Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Connie Giquel December 22, 2023 Share

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2023 has come and gone, and what a year it has been.  We've had an election, and the nation sent an overwhelmingly clear message - that it was time for a change.

The new National-led Coalition Government has since hit the ground running, ticking off items in our 100-day plan. Over the last few weeks, the new Government has:

• passed legislation to focus the Reserve Bank solely on lowering inflation
• removed the 'Ute Tax'
• repealed the Natural and Built Environment Act and the Spatial Planning Act
• revoked the mandatory union-driven Fair Pay Agreements legislation
• extended the availability of 90-day trials to all businesses and
• repealed the Taxation Principles Reporting Act, a pointless law that only added bureaucracy.

We have also announced the Government's first steps for tax and income relief in the upcoming Budget 2024, boosted ED security in hospitals, including in the Lakes District during the holiday period, and are replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. 

To stay up to date with the latest news on the new Government's activities and announcements, visit the Beehive website here.

Half-Year Economic Fiscal Update and Mini-Budget

Earlier this week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the National-led Coalition's first mini-budget. 

Government spending is expected to have increased by around 80% between 2017 and 2024 with very little results to show for it.  

The National-led Coalition government is determined to restore respect for taxpayer money by stopping wasteful spending, improving value for money and driving resources out of the back-office and into front line services.  Hon Nicola Willis' Mini-Budget has already identified $7.47 billion in operating savings and additional revenue. 

But there's a lot of work to do, and our Government is determined to get New Zealand back on track.

In the House

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to speak in the House in Parliament during various debates:

• The Address in Reply Debate 
• The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (Economic Objective Amendment Bill Second Reading and Third Reading
• I also asked a Question from the Minister for Social Development and Employment - What reports has she seen on the jobseeker support benefit? 

Social Services and Communities Committee

I have also been appointed to Chair the Social Services and Communities Select Committee.  I appreciate the confidence placed in me in this leadership role, and it's a responsibility I am not taking likely.

In the first part of the new year, the Committee will not only have the opportunity to scrutinise the previous Labour Government's activities and spending, but we will also hear from our new Ministers about their priorities in their portfolios.

I look forward to keeping you up to date with the Committee's work over the next term in our monthly newsletters. You can also follow our activities on the parliamentary website.

Electorate News

Congratulations to all students who were recognised at school prize-giving ceremonies.  While I could not be at every event, I celebrate your achievements with you, and your families can be very proud of you. 

Kiwi Slip N Slide

I really enjoyed opening the new Kiwi Slip 'N Slide at Country Lane Queenstown with Glyn Lewers QLDC Mayor and having a go on the slides. It was good fun, and this new attraction for the region will no doubt come in very handy this summer season.

Kaiwera Downs Windfarm

I attended the opening of Mercury’s Kaiwera Downs Windfarm near Gore with Mercury CEO Vince Hawksworth and Board Chair, Prue Flacks.  The ten turbine 43MW wind farm will have an annualized generation of 147GWh p.a., adding enough renewable energy to power over 20,000 households or 66,000 EVs - great news for our region.

Sod-turning Kawarau Gorge Trail

It was a privilege to help turn the first sod on the 32km Kawarau Gorge Trail.  This trail will link the Queenstown Trails network with the Lake Dunstan Cycle & Walking Trail and take about 2 years to complete.  It’s taken a lot of work by a lot of people to get to this point after funding was approved back in 2016, and well done to everyone who has worked hard to get to this point. It’s going to be an amazing trail. 

Minister for Tourism visits Queenstown

It was awesome to have my colleague, Matt Doocey MP visit our region to meet tourism and hospitality operators for his first stop as the new Minister for Tourism and Hospitality.

Festive Season office hours

Finally, Parliament has risen for the year, and I look forward to making the most of the holidays with my family, replenishing energies ahead of what will undoubtedly be an equally fast-paced 2024 as we get to work. 

My offices will be closed for the annual parliamentary shutdown between 22 December 2023 and 8 January 2024. In an emergency, you can reach us at [email protected].

