■ As Anzac Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on its enduring symbolism. It is a time when we honour and remember those who served, and those who gave their lives at Gallipoli and in conflicts since. Lest we forget the sacrifices made for our country. That spirit of resilience and collective responsibility still matters today, writes East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick

While the challenges we face are different, many whānau across Gisborne and the East Coast are feeling a growing sense of uncertainty.

The cost of living remains high and fuel prices are putting real pressure on household budgets.

I hear this regularly from people across our community. Whether it’s getting to work, taking kids to school, or running a small business, rising fuel costs are making everyday life harder. Acting responsibly now is part of protecting households from deeper hardship later.

I understand why people want immediate relief when costs rise. That instinct is entirely reasonable. But experience shows that large, untargetted spending – even when well-intentioned – can quickly push prices higher, use more fuel and erode the very support it aims to provide.

People also write to me saying the Government is receiving millions of dollars extra in GST – but I would argue that people still have the same amount of money – and they now choose even more carefully where to spend that – they don’t instantly have more to spend – so while time will tell definitively there is not likely to be the perceived increase in GST as people assume.

We cannot control global oil prices, and we cannot control conflict overseas.

What we can control is how we respond. As a Government, it is our responsibility to do so in a careful, deliberate and measured way.

Storage numbers will fluctuate a little bit as we move through the next few months, but we are confident that we have good stocks available and on the way and our ministers are working hard on this every day.

It would be easy to borrow heavily and hand out broad, untargeted support, as we saw during the Covid period. But that approach comes with consequences.

It risks driving inflation higher and leaving families worse off in the long run, not to mention the effect it has on our roading programme – which people tell me all the time cannot be put off.

We are still working to repair the economic damage of recent years, and we must avoid repeating those mistakes.

Instead, our approach is grounded in a simple principle: support should be targeted, temporary, and timely.

Here’s what that means in practice.

Across New Zealand, around 143,000 low- to middle-income working families are receiving targeted fuel support, including an additional $50 per week for up to a year.

From April 1, the annual statutory increases in payments are also reaching around 1.5 million New Zealanders – including superannuitants, veterans, students, and those receiving additional assistance. This is practical help, directed to those who need it most.

We are also supporting the workers who keep our communities running.

Home and community support workers – many of whom travel long distances across regions like ours – will receive a temporary 30 percent increase in mileage rates, helping offset the cost of fuel while they care for others.

At the same time, we are focused on ensuring New Zealand maintains the fuel supply it needs to keep our economy moving, through our National Fuel Plan.

For communities like the Eastern Bay, where distances are long and transport options are limited, these pressures are felt more sharply.

That is why a targeted approach matters – ensuring support reaches the people and regions that need it most.

The months ahead may bring continued uncertainty. But New Zealanders can be assured that this Government has a plan – one that balances immediate support with long-term responsibility.

As we gather this Anzac Day to remember those who served, we are reminded of the strength that comes from standing together in the face of uncertainty. That same spirit – resilience, sacrifice, and looking out for one another – will carry us through the challenges we face today.