Great day in Mahurangi for the NZ Parliamentary Rugby Match vs Mahurangi RFC
I had the privilege of refereeing as Parliament won 10-7 in this special fundraiser for Fin Paddison and his family.
In April, 21-year-old Fin suffered life-changing injuries after falling three storeys when a glass balcony at his Queenstown Airbnb gave way, resulting in a severe brain injury and multiple breaks in his back and neck. He's endured countless surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation and will soon move to Middlemore Spinal Unit where he'll learn to navigate life without the use of his legs.
Despite these overwhelming challenges, Fin's determination has been remarkable. His family says he's talking regularly, visiting home weekly, and maintaining his sense of humour - showing incredible strength that's inspired everyone around him.
The community support has been outstanding, with over $65,000 already raised. Events like this show what makes New Zealand special - people coming together when someone needs us most.
Thanks to Mahurangi RFC for organising such a meaningful day and to everyone who came out to support Fin and his family. If you’re keen to support, you can do so here: https://givealittle.co.nz/.../supporting-fin-paddison-and...
Anchors up for New Zealand cruise season
Our Government welcomed a strong opening to New Zealand’s cruise season, thanks to joint government and industry efforts. With the first ship of the season Crown Princess having docked in Auckland recently, it’s great to welcome her passengers and crew. All up across almost 40 ships, we expect 177,000 cruise visitors to New Zealand for the 2025 – 2026 cruise season. Cruise has firmly established itself as an important part of our tourism sector.
We know some cruise operators had questions about the New Zealand operational environment before they could commit to future scheduling. We’ve worked hard to address those questions so forward planning can go full steam ahead once again.
Ministers met with cruise and port sector representatives in July to discuss how we could all make the most of the opportunities and remove the barriers.
New residence options to bolster workforce
We’re introducing two new skilled migrant residence pathways to help Kiwi businesses attract and retain the workers they need to grow their businesses and help boost our economy.
These pathways will help address workforce gaps while carefully balancing the need to attract higher-skilled workers, managing migration responsibly, and ensuring New Zealanders remain prioritised for jobs. We’ve heard from businesses that it’s been too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they have crucial skills and experience that aren’t available in the local workforce. We’re fixing that.
The Skilled Work Experience pathway lets employers retain proven workers who are already adding value, while the Trades and Technician pathway recognises practical skills in industries where sub-degree qualifications are highly valued. We’re also reducing the time New Zealand graduates need to work before gaining residence, encouraging them to stay and continue contributing to our economy. To ensure these pathways target genuinely skilled migrants, additional eligibility restrictions will apply to some occupations. Certain roles will be placed on a Red List and excluded from gaining residence through the pathways, while others will be on an Amber List and subject to additional requirements. These changes will help businesses grow, fill skill shortages, boost economic growth, and strengthen New Zealand’s workforce for the future.
Down with Ram Raids!
Tom’s News
Awesome to visit Selwyn Ridge School in Welcome Bay
They were practising their dance routine for an upcoming production. I remember coming here back in the day for sports and this school has always had a lot of heart.
Dan has an impressive operation in Tauranga
He heads up C3 Building Compliance which is helping make the whole compliance process a lot easier for tradies and councils. As you’ll know, that can be a big hold-up to getting things built.
Dan and his team walked me through how it all works behind the scenes. Very interesting, and a lot of ways they can help speed things up.
At a Government level, we’re working to make it cheaper and faster to build. That’s things like allowing thousands of overseas building products and making the biggest changes to the consent system in 20 years to help speed things up and keep costs under control.
At the Women’s Lifestyle Expo
Recently at Mercury Baypark, Mount Maunganui. Thanks to those who called in to say hello, it was great to see you.
Making the most of the Women’s Lifestyle Expo with an ear clean thanks to the team at EarClean. Awesome local business and well worth checking out.
I love going to citizenship ceremonies
And singing the National Anthem with people as they become New Zealand Citizens for the first time.
I was recently part of a panel
At the Generate Parks and Recreation Conference in Tauranga. Good to chat about what’s working and what’s next.
I caught up with Matt, the director of Off The Wall Construction in Mount Maunganui
He and his team, made up of industry professionals and ex-military, are proud to be a Bay of Plenty business that values hard work, strong relationships and projects that last. Awesome to see them supporting local jobs and delivering a great product.
Another great visit to one of our local retirement villages
This time at Arvida Ocean Shores in Mount Maunganui. We talked about the Retirement Villages Act review and I got to hear directly from residents about what matters most to them.
A highlight was meeting Betty, who just celebrated her 101st birthday a couple of weeks ago!
With 11 retirement villages across our Bay of Plenty community, I'm working my way around all of them.
Thanks to everyone at Arvida Ocean Shores for having me. More retirement village visits coming up as I continue these conversations across our community.
