TODD McCLAY MP for Rotorua

In Parliament on Thursday Deputy Prime Minister Bill English delivered Kiwis a positive Budget despite tough economic conditions. If New Zealand wants to earn its way in the world, create more jobs, and opportunities then we need a stronger economy and Budget 2013 confirms we are on the right track. It sets out the next steps in our four priorities which are to responsibly manage the government’s books, build a more competitive and productive economy, deliver better public services and to rebuild Christchurch.

Budget 2013 provides more support for families, and forecasts strong economic growth, more jobs and rising wages. Importantly, it lays the path for a return to surplus in 2014/15 which is vital for our future. Over the next four years we’re investing $5.1 billion on new initiatives in areas such as science and innovation, health, education, welfare, and housing. And we’re signalling ACC levy cuts for businesses and families.

There will be more help for vulnerable families, including $198 million to support beneficiaries to find work.  We’re helping at-risk children get an early education and funding to tackle rheumatic fever will be doubled. 46,000 more homes will be insulated for low-income families. The Budget also outlines reforms to tackle house prices. This includes new regulations for councils in areas where housing is least affordable.

Young people will see support increased with funding boosts across education, including tertiary, of $12.4 billion. An extra $215 million will be invested into schooling over four years, including $64 million for Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL), $5.9 million for a new mentoring programme to help vulnerable young people achieve and $37.5 million for teaching quality initiatives.

Extra funding for the PBL programme is particularly positive. It is a wonderful initiative which has already proven successful in a handful of Rotorua schools including Kaitao Middle School, Rotorua Intermediate and Selwyn School.  The programme was introduced in 2009 to improve behaviour in children and young people, to increase educational engagement and achievement, and decrease the long-term costs of difficult behaviour continuing into adulthood. 

In health, the Budget is providing $1.6 billion over four years for new initiatives and to meet cost pressures. Despite tough economic times we are investing more in health than ever before. This includes about $352 million in new funding a year, taking total health spending to $14.7 billion next year, the most ever. While many developed countries around the world are freezing or even reducing health funding this Government is growing and protecting our public health services.

For businesses, the Budget will build on our Business Growth Agenda. It includes $100 million-a-year for an internationally-focused growth and innovation package. This will boost investment in science, research and development, and tourism.

Investment in tourism is especially important to us here in Rotorua with our city fast becoming the tourism capital of New Zealand. $158 million will be invested in the sector over the next four years to accelerate the work already underway in attracting high value tourists, and supporting and growing emerging and existing markets. It will also be utilised to encourage innovation, bring international events to New Zealand and simplify visa processes.

This will open up the way for smaller tourism businesses to become involved in the international tourism market. Already Rotorua makes up a significant component of New Zealand’s tourism sector and this additional tourism spend is likely to increase tourist numbers which in turn means more local jobs.
Budget 2013 builds momentum towards a stronger, more stable, economy that can better weather global storms and deliver more opportunities, higher incomes, and more jobs. It continues our work to build a brighter future for Kiwi families. 

Rotorua MP Todd McClay’s bill to ban gang insignia from Government premises has been amended to include every school in New Zealand. The Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill passed its second reading in Parliament today and is now one step closer to becoming law.

“This Bill makes it an offence to wear a gang patch in all government departments and council offices.  Following the recommendations of the select committee, it will now also include all schools, kindergartens and police stations,” Mr McClay said.

Mr McClay said that this was an important amendment in response to Murupara Area School.  “Murupara made a strong submission to the Committee, saying that children at school don't need to be exposed to gang insignia, they need to be protected from it.

“This Bill is important to protect people from intimidation in their communities. It is about putting the interests of victims of crime and law abiding citizens first. Young people don’t need to be exposed to gangs and their patches in the school playground. When our children are at school they have a right to feel safe and free from intimidation.

“There is significant and growing support for these measures to put victims first,” Mr McClay said.

