Kiwi families deserve fairer grocery prices. We’re intent on driving real competition to help you keep more money in your pocket. We’re taking action to ensure fairer prices and more choices for Kiwi shoppers, so you keep more money in your back pocket. Kiwi families deserve fairer grocery prices. We’re pushing for real competition in supermarkets. We’re taking action to bring real competition to supermarkets & drive down grocery prices for Kiwis.

 

Last week the Green Party’s Tamatha Paul made comments about police presence in Wellington, particularly how increased police activity made some feel unsafe. She also noted some discriminatory and harmful behaviour from police officers towards Wellington’s homeless population.

The response to Tamatha Paul’s comments was extremely critical from all sides of the political spectrum, involving feedback such as “insane” from prime minister Christopher Luxon, “unwise” and “stupid” from Labour leader Chris Hipkins, and “just weird” from ACT leader David Seymour.

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tom Rutherford about the substance of Tamatha Paul’s comments and whether the seemingly disproportionate reaction is appropriate.

Full Interview: Police and Public Safety w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 1st April, 2025 | 95bFM

Partnering with the private health sector is delivering better access and shorter wait times for elective treatment, Health Minister Simeon Brown. “Ensuring Kiwis have access to timely; quality healthcare is a priority for the Government. “Last month, it was announced that Health New Zealand will be delivering an increase in elective procedures by partnering with private hospitals to make use of all available operating theatre capacity. 

 “This work will see more than 10,579 additional procedures carried out between now and the middle of the year – and good progress is being made. “Delivery is ramping up, with more than 2,000 procedures completed so far. Priority is being given to patients waiting more than four months. “The most frequent procedures completed so far are cataracts, hip replacements, ear procedures, tonsillectomies, knee replacements, and hernia repairs.

 “We want to maximise capacity in the system so patients can get their surgery as quicky as possible. “Partnering closely with the private sector will enable Health New Zealand to get on top of waitlists, ensuring Kiwis get the surgeries they need when they need them. “This is key to achieving the Government’s health target of 95 per cent of patients to wait less than four months for elective treatment. “We are investing more in health than ever before – a record $30 billion each year. Our focus is on putting patients first, ensuring New Zealanders can get the surgeries they need as quickly as possible.

Had a great day in Nelson last Friday with Blair Cameron. One highlight was visiting Kernohan Engineering - who earlier this month won the supreme award at the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. CEO Paul Miller showed us their new location and shared keys to their recent growth: adapting to market changes, pivoting toward growth areas, building trust with local businesses, and embracing new opportunities.

I had five minutes in Parliament this week to talk about all the great things happening in the Bay of Plenty and how proud I am to be a Local, just like YOU.

It was never going to be enough time to cover all the good things that are happening in our region, but I gave it a good crack.

Have a watch: Facebook

Great to be back for another season and being part of our local sporting community and doing my bit to give back.

Refereeing rugby last Saturday between Rangiuru and Arataki followed by umpiring Intercity Hockey between McLeod Tauranga Old Boys United and CMS Mount Maunganui. Double header Saturday on the fields!

Strong bowling effort restricted Kaimai Cricket Club to 190, with newcomer Peter Reynolds starring (5-24) while I contributed 2 wickets, 2 catches and a run out. Though Kaimai deservedly won by 54 runs after bowling us out for 136, it was a great day out as I loved playing alongside my dad in the Parliamentary side—our first time ever playing cricket together on the same team.

The Representation Commission conducting the 2025 Boundary Review has released the proposed boundaries and names for public comment.

“Our review is driven by population numbers and the need to ensure each electorate has about the same number of people living in it,” Representation Commission chairman Judge Kevin Kelly said.

“Applying a formula in the Electoral Act 1993, the number of North Island general electorates must decrease by one.

“This is addressed in the lower North Island where the current electorates' populations are below the target quota.

“This change, coupled with some significant population changes elsewhere, has resulted in relatively substantial shifts in most electorate boundaries in the North Island, particularly in the lower North Island and the Auckland region,” Kelly said.

A full description of each electorate is available in the Proposed Boundaries 2025 report at[https://%20vote.nz/] vote.nz.

Full Story: The Weekend Sun | Electorate changes proposed for Bay of Plenty

Thanks to the person who left this shopping trolley at my electorate office front door on Tuesday morning. Just so you know, it has been lovingly returned to Pak N Save on your behalf.

A big day in the Bay of Plenty on Monday with Minister, James Meager MP, Associate Minister of Transport, and Minister for Youth, Hunting and Fishing.

We met with Air New Zealand, Tauranga Airport, the Tauranga Port, Youth Encounter, Welcome Bay Community Centre, Deerstalkers BOP, and the Graeme Dingle Foundation. You name it, we were there.

Good to give James a lay of the land and show him the opportunities in the Bay. Wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to claim the Bay for the South Island. Not happening!

