"No body, no parole" laws deny convicted murderers’ parole unless they disclose the location of their victims remains. In New Zealand, this is being driven by the Concealment of Location of Victim's Remains Bill, modelled after similar laws in the UK, Australia, and parts of the US.
The intent is to spare families the ongoing anguish of not having closure and to prevent offenders from using a hidden body to manipulate the justice system. Opponents, however, argue that these laws can be problematic if a convicted person is innocent or if false information is provided due to memory loss or confusion.
Link to reel: Facebook
National will modernise consent laws
A re-elected National Government will modernise sexual consent laws to specify there must always be a "yes," rather than an absence of a "no". National is focused on fixing the basics in law and order, and modernising our consent laws is an important part of that. Unlike other jurisdictions we normally compare ourselves with, New Zealand law does not define what consent is. Rather, the Crimes Act provides a non-exhaustive list of what consent is not.
If re-elected, National will change the law to specify that consent must be actively given, meaning there must be a 'yes' rather than the absence of a 'no.' That 'yes' can be communicated by words or actions.
Replacing the RMA with a new planning system that will make it easier to build is part of this plan, removing barriers to growth and building a stronger economy.
He’s called my friend Katie Nimon for Napier “the laziest MP he’s ever come across”, because she took parental leave after having a baby.
It’s 2026. A former Cabinet Minister running for NZ First is still attacking a woman for taking time off to have a child? Come on.
For the record: Katie had her son and was back working hard just 10 weeks later. She’s one of the most dedicated and hardest-working MPs I know, constantly showing up for her community.
When Nash was a Labour MP, he was thrown out of Cabinet for leaking confidential information to his donors and is now running for NZ First. Looks like he’s still bitter about losing Napier.
Katie, you’re a legend. So grateful to be your friend and to be on the same team!
Watch the bills first reading here: Facebook
Listen to Newstalk ZB Podcast - link: Will the "No body, no parole" bill continue with it's breach of the Bill of Rights Act?
The Prime Minister is coming to Tauranga for a public meeting. Hear how National is fixing the basics, building the future and delivering for the Bay of Plenty.
Tauranga Racecourse
Friday 31 July, 12.00pm
Come along, hear from us and ask your questions.
Link to my reel: Facebook
Tauranga City Council is proposing traffic lights at the Welcome Bay Rd / Kaitemako Rd intersection and a High Occupancy Vehicle lane on Welcome Bay Rd.
A number of residents have raised safety concerns, particularly about the planned removal of the flush median. This would mean vehicles turning into driveways having to stop in a live traffic lane.
Local resident Robert Coe has started a petition opposing the plans.
You can view it and add your name here if you share these concerns:
Tauranga City Council is installing new changing facilities at the park to support the growing number of teams using the grounds.
The new buildings will include showers and toilets (including accessible options), giving players a proper place to prepare for games and recover afterwards. The facilities will be located at the end of the entrance pathway off Monowai Street. Construction is expected to start late July and finish in early September. A small section of the park will be temporarily closed while the work is underway.
These are much-needed interim facilities while longer-term planning for the park continues. It’s a positive step for local sport and the Arataki community.
This is a major milestone for our project team. There's still a lot to do – it's on track to finish the road in 2028 – but it means the Western Bay of Plenty is one step closer to having a new road, and to people's travel being much more reliable, efficient, and safer.
See NZ Transport Update: Facebook
Another big afternoon in the middle recently, refereeing the semi-final between Katikati and Arataki.
Katikati came away with a solid 31-5 win in front of a strong local crowd.
Well done to both teams on a good game, and congratulations to Arataki on a fantastic season. All the best to Katikati in next week’s final
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!
Public Meeting with the PM - Friday 31 July
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.
Super Blues - 10 August with Stuart Smith
This Week in New Zealand History
Lotto goes on sale for first time
22 July 1987
Lotto pamphlet, 1987 (Alexander Turnbull Library, Eph-A-LOTTERY-Lotto-1987/1988)
Outlets opened to long queues, with a first division prize in the inaugural draw of $360,000 (equivalent to more than $760,000 today). In the first year, Kiwis ‘invested’ nearly $249 million ($525 million) in the new lottery, which was based on a weekly draw of six numbers (plus a bonus number) between 1 and 40. Over the years Lotto has introduced new options such as Powerball and Strike.
By the early 2000s, 67 per cent of the population was regularly playing Lotto. Workmates and families formed syndicates to purchase weekly tickets. Nearly one-third of those buying tickets chose self-selected numbers rather than a computer-generated ‘lucky dip’.