“This government’s law and order policies are having a real impact.  New Zealand’s crime rate is now the lowest in over 30 years and over the past three years recorded crime has dropped 16.7 per cent.  That is a phenomenal achievement, and we want to maintain this momentum. This Bill is another important tool in our ability to fight crime.”

Mr McClay paid tribute to New Zealand First, United Future, Act, and Independent MP Brendan Horan for their support for the Bill.

Thursday 16 May is Budget Day where Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will announce the Government’s plan to get New Zealand back to surplus in 2014-15. While this might not seem important when one considers the day to day challenges of everyday life, getting back to surplus is vital if we want to boost the economy and create jobs.

Budget 2013 will show the steps Government is taking to help the New Zealand economy grow, by supporting Kiwi businesses to innovate, expand, and hire more staff. We will build on the momentum achieved over the last four years which in the face of continuing global uncertainty is more important than ever.

Currently New Zealand is in pretty good shape compared to almost every other developed country in the world. The economy is continuing to grow, real jobs are being created, and confidence is increasing.  The Government’s responsible economic management since the start of the global financial crisis means that by 2014/15, New Zealand will be one of the few developed countries running surpluses and able to start repaying debt.

Latest statistics show the economy grew 3 per cent in calendar year 2012, comparable to Australia’s 3.1 per cent growth. Homeowners will be pleased that under this Government, New Zealand has the lowest mortgage rates since 1965. Further, after-tax wages are up 22 per cent over the last 5 years - more than twice the rate of inflation - and over the last two years 54,000 new jobs have been created.

We've also removed unnecessary regulation and red tape which has restrained growth and have put in place a comprehensive programme of investment in important infrastructure, including road networks, and connecting New Zealand with the world through ultra-fast broadband.  There’s also better support for families and good results being delivered from the health system, we're  ensuring every child gets the skills they need at school, and we've supported our justice system to keep you safe at home and in your community.

Recently, the International Monetary Fund even gave its tick of approval to our responsible management of the Government’s finances. The IMF says we’re getting it right with our balanced approach to supporting growth and reducing public debt.  This is because we’re working hard to put the economy on a more competitive footing.

In particular, we have embarked on more than 300 initiatives to build export markets, innovation, skills, capital markets, infrastructure, and better access to our natural resources, as part of our Business Growth Agenda. This is helping give businesses the confidence to invest, grow, and hire new staff. In addition, our sensible fiscal and monetary policy is helping to keep interest rates and inflation low, which is benefitting businesses and households across New Zealand. 
Operating in surplus is important for our future.  It will help keep interest rates lower for longer, which is the single biggest cost to most households, and it helps take the pressure off New Zealand’s exchange rate, which is good for the country’s exporters. Getting the books in order means we will owe less to overseas lenders, which will help ensure the economy is stronger and in a better position to handle future economic shocks.

Budget 2013 will show the Government is busy, focused, and taking action across the many areas needed to boost growth, investment, and jobs. As your elected Member of Parliament, I’ll continue to work hard for Rotorua businesses and households to ensure we get access to the resources we need to boost the local economy, support families and create jobs here.
 

 

Summer is behind us and I hope you have all had a great start to 2013.

These past few months have been extremely busy and for this issue of Surf to Turf I’ll talk about what’s been happening in the Rotorua electorate and in Parliament.

Todd

Milestone agreement reached in Lake Rotorua clean-up

Rotorua farmers and Bay of Plenty Regional Council have signed a milestone agreement that could be a major turning point in cleaning up Lake Rotorua.

The Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective, Federated Farmers and Bay of Plenty Regional Council have signed the Oturoa Agreement - a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing on a way forward to reduce nutrients entering Lake Rotorua, while recognising the importance of farming to the local economy. The collective is made up of dairy farmers, drystock farmers and Te Arawa landowners within Lake Rotorua’s catchment.

See the full media release here.

 

 

 

 

 

Picture: (Centre) Here I am with (from left) Bay of Plenty Regional Council chief executive Mary-Anne Macleod, Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills, Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective chair Tanira Kingi and Lakes Water Quality Society member Ian McLean.

