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Dear John Happy New Year! I hope you had time to relax and recharge over the Christmas period. In this issue:
2023—Election YearI am looking forward to the year ahead. I will be fighting on your behalf to make New Zealand the country you want it to be. As New Zealanders, we have so much to be grateful for! January has been eventful in New Zealand politics. New PortfolioAfter Christopher Luxon’s reshuffle at our recent National caucus meeting in Napier, I have picked up an extra portfolio—Family Violence Prevention—which goes hand-in-hand with my Social Development and Employment and Child Poverty Reduction portfolios. I caught up with Merepeka Raukawa-Tait at Rātana this week. With her experience in the Women's Refuge space and her role with Whānau Ora, she has much to teach me about Family Violence Prevention.
My focus is getting the 170,500 New Zealanders on the Jobseeker benefit into work, particularly the 103,000 of them that have been on the benefit for more than a year. We need to break the vicious welfare dependency cycle. Around 100,000 receiving the benefit are considered ‘work-ready’. National will support community organisations which deliver tailored coaching for young jobseekers. We will set clear expectations. Those on benefits who are able to work will be obliged to prepare themselves for work and turn up for work if they secure a job. If they refuse to engage in the process without good reason, sanctions will be applied. Those who break their dependence on benefits will be rewarded. Getting those able to work into jobs has wider-reaching effects, including reducing the number (209,000) of children living in benefit-dependent households. That number has risen 36,000 under Labour so far. Family violence often goes hand-in-hand with poverty. Improving outcomes in my portfolio areas has flow-on effects—especially for health, education, crime, housing and the economy—and I welcome the opportunity to make a big difference for New Zealanders. The 14 October general election is less than nine months away. Until then, I will be on the National Party benches trying to prevent ill-fated bills becoming law, planning for a prosperous future New Zealand, and meeting with as many people as I can to hear their concerns. The Labour Party has also had a reshuffle. Choosing Chris Hipkins as their new leader is like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. He has been part of the triumvirate that steered New Zealand into this cost-of-living iceberg. It is the most pressing concern for New Zealanders, yet oddly, the finance minister keeps his post. While Chris Hipkins is at the helm trying to chart a new course, Grant Robertson is in the smoking room looking up his sleeve for aces. Jacinda Ardern is already in the lifeboat. If the current government has a plan to save the economy, why has it waited until now to put it into action? Cost of living crisisNational has a 5-point plan to fight the cost-of-living crisis:
RātanaIt was great to join the thousands-strong crowd at Rātana again this year and especially to connect with people from Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Waikato-Tainui. This visit was extra special as I got to see inside the temple for the first time.
It was nice to catch up with my colleagues, National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Willis (centre) and National's candidate for Rangitīkei Suze Redmayne (right), after the Christmas break. Taupō ElectorateNew Zealand Order of MeritCongratulations to the people appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit by the King this New Year. Those honoured in the Taupō electorate are:
You are all assets to your communities and the recognition is well deserved. You can view the full New Year Honours List here. Sir Patrick Hogan (CBE and KNZM)I was saddened to learn of Sir Patrick Hogan’s passing earlier this month. He was aged 83. I extended my sympathies to his wife, Lady Justine, and his family and friends at his funeral service. Sir Patrick was hard-working, innovative and committed to his faith and family. He became known worldwide for his contribution to the Thoroughbred racing industry. I am no expert in horses, but when I first visited the Cambridge Stud in 2009 with then Minister for Racing Hon John Carter, it was obvious that Sir Patrick had a special connection to his horses. We had some lively discussions over the years, and I will remember the advice he gave me! Taupō Lakefront DevelopmentThe developments in Roberts Street and Lake Terrace which will connect people to the waterfront in Taupō are taking shape. The area is already becoming the beating heart of the town. Lots of locals and visitors were out enjoying the world-famous views on the lakefront when I visited on Monday.
RoadsThe holiday period has again highlighted the need for improved roads in the Taupō electorate (and throughout the country). The deadly stretch of SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere caused delays and risky behaviour once again. See my latest video here. Given the nine deaths and 32 serious injuries on that road in the last five years, the government must begin planning and building the Expressway extension immediately.
Long queues of traffic on SH29 waiting to turn onto SH1 at Piarere, queues of traffic entering Tirau from the north, the dangerous corner at Bulli Point, potholes . . . the list of problems goes on. There will be delays and detours around Bulli Point during February and March. Visit the Waka Kotahi website to plan your journey. I will continue to hold the current government to account on the state of our roads, and will make it a high priority for National if the party is elected into government in October.
Back to SchoolAs students head back to school, take extra care on the roads. I wish them all the best as they catch up on the learning time they lost in the last couple of years. Mangakino LakefrontIf you’d like a say on the redevelopment of the Mangakino lakefront, Taupō District Council is hosting engagement events on Saturday 4 February 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and Tuesday 7 February 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the St John Mangakino Ambulance Station. A draft plan will be available to discuss at the events. Click here for more information. It seems the Mangakino Bus Stop Café will be an early casualty of the redevelopment. Garry Gradwell and his purple bus will be sorely missed! Out and AboutOpening of the K'aute Pasifika VillageI recently attended the opening of the K'aute Pasifika Village in Hamilton. It incorporates health and wellbeing, social, employment and housing services, as well as an early learning centre and a communal fale. Some students from Tokoroa High School were part of the warm welcome we received.
See a video on my Instagram page. Te Awa River Ride Congratulations to Waipā District Council, Waka Kotahi, Waikato District Council and Hamilton City Council on the completion of Te Awa. The river trail from Karāpiro to Ngāruawāhia is a great asset to the region and I look forward to cycling the new section over the summer. The Aotearoa Bike Challenge coming up in February has inspired me to brush the cobwebs off my treadly!
Upcoming eventsWaitangi DayI'm looking forward to the Waitangi Day celebrations this year. The day won't be the same without Titewhai Harawira. Her tireless work made a huge difference for Māori. I extend my condolences to her whānau and friends. Upcoming engagement opportunitiesFacebook LiveMy next chat will be in February. Join me to discuss the issues that currently concern you. Tuesday 14 February 8 p.m. Friendly ForumsFriendly Forums are open to all and are a great way for you to let me know your concerns and priorities and ask me questions. Taupō: 3 March 2023, 10 a.m.–11.30 a.m. Rotary House, 12 Story Place, Taupō Cambridge: 17 March 2023, 10 a.m.–11.30 a.m. Seminar Room, Taylor Made Community Space, 22A Taylor Street, Cambridge South Waikato (Tokoroa): 27 March 2023, 10 a.m.–11.30 a.m. South Waikato Sport and Events Centre, 25 Mossop Road, Tokoroa Electorate AssistanceIf you need help from my team, please email or phone one of my offices. The Cambridge office at 3 Anzac Street is open Mondays and Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Fridays by appointment only. The Taupō office at 67 Paora Hapi Street is open Mondays – Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Fridays by appointment only. Electorate Clinic Appointments Clinics are by appointment, so please call or email the office for available slots. Cambridge – 07 8275572 or [email protected] South Waikato – 07 886 5554 or [email protected] Taupō – 07 3765563 or [email protected]
Kind regards, Hon Louise Upston |
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