Nathan Guy MP - Column

Reducing harm caused by alcohol

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:26:03 +1200

Recently in Kapiti local residents were terrorised by 100 drunken teenagers who trashed a house and caused a mini riot along the street. Cars were vandalised, police attacked and a two kilometre path of petty destruction left in their wake.

This is another example of the harm caused by binge drinking, which sadly has become part of our culture. Local police tell me they deal with problems caused by binge drinking every weekend.

Things need to change, which is why we are introducing a major package of reform to tackle the harm caused by alcohol.

I reckon these reforms strike the right balance between reducing harm and trusting responsible New Zealanders to make their own decisions about their drinking.

It’s important to realise that legislation alone won’t turn around binge drinking, but it will help support a culture change

Alcohol is estimated to contribute to 1000 deaths a year. During the weekend, about 7 out of 10 people who go to the emergency department are there because of alcohol.

Alcohol is also a driver of crime. It plays a part in 30 per cent of all offences, 34 per cent of family violence, and one in every two homicides.

I have given the purchase age for alcohol a lot of thought and after reading the Law Commission report and listening to the views of the public I’ve decided to support a split age for purchasing alcohol.

This means that the age limit of 18 will still remain for bars and restaurants, but it will be 20 for takeaway alcohol from bottle stores and supermarkets.

There will be restrictions on the size and strength of pre-mixed RTDs, and it will be an offence to supply liquor to under-18s without the permission of their parents.

Local communities will have more power over the location and opening hours of liquor outlets, and there will be set closing times for bars and off-licenses.

There will also be improved public education and treatment services for people with dependency issues.

Legislation will go to Parliament in October and we will listen carefully to the public through the select committee process.

Please contact either of my electorate offices if you want more information on making a submission - nathanguykapiti@parliament.govt.nz or nathanguyhorowhenua@parliament.govt.nz

Lifting achievement in our schools

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:59:00 +1200

Over the last few weeks I’ve been writing to all the new Board of Trustee members at our local schools, congratulating them for their election and thanking them in advance for the work ahead.

Our local schools depend on parents putting themselves forward to help out. This is so important because we know that kids do better at school (and in life) when parents get involved in their education.

It’s an exciting time in education with a lot happening, and a big focus on lifting achievement.

We know that around one in five students leave school without the basic reading, writing and maths skills they need. This is a worrying statistic and the government is determined to get better results.

Last week the government announced some big changes to how the Ministry of Education supports teachers and students. 50 experts from the Ministry will start working directly with schools most at need, helping them lift achievement levels. Principals and teachers have told us this is the kind of direct assistance has needed for a long time.

Some schools will need only a little help to lift achievement levels, while others will need more.

National Standards begin in primary and intermediate schools this year and will help us identify students who are falling behind. The Standards are signposts which show what Year 1 to 8 children should be able to achieve in reading, writing, and maths, and by when. Parents receive plain language reports on their child’s progress twice a year.

Feedback from some local parents I’ve spoken to is that they appreciate the simple reporting structure and clearly understanding how their child is doing at school.

Like any new system there will need to be ‘tweaks’ and improvements made along the way to ensure parents and guardians are getting the information they need and deserve.

We’re also investing an extra $36 million over four years into students who we find are falling behind.

It won’t be easy, but we need to do a much better job of supporting these students who have been falling through the cracks for too long.

USA Trip

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:24:00 +1200

By the time you read this I should be staying on a cattle ranch in Texas, USA. Last night I had a tasty bison steak for dinner, commercially farmed from buffalo.

I'm extremely fortunate to be hosted by the US government on a study trip looking at trade, food safety, agriculture and politics.

I’m part of a group of 22 people from around the world and so far it’s been a fascinating experience. I'm learning so much about America and other countries around the world, and already I’ve built some strong friendships that will be beneficial in my political career.

In Washington DC - the political engine room of America - we focussed on trade and met with officials to discuss laws around importation and food safety. I organised meetings with officials from Fonterra and Beef and Lamb New Zealand to get an understanding of the day to day issues they face here in America.

