorate News

* Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

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IN THE HOUSE

In the lead up to the holiday season, it’s been an action-packed December in the
House. Parliament has been under urgency and our Government has been hard at
work delivering a raft of changes for Kiwis before Christmas.

Select committees also completed their annual review hearings, which examined
the recent performance and operations of departments.

Looking back on 2024, I’m proud to be part of a National-led Government that has
worked relentlessly to get New Zealand back on track and deliver better outcomes
for Kiwis.

As we head into 2025, I look forward to continuing our work to rebuild the
economy, restore law and order and deliver better public services. 

The House will adjourn for the year on Wednesday 18 December. We will resume on
Tuesday 28 January 2025.

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MINISTER'S NEWS

Twelve Days of Giving campaign

In the spirit of the giving season, this month I launched the Twelve Days of
Giving social media campaign alongside Philanthropy New Zealand in my capacity
as Community and Voluntary Sector Minister.

This campaign was an opportunity to showcase the incredible ways Kiwis are
making a difference through philanthropy and to raise awareness of the different
avenues of giving so we can grow philanthropic giving in New Zealand.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Tuesday 3 December marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I was
honoured to celebrate the day with the Pacific disability community in Porirua.
It was an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the strength, resilience and
achievements of people with disabilities in New Zealand.

More support to help jobseekers into work

I was proud to announce that we expanded MSD’s phone-based case management
service to support 10,000 jobseekers. This increased the total number of people
on benefits who are being supported by an MSD employment case manager at any
given time to 70,000.

And all 70,000 are now eligible to receive a new, more comprehensive needs
assessment of the challenges that might be holding them back from finding work,
and a personalised job plan to overcome them.

These new supports add to the ever-growing suite of welfare initiatives we have
introduced in our first year in government and demonstrate our commitment to
delivering better public services and supporting more people to move off benefit
into work.

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ELECTORATE NEWS



VINFAST IRONMAN 70.3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

What a fantastic event with around 6200 triathletes from 119 countries competing
in Taupō over the weekend!

Congratulations to New Zealanders Hayden Wilde (2nd) and Kyle Smith (4th) who
were placed in the top 10 of the men's race, and Hannah Berry who was the first
New Zealand woman home with a perfectly respectable 14th place.

I’d like to acknowledge the IRONMAN group for bringing this huge international
event to Taupō. It has been a massive undertaking for organisers with some huge
logistical challenges – like organising a banquet for about 4200 people!

Events like this are great for showcasing our region to travellers. Taupō has
just been named in Condé Nast Traveler’s list of The Best Places to Go in
Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in 2025. Word is getting out!


YOUTH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT APPLICATIONS OPEN

I am looking for applicants from my electorate for three opportunities:

* Youth Member of Parliament

* Youth Press Gallery member

* Youth Advisory Board member

Youth Parliament offers an opportunity to young people to experience the
political process and learn about how government works.

Youth MPs talk to young people in their schools and communities and bring their
perspectives directly to Parliament to advocate for them and debate the issues
they are passionate about.

Applicants must be able to commit to the full programme (late April to August),
including two days in Parliament (1 and 2 July).

Up to 20 young people across New Zealand will also be selected as Youth Press
Gallery members. They report on the Youth MPs' activities and learn about the
important role the Press Gallery plays.

Applications will open on Monday 3 February 2025 and close at 12 noon on Friday
28 February 2025.

Young people aged 16 to 18 years on the application closing date are eligible to
become a Youth MP, while Youth Press Gallery members can be aged between 16 and
24 years.

Each year I invite young people to attend a Youth Advisory Board. Next year they
will be held on 4 April and 6 June.

This forum includes an introduction to Parliament, but its main function is to
allow students from across the electorate to meet and discuss issues which are
important to them and their peers.

It enables me to gauge the views, opinions and ideas of the participants and
their communities and allows me to represent them in Parliament.

