WAIKATO BUSINESS PULSE: UPDATES FROM YOUR MPS
Stay in the know with Waikato Business Pulse, a monthly communications piece featuring insights from one or more Waikato MPs. This platform, from time to time, will also give you a chance to share your thoughts through surveys and polls, ensuring your voice is heard on issues that matter to our business community.
Keep connected, stay informed, and make your impact!
May 2026
Hon. Louise Upston
MP for Taupo
Leader of the House
Minister for:
Social Development and Employment
Tourism and Hospitality
Community and Voluntary Sector
Disability Issues
Child Poverty Reduction
Fixing the Basics, Building the Future
Going for Growth
Economic growth is essential to raising New Zealand’s standard or living, generating higher-paying jobs, and providing vital infrastructure and public services.
Our Going for Growth strategy includes:
Developing talent
Creating competitive business settings
Promoting global trade and investment
Supporting innovation, technology and science
Delivering infrastructure for growth.
Budget 2026
Budget 2026 was described by Minister of Finance Nicola Willis as a ‘responsible’ Budget. The key priorities are:
Growing the economy to create jobs and lift wages
Keeping taxes low by restoring fiscal discipline so we avoid further borrowing or tax increases
Cracking down on crime to keep our communities safe
Improving outcomes in education and health.
Despite global volatility and the fuel crisis, the Budget forecasts the economy to grow by an average of 2.7 per cent over the next four years, with 220,000 more jobs and unemployment falling from 5.5 to 4.3 per cent, and wages continuing to rise faster than inflation.
The Government’s books are forecast to return to surplus in 2028/29, a year earlier than previously forecast, with debt as a share of the economy beginning to fall sooner.
By stopping wasteful spending, finding savings and making careful choices, we are getting the books in order and keeping taxes low while continuing to invest in frontline services and infrastructure which matter most to New Zealanders: hospitals, schools, defence and infrastructure.
Cambridge to Piarere Expressway Extension
Budget funding for the Waikato Expressway extension from Cambridge to Piarere has been secured! I have been pushing for this since it was cancelled by the Labour-NZ First coalition government in 2017.
This stretch of SH1 has claimed multiple lives, creates bottlenecks, and its surface is not up to state highway standard. More than half of New Zealanders live in the ‘golden triangle’ (Waikato-Auckland-Tauranga) and 60 per cent of the country’s GDP is generated here, so it is essential this major arterial route is fit for purpose.
This is the only Road of National Significance to be funded ($1.773 billion) this Budget. It is consented, land has been purchased, and some preparatory work has been completed.
This project has a benefit-cost ratio of 2.7 to 3.1. It will provide a huge boost for our local construction crews and support teams. The Infrastructure Commission estimates that every billion dollars of infrastructure investment supports about 4500 jobs.
As part of the Budget infrastructure package, Government will also be investing $1.075 billion in renewing, upgrading, and maintaining the KiwiRail network over the next five years.
Growing Trade, Growing the Economy
National’s plan to boost exports and grow trade and secure partnerships is working. Goods exports rose by $943 million (12 percent), to $8.6 billion in April 2026 (compared to April 2025).
The monthly trade balance was a surplus of $1.9 billion, up from $1.2 billion a year earlier, and the largest trade surplus in at least two decades.
That growth means businesses are selling more, hiring more people, and paying higher wages. It means more work on farms and orchards, more shifts in factories, more freight through our ports, and more confidence for local businesses to invest and grow.
Tourism Exports Up
Tourism is our second-largest export earner. Despite the fuel crisis, international travel figures released by Stats NZ in May show 358,900 international visitors arrived in March 2026, up 15.1 per cent on the same time last year, approaching 2019 visitor numbers.
Annual figures show we welcomed 3.63 million international visitors in the year ending March 2026, up 9.2 per cent percent on the previous year.
That’s more people staying in our hotels, eating at cafes, booking tours and shopping in our towns and cities – supporting jobs and growing businesses and the wider economy.
