Dear John

In this issue:

* Minister's News

* In the House

* Electorate News

* Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

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MINISTER'S NEWS


TOURISM DELEGATION TO CHINA



Last week, I led a Tourism delegation to China. We are looking to grow tourism
between our countries. Over 60 million Chinese are actively considering a
holiday in New Zealand. Our message is clear – New Zealand is open for business.

More tourism means more visitors spending across the country, supporting our
local businesses – restaurants, cafes, accommodation, attractions, rental car
businesses, retailers – and bringing more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis
working hard to get ahead.

China is our largest trading partner and key to our economic story. There is
potential for more growth.

Across the electorate Tourism is one of the top three industries, so it is
important for us to grow our visitor numbers.


QANTAS AND JETSTAR INCREASE FLIGHTS

Qantas and Jetstar are showing confidence in our market by adding 660,000 extra
seats on New Zealand domestic and trans-Tasman flights, creating potential for
more tourists to enter New Zealand and travel domestically once here.


CRUISE SHIP SEASON SETS SAIL

Last Monday the Crown Princess docked in Auckland on the first day of
cruise-ship season. We've been working hard to remove entry barriers, so it's
great that nearly 40 ships bringing around 177,000 visitors are expected to
arrive on our shores this season.




$70M EVENTS BOOST

Government is investing $70 million to energise the events sector, boost
regional economies and give Kiwis and overseas visitors something to anticipate
and celebrate.

We've widened the scope of what will be eligible for funding
[link removed]
to include sporting fixtures, concerts, and festivals, for example.

This significant increase in Government investment will allow New Zealand to
compete with Australia to host big events and will give international visitors
even more reasons to come and explore New Zealand.


RURAL WOMEN CENTENARY

I joined local and national female elected representatives at Rural Women New
Zealand's centennial, which incorporated their 132 years of Women's Suffrage
celebration.

This is a formidable group of women who have achieved much over the century and
are in fine heart to keep contributing to the fabric of rural New Zealand for
another 100 years.



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IN THE HOUSE


ECONOMY

Following a 0.9 per cent increase in real Gross Domestic Product in the first
quarter of this year, Stats NZ figures released this month show GDP fell 0.9 per
cent in the second quarter. International turmoil and uncertainty relating to
tariffs have impacted on businesses’ and households’ investment decisions, but
as we near the end of the third quarter, there are signs the economy is growing
again.

After an extensive search, a highly qualified and experienced Governor of the
Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Dr Anna Breman, has been appointed and will begin
her five-year term from 1 December 2025. 


NEW ZEALAND-SAUDI TRADE BOOST

Five new commercial partnerships between New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have been
signed, deepening New Zealand’s trade relationship with Saudi Arabia and across
the Gulf region. Food and beverage, animal management, agri-tech, healthcare and
the creative industries are areas of focus expected to generate more than $100m
for NZ.


HOLIDAYS ACT CHANGE

The complicated Holidays Act 2003 will be replaced with the Employment Leave Act
to simplify and clarify how leave is calculated and taken. Some changes include:

* Employers will have straightforward rules they can understand and apply.

* Full-time and part-time workers will start earning annual and sick leave in
direct proportion to the hours they work.

* Parents returning from parental leave will no longer be penalised with lower
pay if they take annual leave.

* Sick leave can be taken in hours.

* Casual employees will generally receive an upfront payment of 12.5 per cent
for each hour worked, instead of accruing annual and sick leave or receiving
the current 8 per cent Pay-As-You-Go payment.  

* Employees will be able to cash up 25 per cent of their total annual leave
balance each year. Employers who agree to cashing up will benefit from
reduced leave liability. 

You can find more details about the new Act here
[link removed]


REDUCTION IN YOUTH OFFENDING

As a result of our tough-on-crime approach, the number of serious and persistent
child and youth offenders is trending downwards. It is 14.6 per cent lower than
in June 2023, indicating that we will reach our reduction target several years
earlier than planned.