QE Hospital rehabilitation service saved

Rotorua’s QE Hospital's rehabilitation service has been saved, along with 30 local jobs – fantastic news for staff and patients.

Prior to Christmas up to 30 staff faced losing their jobs after it was announced that the world class Multidisciplinary Intensive Rehabilitation Service would need to close due to a shortfall in patient referrals. However, after working with CEO Peter Sharplin, Lakes DHB and the Ministry of Health, we were able to avoid this worst case scenario.

See the full press release here.
























Picture: QE patient Trudy Bassett and Bill Hobman present a 1500-signature petition which I presented to Health Minister Tony Ryall in Parliament. Thanks to the Rotorua Review for the use of this photo.

Drought relief still available for farmers

Financial support is still available for farmers affected by the drought in the Bay of Plenty, including the Rotorua electorate.

Over the last few months I’ve been meeting with farmers in Reporoa, Rerewhakaaitu, Waikite, Ngakuru and the Te Puke area and other rural areas in the electorate who have been struggling with abnormally dry conditions over these past few months.

I understand it has been an extremely difficult time and I hope this additional support made available by the Government is providing the electorate’s rural farming families with some much-needed relief.

See the full press release here.

Te Puke A&P Show a success

This year’s Te Puke A&P Show was a great success yet again with many local businesses and community organisations having stands on display.

Bay of Plenty MP and Health Minister Tony Ryall and I shared a stand for the weekend. It was a great opportunity to catch up with people in the community and answer any questions they had.

 

Picture: Bay Of Plenty MP Tony Ryall, Western Bay Mayor Ross Patterson and I outside the Home Industry's Exhibit at the A&P Show.

Update from Kawerau

It was great to host MPs Aaron Gilmore, Paul Goldsmith and Jacqui Dean in Kawerau recently. We went on a tour of the Tasman Mill, met with Mayor Malcolm Campbell and also dropped in for a visit to the police station and Allied Industrial Engineering.

Tarawera High School has opened with a new name, new uniforms and new staff and has seen a lift in enrolments numbers on last year. I look forward to meeting everyone at the school in the near future.

My regular clinic days in Kawerau have begun and if you would like to make an appointment with me please contact my Kawerau office on (07) 323 6487.

New Rotorua Electorate Youth MP announced

The new Rotorua Electorate Youth MP is 16-year-old Rotorua student Mark Robilliard.

Mark is a very mature and insightful young man who I know will do an excellent job representing the youth of Rotorua as the electorate’s Youth MP. In July he will join 120 other young people from around New Zealand in Parliament where he will be able to consider legislation, sit on select committees and ask questions of MPs and government ministers.

I look forward to working closely with Mark as he prepares to take part in Youth Parliament 2013.

See the full press release here.

Prime Minister in Rotorua

Prime Minister John Key joined me in Rotorua recently for a full day of visits. The day kicked off with the Prime Minister officially opening the new Quest Hotel on Hinemoa Street – a fantastic multi-million dollar development for our city.

We then attended Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival 2013 which Rotorua was fortunate to host this year. It was a great day of performances and a good opportunity to show of our city’s strong cultural focus. The successful festival was attended by 40,000 people over four days and it’s estimated they spent around $20 million in our city in one week. Congratulations to the festival’s overall winners Te Waka Huia.

The Prime Minister was then the guest of honour at a Rotorua Chamber of Commerce lunch, before opening a new remanufacturing plant at Red Stag. Overall it was an extremely positive day - thanks to everyone who made it such a successful visit.

Tourism plays a vital role in the Rotorua electorate and wider Bay of Plenty. That’s why I was delighted to hear Prime Minister John Key’s recent announcement that the Government will invest $158 million in tourism over the next four years as part of Budget 2013. This investment will help put an even greater focus on international growth and with Rotorua fast becoming the tourism capital of New Zealand, this is a positive announcement for local businesses.
 
