From September this year, the starting age for free bowel screening will be lowered from 58 to 56. This will give more than 200,000 additional New Zealanders access to life-saving early detection.
Budget 2026 has delivered an extra $45.5 million to support the expansion, including more screening kits, extra colonoscopy capacity, and the infrastructure needed to make it work.
Over the next 25 years, this change is expected to prevent 638 bowel cancers and save 522 lives.
We’re taking a steady, phased approach to expand the programme safely while continuing to work towards matching Australia’s screening age.
Early detection saves lives. If you or someone you know becomes eligible, please get screened.
Big boost for law and order in Budget 2026. The Government is investing a total of $1.3 billion in policing, corrections and justice to keep our communities safe.
This includes $391 million to support frontline Police, $512 million for Corrections (including hundreds more prison officers), funding for new modern Police stations, and a new Automated Biometric Identification System to help Police catch offenders faster.
Extra support is also being provided for Pasifika Wardens, Neighbourhood Support and Community Patrols, plus $100 million for two new courthouses.
Public safety is a top priority. This funding gives our Police, Corrections staff and community organisations the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.
Awesome news for our young people and the future of the trades! Budget 2026 will double the number of Trades Academy places for secondary school students, increasing from 10,000 to 20,000 over the next four years.
This means far more Kiwi kids will get the opportunity to learn practical, job-ready skills in construction, mechanical, electrical, agriculture and other trades while still at school.
Many of these students are the ones who have disengaged from the traditional classroom and now have a real pathway into apprenticeships and rewarding careers. This is funded by savings from the end of final-year Fees Free, redirecting money into programmes that actually deliver results.
Trades are a valued and vital career path, and we’re backing them.
The Government is investing $1.773 billion to extend the Waikato Expressway from Cambridge to Piarere. This is fantastic news for our region. The Waikato Expressway is a critical freight route linking the Port of Tauranga with Auckland, Waikato and the rest of the North Island. This extension will deliver faster, safer and more reliable journeys for goods moving in and out of Tauranga, reducing congestion, cutting travel times, and strengthening our economy across the Golden Triangle (which generates around 60% of New Zealand’s GDP). It’s also expected to reduce deaths and serious injuries by around 70% on this stretch of road. This is the kind of practical infrastructure investment we've been waiting for.
Great news from Local Government Minister Simon Watts. Only elected councillors will now be allowed to vote on council committees.
Councillors are the ones directly accountable to ratepayers, they face you at election time. For too long, unelected appointees have been given full voting rights on important council decisions. That has weakened democratic accountability.
Non-elected members can still attend meetings and provide valuable advice and specialist knowledge, but voting rights and quorums will now sit only with the people we actually elect.
This important change is being made through the Local Government (System Improvements) Bill currently before Parliament.
In Budget 2026 the Government is providing funding for design and enabling works for the major redevelopment of Tauranga Hospital. This also includes the fit-out of a new inpatient unit to help ease immediate pressures on the hospital while the longer-term redevelopment gets underway. This is part of a significant $680 million health infrastructure package that will strengthen hospital capacity and deliver better, more modern facilities.
These investments will help improve access to quality care for patients and better working conditions for our dedicated frontline staff.
Budget 2026 has created a new Incentives for Growth Fund worth $400 million over four years.
This fund will reward councils that get on and approve more homes by giving them direct payments for every new dwelling consented. The more homes they enable, the more funding they receive to pay for the roads, parks, services and infrastructure that growing communities need.
For too long, councils have seen new housing developments as a cost rather than an opportunity. This changes the incentives so that growth becomes a win for everyone, councils, communities, and families who need homes.
This is exactly the kind of practical support Tauranga, and the wider Bay of Plenty need to build more houses where they’re needed most.
The Government has announced an $8 million investment to support community programmes that use sport and physical activity to help reduce child and youth offending. Five organisations have been funded in the first wave, including Live for More here in the Bay of Plenty.
Live for More does incredible work using surf therapy to support young men aged 16–25 who are at risk of offending or reoffending. I’ve been fortunate to attend some of their graduations, and the impact they’re having on these young men’s lives is genuinely inspiring.
