Welcome Back!
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a chance to relax and spend time with loved ones over the holiday break.
My Electorate office has reopened and I'm looking forward to connecting with you throughout 2025.
A Wise Investment
The introduction of the final Fees-Free tertiary education policy has been called a wise investment by Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford.
“This is exactly the kind of practical policy reform that will make a real difference for students in the Bay of Plenty and across New Zealand,” Rutherford said.
He highlighted that the policy’s design ensures taxpayer money is spent effectively.
“Unlike the previous first-year scheme, this approach rewards commitment and completion. It’s about backing students who demonstrate the dedication to see their studies through.”
Local tertiary providers, including Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, will benefit from the streamlined implementation process managed by the Tertiary Education Commission and Inland Revenue.
“I encourage all eligible students in the Bay of Plenty to take advantage of this opportunity. This is about investing in your future and our region’s prosperity,” Rutherford said.
Starting January 2025, a policy will provide up to $12,000 in fee coverage for students completing their first tertiary qualification in their final two years.
“I’ve spoken with many local students who struggle with the financial burden of completing their studies. This policy tells them clearly: stick with it, and we’ll help you across the finish line,” says Rutherford.
Full Story: SunLive - Final year fees-free policy introduced - The Bay's News First
Back at the Markets for 2025
I spent last Sunday morning at the Papamoa Community Markets – the first one for 2025. Thanks to all that showed up and said hi! I’ll be there the first Sunday of each month to answer any burning questions or just for a chat.
BOP State Highway Works for January 2025
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 is closed while the construction of the 120m long retaining wall takes place prior to the construction of the Fifteenth Ave Bridge. This is likely to remain in place until mid-2026.
SH29 Kaimai Range: A programme of maintenance work continue on SH29 Kaimai Range with stop/go, lane closures and lane shifts in place. Over the coming months there will be several significant worksites to complete.
SH29 Kaimai Range: The Lower Kaimai passing lane from Poripori Road until just after McLaren Falls Road will be closed and reduced to 1 lane from Monday 20 January to Thursday 27 February while drainage maintenance work takes place near McLaren Falls Road. For the duration of the work there will be a 24/7 temporary speed limit through the SH29 site. The passing lane will open on weekends.
SH29 Tauriko West between Redwood Lane and Cambridge Road: A short section of the northbound lane on Cambridge Road, from the SH29 intersection to 563 Cambridge Road, is closed 24/7 until early February, with no entry into Cambridge Road from SH29. All Bethlehem-bound vehicles are required to detour via SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road or SH29A and Cameron Road. The free detour for heavy vehicles is via SH29A, Fifteenth Ave to SH2. The southbound lane of Cambridge Road remains open for the duration of the works. A 60km/h speed limit applies on SH29 on all approaches to the intersection, and a 30km/h speed limit around the work site on Cambridge Road. Access for Cambridge Road residents from SH29 is via the detours. Project construction is ongoing at multiple sites on SH29, with shoulder closures, reduced speed limits and mobile operations in place. People are advised to expect delays.
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 allowing 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.
Full information: SunLive - Waikato & BOP state highway works for January - The Bay's News First
This Weeks BFM Interview
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Tom Rutherford about these recent blazes across New Zealand, and what needs to be done in the future to mitigate these events.
As well as this, they also discussed the country’s second highest ranking police officer: Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, being suspended amidst an investigation, as well as the recent ceasefire in Gaza.
Link to interview: This Weeks BFM Interview
Recent Fires, Deputy Police Commissioner, Jevon McSkimming Investigations, Gaza Ceasefire w/ the National Party's Tom Rutherford: 21 January 2025
Mount Golf Club Visit
Great to visit Mount Golf Club recently with Sam Uffindell MP. Their 1,400+ members are in for some exciting upgrades, including a brand-new driving range, putting green, and chipping green—all set to open later this year.
About Mount Golf Club:
Set in peaceful tree-lined surroundings, only minutes from one of the country's most popular surf beaches, Mount Golf is the perfect setting for golfers of all levels.
The club includes an 18-hole premier golf course with an outstanding Pro Shop and coaching facilities. We also offer a modern venue for a range of functions, on-site catering, a fully licensed bar - and all only 5 minutes from the heart of Tauranga's business district.
Visitors and casual golfers are always welcome at Mount Maunganui Golf Club, to test their skills on our championship layout. Please note however there will be times when visiting players are unable to play, due to members only Club days and corporate events. Green fees are very affordable and available during most days of the week.
If you are looking to play golf on a regular basis there are many advantages to becoming a Mount Golf member, and we welcome you to visit the Club and our wonderful golfing facility.
National Party Caucus Retreat- 2025
This week I attended the National Party Caucus Retreat in Hamilton.
During that time, we visited the Ruakura Superhub, which is a project of national significance to re-imagine how we grow, prosper and sustain for generations to come. At 610 hectares, Ruakura Superhub is one of New Zealand’s largest multi-use developments, equivalent to the size of Auckland’s CBD. Located at the nexus of the golden triangle between Auckland and Tauranga, the Superhub is anchored by the Hamilton inland port. It will include logistics, industrial, commercial, retail, green space, and homes for approximately 4,500 families
Another excited venture we had the opportunity to visit during the Retreat was the development of the new Waikato Regional Theatre – a multipurpose performing arts centre with a 1300-seat auditorium, circle balconies and flexible staging. The venue will host drama, kapa haka, orchestral concerts, rock, pop and rap gigs, musicals, ballet, opera and community ceremonies.
Surf lifesaving regionals set to make waves
A fantastic event right on our doorstep!
Mount Maunganui will host the Eastern Regional Championships, New Zealand’s second-largest lifesaving carnival this weekend.
Surf lifesaving clubs from around the country will compete in lifesaving sports.
