Tom Rutherford - The week that was

One whole year in as your MP so to recap, I thought I would make a video to show you what I’ve been up to over the past 12 months – working hard for you!

Click the link to check it out: Facebook

Crafting session with my niece Isabella, creating one stylish Parliament accessory! I’ll be wearing my homemade bracelet with pride this week.

This week, I had the privilege of speaking on the Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill. A very emotional subject. This bill is a step towards righting an historical wrong and restoring citizenship to those affected by the 1982 Act. It’s been a long journey for many families, and I want to thank everyone who has shared their stories and advocated for this change. This legislation reflects our commitment to justice and strengthens the bond between New Zealand and Samoa.

You can watch my heartfelt speech on the Bill by clicking here.

The Government is listening to New Zealanders and Cabinet has agreed to recommend modifications to the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill.

Cabinet has agreed to modify the Bill by:

“We have listened to submitters through the select committee process, many of whom have identified areas where the Bill can be changed to deter repeat offenders and protect victims.

“Originally the Bill set the threshold for triggering the regime at more than 24 months imprisonment across the board. While the qualifying sentence exists to ensure severe penalties are reserved for serious cases, we agree with submitters that this was set too high and are lowering it to make sure that offenders face appropriate consequences for serious violent and sexual offending.

Cabinet is proposing that the qualifying sentence threshold will be reduced to more than 12 months' imprisonment at the first strike. As a result, more offenders will face stiffer penalties if they go on to commit serious crimes.

The threshold will remain at more than 24 months imprisonment at strikes two and three to ensure that the resulting stiffer penalties are reserved for more serious offending, as is the intention of the Three Strikes regime.

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:

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!

Limited seats available - secure your place today! Tickets can be purchased online here: Te Puna Branch Dinner with Simon Watts, MP for North Shore

Windy Wellington strikes again cancelling our flights, so another road trip back to the Bay of Plenty it is. No politicians were hurt in the taking of this picture!

Stage one of a $1 billion town centre development is set to open at Pāpāmoa.

Located within Golden Sands, The Sands will be one of the newest commercial hubs in the Bay of Plenty.

A locally owned New World and seven further outlets including food and beverage and health and beauty services will open in early November, as a part of the first stage of the development.

A statement from the centre’s developers Bluehaven Group said the projected $1b town centre was regarded as a “once in a generation” opportunity.

The New World supermarket will have a big retail footprint and a car park offering 149 spaces.

“The store has a big retail footprint, with lots of aisles filled with everything you need and we’ve got a big car park with 149 spaces.”

Troup-Paul said the team was tackling the big job of stocking the shelves. “Next week the focus will be on training to ensure we deliver a smooth service come the big opening.”

He said his young family moved to Tauranga from Wellington and was grateful for the warm welcome the city had given.

“We’ve always wanted to live in the Bay of Plenty and are already involved with the local tennis, surf and rugby clubs as well as the ballet school, primary school, kindergarten and playcentre.”

The New World would have six team-member-operated checkouts and eight self-scan checkouts available to the public.

Nathan York, Bluehaven Group chief executive, said the developers had been strong advocates for Pāpāmoa East since embarking on development in the region.

Artist's impression image of The Sands which marks the fourth and largest sub-regional shopping centre for the wider Bay of Plenty. Photo / Bluehaven Group

“Fundamental to our development philosophy has always been the establishment of this sub-regional town centre in the heart of Golden Sands so we could support those who live along the coastal belt and the wider Bay of Plenty area.

“Already there are 115,000 people who live within 20 minutes of The Sands and that number is forecast to grow by over 25% in the next decade,” York said.

As the first major tenant of The Sands development, the new supermarket would provide an experience tailored to the Pāpāmoa community.

Full Story:   Tauranga development: New supermarket to open at $1 billion The Sands Pāpāmoa town centre - NZ Herald

Remember May who used to own Double Teaspoons in the Papamoa Plaza? She's now running a small cafe called Dispensed next door to Papamoa Pines @ Whitiora. It's at 191 The Boulevard. Check them out and say hi to May next time you’re in the neighbourhood!

The All Blacks won the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time in seven attempts, defending grimly to hold onto an 8–7 lead over France in front of 61,000 spectators at Eden Park, Auckland. This ground had also been the venue for New Zealand’s previous Rugby World Cup triumph, on 20 June 1987.

