Party: Labour
Sender: Duncan Webb MP <[email protected]>
Date Received: 2026-01-29 09:22
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** Update for January 29, 2026 ------------------------------------------------------------ ** Back to school costs ------------------------------------------------------------ January tends to bring home the cost-of-living crisis for families like no other time of year. In my electorate office in January we often see constituents struggling with hardship post-Christmas (https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/584643/money-how-to-tackle-new-year-financial-stress) - and the looming costs of uniforms, shoes, stationery and laptops can be overwhelming for those families. I still remember the pressure my family was under with five children in school, and the hotch potch uniform I had to wear (and some unkind comments from teachers about it!) It pays to remember that in a state school, the school donation is just that; a donation, and therefore optional, especially if you’re struggling. Most parents who can are happy to pay it but if it will cause you hardship then you should use the money where it is most needed. Importantly, the school cannot penalise you or your child for not making a donation. When we were in Government we introduced a scheme where schools could receive extra funding but opt out of asking parents for donations. You can learn more here (https://www.education.govt.nz/education-professionals/schools-year-0-13/funding-and-financials/school-donations-scheme) . There are a few options for help with back-to-school costs in Christchurch. The City Mission has a back-to-school programme (https://www.citymission.org.nz/back-to-school) https://www.citymission.org.nz/back-to-schoolbut it is currently operating a waitlist due to high demand. MSD can help low-income families who qualify (https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/children/school-costs.html) . You will have to pay the money back. There are Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling secondhand uniforms. Of course, if your kids have left a school and the uniform is lying around consider giving it to the school for other kids that need it or selling second-hand. Children shouldn’t be punished by a state school if they can’t afford the correct uniform by the first day of term. Community Law has some guidance here (https://communitylaw.org.nz/community-law-manual/test/discipline-and-rules/uniforms-and-appearance/) on uniforms. A worrying trend is families using AfterPay for things like petrol and food. Deferring the cost to January is only pushing the problem out till the new year but with kids home all summer and eating more many families just feel like they’ve got no choice to afford groceries. My office often teams up with local financial mentors to help constituents. Financial mentors offer free and non-judgmental advice. You can find one in your area by checking this great online tool (https://www.moneytalks.co.nz/find-a-local-financial-mentor/) . ** World Buskers Festival ------------------------------------------------------------ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-hPwsxth_Ls There’s still a few more days to go of the World Buskers Festival. Have you seen any acts? Check out the timetable here and get along to a performance or click on the image above for a little compilation of some of the great shows so far. Buskers Festival timetable (https://www.worldbuskersfestival.co.nz/) ** Are you on the electoral roll? ------------------------------------------------------------ It only takes a moment to make sure your details are correct with the Electoral Commission. Your right to vote has come under attack by this Government (https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-christopher-luxon-is-making-it-harder-to-vote/) - voters can no longer enrol on election day and must be enrolled two weeks before - so it’s critical that you check your details are correct, and if you move, update them. Get your friends and family to check too - there have been reports of people disappearing from the electoral roll, especially the Māori roll. Check or enrol (https://vote.nz/enrolling/enrol-or-update/enrol-or-update-online/) ** In the news ------------------------------------------------------------ https://tetahiyouth.org.nz/ Chris Hipkins laid out our approach to 2026 in this interview with Lloyd Burr on stuff. ** Watch (https://www.youtube.com/watch) → (https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360930036/nz-post-close-about-one-five-urban-retail-partner-store-outlets) ------------------------------------------------------------ Yesterday’s announcement that NZPost would close 142 post services includes six sites in Chch Central. ** Read more → (https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360930036/nz-post-close-about-one-five-urban-retail-partner-store-outlets) ------------------------------------------------------------ ** For your diary this weekend ------------------------------------------------------------ * National Geographic Greatest Wildlife Photographs (https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/event/national-geographics-the-greatest-wildlife-photographs) * Flatmates - An Improvised Sitcom (https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/event/flatmates-an-improvised-sitcom-30-jan) * SCAPE Curated Art Walk (https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/event/scape-curated-art-walk) * Latin Cultural Festival (https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/event/latin-cultural-fest-2026) * Summer Sundays - free outdoor music series (https://ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/event/summer-sundays-1-feb) ** Connect with me ------------------------------------------------------------ Follow me on social media to stay up to date. https://facebook.com/ https://instagram.com/ https://x.com/ https://tiktok.com/ https://linkedin.com/ https://youtube.com/ View in browser (https://mailchi.mp/ba8cf5bdf7b1/the-budget-that-leaves-women-out-13891630) Copyright (C) 2026 Duncan Webb, MP for Christchurch Central. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Duncan Webb, MP for Christchurch Central 282-290 Durham St North Christchurch, Canterbury 8013 New Zealand Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences (https://facebook.us17.list-manage.com/profile) or unsubscribe (https://facebook.us17.list-manage.com/unsubscribe)