The Government is moving quickly to provide extra support for low-to-middle-income working families as conflict in the Middle East drives up fuel prices and adds pressure to household budgets.
From 7 April, about 143,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week through a boost to the in-work tax credit. The boost will also expand eligibility to around 14,000 additional working families, who will receive the tax credit at an abated rate.
The increase will be temporary, lasting for one year or until the price of 91 octane petrol drops below $3 a litre for four consecutive weeks. This temporary boost will deliver support to working families who are under significant cost-of-living pressure, without making inflation worse or further driving up Government debt.
The policy is carefully targeted to families in the squeezed middle – parents who are working hard for a living, are not eligible for main benefits, and yet have modest household incomes with which to support their children. We know these families will be hit particularly hard by the global fuel-price shock. We are delivering them timely relief.
The Government will implement these changes at pace. We are introducing an Amendment Paper to the Taxation Bill currently before Parliament, so these changes can be enacted from 1 April.
It was great to pack out the Caucus Room with more than 120 people for the 2026 Lower North Island Young Nats Campaign Launch earlier this month.
It was the perfect way to kick off the year and the big campaign ahead. If you have been thinking about getting involved, this is the year. We will have plenty of opportunities across the region in the months ahead, so keep an eye out and bring a mate along.
Sign up today to get involved and come to events like this: https://www.national.org.nz/my/sign-up
We’re replacing NCEA with a new qualification that is clearer, more consistent and internationally comparable. That means more emphasis on reading, writing and maths, and less focus on chasing credits.
For families, it means more confidence that your child is being set up for success.
The Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to crack down on roaming and uncontrolled dogs, following a number of horrific attacks.New Zealanders are appalled by recent attacks by aggressive and out-of-control dogs. People are reporting that they are avoiding areas in their neighbourhood because they have been attacked or have reason to believe they will be.
Kiwis should be able to walk, run, or take their kids to the park without worrying about being harmed. Dog owners must take responsibility and keep their animals under control to protect their families and visitors, as well as the wider public, wildlife and pets.
We have heard clearly from Local Government New Zealand and councils that the Dog Control Act is outdated and is preventing them from doing their jobs effectively. This is putting unnecessary strain on resources and the wider system.
That’s why the Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to ensure the law empowers councils to keep communities safe.
National is working hard to deliver an education system that will help every child reach their full potential.
Recently, around 30–40 students were left waiting after the Regional Council stood down the extra afternoon bus, with no communication to the school or parents.
The good news is they have now reinstated the additional afternoon support bus while they monitor demand and review communication with the school.
We need reliable, safe transport for our kids and clear communication with families. I’ll continue following this closely to make sure the right fixes stay in place.
Good news for recreational fishers across the Bay of Plenty and right around New Zealand.
After hearing concerns from many of you (thank you for getting in touch), the Prime Minister spoke directly with Shane Jones. As a result, the Government has committed to removing the sections of the Bill that would scrap minimum size limits when it goes through Select Committee.
We share your worry about protecting juvenile fish stocks, our kids and grandkids deserve healthy fisheries for decades to come. National strongly backs recreational fishing and we’re determined to make sure the final Bill reflects that.
I am aware that there are still some other concerns with the Bill, so I encourage you to make a submission to the Select Committee when public submissions open.Thanks again to everyone who’s spoken up on this.
It’s been a tough start to 2026 with Mauao still closed since the tragic landslide in January.
Mount Maunganui is deeply important to our community, and many people are now asking what the pathway looks like to safely reopen access.
Here’s a video link to explain:Facebook
I spent some time recently at O-Studio Mount Maunganui, great to catch up with Bex and the team and give it a go myself. Three months in and it’s already building a solid following. Nice spot for recovery with sauna, cold plunge, float therapy, red light, hyperbaric, massage and a proper chill recovery space.
If you’re after a place to unwind and recharge in the Mount, worth checking out.
Tiny homes have been in the news a lot recently.
You might’ve seen we’ve changed the rules so you can build a granny flat up to 70m² without consent.
Apex Tiny Homes are a built-to-order tiny homes provider right here in Mt Maunganui. It was awesome to have a look through and see what it’s all about. Pretty impressive, and a lot more space than you’d think. Perfect low-cost housing option, you can even roll these ones in and out on a trailer.
Thanks for having me Tom, Stuart and Heather.
Takitimu North Link Stage 2 has the Fast-Track green light.
Thanks to National, consent was secured much faster than it would have been otherwise.
It will deliver a four-lane highway between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, cutting travel times and improving safety.
Paired with Stage 1 already under construction, this will be a game changer for the Bay of Plenty.
Had a great night at the Western Bay Community Awards 2026 recently
It’s always special to celebrate the incredible people who give so much of their time and energy to make the Western Bay of Plenty such a great place to live.