In the 24 years between the two tournaments, the All Blacks won 194 and lost 47 of their 245 tests, a winning rate of nearly 80%. They won the Tri-Nations Series, contested annually against their strongest rivals Australia and South Africa from 1996, 10 times out of 16. They won series against the British and Irish Lions in 1993 and 2005 and achieved Grand Slams over all four ‘home’ (British) unions in 2005, 2008 and 2010. The All Blacks could probably walk on water. What they could not do was win a Rugby World Cup.

The anniversary of the Equal Pay Act is a reminder that we still have work to do to achieve equality for women across this country, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says.

New Zealand has a widely acknowledged infrastructure deficit, which is holding us back socially, economically and environmentally, Land Information Minister Chris Penk says.

Work has kicked off on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) as the Government continues to move at pace to deliver infrastructure that enables Kiwis and freight to get to where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

The Government has announced its intention to provide certainty on discharge rules under section 70 of the Resource Management Act (RMA) for primary producers, and councils – enabling permitted discharge activities to be managed in a practical way, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay confirmed today.

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs is taking action to better protect children and young people from harmful child offenders working in schools.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced that the government has worked with businesses to transform the school lunch programme, delivering for children and saving for taxpayers.   

The Government has confirmed further details about the national apology to survivors of abuse in care.

“On November 12 Parliament will apologise on behalf of the nation for the failures of the State across many governments. Following a mihi whakatau, proceedings will begin mid-morning with survivor voices and apologies from some government agency Chief Executives.

The Government will move to add an amendment to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament, which will restrict councils’ ability to notify freshwater plans before the gazettal of the replacement National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Environment Minister Penny Simmonds say.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council, following news that the Council will now be required to rewrite its 2024-34 Long Term Plan

The young offenders involved in the rooftop incident at an Oranga Tamariki youth justice residence in Auckland need to know there will be consequences for their actions, Children’s Minister Karen Chhour says.

Police dealt a significant blow to the Mongrel Mob Barbarians in Opotiki with the execution of over thirty search warrants across the North Island and sent a clear message that the misery and violence that they cause will not be tolerated, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello and Minister for ACC Matt Doocey have announced that the Government has invested over $21 million in additional funding into Hato Hone St John.

The Government will introduce a single supervisor and a new funding model in a major overhaul of New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.

The Government is ensuring New Zealand attracts and retains the workers and skills it needs by returning open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants.

The Government has started consultation on a 50 per cent reduction to the annual charge for forest owners participating in the Forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Registry, Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced.

The Government is joining the UK’s Bletchley Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, and for Digitising Government Judith Collins says.

Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden responds to NZCTU’s protest across the country and says this Government is delivering for all workers, including the over 85 percent of New Zealand’s labour force who are not union members.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased to accept the Valuing Life Medicines Access Summit White Paper delivered by Patient Voice Aotearoa (PVA).   

The coalition Government’s Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament, delivering on the Government’s commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to councils and consent applicants, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggard say.

A bill that will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 has passed first reading in Parliament, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. 

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced that KidsCan Charitable Trust will be delivering the new Early Childhood Education (ECE) Food Programme, starting in February 2025.

The three-year suspension of identification of new significant natural areas (SNAs) has passed its third reading.

Almost 1,500 tamariki that were growing up in emergency housing motels have been supported into better homes under the government’s Priority One mahi, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.

Almost 30,000 households have now received their first payments under the FamilyBoost childcare payment scheme and thousands more will receive them soon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.

Minister for Trade Todd McClay, today announced the signing of 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between New Zealand and Brazilian companies as part of the New Zealand Trade Mission to São Paulo this week.

The launch of new community advocacy group VisAble signals an important development in community advocacy to achieve more focus on the needs and rights of disabled people in the family violence and sexual violence system.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced the reappointment of the current Chair and the appointment of a temporary member to the Local Government Commission.

The Government is delivering on its commitment to tighten reporting requirements for child sex offenders, with the passing of the first reading of the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) Amendment Bill in Parliament, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell.

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka confirmed the appointment of two new members to the Waitangi Tribunal, as well as the reappointment of Kevin Prime.

New Zealand and Germany have announced the official start of a partnership aimed at supporting the agriculture sector and tackle global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced

The Government is progressing changes to better protect Kiwis and their property from fires, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.  

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Thanks,
Tom

Tom Rutherford
MP for Bay of Plenty

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