Drawing the line at online services

Barbara Kuriger May 20, 2021 Share

RURAL communities are the second largest city in the country (600,000+ people), generating more than $26 billion in earnings, thanks to the dairy and red meat sectors alone.

“Yet those numbers don’t seem to rate highly enough with banks or the Government and its agencies,” says National Rural Communities spokesperson Barbara Kuriger.

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A promise is a promise

Barbara Kuriger May 20, 2021 Share

NATIONAL’S spokesperson for Rural Communities Barbara Kuriger is backing yesterday’s call by Federated Farmers for the Government to deliver on its election promise to protect productive farmland.

“The Feds want a full review of government policies which are leading to the loss of productive farms, export income, employment and the undermining of rural communities,” she says.

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Govt stands by while farmers brace staff shortage impact

Barbara Kuriger May 20, 2021 Share

With just 14 days until New Zealand’s dairy season begins, the dairy sector is bracing itself for the impacts of a severe labour shortage, National’s Rural Communities spokesperson Barbara Kuriger says.

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Why are we waiting?

Barbara Kuriger May 19, 2021 Share

Why are we waiting?

The headline says it all really.

National Party Energy & Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger cannot understand why the energy industry, and the country, is still waiting for the Government’s Just Transition plan.

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Is this a healthier option?

Barbara Kuriger May 10, 2021 Share

If you’re anything like me, you maybe reeling with the number of major announcements being made by the Government with no detail behind them.

The biggest of them was a total change to our health system on  21 April. While many may applaud the decision to create one health entity which will come in three parts:

• Health NZ (to replace the DHB's)
• A Maori health authority
• Public health authority

The proclamation lacked how it’s going to work. Labour says their decision has been made due to treaty obligations. Yet what the Government has announced is very different to what was recommended by the NZ Health and Disability Review.

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MP backs mayor's call

Barbara Kuriger April 23, 2021 Share

Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger is backing New Plymouth’s mayor as delays to SH3 safety improvements between Waitara and the city continue.

On RNZ this morning Neil Holdom ‘joined the chorus of local body politicians bemoaning Waka Kotahi’s (NZ Transport Agency) commitment to delivering road safety projects’.

From 2011-2021 there have been 11 deaths and multiple serious injuries. Mrs Kuriger says National aired plans for a $40 million investment improve four to five sections of the SH3 stretch in 2015.

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Government must back New Zealand wool

Barbara Kuriger April 23, 2021 Share

National is questioning whether today’s announcement of investment in Bremworth is enough when currently New Zealand wool growers are losing money every time they shear a sheep, National’s Agriculture spokesperson David Bennett says.

“During last year’s General Election, National spoke about the need for investment in the wool sector and about acting on the recommendations of the Wool Industry Project Action Group formed in 2018. While it is good to see some action towards this, there is plenty more to be done.

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Barbara Kuriger on why she's wearing 'rural business attire' in Parliament

Barbara Kuriger April 23, 2021 Share

Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger arrived at Parliament in rural business attire today to support young people pursuing agri careers.

Kuriger sported Red Band gumboots, overalls, a DairyNZ milking apron, a Te Kuiti shearing singlet and a Levno cap.

"It's a fun way of highlighting the everyday business attire of thousands of Kiwis as well as agri careers," Kuriger said.

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Energy and resources approach not doable

Barbara Kuriger April 23, 2021 Share

IT was fitting in the lead-up to Easter that I joined energy industry leaders at a symposium in Wellington last week.

The Government’s current approach to place all its eggs in the ‘renewable only’ basket, when resources, technology and infrastructure aren’t available and won’t be for years, was the focus for many there.

In short, it’s just not doable, in the timeframes they want.

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