The Government has released its response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19.
New Zealanders placed enormous trust in their government and made real sacrifices to protect one another. They deserve a clear account of what happened, and this response is about learning from it. The independent Commission is clear that restrictions stayed in place for longer than needed against public health advice, that Auckland was kept apart from the rest of the country for longer than it needed to be, and that the cost to jobs, businesses, and everyday life was not given sufficient weight alongside the health response. The Commission also found that more than half of the $60 billion COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, spread across more than 800 programmes, was not directly related to the pandemic. That has left New Zealanders carrying higher debt and a higher cost of living they are still feeling today.
The Inquiry ran over four years and heard from more than 44,000 New Zealanders. It made 63 recommendations across 23 agencies. The Government has accepted 21 in full and a further 36 in principle, while partially accepting the remaining six. Having learnt from the previous Labour Government's mistakes, we are restoring fiscal discipline and making sure that when support is needed it reaches those who need it most, rather than spraying tens of billions of dollars across hundreds of programmes with little to show for it.
A re-elected National Government will extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029. It's the first step in our long-term vision of extending to 40 weeks. We’ll also give parents the flexibility to take paid parental leave at the same time, so they have the option of together during those early months.
Supporting families and backing skilled people to stay in the workforce by improving paid parental leave settings is all part of National’s plan to fix the basics and build the future.
We are replacing the RMA so it’s faster, easier and cheaper to get things built in NZ.
Link to my reel: Facebook
An update about the most recent slip at Mauao/Mount Maunganui. - Link to my video: Facebook
Please continue to support the local businesses in the area but also respect the road closures.
I will be keeping you updated as more information comes to hand - "Kia kaha Mount Maunganui community"
NewstalkZB podcast: Tom Rutherford, Bay of Plenty MP on fresh slips at Mount Maunganui landslide site
The Region covers from Gisborne to Hot Water Beach, with 18 clubs and 6,661 members.
Over the last year in our region lifeguards assisted 260 people to safety, treated 422 people with first aid, carried out 230 rescues, and made nearly 9,400 preventive actions.
Huge congratulations to Omanu Beach SLSC for being named Bay of Plenty Overall Club of the Year.
Spent a morning recently with Derek, Cam, Mandeep and the DMS team at Pukepack which is their largest packhouse.
Kiwifruit is a huge part of the Bay of Plenty economy, so it was good to see up close the scale of the work that goes into getting it from orchard to market.
Recently, my team surprised me with some of the local reactions to my photo.
Gotta love the honesty!
Check it out! - Facebook
I’ve officiated more games this year than I have over the last couple of seasons combined, all because I loved being back out in the middle, staying fit, and supporting the game. Honestly, what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
A big thanks to all the volunteers in the Bay and across New Zealand who give up their time to make our games possible.
This Sunday, 2 August - come see me for a chat, catch up.
Looking forward to seeing you!
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!
Monday 10 August, 10am
John Walker wins gold in Montreal
31 July 1976
John Walker wins gold at the Montreal Olympics, 1976 (New Zealand Olympic Committee)
Following in the footsteps of Jack Lovelock and Peter Snell, Walker won gold in the Olympic 1500 m. Black African nations boycotted the Games in protest at the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa.
The 1500-m final at the 1976 Olympic Games was meant to be a showdown between Walker and Filbert Bayi of Tanzania. Bayi had won gold to Walker’s silver in the event at the 1974 Commonwealth Games, with both men breaking the world record. Both expressed disappointment that they would not be competing against one another after Tanzania withdrew from the Olympics as part of the boycott. There is doubt, however, whether Bayi could have competed, as he was suffering from malaria shortly before the Games.
After focusing his pre-Games training on beating Bayi, who always led from the start, Walker instead faced a field full of fast finishers. He and his coach, Arch Jelley, decided that he would force the pace in the last lap. As the race progressed Walker became concerned that the pace was too slow and that it would come down to a sprint against the ‘sitters and kickers’. Eamonn Coghlan of Ireland gave Walker his opportunity. With about 270 m to go Coghlan took off, leading Walker to the front of the field. Heading into the top bend, the New Zealander surged into the lead.
Walker held on to win gold in a time of 3 minutes 39.17 seconds, 7 seconds slower than Bayi’s Christchurch world record. Ivo van Damme of Belgium (3:39.27) and Paul-Heinz Wellmann of West Germany (3:39.33) were close behind, while Coghlan faded to fourth.
Sod turned on final stage of Eastern Busway
Construction has begun on the final 500-metre section of the Eastern Busway, a project that will deliver more reliable and efficient transport choice for Aucklanders.
