This is Simon McGrath, the brother of Christchurch builder Michael McGrath, who was tragically murdered in 2017 by his childhood friend David Benbow. Mr Benbow was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years, yet Michael’s body has never been found. The offender has chosen to keep the location a secret.
Simon’s message is clear: if a convicted murderer is not prepared to disclose where their victim is, they should not be eligible for parole.
I agree — that’s not fair. And I’m doing something about it.
My ‘No Body, No Parole’ Members’ Bill was recently drawn from the ballot in Parliament and will be debated soon. The bill will make an offender’s refusal to disclose the location of a victim’s body an aggravating factor at sentencing and require the Parole Board to refuse parole unless the offender has cooperated satisfactorily in locating the victim. It’s modelled on successful laws in the United Kingdom and New South Wales.
"Since the announcement about my “No Body, No Parole” Members’ Bill being drawn from the ballot, I’ve been blown away by the response and the overwhelmingly positive feedback, thank you! I’m very passionate about this legislation and getting it passed.
I’ve noticed some people have raised questions and concerns, so I want to address those directly.
On wrongful convictions - If someone believes they have been wrongly convicted, they can continue to challenge that conviction through the courts. If it is overturned, the parole condition no longer applies. The bill requires the Parole Board to be satisfied the prisoner has cooperated to the best of their ability, it is not a rigid rule. It focuses on genuine cooperation.
On the number of cases - Yes, the number of people who deliberately conceal a victim’s body is relatively small. But for the families affected, it is devastating. One family denied closure is one family too many.
On why this is a Members’ Bill - The Government has a very full legislative agenda right now. Members’ Bills give individual MPs the chance to champion important issues like this one. This bill has strong support from the National Party and the Minister’s backing, and it is fully consistent with our “tough on crime, victims first” approach.
The public feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. New Zealanders want this change, and I’ll be working hard to ensure the bill passes with cross-party support".
"This is about putting victims and their families at the heart of our justice system. Offenders should not be released back into society while deliberately denying families the dignity of laying their loved one to rest".
Link to reel: Facebook
NZ and Singapore agreement protects fuel supply
We’ve just locked in an agreement with Singapore to keep fuel coming and New Zealand moving.
It means petrol and diesel will keep flowing even in uncertain times, and we’re building stronger reserves at home to protect our country from global shocks and disruption.
Free trade deals mean more for kiwi communities
National is delivering more trade deals because it means more money coming into Kiwi communities.
We’re investing $56.6 million to redevelop six schools that need essential upgrades.
The work will deliver new classroom blocks, sports courts, and specialist learning spaces, along with the removal of buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.
Kiwi kids deserve to learn in warm, dry, and safe environments.
This is part of the Governments wider $2 billion investment to turn around school property across the country.
By focusing on teaching the basics brilliantly and backing schools with the right support and infrastructure, National is setting Kiwi kids up to succeed.
We inherited a school property system nearing crisis. Schools were promised new projects but were left waiting, often for years, on unfunded, expensive, projects. After years of undelivered promises and underinvestment by the previous Government, we have prioritised getting communities the classrooms, upgrades, and maintenance work they need. $56.6 million will be used to redevelop six schools, with work beginning in the next six months. The upgrades include new classroom blocks, sports courts, specialist learning spaces, and the removal of buildings affected by asbestos. Last year we delivered 583 classrooms, a 31% increase on 2023.
A lot of you have been asking about the Pilot Bay Boat Ramp, and it was raised several times at Thursday night’s Mauao community meeting.
Currently, the boat ramp is closed as a precautionary measure as it sits inside the landslide runout zone (the “tarp zone”).
Council is actively exploring mitigation options, including building an earth bund/mound, which could allow the ramp to reopen more reliably, even in wetter weather. A quantitative risk assessment is expected soon and that will help guide the final decisions.
Unfortunately, there is no firm reopening date yet, but the message from the meeting was clear, they’re working to get the ramp back open as soon as it’s safe to do so. I’ll keep you posted as soon as there’s more information.
What a fantastic night recently at the Mount Ocean Sports Club.
Last month the club hosted The Koi Boys for a fundraising evening in support of Waipuna Hospice and last night we got to celebrate the handover of the funds raised, an incredible $50,000! That money will make a real difference, helping Waipuna Hospice provide specialist palliative care, pain management, and compassionate support for people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families here in the Bay of Plenty.
Huge congratulations to the Mount Ocean Sports Club and all the generous locals who got behind this cause. This is community at its best.
Local Government reform.
Regional council layers will disappear by 2028, and local councils will be given a fast-track chance to reorganise themselves in the next three months to take on those regional council functions.
I’ll be encouraging all the councils in our region to get to the front of the queue and take the opportunity for more localised control of regional functions. Shared services, reduced overheads and fewer layers are all potential benefits from these changes.
I’m keen to hear your thoughts - what should local government look like in our community in 2028?
NOTE: This image is the existing regional council and local council boundaries.
Upcoming SuperBlues - 11 May
Welcome Bay, Drop in Clinics
Next dates confirmed:
- 22nd June
- 20th July
- 17th Aug
- 21st September
- 19th October
I'll see you there!
This Week in New Zealand History
New Zealand Railways Magazine launched
8 May 1926
Railways Magazine cover, 1926 (Alexander Turnbull Library, PUBL-0190-1926-05-cover)
The New Zealand Railways Magazine was published monthly for 14 years, with the final issue appearing in June 1940. Based on British and American railway company magazines, it was launched as a journal for the Railways Department’s major customers and 18,000 staff.
