Dear John,
As the infamous Aussie cricket commentator Bill Lawry used to say (often), "It's all happening out there!" It's certainly been an interesting couple of weeks - for me, Lower Hutt, New Zealand and with everything that's going on, the world as well.
Let's start with the most exciting news of all - MELLING IS ALL GO! On Friday last week as Minister of Transport I officially announced that construction on Melling will start later this year. A very big day and one that I've been dreaming for a long time. This is a project very dear to my heart. Without going through it all over again - back in 2018 the Labour government's transport funding cuts meant that the project wasn't even going to be considered for funding until 2029! The community fought back (remember the Rally for Melling?) and we eventually changed the government's mind. It's been a long road getting to this point but finally we're good to go. I am so proud to get started on this project as the local MP and now Minister of Transport.
Melling is a critical project for the future of the Hutt Valley and will be transformational for the city of Lower Hutt. It will mean a new grade separated interchange, a new bridge, a new train station (and CIty Link Bridge) - leading to reduced congestion, improved safety, and better public transport.
Of course Melling is just one part of a complex jigsaw puzzle of the RiverLink programme being delivered by NZTA, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hutt City Council. This wider programme will significantly increase the Hutt Valley’s resilience and improve protection from floods and severe weather events. The wider Riverlink programme has an overall budget of approximately $1.5 billion comprising approximately $1 billion from NZTA , $295 million from the Greater Wellington Regional Council and $180 million from the Hutt City Council.
Can't wait to turn the first sod!
Trump, Tariffs and Trade: Of course all the news this week has been about what's happening in the US. Truly extraordinary stuff. To state the obvious, it is a difficult time for the global economy, with rising rhetoric, escalating tariffs, and the prospect of further retaliation to come. It is discombobulating and disorienting and the events of recent days are the most significant challenge to the rules-based trading system since 1947.
Our early estimates are that the direct impact on the New Zealand economy from the US tariffs announced last week is likely to be around $900 million or roughly 0.2% of GDP. As Nicola Willis says, the past week’s global developments make our economic recovery harder. The reality is that New Zealand is strong and resilient but we are a small, globally-connected economy. When big international events happen they affect us too.
However, we can also feel confident that we have the right settings and policies in place to get through this period of uncertainty. The Government cannot control global developments - but we can control how we respond.
Our goal is to steer our economy through these choppy waters in a way that limits the damage for New Zealanders. We will continue to provide responsible economic management that supports job creation, rising incomes and a more affordable cost of living for New Zealanders.
The PM gave an important speech to the Wellington Chamber yesterday morning making the case for free trade and the rules-based international order. As he said so well, trade is the lifeblood of the New Zealand economy. Whether it’s our incredible farmers and growers, our outstanding tourism industry, or our burgeoning tech sector, Kiwis businesses thrive when we compete on the world stage. So, for as long as he is Prime Minister, New Zealand will keep making the case for trade as a cornerstone of our prosperity.
Out and About (the world): You probably missed it but I was in Singapore last week on the back of the big NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit, meeting with investors, opening the new Morrison office, and checking out how Singapore's been able to achieve an incredible standard of living in the areas of housing, transport and infrastructure. A great trip.
Out and About (the Hutt): I really enjoyed the Kurinchi Kumaran Temple fundraiser at the Little Theatre last Saturday night, attending the Relay for Life at Sky Stadium last Saturday, and celebrating Sri Lankan new year last Sunday morning. This week in and amongst Parliament I managed to get to the dawn blessing of the final stages of the Wainuiomata High School rebuild and was a guest speaker at the Jackson St Programme BA5 with my colleague Chris Penk. I'm ready for a break this weekend!
Chris
P.S Thanks to those who emailed about my appearance on Q and A last Sunday with Jack Tame - as always a good and robust discussion! Check it out here.
P.P.S How about Tamatha Paul's comments in the past week about the Police!
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Wellington Relay for Life
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It was an honour to be part of Relay for Life Wellington this year, apparently the largest Relay for Life in Australasia. So far the amazing Wellington community has raised around $842,000, an outstanding amount - and the money is still coming in. It is awesome to see all these young people putting in the hard yards to raise money for a really meaningful and important cause.
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This wee lass came along to the ‘Rally for Melling’ back in 2019. The previous Labour government’s transport cuts meant Melling wasn’t even going to be considered for funding until 2029! I’m pleased to say that we’re on track for Melling to be finished just in time for her to get her learner license!
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Kurinchi Kumaran Temple Fundraiser
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A wonderful fundraiser for the Kurinchi Kumaran temple on Saturday - they’re aiming to raise over a million dollars for a new hall. A superb concert at the Little Theatre. Thank you for the invitation.
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We’re changing the law to allow granny flats up to 70m² to be built without a resource or building consents, if it meets a few common-sense conditions. This is another tool in our tool belt for making housing more affordable.
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Please adopt a greyhound!
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The government is banning greyhound racing in New Zealand and we need people to adopt these amazing animals! I hosted an event with Winston Peters yesterday at Parliament with Greyhounds as Pets to try and spread the word. Greyhounds are incredible dogs - they're placid, don't smell, don't bark, and they're amazingly friendly! If you've ever thought about getting one - now is the time.
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Back to the old stomping grounds on Thursday morning - up at Vic giving a guest lecture to the POLS111 class. I took this class back in 2003 and still remember our guest lecturers, including Winston Peters! A great thing about studying politics at Vic is the proximity to Parliament and the ability to do things like this. Thanks for having me and I look forward to returning next year.
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I spoke alongside colleagues Rachel Brooking from Labour and Simon Court from Act at the New Zealand Planning Institute Conference a couple of Fridays ago.
The RMA has become this 900-page monster that essentially has turned into a system where the presumption is the Government can tell you many things about what to do with land that you own, whereas it should be the other way around.
The starting point should be property rights and your land is your land, until you affect other people.
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Infrastructure Resilience Conference
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The Government is committed to managing risk and building resilience in a way that is cost-effective, efficient, and commensurate to the problem.
Increasing resilience will help keep New Zealanders safe, our economy strong and sustainable, and will reassure global markets, insurers, and investors that New Zealand is a credible place to do business and provide services to.
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When in Invercargill... you have to have some southland sushi, aka a cheese roll!
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Gamechanger support for Community Housing
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Community housing providers play an important role in NZ and we are keen to see them grow and expand, providing housing to Kiwis who need it most. Our new financial support for the Community Housing Funding Authority will be a game changer!
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