A meeting of great minds
SuperBlues on Monday was just that! Thanks to the wonderful David MacLeod, MP for New Plymouth, for his wisdom, knowledge and ability to answer the hard questions. It certainly was an entertaining start to the week.
On-site at Ballance Agri-Nutrients
They’re a farmer-owned co-operative focused on fertiliser. Thanks for the tour and for helping us gain a better understanding of the role you play in the wider farming sector.
Nutrients For Your Farm — Ballance makes it possible to farm more sustainably without losing out on productivity. The smallest change to soil can make the biggest impact on your farm's productivity.
One year ago this week
The Bay of Plenty elected me to represent you in Parliament. Thank you for putting your faith in me—it's been an incredible first year, with many more to come!
Te Puna Branch Dinner- Friday November 8th
Don't miss this opportunity to engage with one of National's key parliamentary leaders as he shares insights into his vital work on climate change and revenue policies. The evening will include an interactive Q&A session, allowing you to discuss the issues that matter most to you.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, 8 November
- Time: 6:30pm
- Format: Three-course dinner with drinks included
- Price: $95 per person
Join us for what promises to be an entertaining evening, featuring great food and discussion, plus an exciting auction where you'll have the chance to bid on a variety of special items. Bring your competitive spirit!
Had an awesome visit to Youth Encounter NZ!
Their vision? Empowering Kiwi youth to live life wide open. Helping creating spaces where young people discover their true value and get empowered to thrive.
Through fun culture, they create a space where people not only discover their true value but are also empowered to live life to the fullest.
To Live Life Wide Open is the ultimate expression of one’s truest self, of who we are created to be. Youth Encounter believe this is the mana or value every person is born with and has the potential to develop.
Thanks for the amazing chat, team!
Stats NZ reported that the inflation rate had dropped from 3.3 per cent in the year to June to 2.2 per cent in the year to September.
This week’s inflation figures are more good news for New Zealanders. Stats NZ reported today that the inflation rate dropped from 3.3 per cent in the year to June to 2.2 per cent in the year to September. That’s down from 5.6 per cent just a year ago and over 7 per cent in 2022.
At 2.2 per cent inflation, this is the first time the rate has been back within the Reserve Bank’s target range of 1 to 3 per cent since March 2021.
The era of crushing price rises is now over. Kiwis can look forward to mortgage rate reductions, and businesses will find it easier to invest and innovate with lower borrowing costs.
The steps the Government is taking to reduce inflationary pressures by restoring discipline to public spending, reducing the red tape that stifles innovation and development, and rebuilding business confidence are working.
Together with the tax relief that took effect on 31 July and the FamilyBoost childcare payments that many families are now receiving, falling inflation and interest rates mean large numbers of families are now better off than they were a year ago.
There’s more work to be done to get the economy growing, but New Zealanders can be confident we’re headed in the right direction.e also got to see a training programme in action, with different members from across our community taking part in the training.
Upping your Game!
Had a blast at Fore Seasons in Tauriko – it’s a next-level indoor golf range! Whether you're keen to sharpen up your game or just have some fun with mates, it’s a great spot. If you're after something a bit different, have a go at FORE SEASONS!
Another great local business right on our doorstep. Fore Seasons Indoor Golf
Priorities set for Retirement Villages Act review
The coalition Government is progressing mahi in the Retirement Villages Act 2003 review and focusing it on the areas of highest importance, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today.
“It’s clear based on the over 11,000 public submissions received in 2023 during consultation that there are some areas with high levels of agreement,” says Mr Potaka.
“These areas include updating the Act to bring it in line with sector best practice, strengthening transparency such as introducing a plain language version of the Code of Practice, and looking at changes to increase protections for residents, for example restricting operators from passing on insurance excesses to residents if the damage was not their fault.
“Additionally, I have agreed the next steps of the review should focus on three key priority areas that support residents. These involve receiving advice on:
- Maintenance and repairs of operator-owned chattels and fixtures.
- Managing complaints and disputes.
- Options for incentivising or requiring earlier capital repayments when residents move out of a village.
“The objectives of the review remain the same including ensuring adequate consumer protection, balancing the rights and responsibilities of operators and residents, and ensuring the ongoing viability of the sector.
“The continuation of the Retirement Village Act review reflects the coalition Government’s agreement to work with the sector and safeguard the interests of the residents living in retirement villages.
