New Zealand’s trade and tourism sectors continue to go from strength to strength, driving billions into the economy.
New figures show tourism spending reached $46.6 billion in the year to March 2025, while exports surged to $29.2 billion in the December quarter, up $2.2 billion on the same period last year. Tourism and trade are two of New Zealand’s most important economic drivers. When they grow, businesses expand, creating jobs and lifting wages across the country.
More trade and tourism is part of our long-term plan to fix the economy and get it growing so Kiwis can better manage the cost of living through more job opportunities and higher wages. We’ve reduced income tax, so hardworking New Zealanders keep more of what they earn. At the same time, we’ve reined in wasteful government spending, saving more than $21 billion on unnecessary costs such as excessive use of consultants.
This has helped lower inflation to 3.1 per cent and lower mortgage rates, meaning households with an average mortgage are saving around $10,000 a year. Rents are also beginning to fall for the first time in a decade. Alongside growing trade and tourism, our economic growth plan includes building new roads, schools, and hospitals and cutting red tape that slows businesses – to create jobs and increase wages.
Trade remains vital to the economy, supporting one in four New Zealand jobs. Since National came into government, exports have increased by more than $17 billion, driving growth and supporting businesses and communities. There are signs our plan is working. The economy is now expected to grow around 2.8 per cent per year, it’s expected an additional 240,000 new jobs to be created over the next four years, and wages are now rising faster than inflation.
At the Young Nats Leadership conference. I’m privileged to not only be the youngest MP in the National Party and Government, but also the Patron of the NZ Young Nats
The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 has been released, delivering an independent account of the pandemic response and its lasting impact on New Zealanders.s.
New Zealanders lived through one of the most significant global public health and economic events. They made real sacrifices, and this report is an important step in understanding the impact of the decisions that were made and how we can learn from them. New Zealanders made enormous sacrifices and placed enormous trust in their government. We owe it to them to understand what happened and learn from it.
New Zealanders supported the initial 2020 response. Communities came together and made sacrifices, and it protected New Zealanders’ lives. But the Commission has also found that restrictions continued longer than public health advice recommended, and that the economic costs were not given sufficient weight alongside the health response.
The Government is carefully reviewing the Commission's findings and expects to outline its response to the recommendations by July, ensuring any future decisions balance the health and economic needs of all New Zealanders.
We held a special private citizenship ceremony for Nika Pankratova, a talented 15-year-old artistic swimmer from Welcome Bay who attends Otumoetai College.
Nika officially became a New Zealander this morning, with Terry Fergusson-Hughes, one of my fantastic office team members and a Justice of the Peace, proudly leading the ceremony.
Nika trains an incredible 12 hours a week during school terms and up to 8 hours a day, six days a week during the holidays. She’s set to represent New Zealand at the Oceania Championships in Sydney next month in both team routines and a duet, followed by the Junior World Championships in Hungary this August.
Huge congratulations, Nika! We’re all so proud of you and can’t wait to cheer you on.
I popped in to see some of the residents at Parewaitai Village recently. Awesome spot in Papamoa and plenty to talk about.
We’ve announced changes to the Retirement Villages Act, including a 12-month deadline for operators to repay outgoing residents. If it takes longer than six months, interest will need to be paid.
There’ll also be options for earlier access to repayments in some cases, along with improvements around fees, disputes and disclosure documents to strengthen consumer protections.
Will keep you updated as things progress.
Started the day recently at Omanu Beach. with Vanessa Weenink MP for Banks Peninsula.
Thanks, Vanessa, for being guest speaker at this month's Super Blues.
Great to visit Welcome Bay School and spend time with Principal Jamie De La Haye.
A thriving school with around 300 students, living their vision: helping kids “fly” in life and learning through courage (Kia kaha), curiosity (Tuku patai), heart (Kia manawanui), adventure (Whaia te pai tawhiti), and pride (Kia maia).
Couple of highlights include their inclusive partnership with the Tauranga Special School, including having dedicated on-site classrooms for students and displaying their daily attendance figures on a big screen out front, boosting family engagement and regular attendance.
Huge thank you to Jamie and the whole Welcome Bay School for the warm welcome. Proud to support schools like this across Bay of Plenty!
They’re asking me about regional flight connectivity, which is so so important for the Bay of Plenty.
Here’s what Air New Zealand has told me.