This funding will help them continue and grow their work, giving more young people in our community positive pathways and real support. Well done to Live for More and all the organisations involved.
A couple of weeks ago I met with the McKillops, and I fully support their position. The tower would be placed directly in front of their family home, exactly where they had planned their new driveway.
I’ve now organised a meeting this week with the family, Connexa and myself so we can discuss the concerns in person and explore alternative locations.
We need good connectivity in our community, but the location of these towers matters too. There are clearly better options nearby that would have far less impact on residents.
I will continue pushing hard for a fair and reasonable outcome.
National made it a Road of National Significance and while Stage 1 is already on track to open in 2028, Stage 2 has now been fast-tracked so we can get on with the next part sooner.
Here’s a quick flyover thanks to NZTA - Facebook
Tauranga residents experiencing mental distress will now receive a more appropriate and compassionate response when they call 111, with the launch of a new mental health co-response team in the Bay of Plenty.
This is excellent news for our community. For too long, people in mental health crisis have too
often received a police response when what they really needed was mental health
support. This new co-response team will change that. The team, made up of crisis clinicians, support workers or peer support workers, and a Police officer, began operating in April and will be fully operational by the end of July.
Within its first month, the team had already responded to 52 people in crisis.
This model has proven to work well in Wellington, where it has led to fewer people being taken
to emergency departments or police stations, and better wraparound support for those in need. I’m pleased Bay of Plenty was included in the first group of regions to receive this service, given the clear demand here.
The co-response team is part of a $28 million Government investment announced in Budget 2025 to roll out 10 mental health co-response teams across the country. The teams aim to ensure people experiencing mental distress get the right help, from the right professionals, at the right time.
Having a mental health professional alongside Police when responding to these calls will reduce
distress for individuals and their families, while also freeing up Police to focus on their core role. This is a practical and much-needed improvement to how we support people in crisis.
I want to thank Minister Matt Doocey for delivering this important initiative and for recognising the need in our region.
Mr Russell George Lowe ONZM – for services to horticulture and the kiwifruit industry.
Dr Mark Robert Fraundorfer MNZM – for services to health, particularly men’s health.
Ms Janice Kuka MNZM – for services to Māori health.
Mr Ian John Blunt KSM – for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mrs Kathleen Margaret Webb KSM – for services to the community.
Thank you all for your outstanding contributions to our region and to New Zealand. Well deserved honours!
See you there!
On Saturday 20 June at 11am on the beach at Leisure Island, Mount Maunganui, the community is coming together to form a giant human chain in support of Maria and every New Zealander affected by cancer.
Everyone is welcome. Come along, wear bright colours and bring good energy. There’ll be music, drone footage capturing the human chain from above, and the Matcha Truck will be there with proceeds going to Maria’s fundraiser.
Full details and to register: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/miles-for-myeloma-combat-cance/962916169687518/
- 22nd June
- 20th July
- 17th Aug
- 21st September
- 19th October
To buy tickets: https://app.galabid.com/papfire/event-tickets
New Zealand’s first wind farm becomes operational
6 June 1996
Hau Nui wind farm under construction (Alexander Turnbull Library, EP-Energy-Wind Power-02)
Commissioned by Genesis Energy, New Zealand’s first commercial wind farm opened in the windy hills of Wairarapa. Named Hau Nui Farm, meaning Big Wind, its location was chosen because of the wind currents that are funnelled and accelerated by nearby Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range.
Stage one of the project was constructed at the northern end of Range Rd and saw the installation of seven E-40 wind turbines, a third-generation wind-energy technology. Each turbine has three 20-m blades, making the overall height an impressive 46 m. This allows the turbines to generate electricity in wind speeds of between 10 and 120 km per hour. When the wind exceeds 120 km/hr, the turbines automatically shut down to avoid damage.
Eight more turbines were installed in stage two of the project, which was completed in 2004. With 15 turbines, the farm produces enough energy to power 4200 homes.
