Dear John,
This year’s Budget reaffirmed National's commitment to fixing the basics and building a secure future for all New Zealanders.
It also made a significant investment to improve the resilience of State Highway 25 and deliver a replacement of the Kirikiri Stream Bridge on State Highway 26. In total these projects will see $85 million invested in our region to reduce the risk of road closures and improve reliability for the people and businesses that rely on these roads every day.
We can't stop severe weather from happening, but we can be much better prepared for it.
SCOTT'S NEWS
FIELDAYS AND THE PRIMARY SECTOR
I really enjoyed catching up with our local farmers, growers and businesses who attended Fieldays this year. The event is an opportunity for the primary sector to showcase the innovation that is driving the sector’s current and future growth. It’s also a chance for the wider community to get a better understanding of the work that farmers and growers do each and every day.
National backs farmers to do what they do best, which is producing for New Zealand and the world. Over the last two years we’ve signed new trade deals, such as the India Free Trade Agreement, which creates more opportunities for them to sell their produce to the world. We’ve also removed agriculture from the ETS, disbanded He Waka Eke Noa, and we’re replacing the RMA with a new planning system to reduce costs and drive on-farm growth.
This approach is working and at Fieldays it was announced that New Zealand’s 12-month primary sector exports will hit a record $64.3 billion at the end of June. That’s more than a six percent increase on the previous year and comes despite the challenging global market we’ve been navigating.
NEW CLASSROOMS FOR OUR REGION
As part of a wider programme to redevelop and build new classrooms across the country, both Katikati Primary School and Paeroa College are getting two new classrooms.
I had an opportunity to visit the schools and to speak with the Principals about the new funding and what it means for them and their students. These classrooms will ensure students are learning in safe, warm, dry and fit-for-purpose classrooms.
National is committed to fixing the school property system that was nearing a crisis point when we came into office. We have turned this around by reducing the cost of building new classrooms through offsite manufacturing and have now reached a milestone with nearly 1400 new classrooms funded since we were elected.
This is about investing in students, backing communities, and making sure school property is fit for the future.
UPDATES TO THE RETIREMENT VILLAGE ACT
Over the last few weeks, I have been visiting retirement villages around the electorate to talk to residents about the Government’s proposals to update Retirement Villages legislation and all the implications.
The proposals are aimed at providing clearer expectations, more consistent processes, and greater confidence for residents and their families. They include a process to apply for early access to funds in situations of specific need, interest being paid after six months if a unit remains unlicensed, repayment of funds no later than 12 months after a unit is vacated, and weekly fees and deductions stopping immediately when a resident vacates.
I hope that this legislation will be introduced in mid-2026 and the Select Committee process will provide another opportunity for residents, families, and operators to have their say.
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]
