Hannah and I had an incredible time in Queenstown recently celebrating our friends' wedding. A beautiful day in a beautiful place. Wishing them all the best on their new adventure together.
This Weeks BFM Interview
Northwest transport upgrades and teachers' registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 29th April 2025
Recently Transport minister Chris Bishop announced steps towards improvements to public transport from the Northwest of Auckland. The plan involves three stages, each promoting faster and more consistent public transport from the region. While early stages are planned for the next few years, later stages will be coming over the next ten or more years.
The government has also announced $53 million towards subsidising teachers registration fees. This announcement follows extensive campaigning from teachers on this issue, eliminating a barrier for new and long-time teachers in Aotearoa.
In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, starting with the transport upgrades in Northwest Auckland.
Full Interview: Northwest transport upgrades and teachers registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 29th April, 2025 | 95bFM
You might not have heard of Syos Aerospace
They’re developing some of the world’s most advanced drones, right here in Tauranga. They’ve just locked in an almost $70 million deal with the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
New Zealand is full of world-class innovators and Syos shows what Kiwi businesses can achieve when they’re backed to succeed. Our focus in government is helping businesses grow, create jobs and build a stronger economy.
We’re also investing $12 billion in our Defence Force, making sure it can do its job both here and overseas. That includes $9 billion of new funding and will lift defence spending from just over one per cent of GDP to more than two per cent over the next eight years.
ANZAC DAY - 2025 Lest we forget.
Honoured to lay a wreath at the Pāpāmoa dawn service at this years Anzac Day dawn service. Humbled to stand alongside hundreds paying tribute to those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.
My thoughts are with Joey from Mount Maunganui Rugby Club who suffered a serious head injury during the ANZAC day match. He's in ICU with skull and facial fractures requiring specialised care.
As a community, one of things we are really good at is supporting those in their time of need. Right now we need to rally around Joey and his family during this incredibly tough time: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-joseph-recovery
Kia kaha, Joey
Pāpāmoa’s new Summerhill community base is officially open!
Built using timber and wool from the farm itself, the new 100m² hub will give schools, groups and organisations a fantastic space to use.
Summerhill is a 400ha farm-forestry property on the Papamoa Hills, part of which was gifted by the Blackley Family in 2014 to the public for recreation & education.
Special thanks to Gabrielle and the Summerhill Charitable Trust team for their vision to serve our community, and to TECT for their significant contribution of over $300,000 to make this project possible.
This is a wonderful new asset for Pāpāmoa that will benefit our growing community for years to come. I encourage local groups to check it out!
Te Puna Harvest Market This Saturday!
Really looking forward to the 3rd Annual Te Puna Harvest Market this weekend! It's the perfect time to celebrate our region's beautiful harvest and connect with our awesome community.
Come along for what promises to be a fantastic day. Hope to see you there!
See you on Sunday!
SuperBlues - Up Next, Monday 12 May
'Local' Coffee Catch Ups -Saturday 17 May
A Night with the 3 T's- Saturday 21 June
This Week in New Zealand History
New Zealand's last electric tram trip
2 May 1964
The second-to-last tram at the railway station stop on its way to Newtown (© Chris Bradley)
Tram no. 252, displaying the message ‘end of the line’ and driven by Wellington Mayor Frank Kitts, travelled from Thorndon to Newtown zoo. Large crowds lined the streets to witness the end of electric trams in New Zealand.
In 1878, Wellington had been the first city in the southern hemisphere to operate a steam tram service (see 24 August). This proved unpopular and by 1892 the city had reverted to horse-drawn trams.
Facing financial problems, the Wellington City Tramways Company was purchased by the Wellington City Corporation in 1900. Two years later the WCC decided to introduce electric trams. On 30 June 1904, the first electric tram ran from a new depot in Newtown to the northern side of the Basin Reserve. The system was later extended to the new Lambton railway station at the intersection of Thorndon Quay and Featherston St.
In its heyday, Wellington’s tramway network covered more than 52 km. The increasing number of public buses and private cars eventually forced the closure of New Zealand’s last electric tramway system in 1964.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
World Immunisation Week shows importance of health targets
World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of April, is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to ensure their children are up to date with their immunisations, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Physician associates to be a regulated workforce
Physician associates will become a regulated profession that will contribute to New Zealand’s talented workforce of health professionals delivering timely, quality healthcare to New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced.