Australia remains our biggest source of visitors, with 138,360 people arriving in March, up 21 per cent on the same time last year.
There was also 8.3 per cent visitor growth from the United States (53,390 visitors) and 20 per cent more visitors from China (24,620 visitors).
Trade Training Opportunities
Trades Academies, a partnership between schools, tertiary institutions and employers, provide students with the opportunity to learn construction, mechanical, electrical, agricultural and other job-related skills while still at school, increasing young people’s participation in apprenticeships and improving educational and employment outcomes.
The number of Trades Academy places will double from 10,000 to 20,000 over the next four years, funded by savings from the cancellation of final-year Fees Free. Some of the savings are also being used to support 1000 more school leavers with no, or low, qualifications into free study and work-relevant learning at polytechnics and tertiary providers through Youth Guarantee places.
Funding for additional Youth Guarantee places will start from next month. New funding for Trades Academy places will begin in 2027.
Incentivising Work and Independence
New Zealand’s welfare system needs to be fair, firm and simple. We’re incentivising Kiwis into work to gain greater independence, while supporting those in greatest need.
The Budget 2026 Social Development and Employment package includes $93.3 million to help 25,000 sole parents access more assistance to find work, providing opportunities for income and career growth.
As Minister for Social Development and Employment, I encourage businesses to make use of Work and Income’s free recruitment service and access potential wage subsidies.
Fuel Crisis
Amongst other measures, Government has budgeted $150 million to establish fuel security arrangements, including the Z Energy deal to increase diesel stocks.
Energy
Since the former Government’s decision to ban oil and gas exploration, supplies have been dwindling and prices rising. We’ve reversed the ban, and we are progressing a procurement process for imported LNG.
Meanwhile, Government will provide eligible businesses with loans via the Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme to help them transition from gas to alternative energy supplies (like electricity or bioenergy) and invest in energy efficiency. See more details here.
We’re also fast-tracking resource consents to get renewable projects built and existing infrastructure upgraded.
Local Government Reform
Government is simplifying local government including removing regional councils to cut duplication, improve accountability, and deliver more efficient services. A new planning system (to replace the RMA) will pass into law this year.
Councils have three months to present proposals to fast-track local government reform in their regions. Cabinet will decide later this year which proposals to endorse. They will be signed in 2027, with changes implemented before the 2028 local government elections.
Fixing the Basics and Building the Future
Our Government is building a future that insulates us from things like natural disaster shocks and creates an environment where businesses can generate income for the economy, bringing us more choice and a better lifestyle.
You can read about more Budget 2026 in more detail here.
Authorised Louise Upston , MP for Taupō
Minster Upston and Don Good at the Cambridge to Piarere media announcement on 31 May 2026.
May 2026
MP Tama Potaka
MP for Hamilton West
Waikato has always understood the relationship between land, people, enterprise, and growth. It is a region shaped by its awa, its whenua, and the strength of its communities, and it has long played a central role in New Zealand’s economic story.
This is a region that produces, that moves, and that builds. From the farms and horticulture blocks to manufacturers, exporters, logistics hubs, small businesses, and Iwi enterprises, Waikato continues to carry significant weight in supporting national prosperity. That is why the future of Waikato matters not just locally, but across the country.
What we are seeing now is a region stepping forward with confidence, backed by a Government focused on fixing the basics and enabling growth.
Across Waikato, there is a clear pattern emerging. Investment is being made, infrastructure is being strengthened, and development is underway in a way that reflects both ambition and practical delivery. These are not isolated efforts. They are connected pieces of a wider story about growth, resilience, and long-term opportunity, supported by deliberate Government action.
Housing is a central part of that story, and it is an area where the Government is actively working to increase supply and remove barriers to development. Developments like Te Awa Lakes at Horotiu show what can be achieved when the right settings are in place. This project is expected to deliver around 2500 homes over time, with the first homes already completed and further stages progressing.