Psychology Assistants hit the books
Psychology Assistant students are training in New Zealand classrooms for the first time, marking a major milestone in growing the mental health workforce. The first graduates are set to enter the workforce next year, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
Reappointments to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori Board strengthens continuity and leadership
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed the reappointment of Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod as Deputy Chair and Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand CNZM as a Board member of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.
New AI tool to help develop biosecurity standards
The Government is developing and testing a new AI tool to modernise the import health standard process while maintaining New Zealand's world-class biosecurity protections, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
National backs hunters and anglers
A re-elected National Government will strengthen hunter-led conservation, protect access to the outdoors, and better recognise the value of hunting and fishing to New Zealand.
More flexibility for growers of smaller-scale crops
The Government is making it easier for growers of smaller-scale crops to use the agricultural chemicals they need to control pests and weeds, says Minister for Food Safety Andrew Hoggard.
Tertiary Minister to strengthen New Zealand's vocational education links with China
Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Tertiary Education and Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, is travelling to the People's Republic of China to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, this week. Minister Simmonds will be accompanied by a delegation of 11 senior leaders of New Zealand institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs).
Over 97,500 families benefiting from FamilyBoost
Over 97,500 New Zealand families have now received FamilyBoost payments to help with the cost of early childhood education, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
Final report on Phillips Children Inquiry extended
The Attorney-General has extended the final report deadline for the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children by one month, allowing the Inquiry additional time to clarify a matter.
Simpler, clearer, more effective RSE scheme
The Government is modernising the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, making it simpler and clearer to use while maintaining protections for workers and opportunities for New Zealanders.
Poultry sector gets stronger biosecurity backing to fight bird flu
The Government is introducing new biosecurity regulations to help poultry farmers manage H5 bird flu, protect livelihoods, and secure domestic food supply, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
Better tools to fund and finance new infrastructure
The Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill passed by Parliament will give developers and councils more innovative tools to fund and finance the infrastructure New Zealand needs to grow, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
AI search harnessed to back tourism growth
The Government is investing in initiatives to help ensure New Zealand tourism experiences are visible and accessible to international visitors through artificial intelligence (AI) tools, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
3,000+ social homes delivered in Auckland so far
The Government has met its 2023 election commitment to deliver 3,000 additional social homes in Auckland during the current term of government, reaching the milestone months ahead of schedule and providing thousands more Aucklanders with access to warm, dry and secure homes, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.
Belfast to Pegasus (SH1) Road of National Significance Fast-tracked
The State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass, Road of National Significance, has been granted Fast-track approval.
Defence Force to modernise with strike drones
The Government is beginning the process to purchase long-range one-way strike drones, looking particularly toward Kiwi industry for solutions, Defence Minister Chris Penk says.
Target of 10,000 trained in family and sexual violence responses reached early
This government’s ambitious target of better, and more, training to help staff support in family violence and sexual violence responses milestone has been achieved almost 6 months in advance of the due date.
Dog control guidelines updated for safety
Updated dog control guidelines released will help keep Kiwis safer whilethe Government continues its review of dog control laws, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.
New investment to boost Otago predator control
Otago is the latest region to benefit from the Government’s next phase of Predator Free 2050, with a $3.9 million investment to expand successful predator elimination around Dunedin, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
Better firearm laws locked and loaded
The Arms Bill passed its final reading in Parliament meaning New Zealanders will soon have much better firearms laws that respect licenced firearm owners and improve public safety, says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.
Holidays Act headache finally over as leave reform delivered
The Employment Leave Bill has passed its third and final reading, ushering in a long-awaited overhaul of the law that provides employees with employment leave entitlements, like annual and sick leave, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced.
Getting Government off roofs, letting sun shine on Kiwi solar
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Ministry for Regulation’s Sector Review Report (“the Report”) on how to make residential and small to medium scale solar panel installation in New Zealand the simplest in the developed world.
Practical changes introduced for laboratory safety
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says changes to hazardous substances regulations coming into effect will provide regulatory relief and ensure laboratory safety requirements better reflect the realities of working in labs.
Warkworth to Te Hana PPP signed
The Government has signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement to deliver the first section of the Northland Expressway – Warkworth to Te Hana – starting one of New Zealand’s most significant infrastructure projects, Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced.
Homes for the hounds now the focus
Racing Minister Winston Peters says a brighter future awaits the hundreds of dogs involved in the greyhound racing industry
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Thanks,
Tom.