Funding support to strengthen frontline volunteer service organisations. Great news for the Bay of Plenty Region
The Government has approved $23.1 million for four critical frontline volunteer service organisations to replace storm-damaged assets and provide training and equipment to improve New Zealand’s response to future emergency events.
In Budget 2024, our government reduced the wasteful spending and reprioritised funding towards critical frontline services to ensure they are better equipped, prepared and ready to respond to emergencies at short notice.
This funding will repair and replace Surf Life Saving assets that were damaged in the 2023 North Island weather events, including a replacement to the Surf Life Saving club at Bethels Beach and repairs to the Mangawhai Heads club that was damaged following a landslide.
Coastguard New Zealand will replace its base at Tītīrangi which was destroyed in Auckland anniversary floods, with a new base in Onehunga to keep Kiwis safe on the Manukau Harbour, while LSAR and AREC will have funding to increase training and deliver much-needed response equipment to find the lost and assist those who get injured or go missing across the country.
Our government is committed to strengthening New Zealand’s resilience and response capability. Search and rescue volunteers were first responders during last year’s North Island weather events and did an incredible job saving lives. The investment our government is making will better equip and prepare these organisations to continue saving lives, communities and livelihoods when faced with emergency situations.
Heading outside for a day of fun is part of the Kiwi way of life, particularly as we head into the busy summer season. With that comes inherent risk and these frontline organisations do critical work to help ensure people can head home safe.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguards patrol over 90 locations each summer and provide emergency call-out rescue services throughout New Zealand, saving hundreds of lives each year.
This urgently needed investment will lead to quicker, more coordinated responses and ensure that hard-working volunteers have what they need to protect themselves and others.
Lost and Found!
Mike King was in town recently as part of his I Am Climate Hope: The Ride of a Generation tour. He’s been riding across New Zealand on an electric motorbike, covering 5,000km, but sadly, his bike was stolen today while in Tauranga. Thanks to some helpful locals and the Police, it was recovered within a few hours, and he’ll be able to finish the final leg of his journey through to Hamilton tomorrow.
Coming soon to Pāpāmoa: The new Alice Johnson Oval Pavilion!
This 265sqm multi-sport facility at Gordon Spratt Reserve will be home to the Papamoa Cricket Club and Papamoa FC, featuring modern changing rooms, kitchen facilities, and public amenities.
More than just a sports hub - it's a new community space for everyone to enjoy. Opening December 2024 – Penny and I checked it out recently!
Papamoa Community Market this Sunday – I’ll be there!
Come on down to Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School and spend a great morning at the Pāpāmoa Community Market. It’s an all-weather market, rain, hail or shine –running every Sunday morning. Don’t worry, if it is raining, there are indoor facilities.
A Southern Connection
My “southern tour guide” - James Meager MP for Rangitata and I stopped in to visit Nigel at Hemp Farm New Zealand in Ashburton recently to talk about the future of hemp in regions like Mid Canterbury.
Hemp NZ originated in Tauranga but moved south to be closer to their source product, so there is a strong connection between our two regions. A great kiwi business!!
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
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!
Transforming cancer care in NZ
National’s Health spokesperson Dr Shane Reti says November 1 represents more transformative change for cancer patients under a Christopher Luxon-led Government, as 13 additional drugs funded from a $604 million boost start to become available.
“From today, thousands more Kiwis are set to benefit from this country’s biggest ever funding investment for cancer, which National drove from the outset,” Dr Reti says
“The 13 new medicines funded from today, when added to the first round of treatments funded from 1 October, mean we can provide help for an estimated 10,000 people in the first year.
“It’s fantastic to see what a difference our actions to prioritise treatment for cancer and other serious conditions can make in people’s lives.
“The medicines funded from today cover blood and bone marrow cancers, bowel cancer, kidney cancer, other cancers, schizophrenia and skin infections.
“I’m incredibly proud to be part of this ongoing progress, and our other cancer initiatives from our first 12 months.
“We’ve taken action to:
- Introduce a target for faster cancer treatment
- Increase access to PET-CT scanning, which is particularly helpful for diagnosis of prostate cancer
- Extend free breast screening to include women aged 70-74
- Build a new cancer radiotherapy machine at Whangārei Hospital, so 520 Northlanders a year will no longer have to travel to Auckland for treatment
- Boost the National Travel Assistance scheme by $18 million per year for those that need to travel for treatment.
“National is committed to improving outcomes for the thousands of Kiwis and their families affected by cancer every year,” says Dr Reti.
More information about the new medicine rollout is on Pharmac’s website at https://pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/funding-cancer-medicines.
Local and Proud!
Proud to attend Pāpāmoa College’s Senior School Prizegiving last night – what an awesome celebration of student excellence! Congratulations to all award recipients!
