More investment. More jobs.
The Government has welcomed the release of new Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) guidance that will make it easier for international investors to understand and navigate New Zealand's Overseas Investment Act (the Act), particularly in the supermarket and grocery sector. New investment means more choices and lower prices at the checkout. If we want new investment, we need to stop doing things that repel it and start doing things that attract it. That’s why we’ve issued new guidelines which roll out the red carpet for credible investors looking to open a new supermarket in NZ. The guidelines specify to investors which provisions of the Act apply to them, what tests their investment needs to meet, and how LINZ will apply those tests to their application. This will give investors more certainty when making their applications.
We want to make it as easy as possible for credible investors to establish or expand grocery retail operations in New Zealand. The more options there are for kiwis, the more competition there is within the market. This will lead to lower prices for Kiwis at the checkout.
This government has been focussed on attracting more international investment, and we’ve made a great start. For example, we’ve also reformed how applications under the Act are processed.
Now they want even more of your money though seven new taxes.
If re-elected National will make it easier to build shops, offices and other commercial buildings by removing unnecessary delays and costs in the building consent system. National will allow qualified engineers to sign off building work without the need for a council inspection by formalising the role of producer statements in the Building Act. These statements are already widely used in the industry but they currently have no formal status.
Under our policy, Building Consent Authorities must accept that producer statements from qualified experts mean that the work complies with the Building Code, where those statements meet prescribed requirements, National will designate a specialist Building Consent Authority to be able to consent large commercial buildings. This will provide major projects with a single clear, nationally consistent pathway with the right specialist expertise. Complex projects will no longer need to depend on a local council happening to have specialist staff available. It will also free up councils to focus more on standard and residential consents to support more Kiwis to build or renovate their home.
Streamlining commercial building consents will help get major projects moving faster, reduce unnecessary costs, support more jobs, and create more opportunities for New Zealanders. It is all part of National’s plan to fix the basics and build the future.
NZTA is currently consulting on three targeted speed limit changes on State Highway 29 in the Tauriko area.
The proposals include reducing the speed limit from 70km/h to 60km/h through Tauriko Village between Cambridge Road east and west, installing an Intersection Speed Zone at the Ōmanawa Road intersection that would temporarily drop the speed limit from 100km/h to 60km/h when activated, and removing the existing variable speed limit near Tauriko School as the school entrance has now moved off the state highway.
These reviews are in response to community feedback and safety concerns, including crashes and near misses.
Consultation is open now and closes at 5pm on Thursday 27 August 2026. You can view the full details and have your say here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/.../targeted-speed-limit-reviews...
If you have concerns about speed limits on other sections of state highway, you can also request a review via the NZTA website
Joseph was guest speaker at Monday’s SuperBlues and posted this message afterwards:
"Brilliant to be with my excellent colleague Tom Rutherford MP for Bay of Plenty , and speaking with his great SuperBlues members as well as other meetings.
Tom is National’s youngest MP and has been doing a very good job in his first term advocating for his region and recently becoming Chair of the Justice Select Committee.
It was also great to be in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa again - I studied Marine Science there in the early 2000’s as well as getting my Divemasters, and did a lot of surfing and diving as well as side jobs like beekeeping and working on building sites to pay the bills.
It was also a chance to recall some great adventures like paddling across the harbour entrance between the Mount and Matakana Island with a mate on our surfboards - timing our paddle between container ships - because we’d worked out there was likely to be good surf on the island that day. There was, and we had a great time surfing until the tide turned, at which point we paddled back across to Mount Maunganui.
There was a lot of growth happening back in the early 2000’s, but the city has really grown up and out since - it’s quite impressive".
Had a great visit to the recently opened Kaumātua Village by Ngā Pōtiki in Pāpāmoa, right across from the soon-to-open Manawa retail centre.
Thanks to Pani and Spencer for making the visit happen. There are 20 two-bedroom homes for local kaumātua, all with solar panels.
A fantastic example of providing affordable, quality housing for those most important to us.
Good to have Nicola Willis in the Bay recently, visiting Ngāi Tukairangi's kiwifruit orchard. Thanks for hosting us and keep up the awesome work.
National's growing our trade with the world and signing more Free Trade Agreements, and simply put, selling more overseas means more growth and more jobs here at home.
Take our new FTA with India: more than half of New Zealand's exports will be tariff-free from day one, kiwifruit included.
Link to reel: Facebook
We also took Nicola Willis MP through Oasis Engineering in Tauranga, a business that makes valves and couplings for the gas sector and sends them around the world.
That's exactly why the India FTA is such a big deal, over a billion more possible customers and we're not stopping there.
National is working on opening doors to the next billion if re-elected, pursuing seven more trade deals. All that means more growth and more jobs, especially for the Bay of Plenty
A big thank you to Helen and all the volunteers who give up their time each week to make it happen.
