Health targets: reducing wait times and putting patients first
Shorter waits, faster treatment, and more timely access to care are benefiting patients across New Zealand, with the latest quarterly results for April to June showing clear improvements.
After years of decline, healthcare is improving steadily under this Government. We are putting patients first and refocusing our health system to ensure all New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare when they need it, but we know there is also still more work to do.
These quarterly results mark the first annual milestone toward our 2030 targets.:
These quarterly results mark the first annual milestone toward our 2030 targets:
Faster cancer treatment:
86.3 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days, up from 83.5% last year, supported by the Government’s $604m Pharmac boost delivering 33 new cancer medicines.
Childhood immunisations:
82 per cent of children fully immunised by age two, up from 76.5 per cent last year – the largest annual gain across all targets.
Shorter stays in emergency departments:
73.9 per cent of patients admitted, treated or discharged within six hours, up from 71.2 per cent last year, despite increased attendances – meaning our doctors and nurses are delivering more care than ever and still getting patients seen faster.
Shorter waits for elective treatment and first specialist assessments (FSAs):
Patients waiting less than four months increased by 6.6 percentage points for elective treatment and 3.8 for FSAs – the largest quarterly improvements across all health targets.
“Our Government’s Elective Boost added more than 16,000 procedures, including hips, knees, and cataracts, from February to June through partnering with the private sector, helping to reduce waiting times for elective treatments. FSAs were delivered at 104 per cent of plan to June, meaning more patients are being seen than planned.”
Recognising Palestine
Hamas - a recognised terrorist organisation - remains in control in Gaza and could misuse recognition as propaganda. Recognition at this time could also entrench Israeli military aggression and undermine efforts toward genuine peace. It is our position that recognition should happen when peace is more possible, not during active conflict.
NZ has condemned Israel’s response to Hamas’s Oct 7 attack, that led to this current conflict, as grossly disproportionate.
We have called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza and announced $10 million of new financial contribution to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Farewell to Nigel Latta
A life well lived. Nigel was a compassionate and well-grounded professional. NZ has been blessed knowing you
More help for Kiwi families with young kids
From now, more Kiwi families can apply for more help with the cost of early childhood education (ECE) under the Government’s expanded FamilyBoost scheme. Households are now able to submit claims for their costs from July to September.
The expansion of the scheme means more families are eligible for FamilyBoost, and the refunds are more generous. Now, households with combined incomes up to just under $230,000 are eligible – this was previously capped at $180,000. Meanwhile, the eligible households can now claim back 40 per cent of their ECE costs, up to a maximum of $300 a week. This was previously set at 25 per cent.
The government encourages families with children in ECE to check their eligibility on the Inland Revenue website. It’s very easy to register and apply for FamilyBoost. Just head to the Inland Revenue website – ird.govt.nz/familyboost. More than 68,000 households have already benefited from FamilyBoost, making life with a little one that much easier.
The Government knows every little bit helps, and I encourage any family with children in ECE to check their eligibility and apply, so they have more money in their pockets, and can focus on the things that matter most.
Tom’s News
Pāpāmoa East Interchange
I've been advocating for early opening of the eastbound on-ramp at the Pāpāmoa East Interchange, given the success of the off-ramp which opened on 26 August and has provided great relief to local traffic congestion.
I've received an update from Tauranga City Council on progress. Bridge construction is progressing well with final bridge beams installed on 17 September. However, the on-ramp still needs final surfacing, signage, and line marking. Regional material supply issues are causing delays, so Council will reassess the opening timeline once these are resolved.
I'll continue pushing for this to be opened at the earliest opportunity and will keep our community updated. Our growing community deserves infrastructure delivered as quickly and safely as possible.
Gordon Spratt Reserve Parkrun
It was a great morning recently for the Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun.
Mac Allister Football Campus
I enjoyed watching and spending some time at the Mac Allister Football Campus at Waipuna Park. 100 local young players training with FIFA Pro coaches Patricio and Nikolas Mac Allister.
Amazing opportunity for our talented Bay of Plenty players to learn from the best. Great to see this level of football development taking place in Welcome Bay!
Tauranga Probasi Cultural Heritage
Loved spending time with the Tauranga Probasi Cultural Heritage celebrating the Bengali Cultural Festival at Selwyn Ridge School.
Wonderful to see our diverse community coming together to share culture, food, and traditions. Thanks for the warm welcome!
Modern Office in Tauriko
Great to speak at the Team Local After 5 Event at Modern Office in Tauriko recently. Thanks to the Modern Office team for hosting and everyone who attended. These catch-ups are brilliant for hearing what’s really happening on the ground and sharing the latest updates from across our community.
Tauranga City Tridents American Football Club
I've always said I'll give everything a try once! Tauranga City Tridents American Football Club
Parking in Mount Maunganui
Over 2,000 people shared their views on parking in Mount Maunganui in July. The results show our community has mixed views on this issue.
The feedback revealed 46% of people want to keep free parking, while 80% recognised there are problems that need addressing. The main issues raised were difficulty finding spots, lack of enforcement of current rules, and problems during cruise ship season with tour buses taking up spaces.
The top suggestions included building a parking structure at the former bowls club site, better time limits, and improved transport options.
Council has decided on some immediate changes including new time restrictions on Victoria Road, Marine Parade and The Mall, plus increased enforcement. They're also planning a comprehensive Mount Parking Management Plan.
