LOUISE UPSTON MP for Taupo

Video Update - 17 May 2012

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:49:53 +1200

Louise talks about the recent Erupt Festival and her attendance at a number of the festival events, the Smoke Free event at Waiora House, and the Government's target of being smoke free by 2025. Louise also talks about one of her recent school visits, some of the events she has attended around the Cambridge area and pre-Budget announcements.

Video update

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:39:00 +1200

In this video update Louise talks about the Erupt Festival that is opening today in Taupo, Simon O'Connor's visit to the electorate this week - and the Breast Cancer fund raising event she is attending, as well as a second Erupt Festival event before finishing with smoke free issues.

Video update

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:03:00 +1200

In her latest video update Louise talks about ANZAC day services and the increase in the number of people that attend. Louise then goes on to talk about the recent visit to the electorate by Trade Minister Tim Grosser and some of the discussions that they had with local businesses. Louise then talks about Select Committee submissions, and how she is able to help those who wish to participate. She finishes by talking about the visit to the electorate next week by Simon O'Connor MP for Tamaki.

Upston supports immunisation week

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:26:58 +1200

MP for Taupo, Louise Upston says Immunisation Week, taking place April 23-29, is a good reminder for Taupo families to check that their kids’ immunisation is up to date.

“Getting children immunised on time has always been important, but is especially so now as New Zealand combats a whooping cough outbreak,” Louise says.

“Under National, immunisation rates have been raised to record levels. In 2007 just 67 per cent of two-year-olds had the recommended vaccinations for their age, that has risen to an all-time high of 92 per cent.

“But we need to lift our game even further. The World Health Organisation recommends that 95 per cent of children be immunised by two years of age and New Zealand’s immunisation Health Target of 95 per cent reflects National’s commitment to meeting world standards.

“From July the health sector will focus on National’s new immunisation Health Target – 95 per cent of eight-month-olds fully immunised by December 2014. This new target is deliberately ambitious, but protecting children from infectious diseases is a goal worth working hard for.

“Parents tell us that one of the biggest factors in their decision to immunise is the conversation they have with trusted health professionals about vaccination. The message I want to give to parents this week is to make an immunisation appointment for their child or to talk through any concerns with their Plunket nurse, practice nurse, or WellChild/Tamariki Ora provider”.

Information about immunisation is available at www.health.govt.nz or at the Immunisation Advisory Centre website www.immune.org.nz. Parents can also call a free immunisation helpline 0800 IMMUNE.

More South Waikato schools and libraries to be connected to faster broadband

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:31:00 +1200

Louise Upston, MP for Taupo, is delighted that more South Waikato schools, hospitals, and libraries will be connected to faster broadband in the final phase of National’s $300 million Rural Broadband Initiative, announced today.

“This will break down the barriers of distance that rural communities face. Students will be able to video conference with specialist teachers, doctors and nurses will be connected to training sessions in big cities, and communities will have access to information and job-seeking tools through broadband in public libraries,” Louise said.

Across the country, this phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative will see 193 provincial schools, 183 rural public libraries, 37 rural hospitals and 10 Health Centres receiving Ultra-Fast Broadband fibre connections of up to 100 Megabits per second. National is also upgrading 57 remote schools to faster broadband. This is in addition to phase one of Rural Broadband Initiative which is already underway.

‘South Waikato is set to benefit greatly from our Rural Broadband Initiative. The phase 2 announcement included Putaruru College, Putaruru Primary School and St Marys Catholic School, as well as Putaruru Library and Tirau Library” says Louise.

“Today’s announcement ensures that rural communities will be well connected with the latest technology. Connecting all communities to fast and ultra-fast broadband is a key plank of National’s goal of creating a more competitive and productive economy. I’m proud to say that we are delivering on that goal.” says Louise.

MP pays tribute to Anzacs

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:42:29 +1200

“Anzac Day is a day to honour our soldiers who fell in battle, and pay tribute to those Kiwis helping build a better world today. It’s a day to show our respect” says Louise.

“Our sacrifice 97 years ago at Gallipoli was so great and the Anzac contribution so distinct that New Zealand as a nation came of age. In the face of fierce opposition New Zealanders showed loyalty, courage, determination, initiative, and compassion. They earned the respect of their allies and their adversaries.

