Meager Matters: April 2025

Welcome to my April Newsletter.

We are into the second quarter of this year already, time is flying by quickly, but this Government isn’t slowing down creating opportunities to help improve life for all Kiwis.

Our Government has unveiled 38 new actions for Q2 aimed at driving economic growth. The plan builds on promising signs of recovery, with GDP rising, inflation under control, and interest rates easing.

Key initiatives include new legislation to attract international investment, ratification of the NZ-UAE trade deal, support for tourism and international education, and progress on the 30-year National Infrastructure Plan. The plan also reinforces a commitment to disciplined delivery, with several actions already underway, like measures to increase access to building products. Eagle-eyed readers will also have noticed a Hunting and Fishing action to introduce legislation to enable the designation of herds of special interest. This will help to raise our international profile as a hunting destination and help support an increase in hunting tourism. If you are interested in reading more, please see the media release here.

Just released is a major step forward on the second Ashburton Bridge, with NZTA approving the business case and signing a partnership agreement with Ashburton District Council. This project will boost resilience on State Highway 1, reduce congestion, and improve safety and reliability for the 24,000 vehicles using the current bridge daily. Construction is set to begin in mid-2026, with NZTA managing the design and build, and Council funding the local road connections. This is a key commitment from the Government, and it’s great to see momentum building on such an important project for Mid Canterbury and the wider South Island.

There was also the major announcement to bring in new planning legislation with a common-sense approach to replace the flawed Resource Management Act. The National led Government is taking bold steps to replace the outdated Resource Management Act (RMA), which has long stalled progress on housing, infrastructure, and economic development. The current system has driven up costs, caused frustrating delays, and created a culture of ‘no’ that holds back even the most sensible projects. The new planning framework will streamline processes, reduce red tape, and empower property owners, while continuing to protect our environment.

At the heart of this reform are two new laws: the Planning Act, which focuses on land use and property rights, and the Natural Environment Act, which sets clear environmental safeguards. The new system will simplify rules, reduce the need for unnecessary consents, and allow more development as of right. A national compliance regulator will ensure environmental protections are properly enforced, and a consistent set of national policies will give councils and developers greater certainty. It’s a long-overdue change that will make it easier to build, grow, and invest in our future.

Just announced this week, a multibillion dollar plan for a modern, combat-capable New Zealand Defence Force that pulls its weight internationally and domestically. The Defence Capability Plan outlines what resources, equipment and support we need to modernise the NZDF to operate now and in the future. It covers the next 15 years and deliberately focuses on the next four years, during which we’ve identified planned commitments of $12 billion- including a $9b increase to baseline funding. Under this plan we will raise defence spending from just over one percent to more than two percent of GDP in the next eight years. Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and New Zealand has stepped up on the world stage, but our current Defence spending is simply too low. This plan fixes our eyes firmly on the horizon to secure our future prosperity and security, because without national security there simply is no economic security.

Finally, in local politics, I’d like to acknowledge Mayor Neil Brown’s decision to not seek a third term in the upcoming local body elections. Mayor Brown has been an outstanding leader and leaves behind a strong legacy of achievement and community service. It has been a privilege to work alongside Neil on issues that matter to our district, and I thank him for his years of hard work and dedication to making Ashburton District a better place for all residents.

New planning laws to end the culture of ‘no: The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment (Beehive PR)

 

Multi-billion dollar Defence plan unveiled: The Coalition Government has released a multi-billion dollar plan for a modern, combat-capable New Zealand Defence Force (Beehive PR)

Improved hunting permit system on its way: A new and improved hunting permit system will make it easier for New Zealanders to go hunting on public conservation land (Beehive PR)

Cuts to consultant, contractor spend exceed target: The Government’s move to cut public sector spending on consultants and contractors is on track to save $800 million over two years – double the initial target (Beehive PR)

Real consequences for crime restored: Kiwis can now feel safer knowing serious criminals will spend longer in prison with the Government’s sentencing reforms passing final reading in Parliament (Beehive PR)

High quality Kiwi beef and lamb helps lead economic recovery: New Zealand’s beef and lamb farmers add an extra $1.2 billion to their bank accounts this year (Beehive PR)

Cost of living support for 1.5 million New Zealanders: More than 900 thousand superannuitants and almost five thousand veterans are among the New Zealanders who have received a significant financial boost (Beehive PR)

Regional Tourism Boosts drive international growth: the successful regional tourism organisations will receive a total of $3 million for short, sharp campaigns across regional New Zealand (Beehive PR)

Justice Select Committee: The Committee has submitted its final report to the House on the Treaty Principles Bill. Submissions are currently open for the Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill (NZ Parliament Website)