Anecdotal evidence suggests repeat young offenders are less likely to re-offend
because they know Courts, Oranga Tamariki, and Police are working together more
closely and that there will be consequences for their actions – and communities
are feeling safer.


EXTRA EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HELP

So far, 87,800 households have registered for FamilyBoost, and more than 67,000
families have received payments through the scheme.

The Income Tax (FamilyBoost) Amendment Bill has increased the proportion of
Early Childhood Education (ECE) fees families can claim from 25 per cent to 40
per cent. An eligible household with fees of $100 a week will see its
FamilyBoost entitlement increase from $25 to $40 per week, or from $1300 to
$2080 per year, for example.

The maximum a family can now claim increases from $75 to $120 per week.

The Act has also increased the household income limit for FamilyBoost from
$180,000 per year to just under $230,000, making about 21,000 more households
eligible
[link removed]


SECONDARY CURRICULUM UPGRADES

A future-focused curriculum that recognises the growing importance of STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in our global future is being
developed. Other new subjects will include:

* Civics, Politics and Philosophy

* Media, Journalism and Communications

* Te Mātai i te Ao Māori

* Pacific Studies

* Music Technology.

Industry-led subjects will include:

* primary industry

* health and wellbeing services

* outdoor education

* automotive engineering

* building and construction

* infrastructure engineering

* mechanical engineering

* tourism and hospitality.

The Government is investing $413 million in school infrastructure to improve
classrooms and provide a significant boost for builders and tradies across New
Zealand, effective immediately.


HEALTH ELECTIVE BOOST EXCEEDS TARGET

By making the health system work smarter, using both public hospitals and
private providers in a coordinated national effort, Government has exceeded its
first Elective Boost target of an extra 10,579 procedures (like hip, knee, and
cataract surgeries) before 30 June by delivering more than 16,000 additional
procedures so far, and reducing wait times for patients.

The long-term goal is to treat 95 per cent of patients within four months by
2030.

An additional 75,000 diagnostic procedures will be delivered this year through
Government's $65 million Diagnostic Improvement Plan, aimed at reducing wait
times for critical diagnostic procedures such as MRI scans and colonoscopies.

The Government is also delivering a major $100 million investment to accelerate
improvements across New Zealand's hospital facilities.


EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME

Government has delivered on its election promise by passing the Climate Change
Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill
[link removed]

It strikes the right balance between protecting our most productive food-growing
farmland and supporting rural communities while maintaining confidence in the
Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). It also ensures foresters can continue to invest
with confidence.

As promised, we have stopped the wholesale conversion of farms into pine
forests, but as forestry is also important to our regional economies, we are
working hard to support both sectors to create jobs and grow exports to benefit
all New Zealanders.

Legislation will take effect from October.


RECOGNISING PALESTINE

New Zealand has long supported the two-state solution and Palestinian
self-determination. Our long-standing policy is that Palestinian state
recognition is a matter of when, not if.

New Zealand has repeated our call for:

* an immediate ceasefire

* unfettered access for humanitarian supplies into Gaza

* all sides to adhere to international law

* a two-state solution as a result of a comprehensive political settlement

* and an end by Israel to all illegal settlement activity and current military
action.

New Zealand is committed to alleviating the immense suffering in Gaza by
providing $10 million more to international humanitarian partners delivering
emergency supplies into the area.

We need courageous leadership that meets the human needs of shelter, sustenance,
peace, security, and hope that this, and future generations, will
flourish. Without hope, the cycles of violence that fuel and perpetuate this
ongoing conflict will never end. Instead, the next generation of terrorists will
be recruited from populations who only hate.

Hamas has no place in any future Palestinian State. It continues to hold
hostages. There is currently no fully legitimate and viable State of Palestine
to recognise. When New Zealand sees action in the form of agreements, and when
statehood emerges (with institutions to support it), New Zealand will recognise
Palestinian statehood.

The Israeli Government's response to the barbaric Hamas’ attack on Israeli
citizens on 7 October 2023 was grossly disproportionate.

While the international community focuses on the suffering in Gaza and Ukraine,
humanitarian crises in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria,
Sudan and Myanmar are also of grave concern.

