On Air -Village Radio 1368 am
Loved catching up with the Village Radio team. They’re on the move soon with their extensive music library in tow - 142,000 tracks, 55,000 titles from over 10,000 artists.
They asked me about the first ever album I ever got; it was Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers. So good. A favourite from it was Snow (Hey Oh) which I played on air.
They’re a self-funded 30-volunteer organisation based in the Historic Village that airs on 1368AM and on their website. Check them out.
Thanks for having me and all the best with your move.
More for Movember
Clocked up 10km at Parliament recently in support of a great cause! Movember New Zealand [Facebook]
Your donation helps change the face of men's health. Answer the call. Donate now.
Shopping at The Sands!
I kept my promise and finally got my “bachelor’s handbag” from The Sands Pāpāmoa Beach. Lunch and dinner sorted. If you haven’t checked out the New World and neighbouring businesses in Papamoa East yet – You are in for a treat!
A Thank You from - SIKH TEMPLE
“Hi Tom,
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit the Sikh Temple recently. It was truly a pleasure meeting you and witnessing your engagement with the community. Your speech resonated with everyone present and showcased your genuine connection with our community.
It was also wonderful to see you actively participating in the volleyball game with the kids; they were thrilled to have you join in! I've attached a picture from the event for you.
We deeply appreciate the great work you are doing for our area. Your presence and participation mean a lot to us.
Thank you again, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!”
All USA Day Car Show
Thousands turned up for the All USA Day Car Show last Sunday at Classic Flyers. Some very impressive rides and well hosted by the BOP Mustang Owners Club. A beautiful day for it with cars coming in from as far away as Auckland.
Let’s be careful out there!
BOP- State highway works for November
SH2 Tauranga – overnight resurfacing works start 8pm Sunday 17 November on SH2 northbound lane in Tauranga. This work will take 2 weeks to complete, between 8pm and 6am from Sunday 17 to Monday 29 November and is weather dependent. During these works, traffic will be reduced to a single lane.
SH2 Takitimu North Link Stage 1: Shoulder closures and stop/go traffic management on Minden Road continue until mid-December while utility works are completed, and earthworks get underway. There continues to be 24/7 traffic management on Minden Road with lane deviations and lane switching. Please take direction from staff on the ground and slow down through the work site.
SH2/Fifteenth Ave: Major works to build the connection from Fifteenth Ave to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road are underway. Works involve the building of a 120m long retaining wall and earthworks, prior to the Fifteenth Ave bridge construction. One lane at SH2/Fifteenth Ave near Edgecumbe Road will be closed while this work takes place. This is likely to remain in place until mid-2026. Local residents and those passing through this area should be prepared for disruption over the construction season; there will be delays and changes to the road layout as we complete this work.
SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 70km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link Stage 1 crews are working behind the barriers.
SH29 Kaimai Range: A programme of night works has started with a road rebuild near Hanga Lane, taking 4 weeks to complete with a finish date in late November. The nightworks are between 7pm and 6am Monday to Thursday to minimise impact to traffic. When work is underway there will be stop/go traffic management in place. Over the coming 6-8 months there will be several significant worksites to complete.
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The Tauranga City Council led project continues. A 2km section of SH2, just past the Kaituna River Bridge continues to be reduced to a single lane in each direction to allow construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange to progress. This closure will remain in place for the duration of construction, with a temporary 70km/h speed limit in place.
Flying home this week over the Bay of Plenty!
Some days you forget how good we have it here. We really do live in paradise
Dreamy Creamy
Has just opened in Pāpāmoa, and it gets an A+ from me! They’re on Parton Road, serving real fruit ice creams—just in time for summer!
BFM Interview
Snapped in the “cone of silence” –a quiet recording space this week at Parliament to do my interview with BFM
BFM - Interview Details:
The Treaty Principles Bill Passing First Reading, the Haka in Parliament, and AUKUS Pillar Two w/ The National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 19 November, 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill Passing First Reading, the Haka in Parliament, and AUKUS Pillar Two w/ The National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 19 November, 2024, 10.09 MB
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Last week, the Treaty Principles Bill passed it’s first reading in Parliament.
