Firstly, I hope you had a fantastic festive season with family and friends.
Letting you all know we're back in the office and here to help. Pop in to see us at 3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa or get in touch on 07 542 0505 or bopmp@parliament.govt.nz. Looking forward to seeing as many of you as I can in 2026.
Video Link:Facebook
Celebrating the last year of my 20's!
Here’s a photo to mark my 29th birthday, thanks to Hannah and Penny
Takitimu North Link is all about keeping Tauranga moving, cutting congestion, improving safety, and backing the Bay of Plenty’s growth.
Both Stage 1 (Tauranga to Te Puna) and Stage 2 (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa) are Roads of National Significance, reflecting the importance of this corridor to the region and the wider economy.
Stage 1 is on track for completion in 2028, and the designation process for Stage 2 is underway. This is long-term infrastructure that will support growth, productivity, and better travel for our community for decades to come.
Keen to help keep Pāpāmoa safe?
The Papamoa Community Patrol are looking for more volunteers. If you’re interested, please do get in touch with them!
More Learning Support Coordinators for Bay of Plenty schools. This investment expands access, so more children get the right support earlier, especially those with additional learning needs.
By 2028, every Year 1–8 student in the Bay of Plenty will have access to a Learning Support Coordinator, a major step toward fairer learning support across our community.
That’s fewer victims, safer communities, and better outcomes for young people.
There’s more to do, but progress matters.
Spent the afternoon at a special blood donation event organised by the local Bay of Plenty Nepalese community in memory of those who very tragically lost their lives during the Gen Z protests in Nepal.
Over 50 members of the Nepalese community along with friends and supporters came together to give blood through NZ Blood. Turning grief into hope and saving lives. A huge thank you to everyone who organised, donated, and supported.
Pushing the Limits!
Celebrating my birthday with a 10km run in Pāpāmoa East
We recently farewelled a true Bay of Plenty legend:
Terry Hurdle, affectionately known as "Mr Rugby".
At 84, Terry dedicated over 50 years to the Mount Maunganui Sports Club as a life member, player, manager, and unwavering supporter, greeting players in the tunnels, standing sideline after sideline, and giving his all to the game and community.
I visited Bay Sands Village in Mount Maunganui recently and had the pleasure of meeting June, who celebrates her 101st birthday this year.
Her quick mind and spirit kept me on my toes, a true delight. Wonderful to meet you, June!
Welcome Bay "Drop-in Clinics" 2026
SuperBlues - coming up
Papamoa Community Markets - 2026
This Week in New Zealand History
Women's Auxiliary Air Force founded
16 January 1941
Cover of WAAF recruitment booklet (Archives New Zealand, AIR 118 Box 114/78r)
The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was formed to enable the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) to release more men for service overseas during the Second World War. Within 18 months, the authorities also created a Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps and a Women’s Royal Naval Service. The WAAF contributed to the war effort by easing personnel shortages. Initially, women served as cooks, mess-hands, drivers, clerks, equipment assistants, medical orderlies and typists. By the end of the war, they were working in a variety of trades. In April 1941 an initial draft of 200 women, led by Superintendent Kitty Kain, arrived at RNZAF Station Rongotai in Wellington. WAAFs went on to serve at every major air force station in New Zealand, as well as in Fiji and on Norfolk Island.
Women did not hold service ranks until 1942, when the WAAF officially joined the RNZAF. They subsequently held ranks equivalent to those of men. At its peak in 1943, the WAAF numbered more than 3600. Approximately 4750 women passed through its ranks. More than 100 became commissioned officers, mainly in encoding and decoding work and administration.
The Week in Parliament - Briefly
Community boost strengthens focus on prevention
Thousands of New Zealanders will have faster access to mental health support following a funding boost for four community organisations, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Vacancy rates fall as frontline mental health workforce grows
New workforce data shows the frontline mental health and addiction workforce has grown significantly and vacancy rates have decreased under this Government, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Kiwi parents love classics: Top baby names for 2025 announced
Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden is pleased to announce New Zealand’s favourite baby names for 2025.
Timeless names continue to dominate Kiwi birth registrations, with Noah holding strong as parents' favourite for the third year running, shared by 244 baby boys. For girls, Isla reigned supreme with 179 registrations, cementing its spot in the top three since 2016.
Close behind was Luca, chosen by 236 parents this year, and Charlotte as the second most popular girls name, given to 178 newborns.
Electricity regulator set for increased authority
Energy Minister Simon Watts says the Government is taking decisive action to ensure Kiwis get a fair deal on electricity by strengthening the Electricity Authority.
New pilot helps small businesses harness AI
A new pilot programme will help small businesses overcome barriers in accessing artificial intelligence tools that boost productivity and unlock growth, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk has announced.
Over 70 per cent decrease in citizenship wait times
Citizenship wait times have reached a new low under this Government, with continued focus on efficient application processing, Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced
Granny flat consent exemption takes effect
New Zealanders can now build granny flats in their backyards without needing building or resource consents, marking a milestone in the Coalition Government’s effort to expand affordable and diverse housing options for Kiwis.
Updated National direction for Natural Hazards and Highly Productive Land
The Government’s changes to improve the way productive land and natural hazard risks are managed take effect, freeing up land for development and supporting greater resilience from natural hazards, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
Electrifying growth: Infrastructure and energy RMA national direction changes
The Government’s important changes to boost infrastructure delivery, including our supply of renewable energy come into effect, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Energy Minister Simon Watts, and Infrastructure and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court.
Making it easier to consent coastal activities, quarries and mines
The Government’s important changes to make it easier to consent the mines and quarries we need to enable more infrastructure become law, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Resources Minister Shane Jones, and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka.
Regional Tourism Boost: welcoming more visitors
More international visitors will be exploring regional New Zealand this year, thanks to a $3.69 million investment from the second round of the Government’s Regional Tourism Boost, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced.
More Australians to discover the Southern Way
More Australians will soon be discovering the wonders of the lower South Island, with a fresh boost of Government funding for the Southern Way campaign, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced.
Australians invited to discover Canterbury and the West Coast
Canterbury and the West Coast’s regional tourism organisations will receive $1million to launch a new campaign Discover Different, showcasing the best of what Canterbury and the West Coast have to offer this autumn, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced.
Waikato gears up for autumn tourism boost
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced more than $450,000 in funding for a new international tourism campaign, helping boost the Waikato economy as autumn approaches.
Whakarewarewa Forest Loop gets a scenic upgrade
The Government is investing $250k to upgrade the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride in Rotorua, encouraging more visitors into the region while giving riders a safer and more enjoyable experience, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505
"I'm always happy to help where I can. If you have an issue, you think we could help with, please get in touch. If you have a business and would like me to visit, please let me know as I'm keen to know and learn more".
If you live locally and would like to meet, please get in touch, my team and I are here to help.
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Hope you have a great weekend and if there is anything I can do to help - please give my office a call on 07 542 0505 or email me at bopmp@parliament.govt.nz
Thanks,
Tom.