They are making temporary changes to their Tauranga network due to volatility in global jet fuel prices, driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
From 16 March to 3 May 2026 there will be some reductions in flights to and from Tauranga. Auckland services will be reduced by 31 rotations (averaging around one daily rotation most weeks, while maintaining full capacity during the April school holidays). Wellington services will be reduced by 21 rotations, about three per week on average. Christchurch services will be reduced by 3 rotations.
Quick note on “rotations”. In airline terms a rotation is a full round-trip flight, meaning one flight into Tauranga and the return flight back to the original city. So 31 fewer rotations to Auckland means roughly 31 fewer round trips over that period, which is significant.
Importantly, I’ve sought and received assurances from Air New Zealand that this is a temporary measure responding to current oil price volatility and will not be used as a stalking horse for longer-term regional route reductions.
Air NZ is working to rebook affected passengers on alternative flights as close as possible to their original times. They’ve emphasised they’re trying to balance regional connectivity while focusing reductions on lower-demand and off-peak services.
I know how vital reliable air links are for our region, for business, tourism, families, and people needing to travel for medical or specialist appointments. These are short-term steps and the situation will be closely monitored, with potential reviews if prices stabilise.
If you’re impacted or have concerns, check your booking directly with Air NZ or contact them about re-accommodation options. And if you’d like me to pass on feedback to Air NZ, feel free to get in touch.
Split Enz hit no. 1
13 March 1980
Split Enz publicity shot (Warner Music)
The Kiwi group’s first New Zealand no. 1 hit, from their album True colours, also topped the charts in Australia and Canada. It reached no. 12 in Britain and no. 53 in the United States.
‘I got you’ was written and sung by Neil Finn and featured a chorus reminiscent of the Beatles. After years struggling to achieve commercial success, True colours launched Split Enz onto the international stage.
Originally called Split Ends, the Auckland art-rock band burst onto the music scene in the early 1970s. They generally avoided the pub scene, instead performing in theatres and halls. Initially best known for their idiosyncratic, theatrical style, they achieved wider popularity thanks to a string of radio-friendly songs written by brothers Tim and Neil Finn. Between them, the Finns created a substantial catalogue of songs that resonated for decades: ‘I got you’, ‘I hope I never’, ‘I see red’, ‘History never repeats’, ‘Six months in a leaky boat’, ‘Message to my girl’ and many others. Split Enz disbanded in 1984.
Government clarifies welfare and ACC payments
The Government has passed legislation clarifying the law on the impact of ACC payments on welfare entitlement to make sure the process is fair for everyone.
Building ties with Brazil
New Zealand will continue to build its relationship with Brazil, Latin America’s most populous country, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
Dr Shane Reti retiring from politics at election
Minister and National MP for Whangārei Hon Dr Shane Reti QSM is retiring from politics at the next general election.
New pay deal for primary teachers welcomed
Education Minister Erica Stanford welcomes the decision by Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche to enable school boards to offer primary teachers new pay agreements. The move benefits around 10,000 primary teachers who are not bound by the NZEI Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement.
New Solicitor-General appointed
Anna Adams has been appointed Solicitor-General and Chief Executive of the Crown Law Office, Attorney-General Judith Collins announced
Ministerial group to oversee fuel security
The Government’s newly established Ministerial Economic Security and Supply Chains Group met for the first time last night to discuss New Zealand’s situation and potential next steps on fuel security in response to the Middle East conflict.
Innovative digital labelling trial to progress
The Government will move ahead with a digital labelling trial, another step towards removing barriers to consumer choice and competition.
Moa Point Crown Review Team appointed
The Government has appointed the Crown Review Team which will give Wellingtonians clarity about what went wrong at Moa Point wastewater treatment plant, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
Further improvements to Pacific visitor visa settings
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford have announced further changes to visitor visa settings for Pacific people, making it more affordable for Pacific visitors to travel to New Zealand.
Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation board chair reappointed
John Williamson has been reappointed as Chair of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Common sense proposal will benefit patients and save money
The Government will shift responsibility for funding ambulance medicines from Health New Zealand (HNZ) and ACC to Pharmac because it will improve medicine procurement processes, and save the health system money, Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown say.
Partnership driving hospitality momentum
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has highlighted the importance of the hospitality industry to New Zealand’s economy, while speaking at the 2026 Hospitality Summit.
Improved access to secondary legislation
A bill to improve access to secondary legislation and digitise government services has passed its final reading in Parliament, Attorney-General Judith Collins says.
Long awaited Holidays Act replacement passes first reading
A much-anticipated Bill to ensure employees are paid correctly when taking time off work has just passed its first reading at Parliament, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced.
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Thanks,
Tom.