Following this, Te Pāti Māori MP, Hana Rawhiti Maipa-Clarke, initiated a haka in protest, being joined by other members of the party, as well as other MPs from opposition parties such as Labour and the Green Party. On top of this, members of the gallery also performed the haka. This resulted in Speaker, Gerry Brownlee, pausing Parliament for an hour, with Hana Rawhiti Maipa-Clarke, being named by the speaker for ‘disorderly conduct’
For our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to him about the bill passing its first reading, and the subsequent haka in protest.
They also spoke to him about Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, indicating the country is still considering joining Pillar two of the AUKUS agreement.
Papamoa Food Drive
Get amongst the Pāpāmoa Food Drive! Our local emergency service teams will be out in force collecting food donations on all roads east of Sandhurst Drive.
All help is appreciated, and every can, packet or box makes such a difference.
A Very Special Third Reading
Special day in Parliament on Wednesday! I got to be part of passing the Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill.
Parliament's debating chamber was filled with song after members passed a bill which will restore New Zealand citizenship for thousands of Samoans who were stripped of it 40 years ago.
The Citizenship (Western Samoa) (Restoration) Amendment Bill was unanimously backed by all political parties in Wellington, closing a dark time in New Zealand-Samoa relations.
In Parliament the bill was described as a small but significant victory. While only those born between 1924 and 1948 could apply for citizenship — and not their descendants — many of the Samoan people there today said there was hope that, going forward, things could only get better.
The most touching moment? Receiving a Ula fala from Nerony - a treasured Samoan symbol traditionally worn by chiefs. Such an emotional moment. When someone shares something this meaningful from their culture, it truly means a lot.
“These are the moments that make this job amazing - and it's all thanks to you, Bay of Plenty, for sending me here to represent our community”.
This Week in New Zealand History
'Kiwi Keith' begins 12-year tenure as prime minister - 26 November 1960
Keith Holyoake with his twin grandchildren (Alexander Turnbull Library, EP/1969/5344/30-F)
Keith Holyoake led the National Party to victory over Walter Nash’s Labour government. He went on to become New Zealand’s third longest-serving prime minister, behind Richard Seddon and William Massey.
Holyoake had become PM when Sid Holland resigned three months before the 1957 election, but he was unable to prevent a narrow Labour victory. In 1960, he led National back into power.
‘Kiwi Keith’, as he liked to be known, strove to preserve economic prosperity and stability, an aim reflected in National’s 1963 election slogan, ‘Steady Does It’. His administration’s longevity suggests that he correctly read the mood of most New Zealanders.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose: The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say
New Chair appointed for Infrastructure Commission: Raveen Jaduram has been appointed as Chair of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Board, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.
NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland: Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru.
Launching the White Ribbon Ride: The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne.
Minister to consider 7AA select committee report: Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill.
Better coordination of anti-scam efforts: With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.
Police stats show promising change: After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell.
Youth Parliament 2025 announced: The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025.
Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill: Regulation Minister David Seymour has announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill.
Red Tape Tipline goes live: Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live.
Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025: A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today.
Health survey results to help drive change: Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include:
- In 2023/24, 85.4 per cent of adults and 96.5 per cent of children were reported as having good health.
- Over the last five years, rates of daily smoking and hazardous drinking decreased.
- Child exposure to second-hand smoke while travelling in the car, and inside the home, both decreased since last measured eight years ago.
Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference: Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double: Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund: Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Latest Quarterly Investment Report released: The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says.
Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed: The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
New Police Commissioner appointed: Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced the appointment of Mr Richard Chambers as Commissioner of Police. “I am very pleased to appoint Mr Chambers to this important role. Mr Chambers is a highly respected leader with a deep understanding of frontline policing", says Mr Mitchell.
LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils: The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.
Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea: The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.
Improving the lives of young New Zealanders: Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says.
Better support for victims of sexual violence: The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Attendance rates increase, again: Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023.
Papamoa Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa – (Next to Ray White) - 07 542 0505
I’m a Local, Just Like You!
Thanks,
Tom.
Tom.