This is first and foremost about the six people who lost their lives - Lisa Maclennan, Susan Knowles, Jacqualine Wheeler, Måns Bernhardsson, Sharon Maccanico and Max Furse-Kee - and everyone still carrying that loss.
The review finds this tragedy was preventable. The landslide hazard had been identified for more than two decades. Practical recommendations were made and not acted on. There were systemic failures in how risks were identified, owned, escalated and managed over many years.
People rightly expect councils to put public safety first. I hope the recommendations will be implemented fully so something like this doesn’t happen again. I will be watching the response closely.
Full report and link to livestream: www.tauranga.govt.nz/externalreview
Chris Hipkins has had a number of days to rule out a Streaming Tax and a Ute Tax, and all we have heard is radio silence. We already know Labour and their mates are planning to hit Kiwis with nine new taxes to fund their $18 billion hidden bill.
Information revealed by National shows they appear to be planning two more, with a Streaming Tax and a Ute Tax. That would be 11 new taxes. Reuben Davidson announced a Streaming Tax in January, pushing up fees for anyone who watches Netflix, Neon, or Disney+. Labour is already coming for your income, your house and your farm. Now it is your Friday night on the couch.
And Michael Wood wants to bring back his Ute Tax. That is a tax on the tradie who needs a ute for work and the farmer who needs one to run the farm. Labour tried it once. New Zealanders rejected it. National scrapped it. Now Michael Wood wants to have another crack. These are not backbench thought bubbles. One is a former Cabinet Minister. The other is Labour's broadcasting and media spokesperson announcing policy in his own portfolio.
So, Chris Hipkins needs to answer two questions. Will Labour bring back the Ute Tax, yes or no? Is a Streaming Tax Labour Party policy, yes or no?
Kiwi farmers, growers and foresters are embracing new drone technology to use in their everyday operations, but our rules haven’t kept pace.
Right now, routine work like the spraying of pesticides and fertiliser via drones can be held up by costly and complex certification requirements.
That’s changing.
We are slashing the red tape so lower-risk ag drone operations can get underway faster, with a simpler notification process, instead of users needing to apply and wait months for certification.
This will make spraying cheaper, faster and more efficient — supporting better productivity on farm.
Regulation should be practical and proportionate, so high-risk operations will still have the right safeguards in place to protect public safety and the environment.
The agricultural sector is the backbone of our tradable economy, and we want them to have better access to the innovative technology being embraced globally.
National backs our farmers.
We are fixing the basics and building the future.
It’s fantastic to see another major international sporting event coming to New Zealand. National is proud to back the Major Events Fund and bring more world-class events to New Zealand.
Papamoa College and Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School will benefit from Government funding to support improvements to their learning environments. Schools, teachers and communities know their students best, and this funding will help ensure learning spaces continue to support effective teaching and learning.
I've heard from many local parents, teachers and school leaders about the importance of ensuring our schools have learning environments that meet the needs of students and staff.
Link to story: Port of Tauranga: Fast-track panel backs Stella Passage expansion application - NZ Herald
Tauriko’s growing fast, and this gives freight operators and locals another option right on a key transport route.
Well done to the Z team and everyone involved in getting it up and running.
Spent my morning recently with residents at Summerset by the Dunes in Pāpāmoa. Thanks for having me in and for the tough questions on what’s happening locally and around the country.
I love my job and getting to serve the people who make up our community.
Some pretty incredible people who have given so much time and service to our communities.
I was at the National Party stand at the NZ Fishing, Hunting & 4X4 Expo in Rotorua recently. Hunting and fishing are a big part of the Kiwi way of life, putting food on the table, bringing people together and supporting jobs and tourism around the country.
National has already delivered a Minister for Hunting and Fishing, two Herds of Special Interest, an Access Charter and support for community hut restoration.
And there’s more to come, with plans to strengthen the Game Animal Council, modernise Fish & Game, improve access to Crown land and back more hunter-led conservation.
I popped into Four Square Mount Maunganui to catch up with owner Sasa Overend, have a look around the store and meet some of the team.
Always enjoy getting out and hearing directly from our local businesses.
Join me for our Mt Maunganui Weekend of Action.
Join me for our Mt Maunganui Weekend of Action.
We’ll meet at Omanu Surf Club at 9am on Saturday and Fat Cat Street Coffee at 9.30am on Sunday. Come along, meet the team and help us get around the electorate talking with locals. Everyone is welcome.
For more information, email tom.rutherford@national.org.nz
September SuperBlues - Wednesday 9 September 10am
Local Government - Public Meeting - 15 October - 7pm
First use of kiwi as unofficial national symbol?
20 August 1904
Detail from J.C. Blomfield cartoon, 1904 (PapersPast)
The New Zealand Free Lance printed a J.C. Blomfield cartoon in which a plucky kiwi morphed into a moa as the All Blacks defeated Great Britain 9–3 in the first rugby test between Motherland and colony. This may have been the first use of a kiwi to symbolise the nation in a cartoon.
In 1905 Trevor Lloyd repeated this trope by depicting a kiwi unable to swallow Wales after the All Blacks’ controversial loss in Cardiff. When the ‘Originals’ won, they were shown as a moa.
Also in 1905, the Westminster Gazette broadened the imagery by depicting a kiwi and a kangaroo setting off for a colonial conference. By 1908 the kiwi was the dominant symbol for New Zealand in cartoons, especially sporting ones, having replaced images of moa, fern leaves, a small boy and a lion cub.
