Wrapped Up Scrutiny Week!
Last week was scrutiny week and I spent a lot of time on the Transport & Infrastructure Select Committee. We had both NZTA and KiwiRail before the committee and it's important that we are holding our key transport agencies accountable and asking the important questions.
We had both NZTA and KiwiRail before the committee yesterday and it's important that we are holding our key transport agencies accountable and asking the important questions.
The Sands Town Centre has officially been open for a month
It was great to meet with Mark, owner of New World recently and hear how it’s all going. It’s a fantastic asset for the growing Papamoa East, with stages 2 and 3 set to be completed in 2026. If you haven’t already, stopped by for a visit—the team here are awesome and are already a big part of our community. You might even spot your local MP shopping there!
'Super' Christmas Parade in Pāpāmoa
How good was the Papamoa Santa Parade!
About 35 floats, 20,000 people in attendance. We gave out over 800 balloons, 1,000s of lollies and many high fives.
The best educational float went to Wairakei Kindergarten, best commercial float went to Mount Tyres with their Gotham City float from Batman, and best not-for-profit float went to Current Church.
Check out all the pics and full story : ‘Super’ Christmas parade in Pāpāmoa - NZ Herald
Lighting up Pāpāmoa
Is it Christmas on your street yet?
These lights on a Sandhurst Drive property are epic and are drawing a lot of locals in. It's great to see the community embracing the festive spirit!
No pressure, but can you beat this? Lots of visitors to this beacon of Christmas, bringing loads of joy and excitement to little kids and big kids alike – Even me !
SuperBlues - The Last for 2024
A BIG thank you to Rima Nakhle- MP for Takanini, for being our guest speaker at the last SuperBlues of 2024.
You are a star!
Thank you for your honesty when answering some of the more challenging questions and sharing your interesting back story that kept the entire room captivated and intrigued.
If you'd like to come along to my monthly seniors morning teas in the Bay of Plenty, you can sign-up online here: https://www.national.org.nz/team/tomrutherford
“Wishing you all the best for the holiday season from the Bay of Plenty SuperBlues!”
More funded medicines for cancer, respiratory, and infant care
Starting January 1, 2025, four new medicines will be funded to treat advanced breast and lung cancers, RSV in infants, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
For breast cancer patients, trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) offers hope. Around 120 individuals with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, a particularly aggressive type, will benefit in its first year. This medicine has been hailed as a breakthrough by oncologists and patient communities.
Similarly, osimertinib (Tagrisso) will be available for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This targeted therapy addresses a specific genetic mutation in about 20% of cases, providing relief to around 200 people annually.
For infants and young children, palivizumab (Synagis) offers protection against RSV, a common respiratory virus that can lead to severe complications. This monthly injection is expected to safeguard 830 high-risk children each year, reducing hospitalisations and easing the burden on neonatal care units.
COPD patients will also benefit from the budesonide, glycopyrronium, and formoterol triple inhaler (Breztri Aerosphere). This therapy, projected to aid 5,000 patients initially and 16,000 within five years, will improve lung function, reduce symptoms, and enhance quality of life.
These advancements were made possible by the Government’s $604 million funding boost in June 2024, enabling Pharmac to expand access to innovative medicines to improve outcomes for patients across a range of critical conditions.
Waikato & BOP State Highway Works December
Contractors across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty are continuing to make steady progress as the holiday season approaches. Sunmedia : File / Photo
Here’s to smoother travelling over the holiday season with people driving on a number of newly sealed roads!
Contractors across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty are continuing to make steady progress as the holiday season approaches.
“As with other years, we expect traffic to be busy from the weekend before Christmas, right through until early in the New Year. It’s been a long year, and everyone deserves to relax and unwind. Consider planning ahead so you know what to expect when travelling. Key routes will be busier than usual, and ensuring you have everything you need for a longer journey can make things much more enjoyable.
SH2 Takitimu North Link Stage 1: Shoulder closures and stop/go traffic management on Minden Road continue until Friday 20 December while utility works and construction of the 2 roundabouts are underway. 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. Planning is underway for a 2 night closure of SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road between 8pm and 5am, this is currently scheduled for Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 January 2025 but subject to change. When this work is completed there will be a new road layout including lane switches. Please take care in this area and look out for further updates.
