In this month’s update:

• Why our flag and a bit of patriotism matters

• Cracking down on council spending

• Massive RMA re-write

• Huge property funding increase for all schools

• Local business afternoon tea with Christopher Luxon

Join the team for ’26

Weekly updates

Local events

Upcoming events

What’s trending?

Why out flag and a bit of patriotism matters

Did you see what a publicly-funded art gallery in Hastings have done, encouraging people to walk all over our flag? I take major issue with this and I’m standing up for what’s right. You can watch my 2-minute video here or keep reading below.

Our flag is worn on the uniform of every service person who deploys overseas, through both world wars and dozens of foreign conflicts and humanitarian operations. It’s the flag that thousands of Kiwis have died serving, wearing, and carrying.

This is not an outdated symbol: we voted to keep it only a few years ago. It’s raised high at every medal ceremony, every embassy, at cultural events, schools, military bases, buildings and in private homes. It comprises all the basic elements of the United Tribes flag and the Union Jack. It may be imperfect, but it is ours. 

I know some will say “it’s just a flag,” but it’s our flag. It’s an outward and visible sign of an inward, invisible bond that every Kiwi can share. It speaks to the values that unite us and the standards we will both stand up for, and lay our lives down for. We are Kiwi. We don’t just come from the best country in the world but I firmly believe that Kiwis are the very best of mankind. If you could take the essence of what it is to be Kiwi, bottle it, and then 3D print it as a flag, this is what it looks like. This flag is our country and all of us.

So when someone, when anyone, like Hastings District Council, puts up an exhibition in a publicly funded art gallery, encouraging people to walk all over this flag, I take issue. I take major issue. So do most of us. Hastings Council are tone-deaf and just plain wrong on this one. Flags are a source of pride not a piece of trash. I know that in New Zealand we love to beat ourselves up and cut others down, but can’t we just have a little bit of pride in our country, and that flag the represents us, for just a moment.

So stick your artistic protest on a gallery wall, but this flag belongs at the top of a mast. And ultimately, this flag carries far more than the physical ensign. There is too much blood, sweat and tears invested in this for anyone to be able to trample the indomitable Kiwi spirit that it represents.

Cracking down on council spending

One of the most common bits of feedback I hear locally is “rates have got too expensive.” Over the last three years, they went up for 34% on average in NZ, and in Kapiti that was 17% in just one year alone.We are taking action, and I want to explain two key aspects.First, you might have seen we’re abolishing Regional Councillors, like Greater Wellington Regional Council. I’ve been advocating for this for some time, as I believe they add layers of bureaucracy that slow down and complicate.

We’re proposing changes that will let each region choose the path forward, led by the Mayors, not by Government, but the regional councillors are out, and some councils have told me they want to combine with neighbouring councils (as happens in Tasman and Marlborough already).

Secondly, we’re capping rates rises to a maximum of 4% each year. No one can afford prices to keep going up at the rate they have been the last six years. The message had to get sent to councils across the country and we’ve done this. At the same time, we’re lifting borrowing limits, and we’re ring-fencing water and other non-rates funded services (like pools or waste management). This gives councils more options, but they’ll also need to prioritise what they spend money on, and roads should be prioritised over art exhibitions that try and denigrate our flag!

Massive RMA re-write

It’s got way too hard to do anything in our country. Farmers can’t farm, builders can’t build, growers can’t grow. We’re fixing this.

The RMA is on the way out as we deliver a new planning system (comprised of two different bills or laws).

What this will deliver:

• Save ratepayers and taxpayers $13.3 billion by regulating only what is necessary and restoring the freedom for landowners to develop their land.

• Reduce consents by between 15,000 and 22,000 per year through fewer activity categories and removing the need for consent for low-impact activities.

• Unlock more housing with standardised zoning rules and 30-year regional spatial plans that ensure enough land and infrastructure for growth.

• Speed up critical infrastructure like roads, renewable energy, hospitals and schools through national direction, fewer barriers and incentives for efficient resource use.

• Back farmers and growers by removing unnecessary rules, delivering faster and more proportionate plans, and introducing national standards that provide clarity and consistency.

• Give investors and developers greater certainty through clearer consultation requirements, standardised rules and faster conflict resolution via a new Planning Tribunal.

What the two Bills do:

The Planning Bill sets the framework for planning, land use, development and how communities grow.

The Natural Environment Bill sets the framework for environmental limits, protection and enhancement of the natural environment.

