Mo-ing it up for a good cause!
I wanted to let everyone know I’ll be doing 'Movember' throughout November, 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. This is the link if you’d like to support me: Movember - Home
Proud to stand as National’s candidate for the new Mount Maunganui electorate. I grew up here, I’m a local through and through, and it’d be a real privilege to keep representing our community.
Building fit -for- purpose Aged Care
The Government has announced a Ministerial Advisory Group will review aged care sector funding, as the number of older New Zealanders is set to skyrocket. Improving the lives of older people is a priority for our Government.
There are about 900,000 Kiwis over 65, and this is expected to reach about 1.3 million by 2040.
Currently, about 34,000 are in aged residential care services and 80,000 use home and community services annually. Government spending on aged care is more than $2.5 billion annually.
A recent review by Health NZ, found funding for aged residential care and home and community support services was “not fit for purpose”. It also found no cohesive and integrated aged care system provides “the care people need at the right time and in the right place”, and access to the right services could be “inconsistent” and difficult for different groups of people.
Check out the NZ Herald story: Government to set up Ministerial Advisory Group to review aged care sector funding - NZ Herald
Says it all really
There won't be a capital gains tax under National.
We're proposing changes to the frequency of light vehicle inspections (your WoF)
Our proposals include second WoF at 4 years for new vehicles, every 2 years for vehicles 4–10 years old, and every year for vehicles over 10 years.
NZ asks people to get vehicle inspections more often than almost any other country in the world. We reckon we can reduce the frequency, save motorists money and time, and keep people safe.
We're also looking at simplifying heavy vehicle permits and mandating new safety tech like Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Support systems in vehicles entering our fleet.
This is about bringing our transport rules into the 21st century. Less time at the mechanic, less cost for families and businesses, and smarter safety standards.
Tom’s News
It was a great evening at the Omanu Beach SLSC Capped Numbers presentation recently.
The club formally presented capped numbers to members who have won gold medals at National Championships since Omanu’s inception in 1947. 93 members have earned this distinction - an incredible achievement.
Congratulations to all those receiving their caps and recognition. Thank you to Omanu SLSC for the invitation and for everything you do to keep our community safe.
Great to be back out on the field last weekend playing for Greeton Cricket Club.
We chased down 156 in our 20 overs, and I even managed to chip in with a quick-fire 28 near the end. So good to be back playing local club cricket
So great to visit Bonnet in Mount Maunganui to meet founder Steph Kennard and her team.
Launched in March 2023, BONNET is NZ's first end-to-end vehicle management app – now trusted to manage over 75,000 vehicles nationwide.
The problem? Over 50% of Kiwi drivers miss their WOF deadlines. Bonnet solves this by automatically pulling your WOF, Rego, and RUC details straight from NZTA. Just put in your plate number and you're sorted.
Practical Kiwi innovation making our roads safer and saving drivers the stress of missed deadlines. One out of every 100 NZ cars is on Bonnet – proud to see this homegrown success thriving in the Bay of Plenty.
Local Police Focus
Great to catch up with Sergeant Tanerahi 'TK' Keno who's now running the Pāpāmoa Police Station.
TK's focused on community safety and preventing crime before it happens. If you see him out and about, make sure to say gidday.
A great local business - Raymons Pies
Raymons Pies bake sumptuous cakes and bakery products using fresh, local ingredients for supermarkets, cafés, lunch bars, dairies, petrol stations and other Bay of Plenty businesses.
The mince & cheese pie is an absolute winner. It came highly recommended and I wasn't disappointed - I'm a fan!
This Week in New Zealand History
All Blacks win third Rugby World Cup
31 October 2015
Richie McCaw and Dan Carter with the Webb Ellis Cup (3News/Getty)
The All Blacks became the first team to win back-to-back Rugby World Cup competitions, and the first to win the title three times. Captain Richie McCaw was the first man to hold the Webb Ellis Cup aloft in triumph at two tournaments.
The victory in front of 80,000 spectators at London’s Twickenham stadium, the self-styled ‘Home of Rugby’, was all the sweeter because it was achieved against the Australian Wallabies, who had recently broken the All Blacks’ stranglehold on the Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri-Nations competition, also contested by South Africa and now Argentina).
The match was the highest-scoring World Cup final of the nine played so far, with the All Blacks winning 34–17 after leading just 21–17 approaching the last 10 minutes. The five tries scored (three by the All Blacks) were also the most in any final – these have traditionally been dour, tense affairs like the All Blacks’ 8–7 victory over France at Eden Park, Auckland in 2011.
If only in hindsight, there was a certain inevitability about the outcome of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen, who had succeeded Graham Henry after the nail-biting 2011 win, proved to be a master at introducing new talent without alienating the old hands he still needed as a steadying influence in the playing squad. Hansen was also able to delegate much of the hands-on coaching and management while remaining firmly in overall control. Most surprisingly, by 2015 the taciturn ex-policeman had metamorphosed into an astute and amusing media performer.
This Week in Parliament - Briefly
Government funds more helicopter replacements
The Government is investing in seven more emergency helicopters to replace some of New Zealand’s ageing air ambulance fleet, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced
No more red tape for garden sheds and garages
Changes have now come into effect which mean homeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages face less red tape and fewer delays, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say.
EU Commissioner and Trade Minister agree to boost cooperation and reduce costs on businesses
European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay have adopted a joint declaration to focus on reducing costs and boosting bilateral trade during the first inaugural NZ-EU Trade Committee meeting hosted by New Zealand in Queenstown
Government support for Clutha and Southland communities
The Government is making a contribution of $150,000 to help communities in Clutha and Southland impacted by the Labour Weekend severe weather, Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell announced.
Refreshed national curriculum to raise achievement
Education Minister Erica Stanford announced the release of the full draft of New Zealand’s new Year 1–10 curriculum, another significant step toward delivering a world-leading education system for every learner in New Zealand.
$60 billion industry protected with biosecurity improvements
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that changes to New Zealand’s biosecurity laws will strengthen protections against invasive pests and diseases while protecting and promoting economic growth.
Work accelerates on ambitious land transport reforms
The Government is accelerating progress on its bold work programme to modernise New Zealand's land transport rules, with public consultation beginning on three significant areas of work, Transport Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed.
Major investments announced on Malaysia visit
Two significant investments were announced during the visit of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Malaysia this week, in the areas of renewable energy infrastructure and tourism.
Winter cruise season setting sail from Auckland
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the cruise industry is poised for another significant step forward, with the Carnival line announcing a return to homeporting in Auckland.
Online Casino Gambling to fund local sports and community groups
Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, is listening to New Zealanders by introducing community funding returns through the Online Casino Gambling Bill, announced.
Patient advocates report Pharmac reset is going well
Pharmac’s Reset Programme is on track, with the completion of first 90-day action plan, Associate Health Minister David Seymour says.
New Zealand expands sanctions on Russia’s oil industry and shadow fleet
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s oil trade while meeting with the Nordic 5 Foreign Ministers in Stockholm.
Get in Touch
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505