I hope you had the chance to celebrate this special day last Sunday. Happy Mother's Day to my very special Mum! You're incredible - thank you for everything you've done for me.
I'm also thinking of those who have lost their Mum, those who don't know their Mum, and those who are longing to be a Mum. Sending aroha to you all.
Tougher penalties for boy racers and intimidating drivers
Illegal car racing, loud convoys, and fleeing from Police are more than just disruptive; they’re dangerous. These actions put lives at risk and create a constant threat to communities. It’s time to put an end to this behaviour, and the Government is doing just that.
New laws are being introduced to strengthen penalties for anti-social driving. Under these new measures, anyone involved in illegal street racing, fleeing from Police, or taking part in intimidating convoys could face harsh consequences, including the forfeiture or destruction of their vehicle. This is part of a broader effort to create safer roads for everyone.
The penalties won’t stop at vehicle confiscation. The new legislation also grants Police more power to manage illegal gatherings. They will have the authority to close roads, disperse large groups, and issue fines to those refusing to comply. We’re also increasing the fines for excessive noise from vehicles. What once cost $50 could now cost $300 for on-the-spot fines, with court fines of up to $3,000.
SuperBlues - Up Next, Monday 12 May
This Weeks BFM Interview
National Party MP Catherine Wedd recently filed a private members bill that would look at restricting social media use for young people, mainly those under 16. While the bill has received some criticism from the ACT party, other parties such as Labour have agreed that legislation around this issue is important.
Full Interview: Social media restrictions and NZ First’ gender bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 13th May, 2025 | 95bFM
The Creative Industries are a major contributor to our economy.
It was great to attend a presentation by Wellington's award-winning WETA FX on last week and have insight into what makes their work so special and the challenging dynamics at play in the international entertainment landscape.
Our Local News
The PM Christopher Luxon was in the Bay of Plenty recently and one of our stops was Page Macrae in Mt Maunganui - a really impressive local engineering firm. They’ve been going strong for over 60 years and have trained generations of young engineers.
Businesses like this are good news for the economy. They provide local jobs, grow skills and help drive regional growth. In Government, we’re focused on cutting red tape and making it easier for businesses like this to succeed.
Page Macrae is a local success story and I’m glad the PM got to see them in action.
Tradies are up early and work extremely hard – they deserve a government that backs them. That’s exactly what we’re doing by cutting red tape and making it easier and cheaper to build.
Awesome to catch up with tradies in the Bay of Plenty with Chris Luxon at Mitre 10 Papamoa.
Ōropi School is a rural school with 320 students and a real community feel.
Principal Andrew King showed me some of the upgrades underway and shared a few of the challenges too – which I’ve passed on to the Minister of Education. With the area growing fast, I’ll keep pushing for the support our local schools need.
Mount Maunganui Community Patrol.
The local Mount Maunganui Community Patrol's vision is a community where everyone feels safe.
Through intelligence gathering and keen observation, they assist law enforcement, Tauranga City Council and other agencies in building safer communities. Their volunteers act as additional “eyes and ears” for these agencies with over 4000 volunteers throughout New Zealand.
The group of volunteers, consist of people aged from 18 – 84, they include people wishing to make a contribution to the safety of their community as well as people wanting to join the Police force using their P2P program to gain the necessary knowledge.
If you are keen to learn more, please email- Mount Maunganui Community Patrol: mountmaunganui@cpnz.org.nz
Mount Maunganui College visits Parliament.
I spent time with Year 12 History students from Mount Maunganui College during their visit to Parliament this week. Some great questions about life as an MP, how Parliament works and representing the Bay of Plenty.
Waipuna Hospice do incredible work in our community. Every year they need to raise around $8 million to keep going. I recently visited their Te Puna base and met David, Becky and the team. They’re caring for 243 people right now, mostly in their homes. It’s Hospice Awareness Week and the need for care is only growing. Only about 40 percent of their funding comes from Health NZ.
