Here’s what newly elected, Ilam MP Hamish Campbell has to say to UC students.

Campbell making his maiden speech. Supplied. Photo by Gareth Hadden.

Christchurch born and bred; Hamish Campbell of the National Party won the Ilam seat in the 2023 election.

According to the Parliamentary Service’s Ilam Electorate Profile and the 2018 Census, Ilam had the third highest number of 15-to-19-year-olds and those in full-time study (26.2%).

Canta sat down with Campbell to identify his priorities, goals, and how he plans to serve the UC student population.

Entering politics mainly due to research frustrations in his career, Campbell said his main interests are in health, education, and the environment.   

When asked about the issues Campbell felt were on students’ minds, he identified the cost-of-living crisis, namely the cost of rent.

“I think students, like anybody, want to live in a prosperous and safe environment, but also make sure they can afford to live.”

Cost-of-living affects everyone, but Campbell zeroed in on its impact on students, “I think students are acutely affected by those issues.”

Campbell told Canta that upcoming changes within their 100 Day Action Plan, National would alleviate price pressure, including focusing the reserve bank solely on inflation and removing “inefficiencies” from the rental market.

In response to questions regarding healthcare and young people’s access to services they need, Campbell identified mental healthcare as an area needing work.

“We have proposed various methods of funding community providers for mental health, and I use Gumboot Friday as an example. You kind of see some of these community-based organisations producing really good outcomes, so it’s about actually supporting them to deliver the outcomes as quickly and efficiently as possible,” he said.

He also said there is work happening in the broader healthcare sector, such as aiming to broaden the roles of some healthcare providers and ensuring staff retention.  

“If we can’t look after the health of our population, what are we doing?” he said.

When asked how he planned to relate to and understand the needs of students in the electorate, Campbell said he would keep up contact, be a presence on campus, and make use of his own experiences as a student.

Regarding education, Campbell said, “How can kids reach their dreams and aspirations if we don’t educate them well? How can we be competitive on the international stage?”

“We need to make sure that they can be competitive in the international market. I think it’s also a way to increase our standard of living if we can have a good education system.”

Campbell also mentioned that his good contact with the Young Nats (New Zealand Young Nationals) is a way he plans to keep in the loop with the student population.