Ground broken on Waikato medical school
Construction is now underway on the Waikato’s new medical school – a major milestone in the Government’s plan to train more GPs and strengthen access to primary care in regional New Zealand.
This sod-turning on the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine is a significant step forward for the University of Waikato, for regional development, and – most importantly – for the future of primary care in regional New Zealand. With $82.85 million in Government funding and more than $150 million from the University and philanthropic partners, the project represents a major long-term investment in medical education and in the health of communities across the Waikato and New Zealand.
A better planning system for a better New Zealand
It is too hard and costly to get things built in New Zealand, with too many layers of red and green tape. The Resource Management Act is a big reason why. That is why the National-led Government is scrapping the RMA and replacing it with a new planning system that will make it easier and cheaper to get things done.
This is the biggest economic reform in a generation. The new planning system will save ratepayers and taxpayers $13.3b by only regulating what is necessary and reducing the number of consents by up to 46% every year. It will also mean more growth and higher living standards for New Zealanders. The system will unlock more housing across New Zealand, speeding up critical infrastructure like roads, energy projects, hospitals and schools and back our world-class farmers and growers to get on with doing what they do best.
The changes also increase certainty, with clearer consultation requirements, standardised rules and faster conflict resolution through a new low-cost planning tribunal. That will give developers more confidence to invest in New Zealand.
National is ending the culture of ‘no’ to fix the basics and build the future. We have passed fast-track to get on with building the projects of national and regional significance, completed $7 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the second half of this year and now we are delivering on our promise to introduce a new planning system to make all Kiwis better off.
Check out my video:Facebook
I spent an evening on the steps of Parliament with firefighters, the people who run toward danger when the rest of us are running the other way.
Having served as a volunteer firefighter at the Mount Maunganui Station, I know the commitment and sacrifice that comes with the job. Firefighters carry huge responsibility, and they do it for their communities every day.
This wasn’t a protest. It was a chance to listen. To hear directly about the pressures on the job, the challenges they face, and the dedication they bring to their job to help keep New Zealanders safe.
Thank you to everyone who came out. It was a privilege to spend time with you, and your service to our communities is deeply appreciated.
Great to bump into a group of students from Ōtūmoetai College at Parliament on my way into the debating chamber.
Always good to see local schools visiting and getting a look at what happens behind the scenes here. Hope they enjoyed their day in the engine room of government.
I just finished signing my letters to the nearly 2,500 residents across our 11 retirement villages in the Bay of Plenty.
We’re a diverse community, and that includes the couple thousand people who call our villages home. I’ve been visiting each of them over the past few months, listening, answering questions, and talking through the important changes the Government is making to the Retirement Villages Act.
These reforms are about fairness, clarity and giving residents and their families real certainty. Weekly fees will stop the day someone moves out, payouts will be made within 12 months, interest will apply after six months, and there will be new options for early access to funds in situations of need. Contracts will be clearer, operators will have stronger obligations, and a new independent disputes scheme will make it easier to resolve issues.
Most village residents love where they live, these changes simply make the system fairer, more transparent, and easier to navigate.
Keeping people informed is part of the job, and sending these letters is one way of making sure everyone gets the same clear, straight-up information.
Looking forward to continuing the conversation as the Bill progresses next year.
Bay of Plenty folks, are you a Bopper or a Steamer?
What started out as a bit of a laugh has taken on a world of its own. So much so that breakfast announcer Max Baird and the great team at The Breeze Tauranga 95.8FM had me on to explain the result!
Shoutout to my mum Sharon and the great Hori Bop for having a laugh with us.
Spent a morning recently with Helen, the team and all the kids at Omanu Preschool in the heart of Mount Maunganui.
It’s an incredible place full of energy, curiosity and those big smiles only little ones can pull off. Their approach to learning is something special, with a real focus on play, confidence and strong connections to our local community.
Huge thanks to the whole team for the important work they do every day and for welcoming me in.
Six hundred games for Greerton Cricket Club is an incredible milestone for Scott Drabble.
I have kept wicket to him for years and he remains one of the great characters of community cricket. Chirpy, competitive, and somehow always finding a way to outsmart far better players with those trademark line and length mediums.
