Nicola's News: 22 September 2023

There are only 10 days until voting opens!

Today Christopher Luxon released National's 100-point plan to end the cost-of-living crisis, lift incomes, and give Kiwis a reason to stay in New Zealand. 

This election is about the economy, and which party has the plan to rebuild it so you can get ahead. Only National has the plan to get that job done.

Inflation is at 6 per cent, the Reserve Bank forecasts the economy is now in recession, the IMF says next year we will have the second lowest economic growth out of 159 countries, our current account deficit is the largest in the developed world, and last year 40,000 New Zealanders left the country for good.

National’s plan to rebuild the economy to get it working for all New Zealanders includes 100 actions across six key drivers of growth:

  1. Stopping wasteful spending and getting the books back in order
  2. Delivering tax relief to encourage hard work and to ease the cost-of-living crisis
  3. Cutting red tape to make it easier to invest and grow
  4. Building infrastructure for growth like roads, public transport and renewable energy
  5. Growing skills and attracting talent to boost productivity
  6. Strengthening connections to the world by supporting trade and investment

Three weeks from now, every single voter gets the only chance they have for the next three years to choose a better direction for New Zealand. A party vote for National is a vote for our comprehensive and common-sense economic plan to rebuild the economy, get it working for all New Zealanders, and get New Zealand back on track.

Read our full 100-point plan here!

Get Back on Facts

Labour is down and desperate. Labour has no record to run on so has resorted to spreading mistruths about the National Party throughout their election campaign.

As we know, Labour has also claimed National would cut fees-free, add interest to student loans, sack all teachers, sell schools, cut funding to schools and hospitals, cut sick leave, abolish the minimum wage, abolish Matariki, increase GST, and repeal a policy of free public transport for disabled people that doesn’t even exist.

To keep Labour honest and make sure New Zealanders have the facts, we are launching a website called Get Back on Facts, which will be updated every time Labour spreads misinformation about National.
al a policy of free public transport for disabled people that doesn’t even exist.

Check out our Get Back on Facts website here. 

Out and about

It's been another busy week on the campaign trail!

Earlier this week, New Zealand celebrated Suffrage Day - with this year marking the 130th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. To celebrate the anniversary, I joined community leaders from across Canterbury at the Kate Sheppard Memorial to honour the enormous work of the suffragettes to make the historic 1893 law change come to pass. 

I also spoke at the opening ceremony of the Koru Games - a huge South Island multi-day sports tournament for year 7 and 8s hosted right here in Selwyn!

It was incredible to see such a turnout - over 3500 children attended from towns across the South Island, so a massive congratulations to the Selwyn Sports Trust for their work in organising. 

On Tuesday night, I took part in a Selwyn Meet the Candidates evening in Darfield – hosted and organised by the wonderful ladies from the Darfield branch of Rural Women New Zealand.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to share my passion for our great and fast-growing district, showcase some of the work I’ve done over the last three years as your MP, explain National’s plans and policies to get New Zealand back on track – and most importantly, answer all of the wide-ranging questions!

On Wednesday, I attended the official ground-breaking ceremony of Burnham Military Camp’s new Maintenance Support Facility with National’s Spokesperson for Defence, Gerry Brownlee.

When this state-of-the-art facility is completed in a couple of years’ time, it will replace the current maintenance buildings that date back to the Second World War and allow our Defence Force to better maintain and repair their equipment!

And - of course - when I wasn't attending an event or function, I was on the doorsteps in Prebbleton, Kirwee, and Springfield talking to people about National's plan to fix the economy! I also hosted a coffee catch up session at the Sheffield Pie Shop and I will be hosting a Pub Politics tonight at the Crate & Barrel in Leeston (more information here). 

Upcoming events

As the election draws closer, I will continue to host a range of events to be as accessible as possible! Below are the events over the next week, with my full schedule constantly being update here: https://nicolagrigg.national.org.nz/events

Darfield Pub Politics

With the election drawing nearer, there are a number of big issues that Selwyn residents are thinking about. Come and join me at the Darfield Hotel to share your thoughts and queries.

⏰ Thursday 28 September, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
📍 Darfield Hotel, South Terrace

More info: https://nicolagrigg.national.org.nz/darfield_pub_politics

Leeston Coffee Catch Up

Keen to catch up? I'll be in Leeston if you want to have a coffee and talk to me about an issue, policy, or just want to chat! No appointment needed.

📅 Tuesday 26 September

⏰ 1:00pm - 2:00pm

📍 Suburban Eatery, 112 High Street, Leeston

More info: https://nicolagrigg.national.org.nz/leeston_meet_your_mp

Here to help

As always, my team and I are here and available to help.

You can get in touch with us by emailing [email protected], phone 03 344 2800, or pop into the office in Rolleston Square between Monday and Fridays, 10:00am - 4:00pm.

Kind regards,

Nicola Grigg
https://nicolagrigg.national.org.nz/