“Our region contributed many men and women towards the efforts of our armed forces in Gallipoli and other battlefields of World War I.

“Many more served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and conflicts in the Pacific and around the world” says Louise

“Today, men and women from our community play a part protecting peace, security, and freedom where these are under threat. I would also like to thank, and give my thoughts to the members of our armed forces who serve overseas in many different locations and capacities.

MP for Taupo, Louise Upston, will this year attend a Dawn Service in Tokoroa, and the Civic Service in Taupo, to commemorate Anzac day.

“I hope as many people from our local community will take part in an Anzac event to recognise our veterans, and the young men and women who serve our country today, as it is their service – and the sacrifice of the Anzacs – that reminds us that we should never take our democratic freedoms for granted” says Louise.

MP welcomes upgrade for UFB in local schools

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:23:00 +1200

MP for Taupo, Louise Upston, welcomes the news that Taupo Intermediate, Tauhara College, and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College will receive government-subsidised internal network upgrades in readiness for ultra-fast broadband (UFB).

“This is great news for our local schools. It’s another step along the way to the Network for Learning, which will provide our schools with affordable, safe, ultra-fast internet access,” Louise says.

“UFB is a game-changer for the way our kids learn. Faster internet will help our schools connect with the world, and prepare students for living and working in the 21st century.

“The Ministry of Education’s School Network Upgrade Project has upgraded more than a third of eligible state and state-integrated schools so far. And more are underway.

“This is part of National’s commitment to provide 97.7 % of our schools with UFB access by the end of 2015, and I’m pleased that local schools will receive subsidies in readiness for ultra-fast broadband” says Louise.

Video update

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:40:00 +1200

In her latest video blog Louise congratulates those who completed the Oxfam Trail Walk that was held recently in the electorate. She then goes on to talk about the Prime Minister's Youth Mental Health announcement and wraps up by wishing everyone a happy and safe Easter.

Video update

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:30:38 +1300

In her latest video blog Louise discusses what is coming up in the house this week, in particular some Treaty Settlement bills. She then goes on to talk about what she has been up to lately in the electorate, including visits by two Ministers. Louise also addresses the Government's Welfare Reform plans, explaining some of the key elements. Following this Louise talks about the high school business awards that she will be helping judge at Putaruru College.

Local MP welcomes ‘Better Local Government’ reforms

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:45:00 +1300

Louise Upston, MP for Taupo, is welcoming the ‘Better Local Government” reforms recently announced by the Government.

“In my role as MP, I have had many constituents express their concerns to me about increasing rates, and council debt. As ratepayers and locals we deserve to know that our councils are spending money wisely, on services that our communities need” says Louise.

“Local government, like central government, needs to deliver better services within tight financial constraints. While the global financial environment remains uncertain, and we progress with the rebuild of Canterbury, we need to give our councils more tools to help keep debt down and rates affordable.

“New regulations will be developed in consultation with Local Government New Zealand. Benchmarks will be set for council performance on income, spending and debt levels.

“This builds off the work already done through the Local Government Borrowing Act 2011, and amendments to the Local Government Act 2002 that were completed in our last term in Parliament” Louise says.

National’s reform package rebalances the changes made in 2002, which significantly expanded councils’ roles. Our reforms focus councils on their core roles of providing local infrastructure, local public services, and local regulatory functions, at the least cost to households and businesses.

Stronger council governance provisions will mean that our elected council representatives will get stronger powers, such as the power to set employment and remuneration policy.

Our councils must be able to play their part in local economic growth. That means cutting red tape, minimising the rates burden on our households and businesses, limiting debt, and providing high-quality infrastructure.

“I am proud of the way we have worked with local government already. An example of this was the government drinking water subsidy National provided last year to the Taupo District Council. This is helping to improve the quality of the drinking water for people in Waitahanui, where it was really needed.

“We want to work with local government in these challenging financial times to deliver efficient and affordable local government services for Kiwi families. Consultation with local government will occur over the weeks and months ahead.

“As a former member of the Local Government select committee, I recognise the importance of local democracy and the key role mayors, regional chairs, councillors and board members play in our communities, and I recognise that our local government reforms are also an important part of our programme to build a more productive, competitive economy.” Louise says.

