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08 June 2010
IN MAUNGAKIEKIE:
On Saturday 15 May I attended a local rugby league game between Ellerslie Eagles and Mt Wellington Warriors. A very close but hard fought game between the two clubs and the final score was 26-22 to Ellerslie. I also had the privilege of meeting club members and supporters at Ellerslie’s junior prizegiving held later that afternoon and presenting awards to outstanding junior players.
Martin Hautus Institute of Learning celebrated on Friday 21 May the opening of the Brother Priscillian Performing Arts and Cultural Centre. The programme featured a soirẻe of talent from performing arts students and a great inspiration for future aspiring artists.
Youth Week was celebrated from 22-30 May and I had fun supporting a number of local Youth events during the week. Project co-op is an outstanding initiative where the group of young people give back to the community. These young people tidied up a number of homes as their contribution. Well done to the team at Project Co-op. My team and I provided a few hands manning the barbeque at one of the Common Ground events.
BUDGET 2010:
Our tax package is the biggest reform of the tax system in nearly 25 years. Changes are designed to help boost economic growth, create jobs, boost incomes, raise living standards and help hard working Kiwis get ahead.
From 1 October 2010 the changes include across-the-board tax cuts and a rise in GST to 15 per cent. We’re increasing Superannuation, Working For Families, and benefit payments, to compensate for the one-off change to GST. We’re also changing the rules for investment property owners.
The budget sees an extra $2.1 billion for health over the next four years, with $512 million this year. This includes $8 million for breast reconstruction surgery and 93 million for extra disability services.
An extra $1.4 billion has been allocated for education, with $417 million this year. This including $107 million extra for early childhood education and continued funding for 20 hours ECE.
Budget 2010 sees $1.45 billion for infrastructure projects, including $200 million for ultra-fast broadband, $500 million for rail, $337.4 million to increase prison capacity and $177.4 million for new school buildings.
There will be $321 million over four years for new science, research and technology initiatives. This includes a $234 million boost for supporting business R&D and technology development grants for firms doing R&D.
From next year, property investors will no longer be able to claim depreciation on their buildings against their income and the values of assets held in trusts will be counted as part of a household's income when deciding eligibility for Working for Families.
The Budget estimates the economy will grow by 3.2 % in the next year, and remain at similar levels for the next three years. This budget allows the Government to be back in surpluses by 2016, 3 years earlier than Budget 2009.
Calculate your tax cut at www.taxguide.govt.nz
Get more information on the Budget at http://www.national.org.nz/budget
Get more Budget facts http://www.national.org.nz/budget2010.BedgetFacts.pdf
LEAKY HOMES:
The scale of the leaky homes issue is having a considerable impact on the wealth and health of many thousands of New Zealanders, and seventy five per cent of them are in the Auckland region. The Government has stepped up with a financial assistance package to help people get their leaky homes fixed faster.
The Government will meet 25 per cent of the homeowner’s agreed repair costs. Local authorities will contribute 25 per cent and the homeowner will fund the remaining 50 per cent. A loan guarantee will be underwritten by the Government, provided the applicant can meet bank lending criteria.
The Government will also cover the administration cost of the new package, lifting the Crown’s contribution to about 29 per cent. The cost to the Government is expected to be about $1 billion over five years. We are aiming to have the package up and running early next year.
Our priority is getting homes fixed. We must move beyond the current state of endless disputes and litigation. The package is about spreading the costs as evenly and fairly as possible to get action. We need to help affected homeowners to move on with their lives.
SPECIAL MENTION:
I visited the staff at St Johns Ambulance in Mt Wellington on Monday 24 May. I was treated with a tour of their ambulance bay and a ride in the rapid response vehicle. It was a great opportunity to see first hand the kinds of working environment and tools that these brave people use in their daily role of saving lives.
Archives
I have visited over 20 kindergartens and day care centres in our area and I know that many of our young are getting a great start to their early education. Read more.
My thoughts and Prayers continue to be with the Samoan, Tongan, and New Zealand people who have lost their loved ones, their homes and, their livelihoods at the hands of the recent tsunami. Read More
Despite the awful weather I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many of you at both the Onehunga Heritage Festival and the Te Papapa School Pacific Festival last weekend. What a great way to enjoy the heritage of Onehunga and the Pacific. A highlight for me was seeing all the children having fun and enjoying the day out with their family. Read More
I express my deep condolences to the people of Tonga following the tragic sinking of the Princess Ashika. It is very distressing to hear about the loss of life. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tonga during this very difficult time. The New Zealand Government has been pleased to assist the Tongan Government in dealing with this tragedy and is very happy to provide the support of TAIC for this inquiry. Read More
Last month I was delighted to be a part of the Prime Minister’s official delegation to the Pacific. We spent four days meeting with Government, business, and community leaders in Tonga, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands. Read More
I went to see Steelpipe New Zealand – a steel pipe manufacturer in Onehunga. It was good to see a successful company with loyal employees (i.e. one man had worked for the company for 34 years) and it is clear that this company will play a big part in infrastructure development in the coming years. Read More
I met with the National Business Manager of the Pacific Business Trust and discussed the many ways that we can help to develop Pacific businesses. In order to improve the living standards of Pacific people, we agreed that the focus should be on education and the up-skilling of Pacific people. A more skilled Pacific workforce will lead to better outcomes in terms of employment, income and housing. Promoting and investing in Pacific businesses and their owners will be critical to improving Pacific peoples’ living standards. Read More
This week I met with Litea Ah Hoi, Deputy Mayor of Porirua. We spent time discussing issues relating to Pacific people in the Wellington region. Litea is a capable woman and I hope to build stronger relationships with other Pacific elected representatives around the country. Read More
Last weekend I made a trip to Christchurch for three days. During that time I was able to speak to many different groups and people. Read More
It was a tremendous privilege to have dinner with Baroness Carolyn Cox, patroness of the Save the Children Fund, last Thursday night. She spoke about some of the humanitarian work she has been involved with lately in 3rd world countries – talk about inspirational! Read More
Last week was another crazy week. I visited nine different schools throughout the Maungakiekie Electorate. This certainly proved a great opportunity to meet a lot of teachers and staff and get a first hand look into some of the issues and concerns facing not only our education system but our families and communities as well. Read More
Welcome to the first edition of Sam Says, my regular e-newsletter. This is my chance to let you know what is going on around the Maungakiekie Electorate and in Parliament. Read More