Three years ago, it became New Zealand’s 42nd Parkrun. If you haven’t been along yet, come and check it out, everyone is welcome!
Light up the Waterways for this years Matariki celebrations was incredible. Great to see so many locals out and about to enjoy it!
Thanks to everyone who came along to my coffee catch-ups in Maungatapu and Pāpāmoa recently. It was great to catch up with so many of you and hear your thoughts and ideas.
A big thank you to Fat Cat Street Coffee and Blackberry Eatery for hosting me. I’m always keen to hear from locals, so feel free to get in touch anytime
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.
18 July 1855
‘Full-face Queen’ stamp, 1855 (Te Papa, PH000592)
These adhesive, non-perforated stamps for prepaid postage were the famous ‘Chalon Head’ design, showing Queen Victoria in her coronation robes.
New Zealand issued its first postage stamps 15 years after they were introduced in Britain. The three stamps in the ‘Full-face Queen’ set – one penny (1d), twopence (2d) and one shilling (1s) – were printed in Britain. Other values were added later.
The first stamp designed in New Zealand was a halfpenny (½d) stamp issued on 1 January 1873. This had a side view of Queen Victoria’s head and was known as the ‘Newspaper’ stamp because it was often used to post a newspaper.
During the 1890s, New Zealand introduced a short-lived stamp with advertising on the back and became one of the first countries to release stamps with images of the countryside, birds and animals.
New Zealand was also one of the first countries to issue a ‘penny universal’ stamp in 1900. The idea was that all countries would charge a standard amount for postage, making it easier to send letters internationally.
NZ, India relationship elevated to Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have signalled their two countries’ ambition to do more together by elevating their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.
Investment to support India-NZ 100 Years of Unity through Sport
The Government will invest from the Events Boost Fund to support the India-New Zealand 100 Years of Unity through Sport programme, say Sport and Recreation Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Louise Upston.
Telehealth investment to deliver faster access to support
The Government is backing Lifeline, alongside Youthline and Whakarongorau, through a more than $10 million package to strengthen mental health and addiction telehealth services and help more New Zealanders get the faster access to support they need, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Patterson to India to champion New Zealand wool
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is visiting India this week to promote New Zealand premium strong wool and strengthen relationships at the Bharat Tex 2026 – Global Textile Expo.
Milestone for hunter-led conservation in NZ
Hunter-led conservation has reached a new milestone, with Fiordland wapiti deer formally designated as New Zealand’s first Herd of Special Interest (HOSI).
$6 million caulerpa removal tool shows promise in Northland
A giant underwater dredge device designed to remove large areas of exotic caulerpa seaweed has performed well in recent testing at Omākiwi Cove in Northland, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
Capital market reforms to power economic growth
The Government is seeking feedback on the next phase of its capital market reforms, aiming to lower the cost of raising money for Kiwi businesses and deliver stronger returns for everyday investors, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer.
Improving how New Zealand plans for climate risks
The Government is making targeted changes to the Climate Change Response Act (CCRA) to ensure it is working efficiently and as intended, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
Faster access to forensic mental health support
More people in need of forensic mental health services will receive faster access to support following a significant investment, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Building the future of sika deer herd management
New Zealand’s valued sika deer in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks have been designated as the North Island’s first ever Herd of Special Interest (HOSI).
H5 bird flu confirmed in New Zealand
New Zealanders are being asked to be alert after a single ocean-going seabird, a brown skua, returned a confirmed positive test for H5 bird flu after it was found on Petone beach in Wellington, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Trade ministers from around the world gather in Auckland
Ten trade ministers and up to 100 delegates representing 21 countries will gather in Auckland this week for one of the most significant international trade meetings New Zealand has hosted in two decades, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says.
New Zealand hosts Pacific leaders
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will meet Pacific counterparts from Niue, Fiji and Samoa in Auckland.
Kiwis asked to help shape digital driver licences
Kiwis are one step closer to being able to carry digital drivers’ licences on their phones with public consultation on its design now underway, Associate Transport Minister James Meager and Digitising Government Minister Paul Goldsmith say.
New Zealand renews partnership with Fiji
The Foreign Ministers of Fiji and New Zealand have signed a refreshed Duavata Partnership, outlining the relationship’s priorities for the next five years.
Latest figures continue year-on-year increase in jobseekers finding work
New figures reveal further year-on-year improvements in the number of New Zealanders moving off benefit and into work.
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505
"I'm always happy to help where I can. If you have an issue, you think we could help with, please get in touch. If you have a business and would like me to visit, please let me know as I'm keen to know and learn more".
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Hope you have a great weekend and if there is anything I can do to help - please give my office a call on 07 542 0505 or email me at bopmp@parliament.govt.nz
Thanks,
Tom.