I also caught up with our new Ambassador Rt Hon Mike Moore who has just started here. Last week he met President Barrack Obama to help strengthen the relationship between our countries, which is getting stronger all the time.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully that our relationship is the best it’s been for 25 years. Mrs Clinton was planning to visit New Zealand earlier this year but had to postpone after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Hopefully she will visit later in the year – it would be great to show her Kapiti Island like we did with Prince William earlier this year.

The US and New Zealand are taking part in trade negotiations with other Pacific nations including Australia, Brunei, Chile, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. If this deal can be pulled off it will have major benefits for New Zealand with new trade, jobs and export opportunities.

We got to see this trade happening first-hand at the world’s second biggest fish and vegetable market in New York. It was amazing to see all the trucks unloading and I even spotted some New Zealand-farmed salmon on sale. I meet an American restaurateur who is passionate about New Zealand venison and a strong promoter of our food and wine.

It’s amazing to think what's involved from paddock to plate in providing him with a reliable supply of chilled venison that he turns into gourmet dishes on the other side of the world.

I'm very lucky to be on this tour and it makes me realise just how important America is to our country. Nearly 200,000 US visitors came to New Zealand last year and they are our third largest trading partner.

Trips like this will help build that relationship even further.

New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, Rt Hon Mike Moore and Hon Nathan Guy

Making the Most of Rugby World Cup Festivities

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:18:00 +1200

The 2011 Rugby World Cup is now just over a year away and there is a huge amount of work going in to make sure New Zealand makes the most of this incredible event.

A few weeks ago the Prime Minister and I launched a new fund to support community events held during the tournament. $9.5 million is available for activities such as concerts, fairs, exhibitions, street markets and parades.

The money comes from the Lotteries Commission who run games like Lotto, Daily Keno and Instant Kiwi to benefit the community.

As the Minister of Internal Affairs I get to see the difference this funding makes in communities around New Zealand. It helps fund everything from cancer societies, women's refuges, age concern, disability charities, and environmental causes right through to sports clubs.

This new fund will help ensure that all communities and regions can get involved in the spirit of the event, even if you aren’t lucky enough to get a ticket to a game.

The Rugby World Cup will be the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand with around 85,000 visitors expected. There are seven games in Wellington and two in Palmerston North, which means we should see plenty of campervans staying locally.

This presents a real opportunity for Kapiti and Horowhenua to get involved in the spirit of the tournament and showcase our region to visitors.

As local MP I’ve met with Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan, Horowhenua Mayor Brendan Duffy and Nature Coast to discuss how our region can be involved. I’m keen to explore the idea of a joint proposal for events in our region being forward. If you have a local idea for the Rugby World Cup Festival Committee you can contact Nature Coast at one of our i-SITE visitor information centres.

Rail Upgrade

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:54:00 +1200

This week I had a sneak peek at the new “Matangi” trains which will be rolled out across the Wellington region over the next 18 months.

The first train is fresh off the boat from South Korea, the first of 48 modern new units which will be arriving regularly.

It’s great news for commuters after what has been a tough year. Breakdowns and delays have been hugely frustrating for everyone involved.

These new trains are part of a $500 million package to improve our rail system. It’s much needed, given that we still have trains from the 1940s running on some tracks.

These new trains have decent heating and air-conditioning, public address systems and the latest technology to keep passengers informed about the service. There is also plenty of room for buggies, bikes and wheelchairs.

The first new train enters service on the Hutt Valley line in December with the Paraparaumu line scheduled to receive the Matangi around the middle of next year.

There will be rigorous testing over the next few months, so you might see it doing a few test runs around Kapiti.

Paraparaumu and Waikanae stations are also being upgraded as part of this major programme.

Work is underway at Paraparaumu with a second platform being built on the other side of the tracks, and an underpass will connect the existing road subway with the new platform. There will also be more carparks for commuters.

In Waikanae there’s plenty of activity with a new 200 metre long platform is underway. A second car park will be created to the east of the tracks, with a new pedestrian level crossing connecting it to the new station.

Of course, on top of these rail improvements we have the $2.2 billion roading upgrade of the corridor from Levin to Wellington Airport, including Transmission Gully.

It’s a huge infrastructure programme for our region, and one that is long overdue. I’m proud to see good progress being made and will keep you up to date with all the developments.