Scott is the heart of the club. Loyal, energetic, completely dedicated to his teammates, and the sort of bloke every team is better for having around.
A huge congratulations, mate. An extraordinary innings.
Link to full NZ Herald story: Greerton cricket stalwart Scott Drabble set for 600th club game milestone - NZ Herald
Papamoa Santa Parade - Fantastic!
Huge day in our community and honestly, one of the best.
First up was the Papamoa Christmas Parade. Thousands from across our community lined the streets, families everywhere, kids buzzing… Just an awesome, feel-good day that shows why this is such a special place to call home.
Then straight over to the Papamoa Community Market, where I got to suit up as Santa again. Always a highlight, nothing better than seeing the smiles (and occasional wide-eyed stares!) from the little ones.
Massive thanks to Pak n Save as the main sponsor, every volunteer, organiser, and local who helped make it all happen. Community spirit is alive and well.
Here some great snapshots from the day:
...and YES, the Santa suits was extremely hot but all for a good cause!
Link to the video of the day's antics: Facebook
The last SuperBlues for 2025
Celebrating the 11th and last SuperBlues of the year and what a fantastic turnout!
A huge thank you to Tim van de Molen - Waikato MP for fronting up, being our guest speaker and answering some tricky but relevant questioning.
See you in February 2026 when SuperBlues kicks off again.
Spent a morning at Kaimai School, meeting their new principal, Matthew Jackson, and catching up with the team.
Kaimai is a small rural school with a big heart. Sixty-six students, awesome grounds, and a real community feel - from the skatepark and swimming pool to the native bush and breakfast club.
Very warm welcome to Matthew as he steps into the role. Kaimai has a proud 100+ year history going back to 1913.
There’s been a lot of discussion about chipseal resurfacing across Tauranga, and on Friday a number of residents received an email from Tauranga City Council offering the option to self-fund the difference for asphalt. Since then, I’ve had a steady stream of calls and emails from people asking whether the timeframe and cost are reasonable.
The Council has given residents 10 business days to decide whether to opt in, followed by 11 more days to come up with a figure somewhere between $2,000–$5,000 depending on the street. This will also only go ahead if 100% of households on the street agree. All of this is happening over Christmas and New Year. I’ve heard from pensioners, families, and long-time locals who are understandably worried about how they’re meant to meet that deadline. In the middle of a cost-of-living crunch, it’s a lot to ask.
And when a street looks perfectly fine to the eye, it’s natural to question why it’s being resealed at all. I’ve raised this with Tauranga City Council previously. Their view is that many of these streets show early signs of deterioration based on engineering assessments, and that resurfacing is done before potholes and reconstruction become necessary.
On low-volume residential streets, Council uses chipseal because it is the most cost-effective option within their maintenance budget. Asphalt is significantly more expensive, and the additional cost has to be fully covered locally. That’s why Council has created a self-funding option for residents who want to retain asphalt but the short timeframe and poor communication have created very understandable frustration.
My own view is that Council needs to front-foot communication much earlier and give people realistic timeframes. Residents shouldn’t be left wondering why their street is being resurfaced, what alternatives were considered, or why the deadline is so compressed. Clear, proactive information would remove a lot of frustration and avoid situations like this altogether.
I also want to acknowledge Councillor Steve Morris, who pushed for a 12-month deferral so residents could properly plan, explore a targeted rate option, and avoid having to come up with thousands of dollars over the holidays. That proposal unfortunately didn’t get majority support, but in my view, it would have been a much fairer approach.
I’ll keep raising the concerns I’m hearing across Tauranga. If you have questions or want me to follow something up with Council, I’m happy to help.
NZ Herald Story: Pāpāmoa residents make stand against chipseal roads - NZ Herald
Welcome Bay "Drop-in Clinics" 2026
SuperBlues 2026
Papamoa Community Markets - 2026
Electorate Office Renovation
Our electorate office will be closed for alterations next week 15 to 19 December but we are available via:
Phone: 07 542 0505
Email: bopmp@parliament.govt.nz
The office will then be closed for the Christmas break, reopening 12 January 2026
This Week in New Zealand History
Parliamentary Library escapes fire
11 December 1907
Parliament Buildings on fire, 11 December 1907 (Alexander Turnbull Library, 1/2-022885-F)
A great library bonfire was narrowly avoided in 1907, when fire swept through Parliament Buildings in Wellington. At 2 a.m., Parliament’s nightwatchman thought he heard rain on the roof, but when he went to check found that a substantial blaze had broken out. He sounded the alarm, threw open the gate for the fire brigade and tackled the fire with a hose.
