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Hi John, here’s your August update. A reminder: TOMORROW you can join Rima Nahkle (MP for Takanini) and me for our annual 'Soup and buns' lunch in Waikanae:
In this months update:
New electorate boundariesWelcome to the Kāpiti Electorate! The short answer is, there are no changes in the final boundaries from what the draft boundaries proposed. If you live in the Horowhenua Council area, then you'll become part of the Rangitikei Electorate. If you live in the Kāpiti Council area, or as far south as Whitby, then you'll be part of the Kāpiti Electorate. That means Ōtaki, Te Horo, Peka Peka, Waikanae, Paraparaumu, Raumati, Paekākāriki, Pukerua Bay, Plimmerton, Paremata, Camborne, Pāuatahanui and Whitby. I already work across this whole area as the buddy MP for the Mana Electorate, so no real change for me, but the Kāpiti Electorate is where I live, and this is where I'll be staying and offering to keep serving as MP come the election next year.
What do the boundary changes mean for you?Firstly, I'm still the MP for Ōtaki until the election so I'll still be working across Kāpiti and Horowhenua, and both my offices remain open for another year. Secondly, I need to rebuild a team to work with me in the new electorate. That means supporters, volunteers, people to take me to their business, their community group, their school. I need fences to put signs on (next year) and I need the chance to meet lots of people. So if you live in, or know anyone in, the new Kāpiti Electorate, I'd love to hear from you. Please reply to this email and let's connect. NCEA changes
As a dad, I've wanted to see change at NCEA for years. And here it is: we are proposing to replace NCEA with a new national qualification that ensures young people have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. I think we want all our kids to receive a world-leading education that sets them up for life. That’s what NCEA is meant to do, but right now, it’s not doing that well enough. Parents like me are highly ambitious for their kids; so are National. We are proposing to replace NCEA with new national qualification. The national qualification will be underpinned by a new internationally comparable curriculum for Years 9–13, bringing structure and consistency clearly outlining what students should learn in each subject and when. These changes will help New Zealand students build strong foundations for their futures, ensuring the next generation have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. The proposal is that these changes would apply to children currently year 8 and below, but those already at high school would continue You can read all the details here including some easy-to-read summaries, and then please HAVE YOUR SAY HERE. We need as many parents and grandparents as possible to have your say. It only takes a minute so please take the time,
In the newsHere's a few headlines you might have seen:
Ō2NL contracts signedNZTA has signed construction contracts with two alliances to build the new Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL) Road of National Significance, with construction set to get underway this spring. National are committed to delivering safe new roading infrastructure that helps boost economic growth and productivity, improves resilience, reduces travel times, and supporting much needed housing. The 24km Ō2NL project is critical for Kāpiti and Horowhenua and is a step forward for these priorities. Projections show up to 15-minute travel time savings. The two alliance teams will each deliver a section of the new highway and associated works, with Downer, McConnell Dowell, Beca and Tonkin+Taylor focused south of the Ohau River, and Fulton Hogan, HEB, WSP and Aurecon focused to the north. I'm excited to bring you another update soon showing work fully under-way. The new road is expected to be open to traffic before the end of 2029. Cost of living updateI know it’s been tough ever since the high inflation, high interest rates and big rent and grocery price increases of 2021-23 (if only Labour would front the inquiry into this!). Since 2024 those price increases have got back to the target (just over 2% annually, not 7.3%), but that doesn’t unwind the damage that was done by high inflation in 2022/23. What goes up doesn’t tend to come back down.
So this is what we’re doing:
Local eventsOut and about in the electorate this month you may have seen me brave the chilly ocean temperatures for the Mid-Winter Dip at Waikanae Beach. A few other highlights were visiting L’Arche (disability support), Postgate and Adventure schools in Whitby and Pāuatahanui School, the Ōtaki races, Raumati businesses, and I attended the Little High Tea Soiree, a brilliant event run by the Ōtaki Kids Market for Wellington On a Plate 2025 at Anam Cara Gardens. Upcoming eventsStill plenty to join in at:
That's it for this month. Best wishes,
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