Employment Law Changes

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:42:00 +1200

As I get around local businesses in Kapiti and Horowhenua there are encouraging signs the economy is growing out of recession – although it’s still a bit patchy.

It’s been a tough few years but we are in better shape than many other countries around the world.

One of the biggest priorities for the government is creating more jobs, and to do this we need employers confident enough to expand their businesses and hire new employees.

This is why last week the Government announced an extension of the 90-day trial period for new workers who take up employment in a large business (greater than 20 staff).

After the election we introduced a 90 day trial period for small employers which has been working extremely well. This is especially important for our region because Horowhenua and Kapiti are built on small and medium sized businesses.

A Department of Labour report found that 40% of employers who hired a worker under the scheme wouldn’t have hired that worker without a trial period. It also found that the vast majority of people employed on a trial period have remained employed.

This shows how important it is to give people a chance, especially for disadvantaged groups like the young, the long-term unemployed and new migrants.

Often employers are reluctant to hire because they are worried the person won’t work out and they’ll be stuck in a bad relationship. This new law gives both sides the chance to see if they are suited to the role and if they want to continue.

When the trial was first announced, some unions claimed they would expose any bad employers who abuse the scheme. Since then, we’ve heard nothing which highlights its success.

We’re also changing the Holidays Act to make it more flexible. Employees will be able to trade in a week of annual leave in return for cash, but only if the employees chooses to do so. Employers cannot force workers to choose either option.

The Job Ops programme which has also been successful in helping young people find work is still available.

Job Ops targets unskilled and unemployed 16 to 24 year olds and subsidises employers $5,000 for each person hired into a position for six months. This consists of an upfront payment of $3,000 with a further $2,000 paid once the person has completed six months in the job.

This is part of the Government's Youth Opportunities package, and it’s designed to give young people the chance to build their skills and progress. It also helps small and medium-sized businesses to grow with little or no risk.

Overall, these packages are a big step forward in creating more jobs and opportunities for New Zealanders.

Bonding

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:16:00 +1200

It was great to have the Health Minister Tony Ryall in the electorate again this week, opening new elderly care beds at Sevenoaks Retirement Village in Paraparaumu.

Caring for older people is a hugely demanding job and will become even more important as our population ages.

Another big health issue facing New Zealand is attracting enough trained professionals, especially to provincial areas.

Doctors, nurses and midwives are in big demand around the world. A recent newspaper article revealed that some young doctors are getting paid as much as $6000 for a weekend’s work in Australia.

This is why the government has introduced a voluntary bonding scheme for young medical professionals, including GPs, nurses and midwives. Up to $10,000 is on offer for those willing to commit to a hard-to-staff region in New Zealand for three to five years.

Around the country it has been an outstanding success. Last year 900 signed up for the scheme and this year 500 graduates were accepted, a lot more than budgeted for, but the government decided to take them all on.

Once medical graduates have completed their maximum of two years at a base hospital such as Palmerston North, they must move into a “hard-to-staff” specialty such as general practice. This helps us retain graduates and will be good for regional areas such as Horowhenua and Kapiti.

Of course, money is not the only answer. Medical staff need to feel they are valued, and to receive good training and career advice. Programmes to improve this are already underway.

Last week I welcomed six new government-funded paramedics into Foxton and Otaki, which will make a huge difference for St Johns Ambulance.

It also compliments the good work Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics are doing, treating people in their homes around Kapiti. The pilot programme is hugely successful and is now offered 24/7.

As you can see there’s plenty of exciting initiatives happening in health.

Full Steam ahead on Transmission Gully

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:26:00 +1200

Locally there is a major focus on the roading expressway through Kapiti and ultimately up to Levin, but just as important is Transmission Gully.

This hasn’t got as much attention but behind the scenes it’s all go.

Some residents will have received a brochure in the mail recently from NZTA, giving the latest developments on Transmission Gully.

It’s great news that detailed work is underway. I think a lot of people had given up on ever seeing it happen, but it’s been a big priority for me over the years and I’m delighted it’s underway.

NZTA expects to start applying for regulatory consents in March next year, which means they are flat-out gathering all the information they need.

