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Dear John,

As we reflect on the year gone by, I want to sincerely thank you for your s=
upport. Your commitment is valued, and I genuinely appreciate the trust you=
continue to show.

We all know that we live in the best part of the country and it=E2=80=99s s=
o positive that the Government continues to commit to supporting economic g=
rowth in our province and building the future. Let me highlight the support=
that the National Government has given to our community, and our province,=
this year. =C2=A0

Tourism Gains Support

$393,000 has been allocated to this region for a new Southern tourism campa=
ign, aimed at encouraging Australians to holiday here. This is on top of an=
other $350,000 last year, from the Government=E2=80=99s Regional Tourism Bo=
ost. And in further support, five Southland events, including the Burt Munr=
o Challenge and the Invercargill round of the NZ Premier Motorsport Summer =
Series, will also receive $93,000 in Government funding for promotions.

Infrastructure Funding

A huge $38.31 million, from the Government=E2=80=99s Regional Infrastructur=
e Fund, for eight Southland projects will boost further economic growth. Th=
is includes $2.2m to support the development of a Southland aquaculture bus=
iness hub at Bluff, the first stage of a new solar farm and network upgrade=
on Stewart Island, thanks to a $15.35m suspensory loan, and a $2.25m loan =
to create a regional space hub at the Awarua SpaceOps Satellite Station.

Great to have Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay in Southland recen=
tly, where we visited the Thornbury Vintage Machinery Club
=C2=A0
Flood Protection

Five local flood protection projects have also been boosted through new inf=
rastructure funding, including the Oreti River project ($3m), and the Apari=
ma River and Otautau Stream and the Te Anau Basin projects ($300,000 each).=
Almost $15m has also been pledged for Invercargill and Oreti Flood Resilie=
nce stop bank upgrades and improvements to the Mataura River Flood protecti=
on project.
=C2=A0
Rail Network Progress
=C2=A0
The Government has backed the economy in Southland with one of the largest =
investments in our local rail network. The Rail Network Investment Programm=
e will invest $1.36 billion over three years, across provincial New Zealand=
=E2=80=99s rail network. In Southland and Otago, that will include 21km of =
re-sleepering, 13km of re-railing and 10 turnout replacements, for the 2024=
/25-2026/27 period, along with bridge renewals and resealing of 24 level cr=
ossings.

Congratulations to Sophie Ineson, of Southland Girls=E2=80=99 High School, =
who won this year=E2=80=99s Prime Minister=E2=80=99s Space Prize for studen=
t endeavour, receiving $50,000 to support her tertiary education.

Southland Space Sector Boost

Another $2.25m Government loan will fire up space operations in the South. =
The SpaceOps Satellite Station, is a project that has massive potential for=
our province, creating a regional space hub to support the development of =
Southland=E2=80=99s space sector, boosting employment and economic growth a=
nd resilience.

RMA Reforms

We=E2=80=99ve reformed the RMA =E2=80=93 meaning Southlanders will be able =
to do more with their properties without having to get a consent, while far=
mers will benefit from fewer rules and regulations. Strong Government suppo=
rt this year has been crucial in supporting our province, as we continue to=
grow our economy, improve opportunities and keep local people in work.

SIT back for Southland
=C2=A0
We have returned SIT to Southland and to local control, empowering the comm=
unity, learners, employers and industry to take ownership. This has been a =
goal of mine over a long period. I am proud that it has finally been realis=
ed for the benefit of the whole province. =C2=A0=C2=A0

Boost to Southland school property budgets

Nine Southland schools will gain a boost to their maintenance funding, the =
first time since 2010. Southland young people deserve to thrive at school, =
with warm, safe and dry classrooms. The Southland schools are: Menzies Coll=
ege, Waiau Area School, Southland Boys=E2=80=99 and Southland Girls=E2=80=
=99 High Schools, James Hargest College, Gorge Road, Invercargill Middle, W=
indsor North and Otatara Schools.

Southland youth early intervention

Southland young people will benefit from a $300,000 Government investment i=
n youth development programmes focused on early intervention and prevention=
support. Southland's Miharo Murihiku Trust will receive $140,250, over thr=
ee years, while the YMCA Invercargill will receive $165,000, over three yea=
rs.
=C2=A0

Great to be a part of the Southland Santa Parade this year =E2=80=93 with m=
y grandson Fife the elf helping out.

Merry Christmas
=C2=A0
I=E2=80=99d like to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and=
a safe, restful holiday season.

I hope you get the chance to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with t=
hose who matter most to you and I look forward to seeing you all in 2026.

My Office will close on 24 December at noon and will reopen on 19 January 2=
026.

=C2=A0
Warmest regards,=C2=A0
Penny Simmonds |=C2=A0MP for Invercargill

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=C2=A9 2025 | All rights reserved.

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