We’re delivering a Writing Action Plan, ‘Make It Write’, to supercharge writing achievement and better set Kiwi kids up for success.
Too many Kiwi kids aren't where they should be with the basics. New data shows writing achievement declining as students progress: 41% of Year 3 students meet expectations, falling to just 24% by Year 8.
From next year, a new Writing Acceleration Tool will support 120,000 students in Years 6-8 who are below expected levels. This builds on our education reforms including structured literacy and at least an hour a day on the basics.
Every student deserves the chance to succeed, and our reforms are helping make that happen.
Power bills are too high.
We're changing the rules so big power companies can no longer give their own retailers special treatment, ensuring Kiwis get a better deal.
We know many Kiwis are struggling with the cost of living, with rising energy prices putting more pressure on their budgets. That's why this Government is taking competition in the electricity market seriously because more competition means Kiwis can have access to more affordable electricity.
Currently the large power companies can cross subsidise themselves because they both produce energy and sell it. The new rule will mean they have to offer their generation at the same rate to everyone and can't offer themselves discounts. This will level the playing field by giving smaller companies a better chance to compete and will mean Kiwi consumers have more choices.
At the moment NCEA isn’t working.
We’re proposing to replace it and bring in a simpler, clearer qualification, so young Kiwis leave school with the skills they need to succeed.
Full reel: Facebook
I was proud to speak in support of two important bills.
One ensures people giving evidence in the Family Court about family violence or sexual assault get the same protections they would in a criminal case - using screens or audio-visual links from another location.
It's about easing the stress on victims and helping them feel safe to share their story.
Tom Rutherford. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Link to full RNZ story: Two Labour bills pass into law | RNZ News
Local Bay of Plenty News
I recently got amongst the Steamers supporters at the Tauranga Domain.
Good strong crowd but a tough loss in a rematch of last year's semi-final.
Not the result we’re looking for but awesome to see so many out backing the Steamers vs Canterbury in the NPC. All of the local referees formed a guard of honour as the team ran out.
Greenwood Park Retirement Village in Welcome Bay welcomed me with Sam Uffindell MP recently.
We talked about our work locally as the two MPs and the Retirement Villages Act review, which I know is a concern for many.
The review is exploring three areas: faster capital repayments when exiting a village, clearer responsibilities for maintenance and repairs, and a stronger complaints and disputes process. A bill is expected to be introduced in 2026.
GREAT NEWS for Bay of Plenty builders and homeowners!
The Government has announced the biggest reform to our building consent system in decades - and it's going to make building faster, cheaper and easier.
The key changes include scrapping unfair liability rules that make ratepayers pay for other people's mistakes, allowing councils to work together and share resources, creating consistency across the 66 different building authorities nationwide, and protecting homeowners with insurance and warranty schemes. This means faster building consents, lower costs (NZ homes currently cost 50 percent more to build than Australia), less red tape and bureaucracy, and fairer liability where everyone pays their fair share.
I was thrilled to attend the dawn ceremony and blessing for the Pāpāmoa East Interchange eastbound off-ramp
This will help reduce traffic on Domain Road, Tara Road and other surrounding parts of Pāpāmoa.
I’m really excited as I’ve been working hard on this project on behalf of our local community.
Thank you to NZTA, HEB and Tauranga City Council for their commitment to getting it done quickly This early opening is exactly the kind of practical, results-focused approach our community needs, and I’m glad to have helped make it happen.
This Week in New Zealand History
First Young Farmer of the Year chosen
22 August 1969
Gary Frazer (Farmers Weekly)
Held at the South Pacific Hotel in Auckland, the competition was open to all members of the Young Farmers’ Club. The inaugural winner was Gary Frazer from Swannanoa, near Christchurch. The contest has become an established part of the farming calendar.
The Young Farmer of the Year competition now attracts up to 300 entrants each year. They compete at district and then regional level for the right to represent one of seven regions in the grand final. The 2016 finalists competed for more than $300,000 worth of prizes. The winner, Athol New from Aorangi, Mid Canterbury, scooped a prize package worth $80,000.
By 2020, when the competition was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, only six women had made it to the grand final: Denise Brown in 1981, Louise Collingwood in 2003 and 2004, Katherine Tucker in 2012, Lisa Kendall in 2017, and Georgie Lindsay and Emma Dangen in 2019.
In 2023, Pirongia dairy farmer Emma Poole became the first woman to break through the ‘grass ceiling’. She acknowledged the ‘long chain of women’ who had given her the ‘confidence to give it a go’.
The grand final involves three days of physical and intellectual challenges designed to test practical, business-management, problem-solving and social skills. Highlights of the final have been televised since 1981.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Confirmation of AA+ credit rating welcomed
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed confirmation from Fitch Ratings that the Government’s careful management of the books has preserved New Zealand’s strong credit rating.
Boosting competition for affordable electricity
Energy Minister Simon Watts welcomes the new rule agreed to by the Electricity Authority will level the playing field for smaller power companies, boosting retail competition to put downward pressure on power prices.
New data emphasises focus on teaching basics
New literacy and numeracy achievement data reinforces why the Government must continue to have a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly, Education Minister Erica Stanford says
Writing Action Plan to raise student achievement
The Government is delivering a Writing Action Plan to supercharge writing achievement and better set Kiwi kids up for success
Cabinet approves next steps on greyhound industry
Cabinet has formally agreed this week to the closure of the greyhound racing industry in New Zealand.
Falling interest rates good for growth and jobs
Falling interest rates are good for growth, businesses, jobs and Kiwis paying off their mortgages, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Growing proportion of Employment Relations Authority members with private sector experience
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announces the appointment of four new members to fill vacancies at the Employment Relations Authority [ERA] and the reappointment of two Members.
Term two attendance higher than pre-covid
Every term since Term 1 2024 has record higher attendance than the same term the year before. It’s a good run, thanks to the students who are showing up more often, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says.
New offence for demonstrations outside homes
The Government is introducing a new offence for engaging in disruptive demonstrations outside private homes, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
KiwiRail settlement with Hyundai
KiwiRail and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard have reached a full and final settlement on the cancelled Project iReX ferries, KiwiRail confirmed recently.
Midwives to play greater role in immunisation efforts
Community midwives will now be funded to deliver antenatal immunisations to pregnant women, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced recently.
First Fast-track project approved
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have welcomed news that the first Fast-track project has received consent, less than seven months since the one-stop approvals shop opened for business.
Defence helicopter, plane decisions announced
Seahawk helicopters and Airbus planes are set to replace aging New Zealand Defence Force aircraft in the first major investment decisions to be made as part of the Government’s Defence Capability Plan (DCP).
Community Magistrates to help ease bottlenecks
The Government will expand the role of Community Magistrates to help speed up the justice system and reduce unnecessary delays in the District Court, Associate Justice and Courts Minister Nicole McKee announced.
Improvements to Clean Vehicle Standard to benefit Kiwis at the pump
The Government is updating the Clean Vehicle Standard to give vehicle importers greater flexibility in how they meet annual CO2 targets and ensure that Kiwis can access more fuel-efficient cars that cost less at the pump, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced.
Law passed to speed up critical infrastructure
Shovels will be in the ground faster for critical infrastructure projects following the passing of the Public Works Act Amendment Bill, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Land Information Minister Chris Penk say.
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".