SH29 Kaimai Range: A programme of night works continues, with crews moving on to a new site from Sunday 8 December through to the morning of Wednesday 18 December, near the Tauranga end of Old Kaimai Road. The nightworks are between 8pm and 6am Monday to Thursday to minimise impact to traffic. When work is underway there will be stop/go traffic management in place which may continue during the day. Over the coming 6 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.
SH2 TELTR: The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues.
Further Information/ Details : SunLive - Waikato & BOP state highway works December - The Bay's News First
Local Business Visit - Newline Tauriko
Enjoyed a visit to Newline in Tauriko on Monday. They’re a great local business that’s been manufacturing and distributing showers for over 40 years. Thanks for having me team - good to hear your thoughts on how the economy is faring at the moment, especially when it comes to the building industry.
If you would like me to visit your local business – Get in touch! bopmp@parliament.govt.nz
This week’s BFM- Interview
Last election, one of the National Party’s main campaign promises was to be ‘tough on crime’, promising to increase police coverage and penalties for crimes. A target was set to increase the number of police officers by 500 by November 2025, however some police leaders today say this goal is unrealistic.
The government also announced this week some shakeups to insulation standards, which they say should make houses more affordable.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about police staffing targets and new insulation standards.
Link to full Interview: Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024 | 95bFM
Update on 365 Closure in Papamoa
After the closure of Consult365, I wrote to the Health Minister, Dr Shane Reti, about concerns raised by many Bay of Plenty locals regarding after-hours healthcare access in Pāpāmoa. Here is his response.
To summarise, there are four GPs in Pāpāmoa, two of which are accepting new enrolments, and all four have provisions for after-hours care. Health NZ is also working on a framework to provide more consistent after-hours care nationwide.
I’ll keep you updated on any announcements as they come. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at bopmp@parliament.govt.nz and I’ll do my best to answer.
Doing Good!
Last weekend, I joined the Doing Good Foundation to celebrate the Tweeddale family’s Home Dedication—a special occasion to welcome them into their new home and mark the beginning of their journey to home ownership.
The Doing Good Foundation builds homes and futures for local families in need. Their rent-to-own arrangement helps those who don’t have a deposit but are willing to work hard to achieve home ownership.
The Tweeddale family, who run their own professional painting business, went above and beyond by painting their home as part of their sweat equity hours.
“Thank you again so much for taking the time on a weekend to join us for the Doing Good Foundation Dedication Ceremony. It was great having your support for our event, and I know that the Tweeddale family, as well as the rest of the DGF family, were very grateful for your attendance” -
"Walk In" Clinic Operating - Tara Road
Caught up with the team at Tara Road Medical Centre recently. They’re operating a GP/Urgent care walk-in clinic, which is such a vital service for our community.
I appreciated hearing their insights into the healthcare needs of our community, especially considering the Consult365 closure.
About Tara Road Accident & Medical Centre Papamoa Beach:
- They welcome anybody who is in need of medical attention on the day, no prior appointment needed.
- Accident or Medical; they provide professional assistance to both.
- Radiology and/or pharmacy conveniently available next to their premises.
- Driving License Medicals welcome too (ring their reception prior for details please)
This Week in New Zealand History
Golden Kiwi poster (New Zealand Lotteries Commission)
Tickets went on sale for New Zealand’s new national Golden Kiwi lottery. All 250,000 tickets sold within 24 hours, with the £12,000 top prize (equivalent to nearly $570,000 today) four times that offered in previous lotteries.
A national ‘art union’ lottery operated in New Zealand from 1932, but the prizes were small. Many people continued to take part, illegally, in overseas lotteries. In an attempt to benefit from their popularity, the government began to tax some of these lotteries in the 1950s, although the revenue was paltry.
In 1961, Minister of Internal Affairs Leon Götz established a more attractive national lottery to help meet increased demands for funding by community groups.
Despite criticism by some religious groups, Golden Kiwi was a huge public success. To ensure lottery funds were distributed fairly, the government established an independent committee and six specialist grants boards.
Like its predecessors, the Golden Kiwi eventually lost the public’s interest. It survived until 1989, by which time New Zealanders had embarked on a love affair with Lotto.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Appointments to Tāmaki Regeneration Company board: Two new appointments to the board of the Tāmaki Regeneration Company (TRC) will bring significant expertise to support delivery of the company’s housing redevelopment programme, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.
Swift avian influenza response in Otago on track: Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says good progress is being made in the response to the detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, but there is more work to do.