It’s a big project because there is a lot of information needed. NZTA needs to take into account the landscape, air and water quality, the impact on communities and the structural design.

The good news is that the government is moving to speed up the consent process. Big projects of national significance are now considered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a new agency that can make the process smoother and quicker.

There is a good chance Transmission Gully could qualify for this. All going to plan, construction will be finished by 2020.

The Gully project is part of the Levin to Wellington Airport corridor, a $2.2 billion project. The government has earmarked this as a road of National Significance, meaning it has top priority because of its importance to New Zealand.

It’s clear we need this infrastructure to better support our growing population.

Overall this will mean safer roads, quicker journeys and a real boost to the regional economy. We finally have a strategic vision for the whole corridor from Levin to Wellington.

In the meantime, keep your eye out for open days that will be happening in the near future.

Victims and Justice

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:22:00 +1200

I have a lot to do with Justices of the Peace in my role as Associate Minister of Justice and local MP for Otaki. There are about 10,000 JPs around New Zealand who play an important role in our justice system.

Recently I spoke to the Central Districts JP association (which takes in the Horowhenua) about the government’s priorities for the year. It’s another full work programme as we make some major improvements to the justice system.

From 1 July a $50 levy will be imposed on all offenders sentenced in court, in addition to any other sentence or court order.

This levy will be used to help the victims of crime who have been overlooked by the system for too long.

In particular, it will be used to support the families of homicide victims and the victims of sexual assault.

Victim Support volunteers will receive funding for four regional homicide support co-ordinators, and 100 volunteer support workers across the country will receive training.

There will be support for funeral costs, help to attend Court hearings and assistance for families suffering financial difficulty.

Trained advisers and counsellors will provide extra help and support to survivors of sexual violence.

Better information will be provided to victims about the court process, because it can seem confusing and bewildering to those who haven’t been there before.

New brochures, pamphlets and a DVD will help de-mystify what goes on in court.

All of this will be paid for through the offenders levy, which will raise around $13.6 million over the next four years. It’s important that offenders take responsibility for the harm their behaviour causes.

Of course we can’t take away the pain of victims' loss or injury, but we can help smooth the way. This levy will go a long way towards helping with the financial and emotional costs that fall on victims.

From left to right: President of the Central Region JPs Association George Sue from Levin, President of the Royal Federation of JPs Alison Thomson, with Associate Justice Minister and Otaki MP Nathan Guy.

Safe Roads

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:22:00 +1200

Last week in Parliament I attended the launch of a major study on the safety of our roads.

The KiwiRAP star ratings have been developed by the AA and the NZ Transport Agency, using vehicles with five onboard cameras to study our roads.

A rating of one to five stars is then calculated, based on things like roadside conditions, lane and shoulder width, and the placement of intersections.

Around the country most of our roads are in decent shape, but it will be no surprise to locals that SH1 around Levin and Otaki has only a two star rating.

The road between Waikanae and Paraparaumu gets a three star rating, which could be better considering it carries over 20,000 vehicles a day.

We’ve known for years that improvements are needed and I’ve campaigned strongly on this issue.

Over the last five years there have been 59 serious or fatal crashes on the stretch of road between Paraparaumu and Levin.

This reinforces how important it is to upgrade SH1 between Levin and Wellington.

Thankfully the National government has made this route a Road of National Significance, with $2.2 billion in funding to build an expressway including Transmission Gully.

Earlier this year we launched Safer Journeys, which is a 10 year plan with a range of ideas to cut the road toll.

As part of this, the driving age will be raised from 15 to 16. We have a terrible record of youth safety on the roads, one of the worst in the world. 15 to 24 year olds make up 37% of all fatalities despite being just 15% of the population.

The other issue being considered is lowering the adult drink drive limit, from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50mcg. Cabinet will consider this soon, along with the option of doing more research.

Already we’ve passed new laws on cellphone use in the car while driving, drugged driving and illegal street racing.

We’ve also given local councils the power to create by-laws banning “cruising” by boy racers, which come into force in Christchurch this week.

