Newsletter #69
This is my first newsletter for 2010. I hope you all had a wonderful break with family and friends and have begun the new decade in a positive way. I managed to have a relaxing break and spent plenty of time catching up with family and friends.
Salvation Army Community Garden
This initiative by the Salvation Army is going really well. The garden has been made possible by Mr James Southee who kindly donated the use of his land for the garden. Thanks must also go to Mitre 10, who kindly donated $200 worth of plants and seeds to get the garden growing.
Produce from the garden is being shared among the gardeners, church members and the Salvation Army’s food bank.
Some of you may remember seeing a photo in the Timaru Herald when I visited the garden before it got up and running.
New Years Honour: Bruce Wikitoa, NZOM
At New Year I was delighted to hear that Bruce Wikitoa had been granted the Honour of Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. I have known Bruce for about 15 years in several of his capacities, including school Kaumatua, cultural advisor and assisting in matters of Tikanga to enhance the understanding of such matters within the South Canterbury region. Bruce has also played a vital role in the establishment of support for the Te Aitarakihi Cultural Centre.
The love, respect and appreciation for Koro Bruce Wikitoa is widespread throughout the South Canterbury region. The people of South Canterbury and I, would like to congratulate and thank Koro Bruce for giving his valuable time to so many deserving causes and making the South Canterbury region a more vibrant place.
Tax Working Group Report
The National-led Government welcomes the release of the report by the Tax Working Group. The Working Group was formed last year to consider the medium-term direction of the tax system, including assessing the merits of different types of taxes.
The Government will carefully consider the Tax Working Group’s report on options for improving New Zealand’s tax system. Equity and fairness for households and the economy will guide the Government’s consideration of these options. The only thing we have ruled out is a capital gains tax on the family home.
In considering any significant changes to the tax system the Government believes the benefits must clearly outweigh any potential difficulties. We will consider proposals that are fiscally neutral when you take them together.
The Government believes tax policy could play a role in increasing growth and productivity. We want to ensure our tax system rewards effort, encourages savings, and helps families to get ahead.
The Tax Working Group report – one of several reviews to have reported back to the Government in recent months – will be considered in coming months as part of Budget decision making.
A copy of the report can be accessed via the link below:
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/sacl/cagtr/pdf/tax-report-website.pdf
Worst repeat offenders to face three-strikes sentencing regime
All New Zealanders have the right to feel safe in their homes and in their communities.
One reason National was voted into office was because people trusted us to take a hard line on criminals.
We are delivering on our law and order promises. In our first year we passed a raft of legislation designed to protect law-abiding Kiwis while cracking down on the people, and criminal activities, which cause the most harm to our families and our communities.
We start our second year with legislation that will ensure the worst repeat offenders receive the maximum allowable sentence.
The Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill will uphold National’s election pledge of no parole for the worst repeat violent offenders, and incorporates significant aspects of ACT’s three-strikes policy.
National is determined to hold serious repeat offenders to account. We are determined to improve public safety. And we are determined to provide a greater measure of justice and closure for victims.
The new sentencing regime will target the small number of repeat violent offenders who show continued disregard for the law and contempt for society.
Offenders who commit violence and sex crimes with a maximum jail term of seven years or more will come under the new regime.
The first offence will bring a standard sentence and warning. The second offence will bring a jail sentence – in most cases – with no parole and a further warning. On conviction for a third offence, the offender will receive the maximum sentence in jail for the crime with no parole.
We have allowed for a rare occasion when such a sentence would be regarded as manifestly unjust. If the court believes it would be unjust not to allow parole, then it can make an order for parole.
Three strikes will only apply to serious crime offenders aged 18 and over. And it will not be retrospective – it will only apply to offences committed after the law comes into force.
The new regime will help keep the worst repeat offenders behind bars for longer. It will also deter criminals from committing further crime by escalating the severity of their sentences.
National is determined to make communities safer for Kiwi families, reduce the number of crime victims, and make life tougher for violent criminals. This new law is yet another step towards that goal.
Snippets:
5 February 2010: Visit to Hakatere Marae
6 February 2010: Attending Waitangi Celebrations at Onuku Marae in Akaroa
7 February 2010: Attending Multicultural Festival “Bites” at Ashburton Art Gallery
9 February 2010: Opening of Parliament, Wellington
15 February 2010: Opening of Base Café, Ashburton Youth Project, Ashburton
This is my first newsletter for 2010. I hope you all had a wonderful break with family and friends and have begun the new decade in a positive way. I managed to have a relaxing break and spent plenty of time catching up with family and friends.