Alongside railway news and technical articles from New Zealand and overseas, the magazine promoted domestic tourism through travel stories, photo spreads, advertisements and accommodation listings. It soon expanded to include New Zealand verse, short fiction, humour, sports news, historical yarns, biographical sketches and book reviews.
The journalist James Cowan was the magazine’s most prolific contributor, writing more than 120 historical and travel features, including 48 sketches of ‘Famous New Zealanders’. In 1935–6 the writer Robin Hyde produced a lively travel series, ‘On the Road to Anywhere: Adventures of a Train Tramp’. Other contributors included Pat Lawlor (who wrote a regular ‘Among the Books’ column under the pseudonym ‘Shibli Bagarag’), Margaret MacPherson, Alan Mulgan and Denis Glover.
In 1927 the magazine introduced a regular column ‘Of Feminine Interest’ (later entitled ‘Our Women’s Section’) featuring recipes, fashion tips, society gossip and notes on children’s health. While there were only 85 female staff at that time, New Zealand Railways hoped the wives and daughters of the 12,000 married railwaymen would ‘appreciate the regular appearance of a page devoted to feminine and household matters.
In 1933, apparently at the urging of Lawlor, the Railways Magazine further widened its brief to become a general interest monthly for all New Zealanders. In the mid-1930s its circulation reached 26,000. The Railways Magazine survived the Depression but closed suddenly in June 1940 – a victim of wartime economies, paper shortages and the imminent retirement of founding editor G.G. Stewart. During the inter-war years, no other monthly magazine had matched its commitment to promoting a popular literary culture in New Zealand.
The Week in Parliament - Briefly
$3b export surge under NZ-EU trade agreement
Kiwi exports to the European Union have rocketed by $3 billion in just two years under the New Zealand-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), delivering a major boost to the economy and supporting jobs nationwide, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says.
Lead-free plumbing rules protect drinking water
New rules restricting lead plumbing products will ensure new homes and buildings are fitted with modern plumbing products that protect the quality of our drinking water, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says.
Christchurch Industrial Development Fast-tracked
A regionally significant industrial land development in Christchurch has been granted Fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced.
Building better school infrastructure for the future
As part of the Government’s $2 billion investment into school infrastructure, $56.6 million has been announced to fix longstanding condition issues and bring facilities up to standard at six schools to ensure students are learning in warm, safe, fit-for-purpose classrooms, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say.
Minister acknowledges resignation of FMA Chair
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer has accepted Financial Markets Authority (FMA) Chair Craig Stobo’s offer of resignation, following the completion of an independent review into his conduct.
Feedback sought on employment dispute resolution process
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is seeking feedback from the public on their experiences with employment advocates, how employment disputes are experienced in practice, and where improvements could be made.
Progress on improvements to children’s system
The Government is continuing to make significant improvements to the children’s system as part of its commitment to keeping vulnerable children safe from harm.
New leadership to support ACC’s Turnaround Plan
Richard Keys, Lindsay Wright and Michael Playford have been appointed to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Board, Minister for ACC Scott Simpson says.
Right rules for the right risk: free online food safety training now available
The Government is making life easier for food businesses with the launch of a free online food safety training module says Minister for Food Safety Andrew Hoggard.
Councils invited to fast-track local reform
The Government is giving councils a three-month window to put forward proposals to simplify and strengthen local government in their regions, RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say.
Prime Minister wraps visit to Singapore
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has concluded a two-day visit to Singapore, where he met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and shored up critical fuel supply with the signing of the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES).
Test to strengthen citizenship by grant process
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced that a test to strengthen the citizenship by grant process will be introduced from late 2027.
Government to disestablish the BSA
The Government has agreed to progress with disestablishing the Broadcasting Standards Authority and investigate self-regulation options, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Rule changes to support aquaculture
The Government has updated national rules for marine aquaculture to make it easier for operators to improve how they farm, adopt new technology and carry out research or trials while maintaining environmental safeguards, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones say.
Research underway to update deer hunting rules
New research is underway to support better targeted food safety rules for commercial and recreational deer hunters, says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Protections locked in to stop abuse in overseas adoptions
The Government is moving to permanently shut down loopholes that allowed children adopted overseas to be brought into unsafe homes, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
New Zealand welcomes Costa Rica joining CPTPP
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has welcomed Costa Rica to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Boost for cycling infrastructure across NZ
The Government is investing up to $7.1 million to upgrade six Great Rides cycle trails, strengthening regional tourism and safety, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka say.
Solar panel installation to be done at lightspeed
Installation of solar panels takes months; we are conducting a Sector Review into the installation of residential and small to medium scale solar, with the aim of making installation in New Zealand the simplest in the developed world, Regulation Minister David Seymour says.
Supporting communities to create safer environments for children
The Government has launched a new prevention initiative for parents and caregivers to help keep New Zealand children safe from sexual harm, Associate Minister for ACC Nicola Grigg says.
Frigate project progress key for maritime security
The Government is progressing work to replace the Royal New Zealand Navy’s aging frigates as part of broader efforts to strengthen New Zealand’s Defence capability, Defence Minister Chris Penk has announced.
Landmark Conservation Reform Bill will boost economy and protect nature
Faster decisions, more jobs, and stronger protection for nature are at the centre of a landmark overhaul of New Zealand’s conservation system, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Rate Rebate Scheme to assist ratepayers
Increases to the Rates Rebate Scheme will help ease cost of living pressures for ratepayers in need of assistance and lower income SuperGold Cardholders, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced.
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