With another election approaching, I wanted to do something a little different.
Rather than simply looking at campaign announcements, social media posts and party slogans, I decided to put questions directly to politicians and give them the opportunity to answer in their own words.
Some are about national policy. Others are very specifically about Taupō. A few come from my own experiences and the things people have raised with me through Epitome of Coolness and Lunch Club Letters.
Louise Upston has represented the Taupō electorate since 2008 and is currently a Cabinet Minister. Her office agreed to take part and supplied written responses to my questions.
Louise’s answers below are published as supplied. I have not rewritten or shortened them. Any commentary from me is clearly marked as my own.
Q: You’ve represented the Taupō electorate since 2008. After nearly two decades, what are three tangible things you can point to and say, “I personally used my position as Taupō’s MP to help make that happen”?
L: Being Taupō’s MP is a privilege I never take for granted. I stay closely connected to local communities and their priorities.
One major achievement has been securing funding for the Cambridge–Piarere extension of the Waikato Expressway after advocating for the project’s return. The Government has committed $1.77 billion to improve safety, reduce congestion, and support regional growth.
After the closure of Kinleith’s PM6 paper machine, I helped establish Project Phoenix to support workers into new jobs and maintain local training opportunities, such as the Toi Ohomai Tokoroa campus.
Budget 2025 delivered expanded after-hours and urgent healthcare services across Taupō, Tokoroa, Tūrangi and Mangakino. I have also championed the Waikato Medical School to help address rural doctor shortages.
As Tourism Minister, I’m pleased international visitor numbers have recovered to 95 per cent of pre-Covid levels, benefiting tourism communities across our electorate.
Q: National asked New Zealanders in 2023 to trust it to turn the country around. You’ve now had a full term in government. What hasn’t improved as much as National expected or promised, and what responsibility does the Government accept for that? Looking towards another election, how can voters distinguish between policies National can realistically deliver and another round of election promises?
L: New Zealanders have faced a challenging few years, with global pressures slowing economic growth. That makes responsible economic management more important than ever.
While there is more work to do, we have made significant progress and can achieve more with another term. We have already announced policies including KiwiSaver enhancements, extending paid parental leave to 30 weeks, and modernising sexual consent laws.
The choice at this election is between a National-led Government focused on economic growth and fiscal responsibility, or parties proposing higher spending, borrowing and taxation.
Q: As Minister for Social Development and Employment, you’re responsible for a system affecting some of New Zealand’s most financially vulnerable people. If tomorrow you lost your parliamentary income and had to support yourself under the welfare system you currently oversee, are you confident you could afford housing, power, groceries and the basic costs of everyday life? If not, what does that tell you about the adequacy of the system?
L: National believes the welfare system should provide support when needed while encouraging people who can work into employment. We do not support a system where people are better off on a benefit than in work.
Many New Zealanders have struggled through the cost-of-living crisis. Our focus is on rebuilding economic growth and maintaining fiscal discipline because stronger growth creates jobs, lifts wages and expands opportunities.
Progress has been made despite global challenges, but there is still more work ahead.
Q: You’ve faced criticism for claiming a ministerial accommodation allowance while staying in a Wellington property you own. At the same time, people receiving government assistance face significant scrutiny over their circumstances, income and eligibility. Do you think there’s a double standard when politicians can say, “I’m entitled to it under the rules,” while beneficiaries are expected to demonstrate financial need? More broadly, is something being within the rules necessarily the same as it being right?
L: MP’s pay and allowances are set independently by the Remuneration Authority. The accommodation allowance is available to MPs who live outside Wellington and must spend time there undertaking their parliamentary duties.
Since becoming an MP in 2008, I have needed accommodation in Wellington while maintaining my primary home in the Taupō electorate. I previously rented accommodation and now stay in a mortgaged property.
I recently married. The mortgage is currently in my husband’s name and will soon be in both our names.
Q: I’ve personally experienced the welfare system, so I understand why New Zealand needs a safety net. But should a work-capable young person leaving school be able to drift into long-term welfare without first being offered a genuine pathway into employment? Why don’t we have a much stronger transition from school into paid work experience, apprenticeships, employer placements and vocational training? And have we made it too easy for some young people to enter the welfare system while making it unnecessarily difficult to get back out?
L: As a solo mother, I spent time on the Domestic Purposes Benefit before returning to work. That experience reinforced my belief that young people should be supported into employment, not long-term welfare.
Research shows 18 and 19-year-olds who enter Jobseeker Support can spend many years on a benefit. Our Government wants better outcomes through work, training and opportunity.
We have tightened benefit settings for young people while investing in pathways into employment, including expanding the Trades Academy by 10,000 places, supporting apprenticeships, introducing industry-led school subjects and funding an extra 1,000 Youth Guarantee places.
