Investing today, for tomorrow

• Published date: 25 May 2023
• Publication title: Star, The

There was also significant infrastructure investment to respond to the recent climate change-related weather events in the North Island

We have made child care cheaper with 20 hours free ECE for 2-year olds — this will relieve financial pressures for families with young children, and support working families.

We have scrapped the prescription part charge. A study from University of Otago academics has shown that this not only helps more people get the treatments they need, but prevents admissions and saves more money than it costs. It is astonishing anyone would want to reverse that.

Anyone who drives in Dunedin knows that school-hour commuting is getting worse — free buses for under 13s will encourage more children into buses. University and Polytech students (under 25) will get half-price fares. More people in buses means fewer cars on the roads.

We’re doubling down on healthy homes with the Warmer Kiwi Homes Programme which will improve affordability of insulation and heating — warmer homes are healthier homes, and will mean we spend less on heating. Dunedin needs...