Tom Rutherford - The week that was

Well, plenty did at the Te Puna School Country Fair. It was a time to celebrate, a time and place for the kids to have a fun day, and an event for a proud and tight-knit community to come together.

The annual Te Puna School Country Fair was back in business last Saturday, after the Covid-19 lockdown forced it into mothballs four years ago.

I recently climbed Mt Maunganui in my gumboots to support GUMBOOT FRIDAY!

Since 2019, The Gumboot Friday fund has provided more than 100,000 therapy sessions to young Kiwis. Your support keeps our youth in conversation.

They’re passionately committed to delivering immediate, free counselling to young Kiwis in need, and are asking for your heartfelt support. Your generosity isn't just appreciated; it's lifesaving.

More info: Free Counselling for all Young Kiwis – Gumboot Friday

Had a fantastic time at the Bangladeshi Association of Bay of Plenty's first ever event on Saturday night. Great people, great hospitality. Thanks for making the BOP home.

I enjoyed a wonderful Diwali celebration in the Bay of Plenty on Sunday night!

Such a vibrant display of culture, food and community. Thanks for including Sam and I as part of the celebrations.

Always a highlight - connecting with the community at the Papamoa Community Market! Thank you to everyone who takes the time to share their thoughts and concerns with me.

From 2025, I will be at the market on the first Sunday of each month. I look forward to continuing our conversations about the issues that matter to our Bay of Plenty community!

The first stage of The Sands Town Centre is now open! New World is up and running, new food spots are serving up, and a brand-new gym has opened its doors.

This is just the start of an exciting development bringing jobs, shopping, and great food to our Bay of Plenty community.

Looking forward to seeing The Sands grow with Pāpāmoa East!

Think I’m becoming a bit of an unlucky charm. Time for another road trip back to the Bay of Plenty?!

 

47,000 Welshmen anticipating the first Welsh victory over the All Blacks for 25 years – and a few hundred banner-waving Kiwis – crowded into Cardiff Arms Park on Armistice Day 1978.

The home crowd had reason for optimism. New Zealand had been thrashed 30–16 by Australia at Eden Park two months earlier, and outmuscled 12–nil by Munster the previous week before struggling to beat Ireland 10–6.

All Blacks winger Stu Wilson scored an opportunist try, but four penalties saw Wales lead 12–7 at half-time thanks. A second Brian McKechnie penalty closed the score to 12–10, but as full-time neared the crowd sang ‘Land of My Fathers’ with increasing conviction.

New Charter to guarantee better access for hunting and fishing: Minister for Hunting and Fishing Todd McClay has launched an Access Charter (the Charter) to ensure better access for recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land (PCL) across New Zealand.

On-sold programme changes bring resolution to homeowners and taxpayers: Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has asked the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) to make changes to how it delivers the On-sold support package to prevent a cost blowout while helping eligible homeowners repair their homes in a timely manner. 

Government’s creative sector strategy released:  The Government’s creative sector strategy is designed to increase Kiwis’ engagement with culture and creativity and to boost its economic contribution, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

Accelerating maths achievement for Kiwi kids: The Government is continuing to transform maths education, by trialling a targeted maths acceleration programme to give more Kiwi kids confidence in mathematics. “After discovering just 22 per cent of Year 8 students are at the expected standard for maths, we launched our Make it Count Action Plan to give our teachers the tools they need to set students up for success. We’re continuing to supercharge our plan so students who need the most help, can catch up to where they need to be,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

New rules mean faster payment times for small businesses: New requirements for government agencies to pay their invoices faster and adopt labour-saving technology are an important part of our plan to rebuild the economy and support small businesses, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly and Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee say.

Stats show Medsafe accelerates approval assessments: Associate Health Minister David Seymour says that Medsafe’s annual performance statistics released today show that Medsafe are accelerating their approval process.    “The data produced in Medsafe’s annual statistics show that in 2023/2024 Medsafe expedited their assessment process for almost every category of medicine,” says Mr Seymour.  

First steps towards National Infrastructure Plan: Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the first steps from the Infrastructure Commission in developing New Zealand’s 30-year National Infrastructure Plan. The Commission released a discussion document which outlines the Commission’s thinking in developing the 30-year plan, including looking at what’s needed over the next 30 years, what our planned investments are over the next decade, and what the gap is between the long-term needs and planned investments.

Appointments strengthen Conservation Boards: The latest Conservation Board appointments will help to strengthen environmental efforts across New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced 64 appointments to the country’s 14 Conservation Boards.

NZTA confirms preferred option for second Mt Vic Tunnel and SH1 upgrades: The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has confirmed next steps on the SH1 Wellington Improvements Road of National Significance (RoNS), including an expanded package to reduce Wellington’s gridlock and support economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. 

New legislation for the Police vetting service to ensure greater clarity, consistency, and efficiency for Police and users of the service, has passed its first reading in Parliament.

Each year Police provides over 650,000 vets to support New Zealand’s public safety and national security.

Beefing up red meat marketing in China:  The Government is joining the next phase of the ‘Taste Pure Nature’ campaign that will position New Zealand beef and lamb as the highest-quality red meats of choice for Chinese consumers, Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay announced at a signing ceremony in China

Home-based ECE care made easier: Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government is cutting red tape in the ECE sector to help make it easier for providers to operate and offer more options to families looking for home-based education and care for their children.

Safe, secure digital identity services on the way: New Zealanders can expect safe and secure digital identity services following the finalisation of the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework, Minister for Digitising Government Judith Collins says.

Prime Minister congratulates Donald J. Trump on election win: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated President-elect Donald J. Trump on his victory in the US presidential election. “The relationship between our two countries is strong and enduring. I look forward to developing even closer relations with the incoming Trump Administration.

Police & Immigration work together to tackle gangs: The Government’s responding to overseas members of the Mongols who are attempting to enter the country.  “The Immigration Minister and I are working closely together, alongside Police, Customs and Immigration New Zealand (INZ), to respond to an organised Mongols event in Canterbury between 7-10 November,” Police Minister Mark Mitchell says.

Suicide Prevention Action Plan Next Steps: With public consultation having closed on 1 November 2024, we are now heading into the next phase of developing our new Suicide Prevention Action Plan to cover the period 2025 to 2029, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to make a submission on this plan, particularly those who have been personally affected by suicide,” says Mr Doocey.

Bringing Crown director fees closer to market rate: The Government is bringing director fees for 22 Crown-owned companies closer to market rate in order to retain and attract high quality directors, State Owned Enterprises Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

Prime Minister pays tribute to Sir Rober ‘Bom’ Gillies: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Gillies KNZM, the last surviving member of the 28 (Māori) Battalion, who passed away today. “Sir Bom will be remembered for his service to New Zealand and defending the ideals we value most.

$340m NZ-China trade boost through 24 key partnerships:  Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay, announced the signing of 24 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and supply agreements between New Zealand and Chinese companies as part of the Trade Mission to the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai and Guangdong province this week. 

Results reinforce importance of growth: The Government’s financial results for the first three months of the year are weaker than forecast and reinforce the need to drive growth and maintain careful spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The financial statements for the three months to 30 September 2024 show key fiscal indicators were weaker than forecast at the Budget in May with the total Crown operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) deficit $0.7 billion larger than expected at $4.2 billion.

3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa – (Next to Ray White) - 07 542 0505

Thanks,
Tom.