Pictured here with Principal Iva Ropati and our newly appointed 2025 Head Students, who I know will do an outstanding job leading their peers in the year ahead.
I’m wishing those celebrating the Festival of Lights a meaningful, vibrant, and joyful Diwali!
This Week in New Zealand History
'Summer time' reintroduced on trial basis
3 November 1974
Ararua time (NZHerald/www.newspix.co.nz)
The trial proved popular with most New Zealanders and daylight saving of one hour between October and March was made permanent in 1975.
Not everyone was happy. Dairy farmers in particular objected to having to get up in the dark all year round. Others worried that putting their clocks forward would make hens stop laying, curtains and carpets fade faster, and lawns go brown. The Northland dairying community of Ararua rejected daylight saving and implemented ‘Ararua Time’ instead.
The seed had been sown in 18th-century Paris, when American envoy Benjamin Franklin wrote a satirical letter to the Journal of Paris proposing that people save candles by going to bed early and waking at sunrise. Church bells and cannon fire could be used to ‘awaken the sluggards’. More than a century later, Germany and its First World War allies were the first to implement daylight saving. Britain and other European countries soon followed.
An early New Zealand advocate was the entomologist and astronomer George Hudson, who made an unsuccessful proposal in 1895. The cause was taken up more than a decade later by Dunedin MP Thomas Sidey. After some 20 years of annual member’s bills, an hour of daylight saving was introduced in 1927. This was reduced to a half hour from 1928 but became a permanent year-round shift during the Second World War. Not until 1974 was summertime daylight saving reintroduced.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
NZ investing in Pacific disaster preparedness & climate resilience
New Zealand will contribute $20 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters have announced.
Security advice for start-ups welcomed
Minister responsible for the security and intelligence agencies Judith Collins has welcomed new guidance that aims to protect New Zealand’s start-up and emerging technology sector from the threat of economic espionage.
Interim Police Commissioner announced
Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced the appointment of an interim Police Commissioner to replace Police Commissioner Andrew Coster who steps down from the role on 10 November.
Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura has been appointed Police Commissioner from 11 November 2024 until such time as a permanent Commissioner commences.
Move to fast-track overseas doctors welcomed
Fast tracking applications for registration by eligible specialist doctors wanting to practice in New Zealand is in line with the Government’s push to improve the health outcomes for New Zealanders, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.
New appointments to the TEC board
Dr Alan Bollard CNZM and Mr Bharat Guha have been appointed to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) board, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says.
Minister welcomes business view on AML
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee welcomes Business NZ’s report which addresses reducing the compliance burden on small businesses.
ERO report shows Government’s truancy emphasis is vital
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that the Education Review Office’s (ERO) timely report on chronic school absence is further evidence of a truancy crisis.
Historic redress inequities finally resolved for Lake Alice Unit survivors
The Government is addressing historic redress inequities for some survivors abused at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit.
Podiatry prescribers will boost patient care
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister David Seymour say it’s great news that podiatrists will soon be able to prescribe medicines, meaning patients with painful foot and leg conditions don’t have to make a separate trip to the doctor.
Affordable housing project supporting home ownership
Up to 300 affordable, healthy, community-tailored homes helping to support home ownership are set to be built in eastern Porirua, supported by Government funding for Our Whare Our Fale through the Building Homes for Pacific in Porirua initiative, Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board strengthened
The reappointment of one trustee and the appointment of four new trustees to the Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust Board will enable the legacy of Te Māori to be carried forward into the future, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka and Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith have announced.
Breast screening age extension begins in Nelson Marlborough
Free breast screening has been extended for 70 to 74-year-old women living in the Nelson Marlborough district, ahead of a national roll-out late next year, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced
Government seeks views on remote court attendance
The Government is exploring how to modernise the law around people attending court remotely, to support access to justice and enhance court performance.
Courts Minister Nicole McKee says the current law has not kept up with evolving court practices and public attitudes to the use of remote technology, nor been substantially reviewed since it was put in place 14 years ago.
Increased medicines access continues following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac.
New Zealand concludes high quality trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have concluded negotiations on a trade agreement that will open up significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters in the Gulf region, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay announced from Doha.
Applications now open for new training pathway
Applications have now opened for tertiary education organisations to seek Government funding to develop New Zealand’s first postgraduate diploma programme for associate psychologists, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced.
Welcome relief from new oestradiol gel funding
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is welcoming Pharmac’s funding of oestradiol gel, following global shortages of oestradiol patches earlier this year.
“I’m well aware of the stress caused by the global shortage earlier this year. At the time I said I was confident Pharmac was working hard to find a replacement, and I’m pleased to see this come to fruition,” says Mr Seymour.
I’m a Local, Just Like You!
Thanks,
Tom
Tom