“I expect to receive a series of briefings and kōrero from agencies next year, before seeking Cabinet agreement for legislative change in 2026. At this stage, any amendment Bill will likely be introduced in the next Parliamentary term,” Mr Potaka says.
“New Zealand’s population is ageing and it’s essential we have a range of housing options available for older people,” Ms Costello says.
“Retirement villages play an important role in this mix, and around two-thirds of them also provide aged care facilities, so we need to continue the review and to get it right.”
It is estimated that more than 53,000 people currently live in retirement villages and the industry forecasts that close to 113,000 retirees will be wanting to live in this type of accommodation by 2048.
Katie Nimon for Napier with my Bay of Plenty Rugby tie after the BOP beat Hawke’s Bay on the weekend and became the official “The Bay.”
The Bay of Plenty Steamers secured it with a thrilling last-minute 19-17 victory over Hawke’s Bay in the quarter-finals last Saturday, with the Steamers staging a dramatic comeback at the death to win.
Bring it on – Structured Maths!
One of the new books that'll help teachers with structured maths! From next year, all Year 0–8 students will learn this way, bringing young Kiwis a world-class education again.
What is the structured maths program in NZ? This is an approach of teaching based on decades of research, not one person's bright idea or thesis. Every class in the school follows the same plan of learning to provide consistency. Each teacher will know exactly what to teach, when and how to teach it.
This Week in New Zealand History
Silver Ferns beat Diamonds in Commonwealth Games thriller
14 October 2010
Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk (left) and Laura Langman celebrate their victory over Australia: Silver Ferns beat Diamonds in Commonwealth Games thriller (nzhistory.govt.nz)
At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the New Zealand netball team topped their pool with four easy victories and a 47–41 win over England. They then won their semi-final against Jamaica comfortably, while the Australian Diamonds’ five-goal margin over England in the other semi-final suggested they were a capable match for the Silver Ferns, their traditional rivals.
This Week in Parliament - Briefly
Overseas investment changes to get New Zealand off the bench: Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says the Government has committed to action on overseas investment, where the country’s policy settings are the worst in the developed world and holding back wage growth.
Government to provide significant regulatory relief for business: The Government will reform New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system to provide significant regulatory relief for businesses, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.
Big year of building reforms: Significant reforms are underway in the building and construction portfolio to help enable more affordable homes and a stronger economy, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.
Economic growth on the Fast-track: The one-stop-shop Fast-track Approvals Bill, and the 149 projects listed in the Bill, will help rebuild our struggling economy and kick-start economic growth across the country, Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop says.
Government extends fight against cybercrime: Legislation that will help protect New Zealanders from cybercrime has passed first reading in Parliament, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Dairy export quota Bill passes first reading: The Government’s work to boost export value has hit another milestone, with a new dairy Bill passing its first reading in Parliament, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.
Government releases targeted actions to improve road safety: The Government has released targeted actions to improve road safety that are focused on increasing road policing and enforcement, targeting the highest contributing factors to fatal crashes, and delivering new and safe roading infrastructure, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
Anzac Day commemorations will honour more veterans: The Government is making changes so that more veterans who have served New Zealand will be formally recognised as part of official Anzac Day commemorations, Veterans Minister Chris Penk and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith say.
More benefit exits into work as sanctions increase: The Government’s relentless focus on welfare that works and holding job seekers accountable through sanctions saw a year-on-year increase in the number of people moving from benefits into work in the September quarter, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
Changes to Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa: The Government is continuing to stabilise the immigration system by tightening the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEPV). “Despite New Zealand being internationally regarded as a safe, fair and highly attractive place to work, we are not immune to migrant exploitation. This is unacceptable,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
Instrumental change for NZSO Board: Three new members are being appointed to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Board to help ensure it's focused on bringing value to New Zealanders, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Government investing in Auckland and Wellington rail reliability: The Government has announced how $101.7 million in Budget 2024 funding for metro rail networks will be split between Auckland and Wellington to address the maintenance backlog and deliver more reliable services for commuters in our main cities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
New Zealand takes next step in dairy dispute with Canada: New Zealand has notified the Canadian Government and other Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) members that it has triggered mandatory negotiations in a dairy dispute with Canada, Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced
Residence portion of the Military-Style Academies complete: The residence portion of the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North is wrapping up, with the young people now transitioning back into the community with support, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa. 07 542 0505.
If there is anything I can do to help - please give my office a call on 07 542 0505 or email me at bopmp@parliament.govt.nz
I’m a Local, Just Like You!
Thanks,
Tom
Tom