Salvation Army Community Garden
This initiative by the Salvation Army is going really well. The garden has been made possible by Mr James Southee who kindly donated the use of his land for the garden. Thanks must also go to Mitre 10, who kindly donated $200 worth of plants and seeds to get the garden growing.
Produce from the garden is being shared among the gardeners, church members and the Salvation Army’s food bank.
Some of you may remember seeing a photo in the Timaru Herald when I visited the garden before it got up and running.
New Years Honour: Bruce Wikitoa, NZOM
At New Year I was delighted to hear that Bruce Wikitoa had been granted the Honour of Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. I have known Bruce for about 15 years in several of his capacities, including school Kaumatua, cultural advisor and assisting in matters of Tikanga to enhance the understanding of such matters within the South Canterbury region. Bruce has also played a vital role in the establishment of support for the Te Aitarakihi Cultural Centre.
The love, respect and appreciation for Koro Bruce Wikitoa is widespread throughout the South Canterbury region. The people of South Canterbury and I, would like to congratulate and thank Koro Bruce for giving his valuable time to so many deserving causes and making the South Canterbury region a more vibrant place.
Tax Working Group Report
The National-led Government welcomes the release of the report by the Tax Working Group. The Working Group was formed last year to consider the medium-term direction of the tax system, including assessing the merits of different types of taxes.
The Government will carefully consider the Tax Working Group’s report on options for improving New Zealand’s tax system. Equity and fairness for households and the economy will guide the Government’s consideration of these options. The only thing we have ruled out is a capital gains tax on the family home.
In considering any significant changes to the tax system the Government believes the benefits must clearly outweigh any potential difficulties. We will consider proposals that are fiscally neutral when you take them together.
The Government believes tax policy could play a role in increasing growth and productivity. We want to ensure our tax system rewards effort, encourages savings, and helps families to get ahead.
The Tax Working Group report – one of several reviews to have reported back to the Government in recent months – will be considered in coming months as part of Budget decision making.
A copy of the report can be accessed via the link below:
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/sacl/cagtr/pdf/tax-report-website.pdf
Worst repeat offenders to face three-strikes sentencing regime
All New Zealanders have the right to feel safe in their homes and in their communities.
One reason National was voted into office was because people trusted us to take a hard line on criminals.
We are delivering on our law and order promises. In our first year we passed a raft of legislation designed to protect law-abiding Kiwis while cracking down on the people, and criminal activities, which cause the most harm to our families and our communities.
We start our second year with legislation that will ensure the worst repeat offenders receive the maximum allowable sentence.
The Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill will uphold National’s election pledge of no parole for the worst repeat violent offenders, and incorporates significant aspects of ACT’s three-strikes policy.
National is determined to hold serious repeat offenders to account. We are determined to improve public safety. And we are determined to provide a greater measure of justice and closure for victims.
The new sentencing regime will target the small number of repeat violent offenders who show continued disregard for the law and contempt for society.
Offenders who commit violence and sex crimes with a maximum jail term of seven years or more will come under the new regime.
The first offence will bring a standard sentence and warning. The second offence will bring a jail sentence – in most cases – with no parole and a further warning. On conviction for a third offence, the offender will receive the maximum sentence in jail for the crime with no parole.
We have allowed for a rare occasion when such a sentence would be regarded as manifestly unjust. If the court believes it would be unjust not to allow parole, then it can make an order for parole.
Three strikes will only apply to serious crime offenders aged 18 and over. And it will not be retrospective – it will only apply to offences committed after the law comes into force.
The new regime will help keep the worst repeat offenders behind bars for longer. It will also deter criminals from committing further crime by escalating the severity of their sentences.
National is determined to make communities safer for Kiwi families, reduce the number of crime victims, and make life tougher for violent criminals. This new law is yet another step towards that goal.
Snippets:
5 February 2010: Visit to Hakatere Marae
6 February 2010: Attending Waitangi Celebrations at Onuku Marae in Akaroa
7 February 2010: Attending Multicultural Festival “Bites” at Ashburton Art Gallery
9 February 2010: Opening of Parliament, Wellington
15 February 2010: Opening of Base Café, Ashburton Youth Project, Ashburton