This matters because housing is not just a social issue. It is an economic one. Businesses rely on workers being able to live near where they work. Communities rely on people being able to put down roots. Regions rely on having enough supply to support population growth without placing pressure on affordability.
The Government’s role is to support that supply by unlocking land, investing in infrastructure, and creating a more efficient system. That includes funding initiatives that address infrastructure constraints, supporting partnerships between developers and community housing providers, and backing models that help more New Zealanders into homes.
Infrastructure is the other side of that equation, and it is an area where the Government is making targeted investments to support regional growth.
At Mystery Creek, a $1.35 million Regional Infrastructure Fund loan is upgrading ageing water infrastructure. This is a practical investment that supports one of the region’s most important economic and community assets. The site hosts Fieldays, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, including significant spend in Waikato.
Ensuring that infrastructure like this is reliable and fit for purpose is essential. It supports events, strengthens the visitor economy, and ensures the region can continue to operate effectively under pressure. These are the kinds of investments that underpin growth.
The same approach is being taken with Hamilton Airport. A $6.5 million Regional Infrastructure Fund loan is supporting the runway extension, improving the region’s connectivity and resilience. Waikato’s manufacturers, exporters, and primary sector businesses depend on efficient transport links. Strengthening those links is a practical step to support economic growth and ensure the region can continue to move people and goods effectively.
The Government is also focused on building the productive capacity of the region. The fast-tracked approval of the National Green Steel project at Hampton Downs is an example of this. It is expected to process around 200,000 tonnes of recycled steel each year and create around 200 skilled jobs. This supports domestic manufacturing, reduces reliance on imports, and strengthens supply chains for infrastructure development.
At the same time, the Government is backing productivity at the business level. The expansion of the Digital Manufacturing Light programme into Waikato is helping small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt digital tools, improve efficiency, and build long-term capability. This is about ensuring businesses can remain competitive, grow sustainably, and continue to provide jobs in the region.
These actions reflect a clear direction. The Government is focused on removing bottlenecks, enabling investment, and supporting the conditions for growth.
Waikato is well positioned to take advantage of that. It has land available for development, a strategic location within the upper North Island, strong transport connections, and a diverse economic base. It also has strong Iwi leadership, which plays a critical role in shaping development, supporting community outcomes, and contributing to the regional economy.
However, potential alone is not enough. It must be supported by infrastructure, by housing supply, by skills, and by systems that allow projects to move at pace. That is why the Government is focused on improving planning frameworks, supporting infrastructure delivery, and ensuring that good projects can proceed without unnecessary delay.
There is also a clear link between economic growth and community wellbeing. When businesses expand, jobs are created. When infrastructure improves, regions become more connected. When housing supply increases, families gain stability. These outcomes reinforce each other, and together they build stronger communities.
Waikato has always been a region that connects people and opportunity. The task now is to ensure that this connection continues to strengthen as the region grows.
For the business community, this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The Government can invest, enable, and set direction, but it is businesses that turn opportunity into reality. It is businesses that hire, train, innovate, and expand. It is businesses that back their regions over the long term.
The future of Waikato will be shaped by those decisions. It will be shaped by the willingness to invest, to collaborate, and to take a long-term view of growth.
The current trajectory is positive. Homes are being built. Infrastructure is being upgraded. Industry is being supported. The region is growing with purpose and direction, supported by a Government committed to practical delivery.
Waikato has already made a significant contribution to New Zealand’s success. With continued focus, strong partnerships, and the right investments, it will remain one of the regions that drives the country forward.
Authorised Tama Potaka , MP for Hamilton West.
April 2026
MP Ryan Hamilton
MP for Hamilton East
Hi, it's Ryan Hamilton, MP for Hamilton East. It's been busy as ever, both in my electorate and in Wellington where National is fixing the basics and building the future. And while we're facing uncertain times right now, there are some good news stories I'd like to share.
