Dear John,
Well I don't know about you but I'm ready for a break! As I write this, Parliament has just finished (finally!) for the Christmas break, bringing to an end a frenetic last few weeks as we got sworn in as Ministers and then Members of Parliament and the government got started on its 100 day plan of action. As Leader of the House, I've been donkey deep, as they say, in making sure we progressed our priorities through Parliament - and as Housing and Infrastructure Minister I've got started on a whole range of key initiatives. To top it all off, last week a tornado tore through the Hutt right when schools were finishing for the day, causing chaos and lifting the roof off my electorate office! A tornado in Lower Hutt was not on my predictions for 2023 at the start of the year... I am very thankful that there were no serious injuries, and many stories of bravery emerged. Certainly a scary and freaky time.
Here's a few of the things I've been up to in the last couple of weeks.
- Launched an independent review of Kainga Ora. On Monday this week I announced that the government has commissioned an independent review into Kainga Ora's finances, asset management and procurement. Sir Bill English will be leading the review team. We're really concerned about Kainga Ora's debt levels and rising deficits and it's important taxpayers can have confidence the organisation is building social houses efficiently and effectively. We're expecting the review in March next year.
- Let's Get Wellington Moving is goneburger. On Sunday I announced that the government had formally killed Let's Get Wellington Moving, the failed transport plan for Wellington that had delivered littlle more than expensive consultant reports and a set of traffic lights on SH1 on the way to the airport. Instead we're going to build a second Mt Vic tunnel, we'll let the Golden Mile improvements proceed but it will be a Wgtn Council project (and there'll be better engagement with business), we will focus on bus improvements for Wellington, and begin conversations about a new "City Deal" for Wellington.
- Repealed Labour's RMA 2.0 changes. The last government rammed changes to the Resource Management Act just before the election - but which replicated many of the problems with the current RMA. The new act was a 900 page monster and it wouldn't have worked, either for the environment or for people who want to do things. We committed to repealing the new laws by Christmas and we delivered on that on Wednesday. In the new year we will introduce "fast track" legislation to make it easier to consent new infrastructure and cut through the red rape holding us back as a country.
The government has been very busy - you can check out our 100 Day Plan here. There's a lot to do! Since November 27 when we were sworn in we have done the things I've listed above, plus brought back 90 day trials for all businesses, repealed Labour's so-called "Fair Pay" employment laws, stopped work on Lake Onslow, returned the Reserve Bank to focusing on price stability, got rid of the Ute Tax, banned the use of cellphones in schools, started work on repealing Labour's blanket speed limit reductions, and so much more. I'm looking forward to getting back into it in the new year, but I am equally looking forward to a few days off with Jenna and Jeremy!
Mini-Budget: on Wednesday Nicola Willis presented a "mini-Budget" as well as the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. Sadly the size of the repair job we have inherited is substantial. The forecast surplus for 2027 has shrunk from $2.1 billion to $0.14 billion in just two months and borrowing is now forecast to be $7 billion more. Labour inherited a growing economy, low government debt and surpluses into the future. Six years later, New Zealand is grappling with a toxic trio of high and sticky inflation, high interest rates and reduced economic output. There are budget blow-outs all over the show. As Nicola says, we've started writing a new chapter on the New Zealand story - with a focus on reducing cost of living pressures, delivering better value for public money and enabling private enterprise. More here.
Around the Hutt: Parliament has taken up a lot of my time in the last few weeks, but I've been out and about in the Hutt as well. I enjoyed the HVHS Year 13 Prizegiving recently along with St Orans' and the Naenae Boxing Academy. And I dropped into see Santa at the Jackson St Programme - their annual Santa's Grotto is amazing, as it always is! A few photos below.
Wherever you are for Christmas and whatever you're up to, I hope you have a restful and relaxing break. It's been a big year in so many ways. Please drive safe over the holiday period.
See you in 2024
Chris
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Sworn in as MP for Hutt South
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With Mum and Dad after being sworn in as MP for Hutt South (for the second time).
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Annual Christmas photo. No Ladyhawke this time - maybe next year!
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Naenae Boxing Academy Prizegiving
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It was a pleasure to open the Naenae Boxing Academy annual prizegiving last Friday night.
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The Wellington Malayalee Premier League cricket league continues to go from strength to strength! I presented the prizes last Sunday night.
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Thanks to the Jackson St Programme for the wonderful Santa's Grotto experience again.
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Lighting the candle for Hannukah last week at Parliament.
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Christmas presents from the PM - new shirts in case I have more coffee and scooter accidents!
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There was a roof here a week ago
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My office is open again - great to see no serious injuries from the "Huttnado", but a very scary time.
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Our tree (background) and Jeremy’s tree - he did it himself!
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