Timeline: The Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill has had it’s first debate in Parliament and is now going through a full select committee process. Everyone can have their say, and it if you support these changes please voice your support!

The Government aims to pass both Bills into law in 2026.National policy direction under the new system will be finalised within nine months of the Bills becoming law.

This is what everyone has been asking for and we’re facing up to the challenge and doing it. Share your thoughts.

Huge property funding increase for all schools

We’re delivering a major 50% increase to school maintenance funding so more students benefits from safe, warm and dry classrooms.

Recently we announced a one-off cash injection of either $5,000 or 50% of their 2025 Property Maintenance Grant funding (excl. GST), whichever was greater. Now we’re going bigger again.

This new increase is for the 5YA (which everyone who’s been on a school board will remember), and this is the money schools use for upgrades, modernising or replacement works on existing buildings. From July 2026, the base rate will rise by 50% – from $30 per square metre to $45 per square metre. Principals I’ve talked to love this, because they understand the difference it will make. The minimum 5YA allocation for small schools will also double, from $45,000 to $90,000.

Whenever schools next get their 5YA they’ll get this increase, which means next year the following Kapiti schools will benefit: Otaki, Waitohu, Waikanae, Te Horo, Kapiti, and Discovery (Whitby).

In Horowhenua it applies to all three high schools.

Great news and a huge support for all our local schools as this phases in.

Join the team for ’26With new electorate boundaries comes new opportunity. First, I need to build a local team of supporters. You’re not committed to anything, but it means we can let you know when events are coming up, you can contribute to policy, be part of little campaigns (like flyer deliveries) or fundraisers. If you would be willing to go on my supporters list please e-mail.

Weekly updates

Have you seen I’m putting out a weekly video update, explaining one current issue each week? They come out every Tuesday at 5pm, they’re only two minutes, and you can find them on TikTok, Instagram or Facebook.

Why our region is a key part of the plan Facebook | Instagram What are your thoughts on screens? Facebook | Instagram Doubling the capacity on our transport at NO COST!! Facebook | Instagram Let me explain the controversy… Facebook | Instagram 

Local events

I’ve been busy in our region this month as we lead up to Christmas. Raising $2000 for the Foodbank and Leukaemia NZ was a big highlight at the Kapiti Food Fair, but here’s a taste of some of my recent events from the last month:

Visiting PCL Construction, WELLfed NZ, Kapiti Food Fair, Kapiti Strawberry Festival, Golf for Good grand opening, BRANZ, Luna Golf, the Shed Project end of year show, Sweet Studios dance shows, Mainline Steam, Ōtaki Te Horo Business Association end of year event, Kapiti Road Patrol End of Year Parade, Voyle & Co to donate kids toys for Christmas, Ōtaki Market and kids’ market, Waikanae Market, Porirua City Council first meeting, the new Levin Health Centre, hosting the Black Caps and West Indies at Parliament, and also meeting Firefighters, meeting with Air New Zealand, Horticulture NZ, Our Kids Online, hosting a morning tea for local Social Services and not-for-profits, Waikanae Community Patrol end of year BBQ, visiting Plimmerton and Whitby businesses, Newstalk ZB, BeachFM and Coast Access interviews and much more. 

Upcoming events

Don’t forget the PM tomorrow, and here’s a few dates for next year:

February 13th, 10am — Carl Bates, MP for WhanganuiWaikanae Community Centre

March 13th, 10am Hon. Simeon Brown, Minister of Health Whitby Bowling Club

May 1st, 10am  Katie Nimon, MP for Napier  Raumati Bowls Club

June 5th, 10am   Catherine Wedd, MP for Tukituki Plimmerton hall, 9 Sunset Parade

July 3rd, 10am Paulo Garcia, MP for Grey Lynn Coast Community Church, Paraparaumu

August 7th, 10am  Sam Uffindell, MP for Tauranga Whitby Bowling Club

September 4th, 10am Stuart Smith, MP for Kaikōura Venue tbc

Here are a few things you might have missed online:The flag controversy… Facebook | Instagram Strawberry Festival Facebook | Instagram Blackcaps and the West Indies at Parliament Facebook | Instagram What Would You Do With $200? Facebook | Instagram Labour and the Greens oppose Defence Force bill Facebook | Instagram Come with me to the Chamber! Facebook | Instagram

That’s it for this month. Merry Christmas!!