Check out the full video: Facebook

The Welcome Bay Community Centre is a vital hub for locals, offering budget advice, food support, free clothing, fitness classes, counselling and more.

Minister James Meager MP and I visited on Monday to see their incredible work firsthand. The Centre serves residents across Welcome Bay, Poike, Ohauiti, Hairini and Maungatapu, fostering connection and wellbeing in our community.

They are open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm at 242 Welcome Bay Road. Drop in, meet Lucie and her team and learn more about their services!

Thanks to Papamoa Post - A Great Story about our BIG WIN!

Check it out....

/ima

Papamoa Community Markets - Come for a chat, this Sunday.

  The Next SuperBlues - Monday 14 April

 This Week in New Zealand History

Murray Webb cartoon of Robert Muldoon (Alexander Turnbull Library, B-128-011)

The New Zealand Cartoon Archive (now the New Zealand Cartoon and Comics Archive) was launched at a function at the National Library in Wellington by Prime Minister Jim Bolger, then a favourite subject for New Zealand cartoonists. The archive was a partnership between the New Zealand Cartoon Archive Trust, which raised funds and publicised the collection, and the Alexander Turnbull Library, which housed and organised the collection. 

Ian F. Grant, the moving force behind the creation of the archive, visited cartoon museums in the United States and United Kingdom while developing the concept for the archive, which employed Susan Foster as its first curator. Its first touring exhibition, A Bit of Cheek, showed the many sides of former Prime Minister Rob Muldoon, whose distinctive appearance was a gift to cartoonists.

In 2005, the Cartoon Archive was absorbed into the Turnbull Library, with the trust replaced by a Guardians committee. On 17 July 2019 the Guardians announced that they were stepping down after championing and supporting the work of the archive for many years. The collection now contains more than 60,000 cartoons and continues to grow steadily. 

New Zealand’s strategy to improve the lives and uphold the rights of disabled people will be refreshed using an innovative new approach, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced.

The Government is accelerating Local Water Done Well for the Wellington region to provide greater transparency at Wellington Water and ensure it is delivering value for money for ratepayers, say Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson. 

New Zealand 3D maps are a game-changer
Most of New Zealand has now been mapped in 3D, creating a rich dataset for planning economic growth, land management and modelling for risk, Land Information Minister Chris Penk and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say.

A new and improved hunting permit system will make it easier for New Zealanders to go hunting on public conservation land Minister for Hunting and Fishing James Meager says.

The Crown and Ngāti Hāua are now entering the final stages of their settlement after agreeing on the terms at Ngāpuwaiwaha Marae in Taumarunui , Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. 

The Reserve Bank’s decision to review its capital requirements has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

Rail ferries and straightforward infrastructure 

Rail Minister Winston Peters has announced the plan for two new rail ferries to enter service in 2029, continuing the 60-year legacy of the Interislander connecting New Zealanders and their goods. 

Two new sponsors have been contracted to open two new charter schools and will join the seven that are successfully operating already, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced.

The Government will boost economic growth by reforming health and safety laws to lessen the cost and burden of compliance on low-risk businesses, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is announcing further changes to health and safety, as part of the ACT-National Coalition commitment to reform health and safety law and regulations.  

The final stage of reforms to the Public Works Act will introduce bigger and broader land payments, improved landowner engagement and new measures to support disaster recovery, Land Information Minister Chris Penk has announced. 

The Government is overhauling the Public Service Act 2020 as part of its ongoing push to get back to basics and deliver value for money to taxpayers, Public Service Minister Judith Collins announced

Partnering with the private health sector is delivering better access and shorter wait times for elective treatment, Health Minister Simeon Brown.

Updates to ACC’s Accredited Employers Programme taking effect today are designed to improve workplace injury rehabilitation for around one-fifth of New Zealand’s workforce and support our economic growth, says ACC Minister Scott Simpson.

Inland Revenue is launching public consultation on proposals to make the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) rules easier and to reduce compliance costs for taxpayers, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says.

The Government has agreed to clarify the distinction between governance and operational management health and safety responsibilities to reduce directors’ fear and risks of overcompliance, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced

Legislation to repeal the Plain Language Act, which is a waste of time and money, has passed its first reading in Parliament to, Public Service Minister Judith Collins says.

The Government is backing builders by making changes so Kiwis will more easily be able to identify high-quality, trusted professionals to carry out work on their homes, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.

Going for Growth: More affordable building products
Just-passed legislation is expected to put up to 250,000 more building products on shelves this year alone - giving Kiwis building and renovating their homes more choice to fit their budgets, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.

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Hope you have a great weekend and if there is anything I can do to help - please give my office a call on 07 542 0505 or email me at bopmp@parliament.govt.nz

Thanks,
Tom.