This term the Committee has had one of the busiest workloads, reflecting our Government’s strong focus on law and order.
I’m looking forward to continuing this important work to help keep our communities safe and ensure victims remain at the heart of our justice system.
The Government has delivered on its commitment to crack down on boy racers, fleeing drivers, and other antisocial road users, with Parliament passing the Antisocial Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill.
At present, the consequences for antisocial driving behaviour have not been strong enough to deter this appalling behaviour. Communities across New Zealand have been forced to put up with illegal street racing, burnouts, fleeing drivers, intimidating convoys, disorderly dirt bike gatherings and siren battles for far too long.
New Zealanders have had enough. These activities put participants, bystanders, and Police at risk, disrupt neighbourhoods, and create fear and frustration for law-abiding Kiwis. This law sends a very clear message: if you use our roads to intimidate or endanger communities, there will be serious consequences.
New rules come into force recently requiring the large power companies to provide customers with power plans that reflect the different costs of electricity throughout the day, giving customers more choice and helping to make power bills more affordable. The big power companies generate power for different prices at different times of the day, but those same companies usually sell that power to residential and small business customers at one price, regardless of when they use the power.
That is unfair and, from now, the Electricity Authority is requiring the big power companies to offer ‘time-of-use’ pricing plans to households and small businesses.This will give more people the option of shifting some of their power usage to take advantage of cheaper rates where possible, making their power bills lower than they otherwise would have been.
To see whether a time-of-use plan suits your needs, check with your power company or visit billy.govt.nz - the Electricity Authority’s free price comparison and switching tool. You can check whether you are on the best deal and find realistic estimates on savings”
The Government is fixing the basics by taking another step to end New Zealand's overuse of road cones, with councils from today required to adopt a common-sense, risk-based approach to temporary traffic management.
Local roads are owned and maintained by councils, but the Government invests more than $1 billion each year in council transport projects through the National Land Transport Fund. Too many councils still require contractors working on local roads to follow an outdated, overly prescriptive Code of Practice for temporary traffic management.
This 500+ page behemoth of a document specifies in detail the exact spacing required between road cones, among many other requirements. NZTA has shown you don't need armies of contractors painstakingly measuring the gaps between road cones like butlers setting the table at Buckingham Palace. Instead, NZTA now uses practical guidance that requires contractors to assess the actual risks at each site and choose traffic management that's appropriate for the job, rather than following a one-size-fits-all rulebook.
Safety will always come first. But there's a world of difference between sensible safety measures and treating every suburban pothole like a motorway reconstruction project. The benefits go well beyond fewer cones. Contractors can focus on managing the real risks at each site, instead of following a one-size-fits-all rulebook. That means more efficient worksites, fewer unnecessary traffic management measures, and less disruption for motorists. Road workers deserve to go home safely at the end of every day, and motorists deserve traffic management that's proportionate to the job being done.
That's exactly what this new approach helps deliver.
The results speak for themselves. NZTA's spend on temporary traffic management fell by around $46 million in the last financial year while maintaining safe worksites.
Tauranga Hospital is in urgent need for an upgrade and National is making it happen.
Link to reel: Facebook
Another great afternoon of doorknocking, this time in Mount Maunganui.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to have a chat. Always a bonus getting to give some friendly pats to the locals too, including Lucy.
I refereed the first game and was assistant referee for the second, a real nail-biter between Greerton and Tauranga Sports.
Greerton edged it 32-30 in the end
This year’s tournament has smashed records with 14,506 entries from 467 schools, including 11 international schools, heading to Tauranga in September. There is also strong local support, with 62 Bay of Plenty schools taking part. A big driver of the growth has been the Government’s Event Boost Funding, which has allowed the organisers to run a successful international marketing campaign.
The Games run from 5–11 September. I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone to our city!
Shelley has set up a coffee shop from her house on Ashgrove Place in Ohauiti, using coffee from Nitrous Coffee.
Well worth stopping in if you’re nearby. Shot Mate Coffee NZ
Really good to check out the progress at the new Papamoa Plaza development with Centre Manager Leah Sutton.
The first three stores, Bed Bath & Beyond, Mountain Warehouse, and Pet Stock, are on track to open in mid-August. The other two retailers will follow in due course.
Exciting to see new retail options coming to Papamoa.
Pāpāmoa College has an amazing group of student leaders.
I caught up with them recently to talk about my journey, share a few thoughts on what makes a good leader, and answer all their questions. It’s something I do every year and always really enjoy.
They’ve all got very bright futures ahead of them and I’m excited to see what they go on to achieve.
A number of you have been in touch asking for an update on the new 24/7 urgent care service for Tauranga announced in Budget 2025. It is still happening and it remains a priority for our Government. I’m pleased we’re delivering on this commitment for our community.
Health New Zealand is working with the provider to introduce extended opening hours over the coming months, with a full 24/7 service expected by December 2026.
There was some delay while Health NZ, ACC and the Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care worked through the right staffing model and accreditation requirements for overnight care. That work is progressing, and the plan is to roll out longer hours incrementally before moving to full 24/7 operations.