For details about how to apply, please email [email protected]


WEEK OF SPEED – CAMBRIDGE GRASSROOTS TRUST VELODROME

As part of the Week of Speed, the Cambridge Grassroots Trust Velodrome hosted
the APL New Zealand Grand Prix, UCI Class 2 Event. Some of the best
international riders including New Zealand Olympians and Paralympians were
racing.

It was a pleasure to catch up with our Track Cycling Olympians and hear about
the challenges and highlights they face. Despite their successes, they remain
very humble and grounded!


ROADWORKS

Just a reminder that roading work continues 24/7 on State Highway 1, with
detours in place for extended periods. All road works nationwide will pause on
20 December until the end of the Christmas period on 6 January 2025.

Traffic has been moved onto the permanent State Highway 1 (from Tīrau) and State
Highway 29 approaches to the Piarere roundabout. This change will see traffic
from all 3 directions using the roundabout. The approach from Cambridge will be
completed early next year.

State Highway 1 between Karāpiro Road and the intersection of SH1 and SH29 at
Piarere will be closed midnight Sunday 19 January to midnight Thursday 23
January 2025. Detours include:

* Karāpiro Road/Taotaoroa Road/SH29 in both directions with a speed restriction
of 70km/h.

* State highway traffic and freight, including HPMVs and over-dimension loads,
will be encouraged to use SH26/SH27 which will add approximately 50 minutes
to journeys.

* Inter-regional traffic will be encouraged to use routes like SH2/SH27 to the
east of the closure, adding approximately 18 minutes to journeys.

All property owners, their visitors and service providers within the closure
area and sideroads leading to it will have access, but delays are to be
expected. Vehicles will queue and be piloted through the site.

* Northbound traffic from near the SH1/29 roundabout will leave on the hour.

* Southbound from Karāpiro Road will leave on the half hour.

* Traffic entering from sideroads will join the convoy as it passes. 

SH1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru (including Desert Road) will then be closed from
13 January until late February 2025. The climate in this area only allows a
small window of opportunity to complete significant road maintenance. While this
might be difficult, it is better than the alternative which is 4 years of
stop/go controls.

A section of Horahora Road between Lancewood Lane and Pokaiwhenua  Bridge will
have a trial 80km/hr speed limit in place for six months.

Road works are weather dependent and subject to change, so I encourage you to
visit the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Journey Planner
[link removed]
or the Summer Holidays Journey Planner
[link removed] webpage
to see when and where detours are in place and how much extra time you need to
add to your journey.

Let’s hope we can repeat Labour Weekend’s zero road toll for the Christmas
holidays!


BLUE SPRING TE WAIHOU WALKWAY

It’s great to see the popular Blue Spring Te Waihou Walkway has re-opened from
the Leslie Road end to just past the viewing platform. Work is continuing on the
Whites Road end, and it should open early next year.


‘CHECK CLEAN DRY’ TO PREVENT INVASIVE PESTS

People are starting to take to the water in boats and to swim. Two Controlled
Area Notices are in force – one for the Waikato River and another for the Te
Arawa lakes (Rotorua area) with additional protections for Lake Ōkataina.

Please Check Clean Dry
[link removed]
any boats or equipment that you have had in the Waikato River or the lakes along
it to prevent the spread of the invasive pest Asian or Gold Clam.

That includes washing your togs and towels in hot water and drying them
thoroughly (for 48 hours on the clothesline) before using them in a different
waterway.

A second clam species was found at the Lake Taupō Aqua Park in a small man-made
lagoon earlier this year forcing its closure, so please be vigilant to protect
our waterways.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has a great video and information about how
you should do this here
[link removed]

Photo credit: NIWA


WATER SAFETY

New Zealand’s 15,000 km coastline and its many lakes and rivers are a favourite
summer playground. When having fun in the water this summer, please follow the
advice of Water Safety New Zealand [link removed]
particularly: If in Doubt, Stay Out.

We have already lost 64 people to drowning this year – some in recent days.

Drowning Prevention Aotearoa [link removed] will be posting videos
aimed at various ethnic communities which are disproportionately represented in
New Zealand’s drowning statistics. Please share them with people you know.

