I recently attended the National Party Annual Conference in Christchurch. My brother was also there, but in a slightly different role from me.
Replacing NCEA to transform secondary education
The Government is proposing to replace NCEA with new national qualifications that ensure young people have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. We want every New Zealander to reach their full potential and contribute to a thriving economy— and that starts with our students.
The evidence shows NCEA is not consistent and can be hard to navigate. It doesn’t always deliver what students and employers need.
New Zealand’s future depends on our young people having the skills to succeed in the modern global economy. We’re backing Kiwi kids with a new internationally benchmarked national qualification designed to do exactly that.
While NCEA was designed to be flexible, for many students that flexibility has encouraged a focus on simply attaining the qualification. This has come at the cost of developing the critical skills and knowledge they need for clear pathways into future study, training or employment.
Here's a 'throwback to a slightly younger Tom back in my high school days!
Local Bay of Plenty News
There can never be enough people donating blood.
I encourage everyone to head along to the mobile blood drive while it's in Papamoa. You can see all the dates and information below.
A very welcome addition to Mercury Baypark!
Awesome to see everyone getting great use out of it already.
Had a lovely morning at Papamoa Coast Kindergarten shooting hoops with the kids and chatting with the team.
It’s a fantastic community-operated centre with qualified, experienced teachers who make sure every family feel welcome, supported and included. They'll be celebrating their 25th birthday later this year!
Business After 5 Event
Thanks so much to everyone who attended my first Business After 5 at my Bay of Plenty Electorate Office. It was a night of great company with familiar faces and some new ones, which was fantastic to see.
A special thanks to Hon Louise Upston for being our guest - her insights on the key issues impacting our region were invaluable, and it was great to have the opportunity to hear from her directly.
Really enjoyed the conversations throughout the evening and the chance to connect with so many local business leaders and community members. See you at the next event!
I was also presented with a 2008 front page of the BOP Times, picturing me as a very enthusiastic cricketer- check it out!
Fantastic news! - World Triathlon races into Tauranga
New Zealand is set to welcome the world’s top athletes as Tauranga is announced as the host city for a series of World Triathlon events over the next three years from 2026, including the 2028 World Triathlon Championship Finals.
We’re excited to host these high-profile World Triathlon events, attracting international visitors to New Zealand and giving a major boost to our economy. Over the three years, the events are expected to attract more than 6000 international visitors, generating 100,000 international visitor nights and $25 million in tourism visitor spend.
We’re expecting more than 4500 international competitors for the 2028 World Championship final alone. The Government is investing $2.65 million from the Major Events Fund to support Tri NZ to host three events: the World Triathlon World Cup 2026, the World Triathlon Championship Series in 2027 and the World Triathlon Championship Final 2028.
Major sporting events like these attract an international following from athletes and sport enthusiasts alike.
Link to announcement: Facebook
Replacing fuel taxes with digital RUCs
The Government has released the plan to replace petrol taxes with an electronic road user charges system (RUCs).
Right now, New Zealanders pay a tax of about 70c per litre of petrol every time they fill up at the pump with a petrol car. Fuel taxes will be abolished and replaced with digital RUCs. This revenue will funnel into the National Land Transport Fund to maintain existing roads and build new ones. The abolition of petrol tax, and the move towards all vehicles paying for roads based on distance and weight, is the biggest change to how we fund our roading network in 50 years.
As our vehicle fleet changes, so too must the way we fund our roads. It isn’t fair to have Kiwis who drive less and who can’t afford a fuel-efficient car paying more than people who can afford one and drive more often.
Legislation is expected to pass in 2026, followed by an updated Code of Practice for RUC providers. We will also engage with the market in 2026 to assess technological solutions and delivery timelines. In parallel, NZTA and Police will upgrade their systems to support enforcement in a digital environment. By 2027, the RUC system will be ‘open for business’, with third-party providers able to offer innovative payment services and a consistent approval process in place.
This Week in New Zealand History
Lovelock wins 1500-m gold at Berlin
August 1936
Jack Lovelock at the Berlin Olympics (Alexander Turnbull Library, MSX-2261-062)
Jack Lovelock won New Zealand’s first Olympic athletics gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in a race witnessed by 120,000 spectators – including Adolf Hitler.
Before the games, Lovelock thought about competing in the 5000 m instead of the 1500 m. Team manager Arthur Porritt may have made the final choice.
The field for the 1500-m final included many of the top middle-distance runners against whom Lovelock had competed over the years. He ran a smart race, positioning himself inside the American Glenn Cunningham. As they approached the final lap, Swede Eric Ny was leading. When Lovelock surged to his shoulder, Cunningham followed. With 300 m to go, Lovelock accelerated.
Lovelock’s dramatic surge famously caused the BBC radio commentator, 1924 sprint gold-medallist Harold Abrahams, to forget his broadcasting etiquette: ‘My God, he’s done it! Jack! Come on! … He wins! He’s won! Hooray!’ Lovelock’s time of 3 minutes 47.8 seconds broke the world record for the 1500 m and made the 4-minute mile seem a real possibility (another 109 m run at the same pace would have resulted in a 4:04 mile).
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Statement by Minister McClay following US tariff announcement
The United States has confirmed that tariffs on New Zealand exports will increase from 10 per cent to 15 per cent from 7 August, placing us alongside other key US trading partners including Japan and South Korea.
Energy reserve ensures security for next decade
Energy Minister Simon Watts and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones have welcomed an agreement by Genesis, Mercury, Meridian, and Contact to establish a strategic energy reserve, which will boost energy security and support affordable energy prices.
Construction begins on Papakura District Court
Construction begins on the new Papakura District Court which will help speed up court processes and improve critical infrastructure, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee say.
Green light for garden sheds and garages
Thanks to the Red Tape Tipline homeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages will face less red tape and fewer delays by the end of this year, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say.
Two new charter schools announced
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced two new sponsors have been contracted to open two new charter schools in Term 1 2026.
Next steps on replacing petrol tax with electronic road user charges
Cabinet has agreed to a series of important legislative changes to enable the transition of New Zealand’s 3.5 million light vehicles to paying for our roading network through electronic road user charges, rather than petrol tax, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop.
Unemployment lower than forecast
The latest labour market data showing lower than forecast unemployment has been noted by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
PM Luxon marks milestone in NZ–PNG relationship
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has concluded a successful visit to Port Moresby, marking 50 years since Papua New Guinea’s independence and of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
Regulation Ministry to tackle 30 different product labelling regulations
Unnecessary costs and frustrations throughout the economy are caused by complex and outdated labelling regulations. Minister for Regulation David Seymour and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson have announced the Ministry for Regulation will conduct a sector review into product labelling to address this.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505
"I'm always happy to help where I can. If you have an issue, you think we could help with, please get in touch. If you have a business and would like me to visit, please let me know as I'm keen to know and learn more".