Welcome to the first of my new monthly newsletters that I will be sending out to keep you up to date with my activities in the electorate, and in Wellington as our Government works hard to get our country back on track.
It's officially now spring and as the evenings start to get lighter, so too does the outlook in the economy as we move to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. The Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate to 5.25%, but this is more than just a number—it's a sign of hope for the many Kiwis who have been struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Recent Key Announcements:
Promised cost of living relief is here: The Government has delivered on its promise to New Zealanders with tax relief for hardworking Kiwis. (Beehive PR)
Urgent action taken to bolster energy security: New Zealand is in the midst of an energy shortage, and we are taking urgent action to bolster our energy security (Beehive PR)
New pathway for essential seasonal workers: The coalition Government is providing immediate relief to employers with upcoming seasonal peaks by creating a new subcategory of the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV). (Beehive PR)
Back to basics for local government: The Government has announced measures to ensure councils are getting back to basics to reduce the cost of living, deliver core services and infrastructure, and improve the efficiency of decision making. (Beehive PR)
Unlocking Local Water Done Well: New water service delivery models that will drive crucial infrastructure investment have been approved by Cabinet, immediately providing improved access to finance for water council-controlled organisations (CCOs). (Beehive PR)
Justice Select Committee: Heard submissions on the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill. The Bill aims to restore the key features of the Three Strikes regime that was repealed in 2022. (Beehive PR)
Applications open for new innovation fund: Applications are open for the Government’s first round of the new $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund. (Beehive PR)
Government acts on disability review findings: Immediate action will be taken to stabilise the disability support system after an independent review found the Ministry of Disabled People — Whaikaha was ‘ill-prepared’ to deliver these services when it was established in 2022. (Beehive PR)
New Zealand to benefit from end to gene tech ban: The Government is ending New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab in a move which will bring health benefits, productivity and climate gains for New Zealanders. (Beehive PR)
Delivering more competitive banking for Kiwis: The Government will act on all 14 recommendations made by the Commerce Commission’s final report into bank competition. (Beehive PR)
South Canterbury pilot area for new radio network: The Coalition Government welcomed the launch of a new national radio network that will provide emergency responders with the modern, resilient, and secure radio communications technology (Beehive PR)
Upcoming events:
12-23 Sep South Canterbury Outstanding Food Festival (SCOFF)
15 Sep Alzheimer's South Canterbury Memory Walk (Details Here)
21 Sep Litter-free Ashburton Keep NZ Beautiful campaign (Details Here)
27 Sep Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton Library and Civic Centre official opening (Ashburton District Council PR)
18 Oct Timaru Lunch Club: Guest Speaker, Tom Rutherford MP for Bay of Plenty
25 Oct Ashburton Lunch Club: Guest Speaker, Tim Costley MP for Ōtaki
Highlights:
How brilliant was the Kiwi team's performance at the Olympics! New Zealand punching well above our weight on the international stage. A total of twenty medals, ten of those gold, including one for our own Jorja Miller in the rugby sevens - what a legend!
In July, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the electorate for a full day of activities, seeing what makes our region so special. He spent the morning in Mid Canterbury inspecting the state of school property at Ashburton College, meeting with future student leaders, then he visited the Ruralco Instore Days, to hear direct from farmers and suppliers about what it’s like out there at the grass roots right now.
In South Canterbury he visited Mt Cook Alpine Salmon’s processing plant. Mt Cook Alpine are a huge success story for our region. Sourcing their King Salmon from the canals in the Mackenzie, fish are processed daily for domestic sale and export overseas.
In the afternoon he officially opened the new Fraser Park pavilion, in front of a couple of hundred supporters, South Canterbury Rugby Union members, donors and local leaders. Congratulations to Rooney’s, Thompson’s, and all the fundraisers and subbies who have created a fantastic asset for our region.
Selfie by: Christopher Luxon.
Our final stop was the popular annual Matariki Night Market on Stafford Street. What a reception we got, the PM was mobbed by well-wishes and supporters. It was the perfect event to finish a successful visit with the boss. Well done to everyone in the team and the electorate, I think he enjoyed his day!
It was a pleasure to welcome Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis to the electorate in August. We spent time with the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, before visiting Barkers and animal supplement business Fourflax who are based in Ashburton. It was fantastic to see what has made these businesses so successful and what we as a Government can do to support them through growth-enabling regulation.
Photograph by: Stu Jackson.
Nicola officially opened our South Canterbury Office in Timaru. It was great to see so many familiar faces there to celebrate. Both electorate offices are in full swing and are ready to help with any concerns you may have.
Contact the team:
Office Hours: Mondays 1pm - 4pm, Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm.
Call: South Canterbury 03 683 2009 or Mid Canterbury 03 307 1729.
Take care,
James
Follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JamesMeagerMP.