It's "Movember" and the Mo is officially underway! I warned you all last month that I’d be doing this, so hopefully no one gets too much of a fright over the next few weeks.
On a serious note, prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 Kiwi men and men’s mental health remains a critical issue in our communities. Movember is about raising awareness and funds for these important causes.
If you’d like to support the campaign, you can donate here: https://nz.movember.com/mospace/15366350
140 new hospital beds to boost nationwide capacity
Five of New Zealand’s busiest hospitals will benefit from the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme, which will deliver a total of 140 new beds in 2026.
As part of Budget 2025, we expected to deliver at least three wards. A competitive procurement process has now allowed four wards to be delivered within the same funding, alongside the fifth ward at Hawke’s Bay Hospital announced in February.
The new wards will be located at Middlemore Hospital, Waikato Hospital, Wellington Regional Hospital, Nelson Hospital, and Hawke’s Bay Hospital, and are all expected to become operational during the second half of 2026. Operational funding has also been approved, and planning is underway to ensure the workforce is in place when the new wards open.
This investment is about delivering practical solutions to meet growing demand. By getting these new hospital wards built quickly through modular design and construction, we’re strengthening hospital capacity so patients can get the care they need when they need it.
The rapid-build wards will be constructed off-site and installed on hospital grounds, enabling faster, more cost-effective delivery, while also providing flexibility to redeploy units to other hospitals if required.
Unanswered questions grow about Labour’s Capital Gains Tax
Labour still can’t answer basic questions about its proposed capital gains tax, and the list of unanswered questions keeps growing.
If a Labour, Greens, and Te Pāti Māori government were elected next year, hundreds of thousands of individuals, small businesses, and other firms would be caught by the new tax — yet Labour seems content to fill in the details only after the election.
Labour says the tax would apply to any capital gain made on a commercial building, rental property, or second home after 1 July 2027.
Accurate valuations are fundamental to making such a policy work, but Labour’s finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Radio New Zealand that the rules around valuations — who conducts them, what methods are used, and who pays for them — would be left for Inland Revenue to decide after the election
Tom’s News
Recently had a full day of constituency meetings at my Bay of Plenty electorate office
This is often the work that doesn't get much attention but it's some of the most important work we do as a local MP. From immigration matters to dealing with Government agencies and other organisations, helping locals navigate the system and get the support they need.
It's also a great opportunity for people to come in and meet with me to talk about anything they'd like to discuss. Whether it's a specific issue you need help with or just wanting to share your thoughts on what's happening in our community or in Parliament, I'm here to listen.
If you live locally and would like to meet, please get in touch, my team and I are here to help.
Huge congratulations to Sam Aitken who was awarded Dux
At the Pāpāmoa College prize giving! Sam is heading to the University of Otago to study Radiation Therapy, a field that makes a real difference in people’s lives. Well done, Sam, and best of luck with your studies!
I recently joined other elected members across the Bay of Plenty region in Rotorua
To discuss topics such as government reforms, good management and decision making, iwi relationships and keeping safe in challenging spaces.
Exams are already underway for NCEA students across the country
Best of luck to everyone sitting exams here in the Bay of Plenty - you’ve got this!
Here's a throwback photo from my high school days for good measure
Sad to share the news of the passing of my godfather, Alan Bickers
A true pillar of our Bay of Plenty community, who passed away on Saturday night.
Alan and his wife Jill made my family feel welcome when my parents moved to the Bay of Plenty in the early 1990s, and they remained close friends of my grandparents in the UK. Alan was a great role model for what it means to serve the community — someone whose example I’ve always looked up to and aspire to follow.
Here’s a photo of Alan and me playing backyard cricket back in the day, one of my favourite pastimes as a kid.
Alan served as Chief Executive of Tauranga District Council from 1986 to 1995 and spent decades contributing to our region in countless ways. In 2014, he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the community, a well-deserved recognition of his lifetime of dedication.
His legacy includes the redevelopment of Holy Trinity Church, which he described as a “labour of love.” He also served as Chairman of Transit New Zealand and the Building Practitioners Board and held governance roles across numerous organisations that helped shape our community.
What always stood out to me about Alan was his willingness to keep learning. He completed a postgraduate diploma in dispute resolution at 60, proof that his commitment to growth and service never stopped.