Video Update: 22 March

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:59:18 +1300

In this wide-ranging edition of her regular video diary, Louise talks about the rugged weather in Taupo, the Prime Minister's visit to Taupo on Wednesday/Thursday and the important speech he gave during his visit ( click here for more on this ), the official opening of her new electorate office, reforms to local government that should see rate increases being reined in, the upcoming visits of Minister Heatley and Minister Finlayson to Taupo, and some of what she hopes to update viewers on next week.

Video update

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:52:00 +1300

Louise talks about the challenges the weather bomb presented for the Iron Man event over last weekend, the events coming up in Taupo this weekend. and the reforms the Government is putting through to make the benefits system work more efficiently.

Local MP congratulates Rowers

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:35:00 +1300

Louise Upston, National MP for Taupo, is delighted with the New Zealand Olympic Committee announcement of a rowing team that is set to create New Zealand rowing history.

“I’m delighted that the largest Olympic rowing squad in New Zealand sporting history has been named,” says Louise.

“The Karapiro rowing high performance centre has meant that our rowers have been able to focus on rowing in world class facilities with expertise to hand. This specialist facility and focus has been reflected in this brilliant showing of our top athletes, now primed for the Olympics.

“The collaboration between Rowing New Zealand, Mighty River Power, and the Government is the kind of partnership the Government wanted to create to leverage investment from the private sector, local government, and philanthropic funders.

“The national cycling centre of excellence, which will also be based here locally, will provide something similar for the New Zealand Cycling community.

“National has revamped our high performance sport structure to support our professional athletes. Our top international sportsmen and sportswomen make a huge contribution to New Zealand’s image, and they’re role models for our young people,” says Louise.

Local MP celebrates bridge construction

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:32:00 +1300

Louise Upston, Member of Parliament for Taupo, was thrilled to attend an event marking construction of the Atiamuri Bridge replacement project, a $24.3 million project on State Highway 1 (SH1) in South Waikato.

“The existing Atiamuri Bridge crosses the Waikato River on the boundary between the South Waikato and Taupo districts, 39 kilometres north of Taupo. SH1 is a significant freight route with high volumes of heavy vehicles, it is a key, strategically important national state highway route”, says Louise.

“The replacement of the existing Atiamuri Bridge is a high priority due to the limited life of the current structure, and the vehicle restrictions operating on it.” says Louise.

‘It’s important to improve the flow on New Zealand’s key freight routes because the freight is forecast to increase by 70 to 75 per cent over the next 25 years. The bulk of this increase will be carried on our roads.

“The project also provides an opportunity to connect two Waikato river trails (walking and cycling projects) on opposite sides of the river via a pedestrian cycleway on the new bridge.

“Part of the existing state highway alignment will be converted into a parking area and rest area for the Waikato River Trail.

“The regional and national benefits of well-performing transport corridors and projects such as this really stimulate economic growth” says Louise.

Lakes DHB performance welcomed by local MP

nospam@example.com (Louise) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:28:00 +1300

Louise Upston, National MP for Taupo, is delighted that Lakes DHB has lifted its performance against National’s health targets.

“Lakes DHB has improved in several areas, which is good news for patients. Particularly impressive gains have been made in the area of improved access to elective surgery, where Lakes DHB have attained 119% against the national target.

“Our own DHB has also again continued to do excellent work in the area of smoking cessation, once again, providing advice and help to quit to 100% of hospitalised smokers”, Louise says.

“I’m really pleased that Lakes DHB is working so hard to achieve against our health targets.

“The latest results, which cover the three months to December 2011, have shown record improvements nationwide. District Health Boards are focusing even more strongly on patients, and patients are benefiting from the Government’s $1.5 billion extra funding over the past three years

“Nationwide, Emergency Departments (ED) recorded their best ever result. Of the 238,000 patients who went to an ED, around 220,000 were admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours. That is 92 per cent of patients, up from 90, against a target of 95 per cent.

“On top of this every cancer patient ready for radiation treatment started within four weeks of their first specialist assessment. This is the world gold standard for cancer treatment.

“Delivering better public services is one of the National-led Government’s four key priorities for this term, and I’m very proud to be part of a Government which is delivering on its promises,” Louise says.