Dear John,

There have been quite a few significant steps for the Waitaki in recent weeks.

Firstly, congratulations to all the elected representatives from the recent local body elections. Thank you to everyone who has served on the Waitaki’s various councils over the previous term. Thank you too to all the people who put their hand up for candidacy. Representing your community is a major undertaking and it is good to see so many fine people keen to do so.

I’m looking forward to working alongside the elected mayors and councillors that are now to represent our region as we push for the best results for everyone in the Waitaki.

Another major development from the weekend was the big boost of confidence for the Waitaki agricultural sector, which our community centres around. The announcement regarding methane reduction targets is a significant win for farmers in the Waitaki and across New Zealand.

Farming is the backbone of not only the Waitaki region, but also New Zealand. It is great to see the balanced approach to climate policy that prioritises our agricultural sector while addressing the issue of climate change. This policy, backed by all three coalition parties and key industry bodies, provides the certainty and confidence our food producers need to thrive.

One of the most reassuring aspects of this new policy is the clear commitment to no farm taxes, ever. We have ruled out a pricing system for on-farm emissions that could have jeopardised our farms and sent jobs overseas. Instead, we are focusing on achieving reductions in methane emissions through partnership and industry leadership. This approach allows us to work alongside major players in the industry, such as Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms, who are already leading the way in sustainable practices. 

Now, I have an ask regarding getting my face beside the road. To let people know who represents them and how to contact me, I’m wanting to put up a few signs around the district. If you have property alongside our main highways and would be happy to have a sign with a photo of me and my contact details installed near the roadside, please contact me and my team at [email protected]. The signs will be sturdy and well presented; here is an example of what we are looking to put up:

Please get in touch if you're able to help install signage near main roads around the Waitaki

Getting around the Waitaki (in person) is a great part of my job. Recently we had a big attendance at a meeting of the Rural Nats in mid-Canterbury’s Lahgmor Westerfield Hall where a major topic of discussion was the Resource Management Act (RMA).

The National Party has heard loud and clear about issues with consents, and a major part of this government term has been focusing on replacing the RMA.  Ministers continue to receive concerning reports of councils across the country applying stringent, unnecessary, and burdensome requirements when issuing new consents, particularly for our farmers and growers.

There is no shortage of New Zealanders with great ideas for exciting projects, but they face too many obstacles bringing them to life. The sum our actions in this quarter of the year will help get things moving. Growth will boost job opportunities and help increase incomes around the country.

The planning system we will introduce to Parliament this quarter will enable farmers, building owners and businesses to do more with their own property, cutting through the reams of red tape that have been holding them back.

The Minister for RMA Reform, Minister of Agriculture, and Minister for the Environment have set clear expectations to all Regional and Unitary Councils to take a pragmatic approach when issuing consents, ahead of the transition to the new planning system. Our country relies on our rural producers. At a time of economic challenges, councils should be doing all they can to unlock economic growth, not stymie it.

Later this year, a regime to transition consents into the new system will be released. Until then, we expect councils to use this discretion where appropriate. Farmers should not be punished for what amounts to bureaucratic process.

Another important process taking place is the clinical services planning being undertaken by Health NZ for the Otago Central Lakes – which is essentially the combined areas of the Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago district councils. This is significant because to green-light new health infrastructure and services, the first step is always a clinical services plan which provides the foundation for future decisions.

Health NZ recently held a meeting in Queenstown which was well attended by health practitioners and advocates from our region. The clinical services plan is on track to be completed by December and from there I expect to see implementation of increased health services begin.

A recent briefing from Health NZ was well attended by health practitioners and advocates

Bringing more public health services closer to home has been something I and our neighboring MP Joseph Mooney have been working hard on since the last election. The Central Lakes Health Services group we are part of alongside local mayors has made some excellent headway towards improving public health services for inland Otago and it is great to see Health NZ acknowledging the need and working towards it.

I wish you all the best for the remainder of spring. Please sing out if you’re able to assist with getting some signs up around our region.

Many thanks

Miles

www.national.org.nz

41 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Authorised by Miles Anderson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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