Dear John,

I hope your Christmas preparations are going well. =C2=A0I enjoyed seeing m=
any of you who are also my readers, at the Christmas Party at Karaka Bloods=
tock last weekend. I am very grateful for your attendance there and at our =
regular monthly meetings over the year. Many thanks to Adrienne and the exe=
cutive committee for their support running a great programme of events over=
the last year and for arranging a very festive Christmas party. Once again=
, this year we had generous hospitality extended to us by Karaka Bloodstock=
and the caterers.
=C2=A0
I am excited to pass on the latest information about our achievements in=C2=
=A0Parliament before the House rises for Christmas.

In brief then:

- The Govt. Nz App has been released to make it easier and safer for people=
to access government services and I am backing this in my role as Minister=
for Digitising Government and Minister for the Public Service.

The new app can now be downloaded on both iOS and android platforms. =C2=A0=
It provides a secure option for people to access government information and=
services from their mobile phones. Emergency warnings from trusted sources=
like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Fire and Emergenc=
y will also be on the app.

Participation will always be optional, and people can continue to access go=
vernment services in a range of ways including hard copy. Our goal is to of=
fer an option that is secure and convenient, while maintaining the highest =
standards of safety.

- Erica Stanford has just announced a boost to school property budgets and =
these schools in the Papakura Electorate are in line to receive more fundin=
g over the next two years: Beachlands School, Orere school, Papakura Centra=
l school, Paparimu school, Redhill school and Rosehill Intermediate. I am v=
ery pleased for them, and it will boost educational achievement in the year=
s ahead.

These schools are in the first group of 450 schools that will receive their=
increased allocations from 1 July 2026. =C2=A0Positive feedback from princ=
ipals and boards has been received because they can finally plan those day-=
to-day maintenance tasks like painting buildings, fixing windows and doors =
and trimming old trees, sooner.

- Time to check your passport expiry date as many will expire soon

It=E2=80=99s easy to renew your passport online. Most people can renew thei=
r passport quickly and securely at [passports.govt.nz]([link removed]
s.govt.nz/)

- New Space Technology =E2=80=93 Kiwi Space Activator programme

As Space Minister, I have launched a $1.8 million pilot programme to help K=
iwi space companies develop their technologies and realise their potential =
to make a big impact on the world stage for New Zealand.

The Kiwi Space Activator programme will help more Kiwi businesses and unive=
rsities progress novel space technology and concepts from the laboratory to=
the skies, further boosting New Zealand=E2=80=99s reputation as a hub for =
space innovation.

Capability developed through these innovative projects could feed into a fu=
ture national space mission, with potential applications for resource manag=
ement or monitoring illegal fishing, maritime security and ecosystem health=
among other projects.

The New Zealand Space Agency will administer the pilot programme and up to =
$600,000 will be offered for each successful project, with a total of $1.8 =
million available over two years. The pilot will support a minimum of three=
projects proposed by New Zealand based organisations only.

For more information go to [www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/space/i=
ndustry-and-innovation/kiwi-space-activator]([link removed]
ce-and-technology/space/industry-and-innovation/kiwi-space-activator)https:=
//www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/space/industry-and-innovation/kiw=
i-space-activator

Applications are open and close on 1 March 2026. For more information on el=
igibility and how to apply see the New Zealand Space Agency website.

- MCERT is announced

On Tuesday, the Government confirmed the establishment of a new Ministry of=
Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), to support the Governm=
ent=E2=80=99s ambitious reform agenda in housing, transport, urban developm=
ent and the environment.

The new Ministry will bring together the Ministry for the Environment, the =
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Transport, and l=
ocal government functions such as those the Department of Internal Affairs =
administers, into one coherent new agency.

As Public Service Minister, I endorse this new ministry as the best way for=
the Government to deliver better results for taxpayers on New Zealand=E2=
=80=99s greatest economic and environmental challenges which are housing af=
fordability, our infrastructure deficit, and adaptation to climate change.

The primary purpose of the new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and=
Transport is to boost growth and productivity by reducing duplication and =
complexity, and by creating a simpler and more responsive public service. I=
t will positively impact planning, land use, housing, transport, water and =
the interface with local Government with advice to be integrated and accoun=
tability clear.

=C2=A0
So on these positive notes I warmly wish you a festive Merry Christmas, saf=
e relaxing holidays and a very prosperous New Year in 2026,
=C2=A0
Judith

Hon Judith Collins KC
MP for Papakura

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=C2=A0
New Zealand National Party
41 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand
=C2=A0
If this email advertises any event or events that asked for payment to atte=
nd, then it is a fundraising event with proceeds, after costs, being a dona=
tion to the New Zealand National Party.
=C2=A0
Authorised by J de Joux, 41 Pipitea St, Wellington.

=C2=A9 2025 | All rights reserved.

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