I want to start this column by shouting out the roading contractors who are working up and down the Peninsula to improve and maintain our state highways.
It’s particularly exciting to see the progress being made on the Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua, with construction due to get underway this week. No doubt there will be disruptions along the way, but it will all be worth it when the new two-lane bridge is open in time for Christmas 2027.
There’s also the $85 million that was allocated from this year’s Budget to improve the resilience of eleven high-risk sites on SH25 and replace the Kirikiri Stream Bridge on SH26 at Kopu. The timeframe for these projects is still being determined, but the funding represents real investment in our region to keep roads open and communities connected.
In other news, National has announced plans to improve KiwiSaver and support New Zealanders to build a bigger financial nest egg for their retirement.
We’ll make it compulsory for everyone in work to contribute to their KiwiSaver from 2028, we’ll automatically enrol every baby born in New Zealand into KiwiSaver at birth and provide a Baby Boost payment to kick-start their savings with a $1500 government contribution, and we’ll provide a government contribution to KiwiSaver for parents on paid parental leave from 2027, even if the parent isn’t contributing themselves.
Moreover, we’ll require employers to keep matching KiwiSaver contributions for any employees over 65. This is big news for the Coromandel electorate where we have a very large number of plus 65-year-old people, many of whom are still working. It means that they’ll be able to continue building up their retirement savings, just like any other employee.
Plenty of New Zealanders are serious about saving for their retirement, with recent data showing that 99.5 percent of people contributing to KiwiSaver through their wages or salaries are making use of the increased contribution rates, with only about 9000 people opting out of the increase that took effect on 1 April 2026.
These changes, coupled with our commitment to gradually increase KiwiSaver contributions to match the 12 percent that Australians enjoy across the ditch, will ensure Kiwis can get ahead and retire with greater financial security. It’s part of our wider plan to fix the basics and build the future for all New Zealanders.