This funding boost will be used to accelerate the work already underway in attracting high value tourists, and supporting and growing emerging and existing markets. It will also be utilised to encourage innovation, bring international events to New Zealand and simplify visa processes. Ultimately this is good for Rotorua as it opens the way for smaller tourism businesses to become involved in the international tourism market. Already Rotorua makes up a significant component of New Zealand’s tourism sector.
 
It’s not hard to understand the vital role tourism plays in the economic wellbeing of New Zealand. Thanks to our stunning scenery, vibrant culture, world-class food and wine, and skilled and passionate tourism operators, millions of overseas guests visit our country each year.
 
Increased investment in tourism will result in more visitors to New Zealand, spending more money. This benefits tourism operators, shops, hotels, cafes and restaurants right throughout the country. By investing in these businesses to grow, they are then able to employ more people and boost investment, leading to more jobs and economic growth.
 
This is why tourism is a critical part of the Government’s key priority to build a more competitive and productive economy. In the year to March 2012 the tourism industry employed 6.2 per cent of our workforce, generated $9.6 billion in revenue and made up 15.4 per cent of our export earnings, and 3.3 per cent of GDP.
 
However, tourism does face some challenges. The number of visitors to New Zealand has continued to increase, but tourists are spending less when they come here. In order to grow the value of tourism, we need to focus on new markets and visitors who spend more.
 
Traditionally, we have relied on tourists from places such as Australia, the UK and USA. We are investing $24.5 million in boosting our traditional markets. But we also need to expand our focus, so we are investing another $44.5 million to attract visitors from places such as India, Indonesia and Latin America.
 
These places have growing wealth, relative proximity to New Zealand, and increasing numbers of people who want to travel. Along with China, which is already our second-biggest tourist market, we can expect to see high growth in the number of tourists coming from these countries. The Prime Minister’s recent visits to China and Latin America have highlighted the huge potential for tourism and trade from these places.
 
We are also focusing on visitors who spend more while they are here. This includes $20 million to target luxury travellers, and $34 million to attract business events. The rest of the new funding will go towards investment in the tourism sector, and improved visa facilitation to make it easier for people to come here.
 
This new tourism funding is part of a larger internationally-focused growth package in this year’s Budget. The funding will help us to attract high value visitors and more tourism dollars, and increase the value of tourism to New Zealand. This can only be positive for Rotorua and I'll continue to play my part by working alongside the local tourism sector and be their voice in Parliament.
 

Last week I was pleased to announce the new Rotorua Electorate Youth MP is 16-year-old Rotorua student Mark Robilliard.

Mark is an exceptional young person with very strong ideas of the challenges facing youth in the Rotorua electorate. I found him to be a very mature and insightful young man who I know will do an excellent job representing his peers and the wider electorate.

He will join 120 other young people from around New Zealand in Parliament where he will be able to consider legislation, sit on select committees and ask questions of MPs and government ministers. Officially it will take place on 16 and 17 July but Youth MPs will hold their position from 1 May to 31 December 2013. During this time, they will be expected to actively engage with the community to gain an understanding of the ideas and concerns of youth in Rotorua.

Youth Parliament is held every three years and Mark is the second youth MP I have had the opportunity to elect. It is a fantastic platform for young person to have their say and I know Mark will confidently speak of the challenges that we face and the aspirations that our youth have for their future.

On that note I wish to thank all those who applied. My office received applications from strong candidates from all parts of the Rotorua electorate. I was incredibly impressed with the extremely high calibre of applicants which made choosing just one a very difficult decision for the selection panel.

As a result I will be inviting all applicants to join me in forming the Rotorua Electorate Youth Advisory Committee 2013 (YAC). This committee is a way for future leaders of our community to meet and talk with their local Member of Parliament about their views on things that matter to them and issues that affect young people today. YAC has been running for the past three years and I look forward to forming and working with this year’s fresh faces.

Once again, to Mark - congratulations on your appointment. You can be very proud of your achievement, I know you will do Rotorua proud and I look forward to working with you as you prepare to take part in Youth Parliament 2013.