Alan’s contributions to Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty will be felt for generations. He made our community a better place.
You will be missed, Alan. Thank you for your life of service. Former Tauranga council chief executive Alan Bickers remembered for lifetime of service - NZ Herald
You will see a lot more of me from now...
Let know what you think of the billboards popping up around the electorate.
More on Movember
That's a pretty serious game face from me for the Movember relay at Parliament.
Spoon and egg, potato sack and three-legged medley. Being the youngest MP, I probably did have an unfair advantage, and we did end up winning, but Movember was the real winner on the day.
I'm doing Movember this year to support men's health in New Zealand, along with many over Kiwis. https://nz.movember.com/mospace/15366350
This Week in New Zealand History
Last spike completes North Island main trunk railway
November 1908
Sir Joseph Ward drives the last spike in the North Island’s main trunk line (AJHR, 1909)
Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward ceremonially opened the North Island main trunk railway line by driving home a final polished silver spike at Manganuioteao, between Waimarino (National Park) and Ohakune.
According to a reporter who accompanied Ward from Wellington, the ceremony was ‘as impressive as scowling weather, muddy embankments and interfering photographers would permit’.
Construction of the central section of the line between Te Awamutu and Marton had taken 23 years of surveys, land negotiations, political wrangling and back-breaking physical effort by thousands of labourers. The first through train from Wellington to Auckland had actually run two months before the final spike ceremony, when a ‘Parliament Special’ carried MPs and others north to meet the US Navy’s visiting ‘Great White Fleet’ (see 9 August). This train had crawled over a temporary section of track laid between the existing railheads.
Regular services between Auckland and Wellington began soon after the last spike ceremony, and an express service introduced in February 1909 made the journey in 18 hours. From 1924, the ‘Night Limited’ cut the trip to 14 hours.
This Week in Parliament - Briefly
Tourism boost with visa-free travel for Chinese visitors via Australia
Tourism, New Zealand’s second-largest export, is set to benefit from more visitors per year with Chinese visitors now able to travel visa-free from Australia to New Zealand, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism & Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced.
Strengthening Initial Teacher Education & workforce governance
The Government is taking action to lift the quality of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and restore trust and confidence in the governance of the education workforce.
Measles Immunisation Week campaign has launched
Health New Zealand is launching a major nationwide Measles Immunisation Week from 3–7 November, and the Government is urging all New Zealanders to check their immunisation status and make sure their families are protected, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Education Minister David Seymour says
Fast-track renewable energy project green-lit
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have welcomed the approval of the first renewable energy project under the Fast-track Approvals Act.
Express lane for new supermarkets underway
The Government has introduced the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill, creating a consenting express lane for new supermarkets.
Backing innovation to boost farm productivity
A $1.2 million Government–industry investment through AgriZeroNZ into a breakthrough technology to cut agricultural emissions, reduce farm costs, and boost productivity, has been welcomed by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis.
Indian Commerce Minister makes first official visit to New Zealand
Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will make his first official visit to New Zealand this week to strengthen the growing New Zealand-India trade and economic partnership.
Delivering a better mental health crisis response
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has announced the government is delivering more frontline workers and establishing new services for people in need of a better crisis response.
Next steps on Eden Park restrictions
The Government has released an investigative report showing Eden Park planning restrictions could be costing hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue with hundreds of fewer jobs and is inviting public feedback on proposed changes, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says.
Better help for high support needs young people
More services, made possible thanks to increased funding achieved under this government, have had a positive impact on the lives of high support needs young people and their families.
Jobs data shows importance of driving economic growth
Labour market statistics released highlight the importance of the Government’s ongoing work to rebuild the economy and deliver more job opportunities for Kiwis, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
New research grants to grow the economy
The Government will invest more than $80 million in research projects starting this year, for projects that have transformative potential for New Zealand’s economy, health, and environment, says Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti.
Gumboot Friday continuing to deliver results
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is pleased to celebrate Gumboot Friday today, a fantastic initiative helping thousands of young people access free mental health support faster.
Boosting New Zealand’s film industry
The Government is making targeted updates to the International Screen Production Rebate to ensure New Zealand remains a competitive and attractive destination for global film, television, and streaming productions, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced.
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