Tom’s Events
Papamoa Community Markets
Coffee Catch Ups are back!
The next Welcome Bay 'Drop-in Clinic' -20 October 12:30pm- 2:30pm
This Week in New Zealand History
New Zealand answers the empire's call to arms
28 September 1899
Painting of a New Zealand mounted trooper, c. 1900 (Alexander Turnbull Library, A-256-002)
Premier Richard ‘King Dick’ Seddon asked Parliament to approve an offer to the British government of a contingent of mounted riflemen to serve in South Africa. Amid emotional scenes, the members overwhelmingly endorsed the motion – only five voted against it.
Seddon was an enthusiast for New Zealand’s participation in a war that had not yet begun. This would underline New Zealand’s loyalty to the British Empire. The premier exploited a wave of public patriotism to enhance his personal popularity. His eldest son, R.J.S. Seddon, served in two of the New Zealand contingents.
The authorities in London accepted New Zealand’s offer within days. Seddon proclaimed proudly that New Zealand’s had been the first legislature in the empire to offer assistance, overlooking the fact that five other colonies had done so in July.
Hundreds of men applied to serve in the contingent, membership of which was restricted to those already serving in New Zealand’s tiny regular force or the Volunteer Force. By the time fighting began on 11 October 1899, after a Boer ultimatum over the deployment of British troops in South Africa had been ignored by London, a 215-man contingent was encamped in the Wellington suburb of Karori. Meanwhile, the Defence Department frantically gathered together equipment and horses.
Ten days later, on 21 October, the contingent was given a tumultuous send-off from Wellington. A crowd of over 40,000 heard Seddon proclaim that New Zealanders ‘would fight for one flag, one Queen, one tongue, and for one country – Britain’.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Celebrating 132 Years of Women’s Suffrage
The 132nd anniversary of Suffrage Day is a tribute to all those who have contributed to New Zealand's progress for women and girls, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says.
New Dunedin Hospital construction contract signed
Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the contract for the construction of Dunedin Hospital’s new inpatient building has been signed with CPB Contractors Limited.
SH2 Melling interchange construction begins
Construction has begun on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Melling Transport Improvements Road of Regional Significance that will create a safer, more resilient and accessible transport system in Lower Hutt, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
Local Water Done Well delivering for Kiwis
Twenty percent of councils have now had their water services delivery plans approved, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
Quickest citizenship processing in five years
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says a sustained focus on delivering efficient government services has produced the shortest citizenship wait times in five years.
$100 million boost to upgrade hospitals nationwide
The Government is delivering a major $100 million investment to accelerate improvements across New Zealand’s hospital facilities, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
$20 million to boost ED staffing
Emergency departments will receive a $20 million boost to increase frontline staffing across hospitals nationwide over the next nine months, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced.
Government digital changes to bring big savings
A major shift in how the public sector undertakes digital investment and procurement could save up to $3.9 billion in the next five years, the Government announced.
Supercharging school infrastructure
The Government is accelerating $413 million of investment in school infrastructure to improve classrooms and provide a significant boost for builders and tradies across New Zealand immediately, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
New residence options to bolster workforce
More Kiwi businesses will soon be able to attract and retain the workforce they need, with the Government’s introduction of two new skilled migrant residence pathways.
Shovels in the ground for new Defence housing
The largest Defence housing project in decades is officially underway, delivering modern homes for military families and driving job growth in regional communities, Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk has announced.
Statement on the passing of Sir Tumu te Heuheu
New Zealand mourns a great leader with the passing of Ngāti Tūwharetoa paramount chief Sir Tumu te Heuheu Tukino VIII.
Kicking off the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway
Construction has kicked off on the new 24-kilometre stretch of State Highway 1 from Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL), delivering major economic benefits for the region alongside big improvements to safety and reliability, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
New Reserve Bank Governor appointed
Dr Anna Breman, the First Deputy Governor of Sweden’s central bank, has been appointed as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced.
Social bonds launch to help deliver social housing
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) following their launch of $200 million of A+ rated bonds.
Smoother, safer roads this summer
Another busy summer season of road maintenance and renewals means everyone will enjoy the benefits of smoother roads thanks to the Government’s record investment in state highway maintenance and pothole prevention, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
More diagnostics tests and faster answers for Kiwis
Health New Zealand will deliver an additional 75,000 diagnostic procedures this year through its $65 million Diagnostic Improvement Plan, aimed at reducing wait times for critical diagnostic procedures such as MRI scans, colonoscopies, and colposcopies, Health Minister Simeon Brown says
Green light for Army communications upgrade
The New Zealand Army is set to receive a suite of hi-tech digital communications devices and systems to help it protect our country and our people, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced.
Get in Touch
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505