Caucus update: September wrap up

WINSTON PETERS

• Winston and Shane were down south, where Port Otago announced an investment of $13.5 million in a new rail siding.
• More rail in Auckland, as the third main rail line was opened.
• Invoked the ‘agree to disagree’ clause in relation to the Government’s announcement that will change current migrant work visa holders to automatically become new residents.
• Introduced a new Member’s Bill to establish a four-year pilot prostate cancer screening programme in two regions (North and South).  
• Officially announced Shane Jones as the Deputy Leader of New Zealand First.
• Delivered a speech to over 1000 people in Palmerston North, following the conclusion of our annual New Zealand First convention.

Some of Winston’s recent interviews:

• 'This place was alive once' - Winston Peters 'disgusted' at state of Wellington
• Winston Peters On NZ First’s Conference, Benjamin Doyle’s Resignation & Media Bias
• 'Tragedy': Foreign Minister speaks on the death of Charlie Kirk
• "Different emphasis": Peters denies foreign investors housing deal's a loosening of ban

Keep up to date with what the leader is saying on his Facebook page.

SHANE JONES

• Reopened oil and gas exploration across New Zealand to create jobs, boost our economy, and create long term energy resilience.
• We are using NZ coal again: Shane put the pressure on gentailers and confirmed that the Huntly Coal Mine will now source local coal again.
• Interviewed himself!
• Hosted a Blue September Prostate Cancer Awareness event at parliament.
• Visited Reefton Distilling Company, a Provincial Growth Project.
• Attended the opening of the Reefton mining accommodation on the West Coast.
• Spoke to the New Zealand First membership at our annual convention in Palmerston North.

Some of Shane’s recent interviews:

• NZ coal back in the mix for Huntly power station
• Shane Jones On Why New Zealand Should Consider Nuclear Energy
• Shane Jones on call for Methanex gas supply redistribution
• Gas could run dry before the end of the decade, Resources Minister warns
• Shane Jones Speaks Out: The Maori Party and Media Influence

Check out Shane’s latest clips on our you tube channel.

CASEY COSTELLO

• Attended the Alzheimer’s NZ Summit as part of Alzheimer’s awareness week.
• Announced new customs legislation to ensure that the right people pay for costs associated with goods management across our border.
• Attended an event celebrating 100 Years of Rural Women NZ, hosted by the Waikato Rural Women team.
• Spoke at the National Refugee Resettlement Forum in parliament.
• Caught up with the team from the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ.
• Attended the 50th Independence Anniversary of Papua New Guinea and the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with New Zealand.
• Hosted the New Zealand First caucus update at the New Zealand First caucus update at our annual convention.

Head to Casey’s Facebook page to see what she’s up to.

MARK PATTERSON

• Travelled to China to promote New Zealand’s strong wool sector internationally and support increased exports.
• Accompanied the Minister for Mental Health on the next lot of Rural Health roadshows.
• Travelled to Taranaki for multiple stakeholder meetings and attended the dawn ceremony opening for the New Plymouth Airport solar array.
• Spoke at the Business Climate Change Conference in Auckland.
• Attended the Southern “Clash of the Colleges” Agrifutures event at Telford.
• Announced a $2.25m dollar loan to further develop the Space Ops satellite tracking centre in Awarua.

Listen to a recent interview with Mark ("Demand is definitely ramping up": NZ wool exports could double over next decade) or head to his Facebook page which is always jam packed with his travels, including all the highlights from his China trip. 

JENNY MARCROFT

• Was back in the regions catching up with local radio hosts.
• Celebrated World Pharmacist Day.
• Continued championing our oyster farmers.
• Caught up on the latest updates on the expansion of rural connectivity.
• Hosted a group of amazing rangatahi who are working across the seafood sector on aquaculture farms, fishing vessels and innovation.
• Attended the Sustainable Seafood and Innovation Awards alongside Oceans & Fisheries Minister Shane Jones.

Read Jenny’s latest column in her local paper, the Mahurangi Matters.

JAMIE ARBUCKLE, ANDY FOSTER & DAVID WILSON

• Jamie arrived home from being in Vietnam and Mongolia as part of the Speaker’s delegation.
• Andy visited the NZ Steel Glenbrook Mill to celebrate all things New Zealand made and how we can support Kiwi businesses.
• David has certainly hit the ground running since joining the team just a few short months ago, meeting with stakeholders and community groups in recess weeks.

Read what David had to say about New Zealand First’s recent policy announcement for 2026 on KiwiSaver.

And a little something new… New Zealand First is now on spotify!

Go and check out some of our favourite tunes, or catch up on our podcast series.