Children to be prevented from buying lottery products
The Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill has passed its third and final reading, meaning a change will come into effect that ensures children are not able to purchase lottery products, says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.
Government backs food & fibre sector’s success
Budget 2026 is backing the primary sector to boost returns and productivity, improve land management and resilience, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says.
Improving welfare system efficiency
The Government is making changes to improve and update the efficiency of the welfare system by modernising its processes, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.
Budget 2026 delivering for Auckland
Investment through Budget 2026 strengthens Auckland’s role as New Zealand’s economic engine room, ensuring growth that lifts the whole country, Minister for Auckland Simon Watts says.
Gas market transparency takes step forward
Management of New Zealand’s dwindling natural gas supplies will be aided by new legislation to improve transparency of key information in the gas market, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.
McClay to chair formal UK, and OECD trade meetings
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is heading to the United Kingdom to jointly Chair the NZ-UK FTA Trade Committee meeting and to Paris to Vice-Chair the annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
E-bike charging stations locked in for the regions
The Government is turbo-charging economic growth in the regions by backing five more trails to install 42 new e-bike charging stations, says Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.
Travel bans on extremist Israeli settlers
New Zealand is joining partners including Australia and the European Union in placing travel bans on three extremist Israeli settlers, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
Powering up data-driven social investment
New Zealand’s largest research database is set for a major upgrade to support smarter, evidence-based decisions and build better futures for New Zealanders, Minister of Statistics Scott Simpson says.
Workable lending laws delivered
The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill passed its third reading last week, delivering simpler, clearer, and more workable lending laws for New Zealanders, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer says.
Council voting to be restricted to elected members
Only elected councillors will be able to vote on council committees, in a move that strengthens democratic accountability, Local Government Minister Simon Watts announced.
Marsden Point Rail Link progresses
Minister for Rail Winston Peters has welcomed KiwiRail identification of three potential construction partners for delivering the ‘design sprint’ needed for the Government to proceed with funding a cost-effective Marsden Point Rail Link.
More trades academy places for young people
More young New Zealanders will have the opportunity to gain practical skills and industry experience while still at school, with the Government doubling the number of trades academy places available, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Education Minister Erica Stanford say.
Minister to represent New Zealand at key labour conference
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister and Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden will travel to Geneva this month where she will represent New Zealand at the International Labour Conference.
Tertiary Research Excellence Fund focused on driving economic growth
The introduction of the new Tertiary Research Excellence Fund (TREF) will direct research effort towards economic growth while cutting red tape, says Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education, and Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.
Boosting support for children and young people with high support needs
Our most vulnerable, children and young people with high support needs, will receive a boost in support thanks to Budget 2026.
Reducing child and youth offending through sport and recreation
An $8 million investment in community programmes using sport and physical activity to reduce child and youth offending has been announced by Sport and Recreation Minister, Mark Mitchell.
NZ, French trade ministers to meet yearly
Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay has held a productive bilateral meeting with French Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Nicolas Forissier, while in Paris for the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
Strengthening community preparedness, resilience
Two marae-based projects are the latest to benefit from the Government’s Māori Climate Platform, which makes practical investments to strengthen community resilience and emergency preparedness, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
Unlocking papakāinga across New Zealand
The Government is making it easier for owners of Māori land to build homes, with the release of new National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga (NES-P), say RMA Reform Minister Hon Chris Bishop and Māori Development Minister Hon Tama Potaka.
Global stars shine on New Zealand, boosting cities and regions
It’s been a bumper few months for events, with multiple world-class fixtures confirmed under the Government’s Events Attraction Package, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
Clean up of former landfills in national park complete
A remediation project to clean up two former landfill sites in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park has been completed this week, Environment Minister Nicola Grigg and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced.
New AML code delivers practical changes for New Zealanders
New Zealanders will soon face fewer unnecessary barriers to proving who they are under a refreshed anti-money laundering Identity Verification Code of Practice announced today by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
Training boost for 20,000 children’s workers to keep kids safe
Budget 2026 will fund mandatory training for 20,000 core children’s workers and improve system capacity to protect children at risk of harm, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says.
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