I hope you had a fantastic summer break and you feel refreshed to tackle 2025.
However, I know the devasting Los Angeles wildfires have been a distressing reminder of last year’s Port Hills fire on February 14th which scored over 700 hundred hectares.
This a timely reminder to make sure you have a fire escape plan in place.
This a timely reminder to make sure you have a fire escape plan in place.
• Do you have a grab bag of essential items?
• Do you have a plan for your animals or livestock?
• Do you have a meeting place?
If you don’t have the answers to these questions, please make a plan today.
January:
Getting straight back into it, I joined my Caucus colleagues in Hamilton. This was a brilliant time to come together and refocus our energy on growing the economy. I was also honoured to witness my South Island colleague, James Meager, being sworn in as Minister for the South Island, Minister for Youth, Minister for Hunting and Fishing and Associate Minister for Transport.
James will be a fantastic representative for us South Islanders. I'll be working very closely with James to advocate for the Banks Peninsula electorate.
Last month, I had meetings with Christchurch City Council staff members, and Onuku representatives about the Akaroa Wastewater Hearing. I am hoping all parties can come to an agreement regarding the future of the wastewater treatment plant.
I was honoured to represent the National Party as well as New Zealand at the EPE sexual and reproductive health forum in Manilla, Philippines. This was a fantastic opportunity to learn more and collaborate with the international health community to get better results for women.
Youth MP 2025
I am on a mission to find a Youth MP to join me to make Banks Peninsula electorate an even better place for our young people.
The ideal candidate will be able to reflect the work I do as a Member of Parliament supporting communities or through contributing to keeping the Banks Peninsula beautiful.
The ideal candidate will be able to reflect the work I do as a Member of Parliament supporting communities or through contributing to keeping the Banks Peninsula beautiful.
Youth Parliament is held every three years, for youth aged 16-18 years old, and are given the opportunity to learn and share information about New Zealand's democracy. So if you or someone you know may be interested, please check out www.youthparliament.govt.nz for more details.
To apply email a video explaining why you would make a great Youth MP to Vanessa.Weenink@parliament.govt.nz or tag me in your video on social media with the hashtag #BPYouth2025.
To apply email a video explaining why you would make a great Youth MP to Vanessa.Weenink@parliament.govt.nz or tag me in your video on social media with the hashtag #BPYouth2025.
With my caucus colleagues in Hamilton
Community Update:
SH75 between Halswell and Tai Tapu and Tai Tapu to Little River will return to 100km/h. The Government is determined to improve road safety and have invested $1.3 billion in the Road Policing Investment Programme.
I hosted a public meeting in July last year to discuss changes to the speed limit on SH75, and my survey showed an overwhelming 75% of respondents in support of returning the speed limit to 100km/h from Halswell to Little River. This is a win for our community.
However, the speed limit from Little River to Akaroa will remain 60km/h.
The Government’s investment in road safety is focused on encouraging safer driving behaviour, promoting safer vehicles, road policing and enforcement such as safety cameras, alongside investment in other safety interventions enabling people to travel safely and efficiently.
However, the speed limit from Little River to Akaroa will remain 60km/h.
The Government’s investment in road safety is focused on encouraging safer driving behaviour, promoting safer vehicles, road policing and enforcement such as safety cameras, alongside investment in other safety interventions enabling people to travel safely and efficiently.
I will be hosting my first pub politics for the year at The Old Vicarage Cafe, Restaurant & Bar on Thursday February 27 from 5.30-7pm. Please take this opportunity to come have an informal chat about the issues that matter most to you.
To keep up to date with everything on a day-to-day basis, follow me on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaWeeninkBanksPeninsula Instagram: @vanessaweeninkbankspeninsulamp
National News:
- PM emphasises importance of growth in 2025: For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. (Beehive PR)
- Going for Growth: New rules for visiting tourists: The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand. (Beehive PR)
- Speed limit reduction reversals begin: Where Labour was about slowing New Zealand down, the coalition Government is all about making it easier for people and freight to get from A to B as quickly and efficiently as possible, which will help drive economic growth and improve productivity. (Beehive PR)
- Relentless focus on literacy & numeracy at school: A world-leading education system is a key driver to economic growth. We want all children to be proficient and confident in reading, writing and maths so they grow up and live the lives they want. (Beehive PR)
- Ministers welcome Kāinga Ora’s revised approach to wool carpets: While it remains essential that Kāinga Ora delivers homes as cost-effectively as possible, it’s only fair that wool products are given the chance to compete for government contracts on an equal footing with nylon carpet suppliers. (Beehive PR)
Out and About in Banks Peninsula:
- Headed along to the Redcliffs Centennial bowls club celebration. An honour to be with the club and to also celebrate the club of the year!
- Visited the lifeguards at Taylors Mistake to thank them for the vital service they provide for the community
- I headed to the brilliant Little River A & P Show. Great to see all the local talent on display and to catch up with residents
- While I was in Little River, I dropped a congratulations letter in to a local resident who won the ‘worlds ugliest lawn.’ I love to see how passionate our community is when it comes to sustainability and using our environment to aid our natural habitat
- My office team attended the wastewater hearing in Akaroa while I was in Manila
- My office also went along to the opening of Daffies, a preloved clothing store in Halswell operated by Southern Cancer Society. Great to see more shops opening, and this one is for such a good cause.
To keep up to date with everything I am doing, follow me:
Instagram: @vanessaweeninkbankspeninsulamp
Bring on 2025!