I’d like to give a shout out to our many volunteers, including Surf Life Saving
New Zealand’s 4,500+ volunteer Surf Lifeguards who patrol more than 80 beaches
each summer.


SUN SAFETY

New Zealand has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world.

When you’re outside enjoying the summer weather, remember to slip, slop, slap
and wrap – slip on clothing and/or slip into the shade, slop on some sunscreen,
slap on a hat, and wrap some close-fitting sunglasses around your sensitive eyes
to protect yourself from New Zealand’s harsh sunlight.

Some great advice is to be found on the SunSmart
[link removed] website.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As this is the last publication for 2024, I’d like to wish you all a great
Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2025. Government will be doing everything
we can to help make that a reality.

This has been a challenging year for many – not just in New Zealand, but around
the world – and it will be good to take some time to unwind and reset.

I hope you get to spend some relaxing time with family and friends, and perhaps
a fishing rod or a great book. That's what I am planning to do - along with
completing a few overdue jobs at home.

Please see the opportunities for meeting with me in the New Year below.

If you need urgent assistance over the holiday period, please contact my office.
Christmas hours are listed below. Email and phone messages will be cleared
regularly.


CHRISTMAS VOLUNTEERS

I’d like to acknowledge the volunteers who organise Christmas presents for
children in need, or Christmas dinners for people who might be alone or hungry
on the day, for example.


CORRECTION

November’s newsletter said an estimated 25,500 people will live in the Taupo
district by 2060, requiring another 12,400 homes and associated infrastructure.

It should have said an estimated 25,500 extra people will live in the Taupō
district by 2060.

Taupō District Council is planning for this growth and is seeking feedback on
its draft Future Development Strategy and draft District Plan Changes before
4p.m. on 20 December.

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UPCOMING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES



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 11 February 2025, 8 p.m. 

Facebook@louiseupstonmp
[link removed] 

You can see last month’s Facebook Live here
[link removed]

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CLINICS AND FRIENDLY FORUMS



TAUPŌ CLINIC

Friday, 14 February 2025, 2:00–3:30p.m.

Please call 07 8865554 or email [email protected]
[email protected] for an appointment.


SOUTH WAIKATO FRIENDLY FORUM

Friday 28 February, 10:00–11:30a.m.

The Plaza Theatre, 50 Kensington Street, Putāruru

RSVP to 07 8865554 or [email protected]
[email protected]


CAMBRIDGE CLINIC

Friday, 28 February 2025, 2:00–3:30p.m.

Please call 07 827 5572 or email [email protected]
[email protected] for an appointment.


CAMBRIDGE FRIENDLY FORUM

Friday 7 March, 10:00–11:30a.m.

Cambridge Bowling Club, 37 Thornton Road, Cambridge

Please RSVP by calling 07 827 5572 or
emailing [email protected] [email protected]


TAUPŌ FRIENDLY FORUM

Friday 21 March, 10:00–11:30a.m.

Lake Taupō Rotary Club, 12 Story Place, Taupō

Please RSVP by calling 07 3765563 or emailing [email protected]
[email protected]


SOUTH WAIKATO CLINIC

Friday, 21 March 2025, 2:00–3:30p.m.

Please call 07 8865554 or email [email protected]
[email protected] for an appointment.

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ELECTORATE ASSISTANCE

Cambridge Office Christmas Hours:

The office will be closed from 1:00p.m. 23 December 2024 until 9:30a.m. on
Wednesday 8 January 2025. Email and phone messages will be cleared for urgent
assistance.

Phone 07 8275572 or email [email protected]
[email protected]

South Waikato Christmas Hours:

Email and phone messages will be cleared for urgent assistance.

Phone 07 8865554 or email [email protected]
[email protected]

Taupō Office Christmas Hours:

The office will be closed from 3:30p.m. 23 December 2024 until 8:30a.m. on
Monday 20 January 2025. Email and phone messages will be cleared for urgent
assistance.

Phone 07 3765563 or email [email protected]
[email protected]

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Kind regards

Louise Upston
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