Dear John, July brings a distinct shift in rhythm as the deep winter chill truly settles in. With the mild autumn days now well behind us, the crisp morning frosts and long, dark evenings serve as a clear reminder that we have officially crossed the threshold into the second half of the year. There is a natural pause that comes with this time of year. As the winter landscape deepens, it encourages us to slow down, lean into our comforting winter routines, and re-establish our focus. It’s an ideal vantage point, a mid-year moment to look ahead with clear intention, bracing ourselves against the elements while channeling our energy into what we want to build and achieve in the months to come.
Heartland Heroes: Here’s to the Volunteers By Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country. In Heartland New Zealand, volunteers are our quiet heroes. I call them quiet because in my many, many discussions with volunteers, I have yet to find one who does it for personal recognition, and virtually none who do it for reward beyond the satisfaction of knowing they are giving something back to their community. If you ask me, calling it “giving back” hardly does it justice. In plenty of our Taranaki and King Country towns, volunteers really are the heartbeat of local life, sometimes in the truest sense. Take emergency response, for example. Our rural fire brigades, Land Search and Rescue teams, and Hato Hone St John first responders all count on local volunteers who are willing to drop everything and help when the call comes in. These volunteers put in the hours to train, to keep the gear in good nick, and to turn up in the middle of the night or right in the middle of a workday to keep us safe and well. And none of it would be possible without the backing of their bosses and families at home. They deserve a big thank you as well. Volunteers are just as vital to health and well-being. Community drivers get folks to medical appointments that might be hours away. Local groups check in on older neighbours, drop off meals, and run support networks to help ease loneliness. In many rural areas, things like mental health programmes, parenting support, and youth activities are only available because someone local is willing to pitch in. Sport and recreation out here wouldn’t happen without volunteers, either. Coaches, managers, refs, and committee members all help make sure our children and adults get a go at rugby, netball, kapa haka, and plenty of other activities. These get-togethers do more than just keep people active. They build friendships, give our young people good role models, and help everyone feel proud of where they come from. All up, our quiet heroes are what keep our rural communities strong and close-knit. When we back them and show our thanks, we help make sure that good old community spirit sticks around for the next generation. If you want to get involved, there are plenty of ways to lend a hand. Reach out to your local fire brigade, community groups, or sports clubs to see what kind of help is needed. Even small things like offering to drive someone to an appointment or helping at a community working bee can make a big difference. And if volunteering your time isn't possible, supporting local groups through donations or spreading the word about what they do is always appreciated. Every bit helps to keep our rural communities strong.
Coffee Catch Ups I would like to invite you to join me at one of the below locations for a coffee and a chat. With the General Election only a few months away I thought that if you had any questions, or just wanted to say hello we could catchup. I will be at the following local cafes: Tuesday 14 July – 3pm Elaine Wheelers House – 29 Gold Road, Taumarunui ( please RSVP attendance only to [email protected] ) Wednesday 15 July - 10am Bosco’s, 57 Te Kumi Road, Te Kūiti. Friday 24 July - 11am Urenui Pub, 967 Main North Road, Urenui. Friday 31 July – 11am Central Café, 201 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu Friday 28 August - 10am Fat Kiwi Café, 10 Te Kanawa Street, Otorohanga If you are attending one at a local café please come in and purchase a coffee or tea at the counter then come over and join me.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Fieldays this year! The turnout was absolutely incredible, and the grounds were buzzing with positive energy, innovation, and community spirit. It was fantastic to reconnect with so many familiar faces and celebrate the very best of our industry together.
The opening night of Fieldays kicked off with a bang at the Rural Industry Leaders Dinner and Auction. With over 600 people, including top rural sector leaders, familiar political faces, and local legends, the evening was packed with sharp wit during the annual debate and incredible generosity during the live auctions. In total, an amazing $400,000 was raised to benefit the Rural Support Trust, bolstering their vital work supporting farmers, growers, and rural families across New Zealand. A massive thank you to everyone who contributed to such a positive and impactful night!
Congratulations to the recipients of the New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards in Parliament last night. THANK YOU all for the work you do. Special mention of Operation Skeet - Mt Taranaki - Search, Rescue and Recovery for your Certificate of Achievement.
It was fantastic to see such a brilliant turnout at Raglan Area School recently for the Science and Technology Roadshow! I thoroughly enjoyed dropping in to see the school buzzing with energy as students eagerly dived into the interactive displays and hands-on experiments. Fostering a passion for science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) early on is so vital for our young people, and this roadshow did a phenomenal job of making complex ideas accessible and incredibly fun. A huge thank you to the staff at Raglan Area School for hosting, and to all the students whose curiosity and bright questions made the day such a standout success. It’s clear the future of Kiwi innovation is in very safe hands!
Innovation in Agribusiness: SMEs and Startups Leading Change Across New Zealand, small and medium agribusinesses — along with ambitious startups — are driving some of the most exciting innovation in our food and fibre sector. Their ideas, technologies, and new ways of working are reshaping how we produce food, support rural communities, and build a more resilient future. From smarter on‑farm tools to new value‑add ventures, digital solutions, and sustainability‑focused business models, these innovators are helping the sector adapt to changing expectations, global competition, and environmental pressures. Their agility and creativity are opening doors for farmers, regional economies, and the next generation of industry leaders. This webinar is an opportunity to explore what’s working, where the momentum is building, and how we can better support the people and businesses leading this change. Date: Wednesday, 15 July Time: 7.00pm Location: Online We want to hear from you. Share your experiences, ask questions, and be part of the conversation. Register and submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/GWhYCvVha6v1qbf86
Big Announcements from the month: National to further boost Kiwis’ financial security: A re-elected National Government will strengthen New Zealanders’ financial security by making KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers from 1 July 2028, alongside other ambitious changes (National PR) National to back cheaper, more resilient power: A re-elected National Government will strengthen New Zealand’s energy resilience and help lower power bills by supporting households to move to solar power. (National PR) $215 million boost from new travel option: Travellers arriving on a new, simpler travel option for eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors have already brought $215 million into New Zealand’s economy in only six months (Beehive PR) Progress continues across all five health targets: More New Zealanders are being seen and treated sooner across the health system, with the latest results showing continued improvement across all five Government health targets year-on-year. (Beehive PR) Tourism Policy Statement sets sector direction: The Government is setting a clear pathway to grow tourism so that New Zealand businesses, workers and communities see benefits. (Beehive PR)
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