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ELECTORATE NEWS


FAREWELL SIR TUMU TE HEUHEU TUUKINO VIII

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Tumu Te Heuheu Tūkino VIII,
the esteemed ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

He was a leader of immense mana who carried his responsibilities with humility
and strength. His guardianship of Tongariro, Taupō-nui-a-Tia and the taiao
ensured their mauri will endure for generations to come. His leadership extended
beyond Ngāti Tūwharetoa, shaping the future of iwi, Māori, and Aotearoa as a
whole.

I was privileged to know Sir Tumu and to witness his wisdom, dignity, and aroha
for his people and his whenua. His legacy will stand as a guide for us all.

I send my condolences and aroha to Lady Susan, the whānau pani, and to Ngāti
Tūwharetoa at this very sad time.


SH1 CAMBRIDGE TO PIARERE

The 16km four-lane Waikato Expressway extension from Cambridge to the newly
completed roundabout at Piarere is one step closer with the Environmental
Protection Authority's (EPA) independent panel granting resource consent
(subject to conditions) under our Government's fast-track consenting regime.

New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) Waka Kotahi is planning to begin
construction late next year. The project will be completed in 2033.

This project is part of our Going for Growth Plan. Economic growth is essential
to raising living standards, creating higher-paying jobs, and delivering vital
public services for New Zealanders.

Essential infrastructure like this allows the efficient and sustainable
transport of people and goods, and facilitates trade and investment. It is
essential to driving economic growth.


FARMING ON A ROLL

It is great to see farmers taking advantage of Investment Boost to upgrade
assets to help them strengthen their businesses. This investment is in turn
supporting other local businesses.


SUPERCRITICAL GEOTHERMAL SITE CHOSEN

Supercritical geothermal energy is clean and renewable and has the potential to
deliver several times the power output of conventional geothermal wells.

Land within the Rotokawa Geothermal Reservoir in the Taupō Volcanic Zone has
been selected as a preferred site for New Zealand’s first supercritical
geothermal exploration which could help prove the viability of supercritical
geothermal energy.

The Coalition Government has committed up to $60 million from the Regional
Infrastructure Fund to develop the first of three exploratory wells. Design work
is underway and drilling is expected to begin in 18-24 months.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Tauhara North No.2 Trust
(guardian of the Rotokawa geothermal resources), the Ministry of Business,
Innovation and Employment, and Mercury (which operates the Rotokawa geothermal
power station), to explore the potential of supercritical geothermal energy at
the site. Earth Sciences NZ is contributing technical and scientific expertise.


SH1 OPENING TAUPŌ WOOLWORTHS



It is encouraging to see businesses investing locally, so it was my pleasure to
attend the opening of the new Woolworths supermarket in Taupō.




CARTER HOLT HARVEY TOKOROA PROPOSED CLOSURE

I was disappointed to hear of Carter Holt Harvey's (CHH) proposed closure in
Tokoroa.

I have reached out to the union and local Ministry of Social Development who
will be able to support those who require it, and will work closely with Council
on Project Phoenix to focus on the future.

Businesses have been struggling with years of high inflation and low growth,
along with changing demand. Privately owned businesses like CHH must also make
tough decisions to manage high costs.

Government is working hard to create favourable conditions for business growth,
fix and grow the economy to support industry and create more jobs.


TOI-OHOMAI

Toi-Ohomai has recently confirmed it will continue to offer face-to-face
training in Tokoroa and Taupō and it will continue to work with stakeholders to
ensure the needs of learners and employers are the focus.

Project Phoenix, a collaboration between me as your MP, South Waikato District
Council, agencies including the South Waikato Investment Trust Fund (SWIFT),
Government, Ministry of Social Development, and South Waikato community
organisations, businesses and educational and training institutes was set up
after the closure of the PM6 paper machine at Kinleith Mill to help employees
and contractors transition to new employment.

A Project Phoenix taskforce tasked with ensuring South Waikato retains
Toi-Ohomai – a critical education provider for the region – is looking at future
labour needs of the district and how training programmes can meet the demand
from employers and companies looking to grow in the area.