If you can donate or volunteer, please do. Every bit helps.
A Night with the 3 T's- Saturday 21 June
This Week in New Zealand History
Easrly motoring offence
15 May 1901
Nicholas Oates’ Benz ‘velo comfortable’ (Tim Shoebridge)
Nicholas Oates appeared in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court charged with driving ‘a motor car within the city at a speed greater than four miles an hour’ (6.5 km/hr) on Lincoln Road, Christchurch.
Oates’ excessive speed had frightened the horses of George Gould, whose carriage was standing in the road near the hospital; his groom testified that he had ‘had the greatest difficulty in controlling them’.
Others testified that when ‘the car passed at a speed of at least ten miles per hour’ (16 km/hr), only the quick reactions of the groom had averted a serious accident. Oates gave evidence that his car was fitted with two gears: the maximum speed in the higher gear was 14 mph (22 km/hr), but the lower gear, which he claimed to have been using, could muster only 6 mph (10 km/hr).
Oates claimed that the maximum speed ‘he had attained between the corner of Tuam Street and Lincoln Road and Antigua Street was not more than seven miles an hour’ (11 km/hr), but conceded that he had travelled at about 13 mph (21 km/hr) along Lincoln Road. He was fined £1 (equivalent to $190 in 2020) plus costs.
Oates and his business partner Alexander Lowry owned Zealandia Cycle Works, the largest bicycle factory in New Zealand or Australia in the late 1890s. In 1898 he had become the first person to import a car – ‘a small-type, fitted with solid tyres, and driven by the Benz system’ – into the South Island. At the time of his conviction for speeding there were only seven motor vehicles in Canterbury.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Review seeks to improve Waitangi Tribunal
Reviewing the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975 will ensure the Waitangi Tribunal is best placed to continue serving the interests of Māori and all New Zealanders into the future, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.
Investing more to stop illicit drugs entering NZ
Budget 2025 will do more to strengthen our borders, prevent drug smuggling and fight organised crime, Customs Minister Casey Costello announced
Minister to lead work on reducing social media harm for under-16s
Social media restrictions for under-16s will become part of the Government’s work programme, with Education Minister Erica Stanford assigned to lead this and bring options to Cabinet, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced.
Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down
As Road Safety Week begins, the Government’s crackdown on drunk drivers is delivering real results with newly released 2024 statistics showing the number of alcohol-related road deaths reducing by nearly 40%, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.
Extra maths help for students who need it
The Government is turbocharging student achievement in maths by ensuring extra help is available at every stage of primary and intermediate schooling, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Wapiti Herd of Special Interest process begins
Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager will consider formally designating wapiti deer as a Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) in Fiordland National Park, which could cover more than 190,000 hectares. It is the second HOSI to be considered this year, following launch of the sika deer HOSI process in April.
Boost for Kiwi startups supporting economic growth
The Government is committing an extra $100 million in cash contributions to the Elevate NZ Venture Fund at Budget 2025 to support the growth of later-stage New Zealand startups, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis announced.
New Verifier App signals step toward modern digital identity system
The Government has released an app to verify international digital credentials, Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston say.
First Fast-track referral applications progressed
The Minister for Infrastructure has referred the first two non-listed projects into the Fast-track approval process under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Bold science reforms to fuel economic growth
The Government is moving swiftly to implement the most significant science reforms in three decades, with three new public research organisations to be formed by 1 July, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced recently.
Addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure asset management challenge
The Government has launched a new work programme to improve public infrastructure asset management, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says.
Progressing Ngāti Hāua settlement at pace
The Government is striving forward with Treaty negotiations at pace as the Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Bill passes its first reading in Parliament, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Social Investment Fund to help vulnerable Kiwis
Vulnerable families and young New Zealanders will benefit from a new approach to the delivery of social services with a $275 million boost to Vote Social Investment, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505
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