NZ Investment Summit: Northland Expressway Road of National Significance
The Government will formally open Registrations of Interest for the first stage of the Northland Expressway at this week’s NZ Infrastructure Investment Summit, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Connecting Northland to the Auckland region through a resilient, safe and efficient new expressway will unlock economic growth, boost productivity and drive higher living standards for Northlanders and Aucklanders. “The Waikato Expressway delivered by the last National-led Government has been a game changer for the Waikato region. The Northland Expressway is a genuinely transformational opportunity to boost jobs and growth in an area rich with potential and link Northland to New Zealand’s biggest city.
“The upper North Island is the economic powerhouse of New Zealand. Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty collectively account for 53.7 per cent of New Zealand’s population (2.7 million people), and 55.5 per cent of GDP ($215 billion). This isn’t just an investment into Northland - it’s an investment into the broader upper North Island area.
This Weeks 95 BFM Interview
Health system overhauls and ‘woke’ legislation w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 11th March 2025
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced changes to New Zealand's health system, highlighting public-private partnerships to reduce wait times. Meanwhile, NZ First's Winston Peters raised complaints about DEI measures, echoing policies enacted by US President Trump. In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire Host Castor asked about each of these issues, starting with the health sector overhaul.
Full Interview: Health system overhauls and ‘woke’ legislation w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 11th March, 2025 | 95bFM
We’re delivering:
More doctors and nurses on the frontline, so you can get healthcare faster.
Full Video: Facebook
Government moves to give teeth to "pawsitive" health outcomes for pets
Veterinary nurses will soon be able to carry out dental procedures on cats and dogs, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard. “Prior to 2021 subgingival procedures were performed by skilled vet nurses, the last government introduced criteria that meant it could only be carried out by vets – Now we are changing it back to make it sensible and efficient.
As with humans, the health of an animal’s teeth and gums is a marker for overall health. Having tartar removed from their teeth is essential for good health.” Changes to current rules will deliver better access to procedures like scaling beneath the gumline. The rule will allow approved non-veterinarians to carry out subgingival dental procedures on cats and dogs using general anaesthesia, as authorised by a vet.
“Vets will be freed up to focus on their other patients, meaning those animals can be seen and treated faster. This regulation confirms the important role that vet nurses perform as part of the team of professionals supporting animal health”. The change was supported by industry groups, which worked closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries to prepare the new regulation and will come into effect on 10 April.
Thanks Hannah!
Took delivery of a brown butter and caramelised white chocolate cake courtesy of the 'queen of cakes' - my fiancée Hannah. Going down a treat with the team in Wellington!
Kidney Health New Zealand at Parliament this week.
Important to get tested. Pleased to report my blood pressure and blood test results are all positive - Phew!
Pharmac funding decision will increase medicines access
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour, and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s decision to fund medicines for a further five health conditions, including cancers, from 1 April 2025. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the government,” Mr Seymour says. “Today represents another step forward for cancer patients as the $604 million uplift from the government continues to facilitate access to new treatments. “Pharmac continues to show what it is capable of when given the support it needs.
Pharmac has today announced their decision to fund six medicines for cancer, including a combination treatment, and one medicine for antibiotic resistant infections, from 1 April 2025.
From 1 April Pharmac will fund:
- nivolumab (branded as Opdivo) and ipilimumab (branded as Yervoy) for clear cell kidney cancer that has spread,
- axitinib (branded as Inlyta) for clear cell kidney cancer that has spread and worsened after trying other medicines,
- sunitinib for kidney cancer that has spread at any point of treatment,
- inotuzumab ozogamicin (branded as Besponsa) for a type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia that has come back after prior treatment,
- crizotinib (branded as Xalkori) for a type of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with a ROS1 mutation,
- ceftazidime with avibactam (branded as Zavicefta) for antibiotic resistant infections
Right now, we’re taking our country to the world stage, right here in Auckland at the New Zealand Infrastructure Summit.