The question is whether these responses match what our community actually needs. What do you think about the approach Council is taking? Are they addressing the right issues based on what you told them?
Know someone making a difference in our community?
Nominate them for the Western Bay Community Awards.
Seven categories celebrate local groups and volunteers across Tauranga and the Western Bay. Nominations close 22 October 2025. Any not-for-profit organisation or volunteer can be nominated.
Nominate here: https://www.tect.org.nz/community-awards-2026/
Prost-FIT
I had a great morning recently with a local Prost-FIT group discussing prostate cancer. It's something that affects thousands of Kiwi men every year.
It’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men (apart from skin cancers) and the second highest cause of cancer death, yet many blokes avoid getting checked. Over 4,000 men are diagnosed annually, but 95% survive at least 5 years when it’s found early.
We're good at getting our cars their warrant of fitness, but what about our own health?
If you’re over 50, or over 40 with a family history, it’s worth talking to your GP. Thanks to the Prost-FIT group for their advocacy and for sharing their experiences with me.
Heartland Bank's new Tauranga office
Great to be at the opening of Heartland Bank's new Tauranga office with CEO Leanne Lazarus and Mayor Mahé Drysdale. They've been in Tauranga since the 1990s and it's good to see them settle into a new space in the community.
Minister Nicola Grigg Visit
Fantastic to host Minister Nicola Grigg at Ngai Tukairangi Orchards in Matapihi. A Māori-led kiwifruit grower driving jobs and exports in the Bay of Plenty. As Associate Agriculture Minister responsible for Horticulture, Nicola’s backing our growers and cutting red tape. Also impressed by the RSE accommodation village - essential for supporting our growers.
Tom’s Events
Papamoa Community Markets
Coffee Catch Ups are back!
Welcome Bay 'Drop-in Clinic'
20 October 12:30pm- 2:30pm
This Week in New Zealand History
Shipwrecked Rena spills oil into Bay of Plenty
5 October 2011
The container ship Rena grounded on Astrolabe Reef (New Zealand Defence Force)
The container ship Rena astonished local mariners by grounding on the clearly marked Astrolabe Reef while approaching Tauranga Harbour. Flying the Liberian flag and under charter to the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the German-built Rena is the largest ship ever wrecked in New Zealand waters. No lives were lost, but in financial terms it was our costliest-ever shipwreck.
Environment Minister Nick Smith described it as New Zealand’s ‘worst maritime environmental disaster’. About 350 tonnes of oil was spilt, and 950 tonnes of oily waste was subsequently collected from local beaches. Eighty-seven of the 1368 containers on board were washed overboard, with the contents of many fouling the coast. Thousands of birds were killed. More damage was done when the Rena broke in half on 8 January 2012.
The salvage operation was frequently hampered by adverse sea conditions and had cost $700 million by the time it ended in April 2016. Local iwi and others continued to battle the ship’s owners and insurers over responsibility for removing what remained of the wreck.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Court backlogs shrink as justice moves faster
Courts Minister Nicole McKee says the Government’s focus on faster justice is delivering real results, from resolving civil disputes sooner, to reducing family wait times for coroners’ findings.
Sport diplomacy to grow NZ’s global ties
Sport will play a bigger role in strengthening New Zealand’s international ties, boosting trade, and showcasing our country to the world under a new Government strategy launched, Associate Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says.
New Zealand’s space sector on show in Sydney
New Zealand’s rapidly growing space and advanced aviation sectors will be on show at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney next week, Space Minister Judith Collins says.
Govt funding for trans-Tasman space projects
Three innovative trans-Tasman space projects designed to enhance maritime awareness, improve agricultural planning and secure satellite communications have secured up to $5.3 million in government funding.
Lighting a fire under wildings - and learning from it
A recent 50 hectare-controlled burn of wilding conifers in Central Otago is another step in exploring all options to rid landowners of the invasive weeds, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Health targets: reducing wait times and putting patients first
Shorter waits, faster treatment, and more timely access to care are benefiting patients across New Zealand, with the latest quarterly results for April to June showing clear improvements, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
Certainty for medical device procurement
Medical device procurement will be more efficient, more certain, and more transparent, Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown say.
New Chatham Islands ship confirmed
The Government has confirmed the company that will procure a new Chatham Islands supply vessel, in a significant milestone which will see it operational in 2027.
Aged Care funding and service improvements
A new system for delivering home care services for older people, focusing on restorative care, begins in the South Island.
Government sets consent expectations to councils
The Minister for RMA Reform, Minister of Agriculture, and Minister for the Environment have set clear expectations to all Regional and Unitary Councils to take a pragmatic approach when issuing consents, ahead of the transition to the new planning system.
New leadership to drive performance at ACC
Minister for ACC Scott Simpson has appointed Jan Dawson as Chair of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Board.
More social homes for less with loan guarantee
The Government is backing community housing providers to deliver more social homes for less cost, with the introduction of a new loan guarantee scheme.
Driving growth: Taking action for the freight sector
Three practical initiatives to improve our freight system will support economic growth, productivity, resilience and safety, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
Affordable homes to address Rotorua housing shortage
Rotorua whānau will enjoy greater access to modern housing thanks to a government-iwi partnership that will deliver 80 affordable rental homes, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.
Get in Touch
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505