Dear John,

I’m really excited that the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement is going to be signed over the next few days. This historic agreement gives our exporters unprecedented access to 1.4 billion people and an economy set to become the third-largest in the world.

As a trading nation, which relies on exporting our goods around the world, this is positive news for those working in our primary sector, such as aquaculture, agriculture and horticulture. The free trade agreement will see tariffs eliminated or reduced on 95 percent of our exports, with duty-free access on almost 57 percent of New Zealand’s exports from day one.

The signing of the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement on 27 April will activate the standard parliamentary process, allowing Parliament and the public to scrutinise the agreement through the Select Committee.






SCOTT'S NEWS



TARGETED FUEL SUPPORT

The Government has announced immediate support to help ease the pressure that higher fuel prices are putting on the budgets of small, rural schools.

We’re investing $37 million to accelerate replacing diesel boilers in up to 70 schools nationwide, which is expected to save around 600,000 litres of diesel per year, reducing costs and improving long-term resilience.

The Government has also temporarily increased the Relief Teacher Transport Allowance mileage rates, which will help schools attract relief teachers without passing costs onto staff. There will also be an increase in the conveyance allowance by 30 percent to help eligible families with the cost of getting children to school or the nearest bus route, benefiting 5,000 further students.

This support builds upon the Government’s previous announcements, which saw a boost to the mileage rates available for home and community support workers, as well targeted fuel support for low to middle income working parents through changes to the In-Work Tax Credit.




CHANGES TO WARRANT OF FITNESS AND CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS INSPECTIONS

The Government has confirmed that changes are coming to the frequency which people will need to get a WoF or CoF for their vehicles.

The big changes are that from 1 November 2026, most light vehicles under 14 years old will move to two-yearly WoF inspections, and new vehicles will go to four years before their second WoF. Older vehicles, motorcycles, and light rental vehicles move from six monthly to yearly inspections.

These simple changes will reduce some of the hassle that Kiwis face when ensuring their vehicles are compliant, as well as saving a bit of time and money. Ensuring that cars on our roads are safe to drive is still the priority; we’ve just aligned the inspection effort with actual safety risk which will result in less time spent jumping through administrative hoops.




ANZAC DAY IS THIS SATURDAY

Finally, I know many of you will be attending Anzac Day services throughout our region to show your respects to those who have served our country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

This year’s Anzac Day services will take on added significance, because it’s the first commemoration to formally recognise all those who have served New Zealand in times of war.

The legislation that gives effect to Anzac Day hadn’t been updated since 1966, and it specified that service personnel from six conflicts, ranging from the South African War to the Vietnam War, were to be acknowledged. This also included those who have given their lives in service of New Zealand at any time.

Earlier this year, the Government passed the Anzac Day Amendment Act which makes the commemorative services more inclusive by officially covering other conflicts and people who have served New Zealand in times of war or in warlike conflicts in the past and in the future. This includes those who have participated in peace keeping missions and those who served in non-military roles in conflicts, such as medical personnel and the Home Guard.

Lest We Forget.







For more updates, check out my Facebook page.


Scott's Facebook Page [link removed]



COROMANDEL ELECTORATE OFFICE

614 Pollen Street, Thames

0800 550 330

[email protected]



[link removed]

[link removed]

www.national.org.nz [link removed]

41 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand

Authorised by Scott Simpson, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

This email was sent to [email protected]

Click here to manage your preferences or [link removed] from all emails. [link removed]