May the joy of Christmas and the festive season shine brightly in your hearts, bringing peace and hope for a prosperous year ahead.  From my family to yours, we extend warm wishes to you and your loved ones.  

Thank you for your support this year.  I look forward to reconnecting with you in 2024. 

Kind regards,

Joseph Mooney
https://josephmooney.national.org.nz/

Funded by the Parliamentary Service and Authorised by Joseph Mooney MP, 15 Main Street, Gore

National to support growth of aerospace sector - Joseph Mooney MP

Connie Giquel October 06, 2023 Share

A National government will support the growth of New Zealand’s nascent aerospace sector, recognising its potential to boost New Zealand’s economy, National Leader Christopher Luxon says.

“National is committed to rebuilding the economy, bringing down the cost of living, and delivering tax relief so that New Zealanders can get ahead. High-tech, high skills sectors such as aerospace offer an incredible opportunity to lift wages and help grow the economy.

“New Zealand’s commercial aerospace industry employs 12,000 people and contributes $1.7 billion to the economy. New Zealand is one of only 11 countries with active launch-to-orbit capability, with Rocket Lab launching more than 30 times from the Mahia Peninsula.

“National is ambitious for New Zealand’s space and advanced aviation industries, which are already delivering benefits through employment, research, international connections and prestige.

“Space also has the potential to drive greater interest in science and technology among school students and help reverse the slide in New Zealand’s education outcomes.

“However, New Zealand faces the real risk of losing its hard-won competitive advantages in aerospace due to excessive bureaucracy and increasing competition from other countries, including Australia.

“That’s why National is today announcing our plans for space and advanced aviation in New Zealand with our Unleashing New Horizons policy.”

National will:

• Appoint a Minister for Space to promote space and advanced aviation in New Zealand and improve the performance of regulators
• Establish an annual Prime Minister’s Space Prize for the top school student in aerospace-related subjects to help boost interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths education
• Welcome highly-skilled migrants to work in aerospace with fast-track visas including a pathway to residency
• Establish two dedicated testing zones for space and aerospace, in addition to the site at Kaitorete near Christchurch
• Improve satellite data procurement and sharing between government agencies so we’re not wasting taxpayers’ money by paying for the same sets of satellite images more than once.

“National knows how important a growing economy is to bring down the cost of living, and to underpin every New Zealanders’ standard of living. Another three years of reckless spending by a Labour-led government would be disastrous for the economy.

“People who want change should go out today and give their party vote to National to get a government that will manage the economy well so every New Zealander can get ahead.”

Link to Unleashing New Horizons policy document.

Media Contact: Connie Giquel 027 230 1499

Joseph Mooney MP announces wood processing boost to help rebuild the economy

Connie Giquel September 29, 2023 Share

National will cut red tape and restore certainty for forestry and wood processors as part of our plan to drive investment and rebuild the economy, National’s Forestry spokesperson Joseph Mooney says.

“Forestry is this country's fourth-largest exporter, earning $6 billion of revenue last year and employing more than 35,000 people.

“But forestry is struggling after being hit by a perfect storm of declining sales, extreme weather, a collapse in the carbon price and a stalled economy.

“National wants to urgently restore confidence and certainty in the sector to deliver investment and growth in forestry and wood processing.

“With more than 60 per cent of harvested logs leaving New Zealand unprocessed, New Zealand has the opportunity to add more value to timber exports.”

National will:

1. Boost wood processing by introducing one-year consents to establish new wood processing facilities, and investigating Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) credits for wood processors for the embedded carbon in their products.
2. Build confidence in forestry by stabilising ETS revenues for the sector.
3. Mitigate slash and other environmental challenges with new fit-for-purpose rules for managing forests.
4. Restore regional control of skills development for forestry by undoing the failed polytechnic mega-merger and returning control to the regions.

“National’s vision is for a growing forestry sector that processes more logs into timber and other wood products to deliver more jobs, more growth, and more value for New Zealand.

“After three reviews of slash in five years, Labour has moved far too slowly, and now communities on the East Coast are paying the price. National will set clear rules for slash management to keep communities safe.