Congratulations to all the winners:
Community Event Award – 100th Katikati A&P Show
Sustainable Future Award – Rotoehu Ecological Trust
Heart of the Community Award – Hunt for Good
Diversity & Inclusion Award – Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust
Best Collaboration Award – Live Well Waihi Beach & Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services
Youth Spirit Award – Spencer McNeil
Volunteer of the Year – Jason Rive
People’s Choice Award – Army of Aunties
Lifetime Service Award – Bill Webb
Coffee catch up - 8 April - 9am
Next SuperBlues - 13 April
Welcome Bay - Drop in Clinic- 20 April
NZ cricketers skittled for 26
28 March 1955
Bert Sutcliffe (Don Neely - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand)
In recent years most test matches between New Zealand and England have been keenly contested. This was not the case in 1955.
At Eden Park, Auckland, on 28 March, New Zealand cricket experienced its darkest day when its 11 batsmen could muster only 26 runs between them against England (which in those days toured as the Marylebone Cricket Club).
This total is still a record test low. Kiwi hopes were raised briefly in November 2011 when South Africa’s fearsome pace attack reduced Australia to 21 for 9 at Newlands, Cape Town. Unfortunately the last Australian pair boosted the total to 47. The next lowest test tallies remain two scores of 30 made by South Africa against England, in 1896 and 1924.
The Eden Park test had started promisingly enough for the home team, which was 154 for 4 when John Reid was dismissed for 73. New Zealand slumped to 200 all out, but then put itself back in the match by dismissing the MCC for 246. Local satisfaction was short-lived. In its second innings, New Zealand took 27 overs to amass 26 runs. Only opener Bert Sutcliffe reached double figures, scoring 11; only two other batsmen scored more than 1. Four bowlers shared the wickets, with nippy off-spinner Bob Appleyard taking 4 for 7.
When New Zealand toured England in 1958 it fared little better, being dismissed for 47 and 74 in the second test. New Zealand suffered many defeats at English hands before finally winning a test, at Wellington’s Basin Reserve in February 1978. Needing only 137 to win, the English were dismissed for 64, with Richard Hadlee snaring 6 for 26. This first victory – at the 48th attempt – was a tribute to perseverance, and it was enthusiastically welcomed as proof that New Zealand could at last compete on the cricket pitch with its former colonial masters.
By 2019 New Zealand had won 11 and lost 48 of its 105 tests against England. an opponent it had faced nearly twice as often as any other country, despite the diversified touring calendar of recent decades.
The Week in Parliament - Briefly
Fitch outlook reaffirms case for fiscal discipline
Global economic volatility makes the Government's programme of fiscal consolidation more important than ever, Finance Nicola Willis says.
Prime Minister to host Tuvalu counterpart
Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo will visit New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced.
Racing Minister hails James McDonald as a “global superstar”
Minister for Racing Winston Peters has congratulated champion jockey James McDonald on his historic achievement in becoming Australasia’s most successful Group 1 rider.
Health targets delivering for New Zealanders
Clear improvements are being delivered across all five Government health targets, with the quarterly results for October to December 2025 showing year‑on‑year gains and more Kiwis accessing care sooner, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
More unified and empathetic response to family violence keeps children and families safer
Children and families are better protected and supported under the multi-agency model for responding to family violence incidents.
Green light for Te Awa Lakes
Around 1,500 new homes are set to be built as part of the new Te Awa Lakes development thanks to the Government approving the use of an Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Act Levy for this development, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop.
School support staff reach pay settlement
Education Minister Erica Stanford is welcoming the conclusion of negotiations to renew both the Support Staff in Schools and the Kaiārahi i te Reo and Therapists’ Collective Agreements.
Mental health workforce target exceeded
The frontline mental health and addiction workforce has grown, with the latest target data showing the Government’s workforce target has been exceeded, giving more New Zealanders faster access to support, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara to lead next phase of Predator Free 2050
Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara is set to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city, as the Government steps up the next phase of Predator Free 2050, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Online surveys to reduce burden on businesses
A Stats NZ programme to move more business surveys online is helping reduce the burden on businesses, Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti and Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk say.
Stronger future for the Commerce Commission
Competition drives economic growth, innovation, and productivity, but New Zealand’s competition laws have not always delivered the outcomes they should, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says.
Telco Regulation Review gets rid of outdated bureaucracy
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith have announced the completion of the Telecommunications Sector Review (the Review). The Review cleans up outdated bureaucracy that gets in the way of innovation.
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.
Share the News
Please feel free to forward this email to friends and family who might like to stay in touch. We all need to stay connected with the community and there's no time like the present!
If a friend or family member has sent you this newsletter and you would like to subscribe to future correspondence, please hit the “subscribe here” button below and fill out the "Get Updates" form at the bottom of my webpage.
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.