Joseph Mooney, local Member of Parliament and former lawyer, joined us for an engaging meeting where he shared insights from his five years in Parliament and his deep connection to the Queenstown region.
He highlighted the importance of a strong economy to fund vital services like education and healthcare and discussed the upcoming budget process and its impact on public investment. A key focus was the Government’s recent $100 million investment in learning support across New Zealand schools.
Joseph also touched on energy policy and environmental challenges, especially balancing infrastructure needs with sustainability goals. He acknowledged the region’s strength in renewable energy and innovation, citing Rocket Lab and Christchurch’s emergence as a global tech hub.
On a broader level, he spoke about the rapid rise of new technologies and the global shift in geopolitical priorities, urging New Zealanders to think carefully about the kind of future they want to shape.
Joseph closed the presentation with a positive outlook in the region, encouraging us all to embrace the opportunities ahead while staying grounded in values of education, innovation, and community.
