MAHESH MURALIDHAR: AUCKLAND CENTRAL REPORT CARD: OCTOBER 2025

As your local National candidate, I’m focused on the key issues that matter to Auckland Central like fixing the economy so we can reduce the cost of living, making our streets safer and improving key public services like transport, health and education.

In two years’ time – after two years of a National Government – I want everyone in Auckland Central to see our country back on track, and I’ll work relentlessly to make that happen if we earn the opportunity to govern.

What a difference two years have made! In 2023, we had the highest net migration to Australia in a decade thanks to the cost of living crisis. Today, Kiwis are choosing to stay, play and thrive in Auckland Central.

Prices have dropped and you’re comfortably buying what your family needs. Local businesses in Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and the CBD are booming, with plentiful access to staff.

You’ve always been a careful spender, but it’s the Government’s change in habits that’s made the difference. Taxpayer money is being spent wisely on projects that will deliver better outcomes, rather than on consultants and stalled announcements. You get to keep more of your hard-earned money thanks to tax brackets being indexed to inflation. Red tape isn’t being piled onto businesses and there are fewer barriers to getting the staff and investment we need to truly grow our local economy.

Remember when our local stores were hit incessantly by ram raids, and considered installing metal cages to protect workers? Not anymore – public safety is now a priority and our community knows the National Government is cracking down on crime. There’s a sufficient police presence with firm and clear consequences for criminal behaviour. Victims of crime are properly supported, with nearly 30% more funding for counselling and support services.

But it’s not just about deterrents. Our Government has invested in policies that support community organisations in helping break the cycle and giving prisoners access to effective rehabilitation programmes (the kind that actually address the underlying cause of offending). While there’s still room for improvement, we know we’ll reap the benefit of this social investment in coming years.

Auckland Central, you’re moving again! How good is it to see the back of those traffic cones on Queen Street? In 2023 our city was near its breaking point and frustrated by gridlock lack of reliable public transport options. We’ve had to do a fair bit of remedial work, but it’s great to see how far we’ve come.

People enjoy coming into the city again. Our roads are in better condition thanks to an extra $500m in maintenance funds, and less congested now that speed limits are fit for purpose. Our Waiheke ferries have finally been addressed (despite a ‘four years and counting’ review by the previous government), and public transport is reliable with an adequate supply of trained drivers and a growing suite of EVs.

Our schools are now firmly focused on teaching the basics brilliantly, with an hour a day dedicated to maths, reading and writing respectively. Truancy is taken seriously and more of our kids are where they need to be: at school. One of the best future economic indicators is how many children are in school and doing well. Today, parents can see that their kids are being equipped with the skills they need to succeed.

Nurses and midwives are being encouraged to stay in NZ and the Government is prioritising training more doctors locally. Our health system is refocused on better outcomes like shorter emergency department waiting times, more elective surgeries and shorter waitlists instead of more layers of bureaucracy in Wellington. People are more confident about getting the healthcare they need, when they need it.

We’ve made pragmatic and sustainable changes to respond to climate change, including unleashing our renewable energy sector by making it easier to invest in and build renewable generation like wind and solar. Out-of-date rules around biotechnology have been updated under National to develop initiatives (like methane-inhibiting feed for livestock) that reduce our agricultural emissions.

Overall: B++

Auckland Central is humming and one of the best in class when it comes to quality of life, public services and amenities.

Our biggest strength has always been our community –vibrant, resilient and inclusive. And it was the collective power of this community that delivered a change in government in 2023 and set us on this path to a brighter future for our electorate and our country.

(MAHESH

National Party Candidate for Auckland Central

E: mahesh.muralidhar@national.org.nz www.national.org.nz/maheshmuralidhar

Authorised by M Muralidhar, 188 Ponsonby Road.

Auckland weather diary, August 2023 August may see less than half the rain average, but above average sunshine. The second week may see most rain, and the third week the most sunshine. The last week may be the driest, with the highest barometric pressures. The best weekend for outdoor activities may be 26th/27th.

For fishermen, the highest tides are on 3rd. The best fishing bite-times in the east are around dusk on 1st-3rd, 15th-17th, and 30th/31st.

Bite chances are also good for 12 noon of 7th-9th and 23rd-25th.

For gardeners, planting is best – waxing moon ascending – on 16th-25th; and pruning on 2nd-11th (waning moon descending).

For preserving and longer shelf-life, pick crops or flowers around the neap tide of 11th. Allow 24-hour error for all forecasting. (KEN RING)  PN

For future weather for any date, and the 2023 NZ Weather Almanac, see www.predictweather.com.

This weekend, there has been a big announcement in support of the St James which, as a result, will become accessible to many Aucklanders and tourists in what will be the Auckland Arts Precinct.

New generations will now have the chance to enjoy the St James which has a long history of great gigs and concerts. Smaller and more intimate than the Aotea Centre, it will complement other venues like the Auckland Town Hall and Q Theatre. I am excited by this news, as colleagues Naisi Chen, Chlöe Swarbrick and I advocated long and hard for this outcome, finding allies in Dame Jacinda Ardern and Carmel Sepuloni. I am thrilled to see it supported by our Government in collaboration with our council and private backers.

During times of financial pressure, it is important the Government ensures our city continues to thrive. We need to enable Aucklanders to enjoy our city at a low personal cost. Furthermore, we know that access to the arts contributes to positive wellbeing, and this is not to be underestimated.

I saw the value of art for wellbeing first hand last week when I visited Toi Ora. This Trust is in Arch Hill, and provides people with mental health issues a safe place to go and learn how to paint, write and create music. I found it to be a very moving visit. Many of those I spoke to were finding a way to express the trauma they have suffered. I was struck by the valuable contribution these people were making by creating art, which was helping them through difficult times in their lives. I am grateful to those who took time to talk to me about their work.

Another interesting development, which many people are unlikely to know about, is a new Government scheme to lift incomes for artists. This will support them beyond the current spike in cost of living and ensure they are properly recognised for their contribution to New Zealand’s economy and culture.

The Artist Resale Royalty Scheme will ensure creators of visual arts are recognised and rewarded when their work is resold on the secondary art market.

Artists have some of the lowest median incomes in New Zealand and usually do not benefit from their work on an ongoing basis. This scheme ensures a five percent royalty is collected every time an artist’s work is re-sold, meaning artists will see ongoing income from their creations. Currently, if an artist’s reputation grows and their art attracts a higher price on the secondary market, the artist does not receive any of the profit or recognition for their intellectual property, hard work or success. We’re proud to be changing that.

We’re also proud to be investing in our film and computer gaming industries. Our recent decision to back them plays an important part in developing our high wage, low emission economy here in Auckland. Our creative industries are already contributing to our economy, but have so much more potential that we can unlock through the right investments. Not only are these industries high income, but they are also environmentally friendly. I believe they have an important role in ensuring Auckland thrives in the future, and I look forward to seeing them flourish with Government support.

(HELEN WHITE)  PN

Labour List MP based in Mt Albert. www.labour.org.nz/HelenWhite Funded by Parliamentary Services.