On Monday, I visited the WPI Karioi Pulp Mill in Ohakune, which started operating in 1978. This is a very well run business and it's great to see it going from strength to strength, with pulp production more than doubling since it opened. The economic growth the mill brings to the area is fantastic, employing over 200 people on site at Karioi and a large number of people in the contracted-out transport and logging operations in the associated sawmill.
The large forestry areas of the Waimarino, the Rangitikei hill country and the sand country around Santoft and Tangimoana all play an important role in the vibrancy of this company and its New Zealand operations.
A hot topic this week is the amendments to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Our moderated ETS strikes a fine balance between doing our share for the global issue of climate change, and not impacting unreasonably on New Zealand businesses and households. One key change is offsetting for pre-1990 forest landowners, and allocating the full second tranche of compensation where offsetting is not taken up.
School holidays are upon us again and so is the ski season. The Mini X-Games are on next week, July 10-11, the biggest kids' freestyle ski and snowboard event in New Zealand, and it's free to enter!
At Parliament we are into a two-week recess, a great opportunity to hit the road and visit people throughout the Rangitikei. I am also spending time in Wellington at the NZ Racing Board, so I will fill you in on what I have been learning next week.
