Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith says 2025 has been a year of hard work both behind the scenes in Wellington and across the country’s fourth-largest electorate.
Within his electorate, Stuart points to reversing a proposed police review in North Canterbury and securing dialysis chairs for Wairau Hospital as good wins.
Looking ahead to 2026, he is pushing for the Churchill Trust and Marlborough Medical Imaging to expand facilities, including installing a CT scanner, and advocating for the Clifford Bay ferry project ahead of next year’s election.
“People are having to be flown out of here to get a CT scan because we don’t have one due to repairs,” he says. “They want to build their own CT scanner and install it. Everyone’s on board, but they need the room from the DHB.”
Stuart says citizenship ceremonies remain a highlight, but he worries about those who don’t embrace local values especially with a global geopolitical outlook.
“The emotion of people becoming a citizen always makes me realise how lucky we are to be born here, but we’ve let ourselves down by allowing people that don’t want to celebrate our values.”
He is also enthusiastic about Clifford Bay returning to the agenda. “It’s the best thing for New Zealand, effectively making Wellington and Christchurch two and a half hours closer for cargo,” he says.
“Rather than having cruise ships dock at a working log port, upgrading Waitohi Wharf would have passengers land in the middle of town, and cargo would avoid the steepest section of rail in New Zealand at the Elevation.”
However, Stuart warns that costs for Picton proposals have already blown out ahead of 2029. “I hope we don’t have iRex all over again.”
As Chief Whip, Stuart signs off MPs’ monthly expenses, monitors staff issues and works across select committees to keep Parliament running smoothly. “The Whip ensures MPs are in the right place at the right time, managing numbers in the House and on committees so the government can progress its agenda – it’s an HR job in a lot of ways,” he says.
Whips can proxy vote on behalf of the caucus, but only if a minimum number of MPs are on the parliamentary precinct. “And when anyone in the National Party wants holidays aside from the Prime Minister, they have to come through me.”
Stuart says many people misunderstand politics, only seeing debates during Question Time.
“Much is done collaboratively. I work closely with my fellow whips within the Coalition and opposition, like Labour’s Glen Bennett and Ricardo Menendez-March from the Greens.
“We all sit on the Business Committee which sets how the House runs based on unanimity between all parties or negotiate to get bills finished, but I’ve got friends across all parties.”
“We obviously have different political views, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be friendly and disagree without being disagreeable. Everyone needs their say – otherwise it’s a dictatorship.”
“Even if you’re in opposition and you might not like what the government is doing, ultimately you might be in government one day. You’ve got to work together when standing orders are reviewed and potentially changed to make operations better.”
After a busy year, Stuart plans to spend the holidays with family across the South Island.
“I hope everyone takes the opportunity to recharge over summer and catch up with friends and family.
“We’re lucky to live in a country where we can get outside and enjoy ourselves.”
