Government tackles cost of living issues

I hope you are all enjoying the autumnal changes on display throughout Canterbury. It’s a lovely time of year and I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of it connecting with people, organisations and communities.

One event that connects the entire country is ANZAC Day, when we commemorate our veteran community which served New Zealand courageously, many losing their lives in doing so. I had the great privilege of attending services at different memorial sites, including Halswell and the dawn service at Cathedral Square. As always, it’s an important time to reflect on what service means and how important it is to strive for peace, at all levels of society.

With winter fast approaching, the

Labour Government is committed to helping seniors stay warm and dry over the coming months. Once again, we’re making the Winter Energy Payment available from 1 May to both singles and couples. Those eligible will get the Winter Energy Payment automatically, alongside other regular payments from Work and Income New Zealand. This payment makes a real difference for seniors in Banks Peninsula and beyond, and this year will be no different.

At a national level, the Labour Government continues to focus on tackling the current cost of living and on 1 April, we delivered more financial support to 1.4 million New Zealanders, including increases to the minimum wage, greater childcare assistance and a real boost for those receiving superannuation, benefits, veteran’s pensions and student support.

In other good news, Transport Minister Michael Wood recently announced the launch of the Public Transport Futures project. This project will deliver 100 more buses on Christchurch routes, 470 more bus shelters, 200 real time display units and 22 kilometres of new bus lanes. All this means faster, more enjoyable and user-friendly bus travel throughout Christchurch!

Earlier this year Ginny Andersen was promoted to cabinet and is now Minister for Seniors. She is a strong advocate for senior citizens and I know she will serve you well. She recently announced the expansion of the Digital Literacy Training for Seniors programme, which will deliver essential online skills courses for up to 5,000 seniors throughout New Zealand. She also recently launched the Senior Enterprise Pilot Programme, which will be offered free in five locations, and will provide practical assistance to participants over 50 years old to help develop their innovative business ideas and potentially get them to market.

As always, if my team or I can help you in anyway, or if you’d like to raise an issue that’s affecting our community, please do get in touch. We’re here to help.

You can reach me and the team at Tracey.McLellanMP@parliament. govt.nz, on 03 376 4512, or by popping in to our office at 642 Ferry Road, Woolston. In the meantime, I hope you stay safe, healthy and warm.