Hon Jo Goodhew
MP for Rangitata

I was naturally disappointed to be standing down as Minister when Prime Minister Bill English announced his reshuffled Ministerial line-up.

He and I have discussed how my skills can be usefully be put to work and he and I will talk further about this early in February.

Farewell to 2016

2016 has been a busy and interesting year. As it draws to a close it is interesting to look back on some events and highlights.

Looking back in my electorate diary I see lots of activity – 20 visits to schools, 17 business visits, 46 meetings with community leaders and executives, along with visits to A&P Shows, hosting the Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key in Ashburton and Temuka in July, and hosting five Ministers on visits to the electorate along with nine MPs.

There have also been a multitude of visits to voluntary and professional groups working in all sorts of areas and seven opportunities to host morning or afternoon teas for older members of our communities to “chew the fat” on issues which concern them.

Before Christmas I will visit all the rest homes in the electorate and look forward to offering Christmas greetings to residents and leaving each home a Christmas floral gift.

From a national perspective there has also been much happening. The recent announcement of John Key’s resignation and retirement took us all by surprise but admiration is due to him for the dignified way he decided to bring his tenure as PM to a close on his terms. With the support of Bronagh he has served our country very well for eight years as Prime Minister. I wish them and their family the very best for the future.

I am looking forward to the year ahead working with our new leadership team. Prime Minister Bill English and Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett will bring much experience to the leadership and will continue the sound direction New Zealand has been travelling in over recent years.

Much of the focus for 2017 will inevitably be on the General Election. Until then, and afterwards I hope, I plan to continue representing you to the best of my ability, enjoying the successes of our communities and their residents and working hard for positive outcomes for the inevitable challenges that will come our way.

Fonterra investment in South Canterbury great news

Fonterra’s announcement of a $240 million investment into its Clandeboye site in South Canterbury is a huge boost to the regional economy and will bring increased employment opportunities.

I went to school next door to the Clandeboye factory, which is now the education centre for the expanded site, so I know how important Clandeboye is to the local community.

The investment is to build a new mozzarella plant at, driven in part by the success of the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP). This will be the single largest foodservice investment in the history of New Zealand's dairy industry, and comes thanks to the success of the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain PGP programme.

All of this investment and innovation is creating new jobs in South Canterbury, scaling up production and contributing to the region's economy.

It is a prime example of the benefits that come from the government and industry working together to support research and development.

Transforming the Dairy Value Chain is a $170 million PGP programme co-funded by industry and the Ministry for Primary Industries. It is helping to create new dairy products, increase on-farm productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and improve agricultural education.

Government to reinstate Kaikōura coastal route

Cabinet’s decision to reinstate the coastal route to Kaikōura is great news not just for the Kaikōura area but for businesses and travellers living and working in our area.

The existing State Highway 1 and rail corridor along the coastal route to the north and south of Kaikōura will be rebuilt, with additional improvements to increase safety and resilience. Government will provide additional funding to speed up the process.

I have been approached by businesses within the Rangitata electorate concerned at the loss of the transport link to Picton and the North Island and the impact it has on their businesses. Some certainty that the link is to be restored is welcome news.

Agreeing to restore the coastal route demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to getting this region back on its feet as quickly as possible. To provide certainty, the Crown will fund the work required. Exact costs are still being determined, but the current estimate is between $1.4 billion and $2 billion.

The precise work required to repair the route is still under investigation and it will be a very complex job. However, the Government is confident that limited access via the coastal route can be restored in about 12 months.

Rebuilding a stronger, more resilient coastal route will give Kaikōura residents the security of a second connection to the rest of the South Island.

A busy and productive year in the House

The adjournment of Parliament last Wednesday brings to an end an extremely busy legislative year.

Parliament sat for 88 days this year, the same number of days as in 2015, passing 107 bills – 98 Government bills, four Members’ bills, three private bills and two local bills.

Important Government bills passed into law included the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill, the Smoke Free Environments (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Amendment Bill, and the Social Security (Extension of Young Persons Services and Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill.

The House sat under Extended Hours this year increased from six in 2015 to nine in 2016. Using Extended Hours to progress non-controversial legislation such as Treaty of Waitangi settlements and some other bills has been a positive development over the last two Parliaments.

Five Treaty settlement bills passed this year and a further six received first reading and were sent to select committee.

With 88 sitting days in the past year the Opposition has been given ample opportunity to hold the government to account in Parliament. There have been 1055 oral questions across 86 Question Times – 1033 to Ministers and 22 to Members. As well as oral questions, Ministers received 15,445 written questions and 1204 papers were presented.

Parliament commences its 2017 sitting programme on February 7.

Christmas Wishes

Finally, in this my last newsletter for the year, may I wish each and every one of you a safe, happy and relaxed Christmas. I hope you manage some rest and relaxation and quality time with family and friends. Enjoy heralding in the New Year safely! I look forward to seeing you in 2017.

Upcoming events

My electorate offices in Timaru and Ashburton will close at noon on Thursday, 22 December.

They will reopen on Monday, 9 January (Timaru) and Monday, 16 January(Ashburton).

Kind regards,

Jo Goodhew
MP for Rangitata

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