New responsibilities
Taranaki-King CountryMP Barbara Kuriger(pictured) has taken on a raft of newroles in National’s Shadowcabinet as they prepare for a termin opposition.
Rankednumber14 in the party, Barbara is no longer Senior Whip, but takes onShadowMinister of Energy and Resources, Rural Communities, Food Safety and Transport, as an associate with high flyer, andnewMP, Chris Luxon.
Her Transport delegations are Regional Transport, Traffic Emissions and Road and Rail Safety.
Barbara says she gave leader Judith Collins awide range of preferenceswhenshe was interviewed forShadow cabinet positions, taking heed of the leader’s call forMPsto challenge themselves and step out of their comfort zone.
“I went in to bat for Rural Communities because tome they are everything to this country,” says Barbara.
“Energy and Resources is what I grew upwith in
Taranaki, so that wasanother area of interest.”
Barbara had already been given Food Safety prior to the election, and was keen to continue the work she had started.
“Getting associate for Transport is fantastic,” she says.
“It is a big job, but vitally important formyelectorate region, so Iwill be working hard for the constituents.”
Barbara sees the obvious big issues ahead is Covid recovery, especially helping the regions fill the economic gap that will be created by the lack of overseas tourism.
“Weneed to findnew opportunities for our communities andmake sure they are ready for business,” she says.
She also believesNew Zealand has been fortunate that trade prices have remained high, but saysweneed to keep abreast of that market and ensurewetake every opportunity.
“Our ability to feed the world is critical— it is our ‘bread and butter’,” she says.
Another challenge will be housing.
Barbara says thenumberof Kiwis returninghomehas put pressure on the market, so the country is still desperate for houses and it is still hard for newbuyers to get onto the property ladder.
She says untilwehave a better understanding of the future with Covid, wewon’t knowhowmanywill chose to stayhomeand won’t be able tomakea firm plan.