Big Events for Hamilton
We've had some fantastic events in Hamilton lately. Homegrown was here for the first time, with about 30,000 people pouring into the city and filling up Claudelands as well as our local shops, bars and restaurants. Not only is it exciting to see more events coming to our city, it's also great news for the local economy. We've also had Balloons Over Waikato, with over 100,000 people taking part over the week. Always a staple event in Hamilton, it's going from strength to strength. Huge congratulations to the Balloons Over Waikato Trust and all the key sponsors who make the iconic event possible year after year. Not only does Hamilton have some great events, but National’s investment in major events is also bringing big shows to cities across New Zealand and it's great for our economy. More visitors and tourists means more jobs and higher wages, with tourism contributing 7.7 percent of GDP and employing 1 in 9 people in New Zealand.
Building Hamilton's Future
It's official: the new medical school at the University of Waikato is now under construction. This is huge for Hamilton and for New Zealand. From 2028, the Waikato medical school will train an additional 120 doctors each year, on top of the 100 extra places being added at Otago and Auckland between 2024 and 2026. It’s great to see this construction project underway in the Waikato. Even before it’s opened its new creating jobs and opportunities. National worked tirelessly to make this happen, and I want to give a special mention to Shane Reti, who played a big part in it.
The new Waikato Regional Theatre, also known as the BNZ Theatre, is now open. 1,300 people turned out for the opening and it's a fantastic example of collaboration between local and central government, business, community and philanthropy. I'm pleased to have played a small role in its journey during my five years on the Hamilton City Council. When shows are on, people are coming into town, eating out, staying the night and spending at local businesses.
Southern Links will be a game changer for Hamilton. It's a planned network of new roads connecting the Waikato Expressway, Hamilton Airport and the city's southern suburbs to ease congestion and support future growth. It's moved on to the next phase as part of National's Roads of National Significance. By 2048, an extra 224,000 people are expected to be living in the Waikato, so it's crucial we have transport networks that can keep Hamilton and the region moving.
National News
At a national level, there are a few things I want to update you on.
National's responsible economic management is more important than ever. We've been hustling on the world stage, concluding new trade deals with India and the UAE. Goods exports are the highest ever, New Zealand's two-way international trade has topped $61 billion, and tourists are back in force, spending $46.6 billion in the year to March 2025.
We are also scrapping the RMA and replacing it, just like we promised. The new system will cut red tape, reduce costs and unnecessary delays, and unlock growth. The RMA tried to do everything at once and did none of it well. The new planning system will make it easier to build the homes and infrastructure our city needs.
You might've also seen the Member's Bill I put in the biscuit tin to give Police new powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour, called move-on orders. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell made the announcement in February, and I'm stoked to see my bill help get move-on orders across the line. Police will have the power to move people on for up to 24 hours and refer them to the support services they may need. We're reclaiming our city centres so everyone can enjoy them again, whether you're visiting, living or working there. This includes Hamilton.
No doubt lots more will happen this year. I'm looking forward to working as Hamilton East's local MP, as well as part of the National Party team, to make more good things happen for Hamilton.
Authorised Ryan Hamilton , MP for Hamilton East.
February 2026
MP Hon Scott Simpson
MP for Coromandel, Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Minister for ACC
As Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, I’m leading a portfolio balancing many business developments and consumer interests. No day is the same. At Parliament we’re hard at work fixing the basics and building New Zealand’s future, and this means a continued focus on improved competition. Healthy, competitive markets and a thriving and productive economy come hand-in-hand. We’re also working to make sure regulation suits the situation and isn’t holding businesses back. This Government has multiple initiatives underway to cut red tape and improve competition.
Competition reforms
This year we’ll usher in the biggest reforms to competition settings in two decades with major updates to the Commerce Act. These will stop market dominance by stealth and open the way for business collaborations that benefit consumers. They’ll deter creeping acquisitions by pausing a firm’s ability to roll up small competitors over time. The reforms will also stop killer acquisitions, a frequent problem in our current landscape. To enforce these changes, the Commerce Commission will have explicit powers to assess these sorts of mergers and the harm they pose to competition and consumers.
