National has a proud record of pushing open doors for New Zealand exporters in new and growing markets. When Kiwi businesses sell more to the world, they are able to create more jobs and pay higher wages that are then invested back into the community.
National will target trade deals with seven new markets over the next five years. New Zealand is a trading nation.
We create jobs and lift incomes by supporting great Kiwi companies to compete on the world stage.
A big week in Parliament recently and had the unexpected honour of being asked by the Speaker to step in briefly as Temporary Speaker and preside over the House.
Grateful for the opportunity, always a privilege to serve in different ways.
Only Labour could announce National’s solar policy but somehow make it cost more and put the country’s energy security at risk. Just as New Zealand is beginning to turn the corner, Labour is reaching for the same ideas that left Kiwis with higher costs, weaker economic growth and an energy crisis.
Labour's announcement is essentially National's policy with a bigger price tag. They've managed to take the same idea and make taxpayers pay more for it. Worse still, Labour wants to fund it while doubling down on the very policies that crippled New Zealand's energy security. Their commitment to ban oil and gas means less energy supply, higher electricity prices, and more pressure on households and businesses.
Meanwhile, National’s plan backs households and businesses to invest in renewables, while supporting the necessary investment in the oil and gas sector to keep the lights on and energy affordable. After spending the past two years complaining about mills and factories closing as a direct result of the policy decisions they made, it’s remarkable that Labour appears not to have learnt a single thing about energy.
If Labour genuinely wants to accelerate renewable energy, the best thing it could do is support Fast Track, which is already cutting through red tape and bringing renewable generation online sooner.
Our Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme is helping grow the economy by moving people and freight quickly and safely across the country. By early next year, six RoNS will be underway with construction, alongside several roads of regional significance. The Government is committed to delivering the 17 Roads Of National Significance in the 2024 GPS.
With pressure in the Transport funding system, NZTA have had to prioritise and phase the delivery of the RoNS program. We remain committed to delivering the 17 RoNS across the country, while also maintaining and renewing our existing infrastructure, strengthening resilience to natural hazards and extreme weather events, improving safety outcomes, and keeping communities connected.
Taking a staged approach to the RoNS helps ensure we can continue investing across the network, including in projects that improve reliability, enhance resilience, and meet local and regional transport needs
Great to attend the Pāpāmoa Volunteer Fire Brigade Ball recently with my beautiful wife Hannah, in support of their ATV & Shed Project.
A real highlight was them announcing that they’ve now reached their $60,000 target for the ATV. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the cause, this will be a great asset to help protect our community. Now the focus turns to raising funds for the shed to house it.
A good catch up with Anthony and the team at Graffiti Busters Ltd.
Based right here in the Bay, they specialise in graffiti removal and asset protection. They work with homeowners, businesses, councils and government agencies to clean up graffiti and help stop it from coming back.
What stood out was their focus on eco-friendly products and practical solutions tailored to each job. Good to see a local business doing important work to keep our communities looking sharp.
We’ve got a fair few good sign spots locked in across the new Mt Maunganui electorate already, but as you’ll know, you can never really have enough of them.
If you’ve got a fence, paddock, shed, building, or bit of roadside frontage in a good visible spot and you’d be happy to host a National sign this election, I’d be very keen to hear from you.
Just flick your address and contact details through to tom.rutherford@national.org.nz and I’ll be in touch.
Come and celebrate with a beautiful evening lighting up the waterway .......
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
You are invited to join me for one of my upcoming Coffee Catch Ups THIS Saturday 11 July.
These informal catch ups are a great opportunity to meet in person, have a chat over coffee, ask questions, and raise any local issues or matters that are important to you, your family, or our Bay of Plenty community.
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.
Lorraine Downes crowned Miss Universe
11 July 1983
Lorraine Downes with PM Robert Muldoon and his wife Thea (New Zealand Herald via Te Ara)
When Lorraine Downes entered the 1983 Miss Universe New Zealand pageant, she hoped to win enough money to buy an airplane ticket to Australia. A few months later she was standing on the stage of the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri in front of 16,000 people and a global television audience of 700 million. Nineteen-year-old Downes had made it through to the final stage of the Miss Universe competition along with Miss USA, Julie Hayek, who had dominated media coverage and was favoured to win the title.
