Easing the pressure on pockets
Talofa lava. I hope that you and your whanau are keeping well.
Last week was a recess week when Parliament doesn’t sit. Recess is an opportunity to spend additional time in the electorate and I was kept busy with a visit from Minister of Health Andrew Little, Government announcements and visiting Paraparaumu markets.
The day spent with Minister Little was focused on the health and wellbeing needs in our community. He met with local social services including Living Well Counselling Horowhenua, Age Concern and Mash Trust. We also stopped in to Te Puna Oranga o O¯ taki and Horowhenua Health Centre. It was a valuable opportunity for people to discuss health concerns and share exciting initiatives they are working on.
Since coming into Government, Labour has worked hard to support low and middle income Kiwis. We’ve taken another step to make things easier, in light of the additional pressure families are feeling as a result of the Ukraine invasion.
The war in Ukraine has caused a global energy crisis that is being felt across New Zealand. I know the petrol price spike has been tough for many here in Ka¯ piti, especially those on lower incomes.
We’ve taken action and cut petrol excise duty and road user charges for three months, to make filling a 40 litre tank more than $11 cheaper. Those filling a 60 litre tank will be seeing more than $17 in savings.
We’ve also made it cheaper for people who catch a bus or a train. Half-price public transport fares will remain in place for three months, making getting to and from work more affordable for many in Ka¯ piti and giving some of our wha¯ nau a great alternative to filling up the tank.
Metlink services will be half price from April 1. Please note that discounted 10-trip tickets will only be valid during the discounted fares period and will be clearly identifiable from regular 10-trip tickets. These initiatives are part of our broader programme to reduce costs, which includes a suite of changes that will lift the incomes of many Kiwis from April 1
Our seniors will see a lift in their NZ Super.
Student and minimum wage workers will see an income boost.
Improvements to Working for Families alone will see around 60 per cent of all families better off by an average of $20 per week.
There’s no silver bullet for the current pressures, but these measures will make a difference. They build on actions we’ve taken since 2017 to ensure Kiwi families have more in their pocket, like the family tax credit, free school lunches, and cheaper doctors’ fees.
We’re committed to securing a recovery from Covid that leaves no one behind — and supporting families with the cost of living is just one way we’re making that a reality.