“New Zealand’s economic recovery starts in rural New Zealand with a thriving forest and wood processing sector. New Zealand’s economy depends on primary production – it’s how we pay our way in the world to fund health and education and other public services that we all rely on.

“Forestry and wood processing are part of National’s plan to rebuild the economy and get it working for all New Zealanders.”

ENDS

Media contact: Connie Giquel 027 230 1499

Notes to Editors: National's Forestry for a Strong Economy Policy can be found here.

Slash inquiry won't be about forestry - Joseph Mooney

Connie Giquel February 27, 2023 Share

National's Forestry spokesperson Joseph Mooney says that the Prime Minister and his Forestry Minister seem to be at odds on what the forestry slash inquiry will focus on.

“Only three days after the Prime Minister announced a ministerial inquiry into forestry slash, Forestry Minister Stuart Nash said on Q+A on Sunday that the inquiry won’t be about forestry, only land use.

“This raises serious questions about whether the inquiry will address community concerns about woody debris and the role of forestry slash following cyclone Hale and Gabrielle. This would be a major let-down for communities seeking answers.

"Mr Nash also mentioned slash traps as a possible solution but said those are not within his ministerial responsibility and instead consenting for those is the responsibility of councils.

“However, previous reports Mr Nash has received warned that it was becoming harder to get resource consents for slash traps because of regulatory issues that the Minister is responsible for.

“Mr Nash has delayed acting on those previous warnings for almost three years, despite receiving them in 2020 and the Labour Government declaring a Climate Emergency the same year.

“It is increasingly looking like the Government and its Minister is doing everything it can to avoid responsibility by setting the Ministerial Inquiry up for failure at a time when New Zealanders need answers and urgent action.”

Labour failed to act after multiple slash reviews

Connie Giquel February 23, 2023 Share

National welcomes the inquiry into forestry slash but it asks why the Labour Government’s failed to act on the back of earlier reviews, National’s Forestry spokesperson Joseph Mooney says.

“Since Labour came into office in 2017, two reviews that warned the Labour Government about the increased risks posed by forestry slash have been completed, but five years later, Forestry Minister Stuart Nash is yet to announce any action.

“A review of slash management which began in 2018 warned of increased incidents of extreme rain and the damage forestry slash could cause.

“In 2022, Mr Nash kicked off further consultation that included a review of the findings from 2018. While that was completed in November, Mr Nash confirmed this week that he is yet to take action as he awaits advice from the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“Mr Nash and his colleagues have let down both communities on the East Coast and Hawkes’ Bay, as well as the forestry industry through their failure to address the issue.

“Despite declaring a climate emergency and receiving warnings about the impact of forestry slash in extreme weather, the Labour Government has done nothing in response. Communities affected by forestry slash need action.

“National supports an investigation if it leads to better management of slash. Forestry is an important contributor to the New Zealand economy, especially in regional areas.”

Parliamentary News from Joseph Mooney - Summer Edition 2022

Connie Giquel December 16, 2022 Share

It's hard to believe that it's Christmas time again. It feels like not so long ago that we celebrated the start of 2022. 

It ended up being a year full of twists and turns, and 2023 is shaping up to be equally fast-paced as we head into an election year when the country will decide who is best fit to govern.

2022 will be a year known for a rising cost of living crisis, with the highest annual increase in food prices since 2008 and increasing lawlessness and youth offending through ram raids.

It's also one where Labour pushed through its flawed Three Waters Bill despite all other political parties voting against it. I hosted Three Waters public meetings in Te Anau, Winton, Gore and Alexandra and presented Groundswell NZ's petition to the petitions secretariat so that it can be heard by the Parliamentary Petitions Committee in the new year.

Labour also unleashed their ill-considered farm emissions pricing proposal on the agricultural sector, which would see sheep and beef farming reduced by 20 per cent and dairy by 5 per cent by 2030 and pile on regulations and costs on farmers. Our farmers are already the most carbon-efficient food producers in the world, and it's unfair that they are being targeted by Labour.

Workforce shortages across the healthcare, tourism and hospitality industries have been a hallmark of this year, too, due to the Government's poor immigration policy settings and failure to act sooner to get workers into the country despite warnings of the consequences of not doing so.

