You may have seen the announcement from Conservation Minister Tama Potaka that National will campaign on restricting the limited amount of commercial fishing currently permitted in the Hauraki Gulf.
I’m thrilled with this announcement because a consistent approach to protecting the Gulf is needed and it’s essential that we strike the right balance for those who fish, dive, swim, or collect seafood recreationally, as well as commercial and customary users.
When the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act was introduced last year, it included a provision for limited commercial fishing in two of the12 High Protection Areas. However, this provision has caused widespread concern from people with an interest in the current and future state of the Gulf.
We’ve listened and we will look to reinstate the ban on all fishing in the High Protection Areas. We will also review the decision to allow bottom sea trawling in some designated trawl corridors in the Gulf.
Bluegreens Forum 2026
A few weeks ago, I attended the annual Bluegreens Forum in Wellington, which brought together industry leaders and other stakeholders who believe that economic growth and improving the environment must go hand in hand.
Bluegreens is an environment advisory group within the National Party and has been going since the 1990s. As a former Chair of the Bluegreens, it’s great to see a growing, thriving Bluegreen economy in New Zealand and businesses like Paeroa-based AgriSea are an excellent example.
I really enjoyed catching up with Clare and Tane Bradley, who gave an overview of the AgriSea journey and the exciting new technologies they are embracing using seaweed at the heart of everything they do.
Funding Boost for Local Event
It was great to hear that the Whitianga Oceans Festival will be going ahead in September 2026, with the Government providing support through the Events Boost Fund. I’m sure that there will be plenty for locals and visitors to taste, savour and celebrate as this event makes a successful return to our local events calendar.
The Government is focused on growing the tourism sector, because it's a significant driver of our local and national economy. Recently released data showed that total tourism expenditure in New Zealand was $46.6 billion for the year ending March 2025. That’s an increase of 3.3 percent compared to March 2024 and is a clear sign that our approach to fixing the basics and building the future is working.
Changes to KiwiSaver
Since 2010, New Zealanders have been able to make a withdrawal from their KiwiSaver accounts to assist with the purchase of a first home, so long as they live in the homes they buy. However, this requirement has effectively locked some people out of making a first home withdrawal because their jobs require them to live in employer-provided housing.
The Government will remove this rule for those in service tenancies, enabling them to purchase their first home using their KiwiSaver. This change will help young farmers, farm workers, rural teachers, police and defence personnel in service tenancies get on the property ladder.
We will also make changes to allow first-time farm buyers to put their KiwiSaver balances toward the purchase of a farm through a commercial entity they majority own, where it will be their principal place of residence.
This is good news for people in our rural communities and for service tenancy residents, and it shows the Government’s commitment to back rural New Zealand.
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