Just a couple of days to go before Christmas - where did the year go?! I want to start the final Bishop Bulletin for the year by wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

2025 has been tough for many, mainly because of the New Zealand economy, but there's a real sense of optimism out there I reckon and green shoots coming through. The economy grew by 1.1% in the September quarter, well ahead of forecasts, and business confidence is now at a 30 year high. Consumer confidence is at its highest level in more than four years. Building consent numbers are trending back up, there's billions of infrastructure projects underway, inflation is back within the target band, and the food and fibre sector is booming, with fruit exports passing $6 billion this year.

Most importantly - the government is laying the foundations for sustainable, long-term growth that lifts living standards and our prosperity - whether it be education reform, the work I'm doing in RMA reform, Chris Penk's excellent work in building and construction, and more. There's lots of things underway, and lots more to do!

India FTA: Some excellent news overnight with the signing of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand. India is a country of 1.4 billion people and the economy is forecast to grow to $12 trillion by 2030 (yes you read that right). We've just signed an agreement that eliminates and reduces tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports – among the highest of any Indian FTA - with almost 57 per cent being duty-free from day one, increasing to 82 per cent when fully implemented. This includes immediate tariff elimination on sheep meat, wool, coal and over 95 per cent of forestry and wood exports, and duty-free access on most seafood exports, including mussels and salmon, over seven years. 

You might remember during the election campaign in 2023, we said our aim was to sign a deal within three years. It's just fantastic to get it done in two years and it's a real testament to the hard work of our trade negotiators, particularly Trade Minister Todd McClay. We've invested deeply in the relationship and I look forward to my first visit to India as a Minister in March next year.

My year: It's traditional at this time of year to reflect on the year just gone and I have to say, I'm exhausted but quietly proud of some good progress in all my portfolios. RMA Reform announced a couple of weeks ago is obviously the number one highlight, but the Fast Track regime is also going extremely well (nine projects consented already and a heap on the way) and we've also made the biggest changes to national direction under the RMA in history, including consent-free granny flat rules which come into force next year. And the Gordon Wilson flats will soon be goneburger! I talked about some of this on Kerre Woodham last week (listen here).

In housing, we've launched a comprehensive new Housing Investment Strategy, continued to invest in social housing, moved kids out of motels into housing (there were 3000 in November 2023 in motels, now there's just 300), and enacted new rules making it easier for people have pets in tenancies. We're in the process of legislating important changes to infrastructure funding and financing, giving councils new tools to recover infrastructure costs related to housing. The social housing register is down, rents are falling and housing affordability is increasing. More to do but I'll take it!

 

Perhaps unsurprisingly given all of that, the Parliamentary record indicates that I've spoken the most in Parliament this year! 

So I'm ready for a break and after a couple of final meetings in the Beehive today, my focus is on last minute Christmas shopping for Jenna, Jeremy and Matilda and then relaxing over Christmas with them. I'm back on deck from January 12. My Hutt office will reopen then as well while Wainuiomata will reopen on Tuesday 20 January, after Wellington anniversary.

If you see us around the Hutt then please say hello.

You can read more about what I've been up to below - too much to cover here!

Merry Christmas.

Chris

P.S Did you see we're moving to fix the nonsense law that embroiled La Bella Italia all those years ago?

Some Christmas good news. You might remember I’ve been campaigning for year for a law change to help restaurants like La Bella Italia, speciality restaurants that serve food but also sell grocery items and wine.. I had a Member’s Bill in the ballot for years to sort out this nonsense and it’s now been adopted as part of a government bill. The Dom Post covered it here.

I attended the blessing and opening of 38 social homes in Nelson, delivered by Home in Place, in Nelson last week.. These are all one- and two-bedroom homes, which is significant given that around 80% of the social register requires a one- or two-bedroom home. There are also another 58 homes on the way in Nelson being delivered by Kāinga Ora, and an additional 81 that will be provided through community housing providers. Speech here.

I'm so proud of Hutt City Rotary Club, my own club. Was good to talk to them a couple of weeks ago about my local work. Thanks to all Rotarians for the amazing work they do in our communities.

What do you think? (No comments on the girth please, diet underway this summer!!) Old mate Glenn Phillips doesn’t look too impressed does he.

This is from the West Indies/Black Caps function at Parliament the other night.