The New Zealand representative rugby league team was dubbed the Kiwis by a journalist in 1921 and has officially had this name since 1938. The 1945–46 2NZEF rugby team was also known as the Kiwis.
Red tape tipline continues fixing the problems no one else will
The Government is scrapping the ‘offensive trades’ list under the 1956 Health Act (the Act), ending annual registrations for affected businesses and saving them time and money, Regulation Minister David Seymour says.
Auckland youth supported from stage to study
A new partnership is supporting The Polyfest Trust to strengthen hundreds of at-risk young people’s educational and employment pathways through leadership development and mentoring opportunities, Youth Minister James Meager says.
Foxton Solar Farm Fast-tracked
A solar farm near Foxton is the 32nd project and eighth renewable energy project to be granted Fast-track approval.
Overseas visitor numbers keep climbing
New Zealand's tourism recovery maintains its momentum, with international visitor arrivals for June reaching 95 per cent of 2019 levels for the same period, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
New Zealand and Viet Nam deepen education connections
New Zealand and Viet Nam have strengthened their commitment to education cooperation and deepening connections between tertiary education institutions, says Minister for Tertiary Education Penny Simmonds.
Emergency waste funding grants for five councils
Emergency waste funding of $250,000 for five councils affected by severe weather events in January and February, has been announced by Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg
Thailand Prime Minister to visit New Zealand
Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will make an official visit to New Zealand this week, accompanied by a delegation of leading Thai business representatives, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced.
Government appoints facilitator to restore confidence in Tairāwhiti forestry
Forestry Minister Todd McClay is appointing a Facilitator to advise the Government on what further support or intervention may be needed around forestry in Tairāwhiti.
More protections coming for power consumers
Recent changes by the Electricity Authority will require power companies to regularly check that their customers are on the best plans for their circumstances and will ban power companies from doing big charge backs for bills dating longer than six months, says Energy Minister Simeon Brown.
1,000th wagon shows Hillside is back at work
The 1,000th rail wagon has rolled out of Dunedin’s Hillside Workshops, showing what happens when New Zealand backs practical industry, puts rail assets to work, and creates jobs for New Zealanders, Rail Minister Winston Peters says.
Next steps on Waitematā Harbour crossing
The Coalition Government has made decisions on next steps for the Waitematā Harbour Crossing project, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simon Watts have announced.
New grant for poultry industry launches
The Government has launched a new $1.5 million grant to help Kiwi poultry operators prepare for the possible arrival of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in commercial poultry farms, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
Fiordland mountain officially named Mount Kirk
A mountain in Fiordland National Park has been officially named Mount Kirk in honour of former Prime Minister Rt Hon Norman Kirk.
Ending the decade-long wait for an endometriosis diagnosis
Women and girls with endometriosis will be able to receive a diagnosis and start treatment sooner under new clinical guidelines, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Women’s Minister Nicola Grigg say.
Court fines clampdown shifts into overdrive
The Government’s initiative to clamp or seize cars from people not paying court
fines is shifting into overdrive with a nationwide operation taking place tomorrow, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Government clarifies climate change tort law
Businesses will now have certainty around their climate change obligations with legislation passing its final reading in Parliament, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Walls go up – classrooms calm down
The Government is investing a further $31.3 million to create calmer, less disruptive learning spaces in more than 600 classrooms at nearly 90 schools, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced.
Network efficiency needed for more affordable power, Govt says
Electricity network costs are driving most of the increases in New Zealanders’ power bills and the sector needs to help make power more affordable, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer say.
DOC awards $9.2 million to boost community-led conservation
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced $9.2 million of Department of Conservation Community Fund (DOCCF) funding will go to 20 community groups delivering conservation projects across New Zealand.
More than 820 homes through Flexible Fund
The first tranche of investment through the Government’s Housing Flexible Fund is delivering more than 820 new social and affordable homes in areas where they are needed most, exceeding its initial target of 675 to 770, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.
More juice into blackcurrant exports
The Government is backing a project to transform the blackcurrant sector into a global leader in premium, science-backed and high-value health ingredients, says Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.
Pharmac culture continues to improve, and get more transparent
Associate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes the summary report on Pharmac’s progress against his 2025/26 Letter of Expectations.
Achieving competitive urban land markets in new system
The government will establish an independent economic umpire to ensure councils achieve competitive urban land markets through the new planning system, Housing and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
A more practical planning system for food and fibre production
The Government is making targeted changes to the new planning system to create a more practical system for food and fibre production, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and RMA Reform Under-Secretary Simon Court say.
Decisions on Freshwater Farm Plans released
The Government is making changes to freshwater farm plans to create a simpler, cheaper system focused on real risk, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.
Building the future of data for rural communities
Rural families, communities and businesses will be better represented by a new work programme to strengthen rural data in New Zealand’s official statistics, Statistics Minister Scott Simpson and Rural Community Minister Mark Patterson say.
Changes to emergency management legislation
Legislative changes will give emergency management authorities the tools they need to keep their communities safe from an increasing number of emergencies, the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell says.
The simple question Labour MPs must answer
Senior Labour MP Ayesha Verrall is continuing Labour’s lie that the Capital Gains Tax is Labour’s only new tax, National’s Campaign Chair Simeon Brown says.
New template to simplify prequalification process
WorkSafe has created a new prequalification template designed to make it easier for construction businesses to be brought on to jobs, which will be especially helpful for smaller contractors, says Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden.
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Thanks,
Tom.