I hope April was a good month for you and that the two weather events didn’t impact your home or family too greatly. Easter and ANZAC Day meant three short weeks and that means having to fit more into our schedules in fewer days.
It’s a nice feeling to look at the forecast and see sunshine for the coming weekend, with Tauranga hosting a special train excursion from Auckland on Saturday. The Kaimai Express is coming from Glenbrook Vintage Railway, arriving at Dive Crescent just after 1pm. The trip is coinciding with the Little Big Markets and Flavours of Plenty Festival on locally.
Also on this weekend we have the Tauranga Home Show at Mercury Arena Baypark from Friday till Sunday. Come and say hi, at Stand #200.
Looking forward to seeing you around the Tauranga events this weekend and throughout May.
From 1 April, more than a million New Zealanders saw extra cost of living support.
Superannuitants will see increased payments – a superannuitant couple will get up to $50 more a fortnight. Low to middle-income working families get an extra $50 a week through a boost to the in-work tax credit – a crucial step taken by our government in response to the fuel crisis to help those working families that need it most. Working for Families changes will provide about $14 extra a fortnight, on average, to 142,000 families.
Furthermore, the family tax credit, main benefits and student allowances will also rise on 1 April. A couple on Super is now getting $180 more per fortnight since the election.
India Free Trade Agreement
The NZ – India Free Trade Agreement is great news for kiwifruit growers!
It means significantly higher access to the world’s most populated country and huge opportunities for our growers to tap into this massive market.
This will grow our kiwifruit sector and add more jobs and economic activity locally.
Well done PM Christopher Luxon, Trade Minister Todd McClay and everyone else involved in making this happen!
This is a once-in-a-generation agreement that gives NZ exporters unprecedented access to 1.4 billion people and an economy set to become the third-largest in the world. It means more jobs on farms and orchards, it means more money coming into local communities, and it means more opportunities for your family to get ahead.
Fuel Supply Update
The Government has reached an agreement with Z Energy to secure 90 million litres of additional diesel to bolster national fuel reserves. This stock will be held at Marsden Point under Crown direction, with measures in place to limit financial exposure to long-term price fluctuations. Channel Infrastructure is currently refurbishing a dedicated tank for this capacity, which is expected to be ready by early June. This initiative is supported by a $21.6 million investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
To support those who have served New Zealand, Veterans Affairs has implemented a temporary 50 percent increase in private vehicle mileage reimbursement rates. This targeted boost ensures eligible veterans can continue to access essential treatment, rehabilitation, and medical assessments without being deterred by current fuel costs.
Our essential home and community support workers also receive extra backing with a temporary 30 percent increase to their mileage rates. This adjustment helps address immediate cost pressures so these dedicated individuals can continue their vital work in our neighbourhoods.
Crime News
National has delivered tougher consequences for crime, banned gang patches, and put more Police on the beat – creating safer communities. Thank you to all our Police officers and everyone else involved in making New Zealand a safer place to live.
Health News
National is delivering better and faster access cancer care for Kiwis 💙
From June, families will be able to get faster and more affordable treatment for common health conditions through their local community pharmacy. Under these expanded services, patients can consult highly trained pharmacists and receive funded medicines where appropriate, rather than waiting for a GP appointment.
The Government is also delivering faster access to eating disorder care. More New Zealanders and their families will have quicker access to support with the rollout of peer support workers in eating disorder services, alongside further support for families and carers.
The Cancer Society is planning to build a $30 million lodge in Tauranga providing free accommodation, meals and appointment transport for Bay of Plenty cancer patients.
Education
Parents can have confidence National is delivering education that is focused on raising their kids’ achievement.
Our new maths acceleration trial has proven successful in boosting learning.
Year 7 & 8 students in the 12-week trial, who were a year or more behind made double the progress of their peers.
Follow-up testing has shown that that learning was largely maintained.
When we entered Government, only 22% of Year 8 students were at the expected standard for maths. We refused to accept that this is good enough. By delivering targeted, in-person support, we are finally turning the tide.
We are now rolling this proven model out nationwide to teach the basics brilliantly and give every Kiwi kid the chance to succeed.
Tauranga was blessed with a beautiful autumn day for ANZAC commemorations last weekend. God bless all our veterans, current and former members of the armed services, all civilians in medical units and the merchant navy for their efforts, care and courage during times of war.
Let us also remember their families, who yearned and prayed for their loved ones.
Thank you to all our heroes who have sacrificed so much for our country, our values and the way of life we enjoy today. We will remember them.
MAUAO WILL REOPEN
The Mount – Mauao - will reopen. Tom Rutherford and I have been pushing TCC for clarity and timelines in response to many of the concerns we field from Tauranga and Mount locals.
TCC is about to begin works on getting back to the summit. The base track is a much more challenging proposition. TCC has taken off the red sticker on the Mount Maunganui Surf Lifeguard Service club. We also want to see access to the boat ramp restored.
