Nicola's News: 8 September 2023

Week one of the official campaign complete!

With Parliament now officially dissolved, I've really enjoyed getting out every day on the campaign trail. 

With Selwyn being such a large electorate, I'm trying to get around as many towns as possible to ensure I can talk to people from across the district. 

This week I've been out knocking on doors in Rolleston, Lincoln, Darfield, West Melton, and Yaldhurst! 

I've also held two coffee catch ups in Lincoln and West Melton, and I've hosted a pub politics at The Famous Grouse in Lincoln, and I'll be at The Rock Rolleston tonight - more details later in this newsletter. 

Over the next five weeks, I'm really looking forward to talking to and engaging with as many people as possible to get our country back on track!!

On Wednesday, I also popped into Christchurch to join Chris Luxon and my National Party colleagues to announce our plan to supercharge the EV infrastructure around New Zealand. Read more below!

Policy Announcement - Supercharging EV Infrastructure

National will supercharge electric vehicle infrastructure with a comprehensive, nationwide EV network of 10,000 public chargers to unleash the renewable transition, deliver infrastructure and rebuild the economy.

We know Kiwis won’t switch to an EV if they are anxious about whether they will be able to recharge it when and where they need to. Under the Labour Government, investment in public EV infrastructure has not kept pace with the rising number of EVs and New Zealand now has the fewest public chargers per electric vehicle in the OECD.

Our Supercharging EV Infrastructure policy will:

  • Invest $257 million over four years to deliver 10,000 public EV chargers, nearly 10 times more than the current number
  • Revive the highly successful Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) funding model to deliver a nationwide EV charging network with chargers located where drivers need them
  • Eliminate the need for resource consents for EV charging points to reduce up-front costs

We have also committed to ending the ‘ute tax’ and clean car discount schemes which Labour said would be fiscally neutral, but which are unnecessary, expensive and fiscally unsustainable - and instead, just tax the essential work vehicles used by farmers and tradies, many of whom have no practical option to switch to an EV.

Delivering better infrastructure is a key part of National’s plan to rebuild the economy to get it working for all New Zealanders. A strong economy means an end to the cost-of-living crisis, higher incomes, lower mortgage rates, and it means New Zealand can also afford the quality public services we all rely on.

Read our full Supercharging EV Infrastructure policy 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

Pub Politics

Rolleston

Ahead of the election, there are a number of big issues that Selwyn residents are thinking about. Come and join me at the The Rock Rolleston tonight from 5:00pm - 7:00pm to share your thoughts and queries.

More information about tonight's Pub Politics here: https://nicolagrigg.national.org.nz/rolleston_pub_politics

West Melton

Next Thursday 14 September, I will also be hosting a Pub Politics evening at Two Fat Possums in West Melton from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. If you're free to come along to this casual event, I'd love to see you there!

More information about next week's Pub Politics here: https://nicolagrigg.national.org.nz/west_melton_pub_politics

Law & Order Public Meeting - with Mark Mitchell

Monday 11 September 5:30pm

Crime is out of control in New Zealand, and it is getting worse under this Government.

In Canterbury crime rose 28 per cent and violent crime up 40 per cent when comparing the first four months of 2022 with the first four months of 2023.

I am hosting a public meeting with National's Police and Corrections spokesperson Mark Mitchell MP next Monday 11 September from 5:30pm at Rolleston College to hear your concerns and discuss our plan and policies to tackle crime.

Click here for more information and to RSVP. 

Coffee Catch Up

I'll be in Templeton next week if you want to have a coffee and talk to me about an issue, policy, or just want to chat! No appointment needed.

Wednesday 13 September

📍 Cafe Number Five, 5 Kirk Road, Templeton

⏰ 11:00am - 12:00pm

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/