Investors are keen and interested to build infrastructure on our shores and get our economy growing. A growing economy means higher wages, more jobs, more thriving businesses, and more opportunities for Kiwis to get ahead
Papamoa's Paradise WIN: Cupcakes and Coffee
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford, New World the Sands staff member Pamanjot Kaur, and New World the Sands owner/operator Mark Troup-Paul with some of the cupcakes were given away on Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9, 2025. Photo/Supplied.
Celebrations for being named Choicest Suburb in New Zealand continued last weekend in Pāpāmoa with thousands of blue-iced cupcakes and cups of coffee being given away, courtesy of Bluehaven Group.
Full story: SunLive - Pāpāmoa’s Pāpādise win: cupcakes and coffee - The Bay's News First
Safety First in Papamoa
I popped down to see our amazing Papamoa Community Patrol at Papamoa Plaza on the weekend, they were installing safer number plate screws to stop your plates from being stolen. A great initiative/ fundraiser for your community patrol.
Minden Interchange- Update
Exciting progress at the Minden interchange on the Takitimu North Link! Check out this great view of the construction site taking shape. One step closer to improved connectivity for our community.
‘MORE LOCAL’ EVENTS COMING UP!
National Party Membership
A reminder that National Party membership renewals for 2025 are currently due. The Bay of Plenty electorate team is sending out reminder notices to members. Please note that we recommend payments be made directly to our local electorate bank account. Your continued support helps us maintain a strong presence in the electorate and is greatly appreciated. Please not that my local electorate office cannot take your payments over the counter.
Tauriko / Ohauti Branch National Party AGM
When: Monday 17 March ,6:30pm
Where: Oropi Hall Meeting Room, 1295 Oropi Road, Oropi
Bay of Plenty Electorate National Party AGM
When: Sunday 23 March, 4pm
Where: Papamoa Community Centre, 15 Gravatt Road
The Next SuperBlues - Monday 14 April
Papamoa Community Markets - Come for a chat - Dates below.
This Week in New Zealand History
Split Enz hit no. 1
14 March 1980
Split Enz publicity shot (Warner Music)
The Kiwi group’s first New Zealand no. 1 hit, from their album True colours, also topped the charts in Australia and Canada. It reached no. 12 in Britain and no. 53 in the United States.
‘I got you’ was written and sung by Neil Finn and featured a chorus reminiscent of the Beatles. After years struggling to achieve commercial success, True colours launched Split Enz onto the international stage.
Originally called Split Ends, the Auckland art-rock band burst onto the music scene in the early 1970s. They generally avoided the pub scene, instead performing in theatres and halls. Initially best known for their idiosyncratic, theatrical style, they achieved wider popularity thanks to a string of radio-friendly songs written by brothers Tim and Neil Finn. Between them, the Finns created a substantial catalogue of songs that resonated for decades: ‘I got you’, ‘I hope I never’, ‘I see red’, ‘History never repeats’, ‘Six months in a leaky boat’, ‘Message to my girl’ and many others. Split Enz disbanded in 1984.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Drought declaration extended across 3 North Island and top of the South regions
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay recently classified drought conditions in the Northland, Waikato, Horizons, and Marlborough-Tasman regions as a medium-scale adverse event, recognising the worsening conditions faced by many farmers across the country.
City and Regional Deals – opportunity for growth
The Government’s City and Regional Deals initiative has received a great response from regions across New Zealand and is now into the assessment stage to determine which regions will be the first to progress towards a deal, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say.
Faster, fairer land acquisition to speed up infrastructure delivery
An amendment to the Public Works Act will:
Speed up the acquisition of land needed for some public infrastructure projects and allow for fairer payments to landowners. These changes are on a faster track than the wider Public Works Act overhaul announced recently.
Putting the patient first
Initiatives announced underscore the Government’s commitment to fix New Zealand’s broken healthcare system, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Pharmac Consumer Engagement Workshop Report welcomed
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has welcomed the publication of Pharmac’s Consumer Engagement Workshop Report.
