Thrive 2025!
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Dear John

In this issue:

* Minister's News

* In the House

* Electorate News

* Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

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MINISTER'S NEWS


BUDGET 2025

The big news this month was Budget 2025. It is all about lifting economic growth
to create jobs, lift wages, and help you deal with the cost of living.

It's also about generating more income for Government to spend on essential
services like health, education, law and order and defence.



It was great to catch up with some of you and answer your questions at the
series of post-Budget meetings I attended across the electorate this week. The
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce organised a well-attended breakfast meeting
(pictured above).

You should have received an email about the Budget from me earlier this week. If
you would like to learn more, click here
[link removed]

There are definite signs our economy is improving and heading for our target of
doubling the value of exports in 10 years. For example, March hit a record $1.26
billion in export sales of red meat – a 34 per cent increase on March last year.

Exports for the first quarter also reached $3.28 billion, up 28 per cent from
last year. This not only benefits farmers, processors, and rural communities,
but has flow-on effects across the whole of New Zealand.


TRENZ



At the beginning of May, I attended TRENZ in Rotorua with Prime Minister
Christopher Luxon. TRENZ, run by Tourism Industry Aotearoa, is the largest event
on New Zealand's tourism calendar. Around 1200 delegates from around the world
attended the three-day event this year.

TRENZ is like speed dating for sellers (New Zealand tourism operators) and
buyers in the travel industry. They attend short appointments during which they
raise awareness of tourism products and conduct business. Over 320 buyers from
25 countries connected with our local tourism businesses and organisations.
Tourism is our second-largest export and one we're focussed on growing to
increase our standard of living.



It was great to meet many key tourism business owners and staff, including
catching up with some from the Taupō electorate like Destination Great Lake
Taupō and Orakei Korako (the geothermal park and cave).

Tourism contributes $44 billion to the economy and supports almost 200,000 jobs
nationwide, including many across the electorate:

* Waipa District: 1,448 jobs (16.6% growth last year)

* South Waikato District: 555 jobs (8.8% growth last year)

* Taupo District: 2,728 jobs (-0.1% growth last year)


SUPERCARS EXTENDS TO CHRISTCHURCH

The 2025 ITM Taupō Super 440 was a blast, so last week, I was delighted to
announce that the hugely successful Repco Supercars Championship will also be
held at Euromarque Motorsport Park (Ruapuna) in Christchurch in 2026. Fans can
now attend back-to-back rounds across consecutive weekends in both Taupō and
Christchurch.

More than 3,300 international visitors attended the 2024 Taupō event and spent
more than $5.2 million while here, not to mention the invaluable exposure of New
Zealand to key tourism markets with a total broadcast reach of 246 million
viewers, including 3.9 million in Australia.

These events generate significant economic and tourism benefits for the regions
and New Zealand. Government is investing $5.9 million from the Major Events Fund
to support Supercars events in both Taupō and Christchurch for the next three
years.


REGIONAL EVENTS PROMOTION FUND

I'm also delighted that both Fieldays and the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at
Karapiro in January are recipients in this year's contestable round of Regional
Events Promotion Fund (REPF) funding. The fund aims to disperse visitors to the
regions, particularly in the off-season.


INCREASED JOBSEEKER SANCTIONS

Our welfare system is proactively supporting those who can work to get off a
benefit and into employment. On Monday, the second phase of our Government's
Traffic Light System came into force with the introduction of Money Management
or Community Work Experience sanctions for those who have dependent children or
a 'dedicated case manager' and fail to comply with the obligations they agreed
to.

Instead of reducing the benefit by 50 per cent when Jobseekers fail to meet
their obligations without good reason, Money Management means that, for four
weeks, half of a beneficiary's income will be loaded onto a payment card to be
used at approved stores for groceries, health needs, transport and education
needs. Or, they will be required to find and complete at least five hours of
Community Work Experience each week, for four weeks. This will only apply to the
just over one per cent of beneficiaries who are currently not meeting their
obligations.

Our economy is stronger when more people are in work, and as we look to unleash
economic growth, it’s important that as many Kiwis as possible share in the
benefits of employment.


CARE FOR DISABLED

Budget 25 increased funding for Disability Support Services (DSS) by another $1
billion.

DSS provides essential services and supports to more than 52,000 disabled
people. About half of the DSS operating budget is allocated to residential care.

Beginning 1 July, a $240 million funding boost over four years will provide
improved residential care for around 7200 disabled New Zealanders in 89
residential facilities across the country.

We are stabilising the disability support system to make it consistent,
transparent, sustainable and fair.

The new funding model is nationally consistent while recognising regional
variations in costs such as housing prices, and will include more flexibility.

Importantly, the new model enables DSS to forecast expenditure which will help
Government make informed budget decisions in future.


