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This Week’s Issue

Message from Hon Scott Simpson MP For Coromandel

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Written by

Hon. Scott Simpson

Published on

June 17, 2025

An update from our local MP.

The Coromandel is gearing up for another long weekend, with Matariki being observed this Friday. And even though it’s winter, I’m sure that there’ll be people coming to our region to make the most of the extra day off and to celebrate the Māori New Year in their own way.

Down in Wellington, the Government has announced that we’re refocusing WorkSafe from an enforcement agency to one that supports businesses and individuals. WorkSafe is the agency responsible for workplace health and safety, and over the years it has taken on a clipboard mentality with many employers and employees finding it very difficult to engage with them. They will continue to enforce existing laws, but we want to ensure that they are focused first and foremost on productivity and supporting businesses.

The changes have started immediately, with the launch of a Road Cone hotline, where the public can report the excessive use of road cones in temporary traffic management. This can be done online at: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/notifications/road-cones/

In other news, last week I attended Fieldays at Mystery Creek and I was encouraged to hear so much optimism from farmers and growers about the present and future of the primary sector.

I caught up with plenty of locals who were there to showcase their products, network with likeminded individuals, and to see the latest innovations on offer. It only takes a few moments with these men and women to be thoroughly impressed by their passion and dedication to producing quality products to feed consumer demand here and internationally.

A thriving primary sector is good for farmers and the wider community, especially in regions like ours which have a proud tradition with the industry. It continues to be the backbone of rural economies across the country. In the past year, food and fibre exports brought in over $10,600 for every Kiwi, with dairy exports alone contributing $4,700 per person.

Our Government is backing farmers by replacing freshwater rules, reforming the RMA, halting costly regulations, removing agriculture from the ETS, and expanding free trade agreement.

At the Budget we also announced Investment Boost, which enables businesses to immediately deduct 20% of the cost of a new asset, on top of depreciation, meaning a much lower tax bill in the year of purchase. This gives tradies, farmers, and other businesses a tax incentive to invest in new tools and equipment to boost productivity and lift wages.

This is part of our Government’s commitment to growing the economy so Kiwis have more opportunities to succeed.