Deputy Prime Minister to visit the United States
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to New York and Washington DC for discussions on world affairs and to continue to build New Zealand's ties with the United States
Open for business: new funding to attract international business events
The Government is investing an additional $3 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy to secure more business events for New Zealand, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
Prime Minister to visit India
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to India next week, visiting New Delhi and Mumbai.
Pharmacy Council members sought
The Pharmacy Council is seeking nominations for new members, says Associate Health Minister David Seymour.
Leadership transition at New Zealand High Commission in London
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the next step in the forthcoming leadership transition at the New Zealand High Commission in London.
Increased penalties for 23 illicit drugs
Cabinet has agreed to progress stronger controls on 23 harmful substances, including the classification of three substances related to the potent opioid, fentanyl, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
New Chair appointed to NZTE
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced the appointment of Charles Finny as Chair of the Board of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Direct experience welded to Ferry Holdings
Katherine Rich and Captain Iain MacLeod bring pragmatic, practical experience to the Ferry Holdings Board, Minister for Rail Winston Peters says.
Clarifying Corrections’ management of EM bail
Legislation that ensures Corrections can continue to manage those on electronic monitoring bail efficiently and effectively has passed through Parliament this week, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Going For Growth: new procurement rules
The Government is proposing changes to procurement rules to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to win government contracts that are collectively worth more than $50 billion a year, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.
First new air ambulance helicopter in service
The first brand new helicopter of nine upgraded air ambulance helicopters that will operate around the country is now in service for people across Waikato, Coromandel and the King Country, Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello and ACC Minister Scott Simpson announced.
Unlocking economic growth through science
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced that New Zealand will see the benefits of the science reforms in 2025, with three new public research organisations in place in early October.
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Tax change for incoming talent to boost growth
The Government is proposing changes to tax rules which will contribute to encouraging investment in New Zealand, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says.
Foreign Minister welcomes potential Ukraine ceasefire
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the agreement reached by Ukraine and the United States on a potential ceasefire.
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Next steps to increase investment
The Government has decided on the next steps to establish Invest New Zealand (Invest NZ) including its scope and mandate to drive a significant increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to New Zealand, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced.
Fee changes to improve border management
Changes to fees and levies for goods crossing New Zealand’s border are being introduced to ensure they are fairer and better recover the costs of Customs and Ministry for Primary Industries services, Customs Minister Casey Costello said.
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: New Zealand is open for business
On the eve of the country’s first Investment Summit, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says investment into New Zealand will have big payoffs for Kiwis.
INVESTMENT SUMMIT – Easing red tape to encourage investment
Regulation Minister and Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has set out the Government’s work making it easier to do business by improving our regulatory settings in a speech to the New Zealand Infrastructure Investment Summit.
Boosting rural connectivity and economic growth
The Government is progressing a suite of regulatory changes aimed at improving telecommunication services for rural communities and promote economic growth, says Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith.
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Māori business success primed for investment
Iwi and Māori businesses will be in prime position to seize international co-investment opportunities at the Infrastructure Investment Summit this week as a recent economic report revealed Māori assets have grown to $126 Billion, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.
Good progress on action to stabilise disability Support Services
Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston is pleased with progress to stabilise the disability support system so it can deliver better outcomes for disabled people.
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: First Fast-Track projects into process
On the first day of the country’s first Infrastructure Investment Summit, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones are pleased to welcome the first completed applications accepted by the EPA under the Fast-track Approvals Act to have projects considered by expert consenting panels.
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Improving access to justice through investment
New Zealand’s justice sector presents investment opportunities spanning the next 30 years, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee outlined at the New Zealand Infrastructure Investment Summit
INVESTMENT SUMMIT: Investment into Christchurch Men’s Prison
Funding through Budget 2025 will deliver 240 new high security beds at Christchurch Men’s Prison, along with a new Health Centre and Intervention and Support Unit containing 52 beds, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell announced at the Investment Summit in Auckland.
2025 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
Thirteen students from across New Zealand have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2025, Minister of Education and Ngarimu Board Chair, Erica Stanford announced
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Thanks,
Tom.