Firstly, congratulations to all the elected representatives from the recent local body elections.
Thank you to everyone who has served on the Waitaki’s various councils over the previous term. Thank you, too, to all the people who put their hand up for candidacy. Representing your community is a major undertaking and it is good to see so many fine people keen to do so.
I’m looking forward to working alongside the elected mayors and councillors that are now to represent our region as we push for the best results for everyone in Waitaki.
Another major development from the weekend was the big boost of confidence for the Waitaki agricultural sector, which our community centres around.
The announcement regarding methane reduction targets is a significant win for farmers in the Waitaki and across New Zealand.
Farming is the backbone of not only the Waitaki region, but also New Zealand.
It is great to see the balanced approach to climate policy that prioritises our agricultural sector while addressing the issue of climate change.
This policy, backed by all three coalition parties and key industry bodies, provides the certainty and confidence our food producers need to thrive.
One of the most reassuring aspects of this new policy is the clear commitment to no farm taxes, ever. We have ruled out a pricing system for on-farm emissions that could have jeopardised our farms and sent jobs overseas.
Instead, we are focusing on achieving reductions in methane emissions through partnership and industry leadership.
This approach allows us to work alongside major players in the industry, such as Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms, who are already leading the way in sustainable practices.
Whichever way you make a living and spend your money, we are all better off with less inflation.
The recent announcement of 50 basis point Official Cash Rate (OCR) reduction will further ease pressure on New Zealand households and businesses.
This shows monetary policy doing its job. The reduction will be welcome news to mortgage-holders and businesses, as OCR drops flow through to interest rates.
Falling interest rates are good news for growth, jobs, and investment. It also means more money in the hands of families with mortgages.
Assuming today’s reduction is passed on in full, minimum repayments for a family with a 25-year, $500,000 mortgage will be more than $400 a fortnight better off than they were in the middle of last year.
We’ve also stopped wasteful spending, which aside from squandering hard-earned tax dollars, also overheated the economy.
But we know many New Zealanders are still doing it tough.
That’s why the government remains focused on responsible economic management that supports recovery while delivering the public services New Zealanders expect.
Lower interest rates are part of the picture — but we’re also a reforming government driving policies that supports job and income growth, ensuring every New Zealander has the opportunity to get ahead.
■ Miles Anderson is the MP for Waitaki and can be contacted at his Oamaru office on (03) 474-7325 or at waitaki.mp@parliament.govt.nz
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