The competitions will take place at Mount Main Beach, with boats and canoes racing at Pāpāmoa Beach.
Lifeguards will demonstrate their skills, resilience, and spirit.
“Thanks to the support of Tauranga City Council and Tect, we’re excited to bring together athletes, families, and supporters to celebrate our lifesaving culture,” SLSNZ sport manager eastern region, Sonia Keepa said.
“We invite anyone at, or near, the Mount this weekend to join us in celebrating the talents of our lifeguards as they navigate challenges posed by the ocean, while fostering a sense of community and safety.
“This is not just a competition; it’s a testament to the dedication of lifesavers who work and train tirelessly to make our beaches safer.”
Event: Eastern Regional Championships
Date: January 24-26
Locations: Mount Main Beach and Pāpāmoa Beach
Link to article:
SunLive - Surf lifesaving regionals set to make waves - The Bay's News First
Coffee with this guy
Great start to the day catching up for coffee with my friend Simeon Brown MP and our new Minister of Health. We were both 26 when we became MPs!
This Week in New Zealand History
Scott Base opens in Antarctica 20 January 1957
The Mess (D Hut) at Scott Base, January 1957 (Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection)
Captain Harold Ruegg, Administrator for the Ross Dependency, opened Scott Base, New Zealand’s permanent Antarctic research station, during a ceremony on Ross Island.
Ruegg gave a short speech to a small crowd which included Sir Edmund Hillary, Admiral George J. Dufek, and other officers from McMurdo Station, the nearby American logistical support base. Appropriately, as the base was named after the British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, the New Zealand flag was then raised on a flagstaff used by Scott at Hut Point in 1903.
The base was established to support the privately run Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (TAE) of 1955–58. It was to accommodate both the New Zealand party of the TAE and a group of New Zealand scientists attached to the expedition who also contributed to the International Geophysical Year (an international scientific project, 1957–58). These parties were the first to winter over at Scott Base. By agreement with the Ross Sea Committee of the TAE, the base became the property of the New Zealand government after the expedition ended.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Government and Māori-led health provider team up to support veterans
Veterans’ Affairs and a pan-iwi charitable trust have teamed up to extend the reach and range of support available to veterans in the Bay of Plenty, Veterans Minister Chris Penk says.
“A major issue we face is identifying veterans who are eligible for support,” Mr Penk says.
“Incredibly, we do not yet have centralised data for all our veterans and must rely on them registering with Veterans’ Affairs to receive their entitlements.
“This means many veterans have fallen through the cracks.
“That’s why Veterans’ Affairs is partnering with Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, to identify veterans in Bay of Plenty to ensure they know what support is available to them.
“The trust is the third largest hauora provider in New Zealand, has extensive service networks and well-established relationships with the Mataatua Veterans Collective, RSAs, hapū and community groups.”
Veterans’ Affairs currently has about 550 clients in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne districts but estimate that number is a significant underrepresentation.
New appointments bring business expertise to the Employment Relations Authority
Two new appointed members and one reappointed member of the Employment Relations Authority have been announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden.
“I’m pleased to announce the new appointed members Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and welcome them to their roles,” says Ms van Velden.
The ERA is an independent body that helps both employees and employers to resolve employment relationship problems and facilitates collective bargaining when difficulties arise.
“Currently, 76 per cent of ERA members have significant experience in the public sector, but only 48 percent in private business. I would like to see a greater balance in the backgrounds of ERA members to bring new ideas, skills and experience – and to better reflect the proportions of public sector and private sector employment in New Zealand.
Drop in domestic inflation hailed
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hailed a drop in the domestic component of inflation, saying it increases the prospect of mortgage rate reductions and a lower cost of living for Kiwi households.
Stats NZ reported today that inflation was 2.2 per cent in the year to December, the second consecutive quarter that the annual rate has been within the Reserve Bank’s target band of 1-3 per cent.
“The domestic component of that inflation – non-tradables – declined from
4.9 per cent in the year to September to 4.5 per cent in the year to December.
“Decisions about the Official Cash Rate are a matter for the Reserve Bank but the decline in domestic inflation is good news for people with mortgages.
“Together with other recent economic data showing there is spare capacity in the economy, it suggests there is scope for further rate reductions in the coming months.
“It also shows the steps the Government has taken to reduce inflationary pressures by restoring discipline to public expenditure are working.
“Lower inflation and interest rates set the foundations for economic growth, and the investment, jobs and incomes it creates.
Two new appointments to Film Commission Board
Jon Kroll and Aimee McCammon have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“I am delighted to appoint these two new board members who will bring a wealth of industry, governance, and commercial experience to the Film Commission.
“Jon Kroll has been an Emmy-winning producer, director and writer of both film and TV for more than 30 years. He recently completed work on the fourth season of ‘Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted,’ a show he has run for National Geographic since its inception.
“Aimee McCammon has 12 years’ governance experience and 18 years’ senior leadership experience. She is currently the CEO of Pic’s Peanut Butter and has executive experience in the industry including at Augusto Group, Park Road Postproduction and serving on the Arts Foundation and Boosted boards.
“I’d like to thank the outgoing board member Pania Gray for her service to support New Zealand’s film industry.”
Runaway spending growth checked
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
“In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year.
“That is completely unsustainable and helps to explain why the Reserve Bank had to hike interest rates to bring inflation back under control.
“In the equivalent period last year, government spending was less than 2 per cent higher than for the previous year.
“That shows the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for public money have worked.
Welfare that Works making a difference
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months.
“There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job is working,” Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
“Despite the tough labour market we inherited, 33,147 people cancelled their Jobseeker benefit because they found work between July and December. That’s 22 per cent more than the same period in 2023 under the previous government’s welfare system.
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I’m a Local, Just Like You!
Thanks,
Tom.