I’m so excited to share that I’ve been selected by the National Party as the candidate for the new Mount Maunganui electorate in next year’s election. I’m a local through and through, I grew up here and I’m proud to call this place home. It’s a real privilege to represent our community and I hope to earn your support next year.
Check out my video: Facebook
Great news for Bay of Plenty families.
More than 300 new social homes are coming to our region by 2027.
Over 85% will be one or two-bedroom homes, matching what’s actually needed. In the Bay of Plenty, 82% of people on the Housing Register need one or two-bedroom places.
We’re fixing this by delivering the right homes in the right places. Around 100 homes are already underway, with all 300+ expected to be completed by 2027. Every set of keys handed over is another family in a warm, dry home.
Making good progress!
Tom’s News
Thanks to everyone who came along to my coffee catch up at Nourish Cafe in Te Puna, it was great to chat about what’s happening locally. I’ve got a few more coming up around the Bay of Plenty in Pāpāmoa, Maungatapu and Mount Maunganui. See you there!
Thanks to everyone who came and saw me at my monthly clinic in Welcome Bay at the Welcome Bay Community Centre.
These drop-in clinics are a great opportunity to hear directly from the community about what matters to you. If you missed it, I'm here on the third Monday of each month, 12.30pm - 2.30pm.
No appointment needed, just turn up and I'll do my best to help.
I wanted to let everyone know I’ll be doing Movember next month, so you don’t get a fright when you see me.
This is what AI thinks I might end up looking like.
On a serious note, this is an important cause with prostate cancer affecting so many Kiwi men.
Keen to support me - you can do so online here: Movember - Home
https:nz.movember.com/mospace/15366350
Tom’s Events
Coffee Catch Ups are back!
Te Puna Branch Dinner with Hon. Louise Upston - Friday 7 November
I'm delighted to invite you to join us for our annual Te Puna Branch Dinner with Hon. Louise Upston on Friday 7 November at the White House Restaurant, in Te Puna.
As National Party Spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Community and Voluntary Sector, Disability Issues, Tourism and Hospitality and Child Poverty Reduction, Louise will make a presentation and then be available to answer your questions.
Purchase your tickets here: https://www.eventspronto.co.nz/event5921
Next SuperBlues - 10 November 10am
The next Welcome Bay 'Drop-in Clinic' -17 November 12:30pm- 2:30pm
This Week in New Zealand History
New Zealand ensign proclaimed
October 1869
'NZ' was used to represent New Zealand on the Blue Ensign from 1867 to 1869
The design of the New Zealand ensign that was to be flown by ships owned by the colonial government was established by the publication in the New Zealand Gazette of a proclamation by the governor, Sir George Bowen.
The British Admiralty had moved s few years earlier to standardise the ensigns flown by British and colonial ships. Vessels owned by colonial governments were to fly a blue ensign with the Union Jack at top left and the ‘badge’ of the colony at right. But New Zealand had no badge, so its government steamers initially flew the plain blue ensign that was reserved for British government vessels.
Following a British rebuke, New Zealand officials considered using either the official seal of the colony or the words ‘New Zealand’, but both proved difficult to incorporate in the space available. Instead, the letters ‘NZ’ in red lettering with a white border were added to the blue ensign in 1867. Two years later the government revived an earlier idea and adopted a design representing the Southern Cross, four five-pointed red stars with white borders. This version of the blue ensign was soon the de facto New Zealand flag, and by the end of the century it was often flown on government buildings.
This Week in Parliament – Briefly
Open letter to the people of New Zealand
To the patients, students and families affected by this week’s planned strike, The Government regrets the impact on you, your children and your families that is expected on Thursday because of a strike planned by a number of unions.
Welfare sanctions expand to job searches, upskilling
The Traffic Light System expands with the launch of two more non-financial sanctions focused on job searches and upskilling, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
New Zealand’s first sports school will open in Term 1 2026
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced that the much-anticipated New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa (NZPAA) will open as a charter school for athletes in Term 1 2026.
Clear Direction for Credit Access and Consumer Confidence
The Government is moving to improve access to credit for New Zealanders through changes to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill, which was reported back from the Select Committee.
Inflation remains within target band
Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the latest figures showing inflation remaining within the Reserve Bank’s target range.
Next steps for Roads of National Significance
Combined funding of nearly $1.2 billion will see the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme move to the next phase of development, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
Sisters United Academy gives students new options in Term 1 2026
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has announced that Sisters United Academy will open in Term 1 2026 as a charter school.
Court backlog slashed as justice system speeds up
Courts Minister Nicole McKee is pleased to see faster justice for victims, with the backlog of criminal cases in the District Court falling 20% since April 2023, the equivalent of around 1,700 cases.
Crown facilitator to support Waitaki District Council
A Crown facilitator will be appointed to assist Waitaki District Council to amend and resubmit its water service delivery plan under Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
Serious youth offending reduction target achieved
There has been a 16% reduction in children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour, achieving a key government target four years early.
Commonsense changes to boost capital markets
The Government is making further changes to support business growth and New Zealand’s capital markets, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson.
Improving protection for people in state care
The Government has progressed its response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, with the Responding to Abuse in Care Legislation Amendment Bill passing its third reading.
Court users report highest satisfaction since 2019
Courts Minister Nicole McKee is welcoming the encouraging results from the 2025 Court User Survey, saying they reflect the efforts of court staff and ongoing work to fix what matters in the justice system.
Charging ahead with solar and sustainable buildings
The Government is stepping up reforms to accelerate sustainable construction in New Zealand, as a new building consent exemption for rooftop solar panels comes into force.
First ever reduction of harm in state care residences
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has announced the achievement of a reduction of harm in state care residences, the first reduction of its kind in New Zealand’s history.
State of local emergency declared for Canterbury
The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell has declared a state of local emergency for the Canterbury Region, to assist in the response to the current severe weather.
Overwhelming construction industry support for key Health and Safety reforms
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden welcomes a Site Safe survey released that shows the Government’s health and safety reforms are fixing what matters in the construction industry.
Iceland and NZ enhance practical cooperation
New Zealand and Iceland are deepening cooperation, in the areas of working holidays, taxation and geothermal energy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.
Granny flats get the consent-free go ahead
Just-passed legislation will soon allow Kiwis to build granny flats up to 70 square metres in their backyards without a building consent, unlocking more housing choices and delivering on a key Coalition Government commitment in the Q4 Action Plan.
Civil disputes to become quicker and cheaper
The financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal will soon double, making civil cases quicker and more affordable for thousands of New Zealanders, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505