Editor’s note: I asked Louise Upston’s office if they could provide an approximate date or period for when she was a solo mother receiving the Domestic Purposes Benefit, so readers had some context for this statement. Her office responded: “Please use the statement as supplied.” No date was provided.
Q: Are we sometimes using immigration as the solution to something that isn’t actually a shortage of New Zealand workers? If New Zealanders are capable of doing a job but aren’t willing to do it for the wage or conditions being offered, should employers be expected to improve those before recruiting workers from overseas? At what point does immigration stop filling a genuine skills shortage and start reducing the pressure on employers to offer wages that attract New Zealanders?
L: The Prime Minister has been clear that social stability comes before business interests.
National supports a controlled immigration system that complements the workforce while delivering better outcomes for New Zealanders. We have strengthened settings through higher English language requirements, tougher enforcement and a stronger focus on skilled migrants.
Further immigration policy will be announced closer to the election.
Q: National talks about economic growth and reducing debt, but I’m interested in how New Zealand actually creates more wealth. What is National’s long-term plan for strengthening our productive economy — locally owned businesses, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure — so we’re generating and investing more wealth here rather than remaining heavily dependent on imports, overseas capital and continued borrowing?
L: National is focused on building a more productive, higher-wage economy by reducing inflation, expanding trade opportunities and removing barriers to investment and infrastructure development.
We introduced Investment Boost, allowing businesses to deduct 20 per cent of new capital investment, helping firms expand and improve productivity.
Results are already emerging, with inflation falling, interest rates easing and exports growing by $20 billion. That is part of our plan to fix the basics and build the future.
Q: Every political party can tell us what it wants to spend money on. If National is genuinely serious about reducing government debt, what should New Zealand actually stop funding or borrowing money for? What are you prepared to say we simply cannot afford?
L: National has removed $50 billion in spending and is reforming the public service to improve efficiency and value for taxpayers.
We do not believe New Zealand can solve problems through ever-increasing borrowing and spending. Sustainable finances are essential for maintaining jobs, growth and low taxes.
Our approach puts the books back on track while continuing to invest in the things that really matter to Kiwis — roads, schools, hospitals and policing.
Q: Taupō has grown significantly while pressure has increased on schools, healthcare, roads, housing and infrastructure. After representing this electorate since 2008, what does Taupō still not have that you believe it should have by now — and why hasn’t it happened? What would you personally make a priority if you’re returned for another term?
L: Taupō’s growth has created pressures similar to what many fast-growing communities face.
Our focus is on ensuring taxpayers get value for money. By delivering infrastructure more efficiently, as we’ve done with school building programmes for example, we can invest in more projects without increasing costs unnecessarily.
We are already investing in schools, roads, healthcare and planning reform that benefits Taupō. Looking ahead, upgrading SH1 south of Taupō remains a major priority, and I will continue advocating strongly for that project.
Q: I’ve heard from people who feel our electorate representation can be difficult to access unless you’re already “in the circle”. After nearly two decades as Taupō’s MP, why do you think that perception exists? Do you accept any responsibility for it, and what would you do differently in another term so that an ordinary constituent genuinely feels they can reach their MP and be heard?
L: I’m surprised to hear that – it is certainly not the case. All constituents are equal to me, and I am interested in all constituents’ cares, concerns and ideas. I am here to represent everyone. I would encourage anyone to reach out to me when they have a need.
Anyone who wants to get in touch with me can, in a variety of forms:
• In person – through regular Friendly Forums, Coffee Catch Ups and Clinics, post-Budget events, and my Youth Advisory Board with local schools. These are opportunities for constituents to meet me in person to share their ideas and concerns. I’ve continued these public events in Opposition and in Government. Contact my electorate office to find out where and when the next meeting is.
• Through my electorate offices:
o Taupō: 67 Paora Hapi Street
o Cambridge: 3 Anzac St
• By email: upston.taupo@parliament.govt.nz
• By post: PO Box 280, Taupō 3351
• By phone: 07 376 5563 or 0800 Taupo MP or 0800 828 7667
• Through newsletters, which anyone can sign up to via my website (Louise Upston | MP for Taupō | National Party)
• By following me on social media – Facebook or Instagram
• I also attend events across the electorate (Taupō, Tokoroa, Tūrangi, Tīrau, Putāruru, Cambridge and beyond) to keep in touch with what is happening locally.
Q: What’s something about you that people who only know Louise Upston the politician would probably be surprised to learn?
L: Perhaps a lesser-known fact is that I am hugely into sport, particularly rugby and netball. I am a massive Chiefs fan, and I play netball with the Parly Ferns. The team includes colleagues from across the House – I’m co-captain with Labour MP, Barbara Edmonds.
Bonus Q: If you had to describe yourself with one song, what song would you choose and why?
L: ‘Don’t Forget Your Roots’ by Six60 – I always remember I am the MP for Taupō, first and foremost.
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