Unfortunately, local spending in the Mount is down 16% year on year for February. For many, this will put employees out of work and businesses under.
Please continue to get down there and support them. I want to thank Jay and the team at Mount Mainstreet for all they are doing to get people to the Mount and support local businesses.
God bless the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy and let's rebuild together.
SuperBlues Morning Tea: It was a pleasure to host my caucus colleague and friend Tim Costley from the Ōtaki electorate. Tim became MP for Ōtaki in 2023 and previously served 23 years as a pilot in the RNZAF, travelling to Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands and East Timor. Tim was also Equerry for HRH Prince William during a royal visit to New Zealand.
I love our monthly catch ups with National Party members over morning tea. In May our special guest will be Waikato MP Tim van de Molen. Reply to this email if you’d like to come along to morning tea with us on Friday the 22nd of May.
Tauranga Fire Station: my caucus colleague and friend Tim Costley, MP for Otaki, and I stopped for a chat with the Tauranga fire crew who were striking outside their station on Cameron Road. They shared their concerns about decisions being made in Wellington that will affect the safety of their crews and our community. Needless to say they want the FENZ board and executive to perform. The crew asked me to share this link for them to explain why they're striking. Tim Costley is heading up the select committee that’s looking into FENZ funding. He found the conversation helpful and the crew were very welcoming to us both.
The Tauranga Citizens’ Club opened their new bar last weekend and I had a great visit with management and members at their opening function. They have 6,000 members and many in our community enjoy the good times and food they put on.
And yes, I joined as a new member. I’ll be hosting a function there in May so reply to this email if you’d like me to send you details.
Retirement Villages Amendment Bill: I enjoyed my recent visit to Copper Crest in Pyes Pa to meet with residents and Brian Peat from the Retirement Village Residents Association.
What a great spot to retire to.
We talked about the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill and many residents shared their views on the proposed changes.
I encourage everyone to engage with the select committee process which is expected to open for submissions in the next few months when the bill has been introduced to Parliament.
The Great Tauranga Duck Race: There were absolute scenes on the Tauranga waterfront for the annual duck race!!
5000 yellow ducks hit the water as part of a massive fundraising and community event held by Tauranga‑Te Papa Rotary. Funds raised at this event go a long way in enabling them to do their fantastic work across our community. The ducks are all collected afterwards and re-used each year for this popular event for Tauranga families.
The annual Tauranga Society of Artists exhibition was on in the Tauranga Boys' College gym in April. Many of these talented Tauranga artists also exhibit at The Incubator Creative Hub in The Historic Village, Tauranga – we have a really strong arts community here in Tauranga so check out the wide range of work on display throughout the Village galleries. While you’re there, pop into the Incubator Shed where you can put a coin in the Art Oracle and come out with a piece of mini original art.
Blood and Plasma Donations: Donating blood and plasma helps save lives and it's quick, easy and relatively painless. Thank you to Kay and the team at the NZ Blood Service on Cameron Road for their skilled needlework.
Wellington Events
New Year’s Honours Congratulations to all at April's investitures at Government House, especially Tauranga's Professor Dr Jens Mueller ONZM and Tenby Powell ONZM. It's so great that New Zealand honours those who go above and beyond for our community. Thank you, Jens and Tenby, for your service.
Zespri were at Parliament in April and it was awesome to celebrate their achievements. They drive value for growers and enable jobs and opportunities for our regions. Kiwifruit is a nearly $6 billion industry. This has a huge impact in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. My wife, Julia, grew up on a kiwifruit orchard and it’s amazing to see how far this sector has come.
Thanks to all those involved in kiwifruit and all supporting industries. Love kiwifruit.
Tauranga Business Visits
Uno Magazine is a Tauranga-produced glossy lifestyle mag that has been published locally for over 20 years. Michelle and Rebecca dropped by to say hi and left me copies of their latest issues. You can subscribe, read content and view their stunning local photographers’ pictures at the Uno website.
I love it when local businesses invite me to hear about their wins, challenges and opportunities, and to learn where central government may be able to assist.
Last Friday I visited Mark and his team at DB Signs in Tauriko, who are busy with print and signage jobs throughout the Bay. It was great to see their set up and meet Kelly, Gavin and Dan who showed me their high-tech printing and lamination systems. Companies like this create jobs and opportunities for people in our community and it's our job to support them!
Local Lunch Spot Brews ‘n Chews hit the spot during visits in Tauriko. I love eating at local Tauranga lunch shops, as you may have noticed if you follow my socials! Pies, sandwiches and sausage rolls were served with big smiles from their team.
If you don't already follow my socials, you may like to get my updates on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Tiktok.
I hold regular National Party member events each month and, if you are a member, you’ll automatically be invited to all events. Non-members can still come - just reply to this email to book your attendance or find out more. Even better, join up here: Become a Member | National Party.
As always, thank you to all our members and volunteers for your support. We couldn't do this without you!
Best regards,
Sam Uffindell
MP for Tauranga