Nicola Willis MP delivered an awesome Budget. It took so much work - many hours and late nights. I, like many New Zealanders, am incredibly grateful.
It’s a Budget that’s going to grow the economy and help Kiwis get ahead. How good.
This Weeks BFM Interview
The Budget for Youth: Kiwisaver and Jobseeker changes
The Budget for 2025 came out last week on Thursday, with news for the nation on how funds will be allocated over the coming year. While some of the budget announcements were new news, the government had staggered others over the previous few weeks. In the new announcements were changes to Kiwisaver and the Jobseeker benefit.
The Kiwisaver changes involved a 50% reduction in the government’s Kiwisaver contribution, from around $500 a year to around $250. To compensate, the government increased the minimum employer and employee contributions from 3% to 4%. While this means people will end up with similar or greater amounts of money in Kiwisaver, it also means people will have access to less money right now.
The Jobseeker changes were also announced in the budget, with further restrictions added for 18-19-year-olds applying for the benefit. 18-19-year-olds applications will now be tested against their parents’ incomes, restricting large groups from accessing the support.
Full Interview: The Budget for Youth: Kiwisaver and Jobseeker changes w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 27th May, 2025 | 95bFM
Our Local News
Hannah and I checked out The Bay of Plenty Wedding Show as soon as we arrived back from Wellington. So many amazing vendors were there! No prizes for guessing which one of us was in their element
Have your say on Baypark Speedway's future
Tauranga City Council is asking for the community’s views on two options for Mercury Baypark Stadium:
Option 1: Extend speedway to 2039 - Speedway Racing Ltd buys North Stand for $1, invests in major improvements, Council saves on maintenance costs and gets lease revenue. Speedway gets dedicated corner of site with new facilities. Council invests ~$6m in new carpark for whole Baypark site.
Option 2: Current agreement ends 2029 - Explore alternative community/commercial uses after 2029. No immediate funding allocated for redevelopment, future planning and investment required.
Have your say: https://letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/.../help-steer-the...
A huge day and I didn’t even get a single video. Very out of the ordinary for a politician.
So, I made this one to tell you about it. I met some amazing people, as I’ve come to expect in the Bay of Plenty.
This included visits to Papamoa College, Summerset by the Dunes, BOP Youth Development Trust, constituency clinics and dinner with Hannah.
Check out the video here: Facebook
Thank you Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School!
A huge amount of donations dropped off by students from Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School who have collected a lot of donations for Papamoa Food Hub Awesome work team.
Thank you so much for all your generosity and care.
Bluehaven Group Announcement!
Earthworks Begin for Stage Two at The Sands, Papamoa Beach
Construction is officially underway for the new Mitre 10 MEGA Pāpāmoa at The Sands, scheduled to open in 2026.
This locally owned and operated store will bring:
Mitre 10 MEGA’s exciting ‘store of the future’ concept to Pāpāmoa
Up to 100 new jobs
This milestone marks a significant step in the continued development of The Sands as a key regional hub.
Dropped in to see Paul and the team at Qube down at the Port of Tauranga — they’re a port logistics company doing a great job here and around the country. This is New Zealand’s busiest export port and a key part of our economy, especially as we focus on getting it growing again.
Thanks to Qube for the work you do to help make that happen.
A Night with the 3 T's- Saturday 21 June
This Week in New Zealand History
Hillary and Tenzing reach summit of Everest
29 May 1953
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on Mt Everest, 1953 (Royal Geographical Society, S0001055)
A beekeeper from New Zealand, Edmund Hillary, and the Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to stand on the summit of the world’s highest peak.
After climbing with British teams in the Himalayas in 1951 and 1952, Hillary and another New Zealander, George Lowe, were invited to join John Hunt’s 1953 British Everest Expedition. On 29 May – four days before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – the chosen pair, Hillary and the experienced Tenzing, reached the 8848-m summit of Mt Everest via the south-east ridge.
From the moment Hillary told Lowe that they had ‘knocked the bastard off’, his life changed forever. Before the expedition had even emerged from the mountains, Queen Elizabeth bestowed a knighthood on the surprised New Zealander. In Britain, he and Tenzing became the subject of media frenzy. They attended formal events and lectured to packed halls.
In 1956–57 Hillary led the New Zealand section of a British trans-Antarctic expedition. Although he was merely tasked with setting up supply depots, he beat expedition leader Vivian Fuchs to the South Pole (see 4 January).
In the 1960s Hillary returned to the Himalayas to help build schools and health facilities for the sherpas of Nepal. In 1978 he led a jet-boat expedition up the Ganges River. Six years later, he became New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India.
The ascent of Everest enhanced interest in mountaineering around the world. In New Zealand, Hillary and Everest helped give a somewhat fringe activity new-found respect.
Hillary accepted with unfailing grace the responsibilities that his fame brought, including countless media appearances, book signings and requests to write forewords. Aside from his humanitarian work, he also helped mentor a new generation of climbers.
Despite a multitude of honours and accolades, including membership of the Order of New Zealand, honorary citizenship of Nepal, and a portrait on New Zealand’s five-dollar note, Hillary remained humble about his achievements until his death in January 2008, aged 88. He remains one of New Zealand’s most loved national figures.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Investment Boost tax incentive takes effect immediately
Investment Boost has passed into law, meaning a major new tax incentive to encourage businesses to invest, grow the economy, and lift wages is now in place, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Building consent exemption for granny flats a step closer
New Zealanders are a step closer to being able to build a granny flat of up to 70 square metres in their backyard following the successful first reading of the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Bill in Parliament.
