April was full of energy — here in Tauranga and across the country.
As we marked two significant dates in our national calendar — Easter and ANZAC Day — it was a time for reflection, community, and connection. In Wellington, our Government continues to push ahead with real momentum. From ongoing cost-of-living action to infrastructure investment, it’s clear we’re focused on delivering for Kiwis.
Back home, April was packed with community events, ministerial visits, cultural celebrations and key roading developments — all part of ensuring Tauranga remains a city on the rise.
Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been up to this month.
☕ Morning Tea & Regional Visits with MP David MacLeod
We were pleased to welcome fellow National MP David MacLeod to Tauranga. His visit included a morning tea with our local National Party members, followed by business visits to LawVu, Solomon’s Gold Chocolate and a tour of the Port of Tauranga. A huge thanks to all involved for sharing their time and insights.
🚧 Ministerial Visits to the Bay
Following Easter and into the second half of April, both Tom Rutherford and I welcomed two visiting Ministers—a strong show of focus on our region’s infrastructure and economic development. Tom and I continue working hard in unison to promote our region to our key ministers.
•Minister Bishop joined us for a full day visiting major transport projects including the Takitimu North Link Stage 1, the Papamoa East Interchange, and a stop at Tauriko West. It was a productive day highlighting progress and the work still to be done.
•The following day, Minister Watts arrived to meet with key stakeholders, including Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and the Western Bay Regional Infrastructure Forum for a working lunch. We also visited Manawa Energy to discuss future energy resilience and regional growth.
🏪 Business Visits & Cultural Events
I visited several local businesses and had a working lunch at a local supermarket, where a number of supermarket franchise owners gathered to discuss the challenges we face in this sector. I particularly enjoyed the Asia’s Harmony Festival—a wonderful showcase of our region’s cultural diversity. I headed along to support the Building Apprentice Challenge at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, where the next generation of tradespeople showed off their incredible skills and craftsmanship.
🎂 Rotary Club marks 80 years
I had the pleasure of joining the Tauranga Rotary Club for their 80th anniversary celebrations — a significant milestone for the local organisation. It was a great opportunity to acknowledge and thank members for their decades of service and contribution to the community.
🤝🏉 Te Puna
I had my first taste of club rugby in Te Puna, heading out to Maramatanga Park to watch their premier men’s team take on Tauranga Sports. They have a fantastic club culture out there and I’m looking forward to working more closely with the good people there (dependent of course upon the provisional electoral boundaries being confirmed later this year).
🌍🏉 Super Rugby at Bay Oval
I had an awesome time at the Chiefs v Force Super Rugby match held right here at Bay Oval. It was a fantastic evening that really showcased Tauranga in a great light, from the energy of the crowd to the quality of the event itself. Here’s to hoping this becomes an annual fixture in our city’s sporting calendar!
🎷 National Jazz Festival in Tauranga
I loved being part of this year’s National Jazz Festival, enjoying fantastic live music and the buzzing atmosphere in our city. This was held across the CBD and Mount Maunganui. It was really unfortunate that the sunny weather didn’t join us, but a number of locals and visitors took the time to enjoy the fantastic music, food and atmosphere on offer. This is a great annual highlight for Tauranga!
🎡 Auckland Easter Show
Representing the National Party, I attended the Auckland Easter Show — it was great to connect with everyone and appreciate everyone who took the time to say hello and give their positive feedback.
🧡 Vaisakhi celebrations
I also had the privilege of joining our Sikh community to celebrate Vaisakhi at one of our local Gurdwaras. It was a warm, welcoming celebration of the Sikh New Year and harvest festival — thank you to all who hosted me.
📣 Introducing our 2025 Youth MP — Dilsher!
We’re proud to announce that Dilsher Kaur, a 16-year-old student from Ōtūmoetai College, has been selected as Tauranga’s Youth MP for the upcoming 2025 Youth Parliament.
Dilsher brings an inspiring blend of lived experience, community service and passion for making a difference. Born in India and raised in Tauranga, Dilsher describes this city as home – a place that welcomed her and shaped who she is today.
A member of the NextGen Academy, Dilsher has connected with our community through volunteering and tutoring, listening to the stories of people from all walks of life. She’s particularly driven to ensure the voices of young people are heard.
Dilsher says: “It would be an incredible honour to represent my community, which has not only welcomed me with open arms, but provided me with so much over the years. To finally have the opportunity to give back, by representing my people and advocating for those who may not have the platform to do so themselves."
We’re excited to have Dilsher represent Tauranga’s youth in Parliament this year — keep an eye out as she steps into this incredible leadership opportunity!
🌺 ANZAC Day Commemorations
On ANZAC Day, I took time to honour our veterans and reflect on their service by attending:
- The RSA Tauranga Dawn Service
- The Tauranga Civic Memorial Service
- The Bay of Plenty Navy League ANZAC Day Service
Each was a meaningful tribute to those who served, and a reminder of the freedoms we hold dear.
✈️ Health Visit to Australia
To round out the month, I travelled to Sydney and Canberra with a number of health leaders across New Zealand. The visit included a series of tours of aged care facilities and key government agencies, providing valuable insight into the systems and approaches supporting older Australians—insights that will help inform our own work here in New Zealand.
☕️ Monthly Coffee Catch-up at Le Chat Noir
We also launched our first monthly Coffee Catch-Up at Le Chat Noir in Greerton. This is a casual, drop-in opportunity for locals to share their thoughts or ask questions. I will be there on the first Monday of each month, from 12–1pm, and I welcome you to join me at the next one.
Calling all businesses!
I'd love to get out into our community and meet with more of the businesses in Tauranga. It's important that I hear directly from you about the biggest issues facing your business - or to help celebrate your successes with others.
Get in touch with my team - it's easy 07 577 0923 or email sam.uffindell@parliament.govt.nz
Thank you for taking the time to read my update. If you’re eager to make a meaningful contribution and support our vision for a better future, I invite you to join the National Party. As a member, you’ll not only have a voice in shaping our policies but also gain access to exclusive member events and opportunities to participate in party activities. Together, we can work towards creating positive change in our community.
To get started, simply email us at tauranga@national.org.nz and we’ll guide you through the process of becoming a member.
Finally, thank you to the people of Tauranga, working hard to make a good life for themselves in our great city. To all the members of the National Party who do all the hard work locally – thank you very much – I am forever grateful.
Sam Uffindell
MP for Tauranga