Dear John,

It's been a busy few months in the electorate and in Wellington. The new electorate boundaries for the 2026 General Election were confirmed in August, and I want to extend a very warm welcome to everyone joining us from Horowhenua.

Please note, due to database updates for the boundary changes, some of you receiving this may live outside both the current and new electorate boundaries. You are most welcome to continue receiving my updates, but if you would prefer not to you can easily opt out here.

Following the recent local-body elections, I’m looking forward to working with new and returning mayors and councillors. Congratulations to those elected and thank you to everyone who stood. Campaigning takes time, energy and commitment, and our local democracy is stronger for it.

New Electorate Boundaries

New electorate boundaries for the 2026 General Election see the mighty Rangitīkei's boundary move south to include Foxton, Wāitarere, Levin, Ohau and Manakau in the Horowhenua district. At the same time, Taumarunui will move to Taranaki-King Country, the Ruapehu district to Whanganui, Ashhurst to Wairarapa and Bunnythorpe, Summer Hill, Massey University and Linton to Palmerston North.

What the Changes Mean – How You Can Help

Until the next General Election I'm still the MP for the existing Rangitīkei electorate and I’ll keep working hard for all our communities. My offices in both Feilding and Taumarunui remain open.

I'm keen to build a local team of supporters right across our new-look Rangitīkei. While putting your name forward won't commit you to anything, it means we can let you know when events are coming up – and you can be part of little campaigns, like flyer deliveries, local community events and fundraisers. If you're willing to go on my supporters list, please reply to this email.

I’ll also need fences for signs next year, plus every chance to meet as many locals as possible – at their business, community group or school. If you live in Horowhenua or know someone who does, I’d love to hear from you. Please reply to this email and let’s connect.

Map above shows the new Rangitīkei electorate boundary on the left and the existing boundary on the right.

Out and About During Recess

Recess feels like a distant memory as we now work through a busy three-week sitting block, but it was a valuable chance to attend events and enjoy time at home on the farm. Here are few highlights.

It was fantastic to join my friend and colleague Hon Chris Penk, Associate Minister of Defence, at Linton Military Camp to witness ground being broken for the largest Defence housing project in decades. This investment will provide modern homes for our Defence Force personnel and their families, recognising the huge contribution they make to our country.

I had the privilege of taking part in the sod-turning for the Ō2NL Expressway, alongside Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Minister of Transport Hon Chris Bishop and Ōtaki MP Tim Costley. Ō2NL is a vital new 24-kilometre stretch of State Highway 1 from Ōtaki to north of Levin. It was exciting to see the start of a project that will transform travel safety and reliability through this busy corridor.

Recess also took me further south for a wonderful “Wool” day in Christchurch. I had outstanding visits with Keraplast, Lincoln Agritech Ltd, Wool Source and Wools of New Zealand. Each organisation is finding smart, innovative ways to take one of our most important natural fibres into new markets – work that is crucial for our farmers and rural communities.

Closer to home, Feilding Rural Day provided a fantastic way to round out the break. It was great to host my Rural Nats colleagues Mike Butterick, Catherine Wedd and Barbara Kuriger, as well as join outgoing Manawatū District Mayor Helen Worboys in judging the ever-popular lamb and calf parade. Catherine and I even swapped the judging pens for gumboots to take part in the famous Gumboot Relay. With the help of Alex and Lucy from the Young Nats, we tackled every obstacle – including a slippery slip’n’slide where my gumboots decided they’d had enough! Watch my highlight reel from the day here.

Methane Targets a Win for Rangitīkei Farmers

The recent announcement on methane emissions is a big win for Rangitīkei farmers. The new targets are fair, achievable and give farmers the certainty to plan, invest and keep producing food in New Zealand.

The Coalition Government has ruled out a farm tax. Instead, we’ve set a realistic 14–24% reduction goal by 2050 and are backing research and technology that will cut emissions without cutting productivity. Over $400 million is going into solutions like low-methane sheep genetics, urease inhibitors and new tools such as EcoPona.

This is about supporting farmers, protecting production and keeping New Zealand at the forefront of sustainable food production.

Commonsense Earthquake Rules a Win for Our Communities

Changes to the Earthquake-Prone Building (EPB) system are a major win for Rangitīkei communities. The old rules placed crushing costs on building owners, with some facing bills in the millions.

Across Bulls, Feilding, Marton, Ohakune, Shannon, Taihape, Waiouru and Taumarunui, around 57 buildings will be removed from the EPB register entirely. Other buildings in Himatangi Beach, Rongotea, Sanson and Whakapapa Village will have more cost-effective pathways to remediation. Together these changes will save our region about $237 million.