Auckland’s Northern Gateway Toll Road to go to 110 km/h
A new 110km/h speed limit on State Highway 1 (SH1) for the Northern Gateway Toll Road, from north of Orewa to south of the Johnstone’s Hill Tunnels, will come into effect from 26 May, Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced.
KiwiSaver changes to bolster next generation
Changes to KiwiSaver in Budget 2025 mean young people will retire with more savings and more financial security, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
New sanctions drive benefit accountability
From this week, beneficiaries failing to meet the obligations they agreed to can expect two new measures to encourage people off welfare and into work.
Increased transparency for Government accounts
The Government is amending the Public Finance Act to prevent future governments concealing the extent of fiscal risks in government accounts, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
AI training to boost public sector productivity
New artificial intelligence (AI) training will increase the uptake of AI and boost productivity in the public service, Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins says.
Government to deliver redevelopment of Nelson Hospital
Nelson Hospital will get a major redevelopment as part of the Government’s $1 billion boost to hospital infrastructure and will be the first hospital in the country to receive a new temporary inpatient unit while construction is underway, Health Minister Simeon Brown says
TEC Board Chair and Deputy Chair appointments
Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds has announced the appointment of Dr Alan Bollard CNZM as Chair and Mr Robin Hapi CNZM as Deputy Chair of the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
Timber exports to Viet Nam set to grow
Forestry and Trade Minister, Todd McClay has announced a new Cooperation Arrangement between New Zealand and Viet Nam that will grow timber exports and remove potential trade barriers for our forestry sector.
Supporting more tamariki Māori to flourish
The Government is delivering over $100 million in investment through Budget 2025 to ensure more tamariki Māori thrive at school.
Minister to Singapore for defence and digital government meetings
Defence and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins will this week attend a range of defence and digital government events in Singapore.
Delivering for farmers as they deliver for economy
New Zealand dairy farmers are ending the 2024/25 season on a high, with increased production and record milk prices delivering real gains to the rural economy and every Kiwi household, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
Hairdressing and barbering regulations given the cut
Regulation Minister David Seymour says that from the end of July, barbers and hairdressers will be freed from costly, annoying, and pointless regulations. The Government is scrapping 80s-era rules so hairdressers can focus on cuts, instead of compliance.
New chair and three new Board members for Transpower
A combination of new talent and proven experience will leave the Transpower New Zealand Ltd Board well equipped to lead the company during a critical period of growth and development, State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown says.
Sheep and Beef farmers deliver record red meat returns
New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers are delivering record-breaking red meat export sales and driving strong farmgate returns to the rural economy Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
KiwiRail Chair and Deputy appointed
Minister for Rail Winston Peters says new appointments to the KiwiRail board bring commercial, freight and rail experience and a ‘can do’ attitude.
$161 million school property growth plan for Canterbury
The Government’s responding to rapid population growth in Canterbury with a $161 million investment into school property, delivering close to 2,500 student places in the region’s growing school network.
New emergency department for Wellington Regional Hospital
Wellington Regional Hospital is set for a major upgrade, with a new emergency department and 126 additional beds and treatment spaces to be delivered as part of the Government’s $1 billion Budget 2025 hospital infrastructure investment, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced.
Backing Horticulture: record returns & red tape removed
Record global sales and strong grower returns from Zespri confirm that New Zealand’s horticulture sector is back on track and growing fast—driven by hardworking growers and a Government focused on lifting productivity and cutting red tape.
Boost for Pacific Wardens to keep communities safe
Pacific Wardens will continue to support safer, stronger communities with a funding boost through Budget 2025, announced Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti.
Government releases independent review of Sport New Zealand
An independent rapid review into the effectiveness and efficiency of Sport New Zealand has been released
Further drop-in cash rate good news for Kiwis
Kiwis can look forward to further falls in interest rates following today’s Monetary Policy Statement, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Consultation opens on sweeping overhaul of primary sector regulations
The Government has opened public consultation on the biggest package of changes to national direction under the RMA in New Zealand history, with proposals to streamline or remove many of the burdensome regulations holding our primary sector back from growth, say RMA Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Making it easier to consent quarries and mines
The Government has opened public consultation on the biggest change to national direction in New Zealand history, with proposals to make it easier to consent quarries and mines to enable more infrastructure development.
Electrifying growth: Infrastructure and energy RMA national direction open for consultation
The Government is taking action to address the country’s infrastructure deficit and energy shortage through a series of important changes to national direction under the RMA, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simon Watts.
Government launches consultation on freshwater national direction
The Government has opened public consultation on options to reform New Zealand’s freshwater national direction Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced.
Excellence celebrated at first-ever Minister for Manufacturing Awards
Exceptional Kiwi businesses and outstanding individuals who are driving industry productivity, innovation and job creation have been honoured at New Zealand’s inaugural Minister for Manufacturing Awards.
More regional events to get funding boost
The Government is driving economic growth in the regions by investing $2.6 million in 152 regional events, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
Government backs commercial forestry with practical rule changes
The Government is taking firm action to ensure commercial forestry – one of New Zealand’s most productive and sustainable export sectors – is not stifled by red tape and inconsistent council rules Minister of Forestry Todd McClay announced.
Measures to encourage student attendance at school strengthened
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced that the Government is going to take a firmer approach to school attendance.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
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07 542 0505
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