You can find more information on the road safety ratings at www.kiwirap.co.nz

From left to right, Transport Minister Steven Joyce, AA Motoring general manager Mike Noon, Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy

Volunteers Week

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:14:00 +1200

This week is Volunteer Awareness Week, a good occasion to recognise all the unsung heroes in our community.

Most people probably don’t realise just how much we depend on volunteers. Whether it’s coaching a sports team, surf lifeguards or doing meals on wheels for the elderly, more than a million New Zealanders volunteer in some way.

As local MP I get to see a lot of this in action – people choosing to help others when there’s nothing in it for themselves.

Just look at the successful health shuttle between Levin and Palmerston North that is driven by volunteers.

The tree planting at the Otaki River this week will also involve a large group of volunteers determined to beautify this area for future generations to enjoy.

The Volunteer Kapiti kiosk has just opened in the Kapiti Community Centre to coordinate people and match them with the right activities. You can pop in or phone them on 04 905 8884.

Another great example of volunteers is at Otaki Fire Brigade. Last week they won a major Health and Safety Award for a remarkable invention by the late Warren Lauder.

Mr Lander designed and built a rapid extraction beam, which makes it easier and safer for fire fighters to help injured people out of car wrecks.

It’s a great example of Kiwi ingenuity, and they were recognised at the New Zealand Workplace Health & Safety Awards 2010. The ceremony was held in Auckland with TV host John Campbell presenting an award.

He was so impressed that the Campbell Live show came and filmed the Otaki Fire Brigade this week. Well done team.

It’s sometimes easy to overlook the dedication and commitment that so many people display every day. Thank you to the thousands of volunteers locally that make a real difference in our communities.

Good News for Local Schools

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:09:00 +1200

Last week Parliament was in recess and it was a great opportunity for me to get around my electorate and catch up with people.

I visited quite a few schools and opened a new extension at the Sunshine Kid Day Care Centre. It’s great to see the progress our kids are making and the investment being made at early childhood centres and in our schools.

Last week the Education Minister Anne Tolley confirmed that a new primary school will be built soon in Waikanae.

This is great news for Waikanae and the Kapiti District as both of the current primary schools are close to chocka. We need to plan for the future and buying a site now is an important first step.

I’ve been highlighting this issue with the Education Minister for some time now and it’s great she has recognised this need and provided new funding.

The new school will cover 7.5 acres and accommodate up to 400 kids, including an early childhood centre which parents will be rapt to hear about.

Recently around $1 million has gone into building more facilities at Waikanae School to cope with roll growth over the next few years until the new school gets up and running.

Kapiti has been one of the fastest growing regions in the country and more people are choosing to come here because it’s a very friendly, family-orientated community.

Good things are happening in Horowhenua schools too. Earlier this year Prime Minister John Key opened Poroutawhao primary school’s new $150,000 multipurpose classroom, and Levin School built a new classroom last year. Soon Koputaroa School will also be opening a new classroom that I had a tour of last week.

Budget 2010 provided an extra $1.4 billion for schools and early childhood education over the next four years. This is a great investment in the future, particularly given how tight the government’s finances are.

The National-led government wants every young New Zealander to reach their potential and have the chance to succeed, which is why education is such a big priority for our government.

Minister for Education, Hon Anne Tolley and Hon Nathan Guy

Youth Issues

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:59:00 +1200

When I stood for the Horowhenua District Council I campaigned on a youth platform at 29 years of age. Once elected I soon realised that youth affairs were not a big part of Local Government and often got over-looked.

That is changing over time with a stronger youth voice in communities, and the Government having a vibrant Minister of Youth Affairs in Paula Bennett. We also have a Youth Parliament every three years where we hope outstanding teenagers will get motivated into politics and further leadership roles.

For parents, keeping teenagers safe, happy and healthy is the main priority. Issues such as drugs, alcohol, crime, physical and mental health are all important.

Therefore it’s great news that $20,000 extra in new funding has been announced for three local programmes by the Ministry of Youth Development.

The Kapiti Youth Support (One Stop Shop Trust) in Paraparaumu, the Otaki Women’s Health Group and Life to the Max in Levin and will share the funding.

Kapiti Youth Support does a great job with teenagers health and receives $5,000 to run a programme to help young mothers gain the necessary skills they need to become good parents.

