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Don't hide from the problem
Ian Mckelvie 
September 18, 2023
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Don't Hide from the Problem
Manawatu Guardian, by Adam Pearse 31 August 2023
MP reveals his most courageous politician
Retiring Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie used his final speech to urge politicians to avoid blaming previous governments for poor policy delivery and get on with the job.
He said one of the principles he used in his 28 years of public life was never denying a problem.
"I have to say one of the greatest downfalls of success of ministers in this place is their failure to recognise or admit to a problem and getting on with fixing it," he said.
"It seems we're able to go on blaming previous governments or previous administrations for years and years, but a piece of advice for Members of Parliament would be; don't blame the others, don't hide from the problem." He said Parliament had increased its focus on improving the wellbeing of MPs and staff but didn't appropriately recognise the "extreme and unacceptable prying of private lives of MPs".
Vast Rangitikei electorate up for grabs
Ian Mckelvie September 04, 2023
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Vast Rangitīkei electorate up for grabs, but do locals know their options?
Jimmy Ellingham of RNZ 04 Sep 2023
Rangitīkei is the third largest electorate in the North Island, stretching from east of Levin in the south, across the central plateau, to above Taumarunui to the north.
And it is up for grabs this election, as its four-term National MP Ian McKelvie retires.
Turakina farmer Suze Redmayne is National's new candidate, while Labour has enlisted Zulfiqar Butt, a former Palmerston North city councillor. The electorate surrounds, but does not include, the city.
Veteran politician bows out after 12 years as MP
Ian Mckelvie August 25, 2023
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Veteran politician bows out after 12 years as MP
Manawatu Standard by George Heagney 25 August 2023
Veteran politician Ian McKelvie is bowing out of Parliament hoping he's made life better for the people he's represented.
The Rangitikei MP and farmer gave his valedictory speech in Parliament on Wednesday evening. He is retiring from politics at the election, after 12 years as an MP.
In his time in Parliament, he has been an advocate for farming, racing and seniors, but he said helping the people of Rangitikei was something he'd loved.
MP McKelvie's visit focuses on seniors
Ian Mckelvie August 03, 2023
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MP McKelvie's visit focuses on seniors
Gisborne Herald, by Wynsley Wrigley 03 August
our-term MP Ian McKelvie says he senses an electorate looking positively at National in election year.
The Rangitikei MP was in Gisborne this week with the party's East Coast candidate Dana Kirkpatrick, with both saying the party would work hard without complacency to reclaim the Treasury benches in October.
The two visited Beetham Lifestyle Village and Ryman Healthcare along with Gisborne Contract Bridge Club and Age Concern.
Ian McKelvie: Parliament's last country squire
Ian Mckelvie July 09, 2023
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Ian McKelvie: Parliament's last country squire
From The House , 7:35 am on 9 July 2023
Johnny Blades, Journalist
Perhaps contrary to popular opinion, as a Member of Parliament you can make progress without having to be mean to people.
That’s according to National MP Ian McKelvie who is to retire ahead of October's election after three terms in Parliament and is the latest subject in The House's series of exit interviews.
An MP representing the agriculture-focused electorate of Rangitikei, who also owns farms himself, McKelvie is something of the genial country squire. A throwback to a not-so-distant era when it seemed most National MPs were in Parliament primarily to represent farming interests. And yet McKelvie has ended up as a parliamentarian who isn’t defined by the tribal lines of party politics.
The National Party MP for Rangitikei, Ian McKelvie makes a quip while chairing the Governance and Administration Select Committee through the Estimates Hearings 2023. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
BYO bill offers race day clarity
Ian Mckelvie June 08, 2023
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BYO bill offers race day clarity
The Westport News, Westport by Raquel Joseph 08 June 2023
Legislation allowing people to bring their own alcohol to horse racing events is good news for Westport, says its trotting club president.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Exemption for Race Meetings) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament last night.
Outrageous 24 hour window on cyclone bill sumbissions criticised
Ian Mckelvie May 29, 2023
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“Outrageous”: 24 hour window on cyclone bill submissions criticised
By Cushla Norman, 1News Reporter Wed 29 May 2023
A less than 24-hour time frame for public submissions on the second cyclone recovery bill is being criticised as a "farce of parliamentary process".
The Government and Administration Select Committee emailed at 9pm last night, calling for submissions by 5pm today.
A think-tank submitting on the bill called the process "an abhorrent approach" to law-making. The New Zealand Initiative's executive director, Oliver Hartwich, said the short time frame was "outrageous" and unusual even in times of urgency.
The legislation aims to support the rebuild and recovery after cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, but it also grants broad powers to the minister in charge.
Parliament Hansard Report 06 April 2023
Ian Mckelvie April 06, 2023
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Parliament Hansard Report – Thursday, 6 April 2023 – Volume 767 – 001104
Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I intend to use this second reading speech to address the issues the Governance and Administration Committee considered during the course of its quite brief but lengthy—lengthy in time—hearings.
I’ll start today by making a few observations about the process used to introduce and process this urgent piece of legislation, which came in for some critical scrutiny from both submitters and some sectors of the media. That criticism was to some degree warranted. However, no one came up with a better way of expediting this process for the benefits of those affected. Frankly, I believe, as a select committee and as a Parliament, we’ve come to the best position possible on this. I also believe that members of Parliament come to Parliament with a very strong idea of making people’s lives better, and this is a great example of this Parliament coming together in an attempt to make people’s lives better. Admittedly, those people are suffering some significant challenges at the moment.
Retiring MPs Reflect on their decision, look to the future
Ian Mckelvie January 18, 2023
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Retiring MPs reflect on their decision, look to the future
Story by Giles Dexter 18 Jan 2023
Labour and National will both kick off election year with their annual caucus retreats this week, and some MPs have already said it will be their last.
So far, 11 MPs across Labour, National, and the Greens parties have announced they do not plan to contest the election.
Claims bungling will cost forest owners millions
Ian Mckelvie January 01, 2023
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Claims bungling will cost forest owners millions
Canterbury Farming, Canterbury/West Coast by Ken Caddick 01 Jan 2023
Some foresters could be millions of dollars out of pocket due to a poorly communicated change in application deadlines.
That's according to National's Forestry spokesperson Ian McKelvie.
"In October, the Ministry of Primary Industries sent an email to foresters announcing that they were moving the effective deadline to register forests for the Emissions Trading Scheme from the last day of the year to 25 October 2022. simply due to long processing times in their office," McKelvie said.