Accelerating the roll-out of public EV chargers
The Government is updating the way it co-invests in public electric vehicle (EV) chargers with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of EV chargers across New Zealand, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simon Watts say.
Women’s Refuge receives funding boost
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey is pleased to announce that the Women’s Refuge is the latest recipient of the Government’s Mental Health and Addiction Innovation Fund.
Accelerating building projects with self-certification and inspection targets
The Government has agreed on a new scheme allowing trusted builders to sign off their own work and will set a mandatory target to tackle building inspection wait times, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced.
Backing teachers: Teacher registrations funded
The Government is backing New Zealand's teaching workforce by funding teacher registrations and practising certificates, acknowledging the vital role educators play in driving positive change in classrooms.
NZ, Philippines to sign military agreement
New Zealand and the Philippines will this week sign an agreement to enable the two countries’ militaries to work more closely, Defence Minister Judith Collins says.
Collaborative approach key to eradication of HPAI
Partnership with industry has been key to the successful eradication of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a large commercial egg farm in Otago, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
New rules for ground-based space infrastructure
New legislation to deter foreign interference and protect New Zealand’s national interests and national security will be in place for operators of ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI) by July, Space Minister Judith Collins said.
Huge benefits available from medical conferences
Outdated regulations stopping trained medical professionals from learning about new medicines through trade show advertising are out of step with other countries and disadvantage New Zealanders, Regulation Minister David Seymour, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston say.
Manawatū Tararua Highway open soon
Minister of Transport Chris Bishop has confirmed the Manawatū Tararua Highway will be opened to traffic from June 2025, restoring an important connection for communities and businesses on both sides of the Tararua Ranges.
Supporting fintechs to boost competition
A pilot programme that will help financial technology (fintech) firms shake up competition in the financial and banking sectors is now underway, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson.
Government to reinstate prisoner voting ban
The Government has agreed to reinstate a total ban on prisoner voting, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Transforming financial education in schools
Financial education will be embedded as a core element of the refreshed social sciences curriculum for Year 1-10 students, set to be available for use from 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced.
Whānau Ora reset to support vulnerable whānau
The Government is backing four new community-based Whānau Ora commissioning agencies to ensure whānau with significant needs continue to benefit from the best possible support services.
Chris Swasbrook appointed as Chair of Te Papa
Chris Swasbrook has been appointed as Chair of the Te Papa Board says Chris Bishop, Acting Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
Future of the Aratere
Minister for Rail Winston Peters says the decision by the KiwiRail board to retire the Aratere from service is about the next 60 years of rail on the Cook Strait. Ferry Holdings supports this decision.
New tools to help women navigate online harm
A new toolkit to support women and their employers address online harm has been launched by Minister for Women, Nicola Grigg, at the Local Government New Zealand conference
Better banking competition one step closer for Kiwis
The Government is moving swiftly to ensure Kiwis will be able to benefit from open banking by Christmas this year, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson.
New data highlights progress in childhood immunisation rates
New data released shows steady improvements in childhood immunisation rates across the country, highlighting the Government’s commitment to ensuring every child gets the best start in life, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Saudi Ministerial visit sends strong signal for NZ Trade and Investment growth
Trade, Investment and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has wrapped up a successful programme hosting Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman A. AlFadley, in Auckland this week for the 9th New Zealand–Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission.
Youth Parliament 2025 participants announced
The 123 Youth Members of Parliament and 20 Youth Press Gallery members officially announced for 2025 represent the best of New Zealand, Youth Minister James Meager says.
New Member appointed to Waitangi Tribunal
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka confirmed the appointment of Gerrard Albert of Whanganui, Ngā Paerangi, to the Waitangi Tribunal for a three-year term to fill a vacancy.
Raising achievement & closing the equity gap at school
The Government is continuing to raise achievement and close the equity gap in schools across the country, so all Kiwi kids have the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to reach their full potential, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Developing a new Action Plan for unpaid carers
The Government is taking action to better support unpaid and informal carers, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Penny Simmonds says.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505
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