As we move past the shortest day the mornings are definitely a little lighter, but I am very aware of how many residents are finding winter tough this year. Fixing Labour's inflation and six years of economic mismanagement takes time, but I’m very pleased with the government’s cost-of-living relief announced this week.
As well as the tax threshold changes, we’re also increasing the in-work tax credit (which helps support low-to-middle income working families with children) by up to $50 a fortnight and extending eligibility for the up to $20 per fortnight independent earner tax credit to people earning up to $70,000 of income per year.
94% of Kiwi households will be better off with our tax package. To find out how much you and your family will benefit, use the tax calculator at Budget.govt.nz This is real and meaningful cost of living relief. Every little bit counts right now, and it is about backing hardworking kiwis.
Mid July saw the start of Semester 2 for our 22,205 Canterbury University students. This number is up 5% on 2023. As we announced in the 2024 Budget, we are replacing the ‘Fees Free’ for the first year of study with a final year ‘Fees Free’ scheme starting from January 2025. This changes the incentive from participation in tertiary education to rewarding learners when they complete their study or training.
I am very fortunate to have a talented team working in the Ilam office supporting me as I work assisting, representing and advocating for Ilam residents.
Liz - Office manager and communications. Paige – Community Outreach.
Leanne – Constituent management and diary. Lachlan – database and ICT
THE MONTH THAT WAS …. July
The Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board invited me to attend and speak at their July meeting. I enjoy a good relationship with the members and am kept up to date with local issues such as traffic management. It was great to see students from Westburn Primary school submitting on one of the local intersections. It is encouraging to see our youth engaging in local government.
Canterbury University is an important part of the Ilam electorate for many reasons. It’s a large employer in the electorate, its students are part of our community, and it does some amazing research and development, so I went along on Clubs Day and found myself at the Young Nationals stand with my colleague Maureen Pugh MP. Democracy is alive and well at the University!
Christchurch Boys’ High School’s Headmaster, Nic Hill, showed me around the school grounds and discussed progress of the school’s facilities. On the same day the Canterbury Rugby NPC Squad was released announcing three Old Boys in the squad. Congratulations to Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jamie Hannah and James White.
Another interesting visit … Dawn Aerospace
I visited Dawn Aerospace with my colleagues Hon Simeon Brown, Vanessa Weenink and Mayor Dan Gordon. Dawn is a purpose-driven space company that employs over 130 people split 50/50 between the Netherlands and New Zealand, with sales in the USA.
To develop their space transportation network, they’re providing and developing several technologies – and are a leading supplier of turnkey, green-propulsion systems for various classes of satellites. To find out more click here: Dawn Aerospace
THE MONTH AHEAD…. August
Carl Bates: Born, raised and educated in Whanganui, Carl was elected MP for the electorate in 2023 and is Deputy Chair of the Education and Workforce Select Committee and serves as a member of the Petitions Committee.
Prior to politics he set up his own business and spent a number of years both in New Zealand and overseas. Carl served as director and chair of international businesses and in 2016 was named the Young Business Person of the Year at Wellington Regional Business Excellence awards and in 2022 became one of the youngest Chartered Fellows of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.
Tim Costley: Elected MP for Otaki in 2023, Tim also is a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee as well as the Governance and Administration Committee
Prior to politics Tim served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, as a helicopter pilot with operational service in Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands, and humanitarian missions in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand. Tim founded The Missing Wingman Trust, a charity caring for Air Force families.
Tim has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Physics (Massey Uni) and a Master’s degree in International Defence and Security (Cranfield Uni, UK)
The CCC has opened applications for subsidies for ‘Summer with your Neighbours’ events which will run from 26 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. Applications close 5pm 11th August.
I hope you are able to get out and see the early signs of spring in the garden as the bulbs and blossom signal the change of season.
Kind regards,
Hamish Campbell
Office Address: Fendalton Village, 5/376 Ilam Road (cnr Ilam/Clyde Rds).
Phone: 03 3593665