By mid-2007 Lotto had paid out more than $3.75 billion in prize money to more than 63 million winners. The largest amount won on a single ticket is the $44 million jackpot won by a Hibiscus Coast couple in November 2016.
The profits from Lotto – about 70 cents in each dollar – are transferred to the Lottery Grants Board for distribution to sports, arts, film and community organisations. By 2015 the board had allocated $3.6 billion in grants. The amount requested continues to grow, while the amount available for distribution fluctuates in line with lottery sales and profits.
This Week in Parliament - in brief
New ferries operator announced, vessels named
The Government has confirmed KiwiRail will operate New Zealand’s two new Cook Strait rail ferries, with the vessels to be named Kupe and Cook.
World first New Zealand-Singapore essential supplies agreement now in force
A landmark agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on essential supplies, is now in force following a ceremony in Auckland, says Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
Foreign Minister to travel to Philippines
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Manila next week to further strengthen the NZ-Philippines relationship and participate in a series of regional meetings.
Bird flu work steps up - second case confirmed
Work on the ground will step up after confirmation a single Kāhu, swamp harrier hawk, which was found in the Wairarapa, is the second bird in New Zealand confirmed to have H5 bird flu, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka.
FIT Partnership grows to 19 countries
The Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership has grown from 16 to 19 members, with Korea, Peru and Thailand formally joining at this week’s Ministerial meeting in Auckland, hosted by Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, with other countries considering membership in the near future.
FIT members commit to smoother trade
Members of the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership have committed to practical initiatives aimed at enhancing trade and reducing barriers at their meeting in Auckland, says Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Chair of the ministerial meeting.
Domestic cement production secured
The Government is acting to maintain New Zealand’s ongoing domestic cement manufacturing capacity and ensure our economy remains resilient to global supply chain shocks.
New charter school opens doors
Term 3 begins, and with it the opening of Te Whare Kounga, a new charter school in Wairoa, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.
Better planning for growth and environment
Resource Management Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court are welcoming the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill being reported back from the Environment Committee, with changes that improve the workability of New Zealand's new planning system while retaining its core design.
Students to receive completed NCEA co-requisite assessments
More than 76,000 students receiving the results of their Writing, Te Reo Torohū, Numeracy and Pāngarau assessments will be able to view their completed assessments for the first time, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Select Committee report on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill welcomed
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Select Committee report on the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill is a significant step forward for the primary sector.
$10 billion milestone highlights growing investment in New Zealand innovation
The Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) has now supported more than $10 billion invested by businesses in research and development (R&D) activity, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Penny Simmonds says.
Fiscal discipline critical during global volatility
Inflation figures show the impact of the global oil price shock, while reinforcing the Government’s prudent response to global volatility, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Final report received on Phillips Children Inquiry
The final report of the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children was presented to the Governor-General’s office and delivered to Attorney-General Hon Chris Bishop as required by the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
New Zealand and Philippines form Comprehensive Partnership
The Foreign Ministers of New Zealand and the Philippines have announced a Comprehensive Partnership
Women’s governance pipeline grows through BoardConnector
The Ministry for Women’s database linking women with governance opportunities has more than doubled its first-year growth target as demand grows from women seeking board roles across New Zealand, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says.
Calmer, quieter classrooms - as walls go up
Nearly 200 schools have begun the process of replacing open-plan classrooms with enclosed learning spaces to create quieter, calmer spaces more suited for learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced.
Term 2 in person attendance highest since 2016
Provisional school attendance data for Term 2 2026 shows despite high fuel prices in person attendance rates were higher than any Term 2 since 2016, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says.
Licenced firearm owners heard with improvements to Arms Bill
Further changes to the Arms Bill will make New Zealand’s firearms laws more practical, proportionate, and effective, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
NZ and PNG strengthen Defence ties
New Zealand and Papua New Guinea’s Defence relationship continues to grow, with the two countries signing an agreement to deepen cooperation and engagement, Defence Minister Chris Penk says.
CPI reported monthly from 2027
New Zealanders will have access to monthly inflation data from July 2027 as part of a major upgrade to the country’s economic statistics, Statistics Minister Scott Simpson says.
Guide to support staff experiencing stalking
A new guide to equip workplaces with tools to support employees who experience stalking has been launched by Minister for Women Nicola Grigg.
Keep in Touch with me
Bay of Plenty Electorate Office
3/9 Domain Road, Papamoa
07 542 0505
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Thanks,
Tom.