Horowhenua’s Life to the Max service in Levin receives $10,000 to run a programme in Colleges to educate students on the dangers involved with drugs and alcohol. Finance Minister Bill English visited this programme with me last year and was impressed.

The Otaki Women’s Health group receive $5,000 to run an expo to help youth plan what they want to see happening in and around Otaki.

These organisations provide great services to young people in our region and I’m really pleased they have been selected in this funding round.

This money will allow them to continue and expand on the work they are doing, make a real impact on young lives.

The funding comes from the Ministry of Youth Development’s Services for Young People Fund, which helps young people aged between 12 and 24 years reach their potential and be successful in their lives.

Can I also congratulate this week’s graduates from Youth Quest Kapiti who will now put their skills they have learnt to good use in our community. Well done team.

Budget 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:31:58 +1200

Two weeks ago the government unveiled Budget 2010 which has been well received locally as fair and forward thinking.

It’s clear we need to grow the economy, lift incomes and create more opportunities for people in the Kapiti and Horowhenua regions.

This is why the government is reforming the tax system to create the right incentives for people to get ahead. We want to encourage work, savings and investment rather than borrowing and property speculation.

Tax cuts combined with the small rise in GST means that the average household on $76,000 a year will be better off by around $25 a week, or $1300 a year.

Beneficiaries will be compensated for the GST increase and on 1 October superannuitants will see an increase of around $11 a week per couple, or $560 per year.

Overall, this is the biggest structural change to the tax system in 25 years. 73% of income earners will be paying less than 17.5% in tax.

The health sector gets an extra $2.1 billion over the next four years. MidCentral DHB receives an extra $13 million and Capital and Coast DHB receives $24 million, which will help them in their challenge to balance the books.

In education there is an extra $1.4 billion over the next four years, including a large boost to operational funding which will help the many schools in the electorate.

There is more funding available for community law centres such as the one in Levin that provides an important service locally.

There is ongoing large investment in infrastructure, such as the Levin to Wellington expressway including Transmission Gully, and $250 million into upgrading KiwiRail.

I’m proud to be part of a National government which has successfully navigated the worst global recession in a generation. Forecasts show the economy will start growing again at around 3% for the next four years, which is great news and shows that our policies are working.

The 2010 Budget will now drive the New Zealand economy forward by focusing on investment and exports instead of debt and consumption.

You can find out how you’ll benefit from the tax package at my website www.nathanguy.co.nz.

Horowhenua Health Beds and Budget 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:41:00 +1200

Great news last week that the Horowhenua Health Centre will be retaining all 24 beds at the current level of service.

I’m pleased that MidCentral DHB have listened to the concerns raised by myself and the community over this issue. I spoke at a large public meeting in Levin last week and told MidCentral their plan was not acceptable.

Many people I have spoken to were concerned and confused about any changes to the beds, and angry at services being downgraded. I know from visiting the Health Centre that these beds are nearly always full, and we need them in our community for the elderly and the general public.

Removing these beds would have been like removing the engine from a car, and downgrading them would have been like using a smaller engine.

It is good news that the Horowhenua Health Centre will work towards becoming an Integrated Family Health Centre which could be a one-stop shop for local health services.

I’m hopeful that more doctors may choose to locate at the Health Centre in the near future which will help it realise its full potential.

The Government has increased the MidCentral District Health Board's funding by around $13 million in this year's Budget which will help them in their challenge to balance the books. Capital Coast DHB received an extra $24 million in funding.

In total, the 2010 Budget allocated an extra $2.1 billion for healthcare over the next four years. This is important for the Otaki electorate because we have a large elderly population (16,000 people over 65) who rely heavily on our public health system.

That’s one reason why in Kapiti the Urgent Community Care Pilot has been a huge success. Patients who dial 111 are assessed and can be treated by paramedics in their home - reducing ambulance trips to Wellington hospital by over half so far.

Next week I’ll talk more in more detail about the Budget and what it means for our community, particularly for retired people. Tax and GST changes mean a boost for Superannuitants of around $11 a week per couple, or $560 per year.

In the meantime you can view the tax cut calculator at my website www.nathanguy.co.nz.