But 2022 has also been a year of joyous celebrations. We saw the return of large events to our Southland region, like the Queenstown Marathon, the Tour of Southland, New Zealand's first ever e-bike festival Cyclorama New Zealand kicking off in Arrowtown, the Grand Opening of the Kingston Flyer Steam Train, and Alexandra hosting its first-ever South Asian Cultural Festival.

I've continued championing local causes that include NZ Post's postal delivery service failure in Hanley's Farm while advocating for cycle trails in the region, such as the Lake 2 Lake Cycle Trail from Te Anau to Manapouri and the Roxburgh Gorge Trail in Central Otago.

I joined the "Peeps not Sheeps" campaign to highlight the plight of communities in parts of Queenstown disadvantaged by the Government's outdated Accommodation Supplement subsidy rules. I also opposed the Government's plans to close the Milford Sounds Airport after over seventy years of iconic history.

I have, throughout the year, petitioned Ministers to address the ongoing workforce shortages across the tourism and hospitality industries and in our region's rural health, maternity and aged care sectors. I enjoyed joining the "Shear 4 Blair" Shearathon campaign in support of raising funds for the Southland Charity Hospital earlier this year too.

While 2022 has been a test of resilience for many, it's time to press that reset button for a new year with new opportunities.

Put up that tree, plan that holiday with family, go to that festival. Because you deserve it!

My offices will be closed for the annual parliamentary shutdown between 21 December 2022 and 9 January 2023. In an emergency, you can reach us by email at [email protected].

Thank you for your strong support this year, and I look forward to reconnecting with you in 2023. It will be an important year for all of us, and if you'd like to know more about how you can contribute to its success, please do not hesitate to contact me.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Joseph Mooney
http://josephmooney.national.org.nz/

National's Spokesperson for Space congratulates Rocket Lab on CAPSTONE success

Connie Giquel November 18, 2022 Share

National’s Spokesperson for Space, Joseph Mooney MP, congratulates Rocket Lab on the historic milestone of the CAPSTONE CubeSat spacecraft reaching the Moon’s orbit recently after being launched from Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.

“I was delighted by the news that CAPSTONE has completed another phase of its journey by arriving at its Moon orbit as part of NASA’s Artemis “Return to the Moon” mission”, says Mr Mooney.

“This historical event took place while I was hosting my inaugural Catalysing the Otago-Southland Space Industry event in Queenstown to discuss benefits to the region of New Zealand's progress as a space-faring nation, making the occasion particularly poignant.

“Five months ago, on 28 June, I was at Rocket Lab’s mission control to witness the historic launch of CAPSTONE from New Zealand on behalf of NASA. The news that it has successfully reached the Moon is simply phenomenal.

“To put this moment into perspective, when CAPSTONE reached Earth’s nearest neighbour, it was the first ever CubeSat to do so.

“It is also worth pointing out that this is the same orbit that will be used by Gateway, the Moon-orbiting Space Station with humans on board that will support NASA’s Artemis missions”, Mr Mooney says.

“It is hard to believe that twenty years ago, only a handful of nation-states could launch into Space. In a short time, New Zealand has become only the 11^th country in the world to launch a spacecraft into orbit and the 6^th country to launch a spacecraft to the Moon.

“This was a historic step in the world’s endeavours to return humans to the Moon. I commend Rocket Lab for bringing us closer to that goal.

“While it is still early days for the Space industry in New Zealand, we are already a true space-faring nation."

ENDS

Govt immigration policies fail Fiordland businesses

Connie Giquel October 17, 2022 Share

The Government's immigration changes to the Skilled Migrant Category and Working Holiday Visa are too little, too late for some Fiordland businesses, MP for Southland, Joseph Mooney, says.

"Serious questions need to be asked as to why the Government has failed Fiordland businesses who, according to a recent survey of 32 businesses, report that they are short more than 244 workers this season.

At least 28 of those businesses indicated that due to ongoing worker shortages, many are closing for days, blocking out bed spaces and guest nights, and operating with shorter hours due to an inability to meet customers' and guests' needs.