Unlocking data to increase competition and choice: Easier data sharing will lead to greater competition and better choice for consumers in key markets such as banking and electricity, thanks to the passing of the Customer and Product Data Bill (Beehive PR)

Rail ferries and straightforward infrastructure: Plan announced for two new rail ferries to enter service in 2029 (Beehive PR)

Health Minister outlines 5 key health priorities: Putting the focus firmly back on patients, and ensuring the health system puts those it serves first (Beehive PR)

Government delivers breakthrough week for building: The Government will make building in New Zealand easier by unclogging the consenting system, reducing construction costs, and giving tradies the support they need (Beehive PR)

Statement by Minister Todd McClay following U.S. tariff announcement: While this is a significant development, New Zealand remains competitive against other exporters in the U.S. market (Beehive PR)

If you are interested here is a link to read the PR Releases relating to my Ministerial portfolios.

11 Apr Let’s Talk about the Gender Pay Gap with Hon Nicola Grigg - Minister for Women, South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce event, Timaru.

11-12 Apr Parliamentary Cricket, Rugby, and Netball, raising money for Sands NZ and Stroke Aotearoa NZ, Hamilton.

12 Apr Master Builders Apprentice of the Year, Ashburton

21 Apr Mackenzie Highland A&P Show, Fairlie.

25 Apr ANZAC Day commemorations

2-4 May Mainland Conference, Dunedin

Visit the following sites for more information on events happening in our region:

I’m happy to announce the Rangitata Youth MP for 2025 is Maevi Fleming from Roncalli College in Timaru! She will represent the electorate at the upcoming Youth Parliament in Wellington this July.  As the Minister for Youth, I’m really looking forward to hosting this year’s Youth Parliament activities, there’ll be Youth MPs and the Youth Press Gallery representing their electorates, they’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and insights that will benefit both themselves and their communities. I also want to thank all the brilliant young people who applied in the Rangitata. While they may not have been selected as my Youth MP, they now have the exciting opportunity to be part of my new local Youth Advisory Group and play a valuable role as advocates and leaders for youth issues in the Rangitata.

It was a pleasure to welcome Katie Nimon, MP for Napier to the electorate as guest speaker at the South Canterbury Lunch Club. While in Timaru we visited Timaru Girls’ High School and Gleniti School. Katie is the Chair of the Education Select Committee, it was great to engage with our young learners and leaders, and the amazing teaching staff. I may have had a slight advantage over Katie when we took part in a Timaru history quiz.  We visited MA Orchards in Kerrytown to check out their export Honeycrisp apples, and Katie as a Hawkes Bay girl can appreciate high-quality fruit when she sees it. We finished our day checking out the Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon. Katie sits on the Environment Select Committee and talked with members of ECan about the collaborative restoration project between ECan, TDC, the local Community, Department of Conservation, and Arowhenua. It’s an important local area because of its rare geomorphology, native ecological habitats, biodiversity, and cultural and historical values.

I was lucky to join the Wareing’s Transport team as the guest speaker to celebrate their incredible 50-year milestone. Based in Methven, Wareing’s has grown from a one truck spraying business into one of the South Island’s largest family-owned rural transport companies, now operating a fleet of over 280 trucks across seven transport businesses. With deep roots in the community, loyal staff, and a commitment to safety, innovation, and quality service, Wareing’s is a fantastic example of local success built on hard work and vision. Congratulations to Philip, Mark, and all the Wareing family on this remarkable achievement, it was a great honour to join the celebration!

It was fantastic to be at the South Island Agricultural Field Days in Kirwee, catching up with locals and seeing the incredible innovation and resilience in our rural sector. This event is always a highlight on the calendar, and it’s easy to see why—it brings together farmers, businesses, and industry leaders to share ideas, showcase new technology, and discuss the issues that matter most. I want our farming communities to know this Government has their back. We are committed to supporting the rural sector, showing up to listen, and taking action on the challenges they face.

One of the biggest ways we’re delivering on that promise is by fixing the RMA. It was great to discuss these changes with farmers on the ground. The feedback was clear fixing the RMA is long overdue, and the rural sector is ready for a system that works for them, not against them. One of the key messages I took away from my conversations was a growing sense of optimism. As the organising team put it, things are improving, and there’s a real feeling of positivity about the future. That’s encouraging because when our farmers succeed, New Zealand benefits. A big thank you to the organisers for another outstanding Field Days event. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Any issues or feedback to do with my portfolio areas, contact my ministerial team at j.meager@ministers.govt.nz

If you need help with a local electorate issue (Mid Canterbury or South Canterbury) contact my electorate offices at james.meagerMP@parliament.govt.nz

Call: South Canterbury 03 683 2009 or Mid Canterbury 03 307 1729.

Drop in: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm.

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Take care,

James

MP for Rangitata