ST PETER'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL VISIT

It was a treat to start my morning recently listening to St Peter's Catholic
School students singing waiata and watching them perform kapa haka. It's a
thriving school in the heart of Cambridge. Students were sporting their house
colours in preparation for cross country later that day.







ROADWORKS

SH5/SH28 Harwoods Road

Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of SH5 and SH28 (Harwoods Road)
continues. The road has been narrowed by cones and speed restrictions are in
place.



Tīrau to Waiouru (T2W) Roadworks

The second season of the State Highway 1 (SH1) Tīrau to Waiouru (T2W)
Accelerated Maintenance Project starts this month.  

During season one, the project rebuilt and repaired 49.4 kms of the worst
sections of SH1 between Piarere (north of Tīrau), and Waiouru, representing the
largest SH1 road maintenance season delivered by NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). 

Season two works will include road rebuilding and maintenance in areas not
worked on last season, normal maintenance, and speed and safety works across
T2W, as well as completing final road surfacing of last-season's works.

At completion, the T2W project will have rebuilt 27 percent of SH1 between Tīrau
and Waiouru totalling 66.11kms of the total 220km length.  

Following feedback, for this season, final road surfacing will be completed as
nighttime stop/go or overnight closures, and the Taupō to Tūrangi section will
be completed under contraflow (traffic travelling in both directions with
temporary speed limits) and stop/go traffic management. This season Smart
Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be used between Taupō and Tūrangi to show the
difference in travel times using SH1 or the alternative route.

SH1 Taupō to Tūrangi

Work continues at Waitahanui. Lane shifts and temporary speed limits are in
place, Overnight work (subject to weather) Sunday-Thursday nights (7pm to 6am)
until mid-October has started at Hatepe Hill, so prepare for delays.

SH1 Tīrau

Nighttime (7pm to 6am) detours will be in place in Tīrau for a month between
Sundays and Thursdays (beginning 14 September) while the road between the town
and the roundabout is rebuilt, kerb and channel is replaced, and culverts are
repaired. During the day SH1 is open under temporary speed limits. See the
detour route below.



Whakamaru Dam Closure

SH32 will be closed from Monday 13 October for up to 10 days while Mercury
completes work on the Whakamaru Dam bridge. Southbound motorists are advised to
detour via SH1 through Taupō, and motorists coming from SH30 are advised to
travel via Pīohipi Road.

For updates about what's happening in your area, sign up to NZTA's newsletter
here [link removed]


FRIENDLY FORUMS

This month I held a Friendly Forum in Cambridge and a Clinic in Tokoroa. It is
always useful to hear constituents' concerns and ideas. See below for the next
opportunities to engage with me and how to contact my electorate offices.




LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 11 OCTOBER

The last day you can enrol to vote in the local government elections is Friday
10 October 2025. If you need to enrol to vote or update your address, contact
your local council’s electoral officer to get your papers. Further information
is available 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!

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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, 14 October 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.


TAUPŌ FRIENDLY FORUM

Friday, 17 October, 10:00–11.30a.m.

Lake Taupō Rotary, 12 Story Place, Taupō

Please call 07 3765563 or email [email protected]
[email protected] to RSVP.


TAUPŌ CLINIC

Friday, 17 October, 2:00–3.15p.m.

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


SOUTH WAIKATO CLINIC – TOKOROA

Thursday, 30 October, 3:30–5.00p.m.

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


SOUTH WAIKATO FRIENDLY FORUM - TOKOROA

Friday, 7 November, 10:00–11.30a.m.

Tokoroa Club Inc., 38/58 Chambers Street, Tokoroa

Please call 07 8865554 or email [email protected]
[email protected] to RSVP.


CAMBRIDGE CLINIC

Friday, 7 November, 2:30–4.00p.m.

Please call 07 8275572 or email [email protected]
[email protected] for an appointment.


TAUPŌ CLINIC

Friday, 21 November, 11:30–1.00p.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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Louise Upston
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