I’ll keep you updated as things move forward.
Tauranga Council are inviting you to share your connection to Mauao and what matters most to you in this short survey.
Your insights will contribute to understanding community values and guiding its care
Bay of Plenty, Drop-in Clinic - Monday 27 July 11:30am - 1:30pm
Keen to catch up? Feel free to come along to my monthly drop-in constituency clinic at the Welcome Bay Community Centre.
See you there!
Come along to hear how National is fixing the basics, building the future, and delivering for the Bay of Plenty. It’s a great opportunity to hear directly from us and ask any questions you may have.
2 July 1938
Opening the electric Wellington–Johnsonville line (Alexander Turnbull Library, Eph-A-RAIL-1938-01-front)
On 2 July 1938, Minister of Railways Dan Sullivan and Wellington Mayor Thomas Hislop officially opened the electrified rail line between central Wellington and the northern suburb of Johnsonville.
The Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company had originally built this steep, winding line in 1886, and, until 1937, it was part of the main trunk route out of the capital. Following the completion of the Tawa Flat deviation that year, the bypassed Johnsonville section was truncated and converted into a suburban route. The line was served by sleek, modern English Electric DM-class multiple units, the first of their kind in New Zealand.
As the city’s electrified rail network expanded during and after the Second World War, DM units were used on the Kāpiti and Hutt Valley lines. Most were replaced in the 1980s following the introduction of Hungarian-built EM-class units, but a number of refurbished DMs continued to serve the Johnsonville line. These units, some of which had been in service since 1949, were finally retired in 2012 when new South Korean-built Matangi units took over the route.
Cutting red tape for freight operators
From early August, practical regulatory changes will help businesses manage the impacts of fuel price uncertainty, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say.
$40.7m boost backs university research from lab to market
University researchers will benefit from a $40.68 million boost in Government support to help commercialise their innovations, alongside new Intellectual Property (IP) rules taking effect from 1 July, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Penny Simmonds says.
Six co-response team locations announced
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has announced the remaining six locations for new mental health co-response teams, marking another step in the Government's rollout of a better crisis response for New Zealanders experiencing mental distress.
Pharmac widens access to medicine for high cholesterol for everyone
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s proposal to widen access to Rosuvastatin based on clinical need.
Corded blinds to be made safer for children
The Government is moving to protect young children by making it mandatory for new corded blinds sold in New Zealand to meet recognised safety standards, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer says.
Five judges for the price of none
Courts are set to receive a double boost, with two Bills introduced to expand the role of Community Magistrates and modernise remote participation, says Courts and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
NZ restaurants serve MICHELIN Guide success
New Zealand’s world-class hospitality sector is shining on the global stage, with MICHELIN Guide recognising Kiwi restaurants as must-visit destinations for food lovers, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
Registration of stillborn babies to be made easier
Grieving parents who are coping with stillbirth will be able to register their baby through a dedicated website, Whetūrangitia, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Regulatory Standards Act takes effect, Board ready for work
The Regulatory Standards Act is in effect, and the Regulatory Standards Board is taking complaints from Kiwis about bad regulations, Regulation Minister David Seymour says.
AML reforms enter new phase with one clear regulator
A major step toward a smarter, more practical anti-money laundering system, with the Department of Internal Affairs becoming New Zealand’s single AML/CFT regulator, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
Prime Minister’s Science Prizes announced
Groundbreaking research in neonatal care that has saved thousands of lives worldwide is recognised among the winners of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Science Prizes.
Major milestone reached for Local Water Done Well
Every mainland council in New Zealand now has an approved water services delivery plan under Local Water Done Well, marking a major milestone in delivering more reliable and financially sustainable water services for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
Common-sense fix eases costs for toy importers
This Government will recognise the toy standards of the United States and the European Union, so toys that meet those standards will be compliant in New Zealand too, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer and Regulation Minister David Seymour say.
Major overhaul to health and safety laws passes final reading
The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, marking a major milestone in the Government’s overhaul of New Zealand’s health and safety system, and delivering on the ACT-National coalition agreement, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says.
Building the future of offshore renewable energy
New Zealand has opened its waters to offshore renewable energy, with Parliament passing the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill, Energy Minister Simeon Brown
Common-sense transport rule changes confirmed
Children will legally be able to ride bikes on footpaths with a grown up alongside them, and e-scooters will be allowed in cycle lanes, under a package of practical transport rule changes agreed by the Government, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
Government books reflect improving economy
The latest set of government accounts supports other evidence that the economy is strengthening, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Backing Kiwi veterans with support extension
A further 1300 Defence veterans will have their service to New Zealand recognised through health, rehabilitation and financial support for deployment-related conditions, Veterans Minister Chris Penk says.
New Administrator of Tokelau announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointment of Andre van der Walt as the next Administrator of Tokelau.
Landmark bill to improve the building system and boost growth
Building system reforms are set to make construction easier, faster and more affordable while also strengthening protections for homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.
Clarifying climate change tort law
Legislation that clarifies climate change laws and provides businesses with certainty around their obligations has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
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Thanks,
Tom.