Our updates to the merger regime also recognise the many economic benefits mergers can deliver. Mergers provide an opportunity for businesses to scale up and increase efficiencies. Consumers benefit when these efficiencies are passed on to them in the form of lower prices, better products and improved services. However, we have heard that businesses are finding merger processes time-consuming and uncertain. Our changes will lead to quicker, clearer merger decisions within set timeframes, creating much more certainty for business. We’re also making sure the Commission has the right governance structure to remain an effective competition agency, which is in everyone’s best interests.
Open banking and electricity
In another new development of note, competition is also the driver behind the introduction of open banking and open electricity. Banking and electricity are the first sectors to be designated under the Customer and Product Data Act 2025, which gives customers greater control over how their own data is used and disclosed. Open banking took effect on 1 December 2025, with businesses able to apply to be ‘accredited requestors’ of customer data. Those companies will be able to offer new or improved services to consumers seeking more personalised and competitive payment services and better insights into their money. This is a major milestone towards a more dynamic, competitive banking sector, and one I’m really excited about.
Power prices are a hot topic in my Coromandel electorate and in the Beehive. Open electricity will give New Zealanders the power to act on their power bill concerns. It will give businesses and households secure access to their consumption data, and allow them to share their data securely with businesses who can help them find the best deal for their needs. We’re aiming to have open electricity underway by mid-2027.
While open banking and electricity are great news for customers, they’re also an opportunity for our innovators to disrupt traditional markets with new products and services. If you’re a fintech owner, I encourage you to consider the possibilities.
Consumer protection
Ensuring we have proportionate regulation that protects consumers is also a key focus for me. This year, we’ll pass legislation reforming financial services laws, giving New Zealanders better access to credit and strengthening dispute resolution services. And we’ll also progress legislation to beef up penalties for breaches of the Fair Trading Act, like misleading customers about pricing or promotions. Penalties for breaching most provisions will increase from a maximum of $600,000 to the highest of $5 million for businesses (or $1 million for individuals), three times the value of the commercial gain, or the value of the transactions.
This Government is serious about deterring unfair behaviour. However, it won’t be a worry for firms which are aware of and scrupulous of the law. Where there are breaches, the courts will still have discretion to impose penalties that are appropriate and proportionate to the situation and the business involved.
The New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance launched last year will continue its coordinated work to protect New Zealanders from scams. As a collective, we’re committed to stamping out online financial scams, which cost Kiwis an estimated $265 million in January to October 2025 alone. The Alliance brings together banks, telecommunications providers, digital platforms, consumer groups and government agencies to tackle some important work, and so much has already been achieved. Combined efforts saw banks invest in shared fraud intelligence, telcos tightening the gates on scam and spam text messages and voice calls, digital platforms lifting the pace on removing fake content, and consumer groups ensuring those most at risk are front and centre. That’s why I am progressing targeted legislative changes to give industry the confidence to proactively disrupt scams.
Modernising company law
Also on our agenda for 2026 is modernising New Zealand’s company law to make it easier and safer to do business. Upcoming changes to the Companies Act are aimed at reducing compliance costs for legitimate businesses while strengthening the overall integrity of the corporate system. A key feature of the reforms is the introduction of a unique identifier for company directors. This identifier will make it easier to track an individual’s involvement across multiple companies. The goal is to improve transparency and help to deter poor business practices like phoenixing, where companies go bankrupt, leaving behind debts and unfulfilled orders, only for the same traders to re-enter the market under a new company name.
Together, these updates build a clearer and more resilient regulatory environment that supports fair competition and provides greater confidence for those who interact with New Zealand companies.
2026 is already a very busy year as the Government pushes ahead with these and other changes that will make a real difference to businesses, consumers and the economy. I look forward to engaging with you and wider regional representatives over the coming months.
Authorised by Scott Simpson, MP for Coromandel, Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Minister for ACC.