The fire, probably started by faulty electrical wiring in the ceiling of the interpreters’ room, spread rapidly through the old wooden parts of the buildings and then into the 1880s masonry additions. By 5 a.m. it had destroyed Bellamy’s restaurant and firefighters were battling desperately to save the library.
Staff and volunteers moved more than 15,000 volumes from the building’s ground floor in case the flames broke through. The morning light revealed the scale of the devastation. The old wooden buildings were completely destroyed, but the brick walls and metal fire door had saved New Zealand’s de facto national library, and the 80,000 volumes and many other treasures inside.
The Week in Parliament - Briefly
Host and theme for Matariki unveiled in Auckland
The Government has unveiled the host iwi and theme for next year’s national broadcast of Matariki, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Government backs hornet hunt
Intensive efforts are under way to combat yellow-legged hornets from Auckland’s North Shore, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
PPP guidance updated to support infrastructure
Updated guidance for Public-Private Partnership projects in New Zealand will provide greater clarity and consistency to the private sector and government agencies, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
Breakthrough Export Deal Signals New Era for Strong Wool
The Government is marking a significant commercial milestone, with New Zealand’s strong wool sector securing its first export order for innovative wool particle technology. Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson describes this as “the Holy Grail” for the sector.
New rules to help meat processors & shoppers
Small-scale meat processors will save money and deliver safe food to their customers more easily thanks to new rule changes confirmed says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Select Committee reports back on Employment Relations Amendment Bill
The Government is welcoming a Select Committee report on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, marking an important step in employment law reform, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.
Arms Bill introduced to deliver better firearms law
The Government has introduced the Arms Bill to Parliament, bringing New Zealand one step closer to fairer, fit for purpose firearms laws, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
New Emergency Management Bill introduced
“The Government has introduced a new Emergency Management Bill, set to strengthen New Zealand’s emergency management system” says Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell.
Significant boost to school property budgets
The Government is continuing to supercharge school property, increasing maintenance funding for the first time since 2010 so more students benefit from safe, warm and dry classrooms.
Secondary principals vote to accept settlement
Education Minister Erica Stanford welcomes the successful conclusion of pay negotiations for secondary principals, with a majority vote from members of the Secondary Principals’ Association of NZ (SPANZ) and the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) to renew the Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement.
Government app launched
The Government has released an app to make it easier and safer for people to access government services, Digitising Government and Public Service Minister Judith Collins says.
Urgent consent-extension legislation passes third reading
Parliament has passed urgent legislation extending the duration of thousands of existing resource consents, providing immediate certainty for farmers, businesses and councils while New Zealand transitions to a new planning system, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
Manufacturing pilot expands to grow workforce
After delivering standout results, a pilot connecting high school students with New Zealand manufacturers to grow the future workforce will expand into new regions
Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill passes third reading
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have welcomed the passing of the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill.
Pruning the paperwork so hemp sector can bloom
Regulation Minister David Seymour has announced a reform of the regulations for the industrial hemp sector.
New two-lane Pekatahi Bridge to be delivered
Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced that a new two-lane bridge will be built on State Highway 2 (SH2) near Tāneatua in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, replacing the existing one-lane Pekatahi Bridge.
First 10,000 visitors through visa-waiver travel from Australia
New Zealand’s economy is already benefiting from the new visa-free pathway for Chinese and Pacific travellers with eligible Australian visas, with more than 13,000 visitors already making the most of the opportunity to visit.
Local Water Done Well victory for ratepayers
All councils water service delivery plans under Local Water Done Well have now been assessed, meaning ratepayers will benefit from reliable and financially sustainable water services, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
Minister welcomes longer submission period for Arms Bill
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is welcoming the Justice Select Committee’s decision to allow a longer submission period for the Arms Bill and is urging New Zealanders to share their views on how it can be improved.
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