Viewpoint – Green shoots

Is it too early to wish readers of Mahurangi Matters a very merry Christmas?! You’’ll be reading this in December so let me take the plunge with season’s greetings to all!

As we reach the end of 2025, it’s only right to pause and reflect on what has been a tough year for many people across the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate. From cost-of-living pressures to uncertainty in some of our key industries, many households and small businesses have felt the strain. I’ve heard these concerns directly in recent conversations with constituents in Warkworth, Matakana and Dome Valley in the last couple of weeks and, of course, elsewhere in the rural north of Auckland over the past 12 months.

But there is good news: This region is full of proud, hardworking people who don’t shy away from challenges. I want to acknowledge those who’ve faced these challenges head on, as well as the community groups, volunteers and local organisations who have stood alongside them. Your ongoing willingness to contribute is one of our greatest strengths.

This year has also been particularly encouraging in terms of seeing resilient, resourceful local businesses managing to thrive despite the global headwinds caused by trade uncertainty.

I have visited a number of manufacturers and other innovators who are producing incredible goods and services. Sometimes these provide for the local area and sometimes they produce export dollars. All are valuable! Many of these are hidden gems and I would encourage everyone to be curious about the groundbreaking research and development taking place all around us.

It’s also important we continue to acknowledge the huge importance of our primary industries (thank a farmer for food today), as we are reminded frequently when driving around north Auckland. Fields full of food and fibre have kept the nation afloat lately, yet again.

As I write this column, another interest-rate cut for homeowners has been signalled by the Reserve Bank, meaning cost-of-living relief for those families. It also means the prospect of a bit more spare cash available to them to support local retail and hospitality businesses. Importantly, it’s also a vote of confidence that New Zealand’s direction is now solidly characterised by lower inflation for the years ahead.

It feeds into a growing sense of optimism – now borne out by statistics as well as the anecdotal evidence of chats I have with constituents – even as we acknowledge that 2025 has been harder than everyone would have liked.

May the start of the new year herald new hope for better times ahead. And in the meantime, please take care in the summer season, with best wishes to you and your families this Christmas.