There are very positive times ahead of us...

ere are very positive times ahead for New Zealand. I can feel it! Last week’s poll told us what we all knew already; the National Party is ready to take back government.

And what great news this is for all New Zealanders.

We have a very bright future ahead of us.

I’m looking forward to a future where our children go to school and are once again some of the top students in the world, where they excel and are ready with the skills they need to thrive in the twenty- rst century. ere will be high skill, high wage jobs for them to go into, because we will unlock our innovation and technology sectors and we will export products and services that lead the world. Investment and wealth will ow into New Zealand, allowing us to build the world leading healthcare system we used to enjoy and to take care of our sick and elderly. People will be able to get around the country easily, because National will have delivered life-transforming infrastructure to enable easy movement of people and freight across our land.

Businesses and regional communities will thrive as a result. Our emissions will be down signi cantly, mainly due to us unlocking

Supporting access to affordable, healthy food

During two years – from 2022/2023 to 2024/2025

– $24.8 million will continue supporting access to a ordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food.

Helping maintain community food distribution infrastructure, supporting food security initiatives and continuing elements of the existing Food Secure Communities programme.

Since the pandemic started, the Ministry of Social Development has supported access to food through the Food Secure Communities programme, helping deliver more than 671,000 food parcels to people in need during the Covid-19 response.

Also, $7.5 million a year for two years will maintain the community food distribution infrastructure to collect and deliver high volumes of surplus and wholesale food. And $4 million in 2023/2024 and $3.5 million in 2024/2025 will continue seed funding for food security initiatives on a pathway to self-sustainability, allowing communities to take the lead in resilience. And $2.3 million in 2023/2024 continues targeted support to meet increased demand for community food services.

All children should live in a home where they’re fed and feel safe. I came to Parliament because of the chronic underfunding in specialist family violence services. I’m delighted that once again our government has funded Te Aorerekura New Zealand’s rst ever plan to eliminate family violence and sexual violence. e investment enables a kaupapa Māori approach to specialist sexual violence services, further funding for the Family Violence Help Portal and new funding for advocates to support children in Women’s Refuge sites. Other Budget 2023 personal favourites are nearly

Chaser to visit cleverTauranga resthome resident

Betty Wakelin of Arvida Copper Crest retirement village is expecting a very special guest today, June 9, from the popular British game show, ‘ e Chase’.

e 84-year-old was one of many retirement villagers across the country to submit questions to Shaun ‘ e Dark Destroyer’ Wallace, who picked her question as the best at a charity competition.

He’s expected to head to the village today where he’ll meet Betty and fellow Arvida Copper Crest villagers who entered the competition for some sh and chips. Betty says to win the competition, she did some research.

“I searched him on Google and saw his mum su ers from dementia and he is right into physical tness. I decided to ask him: ‘Do you believe physical exercise is essential to keeping your mind and memory sharp to be able to be a successful Chaser?’” She’s looking forward to meeting Shaun, and expects the villagers to pick his brain about being on one of NZ’s mostwatched game shows. doubling our Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, and $863.8 million for increased access to – and transformation of –disability support services. extensive renewable energy capacity and having electri ed our economy.

Our communities will be safe again as police and justice systems get the backing required to deal with issues and assist those needing rehabilitation. Exciting times ahead and National will deliver this for you!