It has been almost a year since the election, and in Parliament the Coalition has been incredibly busy.
We have been focused with a series of quarterly plans. That may sound uninteresting, but the plans are remarkable in showing just how many ways we are delivering on promises made on the campaign trail.
The Prime Minister recently unveiled the fourth quarterly plan, and I am glad to see ACT’s influence shine through. Of the 43 actions planned for this three-month period, 22 are either led by ACT ministers, advance ACT’s coalition commitments, or reflect core ACT policies.
We’re cutting through red tape that has stifled growth in sectors like agriculture, housing, and energy. By introducing reforms to the Resource Management Act and establishing a National Infrastructure Agency, we’re making it easier to get the big things built.
Education remains a core focus for ACT, and this is reflected in the plan. We’re empowering families with greater choice through with charter schools and reviewing funding settings to ensure families who choose independent schools get a fair deal.
I have heard too many heartbreaking stories of children who have been let down by our state schooling system. Charter schools will give those students and their families the freedom to choose a school that works for them.
We are implementing real consequences for crime, introducing legislation to address serious youth offending.
But along with consequences, we’re also giving these young people a second chance at life.
ACT Minister Karen Chhour recently announced that the residence portion of the Military Style Academy Pilot for young offenders has completed.
These young people are now transitioning back into the community with intensive support and mentorship, tailored to their unique needs to give them the best possible chance at succeeding in life.
We’re giving these young people something that has been missing from their lives – hope. Instead of a future of ram-raids and violence, they’re leaving with the basic tools they need to particulate in wider society: an IRD number, a CV, a bank account, and a photo ID.
We are also expanding the Traffic Light System to ensure accountability for beneficiaries. These measures reflect our belief in a society where actions have consequences and personal responsibility is valued.
We are removing barriers to innovation. In this quarter, that includes removing the ban on genetic engineering, opening doors for advancements in agriculture and health sciences. We’re also allowing the development of offshore wind farms, keeping homes heated and factories running through cold winters.
And in health, through cutting wasteful spending, we have been able to provide a funding boost for Pharmac with its largest ever budget for medicines.
This is already delivering improved access to medicines with Pharmac announcing it will fund new cancer treatments for more patients along with continuous glucose monitors for those with type one diabetes.
As busy as we are in Wellington, that is only one part of the job. The other part is listening to New Zealanders like you.
I spent the recent two-week Parliamentary recess away from the capital, meeting New Zealanders in Auckland, who rightly expect to see tangible results.

Whether it is families struggling with the cost of living, businesses trying to find workers, or victims of crime seeking justice, it is the public that keeps my ACT colleagues and me accountable and informed.
I hope readers of this column will stay in touch with me via email or at one of my regular coffee catchups.-Dr Parmjeet Parmar