Dear John,

As you probably know the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that I am to be appointed as President of the New Zealand Law Commission and therefore will not stand as an MP at the 2026 election.

I have served Parliament and the public service as a Member of Parliament, Minister, and Leader of the Opposition for 24 years and I have achieved many outcomes that you, as my constituents, have required, despite some difficult times and challenges, over the years. I am very grateful for the loyalty that you have shown in voting for me in eight general elections as a result.

I acknowledge wholeheartedly my National Party Papakura Electorate Executive who have organised the Electorate activities and campaigns so successfully over the past 24 years. I know they are preparing for another sterling effort for 2026 and all the opportunities that it holds.

I thank the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for allowing me stand down and pursue another career in law which is something that I have always considered and the Law Commission is going to be a wonderful challenge for me. However, be assured that I will remain focussed as your MP until my new role commences in the middle of the year.

Thank you everyone who has sent me messages of support since the announcement was made; they are much appreciated.

First specialist schools in 50 years announced

It is exciting to pass on Education Minister Erica Stanford’s announcement that the Government is building a new day specialist school in Drury, near Ngakaroa School, that will support education for children with high and complex needs in the Papakura electorate. The last such specialist school was built in Hamilton in 1977.

We already have Rosehill School in Papakura and Parkside Specialist School in Pukekohe doing wonderful work in this area of education. Rosehill School alone is supporting 14 specialist satellite classrooms across south Auckland with new ones already on the way to be located at Papakura Normal School.

Drury’s new school will give families in the south of the Electorate more support and confidence that their children can learn in an environment that suits them. It will be built on an existing Ministry of Education property and its facilities will include accessible indoor and outdoor learning spaces, along with family space and therapy areas for 54 students initially. It is envisaged that the Drury specialist school will expand to accommodate 90 students. However new satellite classes will also be utilised preferably using existing capacity in the schooling network because this enables a wider geographical coverage of specialist provision for families across Auckland south.

This is great news as I am a firm believer in providing education that gives the foundations for a successful life for all children.

Incorporated Societies need to re-register before 5 April 2026

There are 11,000 plus incorporated societies that need to re-register themselves under a law change made by the 2022 Labour Government, that requires that all Incorporated Societies including clubs, charities, unions and political parties to re-register by 5 April 2026.

Failure to re-register could lead to the freezing of a group’s bank accounts and jeopardise funding and lease arrangements because a group that has not re-registered will not have legal status. It will also mean that members will miss out on protection from personal liability, and could face other legal complications.

From 5 April 2026, Incorporated Societies need to provide a bank account, and a new constitution with rules for distributing assets and resolving disputes as part of their registration which needs to be approved by the group’s members at a meeting and then filed with the Companies Office.

If groups and societies decide not to re-register, they would need to formally wind up or opt to become a different entity before 5 April 2026.

The re-registration process is relatively simple and the Companies Office website supplies information and assistance. Refer to

Law changes for Incorporated Societies ([link removed])

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment confirmed that as long as the constitution complied with the rules and was filed before the deadline, the incorporated society could continue operating and there was some leeway available for some Residents’ Associations that have property in common who still need to submit by 5 April, but may have a distribution of assets allowable until October 2028. ([link removed])

For your Diary - Events:

The Papakura Business Association are supporting a seminar called Generation Next with Jehan Casinader. Jehan will lead a workshop on Managing and Retaining the next generation of workers.

Wednesday 18th February at 10:00am - 11:30am

At Papakura Theatre Company (PTC) Tickets can be obtained by clicking this link
2 for the price of 1 options available ([link removed]) !

Parkfest 2026

Parkfest will run on 7 March from 10am in Papakura Central Park, Opaheke Road, with music, food and family activities. Entry is free.

The Papakura Franklin Blue Light Trolley Derby is on 21 March 2026

Register here: Papakura Blue Light Trolley Derby Registration ([link removed]) before 6 March

I hope to see you at some of these events, best wishes,

Judith

Hon Judith Collins KC

MP for Papakura
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