Downes wore a midnight blue ball gown designed by Dawn McGowan from Television New Zealand’s wardrobe department. The presence of Downes’ parents in the crowd gave her a boost after three weeks of rehearsals, media calls, parties, late nights and early mornings. The hectic schedule would only continue after she was announced as the winner.
Downes recalled that after receiving the coveted sash and crown she felt frightened as she was mobbed by fellow contestants and camera operators jostled for the best angles. She became a household name overnight and spent the next 12 months travelling the world accompanied by a chaperone, carrying out the duties of Miss Universe and meeting leaders such as US President Ronald Reagan. It was a life-changing experience for a young woman from Pakuranga who had arrived in St. Louis with a small suitcase and a bundle of nerves.
Downes went on to establish a successful modelling agency and image consultancy. She mostly stayed out of the spotlight, apart from when she married All Black Murray Mexted, and later cricket great Martin Crowe. In 2006 she won the second season of New Zealand’s Dancing with the stars television series, raising almost $112,000 for the Child Cancer Foundation.
All WorkSafe inspectors upskilled on machine safety
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says all WorkSafe New Zealand inspectors have completed updated machine safety training, strengthening how machinery risk is assessed and managed in New Zealand.
New Zealand to host Indian Prime Minister
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced.
Sixth renewable energy project fast-tracked
The Māhinerangi Wind Farm project in Otago has been granted Fast-track approval.
Real estate agents win fairer treatment under new law
A disproportionately harsh penalty that can stop real estate agents from working for five years for failing to complete continuing professional development (CPD), or failing to pay fees on time, will be removed under legislation passed by Parliament says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
Defence Minister to attend NATO Summit
Defence Minister Chris Penk will travel to Ankara, Türkiye, for NATO Summit events and engagements with overseas counterparts.
Government supporting Wairarapa farmers after heavy rain
The Government is working closely with farmers and rural communities in the Wairarapa to assess the impacts of recent heavy rain, which has damaged local roads and bridges and caused significant erosion on hillside farms.
Biggest mental health law change in over 30 years
New Zealand's mental health laws are set for their biggest overhaul in more than 30 years, with Parliament passing landmark legislation, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
NZ-India FTA already boosting exports
New Zealand exporters are seeing major gains in India as demand grows for high-quality Kiwi products, and the Free Trade Agreement hasn’t even come into force yet, Trade Minister Todd McClay says.
Qualification completions increase across the tertiary sector
New data on New Zealand's tertiary education system shows growth in qualification completions across the sector, says Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education
Women’s Health Hub provides life stages health information
A new Women’s Health Hub designed to make it easier for women across New Zealand to find trusted health information has been launched by Minister for Women Nicola Grigg and Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello.
eInvoicing surge gets Kiwi businesses paid faster
Kiwi businesses are on track for up to $800 million a year in productivity gains once eInvoicing is fully adopted, with uptake already more than doubling in the past year as businesses get paid faster and spend less time on paperwork, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says.
Children’s Commissioner appointed
Jane Searle has been appointed Children’s Commissioner, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston has announced.
Transport pipeline provides certainty
Transport Minister Chris Bishop is welcoming the publication of NZTA's Major Transport Projects Pipeline, setting out the phasing for projects including the Roads of National Significance and major public transport projects.
Manufacturing growth surges to five-year high
New Zealand's manufacturing sector has posted its strongest month of growth in nearly five years, with new data showing activity surging to its highest level since July 2021, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Cameron Brewer says.
Crypto ATMs to get guardrails, not the guillotine
The Government will not proceed with a blanket legislative ban on crypto ATMs, instead taking a targeted and proportionate approach to reducing the criminal misuse of virtual assets, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
Putting money back in the till for food businesses
The Government is removing costs for thousands of food businesses by launching another free online food safety course, says Minister for Food Safety Andrew Hoggard.
NZ to explore joining Fiji-Australia defence alliance
New Zealand will engage with Australia and Fiji on the possibility of joining the Ocean of Peace Alliance, the Government has announced.
Government support for flood-hit Kaikōura farmers
The Government is providing $50,000 to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust to support flood-affected Kaikōura farmers, with Federated Farmers to match the funding through fundraising, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505
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Thanks,
Tom.
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