NEW ZEALAND SIGN LANGUAGE BREAKFAST

I enjoyed catching up with members of the Deaf community in Parliament and
practising New Zealand Sign Language this month. Over 20,000 New Zealanders use
sign language. The more people that can communicate in sign language, the more
our Deaf community is included.

I encourage you to give it a go. There are lots of places you can learn. Check
out Learn NZSL [link removed] for starters.




COMAVOL TAUPŌ

As Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector, I'm delighted to note that
the second COMAVOL Community and Volunteer Expo is on 7 June, 10a.m.–2p.m. at
the Great Lake Centre.

The expo is a fantastic opportunity to connect volunteers with opportunities.

Volunteers contribute the equivalent of billions of dollars in work for our
communities, and the world is a much better place because of them.

You can nominate volunteers for the TREMAINS® Volunteer Service Awards here
[link removed]

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IN THE HOUSE


BUDGET URGENCY

The Budget usually means a session of urgency to progress legislation and ensure
Budget measures are enacted. The highlight was passing the Taxation (Budget
Measures) Bill which enables Investment Boost.


THE 'C WORD' AND PAY EQUITY

It was disappointing to see a media outlet using the 'c word' to refer to myself
and female Ministers in Parliament this month. Governments on both sides of the
political spectrum will make decisions that are unpopular with some. I am a
proponent of playing the ball, not the player, and this kind of attack is
uncalled for.

Pay equity is about all people getting paid the same for work that might be
different, but is of equal value. Since the Labour Government passed the
amendment to the Equal Pay Act in 2020 that broadened its scope, pay equity
claims have included a wide range of issues that had nothing to do with
sex-based discrimination. Other processes are available to address issues of pay
and conditions such as annual bargaining rounds.

The scope of the pay equity legislation needed to be returned to sex-based
discrimination, and comparators need to be relevant to the sector and compare
like with like.

Pay equity claims are still funded within Budget 2025.


HAVE YOUR SAY – RMA

The Government has opened public consultation on a package of changes to
national direction under the Resource Management Act.

You can 'Have Your Say'
[link removed]
on a range of issues including:

* Freshwater national direction reform

* Infrastructure and development (quarries and mines)

* Renewable electricity generation

* Granny flats and papakāinga

* Primary sector regulations

Public consultation will be open until 27 July 2025.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ELECTORATE NEWS


EMERGENCY HEALTH

This National-led Government is investing more in health than ever before, with
a record $16.68 billion across three Budgets to improve health outcomes for New
Zealanders. Everyone should have access to urgent and after-hours healthcare, so
we've invested $164 million over four years to expand it across the country. In
the Midland region, extended after-hours services have been identified for Taupō
and Tokoroa, with new weekend services to improve access to urgent care seven
days a week.

Improved urgent and after-hours healthcare is also on the way for rural and
remote communities, with services identified for Mangakino and Tūrangi. These
services include 24/7 on-call in-person clinical support and better access to
tests and checks and urgent medicines. The new and improved services will be
introduced over the next two years, alongside continued support for existing
providers and targeted improvements to rural access.


BOWEL CANCER PETITION

I was pleased to introduce Cambridge Resident Jackie Robertson to Minister of
Health Hon Simeon Brown as she presented her petition to Parliament calling for
Government to lower the bowel screening age to 45. Bowel cancer is too common in
New Zealand and it's inexplicably increasing for younger people worldwide. My
family has been affected by it.



Meeting with constituents and supporting their advocacy on important issues is
part of my role as an MP.


BOOM BOOM

It was a perfect afternoon to attend the unveiling of the renowned Kiwi sculptor
Gregor Kregar’s mirror-finish stainless-steel dinosaur called Boom Boom! The
sauropod looks fabulous on the corten steel 'volcanic rock'.

Love it or hate it, Boom Boom has already generated priceless overseas publicity
from the BBC in an article describing Taupō as the "scenic centre" of the North
Island and referencing Taupo being named as "New Zealand's most beautiful town
in the 2023 Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards".



It's great to see the imaginative ways Boom Boom is appearing in social media
posts too!

It's the thirteenth sculpture commissioned by the Taupō Sculpture Trust, but the
first to be installed on the Riverside Park walkway. The trust is hoping to add
two more sculptures to the dedicated sculpture park each year for the next
decade, adding some fun and cultural interest for locals and an attraction for
visitors.


SOUTH WAIKATO FUTURE CAREERS EXPO

The South Waikato Future Careers Expo
[link removed] is a great place to
get ideas and contacts if you're looking for your first or next career move.
It's on Monday 16 June from 9:00–2:30p.m. at Pukenga Rau, the South Waikato
Trades Training Centre, 34 Chambers Street, Tokoroa.