New members appointed to EECA Board: Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced two new appointments to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) Board.
John Carnegie and Vijay Goel have both been appointed as members for three-year terms which will begin on 6 January 2025 and end on 5 January 2028.
Appointments to the New Zealand Post board: Four new appointments have been made to the New Zealand Post Ltd (NZ Post) board, Acting State-Owned Enterprises Minister Chris Bishop says. “NZ Post is one of New Zealand’s largest State-owned enterprises with revenue of around $1.2 billion and total assets of around $1.5 billion. It is the designated universal postal operator in New Zealand – and at this time of year, the deliverer of Christmas presents for millions of Kiwi families,” Mr Bishop says.
Racing Act changes to boost racing industry sustainability: Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the introduction of legislation to amend the Racing Industry Act 2020 which will extend TAB NZ’s current land-based monopoly for sports and racing betting to online.
Commonsense changes to insulation standards: The Government is proposing commonsense changes to reduce the upfront cost of building, while maintaining robust energy efficiency standards, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.
New Climate Change Commission Chair appointed: Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy has been appointed as the new chair of the Climate Change Commission, the independent Crown entity that provides the Government advice, monitoring and reporting to support New Zealand’s transition to a climate-resilient, low emissions future, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
New campaign promotes alcohol-free pregnancies: Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has launched a new public health campaign to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by promoting alcohol-free pregnancies. The Government is issuing strategic leasing guidance to agencies to ensure more efficient use of taxpayer dollars where the private sector is better placed to own and maintain infrastructure, Infrastructure Under-Secretary Simon Court says.
Next steps for banking competition: The Government is pushing ahead with moves to increase banking competition by boosting Kiwibank and taking steps to ensure the Reserve Bank places greater importance on competition in the sector, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Pay deductions for partial strikes to be reintroduced: Changes to collective bargaining will help rebalance the rights and consequences of industrial action, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.
Applications open for mental wellbeing campaigns: Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced that applications will open from Wednesday for the $5 million Mental Health Promotion Fund for organisations to run campaigns that promote mental wellbeing while at the Digital Mental Health Summit.
Raising the visibility of New Zealand’s ethnic communities: A first-of-its-kind report launched this past week, lays the groundwork for growing the visibility of New Zealand’s ethnic communities through data, Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee says.
Relationships & Sexuality Education refresh: The Government welcomes a new report which confirms the way Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) is taught in schools isn’t fit for purpose, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Government cuts red tape for food exporters: The Government is delivering on its commitment to cut red tape and increase the value of exports by making it easier for exporters to deliver safe New Zealand food to more markets, says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Government announces future of greyhound racing in New Zealand: Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the Government’s plans to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. “This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs.
Our journey towards net zero: The Government has unveiled its second Emissions Reduction Plan, outlining a path to keep New Zealand on track to meet its climate change targets while supporting the economy to thrive, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
Repealing advertising restrictions for media: Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays was introduced to Parliament this week, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. The Government is issuing strategic leasing guidance to agencies to ensure more efficient use of taxpayer dollars where the private sector is better placed to own and maintain infrastructure, Infrastructure Under-Secretary Simon Court says.
Milestone for Iwi Māori Partnership Boards: Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Iwi Māori Partnership Boards have taken a major step as part of the Government’s commitment to the health of Māori communities. Minister Reti has now received 15 IMPB community health plans, representing the vision and plans of the boards for health and wellbeing in communities throughout New Zealand.
PM appoints Peters as Minister for Rail: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has been appointed Minister for Rail.
New ferries will ensure safe, resilient connection: The Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries to ensure a safe, reliable and commercially viable ferry service, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “This decision will ensure New Zealand has a safe, reliable and resilient service to move people and freight between the North and South Islands.
Thai Foreign Minister to visit: Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa will visit New Zealand this week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.
New research to aid tourism and hospitality sector: Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey recently announced investment in a suite of new surveys and research which will help fill critical gaps in tourism and hospitality sector data.
Food and Fibre sector set to break records: New Zealand’s food and fibre exports are forecast to hit $56.9 billion by 30 June 2025 and climb to a record $58.3 billion the following year, showcasing the strength and resilience of the sector, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced this week.
Papamoa Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa – (Next to Ray White) - 07 542 0505
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa – (Next to Ray White) - 07 542 0505
I’m a Local, Just Like You!
Thanks,
Tom.
Tom.