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Barbara's Beat No.19

March 07, 2023 Share

THANK YOU CHESTER


RIP Chester Borrows — it was such a pleasure to have been your colleague.
 
Chester, who died on February 27 from cancer, was the National MP for Whanganui from 2005 until he retired in 2017. He also served as Minister for Courts and Deputy Speaker.
 
A former police officer, detective and lawyer, Chester was renown for his compassion and thoughtful contributions to the work we do as MPs, his support and mentoring of young MPs, and his service to his community.
 
My very best to his wife Ella, their children Zac, Abi and Katy, and grandchildren Jimmy, Benny and Jonah.
Chester and I at the opening of my Inglewood Office in November 2014.

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Horrendous start to 2023

March 07, 2023 Share

If I thought 2022 was a difficult year for families and businesses, it pales in comparison to the start of 2023.

 

In my first column, I thought I’d be acknowledging a change in Prime Minister, my new portfolio and new Select Committee position.

 

But that fades into oblivion in the wake of what has happened to those living in the North Island, especially the battered northern and eastern regions.

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Te Kuiti Wellbeing Survey Results

February 08, 2023 Share

The Project

In August and September 2022, Barbara Kuriger’s office ran a Needs Assessment survey in Te Kuiti using Huber Social’s Wellbeing Framework. The purpose of the study was to better understand the needs in Te Kuiti and how these relate to individual’s wellbeing.

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Barbara's Beat No.18

November 29, 2022 Share

FROM THE SPEAKER'S CHAIR


Last Tuesday afternoon (November 22), I received a call from Speaker of the House Adrian Rurawhe asking me to take on a temporary Assistant Speaker’s role from as one of the presiding officers was unwell.
 
Parliament went into urgency that night at 9pm.
 
I have to admit it was a little scary in the beginning, but the Clerks of the House were absolutely amazing. There was a string of Bills to be considered but the run sheets for all stages of these bills had been prepared in advance.
 
For those not familiar with the process, the first and second readings of Bills are managed by the Speaker’s chair, before heading to Select Committee stage.
 
It’s here under the control of a chairperson that any changes can be made, via Supplementary Order Papers, to the Bills before they are passed back into the Speaker’s hands for a third and final reading.

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Over regulated and under stress

November 22, 2022 Share

The consultation period for the Government’s emissions pricing plan for agriculture is closing as I write this.

Since its unveiling last month, Labour’s plan based on the He Waka Eke Noa’s partnership report but heavily tweaked, has drawn nothing but derision and a stock standard refusal from farming sectors and entire regions.

With just cause.

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The power of the ballot box

November 08, 2022 Share

My congratulations and best wishes to all my electorate councils and mayors.

As one who has faced voters in three elections now, I admire your willingness to put up your hand to serve your communities and thank those whose terms have ended.

Being in public office is not easy, but it has its own rewards, as I have discovered in the past eight years.

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Barbara's Beat No. 17

November 08, 2022 Share

FIVE YEARS & COUNTING... THE COST


We are now just 12 months out from the next General Election.
 
Since Labour took office in 2017, we’ve been keeping score, and the report card to date shows the failures are far outweighing the successes.
 
If elected in 2023, our first 100 days will be busy, repealing many of the policies and laws Labour has either put in place or is trying to.
 
Among the things we will scrap:

  • Three Waters;
  • The proposed merger of Radio New Zealand and Television New Zealand;
  • Fair Pay Agreements;
  • Income Insurance Scheme, which we call a straight ‘jobs tax’
  • The top income tax rate of 39% for income above $180,000;
  • The Clean Car Discount or ‘Ute Tax’;
  • The Plain Language Act;
  • The Bright Line Test extension;
  • Auckland Regional Fuel Tax.

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Government plan threatens industry consensus

October 11, 2022 Share

Today’s farm emissions announcement threatens the industry consensus by failing to recognise New Zealand farmers are already the most carbon efficient in the world.

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Barbara's Beat No. 16

October 07, 2022 Share

 
 

INCREDIBLE SERVICE


Like the rest of the world I was so sad to wake up to the news of Her Majesty’s passing, at the age of 96 after a 70-year-reign, in the early hours of September 9.
 
She dedicated her life to the service of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and Realms with determination and distinction.
 
It also reminded me of our shared love of Jersey cows, which my family as dairy farmers have always milked, as well as her very close relationship with Ōtorohanga Jersey breeder Don Ferguson of Ferdon Stud.
 
She was an extraordinary monarch, the likes of which, we will not see again.

Like the millions world-wide I too say… “Thank you Ma’am".

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Forever at your service

October 06, 2022 Share

‘Continuity’, ‘loss’ and ‘service’ have been at the forefront of adjectives used by both mainstream and social media in recent days.

Globally, due to the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and locally, following the sudden loss of Ōtorohanga retailer extraordinaire Karam Haddad.

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