TOKOROA CENTRAL SCHOOL VISIT

It's always useful to visit schools and catch up with principals and teachers
about how they're finding the changes our Government has introduced – like
spending an hour each on reading, writing and maths every school day,
introducing financial literacy to the curriculum, banning cell phones in
schools, and raising student attendance rates.

As an MP, it is also my job to represent our children, so it's great to check in
with them as well.

The children at Tokoroa Central School were a delight! One class was very
excited about giving their mums the plants they'd grown for Mother's Day.
Teachers do a fantastic job of incorporating fun ways to teach life skills
alongside the core curriculum.


YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD

Senior high school students from across the electorate are invited to attend my
second Youth Advisory Board in Tokoroa on 13 June. Different material will be
covered in this session than was covered at the beginning of April.

The YAB is an opportunity for students to learn about New Zealand’s
parliamentary system and democracy. It is also a chance for me to gauge
students’ views on current affairs so I can accurately represent them in
Parliament. Youth MP Ryder Miller will lead some of the agenda items next time.
Schools have been sent information and will be advising students of details. If
you need further information, please get in touch with one of my offices
(details below).


ELECTORATE TOURISM

It's said that what's good for locals is also good for tourists, so why not take
a staycation this winter?

Destination Great Lake Taupō (DGLT) and Town Centre Taupō's 'Welcome'
[link removed]
campaign shows there's something for everyone in this region – internationally
renowned for its hospitality. There is also the 10th Taupō Winter Festival (27
June–13 July) which always includes a wide range of fun events.


REPAIR CAFÉ TAUPŌ

Volunteers will be helping out at the Repair Café in Taupō (28 June, Venture
Centre, 250 Spa Road, 10a.m.–1p.m.). These clever people will help you repair
clothing, bicycles, toys or small furniture items (for example). This free
service is all about reducing waste. You can register
[link removed]
for a preferred time, or just turn up.


RURAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS

Farmers whose incomes have been severely affected by drought can apply for Rural
Assistance Payments
[link removed]
(until 28 October 2025) to help with essential living costs. Apply through the
Ministry of Social Development (0800 559 009) or your local Rural Support Trust
[link removed]


WAIPA AWARDS

Congratulations to the deserving 2025 Waipā Networks Business Awards
[link removed] winners in the Taupō electorate:

* Higgs Building Co

* The Chiro Lab Limited

* Ross & Co Hair Design

* David Hall – Cambridge Resthaven

* Ignite Arts Academy

* Christie McGregor – Complete Gas Services Limited

* Riverside Adventures Waikato

* MyThingz

It was great to visit some of them to offer my congratulations in person.

Shaun and Vanessa Higgins of Higgs Building Co and their team


Winner Christie McGregor and owner of Complete Gas Services Pamela Gainfort


Trish and team from Ross & Co Hair Design


Ray Sheath of Essential Financial Solutions (MyThingz)



MOOVING DAY AND FIELDAYS

As Sunday is officially Mooving Day, and it falls in the middle of a long
weekend, please be patient on the roads. Preparation for Fieldays (11–14 June)
is also underway with lots of interesting loads being trucked across the
electorate. Again, please be patient in the lead up to, and during, the event.


SH1 TĪRAU TO WAIOURU ROADWORKS FEEDBACK

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is seeking feedback on its
communications around the SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance project.
You can fill out a 10-minute survey here
[link removed]

You can subscribe to NZTA Waka Kotahi updates here
[link removed]


ATTENDING EVENTS

If you are organising an event that you would like me to attend, please contact
my office well in advance (details below). My calendar fills up quickly!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UPCOMING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES


FACEBOOK LIVE

You can join me online to discuss the issues that currently concern you on the
second Tuesday of each month. 

To join my next live chat, head to Louise Upston MP | Facebook
[link removed] on Tuesday 10 June 2025 at 8 p.m. and
type your questions or comments.

You can watch the last Facebook Live here
[link removed]

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CLINICS AND FRIENDLY FORUMS

Note: Dates are subject to change.


CAMBRIDGE FRIENDLY FORUM

Friday, 27 June, 10:00–11:30p.m.

Cambridge Bowling Club, 37 Thornton Road

Please call 07 827 5572 or email [email protected]
[email protected] to RSVP.


TAUPŌ FRIENDLY FORUM

Friday, 18 July, 10:00–11:30p.m.

Lake Taupō Rotary, 12 Story Place


TAUPŌ CLINIC

Friday, 18 July, 2:00–3:30p.m.

Please call 07 3765563 or email [email protected]
[email protected] for an appointment.

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ELECTORATE ASSISTANCE

Cambridge Office:

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

South Waikato:

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

Taupō Office:

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

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Kind regards

Louise Upston
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