In response to the question, "Is the crisis issue affecting owners' and managers' mental health" 21 businesses (or 65.63%) responded "yes", while 4 (12.50%) were unsure.

"Alarmingly, 75% of the businesses surveyed indicated "burn out or stress affecting their teams' mental health if the worker shortages were not resolved".

"This is unacceptable and immoral", says Mr Mooney.  

"Milford Sounds is one of New Zealand's most popular visitor attractions and iconic destinations. Businesses are grateful for the return of international visitors, but to now find themselves unable to offer those visitors the world-class experience they expect due to workforce shortages is blame squarely to lay at the Government's policy failures.

"I have persistently advocated for the Government to resolve these issues on behalf of businesses in my electorate during the worst labour shortages in 50 years in our country's history.

"In addition to writing to the Minister for Immigration and Tourism about the impact of the worker shortages on businesses and communities in my electorate, I have also actively met many hospitality providers on the ground to offer them support.

"Just today, I have again written to both Ministers to share the devastating survey results with them as a demonstration of the results of their policy failures on businesses and livelihoods.

"A few weeks ago, Minister Wood was sitting across from me during the General debate in Parliament when I asked what the Government intends to do about the situation. There was no response", Mr Mooney says.

"When my colleague and Spokesperson for Immigration Erica Stanford joined me at a meeting with businesses to hear first-hand their stories of despair, comments on our regular social media posts certainly reflect the general public sentiment.

"Labour has failed businesses by being too slow to act on this crisis”, says Mr Mooney.

"They chose to do an immigration reset during a worker shortage crisis and kept the Skilled Migrant Category closed all year.

"Equally, their changes in August this year to the Working Holiday Visa came far too late, with many working holiday visa workers leaving the country before the changes came into effect.

"Many offshore Working Holiday visa applicants cannot come to the country until 2023 at least, and the application fees have doubled. In the meantime, businesses in my electorate continue to struggle financially and mentally.

"Labour needs to explain why it has taken so long to do something about this dire situation, while skill shortages have continued to hurt Kiwi businesses, driving up consumer prices and holding back the economy.

"Labour should have adopted National's plan to refund application fees, raise the age limit to 35 years, immediately open applications to all countries we offer a Working Holiday Visa, and allowed anyone who has already had a Working Holiday Visa to apply for a second and third visa if they work in tourism, hospitality or agriculture.

"Fiordland businesses have paid the price for Labour's policy failures, and Labour will have to face the music next year when the country scores their actions", Mr Mooney says.

ENDS

The Ensign Column - Joseph Mooney MP - October 2022

Connie Giquel October 13, 2022 Share

Despite the recent cold snap, it was evident during my recent Meet your Local MP meeting in Gore that spring had truly arrived as we experienced three seasons in one day.

A key message I heard throughout the day was that we need farmers to do well to keep businesses busy and folks in jobs.

It was also great to see families out and about making the most of the school holidays, which also benefits our local businesses.

Local elections have ended, and hopefully, you exercised your right to have your say in who represents you around the table when decisions are made about you, your family and your community.

There are important conversations to be had on the Government's current reform programme, including Three Waters and winter grazing regulations and what it means for local communities.

On October 14, shadow spokesman for local government Simon Watts and I will host a series of Three Waters meetings, including one in Gore at 1pm.

Labour is ignoring the pleas of local communities by pushing forward with its reforms.

This is despite the Office of the Auditor-General delivering a scathing indictment of the Three Waters reforms. In a submission to a Parliamentary committee, the Office of the Auditor-General said the proposed Three Waters changes would result in "a serious diminution in accountability to the public for a critical service" and "no proposed audit scrutiny".

The Government has had opportunity after opportunity to consider alternatives to its reforms and the views of local councils. Still, they've decided they know best, and our communities will pay the price.

Their true agenda is one of a centralised, one-size-fits-all model, with less local voice for our communities.

The economic benefits of this model remain unproven, and the alternatives have been ignored.

We would like to hear your thoughts on this issue and hope you can join us. Simon and I will also share National's views on why the Government's proposed model doesn't make sense, won't work for our communities, and why a future National Government will repeal Labour's Three Waters legislation.