Simplifying local government & boosting KiwiSaver

Dear John,

Yesterday marked two years since the government took office and I was sworn in as Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, RMA Reform, Sport, the Leader of the House and Associate Finance (earlier this year I swapped Sport for Transport). It’s an incredible privilege to hold these roles and I know I have the opportunity to make an enormous difference to New Zealand’s future prosperity. With every week that goes by I am more determined than ever before to get things done and make sure New Zealand’s lifts its sights beyond managed decline and mediocrity.

I’m proud of the last two years but there’s so much more to do. The government has delivered tax relief, stopped the previous government’s ever-escalating spending, put us on a path to get the books back into the black and debt under control, started transforming our education system, restored law and order (when was the last time you saw a ram raid?) and made significant investments into health. In the coming weeks we'll unveil our comprehensive replacement of the RMA. Watch this space!

Boosting KiwiSaver: Two major announcements in the last few days – one by the PM and one by me and Simon Watts. On Sunday Chris Luxon announced that a future National government would gradually increase KiwiSaver contributions to match Australia’s 12 per cent rate. If elected next year, National will continue to increase default contribution rates by 0.5 per cent from 1 April 2029, rising by 0.5 per cent a year until 1 April 2032, to achieve a 6 per cent contribution each from employers and employees. That will mean a combined rate of 12 per cent by 2032, matching Australia. The policy has been widely welcomed around the country and now we need the opportunity to put it into practice!

On Tuesday we launched the biggest overhaul of local government since 1989. Let’s be honest – almost everyone knows our current local government system isn’t fit for purpose. It’s layered with complexity, has duplication built into the system and we reckon it has lost its way. Even many people involved in local government admit that something has to change.

One option was to commission a new report and kick the issue into the long grass for a while. But we’ve decided to crack on with change – because our resource management/planning reforms are going to shake things up anyway, so we may as well get on with it at the same time.

The first proposal is to establish Boards of Mayors to run regional councils, and get rid of elected regional councillors. Then the Board of Mayors will run a regional reorganisation process, to look at efficiency, value for money, local voice and ending duplication. One outcome for Wellington is a unitary authority in which the regional council is folded into a large council for the region. Fewer councillors, fewer layers, less fighting and less complication. What do you reckon?

The proposal is out for consultation now and we'll take decisions next year. One thing is for sure, the status quo is not an option.

Other significant announcements from me in the last couple of weeks:

I launched our new Housing Investment Plan after two years of work - focusing on building the right houses in the right places.
We introduced a suite of changes to infrastructure funding and financing for urban growth.
We made changes to the Clean Vehicle Standard to stop car prices rising on 1 January 2026 (we'll fix it properly next year)
The New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline has grown to $275 billion.

I'm gearing up for a big end to the year, with RMA reform not far away!

Kainga Ora “Scandal”: Finally this week did you see Labour’s pathetic attempted hit job on me last week? In my role as Minister of Housing earlier this year I agreed to the Hutt City Council’s request to me to let them swap some infrastructure funding marked out for wastewater improvements in the Hutt CBD, and instead use it for the City Link Bridge as part of the RiverLink development. The Council reckoned they could do the wastewater work cheaper and their priority was the City Link Bridge – so I said yes (as did Nicola Willis). They wasted four questions in Parliament over the course of a couple of days on this issue. The biggest feedback I've had from people around the traps is - good on you, getting things done!

Have a great weekend!

Chris

P.S Congrats to Ewen Chatfield on his Life Membership of New Zealand Cricket

Front page of the Herald says it all. You can read more here, and please let me know your views!

Housing Investment Plan

Last Friday I launched our new Housing Investment Plan, a major shift to making sure we provide better social housing to those in need.

I summarise it like this: "Building the right houses, in the right place, for the right people, with the right support".

What does this mean?

Well, we need many more 1 and 2 bedroom units around the country. 55% on the waitlist for social housing need a 1 bedroom unit - but that isn't what we've been building. That is changing.

We need to build in the right place. We're now taking a very detailed look at regional need and making sure we build in the places where it'll make the biggest difference. The new system means we'll be prioritising the Far North, South Auckland, the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Hastings, plus our major centres.

And we need to focus on people in the most need. Broadly, that means Māori, single parents with dependent children, older people, people with disabilities and – particularly in South Auckland – Pacific peoples.

We have also made affordable rentals eligible for the Fund. Affordable rentals bridge the gap between intensive support like social housing and lighter support like the Accommodation Supplement. This helps remove the financial cliff that can discourage people from moving toward housing independence.

How good does this look?

Early design work for the SH1 Wellington Improvements project - including the second Mt Vic Tunnel, the second Terrace Tunnel, and upgrades around the Basin Reserve - has been published, and public consultation is now open. This project will:

Cut peak travel times by up to 10 minutes

Travel time reliability improved by 40%

Deliver better walking & cycling links, including a new separated shared path through the Mt Victoria tunnel

20% less traffic on the Habour Quays enabling increased use of buses.

You can see a flythrough video here.

Find out more and see community info day details on NZTA’s website.

Wainuiomata Girls' Brigade

Felt bittersweet during the annual Wainuiomata Girls’ Brigade presentation evening last week. The Brigade is closing down due to a lack of volunteers. It was first set up in 1957, so that is a long and proud history.
I was honoured to present a certificate to Marianne Dobie for her dedication and 41 years of leadership. Thank you Marianne for everything you've done for young people in Wainuiomata!

Flame of Hope comes to Parliament

Last weekend it was my great pleasure as Associate Minister of Sport and MP for Hutt South to welcome the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run to Parliament's front steps!

Our awesome local athletes and police officers carried the "Flame of Hope" through Lower Hutt and across the harbour to Parliament. The Special Olympics National Summer Games will held in Christchurch from December 10 to 14. More than 1200 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 42 clubs around the country will participate. Can't wait - I am hoping to get down there myself to see some of the action.

BCITO Graduation

Congratulations to all of the 150 graduates celebrated at the BCITO Grad Ceremony in the Lower Hutt town hall last week!

Welcome to the Hutt

Amazing chef Chetan Pangam has just taken over Bellbird Eatery at the Dowse! He’s a double Burger Wellington champion chef and is well known from One80 Restaurant in Wellington. I’m told Bellbird will be opening for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights soon! Can’t wait.

What do you reckon?

Keen for your views.

Hutt Citizenship Ceremony

Always a great night!

Chris Bishop MP

66 Bloomfield Terrace

Hutt City

Lower Hutt, Wellington 5010

New Zealand

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