In Horowhenua, including Levin, Shannon and Foxton, 21 buildings will be removed from the register, while others will benefit from more practical remediation options. That’s savings of around $46.4 million.

Protecting lives remains the top priority, but now we have a system that's also fair, practical and realistic.

Lifting Education Standards for Kiwi Kids

Kiwi kids are making massive gains in reading in less than six months. Thanks to our outstanding teachers embracing ‘teaching the basics brilliantly’ and structured literacy, 58% of new entrants are now meeting or exceeding expectations – up from 36%. Even better, the number exceeding expectations has more than doubled to 43%.

Our government is ambitious for our kids and New Zealand's future. Phones are banned in classrooms, every student gets an hour of reading, writing and maths each day and extra support is reaching those who need it most.

In September I was delighted to host Education Minister Hon Erica Stanford in the mighty Rangitīkei. Together we visited local schools and met with principals to see these policies in action. The progress is clear – and it’s only the beginning.

Welcome Boost for Rural Connectivity

Outstanding news for Rangitīkei and Ruapehu – six new mobile towers are now live. Built by the Rural Connectivity Group, these towers bring better coverage to our communities and roads. Importantly they provide reliable access to the 111-emergency network for everyone – no matter what mobile network you are with.

I’ve been pushing hard for stronger rural connectivity for a long time, so it’s fantastic to see this progress. Thank you to Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith for helping make this happen. See my Facebook post here for more information.

There are still too many black spots – so this is definitely a work in progress, though it's great to see some made.

Government Announcements

OCR down another 50 basis points to 2.5%

The Reserve Bank’s cut to the OCR is great news for Rangitīkei families and businesses, with lower interest rates putting more money in people’s pockets and supporting growth, jobs and investment. For example, a family with a 25-year, $500,000 mortgage will now be around $400 better off each fortnight compared to the middle of last year. Read more here.

Nationwide breast screening age extension underway

The first step of the nationwide breast screening age extension is underway, with women aged 70 and 74 now eligible for free screening. Read more here.

Palmerston North to benefit from nationwide boost to diagnostic scanners

A $108 million upgrade to New Zealand’s diagnostic infrastructure will deliver 32 new and replacement CT, MRI, and SPECT scanners across the country. Read more here.

Bowel screening expansion underway to save more lives

The starting age for free bowel screening has been lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island, with the rest of the North Island to follow in March 2026. Read more here.

Keep up to date with all the latest government announcements at Beehive.govt.nz

Upcoming Events and Dates to Note

Ohakune Cafe Catch up
20 October: Ruapehu locals – my friend and colleague Carl Bates MP for Whanganui and I would love you join us at Utopia Cafe in Ohakune for a relaxed catch-up about what matters to you. Feel free to tell your friends and family too – it's open to all. Call in anytime from 11:30am-1pm. Grab yourself a coffee and come and chat.

Ohakune Rural Nats Forum
20 October: Help shape National’s rural policies at our first ever Ohakune Rural Nats forum. 3pm-4:30pm at the Ohakune Tavern. RSVP if you can, or feel free to turn up. Carl Bates MP for Whanganui and I would love to see you there.

Marton Cafe Catch-Up
31 October: If you are in or around the Marton area, come and catch-up with me at Three High Street Coffee House, 3 High Street in Marton. Call in anytime from 10am-11:30am. I'd love to see you there. Feel free to tell your friends and family too – open to all.

2025 LNI Region Christmas BBQ and Council Meeting
23 November: Supporters Christmas lunch with Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis. This is combined with other local electorates, and includes all regional MPs:

Where: Mana Squash Club – 6c Pascoe Avenue, Ngatitoa Domain, Mana

Time: 10:45am, Meeting – 12noon, lunch and BBQ (cash bar available)

Cost: $10pp incl gst (children free) to cover costs

Payment to: 02 0500 0460556 003
New Zealand National Party
Ref: Surname, "Rangitīkei" + mobile no.

Eftpos available on the day.

Here to Help 

My team and I are available to assist you.

Reach us by emailing [email protected] or calling 06 323 7253 (Feilding) or 07 896 8008 (Taumarunui).

Visit us in person at one of our office locations.

Feilding office: 51 Fergusson Street, Feilding - Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Taumarunui office: 1/101 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui - Monday 9:30am to 2:30pm and Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm.

Please feel free to forward this email to friends and family who might like to stay in touch. I appreciate your help staying connected with the community. If you've had this email forwarded on, you can sign up to get regular updates here.

Best wishes, 

Suze Redmayne

www.national.org.nz

41 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Authorised by Suze Redmayne, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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